Baby Makes Five (A Multiple Birth Book 1) (8 page)

“We’re here. I’ll go up while you find parking. You can meet me there,” she opened the car door and got out walking away not looking back at his tortured face it was too painful.

Her heart was breaking into tiny pieces. She was foolish to think there could be a future for them. She had hope that with time, he would come to see her as someone he can love other than the mother of his children. She sobbed in the elevator, her fears at losing the babies bearing down on her. She took a deep breath and wiped her face as the elevator stopped on the fifth floor to her OBs office.

“Miah I heard we are having some problems? Come in,” the doctor said, as she entered the office.

Miah walked into the examining room not knowing what to do suddenly. “The bleeding has slowed down,” she told the doctor standing in the middle of the room paralyzed.

“That’s good news. Lie on the table let me examine you,” she said pulling on a glove. 

She didn’t move instead she bursts into tears. The doctor walked to her and hugged her. “Don’t borrow trouble where there isn’t any. It doesn’t mean you are miscarrying you would have known the difference. We can only know what’s going on when I examine you. I know you are scared, but we need to do this.”

Miah nodded and laid on the table.

“Was there anything you did differently in the past day or two?” The doctor asked as she finished her examination. Miah was about to answer when Ash burst into the room. She was happy he came when he did; it was too embarrassing talking about sex.

“Dr. Sand, this is Asher King the babies father,” she said looking at the ceiling to avoid looking at him. She didn’t want to see the guilt in his eyes, the guilt she suspects was because they had sex.

“It’s good to see you again Mr. King,” the doctor said taking off the gloves.

Miah looked at them confused but didn’t bother asking when they had met. She wanted to know if her babies were okay.

“Is she alright, are the babies fine? I missed the elevators and had to take the stairs. I—"

“Breathe Mr. King, everything seems to be okay. Her cervix is closed. If she were having a miscarriage, she would be in a greater deal of pain. I was just about to do an

ultrasound.”

“Thank God,” he said, sagging with relief coming to stand beside her.

Unbelievable. After his attack in the car now, he thinks it's okay to thank God?  Anger was welling up inside her. She knew she was irrational, and he had the right to his opinion, but it didn’t matter. He hurt her without even knowing why. She put her hands to her sides so that he couldn’t reach for them. The last time she had been here she had wished she had his hand to hold. Now she wished he wasn’t here at all, but she had made a promise, and she always kept her promises.

“I was asking Miah if she had done anything different in the past two days  or so when you came in.”

Miah blushed. She didn’t look at him. She just kept her eyes on the ceiling. Clearing her throat, she answered. “I had sex last night. That’s the only thing that changed since my last appointment.”

“Hmm, that may be the source of the bleeding. Your cervix is changing, its tender and sensitive at the moment. During pregnancy, there is extra blood flowing to the cervix so having sex or anything that gets into close contact with it can cause some bleeding. It’s nothing to worry about. You’re not having a miscarriage.”

She breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Ash for the first time since he had entered the room.  He had been quiet but was looking at her intently with a frown marring his beautiful face. He didn’t seem happy, which only confused her more.

“We’ll keep a closer eye on you and the babies. The bleeding should stop within a day or two. I want you to take it easy, and I’ll follow up with you in a weeks’ time. If  the bleeding doesn’t stop or gets worst, then I’ll see you before.” She put the probe on Miah’s stomach.

The heartbeats of her babies took her mind off their father. Her eyes glued the ultrasound screen with wonder. She still couldn’t believe there were two of them in there.

She looked over at Ash and saw the wonderment on his face. She stretched out her hand to him, and he took it coming to stand closer to her. He gripped her hand as if it was a lifeline holding a little too tight. She knew the feeling of seeing such tiny miracles for the first time and wanted to let him know she was here for support.

“They are beautiful,” he whispered wiping tears from his eyes.

“Yes, they are beautiful and healthy. There are still here,” she squeezed his hand.

He nodded and smiled for the first time since her bleeding ordeal, but she felt something was amiss. It could just be her imagination, but her intuition was telling her she was right. Something changed.  He was beginning to distance himself.

