Page 49 of A Simple Love
Dean comes up behind me, followed by Pauline holding Axel, pulling me in for a brotherly hug. “Congrats, bro. It’s about damn time.”
I laugh. “Don’t remind me.”
“Vic, I’m so happy for you guys!” Pauline bursts through the crowd of people that have flooded the stage, all vying for a chance to give us their congratulations and admire Victoria’s vintage-style ring.
“Thank you! I still can’t believe this!” She smiles smugly over at me as I shrug back at her. Glad to know I can surprise her when I need to.
Victoria’s parents and my mom all fight their way to us eventually once the initial excitement has worn off. Lilly hugs me tight and asks if she can call me her brother yet. I don’t have a problem with it, so I agree wholeheartedly.
After I help Victoria and the other first grade teachers store the costumes and backdrop, clear the aisles of debris, and lock up the multi-purpose room, I help my fiancé to my truck and make our way home.
Once inside, she turns to me and lunges for my body, throwing her arms around my neck.
“Mike, that was the sweetest thing ever. Thank you,” she says between closed-mouth kisses she’s placing rapidly along my jaw and neck.
“I’m glad you think so because what I’m about to do to you is not sweet at all.”
I lift Victoria up, her legs circling my hips as I stagger down the hallway, her laugh drifting along the walls. I throw her on the bed, strip her naked, and make dirty (and semi-sweet) love to her until we both succumb to sleep.
Chapter 28
Victoria
Two Years Later
“I blame Pauline.” Mike and I are walking out of the OBGYN’s office holding a strip of sonogram pictures as the fall breeze wafts through the air and rustles the leaves on the trees above us.
“Uh, Pauline didn’t get you pregnant, babe. I did,” he states proudly as I narrow my eyes at him.
“I’m aware of how it happened, but TWINS! That’s Pauline’s fault!”
“Ok, you’ve gotta fill in the details for me, Vic, because I have no idea what you’re getting at.”
The conversation flashes in my mind vividly. A girl’s night at Hayley’s house two years ago was when she dropped the bomb out of frustration in her own pregnancy. I was helping her get situated on the couch, watching her balance a plate full of food on her swollen stomach. I laughed at her because it was endearing and made me a little jealous that she was having a baby and I was caught up in a dating triangle, and that’s when she sealed my fate.
“Don’t laugh, girl. One of these days, you will understand. And I hope you get pregnant with twins!”
I watch Mike’s face contort from amusement to shock. “No shit,” he runs his fingers through his hair. “Well, I guess I have a bone to pick with my sister-in-law.”
“Right?” I say as we make it to the car, my protruding belly making it more challenging to walk without pain with each passing day. And now that I know we’re having twins, it makes sense how quickly my stomach has popped out.
“Listen, babe,” Mike turns to me once we’re settled in his truck. “I know this is overwhelming right now, but the reality is, we’re having twins and that’s a blessing. There are so many people who can’t have kids, Victoria… and we get two! At the same time!” Mike’s face is glowing with pride and adoration. “You are going to be the best mom, and I’m gonna rock this dad thing if I do say so myself.” He brushes his hand off his shoulder for effect.
“Oh, God… you’re right!” Tears instantly start to flow. Damn hormones. “We’re having twins babe!” I attack him across the center console, his lips meeting mine just like they always do. Even two years later, I can’t get enough of him, hence why he knocked me up twice in one shot.
After Mike proposed to me, we waited until the spring to get married, which was only about three months. Again, we figured why wait any longer. Our wedding was over my spring break from school, which transitioned nicely into vacation time for our honeymoon in Aruba. We waited at least a year before actively trying to have kids. I wanted to become established in my job and earn tenure (which I did this year) and he wanted to expand his business more. We added square footage onto his shop and he hired three more employees. The business has been great after he purchased a website and now takes orders from companies all over Nebraska.
We settled into married life just like we did after we officially started dating. It was just the two of us, enjoying our time and every minute we could spend together. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of arguments and disagreements over living situations that every couple experiences. I mean, come on… Why can’t men put their dirty clothes in the hamper? Why must they end up on the floor RIGHT NEXT TO IT? But we’ve survived, and now we’re in for an even bigger challenge… having twins in about six months.
We arrive at Tyler and Hayley’s house a little later than expected, since the doctor’s visit ran long from my epic freak out in the exam room. The nurse assured me I wasn’t the first mother to yell and break down upon finding out she was having twins.
“Knock, knock!” Mike shouts as we open the door and let ourselves in. Utter chaos surrounds us as Axel chases Hannah, Tyler and Hayley’s daughter, around the living room, blood-curdling screams assaulting our ears.
“Hey, momma-to-be! How’d the first appointment go?” Hayley greets me with a kiss on the cheek, then leads me to the kitchen where Tyler, Dean, and Pauline are all standing around feasting on snacks before we have dinner.
My appointment today was the first time I got to see the doctor. Since it’s my first pregnancy, they made me wait until I was around ten weeks before they’d see me.
“Well, I’d just like to point out that Pauline has clairvoyant powers.”