Adeline's Pov
"How about swimming?" Adam asked with a hopeful glint in his eyes.
For the last two days the twins had been trying their best to get me to spend more time with them. From their offers of games, food, movies and mall, we're at this now.
"She can't wear a bikini. She has a swollen stomach." As usual Altas managed to ruin my mood with his obnoxious comment.
"I'm not fat." I snapped.
"Fuck! I'm not calling you fat." I could see he regretted his words. "I'm just saying you must have something underneath those baggy sweatshirts."
Without giving it a second thought his hand shoots up to cup my stomach as he assess how big my belly is. I smack his hand away and he steps back.
He didn't seem to mind my reaction and looks to be thinking something. "That's hardly anything. How far along are you?"
"Almost 12 weeks."
"Is that normal? Shouldn't you have put on more by now?" His words brought back the worry I never let go of.
"Come here." Rhyett orders from his place at the sofa.
I was standing near the coffee table with the twins as we munched on some dried berries and Rhyett was working on his laptop at the other side of the room. But he obviously had his ears trained to our conversation. And the way his brows were drawn together told me that he's slightly worried now.
I went to him wordlessly and he placed his hand on my stomach. I wasn't someone who despised physical touch, I was ok with it but this situation definitely made me a bit uncomfortable. I didn't move back and Rhyett removed his hand soon enough.
"This seems normal. Valerie said not all women immediately gain weight. You're still at an early stage." A sense of relief washed over me at his words. "But we'll discuss it with your gynecologist today." There goes my hyper vigilant brother again.
"You have an appointment today?" Julian asked looking up from the iPad in his hand.
"It's her first ultrasound."
"Really?" Altas asks a little too enthusiastically and I already know I'm not gonna like what follows. "I'll come too.”
Rhyett and dad were already accompanying me and with our eldest brother present, I definitely don't want anymore people who'd give the doctors a hard time.
"You don't know shit about pregnancy, Altas." Julian rolled his eyes and then turned to me with politer expressions. "I can come with you, Adeline. I've looked it up, I think I know enough to be useful."
He sounded so sure and I wondered if all my brothers have started educating themselves about pregnancies now —all except the twins.
"It's not rocket science." Altas argued. "I've seen it happen in movies. They'll put the device on her stomach and we'll see the baby and then they'll tell us the gender."
"That's not due until after eighteen weeks." Rhyett knew more about this than me. "But we can see the baby and hear the heartbeat today."
"Then I'm coming too. I haven't seen that before." Adam sounded as excited as his twin.
"I haven't seen that either, Adam." Cyrus was no better as his next words proved. "But we can't all go so it's just gonna be me, dad and Rhyett."
I never agreed to that. Is no one gonna ask me if I'm comfortable with more people joining in. They all seem to be interested in this little adventure of my ultrasound.
Julian turned to Rhyett. "You must have work to do, don't worry I can take over for you."
"Don't bother yourself with my work, brother." Rhyett spoke. His voice cold as ice.
"Count me in because I have to be there." Ewan didn't seem to understand the point of making an excuse.
"And why is that?" Ewan simply shrugged.
"Rhyett and I are going today and it's final. One of you can come for the next visit if Adeline wants you to." Lucius ended the whole debate.
"Why can't we all go? It's our clinic, we can do the fuck we want!" Altas made a face of disapproval and Lucius decided to simply ignore him.
"I think we should set up a medical room in the mansion so she doesn't have to go out so much and we can all be there for her." Adam suggested.
I don't like the suggestion a tad bit. Checkups are the only thing that I leave the house for. And it's kinda fun to get some air and see the outside world every now and then.
I don't know if my family would like the idea of me going out since I've been instructed to rest. But I don't want to leave either since I really don't want people to find out my secret.
———
As decided Rhyett and Lucius were with me as I laid down on the bed. Valerie had taken over instead of my gynecologist since an ultrasound wasn't a really tough task for an ER and trauma surgeon —which Valerie is.
"It's gonna feel a bit cold." She said squirting a gel over my stomach.
