“Everything’s fine, right?” Megan asked. “The baby’s okay?”
“I can’t believe it.” Dr. Mendoza laughed and grabbed a pen out of her coat pocket to point at the screen.
Twins. Megan’s heart sat somewhere in the region of her throat. Oh my gosh. It was happening.
“Here’s the baby.” Dr. Mendoza pointed to a tiny flicker in the middle of the blob and pushed a button. Sound filled the room, the thu-thump, thu-thump, thu-thump of a heartbeat. Megan’s breath caught. It was more beautiful than any piano concerto. “One hundred sixty-seven beats per minute. A good heartbeat.” Dr. Mendoza pointed to the screen again. “And here’s another baby.” A slightly faster sound filled the room. “One hundred seventy-two beats per minute for that one.”
Megan stared at Trent. “Twins,” he breathed. Megan shook her head in thrilled disbelief.
“And this is the third baby right here.” Megan whipped her head around to stare at Dr. Mendoza as a third sound filled the room. “One hundred fifty-nine beats per minute. Congratulations. You’re having triplets.”
For perhaps the first time in Megan’s life, she was speechless. “Triplets?” She stared hard at the screen. It all looked like one big white jelly-bean to her.
“Three babies?” Trent repeated. “Where?”
“But we only put in two eggs,” Megan said.
Dr. Mendoza pushed a button on the screen to freeze the pane and withdrew the ultrasound probe. Megan leaned forward, and Trent peered over her shoulder.
“Here’s Baby A,” Dr. Mendoza said. “Here’s the fetus, and right here is the outline of the sack. Here’s Baby B, and here’s Baby C.” Dr. Mendoza pointed to the first baby. “This baby—Baby A—is a fraternal triplet. These two, however—Baby B and Baby C—are identical twins. One of the eggs split.”
The image disappeared from the screen. Megan opened her mouth to protest, but Dr. Mendoza pulled off a long string of photos and handed them to her. Megan stared down at the three little dots, distinct in her mind now that they’d been pointed out. Three people were inside of her. Triplets. Three babies. Three.
“I’m so happy for you both,” Dr. Mendoza said. Was that a tear in her eye? “Moments like this make my job worth it. Get dressed, then meet me in my office. I’m sure you have lots of questions, and we’ll get to all of them.”
Megan should have lots of questions, but her mind froze. She was stunned, unable to wrap her head around what she just heard. “Triplets,” she whispered as she dressed.
Trent shook his head. His smile was so wide Megan worried it would split his face. “An instant family.”
So many of their friends who had married at the same time as them were on their third child. Now they were going to catch up all at once. It was exhilarating and overwhelming.
Dr. Mendoza was already in her office when they arrived. “Sit down. Let’s talk.” Trent and Megan nodded mutely and sat. “You seem in shock. How are you feeling?”
“Excited,” Trent said at the same time Megan said, “Scared witless.”
“Both perfectly normal reactions,” Dr. Mendoza said. “What are you scared about, Megan?”
What wasn’t she scared about? “The pregnancy. Getting all three babies here safely. The logistics of taking care of them. I’m scared to let myself be excited, in case something goes wrong.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure all three babies are born healthy and strong,” Dr. Mendoza said. “I’m referring you to the best perinatologist in the state. That’s an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies.” She scribbled on a paper. “Do you have a regular OB/GYN?”
“Not since we moved,” Megan said.
“Dr. Johnson is amazing. You’ll meet with both Dr. Johnson and the perinatologist, Dr. Hansen, for the rest of your pregnancy. We’ll get you in to both of them before the end of the week. But I can already tell you what they’ll both recommend—that you quit working immediately. The health of your babies will depend on lots of rest, eating well, and taking it easy.”
Trent took Megan’s hand in his. “Megan will turn in her notice today.”
This was all happening so fast. No more selling houses? Not that she’d miss it. “What about teaching piano lessons?” Megan asked. “I have three students depending on me.”
“You’ll have to ask Dr. Johnson and Dr. Hansen about that,” Dr. Mendoza said. “But I’m guessing they won’t have any objections.”
