Charlie's pov

The big day had finally arrived. Well, one of the big days, anyway. It was finally time for the ultrasound that would reveal how many kids we were going to have, and the genders, provided we did not have a shy kid or more. Given their lineage, or his or her lineage, I find it hard to believe we will have a shy child, but you never know. Annie has brought up the possibility of twins once or twice, and I have promptly pretended I was not internally losing it. I'm still holding out hope for a single-baby pregnancy. I obviously would love any number of children, but as a first time parent, less is more, and more is too much.

We were called back to the exam room, and Annie got herself as comfortable as possible, hand soon finding mine as she absentmindedly started playing with my fingers, a familiar gesture I immediately reciprocated. Right on time, before we got too lost in our own world, the doctor arrived, explaining that the gel would be the warm kind, much to Annie's relief. The doctor smiled as she started the exam

"All healthy"

She knew that we did not have the willpower to be surprised, and that we wanted to know everything. I asked, the fear still on my mind, but not apparent on my face

"Twins?"

She shook her head and I felt relief flood through me, only coming to an abrupt stop as she went on

"Quads. 2 boys, 2 girls. Congratulations."

Before I could register Annie's excitement, my vision became spotted and blurry, my blood rushing to my feet as I fell to the ground unconscious, my wife calling my name being the last sound I heard before passing out.