Until The phone rang at 9:17 a.m. sharp. 

Oliver was still in his robe, halfway through making toast, when he saw the clinic’s number flash on the screen.

His heart slammed once, hard.

Hands trembling slightly, he wiped them on a towel before answering.

“Hello?”

A calm voice on the other end—Nurse Camila.

“Mr. Reyes? We have your results ready.”

Oliver couldn’t breathe for a second.

“Yes,” he managed. “I’m listening.”

There was a pause.

And then, her voice, warm and steady:

“Congratulations. Your test is positive.”

It didn’t hit all at once.

The words felt suspended in the air, as if they hadn’t quite landed yet.

Oliver gripped the edge of the counter, his knuckles white against the pale surface.

“I…” He let out a breath that sounded more like a quiet laugh. “It worked?”

“It worked,” she confirmed gently. “You’re pregnant.”

Another silence, filled only by the distant ticking of his wall clock.

The world didn’t change visually. Same kitchen, same faint scent of toast burning slightly.

But inside Oliver’s chest, everything shifted.

A sharp mix of joy, fear, disbelief. His throat tightened painfully.

It’s real. I’m really… going to be a dad.

“Is… is there anything I should do next?” he asked once he could find his voice again.

“Yes,” Camila replied. “We’ll schedule an ultrasound in two weeks to confirm viability and check for multiples.”

That made Oliver freeze again.

“Multiples…”

He remembered his choice, the fertility medication.

“I might have twins. Or more?”

“There’s a chance,” she said honestly. “But we’ll know for certain after the scan. For now, continue resting. No heavy lifting, no stress if possible. Take prenatal vitamins, stay hydrated. And if you experience any cramping or bleeding, call us immediately.”

Oliver nodded slowly, fingers pressed against his stomach again like he might feel something already shifting under his skin.

“Okay. Thank you.”

“Congratulations again, Oliver.”

When he hung up, the silence in his apartment felt heavier now.

He wasn’t sure if he was about to laugh, cry, or both.

The Rest of That Day

Oliver didn’t go back to bed.

He walked from room to room, looking at things differently now.

The empty second bedroom.

The shelves where he usually stacked old books.

Now it all felt… temporary. Like it was waiting to be rearranged into something new.

But then the mini-panic hit him:

Cribs. Bottles. Doctor’s appointments. Baby-proofing. Names. Money.

His breath caught in his throat.

What if he wasn’t ready? What if he missed something?

He sat down on the couch, head in his hands, breathing slow.

This wasn’t just a single decision anymore. It was going to ripple through everything in his life.

After a few quiet minutes, he pulled out his phone.

Opened his notes app again.

Started a new list: 

Ultrasound in 2 weeks 

Baby registry 

Talk to HR about parental leave

Budget review

Join single parent forums

That helped. Oliver took deep breaths, trying to control his anxiety. 

A little control in a moment that felt like it was tilting sideways.

At Night time 

Oliver sat on his balcony again, sipping water slowly, hand against his belly.

The sky had gone dark and only the moon shined.

"I’m really going to be a dad."

He whispered it aloud this time, and it didn’t feel so overwhelming now.

Still big. Still terrifying.

But possible.

He thought again about the ultrasound—about hearing that he might have two heartbeats in there. Or three.

Instead of panicking this time, he imagined holding more than one small hand in his own.

Double the love. Triple the love.

And as the sky darkened, Oliver felt something close to peace settle into his bones.

Whatever comes next… I’ll handle it. I'll be there for my babies. Thought Oliver as he touched his abdomen softly.