Alex nodded. “Actually, yes. My mother is a fraternal twin.”
“That makes sense, then,” Doctor Martinez said. “The second baby is a healthy little girl.”
“Twins,” Grace whispered. “How on earth am I going to take care of twins? Even one baby would be a handful…”
“Grace,” Alex said. He squeezed her hand until she met his eyes. “This is going to be okay. You don’t have to do this alone—I’m going to be there for you and the babies every step of the way. I promise.”
“Really?” Grace asked. “Even after… everything?”
Alex knew she was referring to her stealing the laptop and the lawsuit. He didn’t think twice, though. “Of course. The babies are the most important thing now, and I promise, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure all three of you are happy and healthy.”
“Thank you,” Grace said. She squeezed Alex’s hand, and she kept looking at him with those wide green eyes. Warmth passed between them, and Alex was almost able to imagine that they could get along. Maybe they could even be friends, at least enough to be parents together.
There was no way they could have a romantic relationship, not after all the distrust between them, but friendship was definitely something. And something was better than nothing.
“That’s the end of the exam,” Doctor Martinez said gently as she took the wand away from Grace’s stomach and handed her tissues to wipe the gel off. Grace took the tissues, letting go of Alex’s hand, and carefully sponged the gel away. Alex’s hand felt cold from the absence of her touch.
“What are the next steps?” Grace asked as she pulled her T-shirt back down and sat up.
“Well, this is considered a higher-risk pregnancy because you’re having twins,” Doctor Martinez said. “That will mean more frequent appointments, just to make sure that everything is progressing as it should.”
“Okay,” Grace agreed.
“The receptionist will help you choose a time for the next appointment on your way out,” Doctor Martinez added. It was a clear sign that it was time for them to leave, so Grace got to her feet and thanked the doctor. Alex did too. Then they left together.
“Two babies,” Grace said in a wondering tone when they’d settled up with the receptionist and left the practice. They were now standing on the sidewalk in the warm mid-morning sunshine. “That means I need two cribs. Two strollers. Or one of those big strollers?”
“We can figure it out,” Alex said. “I can help you shop.”
“Thanks,” Grace repeated. She glanced at him. “Aren’t you freaking out about twins?”
“No.” Alex smiled. “I’m surprised, but excited, too. Anyway, only one of us can freak out at a time, right?”
Grace smiled, too. “Right. But Alex? Are you really going to show up? You’re not going to change your mind or lose interest this time… are you?”
She sounded vulnerable and worried, but her words made Alex’s stomach clench. He’d been feeling good about the potential for their friendship and coparenting, but now he was reminded of everything that had gone wrong between them.
“I never lost interest before,” he said bluntly. “You were the one who stole the laptop.”
“But I didn’t!” Grace protested.
“Then why haven’t we found it?” Alex asked. “And why does all the evidence point to you?” He let out a slow breath, trying to calm himself. “Listen, I’m going to go. I have to get back to the office. Do you need me to call you a cab?”
“No, I have my car, and I’m perfectly capable of driving myself,” Grace snapped. The goodwill between them was clearly gone.
“Good. I’ll be by tonight to drop off something to eat and suggestions for baby furniture.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“Yes, I do. I meant what I said. Regardless of what’s happening between us, I’m going to make sure that you never have to do this alone. I want the best for our babies. Just like you do.”
“Right.” Grace’s shoulders slumped a little. “Okay. Thanks.”
“I’ll see you later.”
Alex went to his car and got in. Despite his annoyance, he still waited until Grace got in her own car and drove away, presumably heading home. Then he began the drive back to the office, where he’d be neck-deep in work created by the stolen laptop. It was going to be a slog, but he was still going to make time to pick up dinner for Grace and research baby furniture.
Alex was going to do this right. He would prove to Grace that he could be a good parent so that she would let him play a role in their babies’ lives. No matter how much the two of them bickered, he would be there for his children. And for their mother.
