The Gemini: Emancipation

26 - Four

October 25, 1998

The flu. That's what Jody thought she had. She exhibited all the symptoms so she was certain of it. Runny nose, fever, fatigue, body aches, dizziness and nausea. So she scheduled a doctors appointment. The afternoon of said visit is when a different idea fell into place.

When Jody went to take her birth control, she found two disks in her purse instead of one. Opening what was September's, she saw that the last two weeks of it wasn't completely empty.

"Oh."

That's what she had said after a long stare at the packet. Following that was a trip down a month and a half worth of backlog. She recounted all her footsteps. It was easy to see how she slipped up. One side project after another, flying here and there, mommy this and mommy that. By the time her name switched to baby, she was zapped. Even if it had been a moment where she remembered her slip, she was probably too tired to do anything about it.

It was at the doctor's office that she got the positive pregnancy reading. She drove home in a bit of a daze. Spaced out and contemplating. Parked in the driveway Jody finally showed a reaction. Happy tears.

That was six days ago. Now she lays here with the same tears prickling her eyes. She's a slight relieved having gotten Brie's approval. But there's a knot in her throat as she wonders what Prince's reaction will be.

They hadn't planned on this. They haven't even talked about trying for another child. Because of how things went the first time around, Jody guessed that Prince didn't want to reopen any wounds by suggesting. Or perhaps he no longer wants the nine kids he once requested years ago.

Maybe he learned to see it my way and got used to just one.

Her old way, that is.

Jody wouldn't have been offended if he'd asked for another. She'd tipped around the idea herself. Promoting that childrens book had her thinking quite a bit actually. The only reason she never voiced it is because there was so much already on their schedule. Just like the first time. And, just like the first time, a baby showed up anyway.

Quietly she's amused at the coincidence.

She's tired of lying in this position. Supine with Brie latched onto her side. But she's stuck here it seems. Whenever Jody tries to move, Brie's fist balls onto her shirt, as if she knows shes trying to escape.

She wanted to listen to the baby, that's how she got this way. She kept whispering and waiting for it to move even though Jody explained that it would be a long time before anything like that could happen. Still, she insisted on listening and soon fell asleep.

It's cute. It's why Jody's misty now. Though she wants to lie on her side, the imagery of this is playing at her already fluctuating emotions.

God, I have to get ready for this again.

Before she could host anymore thoughts, Jody's immense fatigue pulls rank.

Sleep.

..........

12:30pm

Two. That number's been following Prince since yesterday. Of course numbers are a natural occurrence but two's presence seemed to seek him out. It ruled his dream last night. If ever he glanced at the digital time, the numeral was there. He even saw it on a shirt. And right this moment, travelling through this airport's terminal, he sees two embodied.

Twin girls young in age. Carbon-copy identical. The only difference being the color of the scrunchies that held back their ginger red hair. He can't help but study.