Gender Reveal

TYLER

For nearly six weeks, we have successfully kept Violet’s pregnancy a secret. But now, her belly has blossomed, making it impossible to conceal that we’re expecting twins.

Just a few days ago, she woke up with a noticeable bump, and we’ve had to accept that our secret can’t stay hidden any longer.

Catherine had already guessed it just by looking at Violet a few weeks back.

Now, with two beautiful, healthy babies growing inside her, it’s time for the world to know.

A few weeks ago, I received an envelope from the doctor with the results of Violet’s first-trimester blood work.

The doctors believe they’ve identified the babies’ genders through the blood work, but it’s not as reliable with twins as it is with a single baby.

This morning, we’re getting a scan from the good Dr. Bartlet.

He’ll jot down his findings so we can surprise our families with not only the pregnancy but also a gender reveal balloon tonight.

We’ve arranged a big family dinner for tonight at Carla’s place, with my mom, Lynn, and Carl.

Initially, Lynn and Carl were supposed to come to our place, but we switched the location once we realized Violet’s belly wasn’t going to be easily concealed.

No one knows the real reason for the change yet.

We want everyone to find out at the same time.

We’ve told everyone that Lynn and Carl are visiting, and it would be nice to have everyone together.

Plus, Daniel is back for his summer break, so the timing works out perfectly.

Actually, it works out really well.

Daniel is watching the girls today while we go to this appointment.

He doesn’t know the real reason we asked him to babysit, and Violet has been avoiding him for the past few weeks so he wouldn’t guess she’s pregnant.

They’re really close, which is nice to see.

As long as their bond remains sibling-like, I think it’s good for her.

We’ve told everyone that Violet is too tired to cook tonight, which is believable since Tilly is going through another sleep regression.

But the truth is, this pregnancy has been making Violet extremely tired.

I’ve had to take a step back from work most days or ask my mom to come over and help with the girls when things get too much for Violet.

Violet has been needing to sleep more and more, taking naps throughout the day.

We haven’t asked Carla for help because she would ask questions and probably guess that Violet is pregnant.

My mom, on the other hand, hasn’t questioned anything.

“Miss Stephenson?” the receptionist calls, prompting us to stand up and walk back to the ultrasound room.

Dr. Cassian and a sonographer are waiting for us.

Violet, dressed in comfortable pants and a loose top, lies down on the bed and pulls her pants down a bit and her top up to expose her belly.

“How have you been feeling, Violet?” the doctor asks as the sonographer applies some gel to her belly.

“Extremely tired, all the time…” she replies, sounding as exhausted as she describes.

The ultrasound screen comes to life, and we all move to watch.

“Lottie will measure each baby. Then we’ll turn the screen to determine the genders…and I’ll leave them in an envelope for you to take with you,” Dr. Bartlet explains.

We all nod, watching as Lottie measures one of the babies’ heads, then its belly, and finally a part of its leg.

“Baby A is measuring exactly seventeen weeks. Estimated weight is six point five ounces,” Lottie announces, labeling a profile picture of the baby before printing it for us.

“Can you roll to me, Miss Stephenson?” Lottie asks.

Violet does as she’s asked, rolling to face the doctor and sonographer while Lottie uses the wand on the side of her belly by her ribs.

Baby B comes into view, its profile and a hand by its right eye visible.

Lottie labels the picture with ~Baby B~ before moving on to measure them.

“Baby B is measuring a few days ahead, estimated weight six point nine ounces,” she says, moving the wand around.

She gets Violet to roll back halfway while moving the wand around before she asks her to stop.

To my surprise, she manages to get a picture of the twins together.

Both of their heads are on the screen, and she prints it out for us to take home.

It’s incredible to see how the babies are positioned in the womb together.

“Okay, I’m going to turn the screen away now,” she says, and we all step back.

Violet closes her eyes so she can’t see.

“All done. Would you like to clean up and come next door? There are a few things we need to discuss,” Dr. Cassian says with a smile.

We all agree, and Callum helps Violet clean up before we follow the doctor into his consultation room.