I was feeling a bit self conscious with my growing belly out in front of my brother and father but Valerie had done a good job at hiding me from their view —not that they were peaking— with the sheet and my sweatshirt.
As she started to move the device on my lower abdomen and the monitor started to reflect some images, the remaining discomfort left me.
My eyes focus on the unmistaken figure of my baby on the monitor. A strange and overwhelming feeling spread through me.
I felt scared. It wasn't just a thought anymore. I could see it happening. It was a human. A human that I was supposed to take care of.
But more than anything, I felt protective.
I wanted to keep the baby away from all the wrong in the world. All the different feelings going through me were unexplainable, I had never felt like this.
"That's the baby." Valerie pointed at a small body on the screen. "That's the heart." She gestures to it's chest that's beating in a rapid speed.
My baby's heartbeat echoed and a smile stretched on my face wider than ever.
"And that's the brain. See it's like a walnut." She smiles pointing to the head of my baby.
Then her smiles vanishes as she moves the device upwards. Since the beginning we had been focused on my lower abdomen and didn't move from there as she was showing me the baby.
There's another outline there and I conclude it must be my organs because I just saw my baby, it can't just move upwards within seconds without me feeling anything.
"I think..." Valerie's voice takes me out of my thoughts.
Her brows are creased together. This doesn't feel right. Next to her Rhyett's equally as clueless as me while dad's eyes widen like he knows what she's saying.
"Would you spit it out?" Rhyett doesn't lose his patience easily but lately I've seen him on edge whenever the baby's concerned.
"There's two."
I blink twice and try to register the words. It takes me less than three seconds to understand what this could mean.
"I'm having twins." My lips pull up and my jaw hurts from it but I can't stop smiling.
"Yes." Valerie confirms.
With that Rhyett's lips part like he's had the biggest shock of his life. I watch him trying to take in his mood and if he's joyed by the news.
I get my answer as his face lights up into more than just relaxed expressions —which is equivalent to a smile for him— and he pushes Valerie up to stand from the chair and wraps his arms around her waist and back, pulling her in a hug.
Dad leans down towards me —as I'm still on the bed— and places several kisses on my hair and temple, all the while his gaze shifts from the screen to my face like he's trying to memorize the scene in front of him.
Valerie hesitantly pats his back as Rhyett finally gets the sign and steps back stuffing his hands in his pockets, acting as if he did nothing.
Valerie smoothes down her skirt and clears her throat. "Congratulations, sweetie. Both the babies look absolutely fine, I'm sure you'll have really healthy little kids."
"She will." Rhyett says and Valerie gives him a quick glance before going back to ignoring him.
I don't know what's going on being the two of them but they sure aren't on real bad terms. If anything, I think there's still hope for whatever they have between them.
I like Valerie and someone like her is perfect to keep my bossy eldest brother in check.
———
It feels awkward to roam around in my own home. I don't go to the living room without invitation from someone so it's as much of an uncomfortable situation as it could be.
It feels even weirder since I wanted to come here by my choice.
For some reason I wanted to tell everyone that I was having twins. I wanted to share my happiness with them.
I was so excited that I hadn't stopped smiling since I heard "two".
I was having two babies.
Two little lives.
Two hopes to live for.
And two humans that I was now responsible of.
I hadn't let the smile drop even when asking Lucius to give me money as we drove home from the clinic. A topic that's the peak of embarrassment for someone like me.
I've never asked anyone for money, not even George. It was always mom who got me what I wanted, even if my stepfather loved to spend on me.
But I didn't have a choice today so I hesitantly brought up the subject. "I was wondering if I could get something online."
I've been told my very first day here that I could ask Anna for anything anytime and it will be given to me. But till date I haven't used the privilege.
I didn't need anything yet since Lucius had made sure everything was already provided for me but today I wanted something.
"I told you, you could get anything you want, Adeline." Lucius replied typing something on his phone.
He wasn't understanding my hesitation. "I didn't want to ask Anna..."
He finally turned to me. "Would prefer if I gave you a credit card of your own?"
