I made two wishes in the Trevi Fountain and got twins
tion. I knew it was foolish but at the same time I was thrilled to think I might be having a baby.”
Then came the eight-week scan... and a second surprise for Monica.
She continued: “The sonographer turned the screen around. He showed me my baby, then moved the wand slightly and said, ‘And here’s the other one’. I thought he was joking and a friend with me burst into tears, which set the nurse off crying too! I wasn’t just going to be a mum, but a mum of twins. I was so shocked.
“When I told Anita, she screeched down the phone with excitement and joked she owned the babies because the four euros I’d used to wish for them were hers! I told the father of the twins and he was really good about it.
“Despite us not being in a relationship, he said he would support me.”
After discovering she was having two girls at her 16-week scan, Monica started stocking up on the essentials.
At 37 weeks, she was classed as fullterm and was induced. But when one of the placentas ruptured, she was rushed into theatre for an emergency C-section. Non-identical twins Athena and Luna both weighed in at a healthy 5lb 5oz. Thrilled Monica said: “When I met them for the first time and held them both in my arms, it was such a strange feeling. They were so beautiful, I couldn’t stop gazing at them.
“Two days later I turned 42 and my daughters were the best birthday presents I could ask for.
“Becoming a mother hasn’t worked out the way I always imagined it would and I know there will be tough times ahead, especially being a single mum, but I have a lot of love to give to Athena and Luna.
“I’m so grateful to Anita for giving me her money to throw in the fountain. She helped make my wish – or wishes – come true. Something she won’t let me forget in a hurry!”