She asked questions.
She examined me.
Then she performed an ultrasound.
At first, she was quiet.
Too quiet.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she moved the wand across my stomach.
Then her expression changed.
“Ms. Vance,” she said carefully, “when was your last period?”
I told her.
She nodded slowly, still staring at the screen.
“I need you to stay calm.”
My heart began to pound.
“What is it?”
“You are pregnant,” she said.
I closed my eyes.
Even though I already suspected it, hearing the words made the room spin.
Then she continued.
“With quadruplets.”
My eyes opened.
“What?”
“Four babies,” she said gently.
She turned the screen toward me and pointed.
There they were.
Four tiny flickers.
Four heartbeats.
Four lives.