#Jadrigo family things

[jade-escobar]

Double Vision | Jadrigo

Featuring: Jade & Rodrigo Escobar Time Frame: Afternoon, Fri. May 9, 2024 Location: CPMC Van Ness; San Francisco, CA Notes: Jadrigo go in for an official first appointment, following the confirmation that Jade is, indeed pregnant. @rodrigo-esc

RODRIGO

“Do they always take this long?” He whispered, leaning into his wife as he closed the Parenting magazine that had been sitting on the seat before he got there. Everything in it seemed to be something he had already been learning no so Rodrigo was mostly pretending to look busy in the very quiet waiting room. He rubbed his damp, nervous hands on his thighs and sighed. “Like how long do they expect you poor ladies to sit out here with a full bladder? Seems like torture. Am I right ?” He continued whispering, catching the attention of an expecting woman with another woman sitting across from them.

“Preach it, brother.” The woman that wasn’t expecting extended her fist and Rodrigo pounded it with his own.

He looked around and at all the expecting mamas and sighed. “Next time I’ll bring a basket of granola bars or something…” he muttered to himself and then pulled out a snack for Jade and the woman across from them. “I just know that you women deserve it all. I’d be desperately chowing down a Cornish hen by now…”

JADE

Jade's nausea had been giving her trouble on and off still. Currently, it was making her feel uneasy and she was doing her best to distract herself by reading through What to Expect When You're Expecting. While she had already thumbed through parts of the later chapters, she was back to the earlier ones, re-reading and studying the information carefully. But she glanced up at Rodrigo's question and felt his gentle lean against her. "I'm not sure, honey. It's only my first appointment like this," she reminded him, closing and bookmarking her spot with her finger so she could give his back a soothing rub. She knew he was nervous, and she herself had been nervous but more of her focus had been on trying to not throw up in the waiting room.

Watching the exchange between Rodrigo and one of the other women made Jade smile and shake her head a bit, opening her book up again. "Don't remind us about the full bladder part." Seeing the snack he was offering her, she wrinkled her nose a little and gave an apologetic frown, "Mm-mm. No, thank you," and ended up abandoning her book distraction, dog-earing the corner of the page and sticking it into her purse. She hooked an arm around Rodrigo and leaned into his side this time. "Thank you for being our champion in the waiting room, honey." Jade shut her eyes and focused on taking slow, deep breaths through her nose and not losing her lunch. As she was about to reach for her water though, a medical assistant came out with a clipboard and called, "Jade Escobar?"

After a quick squeeze, Jade let her husband go, picked up her purse and water bottle and walked with her husband to go to the back. The M.A. took down Jade's current weight, temperature and blood pressure, and then escorted them to an exam room with a gown folded on the exam bed. "Go ahead and change, dear. You're having a transvaginal ultrasound today."

RODRIGO

Rodrigo knew he was maybe being a little too inpatient but he was also trying to look out for his wife. Also, he was nervous about the scan. He knew this would be a big moment for the two of them and he knew that sometimes this scan could end up in heartbreak. He didn’t want his mind there but every so often, he just couldn’t help it. His mom had been really good about reassuring him but Rodrigo needed to see the baby on the sonogram screen and he was sure Jade felt the same way. He also began rubbing my his wife’s back and tucked away the snack he had offered. When her name was called, he gathered their things, taking Jade’s purse and water from her and with him and placing the purse on his shoulder.

He watched as her vitals were taken and took a peek at her blood pressure, relieved that everything seemed to be okay. When Jade was asked to change, Rodrigo moved the sit at one of the chairs, offering the medical assistant a smile. “You guys are busy today, huh?” He tried to curb his nerves for Jade’s sake and waited for her to reappear with her purse on his lap.

JADE

Jade thanked Rodrigo when he relieved her of her belongings and when she had her weight and blood pressure taken, she was also relieved that nothing was out of the ordinary. Once in the exam room, Jade listened to the M.A. and nodded.

