Dr. Reyes had kind eyes and a slow, deliberate way of talking that made Elena want to shake her gently and demand the truth faster, except some instinct told her this particular doctor moved slowly on purpose, the way careful people did when they knew a patient was holding her breath.
"Twins, confirmed," Dr. Reyes said, turning the monitor slightly so both of them could see it clearly. "Two distinct heartbeats, two separate sacs. Fraternal, most likely, though we'll know more as things progress. Congratulations."
The word landed strangely in the small room — congratulations, offered so simply, like it was possible to feel only one thing about news this large. Elena felt something c***k open in her chest, not fear exactly, not joy exactly, some combination of both that didn't have a clean