I couldn't just say yes. It might be a possibility that he didn't trust me with a card or he wanted to track my purchases. I doubt he couldn't do that from the records but I wasn't sure of what he thought.
"No, I didn't mean that. I don't even buy so much that I'll need one. Atleast not right now, maybe when it's time for the babies but I surely won't be disturbing her daily for now...." I realized I was getting off track.
"I'll just ask her to pay. She's nice. She won't judge me. And it's just a skateboard, what would she think? It's not like I'm buying drugs." Why do I have to be so awkward when it comes to matter like these?
Lucius didn't say anything. Instead, I saw him taking out his wallet and then a black card out of it —identical to the one I manifested when I saw Rhyett use it.
"Take this. You're old enough to order for yourself. I should've given you this sooner."
He tries to hand me the card but I shake my head. "It's really fine..." He pushes the card in my half lifted hand and I finally take it.
I like that he trusted me with it but it's equally embarrassing that I have to ask someone for money. But I guess now that I don't have an option I better get used to it.
If he wants me to spend his money then I think I should get the little ombre knitted beanie I saw yesterday. It would look pretty on my baby.... babies. I should buy two of those now.
"Why do you need the skateboard? I hope you're aware you're not supposed to use it." Rhyett asks parking in our driveway.
"It's for Josh. His birthday was two days after mom died... so I'm getting him a gift now. I'll give him that tomorrow when he comes."
He nodded slowly. I'm glad they didn't react badly on me getting Josh a gift with their money.
"Aren't you guys coming in?" I ask when none of them make a move to get out of the car.
"We have a meeting. We'll be back by dinner."
"Ok. Take care." I give my father a smile before exiting.
"Careful." Rhyett orders when my boots make the slightest of thud on the ground as I step down.
Resisting the urge to roll my eyes or worse say something rude, I nod and hurry inside the mansion.
I wipe my hands one by one on my jeans and clutch the envelope I was holding. I'm feeling really nervous going to the living room.
Even if they're cool with my pregnancy now, I don't know if they'll have a great reaction to me having twins. It'll be even more inconvenient for them than it would've been with one.
I really don't want anyone to ruin my happy mood by giving me a bad reaction.
"How was the visit?" Ewan ask just as I was about to turn back. Let's just head in then...
"It was good." I take a seat next to Julian who's busy making an assignment yet again. How many of these does his college have him make every week?
"Is the baby good?" He asks turning to me.
"Yes. As great as it could be-" Adam cuts me off mid sentence.
"Great. We should get sushi to celebrate then." He claps his hands together and looks at everyone to agree.
"She isn't supposed to have sushi, genius. It has raw seafood." Ewan tells him.
I didn't know I couldn't eat that. Good thing I have family who cares about me and my babies. I would've agreed without thinking if I wasn't so mad at Adam all of a sudden.
"What's wrong with you? I was trying to say something. Why would you speak over me?" I snap at him in my harshest tone possible.
Adam opens his mouth to say something but shuts it right after, unsure of what to say.
"He's hungry. He's been waiting for you to come back for a whole hour now. Said he'll eat with you." Julian defended him and that seems to infuriate me more.
"You're taking his side now? I thought we were best friends." Julian looks at me with disbelief like I said the earth was flat. "And sure! Your brother is starving more than a pregnant lady."
"I didn't mean that, Adeline. You're right, Adam's a massive dick and he deserves all the hate in the world." He said it so seriously that I felt bad for Adam now.
"Correction: Adam has a massive dick." Adam grumbles glaring at Julian.
"Don't say that! No one deserves to be hated." I say to Julian getting up from my seat and hugged Adam. "I'm sorry for shouting at you. You were just hungry."
I feel tears pricking my eyes as I look up at the kind face of my brother showing nothing but admiration for me.
"Wha- wait... Why are you crying?" Adam panics and wipes the tear that just slid onto my cheek with his thumb.
"Because you were hungry and I know how it feels to be hungry. I go through that everyday. You only had breakfast the whole day and it's already lunch time but you waited for me and I snapped at you.... I'm such a horrible person.”
