Chapter Thirty One

Trinity

A month has passed since that night, and I’m relieved to say we haven’t had any more encounters with the detective. Stephen and I have found our rhythm again, and I’ve been reminding him that he doesn’t have to bear his worries alone—we can talk them through together.

The Friday following that night, we had dinner at Clint and Mia’s, where we discovered that Dave and Felicity are expecting their first child. We were all thrilled for them, and sharing such joyful news gave Dave the courage to propose to Felicity.

Today, Stephen and I have another ultrasound to find out the gender of baby pea pod number three. We’re excited because, even though we still have plenty from the twins, we can now start organizing other things and brainstorming names.

The twins’ first birthday is also coming up in a few weeks, and we’ve been preparing for a party at our house. Their current favorite show is Paw Patrol, so we’ve planned a themed party for them.

We’ve dressed the twins and they’re coming with us today. We thought it would be nice for Dr. Cater to see them, as she hasn’t seen them since they were born, and for them to see their new baby sister or brother.

Stephen has just buckled them into the car and pokes his head back in the door.

Stephen - “You ready, baby? I’ve got the twins in the car ready to go.”

Trinity - “Coming, sweetheart.”

I descend the stairs, lock the door, and step outside. My husband’s eyes light up.

Trinity - “What?”

Stephen - “I just never tire of seeing how beautiful you look carrying our baby.”

I give him a quick kiss as we get into the car.

Trinity - “You ready to see your new brother or sister, babies?”

Olivia - “No.”

Nate - “Yay, brother.”

Stephen - “Hahaha, someone doesn’t want any competition.”

Trinity - “Awwww, Livy, what’s wrong, baby? Do you want to be daddy’s only little princess?”

I can’t help but laugh as my daughter sulks and refuses to look at us.

Trinity - “You better hope it’s a boy, baby, or your daughter is not going to be happy with you.”

He looks in the rearview mirror and laughs.

Stephen - “Livy.”

Now I’m laughing when she continues to ignore her daddy.

Stephen - “Livy, baby.”

Olivia - “Dada.”

Stephen - “You’re daddy’s favorite princess pea.”

I smile softly as our daughter goes all coy and her daddy blows her kisses. He reaches over and takes my hand in his, stroking it softly.

Trinity - “What are you hoping for, baby?”

Stephen - “I don’t mind either way, my love. I’m just blessed that we can have more beautiful babies.”

It doesn’t take us long to arrive at the hospital and park.

We get the kids out of the car and check in at reception. As always, we don’t have to wait too long, which is a blessing—I wasn’t sure how well the twins would handle a long wait.

Dr. Cater - “Trinity and Stephen?”

Stephen - “Hi, Dr. Cater.”

Dr. Cater - “Oh, and this must be Olivia and Nathaniel. You two were so tiny last time I saw you. Aren’t they just beautiful?”

Trinity - “Thank you.”

Stephen - “I think so, but I’m pretty biased. Lucky they take after their mother.”

We all chuckle.

Trinity - “Babies, say hello to Dr. Cater.”

Nathaniel - “Hi.”

Olivia - “Hi.”

Dr. Cater - “Well, hi cuties. It’s very nice to meet you both.”

Dr. Cater - “Is everyone excited to see what mommy and daddy’s new baby is?”

Stephen and I laugh as Dr. Cater looks amused.

Trinity - “Baby girl is getting a bit possessive about her daddy. I don’t think she wants another girl in his life.”

Stephen - “You’re my main girl, aren’t you, Livy baby?”

Olivia - “Daddy’s girl.”

Dr. Cater - “Haha, I bet you are, sweetie. I bet you have daddy wrapped around your little finger.”

Trinity - “And her uncles and cousin.”

Dr. Cater - “So, you know what time it is, don’t you, Trinity?”

Trinity - “Time for you to torture me with that evil gel?”

Dr. Cater - “You guessed it in one. Who wants a prize?”

She pulls out jelly sticks for the twins.

Stephen - “What do we say, pea pods?”

Nate - “Please.”

Olivia - “Please.”

Dr. Cater - “Lovely manners, and these are for you.”

