Chapter Twenty-one

The weekend flies by. But the morning sickness is still there. I have found out that a cup of earl grey tea in the morning has helped with settling my stomach. So, Caroline has been a great help having one sitting on the table by the door in the morning. We have gone for walks in the orchard and vegetable gardens. Caleb had them bring the horses in so I could get a good look at them. A grey Hanoverian stallion caught my eye. He appeared to be at least 17hh. and has excellent muscle tone to not be worked out. It was so nice getting to spend the weekend with Caleb without the interference of his work. Our stress-free weekend is coming to an end. Sunday evening is here and we retire to my room. Caleb tells me that after breakfast he will go to the office and then meet me at my appointment. Then we will return to the office for me to work with his mother. We lay down and go to sleep.

Caleb and I awaken as Caroline sits my tea on the table and shuts the door. We kiss and I hurry over to get my tea. We get dressed and head down for breakfast. I made it. So far, I haven't gotten sick this morning. We enter the dining hall and take our seats. We engage in conversation and enjoy our breakfast. Once finished everyone heads off to their duties. I talk to some of the staff about the décor for the wedding and the placement of everything. I look at the clock and it is close to my appointment. So, I head off that way.

I arrive to the reception area. Caleb is already there, waiting on me. He is just beaming with happiness. Ann speaks up.

"If you two will follow me I'll take you back to the exam room. His assistant has already laid out a gown for you to put on Ms. Taylor. Go ahead and change. The Dr. will be in shortly."

Caleb sits down and I start changing. Then climb up on to the exam table. Dr. Russell comes in.

"Good morning Mr. McClay and Ms. Taylor. How is everyone? It looks like we have some exciting news."

Yes sir. I took a pregnancy test Friday and it showed that I am pregnant.

"It has been a week since your heat ended. So, it is possible for to do an ultrasound to see what we have. So just lay back, relax and put your feet in the stirrups."

I do as he asks. I watch Caleb's eyes get huge as the doctor pulls out this long probe and starts applying lube to it. He asks in a fearful voice.

"What are you going to do with that?

The doctor responds.

"This does an intervaginal ultrasound. I place it into her vagina and we will get a picture of the embryo. Ok. Ms. Taylor, here we go."

Caleb looks at me like I can't believe he is doing this to you. It is uncomfortable but once it is in, I'm able to relax. I just couldn't while he pushed it in. The doctor isn't saying anything other than umm and umm. Is everything ok.

"Ms. Taylor and Mr. McClay I don't really know how to tell you this."

Caleb speaks up.

"What is wrong? Isn't she pregnant."

Dr. Russell pulls the screen around for us to see.

"Yes, you are pregnant. But look here is your baby."

Caleb looks at me, grabs my hand and squeezes gently. Then the doctor says for us to look here.

"I also want you both to look right here. There is another embryo and over here is a third one. I have seen twins happen no problem. But triplets are very rare."

I look at Caleb and he looks at me. So, we are having three babies.

"Yes Ms. Taylor and Mr. McClay, you are having triplets. Congratulations to you both. I'll have Ann set up another appointment in two weeks. By the end of this week we should have heartbeats and in two weeks a lot better picture of them. I look forward to seeing you again then. Eat healthy and take good care of the precious cargo. Here is your first picture of y'alls babies."

Thank you doctor. He leaves the room and I get dressed. Caleb is sitting just staring at the ultrasound picture. Are you ok, Caleb?

"Yes, I'm just a little shocked. We have three babies. I was so excited about one. I'm just overwhelmed with joy about this news. I can't wait to tell my parents. Have you said anything to your parents about being pregnant?"

No I wanted to wait until after this appointment. I'll call them later. Lets head to the office. We get to the Alpha's office and step through the door together. Both his parents are smiling at us. His mom says.

"Come on don't keep us waiting. Are we going to be grandparents?

We smile at them and hurry to the desk. Caleb pulls out the ultrasound and says.

"Yes, y'all are going to be grandparents. Look there is the embryo, and do y'all also see this? There is another one and over here another one. Caleb looks at them grinning. His mother looks at us.

"So, its triplets!"

Yes ma'am.