“Okay let’s see what our two are up to today. See how much they have grown,” the Doctor said, taking measurements. She was quiet as she did so, going back to the same spot on Miah’s stomach as if she was trying to find something. She didn’t know what else she could look for; surely it can’t be another baby. The thought of another life growing inside her made her want to laugh. She had gotten lucky with twins it was a fluke; she happily welcomed.

“I will do our test now since you are here. After you are finished, you need to go to the lab and have your blood taken. The results should be ready in a week for your next appointment.”

“Thank you. Shouldn’t my stomach be bigger? I barely have a baby bump, and I am eleven weeks.”

“It all depends on each pregnancy. It is your first pregnancy, which always shows later than women who have given birth before. Furthermore, you could be one of the lucky women who carries small baby stomach. It’s still early, and the babies are the right size they are on track. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know when we should be concerned if the time ever comes.”

           “That’s good to know. The book I am reading—”

“Miah, I like my patients to be well-informed so that they can ask questions, but I find reading some parenting books for first-time parents can be daunting instead of
helping. Each pregnancy is different, and I don’t want you reading books if it makes you worry constantly, that won’t be good for either you or the babies.”

“So I shouldn’t read the books?”

“I didn’t say that. Read books and parenting magazines, but when they have you worry and panicking that’s when I don’t want you to read them. If the book you are reading now make you more upset than informing you, stop reading it. I am always here to answer your questions.”

She nodded.

“Are you okay?” she asked Ash.

“Of course,” he said, but she didn’t believe him.

“You keep on surprising me Miah. Everything looks great, but you Mr. King may want to take a seat.”

“I am fine; you said everything is okay so whatever you have to say can’t be that bad,” he said tightening the grip on her hand.

She winced. He must have seen because he loosened his hold on her hand.

The doctor smiled patiently; as if she have heard the words before.

“Yes everything is great I hope you both like surprises because there is another baby. You aren’t having twins you are having triplets. This one was hiding behind Baby B you have an identical pair.

“How is this possible, are you sure?” Miah asked flabbergasted so much for a fluke.

Ash stumbled then sat in the chair the doctor offered.

“Triplets are you sure? Sorry of course, you are positive,” he said running a hand through his hair.

“Yes, there are rare occasions where multiples get missed in the first scan. Your babies are called
Dichorionic/Triamniotic (di/tri) triplet
s
one baby has a separate placenta, and two of the babies share a placenta. All three babies have separate amniotic sacs
.
Here is Baby A has his own, gestational and amniotic sac, and here you have babies B and C in the same gestational sac and their individual amniotic sac hence them being identical.” She pointed at the computer.

“Beans one, two and three,” he whispered in wonder.

“I beg your pardon?” the doctor asked.

“He calls them beans, until we know what sex they are and could name them.”

“That’s clever. I can finally get your family history complete Mr. King. Do any of you have multiples in your family that you know of?”

“Call me Ash, please. No, I don’t recall any mention of twins or more.”

“I don’t think I have any either not that I know of anyhow. My mothers’ parents had died before I was born, and she never talked about twins in her family.”

“Then I guess you both are lucky. There’s a first time for everything,” she smiled. “You have been blessed.”

“Yes, we have,” Miah agreed.

“I assume you would like pictures again?”

“Yes,” they both said in unison.

“Alright, we are done here. You can get cleaned up and head to the lab, Miah. Do any of you have any more questions?”

“No,” Miah said wiping the gel off her stomach and sitting up.

“I do, if you have a moment,” Ash said. From his tone, she knew he wanted to be alone with the doctor.

“Thank you, Dr. Sand, I’ll get my blood work done.”

“Good, I’ll see you next week and take it easy, you are carrying an extra baby.”

“I will.” She walked out the room.

***

“What can I do for you, Ash? You seem worried.”

“Was it my fault? That she started bleeding because we made love?”

“No, it’s not your fault, things happen. As I said her cervix is changing having a Pap test could have also made her bleed. No one is blaming you.”

“No, but I am. Maybe if I were gentler with her, we wouldn’t be here.”

