Where are those 1000 words? *Guillermo*

[ROSE MERCER]

OUTFIT OF ROSE WHO IS FEELING KINDA FAT AND PUKEY AND SCARED. LOVE HER ANYWAYS. LOVE HER.

Pregnancy was an awkward thing.

At least to Rose.

Probably Guillermo too, honestly.

The two sat together, not saying a whole lot, as the waited for 'Mercer, Rosaline' to be called into the waiting room. She just wanted to go home and lay in bed forever, though she'd probably attempt to exercise a bit. Not that she could do a lot, with Jeny the Baby Tyrant breathing down her throat. Baby safe yoga, no tuna, God forbid someone come near Rose with even a faint smell of cigarettes. Who knows? Maybe this was that motivation Guillermo was lacking when he met Rose, to quit smoking. But, oh God, a cigarette. The world had no idea how wonderful that sounded. She had taken to resting a pen cap between her lips, nibbling it gently, whenever she became too stressed.

As she had no pen cap, at the moment, her nails did fine. The nail polish, which was a bright green, cracked into her mouth, though she'd discreetly pick it off her tongue. Her outfit was rather plain that day, having had no real wish to gussy up. Even before her pregnancy, Rose had had a touchy stomach. But, with the pregnancy, it was almost intolerable. Stress, smells, breathing. Everything seemed to induce a spell. Guillermo tried to be helpful, though he usually got a snarl to get out in between hurls. But always, at least, an apology after.

She just didn't want him to see her... gross. The jeans she wore were knew, as the trousers she had plan to wear that day refused to button. Not that Rose looked fat, by any means, as she was a slender thing. But it was a shattering blow to the hormonal girl, who wept for a good hour on the soon to be forgotten figure she loved so much. Also, it should be noted, her breasts seemed to be getting bigger, oh-so-tactfully pointed out by her friend Hiro. The gray tank top offered her little shape, though she was barely showing, and her hair laid in a messy bun at the nape of her neck.

The only real sprinklings of color, were the shoes on her feet (also new), which were a welcome home gift from her uncle. They were interesting, rainbow, things. And, honestly, more comfortable to the heels-trained-feet of Rose than the flats she had attempted. The bracelet hanging from her wrist seemed to accidentally match the shoes, a gift from Jeny. Or, more, a guilt trip that she was not allowed to go to the ultrasound, 'even though this was totally her first niece or nephew, and that's just not cool Guys'. Of course, she simply left it on Rose's counter with a note saying 'Isn't it nice that storms bring rainbows'.

If it was more cliche Jeny, Rose would probably have been sent on anther vomiting spree.

Looking around, Rose couldn't help but feel the pangs of fear. A few seats off a three year old asked a nonstop line of questions, not even bothering to wait for an answer from his very pregnant Mother, who's eyes stared dully forward. Another couple of sears down was a pimpled teenager, wearing baggy cloths, that horribly concealed the tell tale protrusion from her gut. There were a couple of women who could be far along, or just starting out and just fat. And there were a few with spouses talking in polite, waiting room, hushed voices; some even had children who played with the terrible toys Doctors seemed to think kids enjoyed. One woman, who looked near forty and was in a business suit, flipped through a magazine, not looking the least bit pregnant at all.

One front-toothless-wonder, with unruly curls and freckles, came up to Rose. Didn't say a word, just stared, her stupid hazel eyes blinking only when they filled with tears. Rose attempted, discomfort rampant in her voice, to converse with the sticky, cheeto fingered, dungaree wearing, creature. "Uh. Hey." the little girl gave no indication that she heard Rose at all. "Need something?" Rose raised her eyebrow, as the little thing shook her head no. "Ohhhhkay." Rose averted her eyes, but she could see the little beast in her peripherals.

Where the hell was it's Mother?

Shifting, the stare began to burn her. "Just kick her. Her Mother should come if the little thing starts crying, right?" Some how Rose doubted a good fonging would really do much good, tempting as it might be. Rose's body stiffened, as she felt herself partially agree with Bruja, who despite their current truce, Rose still despised quite a bit.

Stupid. Fricking. Child.

"If I give you a quarter, will you go away?" Rose finally said, unable to take the staring.

