“Yes. I hurt and I’m happy and I love you and our babies so much,” she said.
Luc tried to figure out how to wrap his arms around everyone. It wasn’t elegant, but he managed. Then the two babies started to nuzzle Meg.
“Um, Luc, would you get Martha?” Meg asked. “I’m not sure how to start this breastfeeding.”
“I’ll be right back,” he said and ran for the nurses station. He came back with Martha in tow and in a few minutes, both babies had figured out how to latch on. Martha gave Meg some further instructions and then left the two new parents alone again until the next micro crisis.
*
Angie’s cell phone rang. Sleepily she reached over for it. It was Ginny’s number on the Caller ID. “Babies!” she thought.
“Hello?” she answered. “Oh Great!” she shouted. “Yes. Wonderful. Give them our love and we’ll see them soon. Yes, I’ll tell George. Thanks! Love you!” Angie said and closed her cell phone.
“Two healthy babies, Elliot and Linsey,” George said having heard most of the conversation.
“Yes. Born about an hour ago. Both just over five pounds and no need for incubators even though they were early,” said Angie as she snuggled back into the covers.
George smiled and wrapped Angie in his arms. While there were no babies in their future, there were plenty to love and take care of in the family.
Sam and Lewis were having a late night cup of tea when Ginny called. “No, don’t worry. I wasn’t asleep anyway. Lewis and I have been sittin’ here talkin’,” Sam said as Ginny apologized at the other end of the line. “So, tell me everything,” said Sam. She sat and listened for a few minutes. Sam nodded a few times and then listened again. “Okay. Well give everyone my love and I’ll see you in a week or so,” Sam said and hung up the phone.
“I take it that the babies have arrived?” said Lewis.
“Yes. A boy and a girl. Elliot and Linsey. Both about five pounds and healthy as can be,” said Sam with a grin on her face.
“Well, this deserves more than a cup of tea,” said Lewis. He stood up and walked over to the small bar area in the room and poured two whiskeys. He handed one glass to Sam and then they raised them.
“To newborn pups and long lived families,” said Lewis in a toast.
“To Meg and Luc,” responded Sam. They clinked glasses and drank the whiskey. As Sam put her glass down, Lewis did something he’d wanted to do for days and hadn’t had the courage to do. He pulled Sam into his arms and kissed her. To his surprise, she kissed back.
*
“Wez has cuzins?” shouted Sara, Joe and Ivan the next morning when Ginny and Patrick told them the news.
“Yes. Linsey and Elliot,” said Patrick.
“Yeah! Lidze and Elot!” shouted the three of them as they bounced around the kitchen.
Ginny just laughed and shook her head. Patrick rolled his eyes and hoped that the three of them would settle down soon.
After the three ran outside to play, Patrick poured himself a cup of coffee and one for Ginny.
“Have you called Meg’s family yet?” he asked.
“Just about to. I’m going to try the sister first. Should be fast and easy,” said Ginny.
Patrick nodded and sat down to watch.
Ginny dialed the number. “Hello, This is Ginny, Luc’s cousin. Meg and Luc had twins early this morning and I…” she said stopping in midstream. “Fine. I won’t,” she finished and hung up. “That has got to be the rudest woman I have ever talked to in my life!” said Ginny. “No wonder we’ve never met her.”
“Oh?” asked Patrick. He’d heard exactly what the woman on the phone had said and it didn’t take good hearing as she had been shouting.
“Yeah. Here’s hoping mom is better,” said Ginny as she dialed. “Hello, This is Ginny, Luc’s cousin,” said Ginny as she started to hold the phone away from her ear. “Yes, they had the babies. Yes, everyone’s okay. No, I don’t know when they’ll be home, but I’ll call as soon as I know if Meg doesn’t call you first. Okay. Yes. Sure. Okay. Bye,” said Ginny. She put the phone down and rubbed her ear.
“Well, Meg did say she’d probably shout,” said Patrick.
“I think I’ve heard calmer Jack Russell terriers,” said Ginny.
Patrick laughed. “Do you think she’ll fly out to see her new grandbabies?” he asked.
“Oh yes. That’s why I have to call her when I know they’ll be home,” said Ginny.
“That will be interesting. I take it she doesn’t know?” asked Patrick.
“Nope. Neither the mom or the sister know. And before you ask, I have no idea why the sister is such a bitch. Meg said she’s always been like that,” said Ginny.
*
Three days after the babies were born, Luc brought his new family home. Jeff had wanted to make sure there were no problems since the babies were early. There weren’t. While Linsey and Elliot were a bit small, they were healthy.
Luc opened the car door and helped Meg up. She was still sore and felt a bit off balanced. Now she carried the weight of the babies in her arms. Each of them took a baby and they moved inside.
“Oh my god,” said Meg as she walked into the living room. Everywhere she looked there were flowers, cards and gifts. “I… I thought this was all over with the baby showers?” she said looking at the gifts as she walked slowly into the room.
“So did I,” said Luc. “Let’s get you and the babies settled and then we can figure all of this out.”
“Okay,” said Meg. “I just want to curl up on the couch and nurse them.”
“Whatever you want,” said Luc. He was still amazed at the babies. The first night after they were born, he’d shifted and howled his delight until Martha threatened him with a rolled up newspaper. Then he curled up with Meg and the babies and slept.
Meg settled on the couch and after a moment had both babies nursing quietly. She knew she’d have to start feeding them in shifts as they got bigger, but for now it was easy. Her milk had come in that morning and it felt very good to let the babies nurse.