Twisted Ties of Love

When the doctor's words tumbled out, Izabella froze on the spot, her hand instinctively resting on her flat belly where, unbelievably, two tiny lives were beginning.

She was at a loss for words, standing rooted to the spot, her mind a whirl of emotions she couldn't articulate.

From the moment the doctor had cheerily inquired about her last menstrual period, Casey had sensed something was up. Now, that vague premonition of surprise had crystallized into reality-a shocker of epic proportions.

When life hits you with such monumental news, your first reaction isn't to smile; it's more like your soul has stepped out of your body, leaving your face expressionless. A buzzing noise rings in your ears, your brain goes blank, reality feels distant, and you're trapped in a dream, afraid to react in case it all vanishes.

Both of them were shell-shocked, but Bunny, who'd been through life's big events, was the first to snap out of it and eagerly asked for confirmation, "Doctor, are you serious? Is Bella really seven weeks pregnant? With twins?"

The doctor chuckled, "Of course it's true. I wouldn't joke about something like this."

"Son, did you hear that? Bella's pregnant. You're going to be a dad to not one, but two little munchkins!"

As Bunny's words sank in, the surreal joy burst forth, flooding Casey's heart with waves of happiness, threatening to overwhelm him.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

"Bella, I'm going to be a dad," Casey stuttered, his voice cracking as tears glistened in the corners of his eyes.

Seeing Casey's emotional state, Izabella felt her own eyes welling up. Having lost two children before, it seemed the universe was giving her a second chance, filling the void in her heart.

She didn't know what to say, just stared at her flat stomach, her breath quivering.

"Casey, I'm going to be a mom."

Casey wrapped his arms around her from behind, his hands gently migrating to her belly as if discovering a new world. His dark eyes shone with a fervor, his touch tender yet hesitant, as if afraid to disturb the miracle.

His gaze locked on Izabella, his eyes full of promises, he whispered solemnly, "I swear on my life to protect you both. I'll be the best husband and father I can be."

Tears slipped silently down Izabella's cheeks as she turned and embraced Casey.

Bunny watched the young couple with a contented smile, then carefully checked on Izabella's condition.

Izabella was in good health, but carrying twins would be tougher than a single baby-nutrition had to be spot on. Bunny knew this all too well as a mother herself, but she grilled the doctor on every detail for Izabella's sake.

Back at home, Bunny shared the good news with Beck and Wendy. The family was overjoyed and planned a celebration.

Instructions were given to the chef to prepare meals fit for an expectant mother. From then on, whatever Izabella ate, the family would eat, ensuring a nutritious diet. Although grown up in R City with a penchant for stronger flavors, Izabella knew to eat in moderation, especially with spicy foods.

As the first trimester, notorious for morning sickness, trudged on, Izabella hadn't yet felt the common symptoms. She was mostly tired and preferred rest over activity.

Casey, whenever he had a moment, would massage her, taking the place of her physical activity.

Furthermore, Casey had prepared a stack of pregnancy books-titles like "The Sears Pregnancy Encyclopedia," "Illustrated Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Early Parenthood," "The Complete Pregnancy Encyclopedia," guides for expectant fathers, and comprehensive books for both soon-to-be moms and dads.

These books became Casey's daily ritual, as Izabella hadn't turned a single page herself, leaving Casey to take notes.

After work, Casey's first concern was Izabella's well-being, followed by a gentle kiss to her belly through the fabric, greeting their unborn children.

Then he'd dive into the books. Being a quick study with a solid memory, he absorbed the contents after a few reads. Within a week, his notebook was filled with nearly two hundred pointers, and he carried a constant concern for Izabella's safety.

Monthly doctor visits became fixtures in their calendar, with Casey always making time to accompany Izabella.

Three months in, Izabella's belly was

noticeably rounder. The sight of it

growing day by day, its gentle curve, filled Casey with awe and

trepidation. He'd watched videos. and read up on twin pregnancies; the belly grew much larger, the navel would stretch outward like an over-inflated balloon, the underlying vessels becoming visible.

The thought of childbirth, where a woman's body must accommodate a passage as wide as a watermelon, sent shivers down Casey's spine, The fear for Izabella's safety overshadowed the excitement of fatherhood; the risk of childbirth was albtoo real, with history replete with tales of mothers lost in labor.

But Izabella knew Casey's worries without him voicing them. Their connection ran deep, beyond words. She approached him, wrapping her arms gently around him, "I know you're worried about me, but believe me, won't let anything dangerous happen. I'm looking forward to our children more than anything. To be a mother is an incredible thing, and I'm willing to pay the price. I have no

regrets because they're our babies."

"Why can't men be the ones to have babies?"

The thought of Casey with a swollen belly made Izabella burst into laughter.

"Stop worrying. I'm actually doing alright. I have a good appetite, I can eat and sleep, and I haven't been nauseous."

Their life together, now entwined with the upcoming arrival of their twins, continued on with laughter, love, and a few quiet concerns, as they prepared for the journey of parenthood.

Casey was silent, his head hung low, but Izabella's few words of comfort seemed to have eased his worries a bit. He knew that all he could do was try his hardest to protect her, to be by her side. Pregnancy was one thing a man couldn't share in its physical pain, no matter how much he wanted to.

If it were possible, he'd have gladly traded places with Izabella, carrying the pregnancy himself.

He had prepared some maternity essential oils, having heard that a gentle massage could help with stretch marks.

Stretch marks were inevitable, after all. A growing belly resembled a balloon - once stretched and then deflated, it never quite returned to its original form.

Casey applied the oil gently on Izabella, from her belly to her legs, not even sparing her fingertips and toes.

He did it with such care, like an archaeologist handling a priceless artifact, afraid that a single careless move could cause irreparable damage.

Izabella let him apply the oils, watching her own belly swell with a newfound sense of contentment.

If pregnancy was a journey of the heart, for Izabella it was a ride from disbelief and shock, to joyous acceptance, and finally to a calm anticipation of the arrival of their twins. Casey, on the other hand, had started with the thrill of a windfall and had now settled into a tremulous caution. Just three months in, and he was already on tenterhooks. At first, when Casey saw the two tiny embryos on the ultrasound, he counted back the days to their first time having sex.

He couldn't believe they had hit the jackpot on their first try, and not just with one, but two! He had been as proud as a sharpshooter, his ears nearly wiggling with glee.

He even gave himself a mental thumbs-up, whispering a self-congratulatory "Good job!" inside his head.

But as he learned more about pregnancy and childbirth, his smugness faded into apprehension.

Having one child was painful and risky enough, let alone two.

Just yesterday, Izabella had remarked how her pregnancy was going smoothly without much discomfort, especially compared to other expectant mothers. The twins had been rather kind to her, not causing too much fuss, so she hadn't experienced severe morning sickness in these past couple of months.

And yet, today proved her wrong. Waking up with a tightness in her chest, brushing her teeth with the taste of toothpaste still in her mouth, she began to vomit. Nothing she ate seemed to agree with her; her back and waist ached, her legs felt like they had been drained of all strength.