I'm suddenly crying harder now. "Julian was so rude with you. If he doesn't love you then he definitely doesn't love me, he barely knows me." I sniffle.
"Don't cry. You're not a horrible person, Addy. Julian is." Adam comforts me rubbing my back.
"Hey!" Julian comes up behind me. "I love you, Adeline. You're my only sister and my favorite person in the whole world. You're so sweet and cute, how can I not love you, baby sissy? Adam's an ass for cutting you off and trying to get us into a fight."
"Ewan, did you check with the security for the gala-" Cyrus falls silent when his gaze lands on me as he enters the living room.
He rushes over to me and gently but firmly pushes Adam and Julian away. "What happened? Why are you crying?"
"You're going to a gala?" I ask now fully invested in the new topic.
I know every year around this time the Storms attend a gala hosted by the Astor family. I've met the head of family when we were on a trip to Mexico.
Josh and I had been begging for the trip for years now but George's work never allowed us to go very far away for family vacations. But now that our parents were getting a divorce they decided that we should all spend some time together as a family one last time.
Mr Astor stayed at the same hotel as we did and one day I accidentally collided with him and spilled my drink all over his expensive suit.
Mom knew exactly who he was so she immediately jumped in and apologized on my behalf as I did the same.
"It's fine. You don't have to apologize. Just be careful, you might get yourself hurt." He said wiping his wrist with a handkerchief.
"Ofcourse. I'll be careful." I replied blushing with embarrassment.
"Are those two with you?" He gestured to George and Josh standing outside waiting for us while talking among themselves about something.
Josh and I were trying to enjoy the trip the best we can but we were both very unsettled with the divorce so George and mom took turns trying to comfort us.
From the looks of it, George must be doing exactly that with Josh right now while we were getting interrogated by an intimidating man.
"That's my ex-husband and stepson." Mom replied.
"So you're a single mother?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I am.... Sorry for your suit once again... We'll leave now." Mom politely said and tried to move past him when he spoke again.
"My son and I are staying here. He's around her age." He tipped his chin towards me. "I'm sure they can keep each other company while we talk over lunch."
He wasn't subtle with the suggestion of a date with my mom and there was a very assertive tone to his offer. One that made it clear that he isn't used to rejections.
"I don't think that would be possible. We're only here for a few more days."
He kept looking at mom for a few seconds before he gave a curt nod and stepped back to allow us to move.
Once we were out mom sighed with relief. She said he doesn't know us and we should keep it that way otherwise the consequences could be difficult to deal with if the rumors of her being alive got out.
She hadn't met the man while she was married to Lucius as he didn't risk taking her to any event that could lead to her finding out about the Mafia.
There weren't many people who knew what mom looked like. Lucius made sure she and their kids weren't photographed so when Lucius held her funeral, she was dead for everyone.
After this interaction I searched the Astor family. They're famous in weapons and tools manufacturing industry for almost a century now.
Some other more interesting articles about their involvement in North American politics popped up along with the mention of his only son and the heir to all his fortune.
But my attention was drawn to the gala they hosted and so I dropped every other topic. I was so enchanted by the lavish decor and extravagant architecture of their mansion —which serves as the venue each year.
Since we were staying in the same hotel, we met Mr Astor a few times and each time he complimented mom like a gentleman and offered kind words and more.
It wasn't a surprise that he was interested in her. My mother had a natural charm and carried herself with so much grace that anywhere we went she always had the spot light.
"Are you sure I can't get your number, Miss Michaels?" He asked the day we were supposed to check out.
"No!" I said quite fiercely.
I hated the idea of mom getting involved with anyone since I still had the hope that she and George will work it out.
Mom looked at me and smiled before turning back to him. "I don't think so. No. My divorce hasn't even finalized yet." She joked but we all knew she was very serious on the 'no' part.
"Right." He gave her a nod and patted my head twice. "Have a safe flight, little one."
He hadn't paid me any attention the whole four times we met by accident so I don't think if I ever meet him again, he'd remember me.
"I don't like him." Josh commented inspecting his injury that he got falling down skating.
"Neither do I." George said glaring at his retracting figure.
