Chapter 3
The hospital felt massive compared to that tiny clinic.
We went through the full process: registration, blood tests, ultrasound, and by the time we finished, the whole morning was gone.
In the ultrasound room, the doctor pressed the probe to my stomach.
Two tiny dots showed up on the screen.
"Twins, everything looks normal, about six weeks in," the doctor said.
It was the exact same words as my previous life.
But this time, Ryan wasn't by my side.
It was my mom.
She stared at the screen; her eyes grew misty for a moment, but not a single tear fell.
After we left the ultrasound room, she took my hand and led me to a seat in the hallway.
"What are you going to do?" Mom asked.
"I'm keeping the babies," I said.
"Are you sure? You're still in college, haven't graduated yet, no job, no income at all."
"I've thought it through."
"What about the guy? Isn't he going to help?"
"He's out of the picture."
Mom looked at me, searching my face for answers. "I'll talk to your dad. You don't have to worry about it."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Don't thank me." She folded up the ultrasound report and slipped it into her bag.
After we left the hospital, I walked her to the bus stop.
Before she got on the bus, she turned back and said, "Don't tell that guy yet."
I nodded.
She knew me better than anyone.
But I couldn't hide it from Ryan forever.
*****
The next afternoon, Ryan texted me. [Sophie, you didn't reply to me all day yesterday. What's up?]
I replied: [Busy].
Ryan: [Busy with what?]
I: [Just some stuff.]
Ryan: [Wanna grab dinner tonight?]
I thought about it for a second and replied. [Sure.]
*****
We sat across from each other at the burger shop next to the cafeteria.
He ordered two burgers: one mild and one plain.
He slid the plain one over to me. "You've been acting kind of weird these past couple of days."
"Like what?" I asked.
"You barely talk to me, and you haven't texted."
I picked up the food, but set it back down without eating it. "Ryan, there's something I need to tell you."
"Go ahead."
"I'm pregnant."
Ryan's hand froze in midair.
"Twins," I added.
"A-Are you sure?" His face went pale, like in my previous life. Slowly, all the color faded away, leaving him looking shell-shocked.
"I got it confirmed at the hospital."
"How long has it been?"
"About six weeks."
He set his burger down, and his hands pressed against the table. "What do we do?"
Those same words again.
In my previous life, he asked me the exact same thing.
"I'm keeping the babies," I said.
Ryan looked up at me. "What did you say?"
"I said, I'm keeping the babies."
"Are you crazy? We're still in college. We haven't graduated yet."
"I know."
"How are you supposed to raise them all by yourself?"
"That's my problem."
"What do you mean, your problem? This is my problem, too."
I looked him in the eye. "So, you tell me. What's your plan?"
Ryan opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
I waited, staring at him.
I knew exactly what he'd say next.
"I need to talk to my dad about this," Ryan finally said.
I let out a small laugh. "Ryan, let's break up."
Ryan froze, completely stunned. "What?"
"We're done."
"You're breaking up with me over this?"
"No, it's not about this."
"Then why?"
"Because you can't make a single decision without checking with your dad first."
"Of course, I do. He's my dad."
"Your dad is going to tell you to get rid of them."
Ryan didn't say a word.
Because he knew I was right.
"How do you know my dad would say that?" Ryan asked.
"Because I do," I replied.
"Sophie, don't rush into this. Let's talk it out."
"There's nothing left to discuss. I'm keeping the kids, raising them on my own. This is none of your business now. I'm breaking up with you.
"It's all yours." I stood up and pushed the food back toward him.
As I walked out of the burger shop, I heard Ryan calling after me.
I didn't look back.
In my previous life, I did.
Every time I looked back, I was one step closer to that cold, narrow clinic bed.