“We can never tell. Was she in pain when you were having sex?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“She would have told you if she was. It’s hard not to. You can’t beat yourself up about this.”

“Shouldn’t she be on bed rest?”

“Not unless she and the babies are at risk. She may eventually be on bed rest but for now, she is doing well. They are all doing great. Take comfort in that and enjoy the journey.

“I promised the minute I think she needs to be on bed rest she will be. Let’s just take it a day at a time. I know that’s hard to do when you are worried. I will be seeing her every two weeks from here on, try not to worry.”

“Okay fair enough. Would she be able to carry all three babies to term or give birth to them naturally? She is so tiny.”

“Most triplets are born around thirty-four to thirty-six weeks. The female body was made to reproduce and accommodate childbirth. If Miah or the babies are at risk, we will have a cesarean. We will talk about that at a later date closer to her due date depending on the size of the babies. I always encourage my patients to have a natural childbirth since its best for the baby, especial preemies to enter through the birth canal; I find it toughens them up. She may be able to give birth to one or two vaginally and the other via cesarean we won’t know that now.

“She’s doing well?” he asked again.

“She is. I wouldn't lie to you or her if she weren't. I don’t sugarcoat things, Ash.”

“Alright thank you, Dr. Sand, you have been helpful,” he said standing and shaking her hand.

“It’s a pleasure. Miah is a wonderful girl, and you’ve done so much for the hospital that I should be the one thanking you.”

“Yes she is and no need to thank me. I was happy to lend a hand,” he said uncomfortably.

“Miah doesn’t know does she?”

“No, she doesn’t. Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m all done. I am ready to go when you are,” Miah stood as he entered the waiting room.

“Let’s go.” He promised her he will never hurt her, and he had.

“Are you trying to get drunk?” Tom asked amused as he entered the dark room trying to avoid the scattered files on the floor.

He turned the light on and looked at his friend his custom-made Italian suit jacket was thrown carelessly on the floor along with his silk tie. The contents that once adorned his desk were in various locations on the floor. The only occupant on his desk was the lone whiskey bottle and single shot glass. The room was a mess, and so was the man.

“Yep,” Ash answered carelessly.

“How’s that going for you?” Tom asked with raised eyebrows.

“Half way there, planning to get there if it takes all night,” Ash said throwing back another shot of whiskey.

“Okay, what’s the problem? The last time we spoke you were deliriously happy getting to know Miah.”

“Not anymore, screwed it up,” another shot.

Tom sighed “what did you do to sabotage the best thing that’s ever happened to you?”

“Meh, nothing much, just almost made her have a miscarriage.”

“What? Hold on, back up.  Start from the beginning. Is she okay? No need asking about you.”

“Yes, she is. What beginning did you want, the Bahamas or…”

“Come on, I’ll drive you home, we can talk on the way.”

“Got a driver for that, I’m not drunk yet,” he slurred.

“Yes, you are. I don’t think you want Bruce or anyone who is in your employ to see you in the condition you are in. I doubt Bruce will help you get to bed.”

“Not that drum— drunk.”

“Oh boy, I did tell you never say never, when it comes to matters of the heart. You’ve got it bad.”

“Don’t love her, not capable of love,” he slurred taking another shot.

Tom took the glass from his hand. “If you say so, if you weren’t you won’t be feeling this sorry for yourself. Now up, we are getting out of here.”

“Shouldn’t have made love wouldn’t have bled,” he murmured and fell asleep.

It was going to be a long night Tom thought, as he called his wife to let her know he wouldn’t be home tonight. He had never seen Ash like this before. He wasn’t sure anyone for that matter had ever seen him this vulnerable or has gotten close enough to drive him into a drunken stupor. He should know he had known him for over ten years. 

Whether he wanted to admit it or not he was in love with Miah or half way there.

Ash woke the next morning with a banging headache. It was his first hangover since his university days. He slowly got out of bed, vaguely recalling how he had gotten

there. He made his way down to the kitchen. He was dehydrated and need something to drink.

He walked into the kitchen and was about to open the fridge when a voice stopped him.

“That’s what you get for drinking yourself into submission. Drink this,” Tom greeted, handing him a glass.