The little girl finally spoke, her voice rather sweet sounding. Oh, how deceiving. "Pfft. Lady, I'm five, not stupid. Make it a dollar." The fuck? Rose blinked, as if unsure if she heard the kid right.

Seriously?

She was being extorted?

BY A FIVE YEAR OLD?

Still, if it would make her go the hell away... Rose pulled her wallet out of her purse, pulling out a dollar, and offering the kid a small scowl. The little girl took the crisp bill, running over to the other children to show them, watching the little stink point at her, revealing her as the source. She slouched in her seat, continuing to gnaw on her nail in dread.

Sonofabitch.

"Mercer, Rosaline?" Came the most angelic voice from the front desk.

"Oh thank God..." Rose muttered, rising to her feet, offering Guillermo a small, shy glance as she stood. This would be the first time they saw the baby. With a small, good-show-of-bravery, smile, Rose nodded, following Nurse Janie to her Doctor room.

As they walked, Rose could not help but wonder if she would have any maternal feeling at all, at the sight of her baby. And dreaded if she did not.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo José Salas-Ortiz was good with kids. How? He wasn't entirely sure. He just got them and thought they were cute and kids took to him pretty well.But this.
This was terrifying.
He was about to walk into a doctor's office and see his child. See his first child, for the first time ever.
He wasn't married, he wasn't done with school. Hell, he wasn't ready to be a dad!
Guillermo, Diablo, was responsible for a human life. This was his kid.
He couldn't wrap his mind around the situation.
His family was a broken one. His mother left when he was three. His sister was from a different mother, who also divorced his father.
Guillermo's gut twisted, wishing his father was alive, so he could ask him for advice. How did he cope with being a new father? After all, Enrique had been 25 when Guillermo himself was born, only three years older than he was now. At the time, he hadn't been married to Guillermo's mother, named Florencia; he had discovered this from documents sent to him from Lorena, who was cleaning out Enrique's old house.
Would he be a good father? Would he stay with Rose, or would their relationship blow up again? If it did, would he be able to see his kid still?
He glanced at Rose, who seemed to be getting more anxious by the second. A small girl came over and badgered her and Guillermo couldn't help but chuckle at her impatience.
"Mercer, Rosaline?"
"Oh thank God..."
Rose got up and Guillermo stood, returning her glance with a weak smile.
He followed her down the hall, his mind and heart racing, both terrified and excited.

[ROSE MERCER]

Guillermo had to be going through the same hell that Rose was going through. Not only because Rose knew what an extreme, but silent, worrier that Guillermo was. Or that no twenty one year old guy could possibly be going through this with a clear and cool head. But because if Rose was the only one in a constant state of fluctuating panic attacks, that made her a pretty terrible person. As they walked down the hall, Rose snuck a look at him. Normal, seemingly cool as a cucumber, a little blanched. Yes, he was keeping it in. He was trying to be strong for her.

Slickly, Rose wrapped her hand around his, fingers lacing, with a gentle squeeze. Her eyes stayed forward, because she could already feel herself well up. Ugh. Fucking hormones. It wasn't fair. She was never so weepy, not like this. It was totally a rip that Guillermo was still able to keep it in, and she was left to be a fluctuating like a roller-coaster. Where the hell were these sympathy pains she had been told about?

Stepping into the their assigned room, Rose sat on the patient bed, feet dangling off the edges, hand untangling from Guillermo's as she went. The crunkling of the paper shield was disconcerting to Rose, who winced a little as she felt the paper tear under her butt. "You can sit there, Hon." The Nurse spoke to Guillermo, pointing at the guest chair. The woman, with her wide and cheerful (toooo cheerful, for Rose's current funk) smile, took Rose's pulse, her murky brown eyes lowering to her watch. "So, you're pregnant." Rose was not really expecting the woman to make conversation, especially not making a bold assumption like that. Women went to the OB-GYN for lots of reasons! Shit, was she showing? She should have worn layers. "You have that glow about you. You know, there is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman..."

"Definitely. Nothing more gorgeous than vomiting your weight on a daily basis and still somehow managing to not be able to fit your cloths." Rose replied, a little tart, eyes narrowed. The woman's face flushed a little, at the snap, but Rose didn't let it go there. "Pretty stunning, if you ask me- Hey can you focus on my pulse, with all this talking? It's usually so quiet when these things happen..." She probably shouldn't have been so short with the poor woman, but empathy was not really on Rose's mind at the moment.

