9

"Maybe I do want to know the sexes" Chrys said to Ianto as he measured the window for new curtains in the nursery, "I mean…what if they are not the same sex? Really, it makes sense to be prepared."

Ianto turned to face her and smiled softly, "It is your choice no matter how much we are dying to know. If you want to wait I can easily change things after the big day."

"I don't know" she huffed, "It was different when it was just one. Two seems…so much more. No, I want to know."

"OK" Ianto shrugged, "Next scan we will ask."

So, they sat while the doctor swished the wand around and declared the first one a little girl, John making a sound of rapture then they held their breath to see if the little one snuggled up high was as well, the doctor silently looking at the screen for some time.

Ianto changed position, unable to wait and he saw.

"Oh no" he sighed softly, his face dropping as he looked at the screen, "No. Reposition, it's ghosting again."

Chrys looked at John who shrugged and they waited for a second heartbeat, Ianto looking over at her silently to tell her what she somehow knew already. He had sort of warned her hadn't he, telling her of his own birth.

"So…it's dead?" she said more bravely than she felt.

"I'm sorry" the doctor said softly, "But they are not identical, do not share the same placenta. The remaining baby looks healthy, strong and we can have every faith she will not be impacted by her's sibling's demise. I am sorry. We are almost to 30 weeks, I think 40 is reaching for the stars so if we can just hold in there for another few weeks or so there is every chance an induced labour will bring us a healthy little girl. A New Year's gift."

"A boy" Ianto said softly, "He was a little boy."

"Why?" she asked, the doctor looking at her with a soft frown.

"We can't tell now, maybe when he is born we will see."

"Wait, you mean it stays in there?" John asked with horror, "It won't .. I mean…"

"No. There is no reason why it cannot remain with….sorry. He. No reason why he cannot have a little more time with his sister before she has to be separated from him. He will not go off, or go bad. It's not wrong got ask a question like that. Not wrong to wonder. He will simply stay there under Chrys' ribs by her heart and once the little girl is out we will deliver him."

Chrys was clutching at John as her eyes drank in Ianto's still figure. His tears were soothing as he showed her it was OK to grieve too.

Now she has to pray for her daughter.