“Charles, is everything set for tonight?”
“Yes, Ian. Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of everything.”
We told both my parents and Jimmy about the twins. Needless to say, they were extremely excited. Richard wasn’t doing too well. He had his good and bad days. Rory had finally talked him into getting chemotherapy so he would be around when the twins were born. She had a way of dealing with him. He told me the best day of his life was when I was born and he couldn’t be happier that I was going to get to experience that same joy. I wanted to tell him that I was scared, because, to be honest, I still was. I expressed my small fear to Rory and she told me that she was scared too and that we’d conquer it together; one day and one step at a time. Tomorrow was Rory’s doctor’s appointment for a checkup and another ultrasound. I was so excited to see my babies and see how much they’d grown over the past few weeks.
Rory was out with Adalynn, getting ideas for the nursery, and I had Charles prepare all her favorite foods for dinner. This was going to be a special night because I had some news to tell her. The florist arrived and decorated the patio with a variety of flowers that were all Rory’s favorite. I stepped onto the patio to make sure everything was perfect. The candles were lit, the flowers were in place, and the table was beautifully set. The only thing missing was my beautiful girlfriend. I glanced at my watch and then heard the front door open. I went into the foyer and kissed Rory on the lips.
“Hi, sweetheart. I’m glad you’re home. I missed you,” I said as I took the bags from her and set them down.
“I missed you too. Want to see the cute maternity clothes I bought?” She smiled.
“Sure, but can it wait until later? Charles made us a wonderful dinner and it’s just about ready.”
“Oh great. I’m starving,” she said.
I took her hand and led her to the patio. She gasped when she walked outside. “Oh my God, Ian. It’s beautiful out here. What did you do?” she asked with a tear in her eye.
“It’s no big deal, sweetheart. Don’t start crying.”
“Hormones, you know.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle and kiss her head. “Come sit down, Madame,” I said as I pulled out her chair.
Charles served us our dinner and Rory’s eyes danced with excitement. “This looks amazing. So what’s the occasion?” she asked.
“Does there need to be an occasion to cook the mother of my children her favorite foods?”
“I guess not. But, you didn’t cook.” She winked at me.
“But I thought up all your favorite foods, sweetheart. Next time, I promise I’ll cook.” I smiled. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you something. We are going on a little trip, providing the doctor says it’s safe for you to travel. I have a meeting I need to be at in New York.”
“Oh, goodie, I’ll get to see Connor and Ellery,” Rory said in excitement.
“Yes, sweetheart, we will see Connor and Ellery. But then once we leave New York, we need to fly to Paris for Prim.”
Her beautiful face lit up with a bright smile. “Paris? Are you serious? We get to go back to Paris?”
“I knew you’d love the idea, but that’s only if your doctor gives you clearance to go.”
“Would you go without me?” She pouted.
There was something about the way she asked that made my heart hurt. I got up from my chair and walked over to her. I knelt down and kissed her expanding stomach. “I would never go anywhere without you or the babies. I’m never leaving you, Rory. Not even for a day. Wherever I go, you and the kids go.” I gently laid my head on her stomach as she ran her hands through my hair.
“Ian, I love you to pieces, but can I finish eating? We’re hungry.”
I chuckled as I shook my head. “I love you too. Now feed my kids.” I winked.
Chapter 37
Rory
I smiled as I felt light kisses traveling across my stomach. I opened my eyes to see Ian smiling at me.
“Good morning, sweetheart.”
“Good morning.”
“I was thinking about something last night. What sex do you think the babies are?”
“I don’t know. It would be nice to have a boy and a girl.”
“That’s what I was thinking too. Do you want to find out beforehand?”
“Yeah, I think I do. It would make it easier to decorate the nursery,” she said.
I was happy that Ian wanted to find out the sex of the babies. We got out of bed, made love in the shower, and then got dressed and headed down for breakfast before going to the doctor. When we walked into the dining room, Adalynn was sitting in her seat.
“Good morning, you two.” She smiled.
“Good morning, Adalynn,” I said, giving her a light hug.
“You’re either really early or we’re late,” Ian said as he kissed her cheek.
“You’re late.” She smiled. “I just dropped by for a chocolate chip muffin. Rory has me hooked on them. And, to tell you, my darling Ian, that Prim’s stock went through the roof while I was gone.”
“Of course it did. That’s what I do.” Ian winked at her.
I laughed and rolled my eyes as I ate the fruit cup Mandy set down in front of me.
****
Ian had been on Cloud Nine all morning. The majority of the reason was he couldn’t wait for the ultrasound. I was excited too, but nervous at the same time. I always had that “what if” worry inside me. What if something is wrong with one of the babies, what if the doctor can’t find a heartbeat, what if they’re in danger. It was a never ending line of “what ifs.” Another reason Ian was so happy was because the doctor told him that it was perfectly fine for me to travel.
I lay down on the table and Ian grabbed my hand and brought it up to his lips. “You ready?” he asked.
“Yes.” I smiled.
The doctor pressed down on my stomach with the wand and, instantly, we saw our babies. Tears started to fill my eyes as I looked at their little tiny hands. Ian got up from the chair and sat next to me on the table.
“Look at them, Rory. They’re beautiful. Our children are beautiful.”
“Your babies look perfect, Rory. They are growing as expected and they look good. Would the two of you like to know the sex of them?”
“Do you know?” I asked in excitement.
“Yes, I do.”
I looked at Ian and he smiled at me and nodded his head. “Yes, doctor. We want to know.”