Megan would stop teaching if she had to. It would be worth it for the babies. She would do anything for her children.
Triplets. Three babies.
Their lives had been turned upside down.
At six weeks on the dot, Christina started throwing up. She woke up Sunday morning, got out of bed, and ran for the bathroom.
“Are you okay?” Gary asked when she reemerged.
Christina couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face. This tangible evidence of the child inside had her bursting with joy. “I’m really pregnant.” She hugged Gary tight.
Over the next week, Christina gained a new sympathy for Stacey. Christina’s stomach ached from the constant heaving, and she quickly learned what smells and foods to avoid. But nothing could lessen her joy. Every time she threw up, she said a prayer of gratitude. The pregnancy books said morning sickness was a sign the baby was growing healthy and strong.
At six weeks, they also had their first ultrasound. They couldn’t hear a heartbeat, and the baby looked like a little blob. But Gary and Christina were in love. At seven and a half weeks, they had another ultrasound. Christina spent the morning lying flat on the couch, the TV on with the volume low, hoping she could make it through the appointment without embarrassing herself. It took nearly two hours to get ready for the day since she had to stop frequently to get her nausea under control.
At the clinic, Gary helped her to a chair in the waiting room. She closed her eyes and tried to think happy thoughts while he checked in. You’ll see your baby soon, Christina reminded herself. Don’t throw up now.
A nurse led them to an exam room, and Christina undressed and sat on the table. Her stomach roiled, but mostly from excitement.
“You two are positively glowing,” Dr. Mendoza said. “How are you feeling, Christina?”
“She’s been throwing up constantly,” Gary said. “Should we be worried?”
“No. It’s part of pregnancy. I’ll write a prescription for something that should help. Now let’s see that baby.”
Dr. Mendoza inserted the ultrasound wand, and Christina’s uterus popped up on the screen. There, in the middle of it all, was a tiny white blob that looked like a jelly-bean. Christina gasped as the bean wiggled around. Her hand went to her throat as she stared in awe at their baby. Gary’s hand found hers.
“There’s your baby.” Dr. Mendoza pointed at the screen. A sound filled the room. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. Thu-thump.
And Christina’s whole world changed. Her baby became real.
“One hundred sixty-eight beats per minute, and measuring right on schedule. You’ve got a strong baby here.”
Christina couldn’t stop grinning for the rest of the day.
“Are you sure you want to tell them?” Christina asked Gary. For the first time in two months they were having Sunday dinner with the Vincents. A few days after the fight, Alexander and Elauna had sent a fruit basket as some sort of apology, but Christina had insisted she wasn’t going back to their house, and Gary had agreed.
“We’re going to have to tell them at some point.” They’d called Christina’s parents in France the night before, and they had been thrilled. “I think it’s time, don’t you?”
“I guess. But if they call our child a ‘test tube baby,’ I’ll go all crazy hormonal lady on them.” Or maybe she’d throw up all over Elauna’s Persian rugs.
Gary laughed. “Fair enough.”
The second they walked through the front door, the smell of cinnamon and Elauna’s perfume hit Christina and ma
de her nauseous.
“Are you okay, Christina?” Gary asked. Elauna and Alexander were staring at Christina like she had three heads.
Christina shook her head, bolting past them for the bathroom. She barely made it to the toilet before throwing up.
She splashed cool water on her face and patted it dry, her entire body flush. They’d never believe she was anything but pregnant now. She wasn’t sure she was ready for that conversation, but she needed to be.
Gary rose and came to her side when she entered the living room. “Feeling better?”
“I guess you ignored us and went and made one of those test tube babies,” Elauna said. She sat on the couch with her feet crossed, hands in her lap, and nose so high Christina hoped Elauna’s neck would snap in two.
“Is this true, Gary?” Alexander looked back and forth between the two of them. “Are you expecting?”
“Surprise,” Gary said.
Elauna’s eyes widened. “I’m really going to be a grandma?”
“You’re going to be a grandma,” Gary confirmed.
