Under His Protection

Chapter 31: Double the Surprise

Taylor sat in the passenger seat of Travis's black SUV, her hands resting nervously on her stomach as the vehicle glided through the quiet streets. Her mind was spinning, alternating between excitement and apprehension about the upcoming doctor's appointment.

"You okay, Angel?" Travis asked, his voice soft but steady.

She glanced at him, her lips curving into a small smile. "I think so. Just nervous."

"There's nothing to be nervous about," he reassured her, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "We're going to get a first look at our little one today."

Taylor nodded, her heart swelling at the thought. Despite the dangers surrounding them, this moment felt like a glimpse of hope, a reminder of the life they were building together.

At the Doctor's Office

The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the ultrasound machine. Taylor lay back on the examination table, her hand tightly gripping Travis's as the doctor began the procedure.

"There we go," the doctor said, smiling as the screen lit up with an image. "Congratulations, you're ten weeks along."

Taylor's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the screen. The blurry image wasn't much, but it was enough to bring tears to her eyes.

"Wait," the doctor said, tilting her head as she examined the image more closely. "It looks like... two heartbeats."

Taylor blinked, her mouth falling open. "Two?"

The doctor nodded, her smile widening. "You're having twins."

For a moment, the room was completely silent. Then, Travis let out a low whistle, his grip on Taylor's hand tightening. "Twins," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

Taylor turned to him, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and joy. "We're having two babies, Travis."

He grinned, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Guess we've got double the reason to celebrate."

Back at Home

The news of the twins had left both Taylor and Travis reeling, but they barely had time to process it before being thrust back into the realities of their world. That evening, Ross and Patrick joined them at the bar for a strategy meeting.

"Santino's men have been spotted near the docks," Ross reported, his tone grim. "They're definitely watching us, maybe even planning something."

Travis's jaw tightened, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive. "Then we need to send them a message. Let them know we're not to be messed with."

Taylor, who had been listening quietly from the corner, spoke up. "We can't just react to them. We need to stay ahead. If they're watching the docks, there's a reason. Maybe they're planning a shipment or trying to cut into our operations."

Patrick nodded in agreement. "She's right. If we figure out what they're after, we can shut them down before they make a move."

Travis glanced at Taylor, pride flickering in his eyes. "Looks like you're getting the hang of this, Angel."

Taylor smiled, though her thoughts were tinged with worry. The stakes were higher now, not just for them but for the lives of their unborn children.

Later That Night

As they lay in bed, the weight of the day settled over them. Travis was unusually quiet, his mind clearly preoccupied.

"What are you thinking about?" Taylor asked, resting her head on his chest.

"Santino," he admitted. "And the twins. I don't like the idea of them being in danger before they're even born."

"They'll be safe," Taylor said firmly. "Because we'll make sure of it."

Travis sighed, his hand resting protectively over her stomach. "You're right. But that doesn't mean I won't worry."

Taylor reached up to cup his face, her eyes filled with determination. "We're in this together, Travis. No matter what."

His lips curved into a small smile, and he leaned down to kiss her. "Together," he agreed.