"What? Twins?" Aselia almost shrieked in horror. The shock of Dr. Wanstine’s words was slowly registering. A dread filled her heart, knowing she was not fit to be a mother, not ready to bring a new life into this world. She was too impulsive and short-tempered, kids needed patience.

Xiran’s mouth was slightly agape and he was surely lost for words. They were about to have their hands full. His eyes darted to a befuddled Aselia, she was blankly staring at the screen in front.

"Yes, see here. This is one and this is the other one. Both of them seem perfectly healthy and normal. You are about three months along if my calculations are correct according to what you have told me," Wanstine explained to the shocked couple. For them, it was only two weeks since they mated but now they were expecting twins and three months had already elapsed.

"Three months?" Xiran asked hoarsely, it made sense why she suddenly felt extreme sickness. The babies had grown overnight according to the time here and adjusted to this time frame.

"They are perfectly normal. You don’t need to worry but I will recommend check-ups every two weeks. And I understand twins can be a bit overwhelming but both of you have been blessed with them. Everything will work out because it’s no less than a miracle. Elves and vampires are not very compatible when it comes down to mating. So cherish this gift," Wanstine tried to ease their hearts, seeing both of them were horror-struck. As if an untimely bomb of unimaginable proportions had been dropped on them.

"We understand, thank you, doctor. What needs to be done about her nausea?" Xiran took the matter into his own hands, seeing Aselia had completely lost the ability to speak for now.

"Just give her some orange, mint or lemon juice or drink in the morning, as soon as she wakes up. It helps with nausea, other than that there is no cure and it will pass on its own. Keep doing breathing exercises and avoid any kind of stress or lifting heavy weights. Let her rest as much as she wants. Other than that I will do a blood test and determine her HB and essential mineral levels, and prescribe supplements accordingly," Dr. Wanstine explained, wiping Aselia’s belly with tissue paper, letting them know that her ultrasound was complete.

Xiran nodded his head in determination, memorising every detail she had given them.

"You people can wait in my office, I will complete my report and will be out soon," Dr. Wanstine began to write the ultrasound report while Xiran tried to help Aselia up, she jerked his hand away in frustration and got up before barging out of the room. He followed with slumped shoulders and a heavy heart. This is not how he had envisioned this experience to go. But nothing ever went according to what they had planned.

When Xiran entered Wanstine’s office, Aselia had sagged on the chair and was softly crying, her hands holding her face. She had not made eye contact with him since learning this piece of news.

"Leia!" he softly called out to her. "It will be alright, we will figure this out," he tried to take her hand in his but she jerked him off. She removed her hands and faced him with silver tears streaking down her round face. His heart stopped seeing her like this.

"Figure out what? I told you I don’t want kids for now, I am not ready. That place we stayed in was for this very purpose. Wasn’t it? You planned it without me, without informing me. And you didn’t tell me the truth even when I asked. How am I going to raise kids when I have zero knowledge about them?"

More tears followed her accusations. Her heart was tearing apart, she knew she should have clearly discussed this aspect with him but thought he knew because she had told him before.

"Listen..." Xiran began but was interrupted by Dr. Wanstine’s entry so he clamped his mouth shut and decided to wait till they could get home.

Dr. Wanstine accessed the situation pretty quickly. Aselia’s red nose and tear-streaked face told her that something was off and she wasn’t expecting this pregnancy. She handed over the report to Xiran and said:

"Please, give a blood sample in the nurse’s room before you guys leave. I understand this is all very sudden and emotional for the two of you. So I would recommend the psychiatrist who has been treating your sister and her mother. But firstly, talk it out among yourselves. Just sit together and come to a decision."

"We will. Thank you for your time," Xiran got up and Aselia followed his pursuit.

"Thank you, doctor," Aselia wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and sniffled. Wanstine offered the elven girl a reassuring smile and tissue paper as the couple exited her office.

After giving the blood sample they headed back to the car, Zirius was waiting for them. Soon they were on their way home. Aselia stared out the window the entire journey, her lips pursed together forming a tight line.

Zirius was inquisitive about the planet they had been to so Xiran told him the details. Once they reached home Zirius left while they headed inside and Aselia went straight to bed, slamming the door behind her.

Xiran hastily followed but she covered her face with the blanket, curling up in a fetal position. Her sobs filled their bedroom and it hurt his heart and soul. The bond between them tugged him to her, he seized the blanket and just pulled it down so he could see her face.

"Don’t cry, please. Let me explain what happened. Stress in this condition is not good for you," he lamented, trying to put sense into her.

"Go away, don’t touch me," she flipped the blanket back and kept on wailing. She was not the crying type and even when she had faced his father she hadn’t cried like she was doing now.

He tried different approaches to talk to her, gentle, soft, stern but all he got were more tears until he was out of options. She would yell every time he tried to touch her so that was not an option.

"Xiran! I don’t want you near me right now," her patience was dwindling with him, as she jerked away his hand and glared at him before pulling the blanket back up.

He was kneeling near her on the floor, sighing in defeat he got up and threw a final longing look at her huddled-up form before leaving the room.

He took out his phone and called his sister, he needed her and then he let himself drop on the sofa in the living room. His wife was utterly displeased with him and he didn’t know how to apologise or make up to her.

He did hide the truth from her but he thought she was on board. The confusion that had been caused was not his fault but he should have told her that there was a chance that she would get pregnant, instead, he hid it and now he had to pay the consequences.

Xiran was still lost in thoughts when Irlana’s chirpy voice sounded from outside and he rushed to the door. Throwing it open, he found her standing there beaming with a handful of bags containing food and beverages.

"Brother," she hollered in delight and Xiran lunged forward and collected her in his brotherly embrace.

"Irlana, sorry I left like that. I am so glad to see you again," they hugged for a long time before separating and he led her in, taking all the baggage from her and placing them on the kitchen counter.

"How have you been? Are you alright? Tell me everything," she placed her hand on his back as they settled down comfortably and he leaned into her touch.

Xiran began to tell her everything that had transpired and then he told her about Aselia’s pregnancy and how she was not taking it in a positive light and struggling with it.

"Oh! No, I am so sorry. This was supposed to be one of the most joyous occasions of your lives together. I can understand how you are feeling brother. But let me go talk to Aselia. I will also talk to my mom and she can have a word with Aselia too. You know, guide her in pregnancy because she is an elf," Irlana’s words were reassuring and they put a small smile on Xiran’s face.

"Thank you, and I would like that very much. Please, go talk to her. I will stay here or she will rip my head off," he didn’t want to face any more of her fury.

"Don’t worry, leave it to me. And I am so happy you are back with such great news. I am going to be a great aunt and mind you I am informing you beforehand. Your kids are going to be spoiled rotten by me," she winked at him before getting up and heading over to their bedroom, leaving a grinning Xiran behind.