Your heart pounds as the nurse finishes her examination.

“The babies will be just fine,” she says with a soft smile.

You turn immediately to Mattheo, eager to pull him away from his endless worrying.

“See, Mattheo?” you say, reaching for his hand, your fingers lacing with his. “The babies will be just fine. Now, let’s go.”

But Mattheo doesn’t move. He doesn’t even squeeze your hand back like he usually does. Instead, his head tilts slightly.

“…Did you say babies?” His voice is slow, like he’s trying to make sense of something that doesn’t quite register.

A strange chill runs through you. Your fingers twitch against his. You turn back to the nurse.

“Did you say… babies?”

She nods, her smile widening just a little, as if she’s been waiting for the realization to sink in. “Yeah… you’re having twins.”

Silence.

The words don’t seem real.

Twins.

Two.

Two babies.

You blink at her, your lips parting, but your brain refuses to catch up with your mouth.

“Am I having what?”

Mattheo’s grip on your hand tightens suddenly. You turn to look at him, and for the first time, you see something other than tension in his eyes. Awe.

The thought of carrying his child was overwhelming enough, but now? Two? Your heart is a whirlwind of emotions, love, fear, excitement, disbelief.

His lips part slightly, but no words come out. Instead, he does something unexpected—he laughs. A quiet, breathless laugh, full of wonder, his eyes shining as he shakes his head. Then, without warning, he cups your face, his fingers brushing your cheeks as he presses a kiss to your forehead, his lips lingering there.

“Twins,” he murmurs against your skin. “You’re incredible.”