Before leaving the room to give Jade privacy and assist another patient, the M.A. chuckled at Rodrigo's question, "Today and everyday. The technician will be in shortly to get you started, and then your doctor will finish up with you after." She smiled politely and then breezed out of the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

Jade sat to take her shoes off and then began taking off her clothes from the waist down. The gown only had ties on the back but Jade just held it shut with her fingers to the best of her abilities until she was lying back on the bed. She looked to the ultrasound machine for a moment, noticing the monitor would be in the technician and Rodrigo's view, but wasn't angled for her to see. A TV monitor, however, was mounted flat on the wall above where Rodrigo was sitting and a part of Jade hoped it was connected to the machine. "I'm glad we were able to get another appointment after school let out." After reaching out for his hand to hold, she gazed up at the ceiling, took another deep breath and softly sighed, "I really hope everything is okay. I'd read that morning sickness is a good sign. If that's true, then..." She smiled a little despite her uneasy stomach, turning to look back to her husband, "Then our baby must be in great shape."

Before she could talk about nervousness and nausea any further, there were 2 quick knocks, followed by the arrival of the ultrasound technician. "Hellooo! I'm Rosalie. I'll be your ultrasound technician for today. Just so you both know upfront, I can't give any sort of information, diagnoses or the like--I'm just to perform the ultrasound and take the images for the doctor to go over."

Feeling a little deflated by this, Jade nodded, trying her best not to show it. Waiting further to know anything was just going to add to the nervousness but Jade tried not to show it as the technician washed, dried and gloved her hands, and then prepped the transducer wand while explaining to Jade and Rodrigo what she was going to do and where it was going to go. Jade nodded again and was instructed to bend her knees and let them fall apart while having her guide it for its initial insertion. After doing so, Jade took her slow breaths and fixed her gaze on Rodrigo. Sure enough, the overhead monitor had the same visual as then ultrasound but, challenging as it was, Jade didn't want to look at it until they knew they had nothing to be concerned about.

The technician was occasionally clicking and lightly adjusting the position of the wand. But she sucked in a light gasp and uttered an, "Oh," which caught Jade's attention immediately. Her gaze flashed from the overhead screen to the technician seated at the end of the bed.

"What is it? Is everything okay?"

RODRIGO

Rodrigo smiled at the M.A. when she responded and then nodded at what she said after. When they were left alone, Rodrigo reached for his wife's hand, giving it a gentle squeezed and brought his chair as close to her as posisble. "I'm glad we were able to get an appt after school too. I want to be at all the scans though so whenever you have to do them, even if they fall during school time, I'll find a way to come." He listened to Jade, giving her a small smile and bringing her knuckles to his lips. "I think everything is fine. I have a good feeling about it." Even with all his nerves, he really did have a good feeling about this appointment and was looking forward to seeing their baby.

When the technician came in, Rodrigo smiled politely, "Hi Rosalie." He listened to what she had to say and nodded at her little disclaimer. "Got it." He hoped that they'd get some answers from the doctor afterward. When the tech was ready, Rodrigo made sure to keep Jade's hand in his as the tech navigated the tranducer. He smiled at his wife, nodding and massaging her hair with his free hand. He didn't look up at the monitor either. Rodrigo wanted to make sure Jade was doing okay. He figured if there was something for him to see, the tech would call for their attention. There was some silence and when the tech uttered 'oh', Rodrigo glanced up at her and the moniter. "Oh? Oh as in Oh! or Ohhhh..." He arched a brow. There was a difference between both after all.

Jade asked if everything was okay and Rodrigo waited for a response but the tech took a few more images and let the tranducer rest. "I'll be right back. Everything is okay we just need to take a closer look so I'm bring in the doctor. Nothing to worry about!"

Rodrigo's brows furrowed as he watched the woman rush out. "well, it's too late for that!"

JADE

Jade was so grateful for her husband being who he was and how attentive he always had been to her. She never doubted that he would expand that to any children they brought into their lives. "You'll know about all the appointments as soon as I do," she promised. And she did her best to take comfort in Rodrigo's words. There wasn't anything in particular that was worrying her but the natural nervousness still loomed since it was still early in her pregnancy.

Keeping her eyes on Rodrigo helped with her nerves but they were rattled by the sound and singular word from the technician. Jade looked between Rosalie and Rodrigo, agreeing with the inflections he'd put on his, "Oh"s, anxiously waiting to hear the technician clarify. But when she hadn't and instead, removed the transducer and hurried from the room, Jade could practically feel her once normal blood pressure spike. She had to agree with Rodrigo saying exactly what she was thinking. She frowned, "I don't believe this. If everything is okay, why did she leave us like that?" Her mind was running through scenarios but nothing it conjured lined up with "everything is okay".

