“About three months?” The doctor said, confused. My eyes were still closed.

  “Three months? Is that stage four?” I couldn’t breathe. The doctor was now moving the thing around on my stomach. Shifting, I suddenly heard a click then I heard rapid heartbeats coming from the machine. They grew stronger the more she moved.

  “I’d say you’re about three months along. Depending on your last period. I see a bit of scar tissue, but aside from that, everything looks good.” I barely heard the doctor. She didn’t answer my questions, and now I was trying to figure out how I would tell Zack I was dying. I found the other part of my heart and I would be forced to leave him early.

  “Is that my heartbeat?” I still refused to open my eyes. “Do I have worms or something? Is that why I can’t keep anything down?”

  “No, Raelynn. You’re about three months pregnant.” She said with excitement. I was now part of one of those insane TV shows.

  I opened my eyes with a quickness. “Three months, what?”

  “You’re three months pregnant with twin girls.” I was in shock. The daddy would either be Zack or Dario, but this changed everything. The second she said twin girls, I knew their names would be Katerina and Alyssha. I had to figure out how to tell my men. This was a lot. I was happy I wasn’t dying from cancer, but in complete shock that I was pregnant with twins. All questions, but one were answered. I pushed it to the side, because it could be sorted through later. I took the biggest deep breath and was glad I could breathe freely. Sometimes my anxiety hit me before I even thought about it.

  Twins. I was pregnant with twins.

  How on earth was I going to bring this up with Zack and Dario?!

  Only time would tell.

  Before I told the boys, I called to talk to my mom. I should have known better.

  “Mama, I need to talk to you. Can we meet at the diner today for lunch?” I asked her. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

  “No. What do you want? Are you out of money already?” She snapped back at me.

  “No mama, I wanted to share something with you, and I figured you would be a little happier about it.” I somberly explained.

  “Are you getting married to one of those mechanic boys?” She asked snippily.

  “Not yet, no. I wanted to tell you something in person. If I can’t talk to you in person and see your true reaction, I guess it’s best to say that I have nothing to say at all.” I said.

  “What is it Raelyn? I’m not hungry, and I really don’t have time to meet with you.” She grunted as the words came out.

  “Mama, I was going to tell you the amazing news I just found out. You are going to be a grandmother to twins. But since you don’t have time for me. I don’t have time for you.” I snapped. I was fighting back the tears. How my mom could hate me so much for following my heart was beyond me. She couldn’t even protect me and left my grandmother to do all the work. Oh well.

  “With twins? How are you going to handle twins with your drug addiction?” My mom accused. I cried and couldn’t hold back anymore and she continued,” I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You already had my funeral. I’m dead to you. Enjoy your life.” I hung up the phone. I guess I didn’t have a mom. I thought we overcame this, but the truth always comes out in the end.

  I sent a text to my best friend in the entire world: Jamie Brandon.

  Me: Hey girl! I wanted to let you know I have some amazing news for you, and I’d love for you to come visit in Bradford.

  Jamie: Omg! Are you still alive?! I’ve been emailing you, but no answer.

  Me: Yeah, I’m alive. I’m doing well. Can you Facetime?

  She called me via video chat. I was still in the truck. I was so grateful Zack let me borrow for the day.

  “Hey bitch! How the hell are you?! You look amazing! How long has it been?” Man, I missed her face!

  “Five months or so.” I smiled.

  “Wow! You look great! So, what’s the big news?” Never the patient one. Always one to rush to the point.

  “I’m pregnant. With twins. I’d like you to be their godmother.” I confessed.

  “Holyfuckingshitballs.” She said without taking a breath.

  “Jamie.” I tried to get her back on topic.

  “Of course, I’ll be their godmother! Twins?!” she screamed. Literally screamed.

  “How long do we have to prepare? They must be spoiled! I can fly down there in two weeks and can work from your place if you have the internet.” I saw her pull out her planner, computer, and a few pens.

  “I have both and fly into Memphis. We can pick you up. I’m three months along.”