She carried on her job, silently, as Rose felt a very familiar feeling of guilt crawl over her. It was the same guilt she got when ever anyone receiving a verbal bitch slap, lately. The woman wrote down what she needed too, and left without another word. Shit, not even a 'the doctor will be right with you'... Rose slouched, grimacing at Guillermo. "Probably could ave handled that better..."

Sheepishly, she looked at Guillermo, paranoia rampant as always. Crap. What if he thought she regretted this? She wasn't exactly doing back flips (Not that Jeny would EVER allow that), but regret certainly was not the right word! "I love you..." She offered, pushing a loose lock behind her ear. "And, you know, I'm just being a drama queen. It's how I do... It's really not that bad. I get to eat whatever I want, without feeling guilty-" Lie. What a lie. Every carb gave her a pang of guilt, like a big old birdy wave at her perfect size three waist. But Guillermo didn't know that, so... '-so that' cool."

Her fingers drummed on the seat underneath her, waiting for the Doctor. Dr. Briar had been her OB since she was he wee age of fourteen, and Rose was already dreading fessing up. As if on que, the door knob turned, and Rose gulped in dread.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo calmed just the slightest bit when Rose's fingers curled around his. The nurse led them into one of the small check-up rooms and she indicated an empty seat.
"You can sit there, Hon."
He did so and Rose hopped up onto the bed-table-chair-thing.
"So, you're pregnant."
Apparently, this was the opposite of what Rose had been expecting to hear and her eyes widened in shock. Her expression became a little haughty and Guillermo braced himself, almost laughing at the similarity between Rose and Bruja. Was she offended that the nurse assumed her eggo was preggo? He couldn't think of any girl who would bring her boyfriend along to the OB-GYN (other than if she was pregnant), so they could watch her get felt up and find out if she had any STD's. Pretty romantic date right there..
Damn, he wasn't thinking straight. This whole situation was taking a toll on his focus.
"You have that glow about you. You know, there is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman..."
Oh, well that was nice of her to say.
Evidently, Rose didn't think so.
"Definitely. Nothing more gorgeous than vomiting your weight on a daily basis and still somehow managing to not be able to fit your cloths."
Guillermo wasn't quite sure what to do. He was mostly focusing on not laughing. Rose looked so cold-blooded right now that the nurse looked ready to cower.
"Pretty stunning, if you ask me- Hey can you focus on my pulse, with all this talking? It's usually so quiet when these things happen..."
Ouch.
The nurse continued in an awkward silence and Guillermo could almost hear Rose's guilt growing.
"Probably could have handled that better..."
She gave him a sheepish, half-smile.
"I love you... And, you know, I'm just being a drama queen. It's how I do... It's really not that bad. I get to eat whatever I want, without feeling guilty-so that' cool."
Guillermo got up from his seat, walked over to the table, and kissed her lightly.
"Te amo."
He wanted to tell her not to worry, but figured it would be extremely hypocritical, considering he was about to shit a brick here, waiting to see his kid.
The door opened and Rose stiffened in anxiousness.

[ROSE MERCER]

The kiss was appreciated. The words were appreciated. But, as the doorknob turned, she couldn't really thank him. Her blue eyes flickered to the door, as Dr. Briar entered. He was a handsome man, tall, Caucasian but with tan skin. His hair was silver, and his nose was slightly hooked. He smiled at the couple; one of those painfully genuine smiles, obviously pleased by something he saw, though it was safe to say it wasn't exactly what his eyes processed. Almost like he was grinning at ones aura. "Rose Mercer, how many times do I have to tell you not to beat the nurses?" The scolding was more teasing, than genuine, obviously familiar enough with Rose to joke. His dark eyes flipped over to Guillermo, grasping his hand tightly. "And you must be the... boyfriend?"

Rose blushed a little, knowing that he had a right to ask. "Uh. Yeah." Rose piped up, nodding before Guillermo would be launched into that pile of awkward.

This answer obviously pleased Dr. Briar, who patted Guillermo fondly on the arm. "Excellent! If you could just take a seat-"

"Guillermo." Rose assisted.

