The CEO’s Quadruplets

“Based on your health, I doubt you need to go to total bedrest just yet. You are verging on a geriatric pregnancy based on age, but it’s the lower end of that. Based on the amount of multiples, I suggest we do a scheduled Cesarean section. That is common practice for so many multiples, which my ‘au naturel’ mothers never quite understand. However, it is safest for mother and babies to avoid any va*inal tearing or complications by just arranging the C-section beforehand. I will make you an official appointment here at the office at some point in the next few weeks. I will message you a couple options tomorrow, and you let me know which one to book. From there we can do a full examination of the situation, and plan the best course of action. For now, you know the diet. No caffeine, no alcohol, and avoid mercury please. I would try not to do too much exercise. Your yoga stuff is fine, but maybe a water-based form of fitness might help when the pregnancy begins to affect your body. I hope this isn’t too much info.”

Isabella shook her head. “No, Liz, I’m fine with that, but what am I going to tell Amory?”

***

            The house smelled like pizza when she walked inside. Romeo came to greet her at the door with his usual spunky demeanor. Isabella sighed as she thought about the day when she could not bend over and pick the beagle mutt up and hold him over her shoulder like he loved for her to do. It would only be a few months, but it still seemed sad. She picked him now without the dog even asking, and followed her nose down to the kitchen where Amory stood getting out the plates.

            “Hey, Isabella, how was work? I hope the students were grateful how late you stayed with them.”

            Isabella looked at the clock on the microwave. It was late for her, and she set down Romeo to give her husband a proper kiss. The burden of the pregnancy news began to weigh down on her as she looked at his lovely dark eyes, but she was starving. The margerita pizza smelled heavenly, and it was from their favorite place not too far from the studio. The same little man had been making crust there for forty years, and it was delicious every time. Isabella now knew why she was suddenly starving. She was feeding five people. Four of them were very tiny, but they were draining her of the little bit of food she had eaten throughout the day. Isabella’s stomach growled like a monster, and she knew the talk could wait just a moment.

            Grabbing two slices for herself and a lemonade from the fridge, she followed Amory into the television room where rows and rows of movies surrounded a large and high-tech television that Amory Blake cherished almost as he cherished his wife. He had pulled out a few movies from his comedy shelf, and they sat on the coffee table in front of them. Isabella fell into the tacky but insanely comfortable sofa they had in the room. She could place her plate on the armrest and sit her drink in the cup holder of the black monstrosity, but it felt like a cloud underneath her as she shoved pizza into her face before Amory could notice that she was making a pig of herself.

            “I was thinking something funny tonight. I don’t know why, but I feel like I am in a good mood. I don’t want a drama to ruin that for me!” Amory told her as he sat beside her on the couch. “Would a classic work? This is actually on the National Film Registry. It’s a satirical take on western films with a lot of gag comedy.”

            “I know. We watched it the first time we ever had a movie tonight together.”

            “That’s right! It is a favorite of mine.”

            Isabella smiled. “Speaking of favorites… I am your favorite person, right?”

            “Yes, of course. You are my Bella Donna, my beautiful lady,” Amory answered before taking his first bite of pizza.

            “So, if I ask you not to freak out, you would not?” she said, chewing on another bite herself.

            “Why? You aren’t leaving for Asia are you?”

            Isabella shook her head. “No, no, no. That is not it. I just have some news and I don’t want you to freak out about this because I’m already pushing my limits on my freak-out meter. It’s not bad, but it’s a lot.”

            “How much is a lot?” Amory asked with a furrowed brow as he grew less excited and began to shift to concern.

            “Four.”

            “That’s not a big number, Bella.”

            “It is when you’re having four children at the same time.”

            “What? Is Lizzie pregnant? Are four of your students all having kids right now?”

            “No, I am. Me, Amory. I’m pregnant with four little embryos in my uterus right now. I stopped by Lizzie’s this afternoon. I lied about the student mess. We did a transva*inal ultrasound, and we counted four tiny buns in my proverbial oven.”

Amory looked like his face had frozen into place after hearing the word “pregnant.” His eyes were wide. He remained silent. Amory being still as stone made Isabella start to grow anxious.

“Are you okay?” Isabella asked.

“I’m happy. I’m very, very happy, but four is a big number. I don’t want to freak out for you or for me. I may start spiraling if I do.”

She reached for his face, letting her thumb brush against his scruffy cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. Both of them now had emotions swirling inside themselves and between themselves. It was a lot to take in. Isabella still had not gotten used to it herself, so she could only imagine what bewildering thoughts were racing through her husband’s head. Still, this single moment and single touch from Amory somehow made everything feel a bit more bearable.

“You know what the one thing I keep thinking right now and is keeping me from panicking?” Amory finally said.

“What is it, dear?”

“At least we’re rich.”

Bella laughed. “Amory. I think we’re going to have to get a new place.”

“I know. It’s not really baby friendly.”

“There aren’t enough bedrooms.”

“That too.” Amory sighed. “I’ll contact my guy in the morning. I’m sure we can find something nice.”

“And preferably in this neighborhood? I really like the hills area. The commute gets crazy otherwise for either you or me, and I love the views we can get from the hill tops.”

“I agree.”

“Good, so should we watch this movie?” Isabella asked.

“I don’t know if I can now. I can’t stop thinking about all the stuff we have to get.”

“Let’s worry about that when we have more information. For now, I want to have a good laugh with you.”

“Okay, Bella.”

Amory leaned toward her, kissing her with a tenderness that made her melt. They both smelled like tomato and basil now, and it made Isabella crave more pizza. Even more, it made her want to never let his kiss end. It felt like happiness and pure love. It felt like Amory.

Taking her plate in her lap, Isabella held Amory’s hand after he started the movie. The reassuring touch kept her warm and comforted. Intertwining his fingers with her own, Isabella finally relaxed into their evening together with the future finally seeming brighter as the opening credits began to scroll across the big screen.