"Oh no. Oh no..no..."
"Something wrong Marie?" I look up at my boyfriend.
"I'm pregnant."
**
"Fine. If you wanna leave, then go."
"I'm not taking care of someone's bastard child, Marie. I'm outta here."
"Then go!"
"Just for the record, I hope you fall down the stairs." I watch Brad as he walks away from me, then I look down at my stomach. I can't help but thinking it's all its' fault.
**
"Excuse me? Did you just say twins?" The tech nods.
"I see two distinct heartbeats." I shake my head. I feel dizzy. Of all the worse luck, I end up with twins. I wasn't even sure if I wanted this baby in the first place, and now it's twins.
**
"Hello Miss Shaw. How are you?" I hate it when people call me Miss Shaw.
"Fine, thanks." She folds her hands on her desk.
"So I see that you're looking into adoption, but for only one of the babies?" I nod.
"Yep."
"Are you sure that's something you'd like to do? I often get young women such as yourself coming in here, only wanting one of the babies, and then asking me later if they could get the other back."
"First, I'm not that young. Second, I've researched and know what I'm doing. Third, I'm just not capable of taking care of two kids. I'm not here to be talked out of it. I'm here to set up an adoption." She nods.
"Okay, I see. Well, if you're sure, let's get this started."
**
"Here's Baby A and.... there's Baby B. Both look like girls." Oh good. "Have you thought of any names yet?" I think it's weird that the tech is asking me that, but answer her anyway.
"Not names so much as letters. The first one is getting A and B initials and the second C and D."
**
"3... 2... 1... Okay, another big breath. One more push Marie and your first baby is out." I take another gulp of air and hold it while they take their sweet old time counting backwards from 10. I pant and flop back against the pillows. That's when I hear the first tiny cry. "We're not done yet, Marie. A few more pushes and your second baby will be out. Come on now." I think briefly about telling them where to shove their few more pushes, but I'm too tired. Four more pushes and I hear the second little cry.
"Can I see them?" After they're cleaned up and blanketed they're both set on my chest. I look at them both for a few seconds.
"What are their names?"
"Ariel Brianne and Carolyn Diane."
"And which one are you keeping?" I look at them both again.
"Carolyn, I'm keeping her."
"Okay, well I'm sorry Marie, but I'm going to have to take Ariel. Her parents are waiting for her." I nod and hand her over to the nurse.
"Marie, I'm sorry, but I need Carolyn. We need to weigh her and check her over." I nod again and give my baby to another nurse. I watch sleepily as a few nurses make sure she's okay.