"Guillermo! And then we'll get this show on the road." Clapping his hands together, he sat in his roley chair, scooting it over to Rose, while reading her chart. "Soooo... Miss Rose. You're approximately... three and a half to four months along. Ah, that means your entering your second trimester!" Rose gave a small smile, not having any idea what that meant. "Which should mean your mourning sickness should be lightening up... which you mentioned was proving an issue when you made the appointment." Rose instantly lightened, glad to hear some good news, flashing a smile to Guillermo. This would certainly be good news to him too.

Less puking means less grouchy Rose. Less grouchy Rose meant more snuggly Rose. More snuggly Rose means a much happier Guillermo. Who knows, maybe a more cuddly Rose meant that he could bond with the baby, and at least one of them would have the parental feelings going on.

"Rose, if you could just lay down for me..." She did, eyes on the ceiling, taking a deep breath. Carefully, he lifted her shirt to about her mid-ribs, and she couldn't help the pink tinge in her cheeks as the growth was exposed. His fingers were warm as he pressed the tips against her abdomen, prodding her gently. She couldn't help but look away at from the ceiling, watching his face intently for... something. Anything. A hint of what was going on in there. He gave a thoughtful, almost puzzled frown, before checking her chart again. "Ah, Rose, I need you to relax. If you get tense, so does the ba- baby." The pause made Rose's eyebrows knit. Why did he do that? Why did he stumble on the word baby. "Last I saw you, you were smoking. Have you quit that."

Rose nodded. "Yeah. I've been eating a lot of butterscotch's though." Oddly, her body began to relax as he continued to question her.

He nodded, his gentle grin still in place. "Any cravings?"

"Chile and chocolate milkshakes." She replied instantly. Again, he nodded, continuing to prod. Rose couldn't help but wonder what it was that he was continuing to feel for. But, then again, a part of her didn't want to know. Still, he did seem pleased as he felt movement rise from his prodding, as Rose's face squished. It didn't hurt, or even feel uncomfortable. More that it just felt weird. Like, mud in her boots weird. "Hey, Doc... I didn't find out I was pregnant til... til I was a little over a month in. And, like, I smoked that whole time. Sometimes a lot... and. Drank, on occasion." There was a heavy tone of guilt to her voice, as Rose brought her blue eyes back to the ceiling, not wanting to look at either of the men in the room.

Rose had to remember to thank her Mother, for finding Dr. Briar in her youth. He had a natural kindness, a gentleness, like one would expect from a grandfather. "And you're concerned that it might have some ill effect on the baby?" Her eyes fixed on the ceiling, she gave a curt nod. "Well, Rose, the womb is an amazing contraption..." He said, voice gently, but firm, speaking to both Rose and Guillermo. "You see, pregnancy tests are a rather new inventions. Women had to depend on their menstrual cycles to tell them. But, as you know, many things can effect the menstrual cycle: stress, poor diet, a poor sleep cycle-"

Dear God, please let Guillermo's mind just doze out a minute, while my good intentioned, but blatant doctor just let out the fact that her periods could be sporadic.

"So, the body had to adapt. In the first trimester, before a woman is showing, the womb actually acts as a shield of sorts to protect the life inside it." He patted her belly, grinning fondly. Pulling a small band of measuring tape from his front pocket, he recorded the size of the bulge on her belly. "Now, I want you to keep that in mind. At this point, stressing out about things you did in the first month of pregnancy, is actually more of a risk to the baby, than anything you actually did. If you were still smoking or drinking, then there would be course to worry. But as you are not, just relax." Scribbling down his notes, he flipped through to the back of her paper work, before a small, wry, grin appeared.

Rose's eyebrow arched, looking back at Guillermo, wondering if he knew something she didn't, though she knew he did not. Dr.Briar's voice brought her back to him. "Alright, you two ready two see the little one?"