Thankfully, though it felt like ages, she and Rodrigo didn't have to wait very long before two more knocks followed with Rosale and Dr. Ellison. "Hello! Jade, Rodrigo, nice to see you both again," Dr. Ellison cheerily said, taking the place of the technician after washing, drying and gloving her hands. She asked Jade to guide the wand back in again and as Jade did so she said, "Can you please tell us what's going on? Your technician said everything is okay but left us here as though it was anything but." She shot the woman in scrubs a look and then turned her worried gaze to her doctor.

"Well, I apologize for that, but Rosalie is likely correct on that. And..." She kept her focus on the screen and clicked a few times, "Ah-ha, yes. She was right to come and get me so that you two wouldn't have to wait to learn that you're having twins!"

RODRIGO

Rodrigo did his best in comforting his wife even though he was already feeling the warmth crawl up his neck and into his face. It had to be his pressure spking but he remained outwardly calm and supported Jade. "She said she wanted the doctor to take a closer look. It's okay, honey." The tech didn't look worried so that did put him at ease somewhat but hearing the concern in his wife's voice was hard for him to listen to. He didn't want her to feel uneasy especially when she was carrying their child.

When Dr. Ellison appeared, Rodrigo was able to breathe better and he squeezed Jade's hand once more. He watched her get in place and waited to see what it was that needed to be looked over. Jade spoke again and Rodrigo frowened, hating that she was nervous at all. He looked up at the doctor to see what she had to report, glad that she didn't seem worried at all. "See, honey? Everything is okay because we're having twins!" Rodrigo's eyes then widenend. "Wait, we're having what?"

He looked at Jade then the doctor then the tech and did the same thing three times before he could get anything else out. "I only put one baby in there. I'm pretty sure--" While he knew how biology worked, Rodrigo couldn't help but be in complete and utter shock which would often manifest in him saying things that didn't quite make sense. "But I--the baby--there's what?"

JADE

Jade nodded at Rodrigo's words of assurance but she was still feeling a little uneasy. Right until Dr. Ellison said they were having twins. She blinked wide and went still before Rodrigo figured out what the doctor said as well. For the first time, Jade lifted her eyes to the TV monitor and she saw it. There were two, two blobs on the screen. Her mouth fell open and for a second, she slipped her hand from Rodrigo's long enough to harmlessly swat him for him saying he'd "only put one baby in there". Her face was turning extra warm and red from the comment but she was still taking in the news herself. Twins.

"See there? That's one amniotic sac, and there's another right next to it. So you've got fraternal twins on the way." Smiling at the couple, she said, "Congratulations, Escobar family. You're growing by two this August! And since im here, I can tell you everything looks great. The size for both looks right on track for around eight or nine weeks." Using the cursor, she pointed for them to see on either screen, "You can see the heartbeat for Baby A there, and..." Dr. Ellison shifted the cursor, "And there's Baby B's heartbeat. Would you two like to hear them?"

Jade's eyes were welling with tears, the longer she stared at the screen. She was still processing and breathed, "Twins," at a whisper, nodding at the doctor's question. Seeing was real enough but hearing their hearts would be even more special.

RODRIGO

Rodrigo remained silent the entire time but completely focused on everything the doctor was telling them. He didn't even feel the swat on his arm from Jade. He was absolutely mesmorized and shocked by the news that had just been presented to them. Of course, it made sense. Jade had twin siblings which meant there was a possibility it came from her father's side. Still, he really hadn't expected this news at all.

He nodded as the doctor spoke, eyes glistening as he saw both blobs like she said and when she pointed out their positions, he felt the overwhelming happiness as his tears formed. He still didn't have any words which was probably for the best. When asked if they'd like to hear the heartbeats, he nodded in response and squeeze his wife's hand when she repeated they were having twins. Rodrigo massaged her hair and reached to wipe her tears. He was excited to hear the heartbeats and thinking that everything felt to surreal but special at the same time.

When it came time to listening to the heartbeats, he smiled as his tears fell. Those were their babies. "Oh my gosh..." He closed his eyes, taking in the beautiful sounds and still keeping his hand in Jade's. "I can't believe it."

JADE

It still hadn't fully sunken in that she and Rodrigo were going to be parents to 2 babies but Jade was doing her best to keep herself tethered to the present as the doctor spoke to them. She looked away from the the monitor when Rodrigo wiped away the tears that spilled from her eyes. She smiled gratefully to him and then tried to blink away her blurred vision to see the screen again. She listened as Dr. Ellison guided them through them listening to the heartbeats, starting with Baby A. She squeezed her husband's hand, hearing the quick and steady pulse. "It’s so fast," she whispered.

