Be My Shelter (Book II)

Chapter 43

I started hyperventilating, snapping Nolan out of his shocked state.

"Regan, sweetie you need to calm down." He said, trying to soothe me.

"I can't!” I said, trying to breathe.

"Regan, look at me." Nolan said firmly. "No. Don't look at the screen, look at me."  I tore my eyes away from the screen and looked at my husband. "Now take deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth." He instructed me. "Better?"

"Thank you."

"Stressing out isn't good for the baby.” He shook his head. “Babies."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Twins..."

"It explains why you've been so sick."

"I guess...but…are you sure you’re okay with this?" I asked warily. What if he wasn't? Would he leave me? Oh my G-I'm gonna be a single mother!  I started hyperventilating again, and Nolan snapped his fingers in front of my face.

"Calm down, Reg. What's the matter?"

"We’re gonna have three babies." I choked out. “Th-three.”  He stared at me in confusion for a moment before understanding flashed across his face.

"Are you worried I'm going to leave you?" He asked, raising his eyebrows at me in surprise. I nodded cautiously and he started laughing. Like, full on belly laughs.

"Why are you laughing at me?" I asked, trying not to cry.

"Honey...that is the most absurd thing I've ever heard. I love you and our babies." He cooed, poking my belly softly.

"So...I'm not going to be a single mother?"

"I'm not going anywhere."

*

"How was your appointment?" Mom asked when we went to pick up Brayden.

"Well the due date is right around Christmas -- December 23rd." Nolan said. 

"And how is the baby?" She asked eagerly.

"The babies are perfectly healthy." I answered.

"Babies?" Mom asked, cocking an eyebrow at me.

I smiled weakly. "Yeah...we're uh…we’re having twins."

"Twins?!" She grinned. "I'm gonna have four grandbabies!"

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked mom.

"Of course."

"Nolan says he saw a house online that apparently would be perfect for us, except, I can't go with him to check it out, because apparently I have a high-risk pregnancy, or something along those lines. Could Bray and I stay with you for a few days while Nolan and Ethan go look at the house?"

"Yes!" She said excitedly. "When?"

"Next Tuesday through Saturday." Nolan replied.

"I have a great idea." She grinned.

I looked at her. "Which is...what?"

"Girls week. I make Tristan stay with Gavin, and we invite Alexis, Payton and Savannah over."

"That's a great idea!" I grinned.

"Isn't it?"

The front door opened and a few minutes later a less than joyful looking Tristan walked in the door.

"You're banned from the house starting Tuesday." Mom told him.

"Well hello to you too." He grumbled, sitting in one of the kitchen chairs and letting out a frustrated sigh.