Page 149 of The Betrayal

“Please try not to worry, we will keep a very close eye on you if it turns out be that. I know it's easier said than done, but it's better to catch it now, then to catch it a few weeks down the line.”

My heart aches in my chest.

“We will have to wait a bit for the results so let’s get you scanned so you can see your babies, yeah?” Kyra tries to keep her tone upbeat for Ari's sake but it's not helping. I stand, Ari's hand back in mine as I walk her over to the bed. She looks numb. Completely numb. I can see her trying to process all that Kyra has said, but honestly, I think it is going in one ear and out the other.

Arizona lays down, lifting her oversized tee up and under her chest. Kyra squirts the gel onto her belly and an uncomfortable silence fills the room. Tension brews and I hate it for Ari. This is not what she was expecting today. But within seconds, that silence has gone, and the room is filled with two heartbeats galloping. I lean forward, my hand still linked with hers as I look at the screen and see our babies wriggling and moving which causes Ari's belly to move and pulse.

“They've got so big,” she whispers, eyes glued to the screen, but my eyes are glued to her. The way the worry washes off her face in an instant, her lips parting and forming a beautiful smile and bearing all of her teeth. She has the most picture-perfect smile. I wipe a stray tear that runs down the side of her face away with my thumb pad and my chest tightens.

“All is looking great Ari, the babies are growing nicely. If I was to estimate, they're probably around two pounds, maybe. Twin B is a little smaller, but that is normal with twins,” she places the probe back into its holder and wipes Ari's belly.

“How long will you keep them in for if my results come back showing I have pre-eclampsia?”

“Ideally, a few weeks. But it'll be weekly monitoring, and if things are getting worse then we will deliver the babies,” she smiles sweetly at Arizona and I help her sit up.

“And they'll be okay? If they had to be born early?” we wait on bated breath for her to answer.

“We can't promise anything, but we would hope they would be perfectly fine being born early.”

And that's when she breaks. All I can do is pull her into me and comfort her.

ARIZONA

The wait feels like a lifetime. I know it's probably thirty minutes if that, but still, right now, thirty minutes feels like a lifetime.

I knew it was pre-eclampsia. As soon as she said about my blood pressure, all my symptoms made sense

“You're being so brave,” Keaton whispers, sitting as close as he can to me, hand wrapped around mine. Normally I would find a comment like that condescending but not now. Not since being with Keaton because I know he generally cares about me.

I turn my face to look at him, a weak smile playing against my lips.

I don't feel brave. I feel like a scared little girl.

My eyes lift and find Kyra as she walks into the room with my notes folder.

“So?” Keaton asks the question for me and squeezes my hand.

“Arizona, you do have pre-eclampsia,” I see the grimace on her face and my heart drops. “You will need to go onto bedrest until we decide to intervene. I would like to admit you tonight.”

“Can I bring her in tomorrow? Just let her have one last night at home. I promise to keep an eye on her,” he pleads and my heart flutters in my chest.

“If by tomorrow you mean eight a.m. sharp, then yes, for you two... I will allow it,” she looks up through her lashes at Keaton and he glides his finger over his heart in a ‘cross my heart’ gesture.

“You've got a promise.”

“Good,” she gives him a nod then turns to face me, eyes soften, and a ghost of a smile on her lips. “And Ari, I know it sounds scary, but I am hoping the twins can stay inside as close to your due date as possible. We will be monitoring you daily, blood work, urine samples, blood pressure tests and of course more scans.” She closes my notes. “And if we get to the point where we need to get the babies out, then we will carry out a caesarean to remove them safely.”

“A caesarean?” my blood pumps loudly in my ears. I start to panic, my chest tightening, eyes widening as they stay pinned to Kyra. I have insurance, but what if they don't cover it.

“Yes, it's the safest way, even if you didn't have pre-eclampsia I would have pushed for an elective c-section for the twins delivery.”

All I can do is nod.

“Think of the babies,” Keaton reminds me and I breath out a shaky breath.

I nod again.

“Do you have any questions?” She asks, turning her attention to her computer.