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Rose's eyes snapped to the door as a tall doctor entered the room. He looked to be aging gracefully, still good-looking with his silver hair and kind eyes.
"Rose Mercer, how many times do I have to tell you not to beat the nurses?"
Guillermo gave a small smile at this.
Rose squeezed his hand tightly.
"And you must be the... boyfriend?"
"Uh. Yeah." Rose nodded, looking a little pink.
"Excellent! If you could just take a seat-" The doctor patted his arm and indicated the other chair.
"Guillermo." Rose assisted.
"Guillermo! And then we'll get this show on the road." Clapping his hands together, he sat in his roley chair, scooting it over to Rose, while reading her chart.
"Soooo... Miss Rose. You're approximately... three and a half to four months along. Ah, that means your entering your second trimester! Which should mean your mourning sickness should be lightening up... which you mentioned was proving an issue when you made the appointment."
Rose visibly brightened and Guillermo had to hide his relieved sigh. Morning sickness was killing him, and he wasn't even the one who had it!
"Rose, if you could just lay down for me..."
Rose laid back and the doctor lifted her shirt, exposing her small baby-bump. The doctor inspected carefully and Guillermo gave Rose a small smile as she blushed lightly.
"Ah, Rose, I need you to relax. If you get tense, so does the ba- baby. Last I saw you, you were smoking. Have you quit that."
Rose and Guillermo shared a small confused frown at the doctor's word-stumbling.
"Yeah. I've been eating a lot of butterscotch's though."
"Any cravings?"
"Chile and chocolate milkshakes."
There was a pause in which Rose looked apprehensive and finally she spoke.
"Hey, Doc... I didn't find out I was pregnant til... til I was a little over a month in. And, like, I smoked that whole time. Sometimes a lot... and. Drank, on occasion."
"And you're concerned that it might have some ill effect on the baby? Well, Rose, the womb is an amazing contraption...You see, pregnancy tests are a rather new inventions. Women had to depend on their menstrual cycles to tell them. But, as you know, many things can effect the menstrual cycle: stress, poor diet, a poor sleep cycle-"
Guillermo listened intently, attempting to understand, but the activity of the female reproductive system was something he knew little about.
Maybe he should have listened during his high school Sex Ed. class, instead of shaking with silent laughter with Mimi in the back row, watching Franky Drushel pass out as the baby was born on screen.
"So, the body had to adapt. In the first trimester, before a woman is showing, the womb actually acts as a shield of sorts to protect the life inside it. Now, I want you to keep that in mind. At this point, stressing out about things you did in the first month of pregnancy, is actually more of a risk to the baby, than anything you actually did. If you were still smoking or drinking, then there would be course to worry. But as you are not, just relax."
Rose gave Guillermo a look that was both confused and suspicious.
"Alright, you two ready to see the little one?"
Guillermo nodded, his heart thudding loudly. He swallowed and looked at Rose, wondering if she was quite as anxious as he was.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose's body was frozen at the question. Was she ready? This sort of indicated a choice. Because, frankly, she wasn't ready. So, did that mean she could say no? But, what if there was something amiss, that could only be seen through the picture thing? What if she wasn't really pregnant, and this was just an oddly placed tumor messing with her hormones? Okay, yeah, Rose was going to Hell. She had just spent a second hoping her baby was a tumor... that did not seem normal.

Rose's eyes went to Guillermo, watching him nod. He looked terrified, but excited. This almost seemed right up his alley, even if he didn't know it. Not when they had first met, but... but now. Taking a deep breath, Rose nodded gently, so curt that it might not have been even noticed. Whether he saw or not, Doctor Briar went to the check up room door, waving at someone in the hall, before soon being followed back in with an ultrasound machine, which was on a cart. Rose watched the thing come in, stomach fluttering, though this could have been the baby or her gut, honestly.

Her face must have looked terrified, as the good Doctor chuckled, exhaling in a way that requested for Rose to do the same. When she did, Rose did in face feel better, having not realized that she was holding her breath. "Now, what are you two hoping for? Hrm?" Dr. Briar inquired, as the nurse began to set up the ultrasound station.

Rose could tell what he was doing. He was distracting her. And, even knowing this was a ploy, she was grateful. "Are we finding that out today?"

"Ohho, no, you're a bit early yet. But I'd bet you've been thinking on it..." He'd lose that bet. Rose hadn't really given gender much thought, more dwelling on the fact that a life was soon going to depend on her completely. The Doctor seemed to understand this, soon after he put down the bet. "Let me guess..." Rose's eyebrows shot up, as the Dr. Briar did not call her out on the lack of thought she had put forth. "Rose, you'd be wanting a boy, but you Guillermo would be wanting a girl...?" Actually, now that Rose thought about it, that sounded quite on point.

"Umm." She replied, sort of finding her voice. "Healthy?"