I pass Nate over to his daddy as Stephen holds the twins on either hip and I get up on the bed. The twins are happy with their jelly sticks and Stephen comes over and stands by my head. I roll my dress up as Dr. Cater puts a blanket over my lower half.

Nate - “Belly.”

Trinity - “Hey, did you just call momma fat, cheeky monkey?”

I reach up and tickle my boy, who giggles.

Dr. Cater - “Ok, you ready?”

Trinity - “No, haha.”

Dr. Cater smiles and applies the gel quickly, spreading it out before getting the transducer. She turns to the screen as she moves it around my lower abdomen until she’s satisfied.

Dr. Cater - “Ok, who wants to see the new baby?”

Olivia - “Baby.”

Stephen - “That’s right, princess. Mommy has daddy’s baby in her belly.”

Dr. Cater turns the screen around so we can see.

Stephen - “You see there, pea pods? That’s going to be your new brother or sister.”

Nate - “Baby.”

Dr. Cater - “Would you like to hear the heartbeat again?”

Trinity - “What do you say, possums? You want to hear it?”

Olivia - “Yay.”

Nate - “Yay.”

Dr. Cater smiles and turns up the sound, and the heartbeat of our new little one fills the room. I look up to Stephen, who is smiling as beautifully as he did the first time we went through this. He looks down and sees me smiling up at him and leans down to give me a gentle kiss.

Stephen - “I love you, baby. Thank you.”

Trinity - “I love you too.”

Trinity - “And you, love you two little pea pods as well.”

Stephen - “What do you say, Livy and Nate? Should we find out if mommy is having a boy or a girl?”

They both start clapping excitedly, although I’m sure they don’t fully understand. But it’s something new and shiny for them, which always grabs their attention.

After a few minutes, Dr. Cater freezes the screen and prints some pictures off for us before turning the screen around.

Dr. Cater - “Alright, who wants to take the first guess based on this? Let’s see how much you remember from last time.”

We both take a good look at the screen.

Stephen - “Oh, that’s definitely another boy. Look, baby, he takes after his daddy.”

I burst out laughing.

Trinity - “Sorry, Dr. Cater. If you hadn’t noticed, I already have three children I look after.”

Dr. Cater - “Haha, it’s quite alright. You’d be surprised how often I hear that.”

Trinity - “So, is daddy just hyping himself up, or...?”

Dr. Cater - “He’s right, that’s another healthy baby boy.”

Stephen leans over, his voice a soft whisper. “See, Livy, you get to stay daddy’s only princess.”

He straightens up, shooting me a playful wink. I can’t help but return his smirk, shaking my head in amusement.

Livy has her tiny hands wrapped around her daddy’s face, showering him with kisses.

Dr. Cater chuckles, “She’s quite possessive of her daddy, isn’t she?”

I laugh, “Like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve been on the receiving end of her jealousy a few times for kissing my own husband.”

“That’s adorable,” Dr. Cater says, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Sometimes,” I reply, my tone teasing.

I turn to Nate, “You excited, baby boy? You’re getting a new brother.”

Nate reaches out to me, trying to climb down. “Hang on, baby. Just stay with daddy a little bit longer for me, okay?”

Dr. Cater interjects, “Let me clean you up and I’ll get those pictures for you, okay?”

“Thank you, Dr. Cater,” Stephen says, his voice filled with gratitude.

“It’s my pleasure,” she replies, quickly wiping my stomach before heading out to get our pictures.

I stand up, taking Nate from Stephen and planting a kiss on each of my three babies.

Stephen’s voice is soft, filled with emotion. “Another son... Thank you, momma. I love you.”

“Thank you, daddy. I love you too,” I reply, my heart swelling with love for my family.

Dr. Cater returns with our photos, walking us out of the room. “It was nice to meet you, Nathaniel and Olivia. You help daddy look after Mommy now, okay?”

She extends her hand, shaking the twins’ hands. “And I’ll see you both again in a few weeks. Take care, Trinity.”

“Thank you, Dr. Cater. We’ll see you then,” I reply.

“Thank you,” Stephen echoes.

We walk out, each holding one of our twins. They wave back at Dr. Cater. Stephen takes my hand in his, our fingers intertwining. He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my skin. The smile on his face still takes my breath away.