Jackson took the papers from Margaret and began reading. Veronica watched him closely. She knew that look. It was the same look he got whenever something concerned him, and she didn't like it one bit.

"Jackson Michael Williams, what is wrong?" she demanded.

He looked up from the results.

"Baby, your blood count is a little low, and you're dehydrated. That could explain some of the dizziness. But I want to check a few more things."

"Can we please just go home?" she pleaded.

"Not yet, sweetheart."

"But Jackson!"

"Veronica Marie, don't start arguing with me. I'm concerned about you, and I intend to find out what's going on."

Dr. Bennett stepped forward.

"Veronica, I'd like to do an ultrasound now. It will help us see how the pregnancy is progressing."

Veronica looked at her husband.

"Will it hurt?"

"No, baby," Jackson reassured her. "You may feel a little pressure, but Dr. Bennett will explain everything."

Margaret helped Veronica settle back onto the examination table.

"All right, honey," she said. "I'm going to lower your gown just enough to expose your tummy."

Veronica nodded nervously.

Dr. Bennett entered with the ultrasound machine and pulled up a chair.

"First, we'll try looking through your abdomen."

He squeezed a small amount of gel onto Veronica's lower belly.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "That's cold!"

Jackson chuckled.

"Sweetheart, you nearly jumped off the table."

"Well, somebody could have warned me!"

Dr. Bennett smiled and placed the transducer against her abdomen. He moved it slowly from side to side, adjusting the image on the monitor.

Veronica stared at the screen.

"Jackson, I don't see anything."

"Give him a minute, baby."

After several moments, Dr. Bennett explained that because the pregnancy appeared to be very early, a transvaginal ultrasound would provide a clearer view.

Veronica immediately turned toward Jackson.

"Another examination?"

"Just an ultrasound, sweetheart. It uses a slender probe to get a closer picture."

Dr. Bennett explained how the probe would be covered, lubricated, and gently inserted into the vagina. He asked whether she was comfortable proceeding.

Veronica hesitated.

"Jackson, you'll hold my hand?"

"Of course."

She nodded.

"All right."

Margaret helped her reposition herself and covered her with a drape.

Dr. Bennett prepared the ultrasound probe, then gently inserted it while watching Veronica's expression.

"Any pain?"

"Just pressure," she answered.

He adjusted the probe slightly, examining the uterus and surrounding structures on the monitor.

Suddenly, he stopped.

Jackson leaned forward.

"What do you see?"

Dr. Bennett pointed toward the screen.

"There's the gestational sac. And right there is the yolk sac."

Veronica looked puzzled.

"What's a yolk sac?"

"It's a small structure that helps support the pregnancy early on," Dr. Bennett explained.

Jackson squeezed her hand.

"That's good news, baby."

Dr. Bennett continued examining the image.

"Now, let's see whether we can identify the embryo."

He made another small adjustment.

"There we are."

Veronica stared at the screen.

"That's our baby?"

Jackson smiled.

"Yes, sweetheart."

Tears began running down her cheeks.

"Oh, Jackson!"

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

But Dr. Bennett was still studying the monitor.

"Jackson, take a look at this."

Jackson's smile faded slightly.

"What is it?"

Dr. Bennett pointed to another area of the uterus.

"I'd like to take a few more measurements. There appears to be a second small sac."

Veronica's eyes widened.

"Jackson?"

He looked at his wife.

"Yes, angel?"

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

Dr. Bennett smiled.

"It could mean twins, Veronica, although it's too early to be certain. We'll need another ultrasound to confirm."

Veronica lay completely still.

Then she looked at her husband.

"Jackson Michael Williams!"

"Yes, baby?"

"Two babies?"

He laughed softly.

"Possibly, sweetheart."

She shook her head.

"Oh, my goodness. What are we going to do with two babies?"

Jackson kissed her hand.

"Love them, angel. We're going to love them."

After completing the ultrasound, Dr. Bennett removed the probe and helped Veronica sit comfortably.

"Now, there's one more thing we need to discuss," he said.

Veronica groaned.

