emotionally ready.”
The mother. I’m not one.
“There is no perfect amount of time to wait before trying to conceive again,” he said. “But I recommend waiting at least a few months.”
Not knowing what else to say or how to deal with that information, I whispered, “Okay.”
“Please put on the robe. I want to do a pelvic exam. I will leave you now and go over the blood tests.” Dr. Stovall went away.
Kaz quirked his brows. “Pelvic exam?”
“It’s the joy of having a vagina. You get to open your legs wide and be prodded.”
Kaz frowned. “So, he’s going to be sticking his fingers—”
“Kaz, surely you’ve heard of a pap smear before or—”
“Why would I’ve heard of any sort of smear?”
Laughing, I considered that as I took off my shoes, pants, and panties. “I don’t know. Maybe your sister or something.”
“No. My sister and I don’t talk about her smears.” He rose and took my clothes. “You’re just going to be wearing this robe?”
“I’ll keep my bra on. He probably won’t check my breasts.”
“Why would he need to touch your breasts?”
“I’m ignoring you.” I gave him my shirt, put on the robe, and sat down on the bed.
Kaz walked around it and studied the metal parts at the bottom. He pulled one out. “What’s this for?”
“Those are clamps. They will hold my legs up.” I laughed. “Sit down, please and stop playing with that.”
He carried my clothes over to his chair and sat. “Be careful, Roy. You don’t want the lion to bite you.”
“Just try it.” I grinned.
A knock sounded.
I lifted my head a little. “Come in.”
The doctor entered. Earlier when he came in, he had a neutral expression. This time concern covered his face.
He pressed his hands together in a half praying position. “I’m sorry, but we are also going to do an ultrasound, before we do the pelvic exam.”
“Why?” I sat up. “Is something wrong with my blood tests?”
Dr. Stovall didn’t look like he wanted to respond.
Kaz spoke with a threatening tone, “What’s wrong?”
The doctor blinked at Kaz and then walked over to me. He lifted the end of the stethoscope around his neck. “I would just like to check something. Can you lay down please?”
My lion rose. “What’s going on?”
“Kaz,” I whispered, “Just let the doctor check. . .whatever.”
Dr. Stovall placed the stethoscope on my chest. He nodded as he must’ve been listening to my heart. Next, he lowered it to my stomach and remained there for several seconds.
I tensed, unsure of where this was going.
Suddenly, fear filled me.
No. Don’t do that. Don’t listen. . .like there’s something there. . .don’t do that to me.
Dr. Stovall lifted the stethoscope and left the table.
I sat up. “What the hell is going on?”
“I’m sorry. I need to make sure, before we discuss this any further.” Dr. Stovall rolled over some small machine near the bed, took a wire, and connected it to the stethoscope. Then, he placed the other end on my chest.
A continuous beat rose in the room. He’d had the stethoscope connected to some sort of speaker. “This is your heartbeat.”
My hands shook.
He moved the stethoscope down and placed it on my stomach.
A soft slower beat filled the room.
Oh my God. Who’s that?
Placing my clothes on another chair, Kaz rose and walked over to my side.
The doctor widened his eyes. “And that’s your baby.”
I shook my head. My eyes watered. “Don’t do that. You told me that I had a miscarriage.”
“You did.”
The door opened.
The nurse from earlier entered, rolling in another machine.
“I want to do an ultrasound, before I further explain.” Dr. Stovall gestured for her to hurry.
Silent, Kaz held my hand as they set everything up. Next the nurse gave me a small blanket to cover my lower body. Then, she lifted the gown and exposed my stomach.
Dr. Stovall smeared a cool gel on me and rubbed the ultrasound handle on my stomach. Minutes passed. I spotted shapes on the screen, but nothing made sense.
And then Dr. Stovall spoke, “Yes. That is what happened.”
Kaz stared at the ultrasound screen. “What happened?”
“This is called Vanishing Twin Syndrome,” Dr. Stovall explained.
Shock knocked at my chest. “I had twins?”
“Yes. Vanishing Twin Syndrome arises when a twin or multiple disappears in the uterus during pregnancy as a result of a miscarriage of one twin or multiple. The fetal tissue is usually absorbed by the other twin, placenta, or the mother.” Dr. Stovall continued. “Vanishing Twin Syndrome occurs in 21-30% of multifetal pregnancies.”
Confused, I stared at the screen. “But. . .what happened to the