Ash turned and looked at his friend and the glass he held suspiciously.

“Don’t worry, it’s not poison. This drink will help with your morning after stupidity,” he laughed. “I made breakfast too.’

“You must love this,” Ash sneered, wincing at the sound of his voice.

“Yes I am, drink then we can talk. We didn’t get to talk much before you passed out on me.”

“Isn’t Cindy expecting you home?”

“Nope, called her last night when you were out.”

“Don’t any of your clients need defending?”

“No, not unless you did something I need to defend you against. You aren’t getting off that easy buddy, sit.”

“Are you always this cheerful in the morning?” Ash grumbled.

“Yes. I have a beautiful wife I wake up to and two adorable kids. Something I was hoping you would experience soon. So what happened?”

“Miah started bleeding. We thought she was losing the babies.”

“My God, when did this happen are they okay? You should have called me.”

“Six days ago and yes, all four of them are okay as far as I know,” he said eating his eggs and bacon.

“What do you mean as far, as you know? Did you say four?”

“Yes, we are having triplets, not twins as we first thought.”

“Congrats,” he slapped him on the back. “This is a good thing right?”

“Yes.”

“Then why aren’t you celebrating? They are doing well, and you have an extra baby to love.”

“She won’t take my calls or let me visit. She said she wanted some space. She calls each day and have Mary forward her to my voicemail letting me know they are still alive.”

“I guess she is dealing with it differently than you are, it was a traumatic ordeal.”

He laughed, but it didn’t hold any humour.

“She was calmer than I was during the whole nightmare.”

“Then what’s the problem. Why aren’t you talking?”

“I may have taken out my fear and frustrations of losing them on her, implying she didn’t care enough and mocked her beliefs in God.”

“Maybe. Score one for you. Honestly Ash, are you out to screw this up? What did I tell you when you first tell me about her and the babies?” Tom asked in exasperation.

“Not to screw it up.”

“Yes, because I know how you have this mentality that you aren’t destined to be happy, which is a load of bullshit if you ask me.”

“Thanks for the honesty my ego isn’t fragile enough.”

“This has nothing to do with your ego. It’s big enough to withstand anything that comes its way. Now, what are you going to do about it?”

“She doesn’t want to see me, did you miss that part?”

“No, but if every business you bought refused to sell to you, and you took no for an answer you won’t be the billionaire you are today.”

“True, but this isn’t business, and I’ll see her tomorrow at her follow up.”

“Is she still going to the gala?”

“As far as I know yes.”

“Good, it’s a start. You better step up you’your A game, Ash. You never take no for an answer in business apply that attitude to your personal life.

“I don’t want to push her away she said she needs space I am giving her space.”

“Don’t you think six days is enough space? When you told me about your vasectomy, I thought you were crazy. Then months later you found out you were going to become a father. I thought that was a sign I still do. Woo her, do something before you lose her for good. I need to go.”

“Thanks for everything, I owe you one.”

“That’s what’s friends are for.”

Tom was right about one thing; she’d had enough time and space. It was the longest week of his life and the most miserable.

***

Miah lay on the examining table quietly with her eyes on the monitor. She had taken the bus to her appointment because she didn’t want to be in the confines of a car with Ash. He hadn’t been pleased with her decision and made it clear from the message he left her. When she arrived at the hospital, he had been waiting at the entrance for her.

She was surprised to see him. His hair had grown out again since she last saw him making him devastatingly handsome. He was wearing sunglasses though it was early in the morning. He seemed disheveled even though he was smartly dressed, which told her something was off. When he had taken the glasses off, she realized what it had been.

“Are you hung over?” She asked softly. From what she had learned from him, she knew drinking wasn’t something he did much, other than having a glass of wine at dinner or a night cap. He didn’t believe in drinking for recreational purposes.

“She talks,” he said sarcastically. “What is it to you what I do?”

“Nothing, if you don’t want to be here, you can leave that might be for the best. What will Doctor Sand think?”

“Your problem Miah is that you care too much what other people think. I, on the other hand, do not.”

“Obviously,” she said fuming because it was true. She spent most of her life worrying what others think of her trying to please everyone.

