Yay, another timely update! =) PLEASE let me know what you guys think!
Enjoy!
-Jen
The following morning, after spending another hour at Spencer's talking with the girls and then going home with Aria to have dinner and prepare for school, Miley woke up early. Aria and Mike were still sleeping, but she had to get ready to go with Ella to the doctor's office. She'd only miss first period, and would be a little late for second. She'd asked if Aria would come too, and Aria said she would, but had a test to take first period that she'd already missed when they'd traveled to California, promising to go to the next one.
Miley was nervous, about both the appointment and school. It seemed unfair...a few family, a new home, and a new school, all in less than a week?
She knew she had to go to the doctor, she'd waited way too long. She was already at four months, and she only knew she was pregnant. For all she knew, the baby could be deformed, or mutant, or there could be ten of them. She shuddered, stepping into the shower. "Don't freak yourself out, Miley." She told herself. "Your baby is fine."
It felt weird to say. Her baby. Her child. She was going to be a mother in five months.
Although she'd been scared before, now she wanted nothing more than to see the ultrasound, see him or her, know that her baby was ok. The morning passed quicker than she would like. Before she knew it, she was dressed and ready, and she went into Aria's room. Aria lay half awake in bed, and she turned towards Miley when she walked in.
"How do I look?" Miley asked.
"Cute!" Aria said right away, but Miley saw her eyes.
"I know," She said glumly, hands resting on the clearly visible, yet small baby bump. "It's like it's impossible to hide. My clothes suddenly barley fit, and they were all form fitting to begin with."
"You look fine," Aria promised her. She was wearing black tights with a black, tank top dress that buttoned up, with a mint green cardigan. The cardigan tied right under her bust line, and normally this looked good on her, fit her perfectly, but now, you could clearly see she was pregnant. She was lucky this dress even fit. Her hair was down around her face in its loose waves, she was wearing light makeup, a few bracelets on her arms, and black, heeled boots on her feet. "I love the outfit. Don't worry about the bump...I mean, it's going to only get bigger, you might as well get used to it."
"Yea, I guess you're right." Miley sighed, absently rubbing it. "It's just weird, you know? Knowing there's a baby in there." She said thoughtfully, before saying, "I need to go shopping, desperately."
"We can go to the mall tonight. Hanna never turns down shopping." Aria smiled. "Oh, you have that concert, don't you?"
"I told my manager to cancel it." Miley admitted quietly. "It just doesn't feel right. Not now. I don't know if it ever will again."
Aria reached out, taking her hand. "It's gunna be ok," She said softly, squeezing her hand. Miley sighed, but nodded gratefully, smiling at her, just as Ella knocked and opened the door.
"There you are," She smiled at Miley, "We have to get going so we can make it on time."
Miley nodded, and Aria said, "Good luck. I promise, I'll go to the next one."
"You better," Miley smiled, leaning down to hug her. "Thanks," She said quietly.
"I'm so glad you two are getting along," Ella said happily. "You look cute, honey," She added, as Miley turned.
"Thanks. But I also look pregnant." Miley said, "Aren't I bigger than normal?"
"Everyone's different," Ella said, "But the mall has plenty of stores with cute maternity clothes."
"The girls and I will show her the mall tonight, we'll hang out." Aria said.
"Good," Ella said happily. "Now you need to start getting ready for school, and we need to get going. Get your stuff and meet me downstairs, ok?" Miley nodded, and Ella left, and Miley turned to Aria.
"I'll text you when I'm at school." She said.
"I think mom said like, all of our classes will be the same because you were in the same level, and she got them to do it so it'd be easier on you. I'll try to come and get you, so I can bring you to class, just have mom ask the office." Aria said.
"Ok. I'll see you in a little," Miley said, smiling nervously, before walking back through the bathroom to her room, and gathering her bag, keys, and phone, before heading downstairs.
Ella and Byron were waiting downstairs in the living room, and when she got there, they both stood.
