The Patchwork Marriage

Pesimistic Expectations

Omg I just found three unpublished chapters of this book so I'm gonna publish them. Also was kinda thinking I might continue to add to this? I can't promise it'll be regular updates but any things better than nothing right?

"I can't believe how big I am already," Emily said as she pulled a loose top over her bulging stomach. Of course the news had no yet been released because at 15 weeks, part of Emily and Daniel still expected this pregnancy to end. But it was obvious to Daniel that Emily was having a difficult time covering up their baby when out in public. The last thing they needed was for a nosy reporter to notice and leak their news. They hadn't even told his parents yet- after they told them they'd stopped trying he didn't see the need to notify them of the current pregnancy which was unlikely to be successful.

In saying that, as everyday passed Emily grew a little more hope. Of her 11 miscarriages only 2 had occurred past this point and she was desperately hopping the odds were in her favour. She did however feel as though she must be further along than originally thought. Here stomach was measuring at the size of 20 weeks instead of just 15.

Emily and Daniel again sat nervously in the waiting room of the doctors clinic, praying with every second that went past that the appointment would go successfully. "Mrs Grayson," a nurse came out smiling and Emily stood up before clasping Daniels hand. The nurse they saw for appointments was lovely, and she'd grown fond of Daniel and Emily. In her time as a maternal nurse she'd never seen someone have such bad luck yet keep persistently trying and she couldn't help feel sorry for the young couple. "How are you feeling Emily?" She smiled gently as Emily laid down on the bed. "I'm okay, nervous," she replied with a small smile. "Let's take a look. Lift up your shirt for me."

Once her shirt was lifted the older lady gently placed her hands on Emily's protruding bump and pressed around the sides. "Anywhere tender?" Emily desperately wanted to say no, but she could lie. Once side of her belly hurt a little more than the other and she couldn't help but think it was a bad sign. "On the left a little," she whispered quietly. The nurse started up the machine and slowly spread the gel across Emily's stomach. It wasn't long before an image appeared on the screen. It was exactly what Emily had expected. A fuzz image too difficult to make out properly while the nurse was still moving the probe. A slight crease in the old lady's brow as she examined the screen did not go unnoticed by Emily who was watching the lady for any sort of reaction. "What is it?" She asked quickly taking Daniels hand. She was almost certain as to what the answer was going to be, but she didn't want to believe it.

To her surprise, the old nurse turned to her and her lips curved up into a small smile. "Do either of you two have twins in your family?" She asked before turning back to the screen. "Just my two aunts," Daniel replied quietly. "I wouldn't know to be honest," Emily said looking at Daniel. Her sketchy past made it difficult to understand who everyone was in her family. "Well," the nurse said with a smile. "I think you've got two little babies. See right here on the left. You can make out the second set of arms and legs. The baby to your right has more room, and as a result the left baby is pushing against you. That's why you're a little sore."

Emily heard little of what the nurse was saying to her. Two. Two was all she could think. She had struggled to carry one baby and now her body needed to carry two. "Are they going to make it?" She croaked. "Well I don't like to make promises, but these two are very healthy and their placentas are laying low. It gives you an increased risk of some bleeding if you get a knock to the belly, but it doesn't look like your scars should affect them." Emily let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. "Two placentas?" "Yes. They are fraternal," the nurse replied. Emily looked up at Daniel. He was smiling and tears had formed in his eyes. "Two non identical babies," he smiled looking down at his wife. "I know," she whispered. He gently whipped a tear which fell down her face. "I can tell the genders if you wanted to know?" The nurse said smiling at the happy couple. Emily looked at Daniel and he nodded earning a nod from her. They both turned back to the nurse. "Two girls," she smiled.