Dr. Ellison smiled, "It’s normal given the size." And after a while, she adjusted the wand for them to hear Baby B's heartbeat.

Jade was still in awe from the sight and sounds of their babies. She squeezed Rodrigo's hand again while asking, "So, they're healthy? Both of them?"

Dr. Ellison was staring at the screen, still gathering information for records, but she told the couple, "Yes, everything looks well at this point. I want you to make sure you're taking your prenatal vitamins and add iron supplements or iron-enriched foods to your diet. And while I know that you're working on your relationship with food, it's important that you're being mindful of your diet not only for your sake but for your babies now." She carefully removed the wand from Jade and told her and Rodrigo, "You'll need to increase your daily caloric intake. Snacking throughout the day will make that easier than just eating bigger meals. I'll make sure you get a list of suggestions when you pick up pictures of your babies and schedule your next appointment. Since you're expecting multiples, I'll want to see you more often."

Jade was taking all of this in. She was anxious about eating more often but would do her best for their babies. Her mind was swimming with everything new. There had still been surreal moments of her being pregnant in the first place but now there were new waves from there being 2 babies.

"I'm sure this is still a surprise," Dr. Ellison said, cutting into her thoughts, "but do either of you have any questions for me?"

RODRIGO

Rodrigo agreed that it felt like it was all going so fast but he was still hyperfocused on the fact that they'd be having two babies at once. That meant two of everything and they'd need all the he help they could get. He was thinking about everything and anything now which was probably not good for the nerves but he couldn't help it. He kept qquiet and listened intently. Rodrigo wanted to learn as much as possible.

Hearing both heartbeats made him tear up even more and he brought his free arm up to wipe them. Hearing they were both healthy made him feel relief. He nodded as the doctor spoke, making mental notes of everything she was saying including the part where Jade had to eat more for the sake of their well-being. He knew that part would be difficult for his wife but he would help her through it. "We'll do this together." He whispered shortly after the doctor had mentioned her diet. "I'll come to as many appointments as I can if we can get them in the afternoon or early morning, I'm sure we can both manage." He wanted to be there as much as possible.

Rodrigo could tell Jade was feeling anxious but he kept their hands joined letting her know he'd be there for her no matter what. "It's a surprise for sure but we're very happy and I'll do the best I can to help her and be there there here." Rodrigo was slowly coming to the realization there were two babies for them but for now, he was mostly focused on his wife. "I know I'l have plenty of questions as things progress." He chuckled. "We're just getting over the shock. I'll be sure we write our questions down so we're better prepared." He smiled and glanced over at his wife.

JADE

The heartbeats were going to be committed to Jade's memory for as long as possible. Despite the nausea and fatigue she'd been experiencing lately, she was already looking forward to this new chapter in hers and Rodrigo's lives. Now, they were going to have twice the amount of love and cuddles to give. It was still a shock, of course, and she was still overcome with emotion by the news, but she felt sure that she and Rodrigo would still be great parents and that she could have a healthy pregnancy.

The dieting portion, of course, made Jade uneasy, evident by the way she tucked in her lips. She appreciated Rodrigo's encouragement and support though and nodded in agreement about him coming to as many appointments as possible. When Dr. Ellison asked if they had any questions, she added to her husband's response, "I can't think of anything right now, probably because of what Rodrigo said about shock."

Dr. Ellison nodded, "I understand. You're welcome to email me anytime if somthing comes up before your next appointment. I'll have prints from your ultrasound for you both at the receptionist's desk, along with the handout of suggestions for snacks. She'll get you scheduled for your next appointment." Smiling at the couple, she stood from her stool and said, "Congratulations Jade, Rodrigo," before exiting the exam room. The technician cleaned up the wand from the exam and offered Jade a few paper towels before letting Jade know she could leave the gown on the bed. "Congratulations!" Rosalie said before slipping out of the room and giving privacy for her to change back into her clothes.

Jade sat up, tugging the gown off to get herself together. "I can't believe it, honey." She smiled, cleaning herself up and then getting her underwear and skirt back on. "Twins. We're going to have to change our preparing a bit now, aren't we?"