The doctor nodded, a wide grin on his face. "Spoken like a Mother." The comment, the compliment she supposed, made Rose's cheeks go red. But a small, private, smile reached her face.

Laying back, Rose took a deep breath, as the equipment seemed ready. Dr. Briar put on a pair of latex gloves, humming softly under his breath, before grabbing a bottle. Rose watched with curiosity, as he squirted the gel on her abdomen, the cold causing her to flinch. Her hand reached out for Guillermo, nerves searing through her, anxiety rampant.

Oh God.

This was happening.

This was really happening.

The gel warmed against her skin, as Dr. Briar spread it across her belly, grabbing the camera wand. Instantly, her eyes went to the screen, seeing only fuzzy black on it, as the ball of the wand was pressed against her. The little white and grey lines were almost nonsensical, as she tried to make heads or tails of it. Rose perched up on her elbows, trying to get a better look, a little flickering something coming into view. "Ahh, there's the hear-" The heart? Why did he stop? Rose looked at Dr. Briar, who's eyes narrowed a little, moving the wand on either side of her abdomen.

"Doc?" She asked, nervously, looking back at the screen. Rose was filled with dread. Was something wrong? Did something not look right? What was it? An extra arm? Or leg? One eye? WHAT?!

"Do you see that right there?" The Doctor spoke to both of them, pointing to the flickering. "That would be the baby's heart. Annnd..." He wiggled the wand from the top left of her stomach, to the bottom right. "So... is that." There it was. Another flicker. Rose's head cocked, looking at the little flicker.

What did that mean. Did her baby have two hearts?!? "How does that happen?"

"Oh, easy. You see, here is double of everything... four arms and legs instead of two, two heads instead of one, two torsos, to heads, complete with eyes and little mouths..." Oh God. No. No fucking way. But there it was, his finger tracing everything that he was saying. Arms, legs, heads, torsos... "It would seem that you are carrying a set of twins, Miss Rose."

Her reaction was so quick, Rose couldn't have stopped herself if she wanted to. With a quick CRACK that echoed in the room, the Doctor held his cheek with a puzzled expression, while Rose covered her mouth.

Shit.

She had just slapped her Doctor.

From behind her hand, Rose spoke in a quiet voice. "I'm sorry. That seemed to be a small over reaction. Did you say twins...?" Rose's voice was in a state of forced calm, the pitch rising a little, hand never unclenching from her face.

Grinning at Rose, despite the pink mark at his cheek, the Doctor nodded. "Congratulations."

"But I- I've heard the heart beat before..."

"Though it's rare, it's not unheard of that twins heartbeats sync. It would seem one of them wanted to hide for a bit..." Pressing the wand back against his stomach, Rose watched the screen again, as the forms of babies became clearer to her eyes. Shit. Shitshitshit. "After I take these measurements, are you two wanting prints?"

Rose didn't hear him, shocked face glued instead to the screen.

Twins.

