Novocain

Chapter Seven

Marceline Anne took care with her toiletry. She was going to work. It wasn't a full work day but instead she was working afternoons for a week until she built up energy.

Malcolm walked in as she stared in her mirror. "Are you ready?"

"My hair..."

He looked at her hair. Though still thick and shiny, it was much thinner and lackluster than before. "Are you going to straighten it?"

"I don't want to pull anymore out."

"Do you want my opinion?" He inched closer.

She thought about it before nodding slowly.

"I think-" He pulled on the band holding her intense curls up. "You should wear it down."

Her eyes widened as her hair tumbled down about her.

"You look like a siren."

"I do?"

He rested his hands on her shoulders. "Yes. You said it yourself. Every guy wants to mate with a mermaid."

The only man she wanted to mate with was him. "I should still have a headband or something."

His lips curved.

N-

Mercedes Catherine wiggled a bit as they waited for Dr. Reynolds to return. It was cold in the room and she had goosepimples but those two things weren't mutually exclusive.

Michael the Fourth took her hand.

She relaxed.

Dr. Reynolds walked in. "Ah! You are redressed in the gown. Let's check you out, dear."

Mercedes hated this part and was embarrassed for Michael to see it.

But her fiancé just turned his head and squeezed her hand.

When the tests were done, Dr. Reynolds exchanged his gloves. "Want the good news or the really good news?"

She grew happy. "Both!"

"You are indeed pregnant. 11 weeks. I advise you to keep it to yourselves for another week."

"Why?" She was hurt and her big amber eyes said so.

"Anything can happen in a pregnancy but especially in first time mothers and even more within the first three months. It's just safer to wait."

That completely wrecked her. She was a fountain of information and she couldn't keep it a secret for another moment much less seven days! "What's the really good news?"

"It's twins." He showed off the monitor.

Her eyes widened and she screamed loudly.

Both men flinched.

"I have to tell-!"

"I strongly recommend waiting!" Dr. Reynolds repeated.

"Baby, we have to be careful." Michael reminded her. "We don't want anything to happen to our babies."

Her eyes filled. "No!"

He kissed her cheek. "We've got to keep it a secret."

She cried into his chest.

"Hormones." Dr. Reynolds mouthed.

Michael nodded as he rubbed her back.

N-

Marceline Anne had a welcome back party thrown for her by her colleagues. Everyone brought something store-bought but clearly labelled and they brought out sparkling juice.