“If you think you can love a ‘test tube baby.’” Christina couldn’t keep the bite from her voice.
Elauna sprung out of her chair. “Oh my goodness. This is so exciting.” She turned to Alexander. “Did you hear him? We’re going to be grandparents!”
“I heard, Elauna.” Alexander grasped Gary’s hand and slapped him on the back. “Congratulations, kids.”
Elauna flung her arms around Gary’s neck. “My friends will be thrilled. No one needs to ever know it’s one of those test tube babies.”
“Okay, we’re setting some guidelines right now,” Christina said, looking to Gary for support. He nodded, pulled away from his mother, and led Christina to a chair.
“Guidelines?” Elauna sniffed. “I don’t think being a grandparent is difficult.”
“You’ve shown some insensitivity in the past toward Christina,” Gary said.
“I never—”
“Sit down, Elauna.” Alexander took his own seat. “Let the boy talk.”
“You won’t refer to your grandchild as a test tube baby,” Gary said. “This child is a miracle, and deserves all the love in the world, no matter his or her manner of conception.”
“I would never mention that to the baby.” Elauna seemed horrified at the thought. “The child doesn’t need to know, as far as I’m concerned.”
“That will be up to me and Christina to decide. Do you understand?”
Elauna leapt up, pulling Gary into another hug. “Of course. I’m so pleased.” She motioned to Christina, who joined them in their embrace. “Today you’ve made me the happiest mother in the world.” She pulled back, waving a hand in front of her eyes as though to ward off tears. “I need to buy a stuffed animal. What should I get?”
“The baby already has ninety stuffed animals,” Christina reminded her.
“But this is special.”
Christina laughed. For the first time, Elauna’s obsession didn’t bother her.
Kyra’s hands shook as she shoved the phone in her pocket.
Their fourth IUI hadn’t worked. And the loan money was gone.
“Mommy, here.” Sophie held out a handful of mail.
Kyra took the mail, her hands still shaking. She should tell David. He needed to know. “Did you and Daddy go to the mailbox?”
“Yes. I saw a big dog, and I wasn’t even scared. It was on a leash, and I got to pet it.”
“That’s great, sweetie.”
“I’m going outside. Daddy said I can go swimming.” Sophie disappeared out the back door.
No baby. Another failed IUI. Money down the drain.
Kyra flipped through the mail, trying to regain her composure before telling David. Three credit card applications, an advertisement for window cleaning, and a bill from the pediatrician’s office. She sucked in a breath, slowly opened the envelope, and withdrew the statement. The dollar amount started up at her, mocking her with all those zeros.
When would they catch a break? A tear slipped down Kyra’s cheek. How could they keep paying for student loans, unexpected medical bills, life, and fertility treatments?
Maybe Kyra could work from home. Take on a few kids to babysit. Sell her inherited curio cabinet, the only piece of furniture they owned worth anything substantial.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She should be worrying about how to pay for a delivery, not how to pay to get pregnant.
They’d make it work. If they took out another loan and sold a few pieces of furniture, they’d be okay. Who really needed a dining room table? Or a couch?
Kyra wandered into the backyard. David sat in a chair, laughing as Sophie splashed water at him from the wading pool. Kyra shut the sliding glass door, the noise echoing in the small yard. David’s face paled, and he walked over to her.
“It didn’t work?”
Kyra shook her head. “They want us to come in and discuss our options on Monday.”
David squeezed his eyes shut, then pulled her into his arms. “It’ll be okay. We’ll figure this out.”
“Mommy, look.”
Kyra wiped quickly at her eyes, pulling from David’s embrace.
Sophie stopped, frowning. “Why are you crying?”
“I’m sad right now, Soph.”
“Is it because the baby went away?”
David and Kyra glanced at each other. He was fighting tears, too.
“Yes.” Kyra brushed back Sophie’s hair. “I’m happy to be your mommy, though.”
“You shouldn’t be sad,” Sophie said.
“Why not?” David asked.
Sophie furrowed her brows as though that was a stupid question. “I already told you—God said my baby brother is coming really soon. Remember?”
