“Oh good,” said a very exhausted Meg.
Ginny kissed Meg on the head and then walked over to where the babies were being tended. “Patrick, can you massage my hand?” she asked quietly.
“Yes,” said Patrick. He started working her hand and quickly realized that she had a broken metacarpal. He pulled and tugged it back into place. As he did so, Martha looked over and nodded.
“You okay?” Martha asked.
“Yeah. Didn’t think she was that strong,” said Ginny wincing.
“She is. Luc has a real prize in that woman,” Martha said. “Same with these babies. Almost four weeks early yet good weight and very healthy. I was afraid we’d have to put them in the incubators, but so far, no reason to.”
Ginny smiled. Patrick was gently rubbing her hand to ease the pain.
“Do you have names for these babies?” asked Martha over her shoulder.
“Yes. Linsey and Elliot,” said Luc.
“What kinds of names are those for babies?” asked Patrick.
Ginny laughed. “They’re the names of the mountains they climbed when they first met,” she said.
“You didn’t!” said Martha.
Meg and Luc just nodded. They had talked for hours about names. Family names, favorite names, names to avoid and finally they decided on variations on two of the mountains they climbed on that first camping trip.
“Well, it’s better than what my mom did after the sixth baby,” said one of the nurses.
“Oh?” asked Meg who was finally relaxing.
“Yeah. Septem and Octo is what she named them. She just ran out of ideas,” said the nurse.
“Oh god! Those poor kids,” said Patrick.
“Yeah. Sep didn’t have it so bad being a boy, but Octo is still pissed at mom thirty years later. She changed her name to Olivia at school and refuses to answer if mom calls her anything else,” said the nurse. That made everyone laugh.
“Well, Linsey weighs 5lbs, 1 oz. and is 18 inches long. Elliot is a bruiser at 5lbs, 2. 5 oz. And 19 inches long,” said Martha. She had both babies partially cleaned up and wrapped in warming blankets. She walked over and put the babies in Meg’s arms. Then she motioned for everyone else to leave the room and let the new parents have some time alone.
Ginny kissed Luc and Meg and then the babies. Patrick did the same. “We’ll make all the calls,” said Ginny.
“Okay. Don’t be surprised if my Mom screams and my sister hangs up on you,” said Meg. Her family hadn’t taken to Luc and his extended family very well. Meg hadn’t been surprised, and didn’t expect much out of them.
“Alright. They’re first on my list. We’ll check in with you in the morning,” said Ginny as they headed out the door.
Luc looked down at his two babies. Elliot was dark like him while Linsey looked to be a redhead. He touched the babies and then stroked Meg’s face.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“That’s a stupid question,” she said laughing softly. “I’ve just given birth to two babies after nearly fifteen hours of labor and you ask if I’m okay?”
“You know what I mean. I know you hurt, but are you okay?” he asked again a little lost for words.
“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.