RODRIGO

Grateful for the kind doctor, Rodrigo smiled and looked over to Jade as she responded to her. There was so much to take in and he was unbelievably happy about it all. "Thank you, thank you!" He replied to the doctor and then Rosalie. He would be sure to jot down questions as they came to him and email the doctor when he had a good list instead of bombarding her with eveything all at once.

Once they were both left alone, Rodrigo stood up to help his wife up, He chuckled at her words. "My thoughts exactly. I kept thinking about all of that as the doctor was talking to us. Have to get two of everything!" His excitement had taken over so much that Rodrigo barely gave himself time to think about it too much. He'd probably have a proper freak out when they got home and with good reason. This was huge! "We'll just have to figure out the space better and all. At least we have Celeste and Thomas to ask a bunch of questions to."

He waited for his wife to get herself together and then opened and held the door for so they could go to check-out and gather all the things the doctor had promised. As they walked down and to the front, he smiled at all the incoming parents to be, his stomach swirling as things began to settle. They were going to have twins. Twins! His mouth became dry and he figured he'd stop at the water fountain before they left. Rodrigo waited patiently beside his wife, trying to listen to everything that was being said to her but having a hard time making anything out of the words. A couple passed them with a double stroller and two newborns in it and his heartrate picked up. Finally, he came back to Earth in time for the receptionist to say "Twins!!! So exciting!" And when the parents within earshot cheered for them, Rodrigo felt his eyes roll to the back of his head and fell back.

JADE

Jade echoed Rodrigo's thanks to her doctor and the technician, even though she was still a little bit annoyed with the technician for leaving like she had earlier in the appointment. She adjusted her skirt and put her shoes on while listening to her husband. "Yes. And I'm going to need to look for bigger clothes. And different clothes. I don't think maternity skirts are very common or flattering." She grimaced a little at the thought and figured that she would probably end up wearing dresses often instead. But she smiled a bit, "I'm sure Thomas and Celeste would have plenty of advice for us. Their twins are so cute!"

Her mind was still a bit distracted by the news and the anticipation for getting the sonogram photos. The news of her pregnancy was still largely being kept quiet at this point but she was beginning to think about how they might go about telling their friends and family. She'd taken her purse and her water, assuring Rodrigo that she could carry both, and then she held his hand on the way out to the waiting room again. Jade hadn't let his hand go until it came time to picking up the handout and prints from the receptionist. The woman there congratulated them and Jade smiled, another wave of surreal and excited anxiousness passed over her. "Thank you!" She went to thank the people who'd overheard the same and was turning back to make her next appointment when, out of her peripheral, she saw Rodrigo leaning back... onto nothing. Jade's eyes went wide and she gasped, "Rodrigo!"

She dropped her water bottle to the counter with a thud along with the paper and photos as she got down to her knees by his head, cupping her hand to his cheek. "Oh my God, honey? Can you hear me?" Her heart was thumping fast as she lightly patted his cheek and then shook his shoulders. "Rodrigo, honey?" Panicked, she lightly ran her fingers under the back of his head, hoping that he wasn't bleeding.

RODRIGO

"We will look for clothes too and Celeste and Thomas' twins really are so cute." Rodrigo agreed, thinking about the things he could ask Thomas and Celeste after they'd be able to tell everyone. He wanted to be as informed as possible and do right by his children and his wife. It was important that Rodrigo didn't ever turn into his father.

He didn't even know what point between talking to the check-out receptionist and getting ready to leave he fell but Rodrigo was now groaning as he came to. His eyes tried to zero in on his wife but he heard others around him including maybe a doctor saying they could get him to a bed. "No--that won't be necessary." He began to sit up slowly and then rubbed the back of his head. "Oh crap, did I really pass out?" he sounded so dissapointed in himself. Fletcher was never going to let him live this down.

When his gaze finally settled on Jade, he took her hand and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. "I'm totally okay, I promise. I'm so sorry if I freaked you out." The doctor that had come out to check on him pulled him up to his feet and asked if he felt dizzy. "No no. Maybe a little but that's because I got up so quick. I really am okay, though. How embarrassing. Jesus." He gladly took a cup of water from the receptionist and moved to sit in the waiting area where the waiting parents were shocked and concerned. Rodrigo was mortified. He looked up and around to make sure Jade was following him to sit beside him.

"I really am sorry, honey." He then chuckled a bit. "I think it was the shock and excitement all at once."