"Yes. It's next weekend." Cyrus brought me back to present. "And you're coming too."
"I'm going to attend the Astor gala?" I nearly shout with excitement.
"Yes, you are." He smiled at my overenthusiasm.
"How do you even know about it?" Julian asked.
I scoffed. "They're a thing called internet and people like you guys," I gestured to my brothers. "Filthy rich humans are quite popular there."
"Forgive him, brat. He's dumb." Ewan says nonchalantly.
I turn to Cyrus again. "Is there a dress code? It's gonna be late at night, right? And will there be celebs? I think I should wear heels, I'm too short standing with y'all. Five foot three isn't tall, is it? But I still have time to grow up. Do you think I'll be as giant as you guys? I have the same genes, I better be tall-”
I shut up when I realize I haven't given him time to answer any of the question. I sheepishly smile at him as I'm too overjoyed to care of what he thinks of me right now.
"No. Celebs are not invited to the gala unless they're a business partner or their family. And dress code, there isn't any but obviously wear something fancy. And no heels," I open my mouth to protest when he cuts me off. "Are you forgetting you're pregnant?" I didn't think about that.
"Oops." I rub the back of my head.
"And Adeline," Altas throws an arm around my shoulders. "You're gonna be a big ass giant like us, don't worry."
He says it with a smile as he definitely doesn't realize that I don't wanna be a "big ass giant". I push him and fix a fake glare at him.
"I don't wanna be a yeti like you." He makes a hurt face at my words and I giggle in response.
"Hey, why were you crying earlier?" Cyrus asks.
"Because no one was listening to me-" And just then I remember what I came here for. "Wait, I wanted to tell you guys something."
I look around and when I find all attention on me, I open the envelope that I had been holding onto all this time.
"That's the-" Adam snatches the ultrasound and squints his eyes to look closely.
Julian moves to take it from him but Adam turns around keeping all his focus on what he's holding.
He doesn't share it with anyone but his twin who's equally stunned by the picture.
"Isn't that a penis?" Altas points at the picture and shows it to Adam for confirmation.
"Valerie couldn't see it but I'm sure you can." I say sarcastically.
"Nah, that's sure a boy." Adam says looking even more closely now.
"Hey! Let us see!" Cyrus smack their head while Ewan steals the picture.
Since the babies were quite far from each other —one closer to my ribs and the other near the pelvic area— they weren't photographed together which means my brothers won't realize on their own that these are two different babies.
When everyone has had a good look at the picture I finally speak. "When we were taking the ultrasound.... there were two heartbeats..." Tears gather up in my eyes as I speak but I push them away.
Cyrus was the quickest to process the information and a smile forms on his face. He's been so comforting and kind lately. He knows smiles and hugs cheer me up the best.
He steps forward to hug me but Julian is faster. He wraps his arms around my shoulders and I happily return the hug.
From my peripheral view I see Ewan wearing pleasant expressions —something that's rare for him since he prefers his frowns and pissed looks.
The twins however are a totally different story. They both look like they've been hit in the gut. None of them look happy with the news.
I knew they never wanted a baby in their home but I didn't think they'll be this sad.
"That's so.... awful... I... I'm so sorry to hear that." Adam says in a depressing tone and I pull away from Julian.
"What're you gonna do now?" Altas asks mirroring his twin's expressions and voice. "Are you gonna... abort?"
I almost flinch at his words wondering if he really thinks my babies are such a burden that I should get rid of them.
"Why the fuck would she get rid of her babies? Are you out of your mind?" Ewan raises his voice with each word.
"Because.... Because there's two hearts. That's not normal. The kid's gonna be-" Altas pauses mid sentence. "Babies?"
The twins expressions change as it finally dawns on them that I'm having twins. They both shout at the same time.
"You're having twins?"
I couldn't help but sigh at how stupid they are. "Yes."
And just like that they both pounce on me for a hug. I'm glad they're careful not to hurt me and I'm even more joyed that my whole family is as happy as I am from the news.
"Now can we have pizza?" Adam says and I laugh as Altas kicks him for ruining the moment.