She was having twins.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Now, what are you two hoping for? Hrm?"
He actually hadn't put a whole ton of thought into the baby's gender.
"Are we finding that out today?"
"Ohho, no, you're a bit early yet. But I'd bet you've been thinking on it... Let me guess... Rose, you'd be wanting a boy, but you Guillermo would be wanting a girl...?"
Guillermo was intrigued by this, because even though he hadn't put so much thought in, he really didn't want a son who would become just like him.
"Umm. Healthy?" Rose said almost timidly and he smiled at her.
The doctor smiled as well.
"Spoken like a Mother."
Rose blushed and gave a little smile.
Laying back, Rose took a deep breath, as the equipment seemed ready. Dr. Briar put on a pair of latex gloves, humming softly under his breath, before grabbing a bottle. Rose watched with curiosity, as he squirted the gel on her abdomen, the cold causing her to flinch. Her hand reached out for Guillermo, and he came to her side immediately, squeezing her fingers gently.
Dr. Briar spread the gel on her belly, grabbing the camera wand. Guillermo stared at the black screen, confused. How could anyone make sense of this?
"Ahh, there's the hear-"
Guillermo looked over at the doctor as he paused. Something wasn't right.
"Doc?" Rose had also noticed the hesitation and was starting to panic.
"Do you see that right there? That would be the baby's heart. Annnd...So... is that."
The doctor moved the wand from side to side and Guillermo watched, bewildered.
"How does that happen?" He could feel Rose's panic rising.
"Oh, easy. You see, here is double of everything... four arms and legs instead of two, two heads instead of one, two torsos, to heads, complete with eyes and little mouths...It would seem that you are carrying a set of twins, Miss Rose."
Guillermo sucked in a breath, his heart pounding.
Rose reached out and slapped the doctor, then proceeded to look quite apologetic.
"I'm sorry. That seemed to be a small over reaction. Did you say twins...?"
"Congratulations."
"Twins.." Guillermo's voice was very quiet, his brows bunched together in fear and worry.
"But I- I've heard the heart beat before..."
"Though it's rare, it's not unheard of that twins heartbeats sync. It would seem one of them wanted to hide for a bit... After I take these measurements, are you two wanting prints?"
There was an odd pressure in Guillermo's chest and throat. His vision blurred and he swayed a bit.
Two babies.
Two kids. He would be responsible for two human lives.
The room began to darken and Guillermo suddenly realized he had been holding his breath.
He hit his knees on the carpet.
"Oh, shit..."
Then there was nothing but darkness.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose, being the selfish little Rose that she was, did not look over to see how Guillermo was handling this. Mostly because, at the moment, she was far more concerned with how she was dealing with it. Doctor Briar froze the screen on the two little lives sitting in the womb, the picture no longer life, but of the fetuses. Just hanging out. Being fetuses together.

Twins.

She was having twins.

Her and Guillermo were having twins.

The sound of a slump happened behind her, as she felt Guillermo's hand slip away. Looking over, she saw him, on the ground. His eyes were open, but rolled to the back of his head. It took her a moment to realize he had fainted. The Doctor stopped what he was doing, rushing over to Guillermo's side, tapping on his face gently. Rose's eyes went back to the screen, looking at the screen again, finding the outlines of the faces. One of their hands seemed to be up. Like it was waving.

Hi Mama.

Hi Papa.

This is just me and my brother or sister, ready to smack the hell out of your life of selfishness.

In fact.

You know that life of selfishness that you've been leading? The one where you give no fucks about anyone but yourselves, except on the occasion, each other.

Say good bye to that, Mama and Papa.

Prepare to sacrifice your youth.

Your body.

Your vagina.

It's all gone now.

But we're here. Twins, the two of us.

How could a wave say so much? How could a wave be so terrifying? Grabbing some nearby paper towels, she wiped off her abdomen quickly, sliding off from the examination table. "Thank you Doc, as always, it's been an experience." She spoke dazedly, as Doctor Briar tried to rouse Guillermo.

She walked out, eyes round, her mind elsewhere. She wasn't ready for this. It was too real now. It was too... too. It was just too. This wasn't her. She wasn't a Mother. She was a lot of things, mind you. She was a bitch. She could be a slut, or an ice queen, had she had the mind. She had owned a dog for near a decade, but had been to self involved to have it even live with her! How could she be a Mother? How could she- And Guillermo. He had been trying to stay strong, but he couldn't even stay standing upon hearing there were two. She didn't blame him, but fuck. How could they do this?

Removing her shoes, Rose dropped them in the hall, leaving them. Fuckem. She didn't care. She needed to run. Darting easily through the doors, Rose darted down the corridor, dodging nurses and patients alike. Reaching the elevator, she pounced in, pushing the ground floor button frantically.

She had to get out.

Rose had to get out.

She couldn't breathe.

In fact, she was heaving, finger pressing the button so hard and fast that it hurt, face turning powder white from lack of oxygen reaching her lungs. Tears streamed slowly from her eyes, though they only saw that big G button. WHY WOULDN'T THE FUCKING THING CLOSE?