"Good luck today. At the doctors, and school," Byron said, "Everything will be great." Miley nodded nervously. She'd give anything for one of her father's hugs right now, they always made her feel better. But she'd never get one again. She settled on accepting a hug from him, holding on longer than she had the other times he'd hugged her. It wasn't her daddy's hugs, but it was some form of comfort.
Outside, her and Ella got into their separate cars. Miley was going to follow her to the doctor's office, then the school, so she'd have her car there. After that day, she'd drive herself, Aria, and Mike to school, today, Byron was bringing her sister and brother.
Before she knew it, she was sitting in the waiting room beside Ella, clipboard in her lap, numbly filling in a bunch of information, then handing it back.
She was in a daze, hardly believing this was happening, as she met the nurse who weighed her and measured her height, then took her blood, had her change into a gown. She met the doctor, a kind, motherly woman in her late forties, who then did a physical examination, before finally doing what Miley was waiting for.
The gel was cold as she, Doctor Greene, squeezed it on her stomach, and then began moving the transducer around. Miley watched as fuzzy imaged slid around the screen, and watched the doctor's face. "Miley, have you had any ultrasounds before?" Doctor Greene asked.
"No, none. Why, is everything ok? Is my baby ok?" Miley asked, looking at Ella in fear, and she took her hand, comforting her.
"Oh, everything looks fine, sweetie!" The doctor assured her. "Honey...you're having twins."
Miley was silent, disbelief dripping through her. Her eyes found Ella's wide, shocked ones, before looking back at the doctor. "Twins?" She choked out. Doctor Greene smiled, pointing to the screen. She pointed out two heads, a few feet and hands. Two babies. Twins. All inside of her.
"They're fraternal twins," She went on further. "So it's quite common, actually, I wouldn't be too shocked. You and Aria are twins, and your mother was a twin. You released two eggs, at least, and both got fertilized. You are estimated to be about seventeen weeks along, by the looks of it." She said, "Do you want to know the genders?"
Miley hadn't been expecting that. "You can tell?"
"Yup, you're along far enough, I can tell with almost one hundred percent certainty." She smiled.
Miley looked at Ella, suddenly scared. "Can I still keep it...them? Even though there's two?" She asked. If she said no, she'd sneak back to California. She was scared shitless by the thought of having two babies, twins, but it didn't make her want them any less. If anything, it made her want them more. She loved them both so much already.
Ella looked shocked that she'd ask such a thing, and took both of her hands, kissing her forehead, "Of course, honey," She said, "Of course you can keep them."
Miley sighed with relief, smiling. "Should I find out?"
"Whatever you want," Ella smiled. "If you want it to be a surprise, we can get all neutral stuff for them."
Miley thought about it, deciding that she wouldn't be able to wait. She wanted to go out and buy all the frilly pink things and/or handsome blue things. "I wanna know," She decided, turning to the doctor. "What are they?"
Smiling, Doctor Greene says, "Congratulations, it looks like you're having two little girls."
Miley was barley paying attention as the doctor printed the pictures for her, wiped the gel off of her, and explained other things to her, so she was glad Ella was there. Before she knew it, they were heading back to the cars.
"Are you ok to drive?" Ella laughed, and Miley smiled, nodding. "We have a little extra time...how about we stop by Hollis, and tell your d-Byron." She said.
"Ella," Miley said, "It's ok, you know. I know that he's biologically my father. Just like you're biologically my mother. I'm not angry anymore. I'm not ready to start calling you mom and dad, and I don't know if I ever will be. But you can say "lets go tell your father" and I won't be mad or upset. Because...that's what he is." She said, shrugging. "I'm your daughter. Just like...my babies are your granddaughters."
Ella smiled at her, before hugging her tightly. "Thank you." She whispered. "I know how hard this must be for you. But it means so much to us, sweetie. And they will have a grandma and grandpa. I know you're young, but that doesn't make them any less of a blessing."
