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.

in order!” She laughs, “you’re

boys scamper off towards it. As I begin to follow, she stops me with a

know. I count my blessings every day.” I catch up with my boys at the door and wrap each up in a

I said. “Try hard, of course, but overall you must remember to have fun, and be polite.” I narrow my eyes at

Alvin says,

here,” Ian says, looking at me a little wistfully. “I

“We’ve talked about this, boys. Your father is a great man, but he’s very busy – he’s out there doing big, big work, and helping people. He loves you,” I say, hoping, deep down, that it’s not a lie. “He just needs

away

hands wrapped together in my lap, my legs bouncing with anticipation. I try to

behind a podium. Their answer

shouts enthusiastically, and the crowd goes wild, me included. I am on my feet clapping for my boys,

says, “On to the final round! Congratulations, Ian and Alvin Ortega – you have the chance to

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 despite their

announcer says. Stagehands scatter and I

we get into the final level, let’s take a moment to get to know our newest contestants. Alvin and Ian,” the 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

Ian, and

“And what will you do, if you win Quiz Nation? Spend your money on big

crowd hushes awkwardly. I huff out a breath of air and paste

busy, but we want him to know

you already,” the announcer says, a little stiffly, and

competition continues, heating up as the twins fend off question after