Darcy walked through the front door of their house, announcing his arrival. “Darling, I’m home!”

Monroe heard him from the second floor and made her way downstairs, holding the pregnancy test in her hand firmly. “Hello lover.” She said to him as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Darcy’s eyes scanned over her face, her eyes were puffy and red, as if she had been crying all day. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve been crying.”

Monroe walked over to Darcy with her hands behind her back as she spoke. “I’m okay. Dad stopped by and we had a very intense conversation.”

Darcy felt concern course through his chest. “Oh, are you okay?”

Monroe’s eyes watered again as she replied with a smile. “I’m fine. The conversation started out a bit rough but we both said things we needed to say to each other. And he’s agreed to go to therapy. So, I’m happy.”

Darcy brought a hand to her shoulder, grabbing her gently. “That’s great, Mon.”

“That’s not where the good news ends.” She pulled out the pregnancy test from behind her and showed it to Darcy. “I’m pregnant!”

Darcy’s eyes widened as he gave her a huge smile. “Oh Mon!”

Monroe jumped in his arms, as he held her up by the waist, her legs wrapping around him.

Darcy’s eyes scanned her own, his heart was so full. “That’s fantastic news!”

Darcy set her down after a moment and began thinking about the baby. He felt a sense of panic as he started considering everything they needed. “Oooh boy. I’m going to be a dad.”

Monroe watched him with amusement. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m just processing. We need so many things! A crib, bottles, diapers!” He announced with a hand running through his hair.

Monroe laughed. “Darcy, relax. I’ve been pregnant for like a second. We have time.”

He tried to compose himself; they would have time to get everything. Pregnancy was typically nine months after all. “You’re right. When are you going to the doctor?”

“I scheduled my first appointment today! It’s in two weeks.”

Darcy closed the distance, holding her by the waist. “Can I come with you?”

Monroe embraced him, speaking softly into his sweater as she spoke. “Of course! I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

***

               Monroe sat on the examination table, with Darcy standing beside her as he rubbed circles on her back. They watched as the door opened, revealing a woman with chestnut skin in a white coat. “Hello Mrs. Hart. I am Dr. Olivia Jefferson. How can I help you?”

Monroe wiggled on the table as she spoke. “Hello, Dr. Jefferson. I took a couple pregnancy tests, and they said I was pregnant. So, I’m here for a checkup.”

“Okay, lay on your back and lift up your shirt a bit.” Dr. Jefferson commanded.

Monroe laid back and lifted her shirt, revealing her stomach. Dr. Jefferson squeezed a warm gel onto her abdomen as she pressed the ultrasound probe on Monroe’s lower belly. “There we go.”

The doctor watched the screen for a moment; Monroe watched her nervously. “Oh.” She said suddenly.

Monroe felt jittery as she spoke. “Is everything okay?”

Dr. Jefferson, turned to look at Monroe with a smile on her face as she adjusted her circular glasses. “Everything is fine. It’s just that there are two heartbeats here. It seems you’re carrying twins.”

Monroe choked on her own spit as she attempted to swallow. “T—twins?!” She glanced at Darcy. “Did you hear that, Darcy? Twins!”

Darcy felt his knees weaken. He put his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. “Twins?!”

He straightened out as he tried to compose himself. “Twins.”

Monroe wanted to laugh. She had never seen Darcy so flustered. “Are you okay?”

He put his hands on his waist, posing, trying to reflect confidence. “I’m fine.” He said, stretching out the I in ‘fine’.  “How far along is she?” He asked feeling a little more centered.

Dr. Jefferson finished with the probe as she answered. “About seven weeks.”

Monroe exclaimed, feeling giddy at her answer. “Oh my goodness, this is so exciting!”

Monroe sat back up on the edge of the bed and pulled her shirt down. Dr. Jefferson spoke to her directly. “We’re just going to run some tests to make sure everything is going well.”

Monroe nodded as she looked at Darcy, he was smiling but had a faraway look on his face. She could see him processing the news.

After the appointment was over, they walked out of the building as they made their way to the car. “So…twins.” Monroe said with a smile, breaking the silence.

Darcy rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, twins. I don’t know why I was so surprised. I mean, I’m a twin.”

She laughed easily. “It’s okay, I was shocked too. But the plan is the same. Nothing changes. The only thing that is different is that there will be two babies at the end of this instead of one.”

Darcy liked the sound of that. He liked the sound of having two babies to fuss over. He wanted to be the dad he never got a chance to have himself. “Yeah, you’re right. It’ll be fine. Honestly, I’m so excited to become a father.”

They stopped in front of their car, as he wrapped his arms around her. “And the fact that this is all happening with you is amazing. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me, Mon. I love you, and I love our little babies inside of you.”

Monroe nestled onto his chest, feeling his strong arms grip her tightly. “I love you too.”