Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 4 – Quiz Nation

I wave goodbye to Melissa, my client, as she wipes her eyes and walks to her car. She’s going to be all right – but wow, what an exhausting session.

As she drives away I click my phone open and check my email, pleased to see that the confirmation I was looking for is there. “Boys!” I call, “get your shoes!”

My children clatter around in the living room before spilling into the hallway, Ian hopping on one foot as he pulls on his sneaker. Alvin carries his shoes carefully and sits down to tie his laces. “What’s happening, mama?”

I feign surprise, teasing them. “What, didn’t you want to go to the quiz show?”

“Really, mama?!” Ian’s face lights up and he throws himself against me in a hug. “We can really go?!”

I laugh and hug him back as Alvin joins us. “Well, you earned it, and I could use a break from my work. I contacted the show and it’s all real – you earned your place. Since you qualified together, though, you have to play as one. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes!” they say together, two pairs of bright brown eyes smiling up at me.

“Okay, into the car!” I say, smacking their bums as they pass. Off we go.

“Alvin and Ian Ortega,” the receptionist says, her eyes wide. “This…this is them?”

I nod, a hand on the shoulder of each boy. “Yes,” I say. “Is there a problem?”

“No,” she says, shaking her head, surprise clear on her face. “They’re just so…young. You know,” she tears her eyes away from them and looks at me, “most of the contestants on this show are…adults. Doctors. Lawyers. Educated people.”

“It’s not a mistake!” Alvin chimes in. “We qualified!” He slips his printed-out paper onto the desk. Ian gives the receptionist a gap-toothed grin.

taking up the paper. “I guess…everything’s in order!” She laughs, “you’re the youngest

backstage door and the boys scamper off towards it. As I begin to follow, she stops me with a light hand on my arm. “You know, you really are lucky,” she

at her and gently pull my arm away. “Thanks,” I say. “I know. I count my blessings every day.” I catch

you must remember to have

Alvin says, smiling his

at me a little wistfully. “I want him to be

big, big work, and helping people. He loves you,” I say, hoping, deep down, that it’s not a lie. “He just needs to be somewhere else. But he’s

a stagehand calls “Ortega?” from the backstage area. I gently push the boys forward and watch them run away to be prepared in hair in makeup, or whatever they do. I shrug and

with my hands wrapped together in my lap, my legs bouncing with anticipation. I try to keep my face smooth so that if the boys look out into the audience they will find their mother placid and serene. Ha, what

on stage behind a podium. Their answer appears in text on

and then… “Yessssssssss!” The announcer shouts enthusiastically, and the crowd goes wild, me included. I am on my feet clapping for my boys, shouting

Alvin Ortega – you have the chance to be champions of Quizzzzz Nation! We’ll be back, after

a new set of podiums where they will face the previous champion, a scientist from LA. He generously shakes hands with the boys, who, I am pleased to see, greet him politely

says. Stagehands scatter

announcer says, leaning casually against their podium. “You are our youngest contestants ever and have, amazingly, made it to the final round on your first try. To what do you owe your

is real smart,” says Ian, and the crowd

them, charmed. “And what will you do, if you win Quiz Nation? Spend your money

crowd hushes awkwardly. I huff out a breath of air and paste a smile on my face. What is

says Alvin. “Our dad is real busy, but

of you already,” the announcer says, a little stiffly, and then moves on the show.

as the