Jackson sat beside Veronica's recovery bed, holding her hand while the monitors beeped softly around them.

"Jackson?" she whispered.

He leaned forward immediately.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Are they coming to check the babies?"

He brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.

"Yes, angel. Dr. Morgan wants to make sure you're feeling a little stronger before the ultrasound."

Veronica looked down at her abdomen.

"Jackson, I'm afraid to find out."

He squeezed her hand.

"I know, baby."

"What if there's only one?"

Jackson swallowed hard.

"Then we'll face that together, sweetheart. But let's not decide what's happened before we have the answers."

Veronica nodded, although tears were already slipping down her cheeks.

Just then, Caroline entered with a blood pressure cuff and thermometer.

"Good afternoon, Veronica. How's our patient feeling?"

Veronica sighed.

"Like I've been run over by a truck."

Caroline smiled sympathetically.

"That's understandable after everything you've been through. Let's see how you're doing."

She wrapped the cuff around Veronica's upper arm.

Veronica groaned.

"Does that thing ever leave me alone?"

Jackson chuckled.

"Baby, I think you've developed a personal grudge against blood pressure cuffs."

"And needles, and thermometers, and speculums, and hospital beds!"

"Don't forget doctors," Jackson teased.

Veronica gave him a pointed look.

"Especially one particular doctor!"

Caroline laughed.

"Blood pressure is one hundred and ten over sixty-eight. Pulse eighty-eight. Much better."

Jackson visibly relaxed.

Caroline checked Veronica's surgical dressings.

"Any increasing pain around these incisions?"

"They're sore."

"That's expected. Let us know if the pain becomes worse or different."

She then assessed Veronica's abdomen, checked her IV site, and asked about dizziness and nausea.

"Still a little dizzy," Veronica admitted.

"All right. No getting out of bed without help just yet."

Veronica looked at Jackson.

"Don't you say a word!"

He raised both hands.

"I didn't say anything, Mrs. Williams."

"You were thinking it!"

He grinned.

"Perhaps."

A few minutes later, Dr. Morgan entered with an ultrasound technician.

"Veronica, how are you feeling?"

"Scared."

Dr. Morgan pulled a chair closer.

"That's understandable. Your blood pressure has improved, and the surgical team is pleased with your recovery so far. I'd like to reassess the pregnancy now."

Veronica tightened her grip on Jackson's hand.

"Will you tell me right away if something is wrong?"

"Yes," Dr. Morgan answered. "I'll explain what we can see and what we can't determine yet."

Jackson leaned down.

"Ready, baby?"

Veronica took a shaky breath.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

The technician positioned the ultrasound machine beside the bed.

"Because you're still recovering from abdominal surgery, we'll begin with a gentle abdominal scan. If we can't see enough detail, we'll discuss whether a transvaginal scan would be helpful."

Veronica nodded gratefully.

"Thank you."

Warm gel was spread across her lower abdomen.

Jackson stood beside her shoulder as the technician moved the transducer carefully over her skin, avoiding pressure near the surgical incisions.

Veronica stared at the ceiling.

"Jackson, I can't look."

He kissed her forehead.

"Then look at me, sweetheart."

She turned toward him.

"Are you looking?"

"Yes, baby."

"Do you see anything?"

Jackson studied the screen but said nothing.

"Jackson Michael Williams!"

He looked down.

"Sweetheart, let Dr. Morgan interpret the images."

Veronica sighed.

"I hate when you're sensible."

Dr. Morgan moved closer to the monitor.

"All right. I can identify the first gestational sac."

Veronica held her breath.

"And?"

"The structures inside appear consistent with an early pregnancy. I'm going to take some measurements."

The room grew quiet.

Dr. Morgan adjusted the image.

Then she smiled.

"Veronica, I can see embryonic cardiac activity in the first pregnancy."

Veronica's eyes filled with tears.

"Jackson?"

He leaned forward.

"Yes, baby?"

"Does that mean there's a heartbeat?"