"Oh, my word. Three precious little angels. Erica, Caleb thank you so much for sharing this with us. We will be here for you both as much as will can. We are going to spoil them rotten."

Caleb speaks up.

"Ok we can talk about all this later I hate to stop but we have work to do."

I follow Luna McClay over to her desk. She sits next to me. Pointing out the notes that she has made for me. We go over that most of my duties pertain to managing the palace grounds and staff. So, I'm in charge of the orchards, fields, flower gardens and stables. Also, the sporting fields. She also says that I'm in charge of all the interior staff, cooking and cleaning. The alpha is in charge of the guards. So, I don't need to be concerned with them. The work day comes to a close and we go to the dining hall for dinner. My head hurts from everything I have taken in today. We finish with our meal and I tell Caleb I'm ready for bed. So, we retire to my room.

Each morning Caleb and I go to the office together. I really enjoy getting to see him all day. It really didn't seem like Luna McClay had a lot to handle. But in reality, there is a lot to it. I learn about the books and go through all the orders that need to be approved. Before they can be sent out for. Friday is coming to a close and I need to go check on the décor for our wedding tomorrow.

I leave the office and step toward the stairs that lead to the main floor. They have decorated the railing in greenery and yellow roses with midnight blue and white ribbons. I see Leah waving at me from the bottom of the stairs.

"Come down here. I'm sorry for everything. You have to see how beautiful everything is."

Caleb and his parents come out and look around at the decorations. I start down the steps. The roses are fresh and smell so fragrant. I can see all the staff busily placing flower arrangements and bows everywhere. Everything is looking perfect. My foot hangs and I fall face first, tumbling down the stairs. Everyone rushes to me. Everyone except Leah. She just stares and me laying there. Then she disappears. Caleb scoops me up in his arms.

"Are you ok, Erica?"

I think so. There are bruises already forming on my arms and legs.

"Let's get you checked out."

He carries me to the elevator and we head back up to the doctor's office. They are waiting for me as we arrive. The primary and gynecologist are checking me over. I am hurting so bad. My primary says I am just bruised up and that seems to be the existent of my injuries. Then my gynecologist says.

"I'd like to do a more in-depth exam. I can only pick up one heartbeat."

I start to panic and Caleb is trying to calm me down.

"Yes, there is only one heartbeat. I'm so sorry. You can see in this ultrasound compared to the first one we did. These two have moved. They are no longer attached and their hearts aren't beating on the screen. The other one looks to still be ok and has a strong heartbeat."

Caleb asks.

"So, what does this mean? Do you remove those two? Can they damage the healthy baby?

"No, I can't safely do anything like removing them. And the healthy one should be just fine. I still want to see her back next week for the original appointment. Then we will be able to tell for sure that the fetus is still growing properly. I'm so sorry."

Caleb helps me to my room and puts me to bed. Caroline will be in with you some food. I need to go see my parents. I'll be back soon. Caroline comes in and sits my food on the bed. She stays with me while I eat assisting me since I'm so sore.

"I can run you a bath if you like. It will help with the soreness."

That sounds lovely. Thank you. She helps me to the bath and I get in.

"Just holler for me when you are ready to get out."

Ok. Caleb comes walking into the bathroom and shuts the door with a pissed look on his face.

"Erica, your fall was no accident. Someone and I'm sure I know who placed a piece of fishing wire across one of the steps. One of the maids found it as she was walking up the steps. It was broken from you catching your foot on it."

Are you serious.

"Yes, that bitch cost us two of our babies."

I know my face was turning red with anger. Caleb, can you help me out of the tub. He gets me out and helps me dry off. We walk into my bedroom and I lay down in my bed.

"I'm so sorry all this is happening. Tomorrow will be a much better day. I love you and will see you at our wedding."

I love you, too Caleb. Caroline comes over to my bed as Caleb walks out.

"If you need anything during the night call me. I'll come help you. Or even if you just need someone to talk to. I'm here for you."

I hug her and she leaves my room. I lay here thinking about how stupid I was to go down the stairs. I should have known I was being set up when Leah told me to come down there. I cried and cried. I think I cried myself to sleep.