Blainsville

16) O Hallows Eve

John

It had been almost a month since Jessica had left. We had a routine after a week she would drop off Lindsey on the weekends to spend time with me. We weren't divorced or even had the lawyers involved yet, I gave her her space I could respect that much but if she planned on never coming back I don't know what I'll do. Poor Lindsey, as if losing an older sister wasn't hard enough I mean sure it had been three months ago but I imagine it didn't make the following family holidays any easier. Rhea's favorite time of year was fall and Halloween we always had a costume party for her school friends and our neighbors. This time was different Lindsey didn't want to trick or treat, no party not even a costume she would keep saying it wasn't fun without Rhea and me. She was too young to be dealing in such adult issues that part was hurting me most our younger daughter was gonna end up in therapy for sure. Another typical Friday another day in the clinic Jimmy was being brought in by Diana who's holding the door for him. By now he's around 12 weeks and I'll admit he's pretty rounded for such a short length of time but it would be around this time he starts showing. It doesn't surprise me if all he has done lately is stay in bed. "He's in a mood today so tread lightly. Lately its over the weight thing we went looking for halloween costumes... That was a bust. Turns out they don't make 5X in mens clothing nor do they get asked that very often." Diana concludes Jimmy gives us that go to hell glare, "First of all they have maternity sizes up to larger than that... I just am not gonna wear a women's fucking costume that's not fair. They should know by now this male pregnancy breakout and some of us don't fit into the same size since college." He snaps his hands holding his large stomach. I take them into the back where the sonogram was and tell them the same thing I have before, "You know this by now, Jimmy. Up with the shirt and lower the pants." James chuckles, "If I knew any better the way that sounded you should be paying me to do this not the other way around." I couldn't help my tone I mean yes I got to have Lindsey for Halloween weekend but that still didn't make me happy in fact I was more depressed then I ever had in my whole life. I wanted my wife back; I wanted Rhea and her preteen sarcasm but now it wouldn't be about cute outfits anymore it would be horror icons. I'm lost in my thoughts when Diana shakes my arm, "Earth to Johnny... Are you still with us?" Diana asks I don't remember what I was doing until I realize where I'm at. I put sone gel on the wand and lift it to Jimmy's belly right away we all hear two very strong heartbeats Diana's face lights up instantly. "Oh my God that's fast! Is that normal?" Diana asks nervously squeezing onto Jimmy's arm so hard he pulls away, "Damn babe, not so tight." He chuckles. I move the wand to his lower stomach there we see one of the babys curled up the other entangled beside it, "That would be the spine, the hands, very tiny feet. Beside him is baby b..." That's when James realizes what I said, "Did You say him?" I can tell he's already gonna burst with pride, "No... Im sorry. I didn't even ask if you wanted to know their genders. Im sorry my mind is so preoccupied with Jessica being gone... I haven't been able to focus much. Well since you already know what Baby a is and by the looks of it he's a bit bigger than baby b. Might be more pain and discomfort especially during the delivery. Do you want to know the sex of the other baby?" Diana glance at Jimmy shes brimming with excitement, "Fine, alright; yes tell us what he is going to be." Jimmy emphasises the he probably thinking that every fathers dream of twin boys is going to come true. "Its a girl she's a little smaller but I can tell she's a strong willed one. She May be a bit underweight for this long I suggest you eat more. Have you had any more nausea or vomiting?"
"Not really in the last couple of weeks. I'm thinking its done with me although I do have a few noticeable issues recently." Jimmy says but he goes deathly quiet when he mentions that last part. I was believing he was embarrassed being with Diana in the room. We both glance around hoping she will take the hint and get out; James clears his throat, "I am your wife we are having babies together. Anything you say probably doesn't surprise me any more." Diana rolls her eyes. I take a few photos of their twins and ask Diana to leave the room if he was too afraid. "I get it. I guess I'll wait outside then but I'm taking the photos with me." She snaps snatching the photos out of my hand giving us the stank eye as she leaves. "Alright she's gone, James what's the problem?" I ask putting the machine back up behind me. I hand him a cloth to wipe himself, "Here's the deal my nipples are um... How do I put this? Sensitive. I can barely wear a shirt because when something rubs up against them they... Leak." Jimmy tries not to make eye contact too ashamed to say anything else. "Take off your shirt I'll have a look." I say. Jimmy does what I ask and that's when this whole male pregnancy thing gets really weird. Its only awkward because I'm having to practically group his pecks I come to the conclusion, "James, its nothing to be scared of in fact I think this is normal you're just lactating. It usually happens around 20 weeks when the fetuses are further along but having multiples sometimes these symptoms come on early. You might feel strange about it but you can always wear shirt pads." James glances down then right back at me, "Oh no. No, im not wearing a fucking bra! That's where I draw the line! I'm all for gender neutrality and shit but for god sakes leave me some fucking dignity!" He rushed to put his shirt back on he looks like he's gonna have an emotional breakdown right her and now, "I'm just saying if you don't want anyone to notice the leaking you could wear pads or a tank top that has extra cloth. Any other problems?" Just as he's getting ready to storm out because I insulted his manhood. "I have stretch marks, John! Me; the guy who was built lanky as fuck has stretch marks on my hips and ass! This isn't fair anymore ok?! Im sacrificing so much of my fucking body for these babies... Why do I have to pay the fucking price!?" He finally starts to cry I reach out carefully place my hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure its completely normal. If you think about its not that much different from what a woman further along in her second trimester deals with." Jimmy wipes his eyes preparing to see Diana again that's when I stop him for a moment, "Oh before you go I need to draw some blood." I pull out the supplies required for the job, "Why do you need to draw blood?" He asks slightly taken back. "Its for me to check your white cell count and iron. If its too low I'll have to put you on supplements." Jimmy is still confused but he allows me to continue; Diana pokes her head in the door, "Is everything ok?" "Yeah we're done I'm just doing some lab work to follow up his white cell count, iron, cholesterol and iron." She nods. The truth wasn't what I was telling them entirely I was required to get every expecting fathers blood because the agents wanted proof for their research. I wasn't told why I had to do it but we would soon all discover why.