“I am sorry for attacking you last week, for mocking your beliefs and commitment to our babies. The situation was stressful, and I felt helpless. I wanted to apologize in person earlier, but you won’t take any of my calls.”

“Thank you. I never blamed you for that; we were both scared. I understood where you were coming from.”

“Then why are you shutting me out of your life?”

“I am not shutting you out. I told you I needed some space.”

“You’ve had a week, how much more space do you need? We are going to be parents Miah.”

“I know Ash. I am the one carrying them. Does it matter how much space I need?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He sighed “it just does. I want to experience every minute of this pregnancy.”

“I’m not stopping you. I said you could attend my appointments.”

“Yes but what about when you don’t have any am I to wait two weeks to see you? I enjoyed our dates the time we spent together I thought you did too. What happened to get to know each other?”

“We spent almost three weeks getting to know each other.”

“And you think that’s enough?”

“Isn’t it?”

“No! Of course, it’s not,” he said frustrated.             

“What would be enough to satisfy you Ash, a lifetime?”

The question seemed to stump him.

“Didn’t think so, let’s get this appointment over with,” she had said entering the hospital.

A sledgehammer in the back of the head, that’s what it felt like. She was in love with him; there was no denying it.  She felt nauseated and wanted to throw up but willed her stomach to settle down. It should have been a happy occasion, but the thought saddens her.  She never saw herself as one of the many women who has unrequited love for a man who couldn’t love her back. 

She could try to spin it a million ways why she loved him, but it didn’t matter. She had lost her heart to the father of her babies, a man who had made it clear he didn’t want and never plan to marry. She wanted to vent her frustrations but bit her inner cheeks so hard she tasted blood. Nothing could numb the pain she was feeling.

“Everything is great, a perfect way to begin your second trimester. I want you to take it easy, lighten your workload. I don’t want you working eight to ten-hour shifts anymore.”

“That’s how I make my living. I can’t quit.”

“I am not asking you to quit, just make your schedule so that you work a maximum of four to six hours a day. If you had an office job, I would tell you to work until you physically can’t. You are waiting tables and cooking in a busy restaurant which means you are lifting as well. I know it’s not ideal, but you have three others who are depending on you.”

“You don’t need to work I can afford to take care of you. I have no problem doing that,” Ash spoke for the first time since they had entered the room.

“Thanks we’ll talk about this later. I can manage,” she said looking at the doctor.

“Take my advice or you may end up on bed rest for the remaining of your pregnancy. This isn’t a suggestion Miah. It’s an order.”

“I will talk to my boss. He will understand.”

“Good, let’s take your weight.”

Miah fixed her clothes and got on the scale.

“You have gained one pound. We need to work on this. I need you to gain at least one and a half to two pounds a week from here on.”

                                             ***

When she opened the apartment door, he was at a loss for words. She looked absolutely stunning. Her hair was piled on top of her head leaving her graceful neck exposed to the single gold infinity necklace that fell between her breasts. Her lips were painted pink. The green empire, waist knee-length dress fit every curve of her pregnant body and made her eyes seems, even more, green if that was possible. He wanted to kiss the column of her neck and make love to her then but knew he wouldn’t. He cleared his throat.

“You look beautiful. You both do,” he said including Amanda as well.

Amanda smiled, “Thank you, you’re quite dashing also.”

“Thank you,” Miah said taking a deep breath and walked towards the elevator.

He sighed. He didn’t blame her for still being mad.

The gala was in full swing. Miah looked around the crowded room it seems everyone who was anyone was here. Miah had also seen her doctor and the doctor who had attended to her in the ER. Dinner had been superb, and Amanda was enjoying herself as well. Ash was engrossed in deep conversation with Patrick, one of their table companions. He was relaxed and charming; it seems like everyone wanted to talk to him. He did look dashing, and every woman in the room, including the married ones, took notice.

He must have felt her eyes on him because he looked up and smiled at her. Her heart flip-flopped. He said something to Patrick then stood up holding out his hand.

“Would you care to dance?”

She nodded and placed her hand in his and walked to the dance floor.