As soon as the doctor spoke, Elisa was stunned. She instinctively placed her hand gently on her abdomen, finding it hard to believe that there were two little lives inside her flat stomach.
Words couldn’t describe the emotions she felt at that moment. Elisa could only stand there in a daze.
Ever since the doctor asked Elisa how long it had been since her last menstrual cycle, Louis had a feeling about this. Now, that vague feeling of “surprise” was confirmed to be a monumental awakening.
When one is suddenly awakened by a great shock, the first reaction is not to smile. Instead, one’s face becomes devoid of expression, as if the soul has detached from the body. The ears are filled with static noise, the mind turns blank, and everything in front of the eyes feels unreal, as if trapped in a dream. Elisa hesitated to react, afraid that this might all be just a dream.
Both of them had similar reactions. Mrs. White, who had experienced grand moments before, was the first to react and confirm, “Doctor, are you saying this is true? Elisa is seven weeks pregnant? And it’s twins?”
The doctor smiled, “Of course it’s true. Why would I joke about something like this?”
“Son, did you hear that? Elisa is pregnant, and you’re going to be a father to twins.”
With Mrs. White’s words, that surreal sense of surprise burst forth like breaking out of an eggshell. Waves of joy surged through Louis’ heart like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf him.
“Elisa, I… I’m going to be a father.” Louis grinned, the corners of his eyes glistening with tears. Overwhelmed by intense joy, he stumbled over his words.
Elisa looked at Louis in this state, and her eyes welled up uncontrollably. She had lost two children before, and now, life seemed to fill the void in her heart.
She didn’t know what to say, so she just stared at her flat belly, her breathing trembling.
“Louis, I’m going to be a mother.”
Louis hugged her from behind, his hands slowly moving to her belly, as if discovering a new continent. His dark eyes shone like never before, his movements tinged with caution and nervousness, wanting to touch yet afraid to touch.
He looked at Elisa, his eyes full of promise, his voice low, “I will protect you both. I swear on my life. I will be a good husband and father.”
Elisa blinked, and tears silently streamed down her face. She turned around and hugged Louis.
Mrs. White smiled and shook her head, her eyes filled with contentment. She carefully asked about Elisa’s condition.
Elisa was in good health with no issues, but carrying twins was more challenging than a single pregnancy, requiring extra nutrition.
Mrs. White knew all of this, with her past experience. But for Elisa, she was more concerned about her than herself. She knew the precautions, but still asked the doctor for any additional advice.
Once they returned home, Mrs. White shared the good news with Mr. White and Brittany. The family was happy and decided to celebrate.
They instructed the chef to prepare meals for pregnant women from now on.
They would eat whatever Elisa ate. Pregnancy meals were all about nutrition, and the taste was actually quite good. However, Elisa had a preference for spicier flavors, growing up in Bankshire.
Occasional chili was allowed, but not too often.
The first three months were when the pregnancy symptoms were the strongest.
Currently, Elisa hadn’t experienced any symptoms besides the normal eating and sleeping. Her body felt weak and lacked energy. She didn’t feel like moving.
Whenever Louis had time, he would massage her, replacing her need for movement.
In addition to the massages, Louis also prepared pregnancy books. Titles like “Sears’ Pregnancy Encyclopedia,” “Illustrated Encyclopedia of Pregnancy and Childbirth,” “Complete Encyclopedia of Nine Months of Pregnancy,” “Pregnancy Guidebook for Men to Accompany Their Pregnant Wives,” “Complete Encyclopedia for Expectant Mothers and Fathers”…
All of these books became Louis’ daily homework. Elisa hadn’t read a single page, leaving Louis to take notes instead.
During the day, Louis would work on set, and the first thing he asked when he came home was about Elisa’s physical condition. He would then bend down and kiss her belly, brushing against her clothes as a greeting to their two little ones.
After that, he would start reading the books. Louis was intelligent and had a good memory. With dozens of books, he read them over and over until he remembered everything. In less than a week, he had compiled nearly two hundred pieces of advice in his dad-to-be notebook, always carrying it with him whenever he went out with Elisa.
One check-up per month, Louis would clear his schedule and accompany Elisa for her appointments on time.
After three months, Elisa’s belly was already noticeably bigger. Louis looked at the gradually expanding curve, his heart filled with awe and fear. With two babies, her belly was much larger compared to carrying only one, even the belly button was pushed outward, as if inflating a balloon, and even the blood vessels beneath the skin became visible.
Also, when women give birth, their pelvis opens to the size of ten fingers, just like a watermelon being squeezed out of a nostril. Can you imagine that kind of pain?
Louis shivered at the thought. The initial excitement of becoming a father had faded. Compared to the two children, he was more concerned about Elisa’s well-being. He feared the pain she would go through and the dangers she might face in the delivery room.
From ancient times until now, many women have died during childbirth. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they took a trip through the gates of hell.
Elisa saw the worry in Louis’ eyes as he occasionally stared at her belly. She knew what he was thinking without him having to say anything.
The understanding between husband and wife surpassed anyone else. Elisa walked over and gently embraced Louis, “I know you’re worried about me, but you have to believe that nothing will happen to me. I look forward to the arrival of these two children more than anyone else. Being a mother is great, and it comes with the necessary sacrifices, but I have no regrets because these are our precious babies.”
“Why can’t men be the ones who get pregnant?”
The image of Louis with a big belly flashed through Elisa’s mind, and she couldn’t help but giggle.
“Don’t have random thoughts. My condition is already considered good. At least my appetite is good, I can eat and sleep, and I haven’t had any morning sickness.”
Louis remained silent, but with Elisa’s comforting words, he felt better. All he could do was try his best to protect Elisa, to be by her side. When it came to a woman’s pregnancy, no matter how much a man did, he could never fully share in the pain.
If possible, he wished he could switch bodies with Elisa, to be the one carrying the pregnancy and giving birth.
Louis prepared stretch mark oils, as massaging could alleviate stretch marks.
Stretch marks were unavoidable, considering how big the belly became, just like a balloon that expands and then deflates. Once the elasticity is gone, the balloon can never return to its original state.
Louis gently applied the oil for Elisa, from her belly to her legs, not leaving any part untouched, even her fingers and toes.
He applied it with great care, as if an archaeologist was handling an invaluable artifact, afraid that the slightest carelessness would break it.
Elisa let him apply the oil without resistance, staring at her own belly, feeling a sense of relief.
If pregnancy was a journey of the heart, then for Elisa, it went from disbelief to acceptance, then gradually becoming calm, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the two little ones every day.
Louis, on the other hand, was the opposite. At first, there was a sense of surprise at having a pie from the sky land on him. Now, he was filled with extreme caution just after three months.
During the process of understanding pregnancy and giving birth, that sense of pride was gone, replaced by anxiety.
It was painful and risky enough to give birth to one child; no need to mention two.
…
Just yesterday, Elisa confidently said that she had no discomfort during pregnancy. Compared to other pregnant women, the two little ones in her belly were behaving well, causing her no trouble. That’s why she hadn’t experienced any severe pregnancy symptoms in these past two or three months.
But today, she was proven wrong. Elisa woke up with a tightness in her chest and started vomiting with a mouth full of toothpaste. Everything she ate made her feel unwell, and her waist and back ached, while her feet felt like they had been cramping.