  We finished the details, and we set the date. My best friend from my old life was coming to help in my new life. This was surreal. Now, I had to plan on how to tell the boys the big news. I walked to the pharmacy, picked up the nausea medicine, prenatal vitamins, and a Tylenol for my feet. I walked to the bakery and picked up a few giant donuts filled with strawberry jelly, a large, iced coffee, extra coffee, and I was ready to figure this journey out.

  I went to the florist shop and prayed they had something manly enough for Zack. I found the perfect gift. With New Year in a few months, I wanted to be sure everything was perfect. I placed the order, and it would be here soon. This was amazing. I had to keep my big ass mouth shut and pray Jamie didn’t slip when she got here.

  Me: Zack doesn’t know about the pregnancy. Say nothing until I tell you he knows.

  Jamie: Yes ma’am.

  Well, that was easier said than done. She couldn’t keep a secret. Telling her anything was like whispering into a microphone. Everyone still hears it. Needless to say, she was a loudmouth.

  I went to the shop to see the guys. I held the ultrasound in my hand. I wanted to tell Zack first. I wasn’t sure how to tell him. Did he want to be a father? Would this be too soon? I mean, he was living with me. There’s little more we can do before having kids, unless we got married. That and I didn’t know who the daddy was. How would we raise the kids? Whose last name goes on the certificate? Anxiety was officially on overdrive. I guess everything went so well for so long, my anxiety attacks had plenty of time to reboot and now I was in a full-fledged panic attack by the time I made it to the shop.

  “Raelynn. What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Zack said nervously. “Did they figure out what was wrong? You’re scaring me.”

  “Actually, it’s a funny story. Starting with cancer and ending with two tumors that last 18 years.” I joked.

  “Cancer?! What? Start from the beginning.” He turned his head, confused and worried.

  I handed him the ultrasound. “She couldn’t do a vaginal ultrasound because I was pregnant. And I thought she meant it was cancer.” We laughed. I went over the entire encounter. He hugged me and held me tightly. “Are you mad at me?” I asked.

  “Why would I ever be mad at you, Raelynn? You’re pregnant with our twins. This is a miracle and I’m beyond excited!” He kissed me. “You’re. A. Goddess.” He kissed me after every word. I was elated. Living on cloud nine and so thankful he wasn’t mad.

  “We have to tell the other guys, too.” Zack said, smiling ear to ear. This beautiful, long-haired, long-bearded, rock band mechanic had my entire heart. I melted seeing him. My Wick. His Flame.

  “We have one other issue.” I whispered into his ears. He cocked his head, raised his eyebrow, and asked, “And what is that my love?”

  “I’m not sure if you’re the daddy or Dario is…” I muttered.

  “We’re all the father. We will all raise them as ours. Alyssa will be their other mother.” He smiled reassuringly. “If you want her to be?”

  That was music to my ears. We needed to announce everything. I had to prepare for Jamie to arrive and then we would have a big baby shower.

  Zack went down to one knee. “I was going to save this for after the charity event, but I can’t hold it back anymore. You came into my life like a tragedy, and now you’re the only thing to give me peace. So, please be my wife and we can continue our journey. Together.”

  I cried. Tears painted my face. Snot dripped out of my nose. The hormones were in overdrive, and I went down to my knees with him. “I will marry you one hundred times. And then one hundred more times. Just don’t ever hurt me or leave me, please.” I kissed him and he pulled out a silver box.

  “This was my grandmother and grandfather’s. I want you to have it.” He slipped the engagement ring on my finger. It rendered me speechless. He was my peace. I was his tragedy. He was my wick. I was his flame. We had twins coming and apparently, getting married.

  What a day!

  “I’m going to go back to the mansion, shower, and take a nap before working. I brought you coffee and donuts. Family dinner tonight? I’ll cook.” I said.

  “Nonsense. I’ll cook tonight. Just tell me what you want.” He said, rubbing my belly. My back was to him, his arms wrapped around me. I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I love you, Zack.”

  “I love you, too. Forever and always.”

