Page 121 of Monster. Me.

"Good morning, Doctor."

"Marlow, it's nice that you're finally answering"

"I don't understand. Do you have something important to tell me? I've already closed the chapter that connected me to the AA program in any way."

"Fair enough. I can't say I don't understand that. Still, there's a piece of information that I think is very important for you."

"I'm listening, then," I say, sitting down on the porch bench.

It's really pleasant here, and there's a view of the neighboring hills dotted with houses, the cherry orchard, and the winding road.

"There was a mistake in the laboratory that led to an unexpected discovery. On the day you left the facility, Caspian came to me asking for a pregnancy test."

"Well, that's interesting, but I've already heard the rumor that he's a beta with omega characteristics, so it's not exactly shocking."

"Apparently he didn't know it himself. He had what are known as hidden heats."

"Well, I guess congratulations to Juan. In the end… he managed to get someone pregnant. If not poor Timmy, then someone else."

"It’s not Juan’s."

"Oh."

"Here’s the thing. There was a labeling error. I thought it was Caspian’s blood. I was pretty confused; neither Rupert’s nor Juan’s DNA matched the fetal DNA in the first sample. I even suspected Caspian might have another lover, but that’s not the case."

A moment of silence passes. I stare at the horizon, blanking out.

"Could you explain it to me like I'm five?"

"I realized the date was wrong. The first sample was yours. So I took another test, this time correctly using Caspian’s sample, and confirmed that Rupert is the father of his child, but not yours."

"Wait, just wait… Come again?"

Dr. Lee sighs. "I dug deeper. I compared the fetal DNA present in your blood to Fenn Drax's genetic profile. And it's a perfect match, Marlow. Drax is the father of your twins, not Rupert!"

The phone nearly slips from my hand as it starts shaking. I swallow hard, my throat feeling as though it's filled with dry wood shavings.

"But… how?"

"Well. I suspect you had intercourse. That's how."

"That's not what I asked!"

"Vasectomies sometimes fail. Drax also hasn't had a follow-up examination in over a year. His mutant physiology might have created an additional channel on its own, or some other factor may have accelerated the regeneration of the ducts. I can't tell you why. I can only tell you the result."

My head is spinning. I'm glad I'm sitting down because I think I would have collapsed otherwise. My whole body feels like it has turned into jelly.

Wow. Wait. Really? Incredible. Hard to believe. I admit I have trouble wrapping my head around it.

"Are you sure about this, Doctor? Absolutely sure?"

What a turn of Fate!

"I am. I double checked it. I even managed to separate the DNA of both children, and they’re both his. Fraternal twins. I am absolutely certain about their paternity."

"Could you send me some kind of document? I don't know, a printout that says 'You Are the Father' or something."

Dr. Lee lets out an amused snort before replying, "Yes, I can prepare such a certificate."