The days seemed to stretch endlessly for Talia. Her belly had grown round and heavy, the twins kicking and shifting like they were eager to meet the world, but her body was protesting every movement. Morning sickness that had once been a fleeting visitor now lingered longer, waves of nausea rolling through her even in the late afternoons. Sleep was a stranger, replaced by restless tossing and waking to a thousand little aches.
"Mia, I swear, if one more person asks me if I'm carrying triplets, I might just scream," Talia groaned, sinking onto the worn couch in their tiny apartment. Her feet throbbed, swollen from standing too long during her recent fashion gig.
Mia plopped down beside her with a sympathetic smile. "Well, you *are* making it look like a full-blown circus in there. Twins aren't easy, you know."
Talia gave a bitter chuckle, rubbing her temple. "Easy would be too much to ask for. I feel like my body is revolting. And you know what the worst part is? I don't even have Ethan around. He doesn't know. Not yet."
Mia's eyes softened. "Hey, you're doing all this alone, but you're not alone, alright? I'm here. We'll get through this."
Talia's smile cracked through her exhaustion. "Thanks, Mia. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Yet beneath the humor and friendship, Talia felt the heavy burden of uncertainty. The baby bump was growing every day, and with it, the whirlwind of questions , how would she manage? Would Ethan even care when he found out? Could she really be a good mother on her own?
Each night, she whispered promises to Zane and Luna before drifting off, willing them to be strong and healthy. The weight of waiting was hard, but her heart was fuller than ever.
Talia shuffled to the kitchen, leaning heavily on the counter as a sharp cramp shot through her side. She winced but didn't want to worry Mia. "I think the twins are trying to break out early," she joked weakly.
Mia glanced over, concern flickering in her eyes. "You've been pushing yourself too hard with those gigs, T. You need to rest."
"Rest?" Talia scoffed. "I'm a designer, not a queen."
Mia laughed but reached for Talia's hand. "You're gonna be a queen soon, queen of the chaos called motherhood."
Later that night, after Mia left, Talia sat in the quiet apartment, tracing circles on her swollen belly. She whispered, "Hang in there, little ones. Mommy's gonna give you the best life. Somehow."
And somewhere deep inside, despite the aches and fears, a stubborn hope burned. Because even if the future was uncertain, love was already growing, big and fierce enough to hold them all.
The next morning, Mia stormed into Talia's apartment like a tornado, holding a giant smoothie and wearing socks with cartoon tacos on them. "Okay, Mama Bear, listen up! You're carrying future fashion icons AND tiny troublemakers. That means no slacking."
Talia groaned, still tangled in her blanket. "Mia, I can barely stand up without feeling like I'm auditioning for a wrestling match."
Mia plopped down beside her, shaking the smoothie like it was a potion. "Exactly! So here's the plan: You drink this magical green sludge, take a power nap, and I'm gonna babysit your cravings. No late-night donut runs, understood?"
Talia raised an eyebrow. "Who died and made you the boss?"
Mia winked. "Me. Also, your unpaid life coach. Now drink!"
Talia chuckled, taking the smoothie. "Fine, Coach. But if I turn into a kale leaf, I'm blaming you."
Mia grinned. "Deal. But kale is just leaf confetti for your babies' party."
---
Talia sank onto the couch, propping her feet up like a queen in her tiny kingdom. "Carrying one baby is tough. Twins? I swear, it's like having two tiny gymnasts practicing synchronized swimming in my belly."
Mia flopped beside her, holding two cups of tea. "Double the trouble, double the cute. You're basically a superhero."
Talia snorted. "Superhero? More like walking soufflé, one wrong move and I'll collapse."
Suddenly, Luna gave a karate chop kick, and Zane followed with a punch. "Okay, okay! I get it, babies. You're not letting me forget."
Mia laughed, "They probably want matching designer outfits already."
"Great, now I'm planning baby couture for the womb," Talia groaned. "Send help. Or a nap."
Mia gave her a fist bump. "You got this, mama. And I'm here, your personal cheerleader-slash-snack-fetcher."
Talia smiled, feeling a rush of love, for her best friend, the babies, and this crazy, messy life ahead.