  Zack

  After getting the news Raelynn was pregnant, I couldn’t sit still. I finished my last car, and then locked up. I didn’t understand half of what she said, because I was stuck on the news. My girl would have a baby.

  Me: We need to have a family dinner discussion tonight. Everyone needs to be there.

  I sent it to the group chat because I knew they would receive it faster. I needed to start one with Rae included, but we’ve had this thread for almost ten years.

  John: I’ll be finished at the gym around 5:00.

  Jeff: Alyssa and I can be there around 5:30. Should we bring anything? Is Rae okay?

  Alyssa: What are we having? I’ll bring something to complement the dishes. What’s this about?

  Dario: Y'all it’s the best great news! I’m home now with Rae and she’s just perfect.

  Me: I will order pizza and wings. Bring whatever. We can do everything around 5:30 or 6.

  I put the phone in my pocket and jumped into the truck. I made a stop at the flower shop and then grabbed a few boxes of junk food from the grocery store. I ordered the pizza online and picked it up on the way home. Tonight would be perfect. Raelynn and Dario were downstairs in the man cave talking about babies.

  “So, you heard the great news, Dar?” I hit his shoulder and sat beside them.

  “We’re going to be daddies, Z!” He said, almost in tears. In all the years we’ve known each other, I’ve never seen this man cry! Our story would have a happy ending. After all that we have been through, we finally could be at peace.

  Dinner time came around. Raelynn had the ultrasounds ready. The second Alyssa and Jeff walked in the door; I made the announcement she was pregnant with our baby. Alyssa immediately cried. “I’ve waited so long for a baby, but I’m unable to!” Jeff was in shock. “Who’s the daddy?”

  “We all are,” I answered.

  “There’s more, though,” Raelynn added to the conversation. “I’m pregnant with twin girls.” She was smiling, but tears were rolling down her face.

  “You were drinking a few days ago. Is that going to harm them?” Alyssa asked as she poured Raelynn another glass of water.

  “The doctor says we are only three months along. We still have a long way to go. I have an appointment in a few weeks to check on the progress and make sure nothing is wrong with the twins, my body can carry them and all that fun stuff.” Raelynn answered.

  “Can we eat and then go into the theater room and just watch a movie? I’m exhausted.” Raelynn asked after a moment of silence. Everyone was excited, but nobody knew what to say.

  “That sounds like a great idea!”

  The next few days we planned the masquerade charity ball. There would be a silent auction, an estate sale, and our band’s performance. Raelynn and I went to the courthouse and got our marriage license. The masquerade charity ball was planned for two weeks away, a few days from Halloween. We had donations come in from all over.

  Dario and I made it to Raelynn’s next appointment. When I tell you two grown men were in the doctor’s office crying over two tadpoles with arms, their heartbeats, and the complete experience, I promise you, it was much more hysterical than I’m making it seem. We were crying. It was such a beautiful sight. “Twin A is going to be Alyssha. Twin B is going to be Katerina.” Raelynn said as she pointed them out on the ultrasound. The doctor made a note and when it printed out, it had their names over their heads, respectively.

  “Katerina Marie and Alyssha Nicole,” I whispered. Dario looked at me with his head cocked. “After our mom and Gran. Each will have a piece of the greatest women that raised us.” Dario nodded his head. “Do you like the names, Dar?”

  “I love the names. They’re going to be so beautiful. I think we need more guns.” Dario whispered.

  “Why more guns?” Raelynn asked, wiping a tear from Dario’s face.

  “Because if anyone tries to hurt either of them, I will kill their entire family and then kill them.” Dario announced.

  “Shhh. You can’t say that in the doctor’s office. But I totally agree.” Raelynn laughed. “I love both of you.”

  I pulled Dario out of the room so I could let him in on a secret I was planning. I whispered it into his ears, and he looked at me like a deer caught in headlights, wanting the piece of corn on the other side of the road, but distracted by the beautiful bright lights coming towards his face.

  “You’re really going to go through with it?” He asked me. I nodded because I was beyond ready to take this step.