"It means the doctor can see the tiny heart moving, sweetheart."

Dr. Morgan nodded.

"Exactly. It's a reassuring finding."

Veronica began crying.

"Oh, thank God!"

Jackson kissed her forehead.

"One little fighter, baby."

But then Veronica remembered.

"The other one?"

Dr. Morgan's expression became thoughtful.

"Let me take a closer look."

She adjusted the image, measuring the second gestational sac.

Several moments passed.

Veronica squeezed Jackson's hand so tightly he winced.

"Doctor?"

"I'm still examining it, Veronica."

Jackson gently stroked her cheek.

"Easy, sweetheart."

Dr. Morgan looked toward the technician.

"Can you magnify that area?"

The image enlarged.

The second sac was smaller, and the structures inside were more difficult to identify.

Dr. Morgan studied the screen.

Then she turned toward Veronica.

"I can identify a yolk sac in the second gestational sac, but I can't yet confirm embryonic cardiac activity."

Veronica's smile disappeared.

"What does that mean?"

"It may be earlier in development, or it may not be progressing as expected. At this stage, a single ultrasound cannot always tell us which."

Veronica began crying again.

"Jackson, I don't understand. Why is one baby okay and the other one isn't?"

Jackson sat beside her.

"Sweetheart, we don't know that the second baby isn't okay."

Dr. Morgan nodded.

"That's right. We need another ultrasound after enough time has passed to assess growth and development reliably."

Veronica wiped her eyes.

"How long?"

"Usually around a week or more, depending on the measurements we obtained today."

"A whole week?"

"I know waiting is difficult," Dr. Morgan replied. "But repeating the scan too early may leave us with exactly the same uncertainty."

Veronica looked at Jackson.

"How am I supposed to wait that long?"

He kissed her hand.

"One day at a time, angel."

After the ultrasound, the technician cleaned the gel from Veronica's abdomen and helped her get comfortable.

Dr. Morgan pulled her chair closer.

"Veronica, I also want to discuss the hematoma. It is still visible, but we don't see evidence that it has dramatically enlarged."

"Is that good?"

"It's encouraging. We'll continue watching your symptoms and arrange follow-up."

Veronica nodded.

"Can I go home?"

Jackson looked at her in surprise.

"Baby, you just had surgery!"

She crossed her arms.

"I know that, Jackson Michael Williams!"

Dr. Morgan smiled.

"Not today, Veronica. We need to make sure your blood count remains stable, that you're able to eat and drink, and that you can move safely before discharge."

Veronica sighed dramatically.

"Another night in this place?"

"I'm afraid so."

She turned toward Jackson.

"You owe me two pizzas now!"

He laughed.

"Two pizzas?"

"One for yesterday and one for today!"

Dr. Morgan chuckled.

"I think I'll leave you two to negotiate that."

After she left, Jackson sat beside his wife.

Veronica was quiet for several minutes.

Then she looked at him.

"Jackson?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Do you think the second baby is going to make it?"

He took a deep breath.

"Sweetheart, I don't know."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"But I want both of them."

"I know, angel."

She placed her hand over her abdomen.

"Two babies, Jackson. We were going to have two babies."

He covered her hand with his.

"We may still, sweetheart. The doctors haven't said otherwise."

She leaned against him.

"I just want somebody to promise me everything will be okay."

Jackson closed his eyes.

He wanted desperately to give her that promise.

But he couldn't.

Instead, he wrapped his arms around her.

"I can promise that you won't have to go through any of this alone."

Veronica began crying against his chest.

"That's not the same."

"I know, baby."

For a long time, Jackson simply held her.

Later that evening, Caroline returned to help Veronica sit on the edge of the bed for the first time since surgery.

"All right, honey. We're going to take this very slowly."

Veronica looked at Jackson.

"Why is everybody always telling me to take things slowly?"

He smiled.

"Because, Mrs. Williams, you have a habit of trying to do everything at once."

She gave him a look.

"Are you calling me impatient?"

"Would I ever?"

"Jackson!"

