Bailey POV
The elders were up to something. I could sense it, and so could Riley. They were acting suspiciously. Jaxon should have been dealt with by now and I didn't like the way they were acting towards the sirens, their prejudice clearly showing. As I escorted my mate to the hospital, I kept a close eye on our surroundings, feeling Riley looking around and doing the same. Both of us were on our guard. We should have been relaxed, we were back at our pack, but instead, I felt more tense than ever and I was certain that's how Riley felt. We walked inside and immediately a doctor came up to us with a wide smile on her face.
"King Bailey, Queen Riley" she dipped her head respectfully "What can I assist you with today?" she asked politely.
"We're here to check on the development of our child," I said gravely "After everything that's happened recently we just want to make sure there is nothing wrong" I paused as Riley tensed "and that they still have a heartbeat" I finished in a whisper.
"Of course, I think that might be a wise decision," Dr Sandra said as I eyed her nametag "I'm sure everything is fine, but if you'll follow me, we'll get you checked over and an ultrasound immediately" she reassured us both as Riley gave a tight smile and nodded.
We followed her into an empty room. She pulled the curtains over and gestured for Riley to hop onto the bed. I sat beside the bed, taking hold of Riley's hand after she moved her dress up, exposing the swollen expanse of her stomach. I frowned. Was it my imagination or was Riley's belly slightly larger than the last time I had looked at it properly? I understood that she was further along, but to my untrained eye, it looked as though she was still bigger than she ought to be. I bit my tongue as the doctor began to wheel over the machine and put gel on the probe. Perhaps it was simply my imagination, I thought, not wanting to upset my mate who was looking frightened enough as it was. The last thing I needed was to place her under more stress.
"Okay this is going to be cold" laughed Dr Sandra with a sympathetic glance, before gently placing the probe onto Riley's stomach. I heard Riley's indrawn breath as she felt the coldness of the probe against her stomach. She gripped my hand tightly. I squeezed it, trying to give her what little comfort I could, feeling helpless, my eyes automatically darting towards the small monitor as the doctor began to expertly move the probe around, biting her lip.
"I have your ultrasound results from the last time" she murmured "and how large the fetus was" She was still murmuring before she blinked, looking down at the papers in front of her and then back at the screen confused.
"What's wrong?" I asked, seeing how flustered the doctor was getting as she moved the probe around some more "What did you see?"
"It's nothing serious," she said tightly "I just want to go and get a colleague to confirm something for me, I won't be but a moment" she added, quickly getting up off her chair and dashing out the door before we could ask her any more questions.
Riley's eyes filled with tears. "Something is wrong, I can tell. They said our baby could not live to become a tribid and I didn't listen" she choked out as I stared at her incredulously not entirely sure what she was talking about.
"Riley what on earth are you talking about..." I began, confused by her words when the curtain was pulled aside and Dr. Sandra came back in accompanied by another woman, a Dr Amy.
"Is this the ultrasound?" the woman picked up the probe and began to move it back over Riley's belly.
"Yes," Dr Sandra said quietly "As you can see, there is clearly more than one" she added anxiously "whereas the first ultrasound that was performed didn't show multiples."
Dr Amy merely nodded, while Riley and I shot each other glances. What did they mean by multiples? In Riley's first ultrasound, it had been confirmed that there was one solitary child in her womb. So what had these doctors looking so nervous?
"Nothing was missed" Dr Sandra insisted, her voice slightly shrill "but you can see for yourself..." She pointed at the screen.
"It appears that you were right," Dr Amy said to her colleague, before glancing at Riley and me "I don't quite know how to put this," she said delicately as we stared at her, willing her to speak "but according to this ultrasound, Riley, you are now pregnant with two fetuses."
"Two" whispered Riley "But how is that possible? Did you miss it on the first one?" she demanded, touching her stomach while I merely looked on dazed.
Two babies. How on earth was that possible?
"We're not sure" Dr Sandra admitted "Both of them appear to be the same age in weeks, developing at the same rate, perhaps it's possible we missed one somehow," she said not looking convinced.
"Twins," Riley said unnerved "You mean to tell me I'm having twins?" she asked as the doctors both nodded sheepishly.
"I'll leave you with your patient" Dr Amy handed the probe back to Dr Sandra who began wiping it over with a paper towel and handed one to Riley who wiped her stomach down as she waited. Dr Amy hastily left the room.
"Twins, yes," Dr Sandra said, putting the probe back "From all accounts it looks like that's what you are carrying. Still too early to recognize gender, let alone see what DNA they possess" she sighed "but it's strange not to have been picked up before."
"So two children" I confirmed, glancing at my mate and raising an eyebrow, feeling somewhat smug "We could be having two boys or two girls."
"Or one of each" Riley objected, glaring at me.
I laughed and kissed her on the temple. "This is good news, Riley. Both have heartbeats, both are doing well. Not only did we assuage any fears we had, we just found out we're expecting double" I teased, feeling lighter than I had in days.
"Can we keep this secret?" Riley asked suddenly, causing Dr Sandra to look at her sharply and for me to still "I just don't know" She bit her lip "I don't want word getting to the elders that there are two babies in my womb. They don't need to know" she said as I nodded in agreement "please" she pleaded and Dr Sandra smiled.
"It's meant to be kept confidential anyway but as Luna Queen, you can demand I destroy all records created today for security's sake."
"I demand it," Riley said quickly and the Dr smiled and nodded a soft smile on her face.
"Then it will be done. I suspect you might be slightly anemic with the paleness of your pallor, short of doing blood tests, I recommend getting some more iron into your blood" she advised Riley with twinkling eyes.
"I'll make sure she heeds your advice," I told the doctor gratefully, getting to my feet and helping Riley to stand "Thank you for seeing Riley so quickly. We appreciate it" I added as we began to head out the door and towards the exit, both of us lost in our thoughts.
"King Bailey" the doctor's voice was quiet as we hesitated and half turned back to her "if we didn't miss the second child on the ultrasound and it has suddenly appeared then it's by the moon goddess's wish. That means that your children, the children that Riley is carrying, are very important, not just to her, but to the future of our pack as well. Keep her safe" she whispered.
I ducked my head and then grabbed Riley's hand, leading her back outside. The doctor's words stayed with me. I already felt possessive of Riley and protective of my child, well children, but her words only invoked another determination within me to ensure that nobody I loved got hurt.
"Two" Riley murmured dazed "Two babies. Bailey, how are we going to manage?" she looked slightly panicked.
I chuckled "Like everybody else who has twins or triplets or multiples love" I looked deep into her eyes and saw a woman who was becoming overwhelmed "You have me," I told her, putting a hand on her shoulder as she looked up at me "not to mention a brother, A beta and Callum and Cody who adore you. If all else fails" I said with a twitch of my lip "we can hire some help. There's no shame in needing help Riley. We can get a nanny or an au pair. Whatever makes you comfortable" I told her as she nibbled on her lower lip, still looking anxious "We will work it out" I breathed as she wrapped her arms around me and put her head against my chest "Because we love each other."
"I love you" she murmured, standing on her tiptoes and kissing me on the lips, looking slightly relaxed as the sun shone brightly overhead "Thank you for calming me down Bailey" she breathed.
"I love you too sweetheart" I grinned "Now let's get back to the pack house before we're discovered missing and the elders come looking for us."
It was the last thing we needed. I didn't need to reiterate any more. We began to hurry back.