"Thank you," Miley whispered, hugging her back. After a moment, they both got in their cars, and Miley followed Ella to Hollis, where they told the news quickly to Byron, before Ella directed her to the high school. Her nerves set in again, as she walked with Ella into the main office, carrying her tea, and the coffee they'd gotten for Aria on the way here.
"Don't freak out," Ella said as they went in. "It'll be fine."
Miley nodded, and waited while Ella talked to the secretary.
"Welcome to Rosewood High, Ms. Stewart," She eventually said, turning to Miley. "Here's your class schedule and a map of the school. You'll need to have all your teachers sign this, and return it to me at the end of the day." She said nicely. "Now, your sister is in all of your classes with you, so I'll trust her to show you around. Would you like me to call her to come show you to your second period class?"
"Yes," Miley said, nodding gratefully. "Please."
"I have to get to the gallery," Ella said, looking at her watch, "I'm not subbing today. Good luck today, don't be nervous, ok?"
Miley nodded. "I'll try."
"Everything will be fine. And tonight we're going to go out for dinner, the five of us, before you and Aria go out with the girls, ok?"
Miley nodded. "Ok. I'll see you after school." She said, just as Aria came into the office.
"Ok," Ella said, giving her a hug, "Good luck. Bye girls, love you both," She said, giving Aria a hug on the way out.
"Hey!" Aria said, "How'd it go?"
"Good, every thing's fine," Miley smiled, handing her the coffee as Aria led the way out of the office. "I have to tell you and the girls something after class." She said, smiling, going to tell them it was twins.
"You're smiling, so it must not have to do with A," Aria laughed. "Welcome to Rosewood High. Your typical, boring high school. This is out class, we're in English now." She said. "The teacher's name is Mr. Fitz, but don't worry, he's really cool." Aria said, Miley noticing a strange look on her face. Aria pulled the door open for Miley, and nervously, Miley went inside, Aria following closely. Of course, all eyes were on her, everyone staring at her. She was relieved to see Hanna, Emily, and Spencer, friendly faces smiling and waving in a sea of blank stares.
Miley swallowed the lump in her throat, looking at Aria nervously, and she reached down, squeezing her hand in assurance.
"Yo Montgomery, you suddenly go lesbian for pregnant chicks?" A guy called, and Hanna rounded on him.
"It's her sister, Noel, stop being a jerk." She hissed.
"Someone call up MTV," A girl said quietly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "I think we have a candidate for the next season of sixteen and pregnant!"
"Nicole, that's enough," The guy Miley assumed to be the teacher, since he was up in front of the room said. The fact that he was better dressed and standing at the board was basically the only indication though, otherwise, he looked like he could be a student. He was young, and he was hot, Miley noticed.
"Uh, Mr. Fitz, this is Miley Stewart. My sister." Aria said.
"Welcome," He said kindly to her, "I'm very sorry to hear about the circumstances that brought you here, but I hope you like it here regardless." He said, sympathetic.
Miley shook his hand saying, "Thank you." as she wondered if the whole world knew why she was here, if she'd get the pity looks from everyone.
He nodded, and then said, "You can take the open seat by Aria, actually."
She nodded, grateful, and followed Aria towards the back of the class, sitting in between her and Hanna. Emily was in front of her, and Spencer in front of Aria. Mr. Fitz called the class to order and went on, Miley zoning out, thinking about the twins. Although she would have been happy with having a boy or both boys, the thought of two girls was amazing. Two little girls that would grow up to be built in best friends, super close. Two little girls for her to love and protect, show everything she knew. Two little girls to have what she never got with her twin.
Through all of this hell Miley was at least glad she got Aria out of it. They'd known each other for so little time, but they were already so close, this connection built into them that drew them together.