Caroline laughed.

"Let's start by raising the head of the bed."

She adjusted the bed gradually.

Veronica winced.

"Ouch! My stomach!"

Jackson immediately leaned forward.

"Baby, do you want to stop?"

Veronica shook her head.

"No. I want to get out of this bed."

Caroline helped her turn onto her side and bring her legs toward the edge.

"Use your arms to help push yourself upright, Veronica. Try not to strain your abdomen."

With assistance, Veronica slowly sat up.

Almost immediately, she became pale.

"Jackson..."

He moved closer.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"I'm dizzy."

Caroline supported her shoulders.

"All right, let's pause."

But Veronica's eyes suddenly rolled upward.

"Von!" Jackson exclaimed.

Caroline and Jackson carefully helped her lie back before she could fall.

"Veronica, can you hear me?" Caroline asked.

Veronica blinked.

"I feel awful."

Caroline checked her blood pressure.

"Ninety over fifty-two."

Jackson frowned.

"She's orthostatic again."

Veronica groaned.

"Jackson, please stop using those big doctor words!"

He gently brushed her hair away from her face.

"Your blood pressure dropped when you sat up, sweetheart."

"Then I vote we never sit up again!"

Despite his concern, Jackson smiled.

"Let's not make that decision just yet."

Caroline notified the surgical team and continued monitoring Veronica.

After several minutes, her blood pressure improved.

Jackson sat beside her, holding her hand.

"Baby, you scared me."

Veronica looked at him.

"Jackson, I scare myself."

His expression softened.

She began crying.

"I'm afraid to walk. I'm afraid to sit up. I'm afraid to go to sleep because something else might happen."

Jackson leaned forward.

"Oh, sweetheart."

"And I'm afraid you'll get tired of taking care of me."

He stared at her.

"Veronica Marie Williams, look at me."

She reluctantly met his eyes.

"Being your husband isn't a burden, angel."

"But I've been so much trouble."

He shook his head.

"You've been sick. That's not the same thing."

She wiped her tears.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Just then, Dr. Reynolds entered.

"How's our patient?"

Veronica sighed.

"Apparently I'm not allowed to sit up."

Dr. Reynolds smiled.

"I heard you became dizzy. That's not unusual after blood loss and surgery, but we need to make sure your blood count hasn't dropped further."

Veronica immediately groaned.

"Please don't say it!"

Dr. Reynolds looked puzzled.

"Say what?"

"Blood test!"

Jackson burst out laughing.

Dr. Reynolds smiled.

"I'm afraid we do need another one."

Veronica threw her hands up.

"I knew it!"

Jackson leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Baby, if they gave out awards for surviving blood tests, you'd have a trophy by now."

She gave him a stern look.

"Jackson Michael Williams, when we get home, you're sleeping on the couch!"

He laughed.

"Again?"

"Yes! And this time I mean it!"

But as Jackson laughed, Caroline appeared in the doorway with an urgent expression.

"Dr. Reynolds? Dr. Morgan would like to speak with you about Veronica's latest ultrasound report."

Dr. Reynolds turned.

"Is there a problem?"

Caroline hesitated.

"There's an additional finding the radiologist wants reviewed."

Jackson immediately stood.

"What additional finding?"

Veronica's face went pale.

"Jackson?"

He turned toward her.

"Yes, baby?"

She reached for his hand.

"Please don't tell me something else is wrong."

Jackson squeezed her fingers.

"We don't know what it is yet, sweetheart."

Dr. Reynolds looked toward Caroline.

"Let's review the report before we discuss it with the patient."

As the surgeon stepped into the hallway, Veronica began trembling.

"Jackson, I can't take any more bad news."

He sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Then let's wait until we know what the doctors have to say, angel."

She buried her face against his chest.

"Please, Jackson. I just want our babies to be okay."

Jackson closed his eyes.

"So do I, sweetheart."

And outside the room, Dr. Morgan was studying an ultrasound image that raised a question none of them had expected.

To be continued...