Tony stared out the window as his plane approached Columbus airport. He was at odds with his life once again. This was the first time he was back home since Bonnie had first found out he was pregnant. He had promised her he wouldn’t go a month without seeing her again, yet here it was almost a month gone. He had so many obligations there weren’t enough hours in the day to take care of all of them. But the worst part? He had totally enjoyed his time with Bonnie. This was becoming his new "normal" and he loved it. He had no desire to go back on the road again.
He had finally met Lexie, who was a dead ringer for Bonnie. They hit it off immediately. Of course, the blue Aveo in the driveway helped I’m sure. He shouldn’t say that. Bonnie had raised a well rounded kid. She wasn’t materialistic in any way. She broke his stones as soon as they sat down for dinner, volleying sarcastic comments with him as they ate. Poor Bonnie had no idea what to do. She finally gave up and let us have at it. Lexie got serious later though (Her comment as he got comfortable on the couch? "She’s having your baby. You can sleep with her."). He closed his eyes, seeing her green eyes pleading with him. "Please Tony, don’t hurt her. She raised me alone, she shouldn’t have to raise this one alone too." He had given her a reassuring hug, promising her he would never hurt either of them.
He rubbed his forehead. Too many people needed him. This was nuts. But where could he cut back? Sell some of his businesses? He knew he didn’t need everything. Not race as much? I mean, seriously it doesn’t have to be seven days a week, does it? Racing was his only love until Bonnie reentered his life. But you can’t make love to a car. A car won’t greet you at the door and ask you how your day was. He sighed. Bonnie, Lexie and the baby were his priority now.
He got off the plane and headed to his truck. Today was Bonnie’s first baby doctor appointment. She would get blood work done, an exam and an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. He was a nervous wreck and as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. He was going to see the baby. His baby. Their baby. He drove to her house as quickly as he could without getting pulled over. He missed her that much. Her appointment was for four thirty, he pulled into her driveway promptly at four. He parked behind her SUV and bounded up to her front door, ringing the doorbell.
"Come in! Door’s open!" He heard her yell from upstairs.
Tony walked in, greeted the cat and went upstairs. Bonnie was in her bedroom putting in her earrings. He couldn’t believe how round her tummy was for only eight weeks!
"Hi babe!" She greeted him warmly, wrapping her arms around his neck. Tony hugged her tightly, acutely aware of her belly. She smelled of jasmine, musk and soap. He wanted to take her right then. He pulled back, kissing her deeply.
"Hi yourself." Tony’s eyes glowed with happiness. "How are you and the bump feeling?" He asked, dropping to his knees for a closer look. He pulled her shirt up, surprised at the perfectly round, little bump. "When did you pop like this?"
"This week! All of the sudden my pants wouldn’t zipper! I think it’s because it’s my second. You show sooner. My throwing up is calming down, but I’m sooo tired. I nap constantly! I hate that I don’t have youth on my side this time! And I’ve had to cut way back on my hours at work, which bothers me too." She said, looking at him sadly.
"I’ll transfer money into your account. I don’t want you to push yourself because you’re afraid of falling behind." Bonnie opened her mouth to protest. He shushed her with his finger. "It’s our baby. I’m here to help you out however I can. Not a word."
Bonnie smiled up at him. She looked tired. Maybe he would spoil her a little bit with a spa treatment somewhere. He put his arm around her.
"You ready to go? This is one time I don’t want to be late!" he said, following her downstairs.
"Wow, another first!" she laughed.
"By the way, where’s Lexie? I thought you said she was coming with us?" Tony asked.
"She’ll meet us there. She has something to do after school." She said, buckling in.
They were both silent on the drive over. Bonnie looked over at him, calm and cool in his sunglasses. His mouth was set in a straight line.
"Nervous?" she asked him quietly.
"Yup." Was all he said.
"Don’t be." She said, squeezing his hand.
He pulled in, putting the truck into park. "That’s easy for you to say. You’ve done this before. I have no idea what going on. Seriously, I’m clueless."
"Stick with me kid, you’ll be fine!" she said, kissing him on the cheek as she got out. Tony shook his head smiling. Maybe she’ll give birth to a go cart. That was something he knew!
Thankfully, the doctor’s building was fairly empty since it was late in the day. Tony didn’t want to be spotted before he could make the announcement on his terms. As they got to Dr. Baxter’s door, Bonnie turned to Tony.
"Ready for the rest of your life?" She said, smiling up at him.
"Let’s do this." He said, swallowing the biggest butterflies he ever had.
They walked into an empty waiting room. Bonnie’s appointment was the last one of the day. The receptionist greeted them, giving Bonnie a clipboard full of paperwork to fill out. They sat down, Tony watching as Bonnie started writing.
"Damn, what don’t they want to know?" he said.
"Here." She said, passing him the clipboard. "Your turn. Family history, all about you…the good stuff."
Tony took the clipboard and raised his eyebrows. Father’s family? Mother’s family? Shit, he should have paid more attention. He filled it out to the best of his knowledge, handing it back to her. She handed it in, just as a breathless Lexie came in.
"I’m sooo sorry I’m late! Did I miss anything?" she asked.
"Nope, just paperwork." Bonnie said. As she was about to sit, the nurse, Yolanda called them in.
Tony and Lexie stood in the hallway as she changed. She called them in when she was done. Someone came in to draw her blood. Tony turned gray at the sight of the needle going in her arm. She squeezed his hand. Yolanda returned, checking her vitals.
"You’re in wonderful shape for you age Bonnie. Your blood pressure is 110/68, let’s keep it that low your entire pregnancy! And based on the date of your last period, your due will be around November twelfth. Hang tight, the doctor will be right in." she said, patting Bonnie’s knee.
A minute later, Dr. Baxter entered. Bonnie introduced him to Lexie and Tony. He laid her down, putting her feet in the stirrups. He grabbed the speculum, rolling over between Bonnie’s legs.
Tony’s eyes grew huge. "Where the hell are putting that?" he asked, alarmed.
"I put this inside her vagina so I can see her cervix. It doesn’t hurt her or the baby." He said.
"Thank God. That’s so…medieval looking." Tony said. Bonnie and Lexie giggled.
"Everything looks good. Let me get Monica in here with the ultrasound, then we’ll discuss your pregnancy." He said.
Bonnie looked over at Tony. "You OK?"
"Yep. I have a lot to learn!" He laughed.
Monica and the doctor returned with the ultrasound, dimming the lights. They squirt clear gel over her belly. She placed the wand on her belly, a loud "woosh woosh woosh woosh" sound filled the room.
"That’s your baby’s heartbeat." Monica said softly. A second, faster "wooshwooshwooshwoosh" followed.
"Why did its heartbeat change?" Tony asked, concerned.
Monica and Dr. Baxter both laughed as she turned the screen around.
Bonnie, Tony and Lexie’s jaw’s dropped.
"TWINS????"