“I guess I forgot,” Kyra said. “Tell me again. How did He tell you that, sweetie?”
Sophie sighed like it was obvious. “Mo-om. He said to not be sad, that my baby brother is coming soon and we just gots to be paytents. What does paytents mean?”
The warmth, practically a fire, encompassed Kyra’s whole being. “Do you mean patient?”
Sophie nodded. “Yeah, that.”
There was no way Sophie would come up with that word on her own. Be still, my daughter. The voice was deep in her soul, quiet and calm. Her arms broke out in goosebumps, and she shivered. It is in my hands. All is well.
David’s eyes glistened with tears. He reached out a hand, squeezing Kyra’s. Everything would be okay. They just needed to have patience.
Four IUIs. Six months ago, David and Kyra had said they could afford one. Now they sat in Dr. Mendoza’s office, discussing their options.
“I think it’s time we try IVF,” Dr. Mendoza said. “We’ve done three IUIs since your miscarriage. The odds are no longer in our favor.”
Kyra felt physically sick. In vitro. The procedure itself didn’t scare her. Much. But the money . . .
Well, that was terrifying.
“There’s a much higher success rate with in vitro,” Dr. Mendoza reminded them. “Fifty percent.”
Pregnancy success rate. Once those words had filled Kyra with hope, but now she knew all too well a pregnancy didn’t necessarily mean a baby. “And how many of those women miscarry?” Kyra asked.
“About ten percent, the same rate as in unassisted pregnancies.” Dr. Mendoza leaned forward, her hands on the desk. “Kyra, I know this has been hard for you. But my goal is to get you a baby. I would rather you spend your money on one in vitro attempt with a high likelihood of success than on ten IUIs we know probably won’t work.”
Kyra hung her head, and the tears burned. Megan and Christina got pregnant with IVF. Maybe it could happen for her, too. But could they make it work financially?
“And if we can’t afford in vitro?” Kyra asked.
“We offer payment programs and loan options. There are a number of grants available, but most give preference to childless couples. At this point, I think you’re rea
lly looking at three options.”
Three. Kyra clung to that. One of those options had to be affordable, right?
“Okay, let’s hear it,” David said.
Dr. Mendoza ticked them off on her fingers. “You can try in vitro. You can adopt. Or you can be thankful for the beautiful little girl you have, and decide to leave it at that.”
Kyra remembered holding Sophie for the first time, and the way her whole world had changed. She thought of Sophie’s insistence that her baby brother was coming. The third option was not a choice. Not for Kyra. But in vitro versus adoption . . .
She didn’t care about the pregnancy. Not anymore. All she wanted was the baby.
“Is adoption less expensive?” Kyra asked.
Dr. Mendoza chewed on her lip as though considering. “Adoption through foster care definitely is—maybe two thousand dollars, and the state reimburses most of that cost. But the goal of foster care is to reunite children with their biological parents, so there’s always that risk. With a reputable adoption agency, you’re almost guaranteed a baby. Plus you get a tax credit that helps financially, at least some.”
Adoption. Kyra had never considered it before.
Be still, my daughter. It is in my hands. All is well. The same warmth she’d felt when Sophie told her about a baby brother spread through her heart. Adoption. It was worth considering.
“Let’s at least find out our options for in vitro,” David said. “Is Diane the one we would discuss that with?”
“Yes. I’ll see if she’s free.”
They spent two hours with Diane, going over every possible option. The results were disheartening. Best case scenario, they were looking at twelve thousand dollars. Worst case, it would cost more than twenty thousand.
The moment they got into the car, Kyra started to bawl. “Twenty thousand dollars!” she shouted at David. Their emergency fund was gone, and they were living paycheck to paycheck. They were nearly twenty-five thousand dollars in debt, between the student loans, medical bills, and the loans for IUI. That didn’t include the van payment. They couldn’t sell enough possessions to come up with twenty thousand dollars, and Kyra knew they couldn’t afford the monthly payment on that hefty a loan. “How are we going to come up with that kind of money?”
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