Wanting to suddenly tell Aria right away, she kept her eyes on the teacher to make sure he wasn't paying attention, and then pulled the sonogram. On the computer, they had pointed out each of the two babies, labeling them as 'Baby Girl A' and 'Baby Girl B'. She reached out and poked Aria, sliding the sonogram onto her desk. Aria looked down at it, and it took her a minute to register what is was. Her eyes slid across the top, reading Miley's name, the name of the doctor's office, and then went down, seeing the outline of each baby, the labels. Her eyes widened, and she looked at Miley. "Twins?" She mouthed. Miley smiled, nodding.
"Holy crap." This, Aria said out loud, and everyone turned to look at her.
"What?" Hanna asked.
"Nothing," Aria said, looking apologetically at Mr. Fitz. "Sorry." The sound of the bell drowned out his response, and everyone gathered their stuff in a rush to leave, except for Aria, Hanna, Emily, Spencer, and Miley.
"Twins?" Aria repeated, as they all put their stuff in theit bags. "You're having twins?"
"Yea." Miley nodded again, as the other girls looked at her. "Girls. They're fraternal, the doctor said she wasn't really surprised, since my mom and Ella were fraternal twins, and we're fraternal twins. It's genetic."
"Two girls!" Hanna exclaimed, "We can do so much shopping!"
"You are keeping them still, right?" Aria asked gently, as Miley put her notebook in her bag.
"Of course," Miley said. "I mean, I know I'm only sixteen, but they're a part of me. The thought of giving them to someone else...I can't even imagine it. I mean, I know it'll be hard, especially with two...but I'll do it. With or without Jacob Ryan." Miley said.
"You've got all of us now, too," Emily said nicely, "Don't forget about the support you have."
"Right," Aria said, taking her hand. "I don't know much about babies, but I'll be there for you, always."
"Thanks," Miley said quietly. "Don't we have another class, we're still in English." She said suddenly, seeing Mr. Fitz at his desk, the five girls being the only ones left.
"We all have free period right now," Spencer said, "Come on, we can go to the courtyard and hang out till next class."
"Uh, Miley, you can go witht hem, I'll catch up, I have to talk to Mr. Fitz really quick." Aria said.
"Ok," Miley nodded, asking the teacher to sign her paper, before leaving with the girls, feeling comfortable around them already.
Once the door had clicked shut behind her sister and friends, she turned to Ezra. "Hi," She said, smiling, walking up to his desk.
"Well hello," He said, smiling up at her. "How you holding up?"
"I'm fine," Aria said, "She's the one you should be asking. God, I can't even imagine going through what she has. Pregnant, with twins! Her boyfriend's a jerk, her parents are dead, she just found out about Ali, who was like her sister. Then my parents swooped in and uprooted her."
"If she's anything like you, she'll push through." He smiled. "She seems sweet."
"I think I'm gunna tell her." Aria said, biting her lip. "About you know...us."
His face turned into uneasiness, and she went on. "You know the girls know and...I know I've only known her for a while, Ezra, but she's my twin sister. I've known her since before I was born, if you look at it that way. We have some weird connection, and...I know I can trust her."
He sighed, "If you're sure that you can trust her, then I can't tell you not to. At least you're telling me she'll know instead of just letting it come out after the fact." He said, referencing how Spencer surprised him in his car.
She stuck her tongue out immaturely, but then looked at the clock. "I'd better go, I don't wanna leave her alone too long on her first day. I'll call you later?"
He nodded, reaching out to brush his hand over hers. "Can I see you this weekend?" He asked.
"I hope so," She said, "I'm going out with my family and the girls tonight, but I should be able to get to your place tomorrow."
"Ok." He smiled. "Go to your sister...I love you."
"Love you too," She smiled, heading for the door, knowing it was unwise to try and kiss him in school. She felt confident about telling Miley about Ezra. It felt nice, having Miley around. Like the part she felt was missing was finally there. Her friends were great, and she loved them to death, trusted them with anything. But the connection she and Miley had was something else entirely, and she was glad that they were at least together now.