She couldn't-

She had to-

Fuck.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

The relief the darkness brought was short-lived. Now that he was breathing again, he awoke all too quickly. Jumping up, startled, he knocked over a very concerned Dr. Briar.
Guillermo looked around wildly.
"Where's Rose?"
Without waiting for an answer, he walked out of the room, ignoring the doctor calling to Guillermo his recommendation that he stay and rest for a moment.
His eyes dropped to Rose's shoes, abandoned on the floor.
Damnit..
He picked up her heels (she would thank him later) and raced down the hall.
He neared the elevator just as the doors slid shut.
Nearly slamming into the doors, he skidded to a stop.
"Fuck!"
Guillermo yelled angrily. A nearby mother covered her child's ears, throwing him a venomous glare.
Several people had actually stopped in their tracks, shocked and he quickly located the stairs, to avoid the looks.
Guillermo finally got all the way down and looked around for some sign of Rose. He spotted her as she was nearly sprinting out the door.
"Rose!"
Groaning, Guillermo ran after her, his head swimming a bit from his recent episode.
He finally caught her.
"Rose! Hey, hey, wait," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her to face him, "Rose, it's okay.. Just stop."

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose saw a glimpse of Guillermo, before the metallic door shut, her blue eyes meeting his brown ones for only a second. She had to calm down. She couldn't unravel like this. Rose just had to get home, and everything would be okay. She just needed her apartment, and her bed, and her pint of double fudge brownie almond ice cream. She needed to hide for a bit. Let this all settle in. And while thinking this would have calmed her before, would have helped her deal with this latest blow, Rose wasn't calmer. True, she seemed able to breath for the moment, but tears flowed steadily out of her eyes.

She was terrified.

The doors opened, and Rose started to make a beeline for her car. What about Guillermo? How would he get home? He'd call Seth. Seth wouldn't mind helping Guillermo, it was only Rose that he hated now. "Rose!" Damn, he was quick. Rose had forgotten about stairs for a moment there. Still, she carried on, eyes determinedly forward. She was ashamed. It was Rose who was putting Guillermo through it. Sure, it was his little... soldier... that did it. But it was her... eggo? And... shit. It didn't matter the exact science of it all, it was Rose's fault. And the point was, she wasn't ready for this. No more than Guillermo was. "Rose! Hey, hey, wait," Rose felt his hand grasp around her arms, and though she weakly tried to pull away to continue her fleeing, Guillermo pulled her to face him. "Rose, it's okay.. Just stop."

Rose looked up at him, tearfully incredulous. "What about this is okay? I- I can't Guillermo! I don't know how!" Her lip trembled pitifully, torn between wanting to fall into him and to yank herself away and run to freaking Jersey. Oh yes, it was that bad. Rose Mercer, the Brooklyn Brat, wanted to flee to New fucking Jersey. How was he looking so strong!? Rose was the strong one, dammit!

But, in hindsight, she really wasn't.

Them meeting for the first time was because she was left helpless, locked out of her apartment.

Sniffling, she took a deep breath, the air feeling so thick and constricting to her. "Twins... there were two! Are two! I saw them! Two babies! Guillermo... ¿Cómo podemos hacer esto? No sé cómo ser una madre! Yo no soy fuerte como tú!" Rose felt weak, and stupid, and scared. She fell into Guillermo's chest, crying gently. Not a weep, but a more private, intimate, cry. She didn't want to be a spectacle. "Soy estúpido y egoísta! Yo apenas empezó a aceptar que ¡Te quiero! ¿Cómo voy a nuture dos bebés?" She muttered into his neck, the shoulder of his shirt becoming increasingly wetter.

The tear flow lightened, and she just stood there in the hospital lobby, holding Guillermo. Letting Guillermo hold her. No longer trying to run. "¿Qué vamos a hacer, Cariño?"

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"What about this is okay? I- I can't Guillermo! I don't know how!"
"Shhh!"
She was struggling to leave, but his grip was firm. He brushed his thumbs under her eyes, wiping the tears, but new ones took their place.
"Twins... there were two! Are two! I saw them! Two babies! Guillermo... ¿Cómo podemos hacer esto? No sé cómo ser una madre! Yo no soy fuerte como tú! Soy estúpido y egoísta! Yo apenas empezó a aceptar que ¡Te quiero! ¿Cómo voy a nuture dos bebés?"
She fell against him, crying softly. Guillermo wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
"¿Qué vamos a hacer, Cariño?"
Well, that was just the question of the year!
"Rose, I'm not going to lie. I have no idea what we're gonna do. I'm terrified! But we've made it through so far. I think we can do this. I love you and I want to help. We will figure this out, okay? Everything will turn out alright."
It had started as a pep talk for Rose, but as he continued to speak, he found that he actually believed his words.
He pulled her close and kissed her forehead gently.
"Te amo, mi vida."