Alyssa
"Take a deep breath for me, okay? You might feel a little bit of discomfort," the ultrasound technician says gently, nudging the lubed-up wand closer to my entrance.
I huff a nervous laugh, trying to ignore the cold gel and the invasive angle. "The only thing uncomfortable is the fact that my legs are spread open like this while you stick that thing inside me to take pictures of my insides."
The technician chuckles softly, her shoulders shaking softly as she adjusts the wand.
Niko snorts. "I did volunteer to do it for you, sweet girl."
I glare at him playfully, my cheeks heating. "Shut up, Niko."
My three men sit in the chairs beside me, practically vibrating with excitement. Zuri sits happily in Niko's lap, jingling her toy keys and babbling to herself. When I told King and Mason I had Niko set up the appointment, they were buzzing about it all morning. And when it was time to go, they practically hauled me and Zuri into the car like we couldn't get there fast enough.
I was worried about how awkward it was going to be to explain our unconventional family dynamic, but they didn't even blink an eye. I guess that's what you get when you go to an OBGYN clinic for celebrities. They've probably seen everything—and been paid enough to keep any judgements to themselves.
When we walked in earlier, I almost bolted at how fancy the place looked. Everything screamed expensive, from the marble floors to the gold accents on the walls. But the boys had reminded me of my promise, so if they want our baby to be born in a fancy-ass hospital, so be it.
Still, as the technician works, my chest tightens. What if something's wrong? What if the baby isn't viable? What if Isaac permanently damaged my body? The fear churns in my stomach, threatening to spiral.
King notices. Of course, he does. He squeezes my hand, his rough fingers grounding me as he murmurs, "It's gonna be okay, kitten. I promise."
His voice pulls me out of the fog, the warmth in his gaze steadying me. I nod, taking a deep breath as he sits back down.
Yeah, everything will be okay, I chant in my head.
It has to be.
And if it isn't, at least I know I have three men that will help me through it. It's not like Isaac ever showed me this kind of support.
My thoughts are interrupted when I notice the technician studying the monitor closely, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. She doesn't say a word, and the silence stretches on. I can feel my heart hammering in my chest, each beat growing louder in my ears.
The sound of the ultrasound machine clicking, the soft rustle of the technician's gloves, only fuel my anxiety. A lump forms in my throat, my palms beginning to sweat. I try to breathe, but it feels like I can't get enough air. Something's wrong. Something's wrong.
But what is it?
"Um, is everything okay?" I blurt out, the panic creeping into my voice. "Because if you don't say anything soon I'm going to have a panic attack right here, and it's not going to be pretty."
She looks up, her expression calm but focused. "I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to worry you. Just trying to confirm something."
My brows knit together. "Confirm what?"
"Hang on," she murmurs, her fingers dancing over the controls. The monitor flickers, and then she turns it around so we can all see, her eyes meeting mine. "There are two heartbeats."
I blink at her, choking on air. "What the hell did you just say?" My voice comes out three octaves higher than normal, trembling with disbelief.
She turns on the sound, and the room fills with the rapid thrum of two distinct heartbeats. On the screen, two tiny shapes—two little peanuts—wiggle faintly.
Holy. Fucking. Hell.
Twins? I'm pregnant with twins?
I glance at King, Niko, and Mason. Mason's face is blank, but his eyes are glued to the screen. Niko's jaw is practically on the floor, Zuri still playing with her toys in his lap. King, on the other hand, is staring at the monitor with an intensity in his eyes I've never seen before.
The technician finishes up after what feels like forever, the tension in the room almost suffocating at this point. "I'm going to give you all a few minutes to process this. The doctor will be in soon, okay?" She smiles kindly, but she doesn't linger, slipping out the room quickly.
The quiet is oppressive, broken only by Zuri's happy gibberish as she continues playing with her keys.
Niko is the first to speak. "Holy crap. We're going to be dads to twins!" he exclaims, running his hands through his hair like he's trying to keep his head from exploding.
"Twins," Mason repeats, his voice devoid of emotion but his eyes are wide as he continues staring at the screen.
King still hasn't said a word. He's just sitting there, unmoving, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I wonder if I've shocked him into silence. This must be how Bella felt when Edward found out she was pregnant with his demon spawn.
The thought churns in my gut. What is he thinking right now? Is he regretting it? Wondering if he's taken on more than he can handle? Thinking about the easiest way to get rid of me so he doesn't have to deal with any of this? With me?
Fear spikes through me, sharp and sudden. My throat constricts, and I choke on a sob.
This is way too much for me right now.
Their heads snap towards me instantly, all of them looking alarmed. King is at my side in a flash, his strong hands cupping my face. "What's wrong, baby?" he asks, his voice low and gentle.
"You said everything would be okay," I whisper, the tears spilling over. "And it's not."
He raises a demanding eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"Aren't you upset with me?" My voice cracks, my gaze dropping as I cover my face with my hands, unable to meet any of their eyes.
Strong hands suddenly wrap around my wrists, gently pulling my hands away. King's intense face comes into view, blurred by my tears.
"Upset?" he parrots, like I've just said the stupidest thing he's ever heard. His jaw tightens for a second before his lips curve into a breathtaking smile. "Kitten, I'm the happiest man on the goddamn planet. We have three kids now. Our family is expanding. How can I be anything but happy?"
I sniffle, a weak laugh bubbling past my lips as I wipe my face. "R-Really?"
He leans down, his lips capturing mine in a soft, grounding kiss. "Yes, baby. Really."
Relief washes over me, leaving me a little lighter, though my heart still thrashes wildly against my ribcage.
I shift my gaze past King, looking at the other two men who mean everything to me. "And what about you guys?" I ask, my voice wavering.
Niko grins, wide and unabashed, his excitement practically rolling off him in waves. "I'm literally so happy, I don't even know how to act right now." He lets out a breathless laugh, hugging Zuri closer to his chest.
I turn to Mason, who's still quiet. His green eyes meet mine, still a little wide with shock. "Uh, damn," he says slowly, his voice carrying a hint of awe. "I'm honestly still trying to process it. I didn't think I'd ever be a dad to one, let alone three kids. But..." He exhales deeply, his lips quirking into the faintest of smiles. "I'm excited. Really freaking excited."
The emotion swells in my chest, too big to contain. Before I know it, I'm sobbing again, my heart brimming with so much love it feels like it might burst. "I love you guys so much," I manage to choke out between the tears.
One by one, they lean in, their lips brushing against mine. King's touch is firm and reassuring. Niko's is playful, practically still grinning as his mouth presses against mine. And finally, Mason's kiss is gentle, lingering with quiet emotion.
Surrounded by them, their warmth and love, the overwhelming weight in my chest finally eases, replaced by something brighter. Something that feels like hope. Like happiness.