  “I am. I think it’s time and I know we are all ready.” I said. I made a few more phone calls and I set up everything. I had the ultimate surprise ready. It would be beyond worth it. I didn’t bother with letting her mom and brother know. They weren’t part of the discussions and we already agreed that we would all talk together before letting them be part of our life.

  After getting the truck and pulling it to the front, Dario opened the door for her, helping her in. We went to the car lot so she could pick out a car. We sent her Jeep back. The total repairs outweighed the cost of the vehicle she was paying for. She chose a Nissan Rogue because it had a third row and a lot of safety benefits if the worst was to happen. It was a burgundy red, and the interior was black. After that, we went to Little Rock to do some shopping at the mall. We picked two cribs, carseats and a double stroller that we could place the carseats in. We settled on an Alice in Wonderland nursery theme. Finishing , we went to a Mexican food restaurant buffet, and she ate everything she could, and then some. It was short-lived because she hit the bathroom to puke it all up. Then she went back for a taco salad. That seemed to stay down.

  On the way home, she fell asleep on Dario’s shoulder. He was rubbing her stomach, and we were talking about everything. Our dreams and hopes for our children, how we wanted everything to be, where the girls would sleep when they were born. Man, this was happening. Seeing how amazing Dario and Raelynn got along, plus we were a huge family and would and could support each other. Perfect was an understatement.

  When we arrived at the house, Dario carried Rae to our bed and let her sleep. Me and Dario picked out a room for the twins, emptied it out and created the best nursery. It would be a big surprise. I went to the trusty Amazon for the best decorations. Dario and I sketched and painted the walls to be the perfect wonderland for the girls. Little teacups separated their beds. White rabbits, a mad hatter and a few other key characters were present on the walls. It was adorable. We pulled an all-nighter on the project. So far, so good. We put caution tape on the doors to keep her out until we finished with the entire project. When we finally showed her, it was two days before the charity event. She was so hysterical, but she loved it.

  Raelynn

  While the boys were up to no good, I had to get items to auction at Gran’s silent auction. So, I ventured upstairs to the attic. There were so many old books I couldn’t get over how much she loved to read-just like I did. I found a few boxes of letters from my Gran and Grampy when they started dating and he went to the war. The love the two shared was unmatchable. I’ve seen no one have that amount of love for another. But it was as I felt about my men. The most treasured item I found was a locket with a picture of them when they were in their early 20s. In her youth, she was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life!

  I found a few lamps and tables I wouldn’t miss. A few trinkets and collectables which would bring a lot of money for the teachers. I put everything into a box and went through the rest of the items. I would donate all her clothes to the Estate Sale after the auction. There were classy dresses and ball gowns. I found a beautiful black dress made in the 40s and decided that would be the dress I’d wear to the ball. I loved Masquerade balls! I’m glad we made this one big hoorah to celebrate her life. We had over 300 RSVPs and remarkably so!

  After searching, one last box had my name on it and when I opened it up and saw the contents, I screamed. There was a photo album of our family tree. Going back four generations, every female was wearing this one white dress. Including my cousins, my sisters, and myself. Then I saw the dress! There wasn’t one, but two of the same dress in there! It’s like Gran knew from the beginning I’d need two dresses! I cried so hard when I saw this!

  Dario and John rushed up the stairs when they heard my scream. “Are you okay, Rae?” Out of breath from running, they both said simultaneously.

  “We heard you scream! Was it a spider?” Dario asked. Looking around ready to defeat the next enemy.

  “No, silly man. This beautiful gift Gran left me even before we knew we were having twins!” I showed him the dresses and the photo albums. All my baby childhood pictures were in here. I thought they were lost because they weren’t around the house. I guess mom took them down when she had my funeral. They were all here. Even when I graduated from high school. I was a sobbing mess. They held me and promised me everything would be okay. “I just wish Gran was here and could meet you. She would love all of you and understand our different family dynamic.” Dario held my hand where Zack’s ring was and said, “so Zack asked you to marry him?” I nodded. “Use your words, Raelynn. You will hurt none of our feelings. The marriage is just a piece of paper, but to us, you’re ours.”