Page 181 of Josephine and Clay

Two tiny flickers.

Two rapid heartbeats filling the room.

Emotion crashes through me so suddenly I can’t contain it. Tears spill sideways into my hair while my hand flies over my mouth.

“They’re okay?” I whisper. “Both of them?”

“Both heartbeats look excellent,” the doctor says gently.

Beside me, Penny lets out a strangled sound halfway between a laugh and a sob. “Oh thank goodness.”

I close my eyes.

My muscles finally unclench, leaving me shaky all over.

The doctor keeps talking while she checks measurements and monitors the screen. No signs of immediate danger or bleeding. Cervix closed. Labs still pending, but everything looks reassuring.

“This may simply be your body reminding you that carrying twins is demanding work.”

“That feels rude of them,” Penny mutters.

The doctor smiles. “Stress and dehydration can make cramping worse too.”

Penny slowly turns her head toward me.

I study the ceiling with great interest.

Cowardly, maybe. Effective, definitely.

They decide to monitor me for a while longer.

I don’t argue.

At this point, my independence has had a rough morning and frankly deserves to sit down.

Once the doctor leaves, Penny drops back into her chair and drags both hands down her face.

“I’ve aged a decade,” she announces.

“I’m sorry.”

She points at me immediately. “Absolutely not. Your children already owe me emotional damages.”

I blink at her. “Your what?”

“I’m getting ahead of the paperwork, obviously.”

“That feels legally concerning.”

“So does half the parking downtown.”

My phone buzzes on the tray beside the bed.

Both of us look at it.

My heart leaps before I can stop it.

Clay.