JADE

Jade adored Rodrigo and how easily he made everything feel. It was a dwelling thought amongst the news of them expecting two babies, all the way to the receptionist's desk. But all thoughts had gone elsewhere when Rodrigo fainted next to her.

She kept talking to him, trying to get a response while cradling his head in between gently shaking his broad shoulders. Relief calmed her significantly when he started coming to and groaned. "Oh, thank goodness," Jade breathed. She wanted him to lie back again when he began sitting up but she kept a hand gently against his chest while he rubbed the back of his head. Frowning and giving a mirthless chuckle, she said, "Yes, you did." Her eyes stayed on his while somewhat ignoring the others around them. "Are you sure you're okay?"

When the doctor helped Rodrigo off the floor and into a chair, Jade moved back and got back to her own feet. And while he was being tended to with water, Jade went back to the counter to collect her things and then sit beside him. She'd placed the photos and paperwork in her purse and held her water bottle for Rodrigo in case the cup wasn't enough. Leaning into his side, Jade lightly scolded, "You had better not repeat that when the babies are being born. In fact, I forbid it. Right now. And I'm driving us home today. " She had her head rested against his shoulder and her arm threaded through his as she said this. In a gentler, concerned voice, she asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"

RODRIGO

"I'm okay, honey." Rodrigo smiled at Jade and kissed her temple realizing just how worried she must have been. "I'll probably have a little goose egg in the back of my head." The doctor did warn him to keep an eye out for signs of concussion to which Rodrigo nodded. Oh God, they were always going to remember him as the dad-t-be that passed out in the waiting room.

Glad to see Jade join him and sit beside him, Rodrigo finished off his cup of water. He chuckled at Jade's warning, hoping that he wouldn't have a reenactment of this when the babies arrived. "I'll try." He smiled softly and leaned into Jade as well. "Okay, fine. You can drive, my love." He kissed the top of her head and let another soft chuckle fall from his lip. "I'm sure I'm okay. In fact, I feel amazing and on cloud 9. You've made me incredibly happy today, Jade and I am thrilled to see you just as happy. We're going to have two babies." He beamed and then kissed her a few more times in her hair. "I love you so much."

JADE

Jade couldn't help but worry about Rodrigo. He fainted on his feet and the waiting room floor wasn't exactly cushy. But he was talking and smiling and acting very much like himself which she was even more relieved about. Her eyes shut at the kiss to her temple. "Mm, no. What did Yoda say about trying?" She smiled a little and then lightly teased, "Did you ever think there would be a day where I would use a Star Wars reference against you?" She lightly squeezed his arm and then opened her eyes again. "I did?" She lifted her gaze up to him. "You put two babies in me, remember?" Grinning, Jade nestled against him as she listened. "I'm very happy, honey, and I love you too. I would have been just as happy if we were only expecting one healthy baby but we've been given two to celebrate and love." Reaching down between her feet in her purse, she took out the accordion folded sonogram images, unfolding the first few for them to look at. Looking at the images brought about a happiness she'd never known before. It felt as big as her love for Rodrigo, but was different. He had love and happiness from her that was all his own, but this? This was for their children. Children that they didn't know yet but would someday. Children who would rely on them; children who, from now until the foreseeable future we're completely dependent upon them. Oh her. She could see why Rodrigo passed out.

Smiling still at the images, she offered them to Rodrigo in exchange for his empty cup. "I can throw this away and finish making the next appointment while you wait here, and then we can go home?"

RODRIGO

"Do or do not there is no trying." He grumbled but then smirked at his wife's teasing. "I am thoroughly impressed right now." He chuckled and then listening to her talk, Rodrigo shook his head. "I sure did." He then whispered, "I can't believe I said that out loud. Your doctor must think I'm nuts. And then I come out here and cause a scene." Rodrigo couldn't help but laugh at himself. "I love you too and I know you've been so excited. I'm just glad they're both healthy. That's what matters more." It was so strange thinking back now on a time when he didn't want this at all. How could he have been so foolish?

Rodrigo took the photos and nodded at Jade's offer. "Thanks, honey. I'll be here." He took a good look at his babies and smiled tenderly. He couldn't wait to hold them and play with them and to learn all about them. He also couldn't wait for Jade's pregnancy journey and be there for her as much as possible. Rodrigo was going to do everything he could to keep the three of them safe. They were his everything. He gently brushed his thumb over the photos and sighed contently. Nothing could make him happier.