"Please don't tell me another examination!"

Both doctors laughed.

"No, Veronica. But I'm concerned about your fainting episodes. I'd like to give you intravenous fluids and repeat your blood pressure before you leave."

She turned to Jackson.

"Another needle?"

"Yes, sweetheart."

"I don't want one."

Jackson pulled his chair closer.

"Von, listen to me. You've been feeling miserable, and your body needs some fluids. I know you hate needles, but this may help you feel better."

Veronica looked down at her hands.

"Will you do it?"

Jackson hesitated.

"Margaret is very good at starting IVs, sweetheart. I'd rather sit right here and hold your hand."

She looked at Margaret.

"Promise you'll only stick me once?"

"I'll do my very best, honey."

Margaret gathered the supplies and carefully examined Veronica's arm for a suitable vein. She applied a tourniquet above the elbow, cleaned the skin with antiseptic, and allowed it to dry.

Veronica turned her head away.

"Jackson, talk to me."

He took her free hand.

"All right, baby. Have you thought about what you'd like to name our children?"

She stared at him.

"Jackson! We don't even know if there are two!"

"Well, I thought it might keep your mind occupied."

Margaret inserted the small IV catheter, withdrew the needle, and secured the tubing.

"All done, Veronica."

Veronica looked at her arm.

"Already?"

"Already," Margaret replied.

Jackson grinned.

"See, sweetheart? You did beautifully."

For the next hour, Veronica rested while the fluids slowly entered her bloodstream. Jackson remained beside her, occasionally checking her blood pressure and asking how she felt.

Finally, she opened her eyes.

"Jackson?"

"Yes, angel?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Are you happy about the babies?"

Jackson looked surprised.

"Veronica, why would you ask that?"

"Because you've been so worried about me that you haven't really said much."

He moved closer and took both her hands.

"Baby, I'm happier than I can put into words. But when I saw you nearly faint, all I could think about was making sure you were safe."

She smiled faintly.

"I love you, Jackson."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Then she whispered something that made him pull back.

"Jackson, there's something else I need to tell you."

He studied her face.

"What is it, Veronica?"

She bit her lower lip.

"Remember when I told you I fainted yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Well, that wasn't the first time."

Jackson slowly sat back in his chair.

"Veronica Marie Williams, how many times have you fainted?"

She looked away.

"Three."

"Three?" he repeated.

She nodded.

"And Jackson?"

"What, baby?"

"One of those times, I fell down the stairs."

Jackson went pale.

"Veronica, when did this happen?"

"Last Tuesday."

He stared at her.

"Did you hit your head?"

She began to cry.

"I don't know, Jackson. I don't remember falling. I just remember waking up at the bottom of the stairs."

Jackson immediately stood and called for Dr. Bennett.

Veronica reached for him.

"Jackson, please don't be angry."

He turned back to his wife, his expression serious but his voice gentle.

"Baby, I'm not angry. I'm frightened. Losing consciousness and falling down the stairs is something we have to take seriously."

He brushed away her tears.

"And sweetheart, I need you to promise me something."

"What?"

"No more hiding symptoms because you're afraid I'll worry. We are a team, Veronica. You, me, and these little ones."

She nodded.

"I promise."

Jackson kissed her forehead.

"Good girl. Now we're going to make sure that fall didn't cause an injury."

Veronica squeezed his hand.

"Jackson?"

"Yes, baby?"

"After all this, can we please go home?"

He smiled.

"As soon as the doctors say it's safe, sweetheart."

She sighed.

"And can we have pizza?"

Jackson laughed.

"Veronica, you may be the only woman I know who can go from frightening her husband half to death to asking for pizza in less than five minutes."

She smiled mischievously.

"With extra cheese?"

He shook his head.

"We'll see, Mrs. Williams. We'll see."

But as Jackson turned toward the door, Dr. Bennett returned with another piece of information.

"Jackson, before you take Veronica home, there's something on her chart I think we need to discuss."

Veronica looked from one man to the other.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," she muttered. "What now?"

To be continued...