Chapter 49
CASSANDRA
After breakfast, they leave Alex with Annah and head to the doctor’s office. Once they’re in the examination room, Emilio introduces her to the doctor. “This is my wife.”
They exchange greetings, and then Emilio starts to explain Cassandra’s symptoms. He’s such a control freak, she thinks. She’s the one who’s pregnant, but he’s doing all the talking.
“Mrs. Rodriguez,” the doctor says, “is there anything else you’d like to add?”
“No, my husband has covered everything.”
“Alright, why don’t you sit down so we can check your breathing and blood pressure?” Cassandra does as he instructs, and a few minutes later, he says, “I need you to give me a urine sample. The bathroom is right there.” He points. “Let me know when you’re done.”
Cassandra knows all these procedures are normal, but having Emilio here makes everything feel more personal. She had gone to her appointments alone when she was pregnant with Alex, and now she’s struck by how intimate it all is.
When Cassandra finishes, she calls the doctor, who takes the sample to test it. When he returns to the room, his frown makes her nervous, and she starts to fidget with her fingers.
“Is something wrong, doctor?” she asks, but he doesn’t answer.
“Could you lie down for me so we can check on the baby?”
Emilio is by her side in an instant, his hand gently stroking her hair. A moment later, the sound of the baby’s heartbeat fills the room, and Cassandra closes her eyes. The sound fills her with an overwhelming emotion. She can’t believe she’s going to be a mother again.
Cassandra opens her eyes and meets her husband’s gaze.
EMILIANO
Emiliano sees the love in his wife’s eyes as she listens to their baby’s heartbeat. He feels a powerful connection to this woman.
Her words earlier hurt him. How could she think he would tire of her when he can’t imagine his life without her? And hearing their baby’s heartbeat only deepens his love for her. He needs to share his feelings with her…and soon.
Emiliano hears another sound in the room. “What is that, doctor?”
“Another heartbeat.”
“Another heartbeat?” Cassie repeats, lifting her head. “What does that mean?”
Emiliano’s mother grins. “It means you’re having twins!” she exclaims.
Cassie looks as shocked as Emiliano feels. Twins… really?
The doctor says, “Your mother is right; you are having twins. Look here.” He shows them the other baby on the screen. “Your HCG levels are high, and your hormones are all over the place. That’s why your morning sickness is getting worse and why you can hardly eat.”
Cassie sits up. “My doctor didn’t mention anything about twins at my last appointment.”
“One twin was probably hiding. It’s common for us to miss one in the early stages of development because they hide or because one is bigger than the other. But we can detect it now because you’re almost eight weeks along.”
“This calls for a celebration,” Mama says cheerfully. “The first set of twins in our family—what incredible news!”
“Mrs. Rodriguez,” the doctor continues, “I would advise you to take it easy. Your blood pressure is a little high, but not enough for us to be alarmed about it. Just stay off your feet as much as possible, get plenty of rest for the babies—they’ll take up most of your strength and energy—and eat. I recommend trying a new menu; since you weren’t able to keep your normal foods down, eat something different. In the meantime, here is a prescription for your nausea.”
Emiliano takes the prescription from the doctor. “Thank you, doctor,” he says, shaking the man’s hand.
CASSANDRA
“Twins,” Cassandra says in disbelief in the car.
Emilio covers her hand with his own. “I’m here with you. It’s gonna be okay.” He kisses her hand, and Cassandra hopes he’s right.
Double the work…double everything.
“I must say, son, you’ve outdone yourself this time around,” Emilia says.
Cassandra blushes, thinking of how often they’ve made love, how they couldn’t keep their hands off each other… This was bound to happen.
“We should call the family and let them know the good news,” Emilia continues. “I’ll organize a small dinner celebration.”
“Mother, I don’t think that would be wise. The doctor said Cassie needs rest; she needs to stay off her feet.”
“Emiliano, it will be dinner with family and some close friends. Cassandra doesn’t need to do anything—I’ll take care of everything. All she has to do is be there. An hour or two won’t hurt.”
“You need to take it easy too, Mother. Remember what the doctor told you?”
“Nonsense. I’m absolutely fine, and nothing will happen to me. Cassandra…?”
“I’m okay,” she reassures her. “A few hours will be okay.”
Cassandra meets her husband’s eyes. He doesn’t look happy at all, but Emilia is so excited that Cassandra doesn’t want to hurt her feelings. After all, she will be a grandmother again.
Once they get home, Emilia starts preparing for dinner, and Cassandra goes to Alex’s room. Emilio follows her.
After gently lifting her son out of his crib, Cassandra closes her eyes, inhaling his scent. “You’re growing so fast,” she whispers in his hair.
Emilio steps in, wrapping his arms around both of them. He plants a kiss on Alex’s head and asks, “How’re you doing?”
“Better than this morning.”
“Hungry?”
“Not really, but I could eat.”
“You need to look after yourself, Cassie. Remember what the doctor said.”
“I know, and I will,” she assures him. “Can I ask you something?”
“I’m all ears.”
“Are you…happy about the babies? I mean, I’m sure this wasn’t part of your plan, your perfectly orchestrated bachelor life. Do you think you’ll be happy with me, raising our kids?” Her throat tightens as she utters the last words.
Emilio looks taken aback. “I wouldn’t want my life any other way. There’s no place I’d rather be right now than here with you and Alex…
“I had a hunch you might be pregnant, but I knew if I confronted you, you’d clam up. I was upset because you didn’t want to tell me, but I’m thrilled that you’re the mother of my children. I’ll never turn my back on any of them, and I’m more than ready to raise our kids together.”
By the time he finishes, Cassandra is on the brink of tears. She belongs here, with this man. He is her home.
Tears trickle down her cheeks, and Emilio tenderly wipes them away. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’m right here.” He continues to cradle her and Alex until their son starts to squirm.
“He needs to be fed,” Cassandra says.
“I’ve got it,” Emilio says, taking Alex from her. “You can just watch.”
“I can still—”
“You need to rest, especially with my mom planning a party for tonight.” She starts to object. “I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer, Cassie.”