Violet sits down, with Callum to her right, Zach standing behind her, and me standing behind Callum.

“So what’s up, doc?” Zach asks impatiently.

“There are a few measurements I’m a little concerned about. Violet…your cervix has measured a bit shorter than I would like. So I’m going to ask you to stay on light bed rest to prevent gravity and those two babies from putting too much pressure on your cervix. We’ll know more at your anatomy scan in a few weeks, and that measurement will determine if we need to take further steps to prevent early birth. There may be a need for a cerclage if it shortens any further, but I’m hoping if you rest and stay lying down, that should be preventative enough,” he explains.

“Could she lose the babies?” Callum asks before the doctor even finishes his sentence.

“No, I don’t think so. We’ve caught it early, and it could just be a mistaken measurement. It’s only slightly shorter than I would like at this stage. Besides, we don’t really have anything solid to go off of because we didn’t have scans for Ella’s pregnancy to compare measurements. The other thing I am worried about is how tired you are. The twelve-week blood work showed slightly lower iron results than normal, so I’m inclined to take another blood test and if it’s still low decide whether place you on high dose iron tablets.”

“O-okay,” Violet agrees.

Fortunately, the cake and balloon shop is only a few blocks from the doctor’s office, which is where we head after the hospital appointment.

Callum and Violet decide to grab some lunch at the subway a few doors down while Zach and I are tasked with giving the balloon lady the envelope.

She goes to the back to fill two black balloons with the right colored confetti and labels them ~Baby A~ and ~Baby B~.

We also get two confetti cannons that match the genders.

The afternoon flies by as we take care of everything that needs to be done before heading over to the Henderson’s.

“I’m nervous,” Violet admits as we drive down Carla and Jerry’s driveway.

She’s sitting in the back with Zach, nervously chewing on her thumbnail.

“Nothing to be nervous about, baby. It’s just our family,” Zach reassures her, tracing figure eights on her thigh.

“I’ve been lying to them for over a month and a half. Won’t they be upset with me?” she asks, watching the horses run alongside us as we approach the house.

“We’ve all been lying, but it’s our choice when we come out with this, baby, not theirs,” I tell her, hoping to make her feel a bit more comfortable.

“I think everyone is going to be ecstatic. I doubt they’ll even worry about why we waited,” Callum adds.

I understand where Violet is coming from, but unfortunately, the driveway isn’t empty.

Jerry and Daniel are outside by the big tree, where we park.

Violet is the last to get out of the car, hiding behind Zach as we walk past Jerry and Daniel.

It takes Daniel all of three seconds to realize that something is up.

“So you’ve been avoiding me to keep this from me?” he asks, reaching out to touch Violet’s stomach.

Callum almost has a heart attack, pushing Daniel’s hand away and growling, “Hands, kid.”

“When are you going to get over this jealousy thing? I don’t like Violet that way,” Daniel retorts, raising his eyebrows before turning back to Violet with a smirk. “Let’s go talk,” he suggests, leading her by the hand toward the fences where the horses are lined up.

“So she’s pregnant, huh?” Jerry smiles at us. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, pa,” Zach grins, following Jerry toward the house while I hang back to watch Violet with Callum.

She links her arm with Daniel’s as they walk toward the fences where the horses are lined up.

They’re talking animatedly as she reaches out to touch the brown horse that absolutely despises me.

“Come on, Callum. Let’s get these balloons inside, and let them talk,” I suggest.

“Why do they even need to talk?” he grumbles, but does as I’ve asked, reaching into the trunk to grab the two balloons.

“They’re buddies, you know. He’s got this big-brother thing going on with her.” I pause, glancing at him. “She’s been giving him the cold shoulder for a while now. You do realize he’s heading back to college soon, don’t you? I think he wanted to hang out with her more before he leaves.”

I can’t help but chuckle at Callum’s obvious jealousy over Daniel. “She’s already spending a ton of time with him, Tyler,” he says.

Callum just huffs, clearly not amused.

“You’re very jealous,” I retort..