ThE TWINS DILEMMA

“Oh, Chris! I can't believe we're having a set of twin baby girls.” Sarah said, looking at her husband adoringly. They had been trying to conceive since they got married three years ago. Chris, who has studied his wife over the years and understands her emotions at all times, recognized the mix of excitement and anxiety in her voice. He held her hands, “My love, I am just as excited as you are. I need you to remain strong and steadfast for us. I promise to be with you every step of the way.” Sarah grins, obviously relieved by his assurance. Even though she knew exactly what Chris meant, she said, “C'mon darling. You have practically been with me every step of the way. I am at the end of my third trimester already. I shouldn't fail to mention that you made my pregnancy journey an amazing one and I can't wait to pop out our babies in a few hours.'' They both laughed hysterically knowing that Sarah's last few words were excerpts from a childhood joke which she had already told an unhealthy number of times in the past. She was only a few hours away from her delivery and they are more than ready for the moment. A month earlier after they confirmed that they were having a set of baby girls, they went on a shopping spree, buying everything they were likely and unlikely going to need for the delivery and some more clothing too. Initially, they were not interested in gender reveal prior to the delivery, they wanted it to be a pleasant surprise. But after personal contemplation, Sarah later convinced Chris for a gender scan. Her husband wanted to dismiss the idea but she was bent on her request so he gave in. They had been so excited to finally get a double line on the PT kit after trying for three years. But when they discovered that they were having twins, their excitement had tripled so much that they didn't bother to know their genders. However, discovering that they were twin baby girls was a whole different level of enthusiasm for them as it has always been their wish to have baby girls. They became really eager and impatient to meet their little princesses with each passing day. As Sarah thought about how her coming days as a new mom would be, her mind drifted to the first day she met her husband in college. By this time the sitting room had become cozy and a gentle rain was tapping against the windows, casting a rhythmic melody that perfectly complemented her pensive mood. She cradled a cup of tea in her hands, the steam curling upwards, warming her face while the warmth equally permeated the cup to her palms. Her eyes dragged to the space above the bookshelf, where a framed photo of her and Chris, taken a decade ago during their college days, hung proudly. She smiled, her mind drifting back to the vibrant autumn day when she first met Chris at the university library. The campus was lively as usual and the trees were adorned with brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. Sarah was a diligent student, majoring in English Literature, and she made it a habit to spend her afternoons buried in books, seeking solace in the quiet corners of the library. So on this particular afternoon, as she struggled with a particularly dense text on Shakespeare, a shadow cast over her table. She looked up to see Chris, a tall, lanky fellow with a mop of unkempt but cute-looking hair. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye and Sarah thought she had seen him around a couple of times. He was holding a copy of "The Great Gatsby," a book they would later bond over endlessly. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness. Sarah nodded, slightly annoyed at the intrusion but intrigued by his choice of book. They struck up a conversation about literature, which quickly evolved into debates, shared laughter, and a deep connection. Later on, their discussions soon became the highlight of her days. As weeks turned into months, their bond grew stronger. They spent late nights at the campus diner, sipping on milkshakes and sharing dreams of the future. Sarah remembered the first time Chris confessed his undying love for her. It was during the spring festival, under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights. They had just finished dancing to a slow, romantic song, and Chris, with his heart pounding and hands trembling, took her aside. With the moonlight casting a soft glow on his face, he looked into her eyes and said, "Sarah, I love you. I've loved you since that autumn day at the library." Her heart had soared, and she responded with equal fervor, sealing their promise with a tender kiss under the stars. From that moment on, they were inseparable, facing the challenges of college life together, supporting each other through exams, projects, and the uncertainty of the future. Graduation came too quickly, and with it, the inevitable question of what came next. Chris had been offered a job in a different city, and Sarah had been accepted into a prestigious graduate program. They faced the difficult decision of whether to stay together or pursue their individual dreams. But their love proved resilient, and they chose to embark on a long-distance relationship, knowing that their bond was strong enough to withstand the miles between them. Sarah marveled at how their love had endured. They had navigated the trials of distance, careers, and building a family, always returning to the foundation of their shared history and deep affection for one another. The sound of the front door opening pulled her from her reverie, and she turned to see Chris coming into the room with their hospital bag. He smiled at her, and in that moment, she was transported back to the library, to the nights at the diner, to the dance under the stars. "Reminiscing again?" Chris asked, his voice warm and teasing. "Always," Sarah replied, reaching out to him. "Always.” Sarah could perceive the whiff of slightly burnt tacos as she recalled her maternal journey so far, especially her pregnancy journey which was gradually coming to an end. It was a typical weekday morning in Los Angeles. The type that starts with the sun rising over the palm trees and people waking up to the sound of birds chirping while traffic bustes outside the windows. On such mornings, before heading out, an average resident of LA might grab a quick breakfast of cereal, toast, or tacos with some leftover sauce as a base for the fillings. The streets slowly fill with cars as commuters make their way to work and the scent of coffee wafts through the air from bustling cafes. Some might take a leisurely stroll along the beach, while others rush to catch the bus or train. Overall, it's always a vibrant and bustling start of the day in the City of Angels and Sarah's childhood has preserved memories of such mornings. Now it all seemed like the whole cycle was on autopilot. She watched as Chris meticulously rechecked the hospital bags—ticking off everything on the list-–his movements triggering memories of their college days. Sarah couldn't help but smile, reminiscing about their journey from young college sweethearts to expectant parents. She felt a surge of gratitude for the life they had built together and for the new chapter about, to begin with their twin baby girls. A few minutes later they were on their way to Westlake Valley Medical Centre. They checked in on arrival, confirmed their time, and relaxed in the room assigned to them.