Chapter 156 – Amara POV
Twice the Surprise
I could barely keep still in the car as we pulled up to Arya and Damon's place. My fingers were tangled together in my lap, and Ethan kept glancing at me like I might throw up all over the dashboard. Again.
"You sure you don't want to wait?" he asked as he turned off the ignition. "We can tell them next week."
I gave him a sharp look. "I've already waited days. I need Arya to know before I explode. She'll murder me if she finds out through someone else."
He chuckled. "Fair point. But try not to cry this time, okay?"
I swatted his arm. "You're the one who sobbed when the doctor said 'twins.'"
"I did not sob. I got emotional."
"You choked like a man watching the final scene of a sad drama."
He smirked and leaned over to kiss me. "Let's go, Mama."
I inhaled deeply.
Mama.
The word still gave me chills.
We stepped out and walked toward the house. It was a warm Saturday afternoon, the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls already wafting through the windows. That meant Arya was baking again—which only ever happened when she was happy or stressed.
She was glowing when she opened the door, her belly visibly round now at almost eight months. "You're late!"
"I blame your nephew or niece," I said, pointing at my stomach with a grin.
Arya blinked. "Wait—what?"
Damon appeared behind her, his arm casually draped around her waist. "Is she talking in riddles again?"
"No," I said with a wide smile. "Can we come in?"
Arya stepped aside quickly, her eyes flickering between Ethan and me as we entered. I could already feel her gaze narrowing, her instincts kicking in.
We sat on the couch, and she brought over glasses of juice. The air was a little too quiet as she lowered herself slowly into the seat opposite me.
Ethan nudged my knee. "Go on."
I bit my lip, then looked directly at Arya. "Okay. So, remember last week when I came over and threw up twice after lunch?"
She narrowed her eyes. "You said it was food poisoning."
"Turns out…" I paused for effect, my heart pounding. "I'm pregnant."
For a moment, silence.
Then Arya gasped so loudly that Damon startled. "You're what?!"
"Pregnant," I repeated, unable to hide my grin.
She squealed, launching forward like she'd forgotten she had a baby belly of her own. Ethan leapt to his feet just in time to catch her mid-waddle-hug.
"I knew it!" she cried, gripping me tightly. "I knew something was off that day. Oh my God, Amara! You're pregnant?!"
I laughed into her shoulder. "Yes! We just found out a few days ago."
Damon stood slowly, blinking like someone just slapped him with a pillow. "Wait—my little sister is pregnant?"
"Apparently," Ethan replied, grinning.
Arya finally sat back, her eyes shimmering. "I'm so happy for you."
"There's more," I added, biting my lower lip.
Her eyes widened. "More?"
Ethan pulled out the ultrasound photo and handed it to her.
She stared at it for a second.
Then looked at me.
Then stared again.
"There are… two."
"Twins," I confirmed, nearly giggling at her expression.
Arya blinked rapidly. "Twins?"
Damon walked over and took the photo from her hand. "As in… double the babies?"
Ethan nodded. "Two heartbeats. Two babies. Confirmed."
Arya covered her mouth. "Twins! Amara, that's… that's incredible!"
Then she burst into tears.
"Oh no," I whispered, crawling over to her side. "Are you crying because you're happy or hormonal?"
"Both," she sobbed, hugging me again. "You're going to be such an amazing mom. I just know it."
I hugged her tighter, my own eyes burning.
It hit me then—really hit me. I wasn't just going to be an aunt or a sister or someone's wife.
I was going to be a mother.
And Arya would be there. Just like she always was.
Damon sat beside Ethan, who looked proud in that quiet, smug way of his.
"When did you find out?" Damon asked.
"Yesterday," Ethan replied. "We went in to check things out because she's been eating everything in the fridge and getting queasy in the mornings."
"I just thought I had a weird stomach bug," I added sheepishly.
"And you didn't tell us immediately?" Arya huffed.
"I wanted to be sure."
"Well, now I'm going to throw you a baby shower too."
"And now that you have two! One for each of them! Joint shower!"
"She'll go overboard," Damon muttered. "Brace yourself."
"I'm scared," Ethan said, laughing.
Arya turned to me again, her eyes soft. "You're okay, right? Not too overwhelmed?"
I nodded. "I was at first. But now… I'm just excited. Nervous, but excited."
"I remember that feeling," she said, resting her hands on her belly. "It doesn't fully go away, but it becomes something beautiful. Especially when you feel them move."
I smiled. "I can't wait for that part."
"Just wait until they both kick your bladder at once," Arya said, snickering.
We spent the rest of the afternoon talking, eating, and laughing. Damon grilled, Arya made mocktails, and Ethan never stopped smiling.
And me?
I finally felt like I was standing on solid ground.
Surrounded by family.
Loved, supported, and stronger than ever.