Keeping promises isn't easy
Zoey was sitting next to Chase while James's kids played on the floor. Becky was the oldest and behaved just like her mother. Lisa was the middle child and was quiet most of the time. Laura was Zoey's favorite of all the children. She was smart, funny, and independent even thought she was the third youngest. Chase favored Ann. Even though she was only three she was the only girl that didn't need a nightlight.
James and his daughters had been there for one day. Zoey was already worried about how her empathy towards people who were depressed would affect the baby. She kept herself together by holding Marissa was a very happy baby considering the world she was brought into. It was late in the evening and it was time for Ann to take a bath and for Marissa to be but to bed.
Zoey said "Chase I'll give Ann a bath can you put the baby to bed please."
Chase said "alright Zoe but if she needs her diaper changed your doing it."
Zoey laughed and said "if you plan on being a father in less than 24 hours you are going to change her diaper. I think you need practice. No you're not allowed to ask James to change it. He needs a break we will handle everything until he's back on his feet."
James said "Zoey I feel guilty that you are taking care of my children. You and Chase have so much to do to get ready for your own baby. I should at least put my baby to bed."
Zoey said "alright but Chase has to help. Here she is James your beautiful little one. Nicole would be proud of you."
James said "why would she be proud of me? I'm mooching off my friends. She wanted me to raise the kids on my own. The girls and I will only stay for one more day. Then I will do what Nicole asked me before she died."
Zoey lightly kissed James on the cheek and said "just go put your baby to sleep. I'll give Ann a bath."
Meanwhile Lola was sitting on the couch in tears. She had just asked Michael again for sex and he said no. Michael always said no when ever Lola asked because a doctor told him that she wouldn't live through labor.
Michael said "Lola baby I just don't want to lose you. I love you more then my life. I'm afraid that if we try to have a baby it might kill you. I want you to promise me that you won't ask me for sex again."
Lola sniffed "Michael I don't know if I can stop asking. I just want to hold a baby in my arms just once. Do you want to know why I didn't want Marissa staying with us? I was jealous and angry. Nicole was a big flirt and she got everything she wanted! I was true to you and I have nothing to show for it."
Michael said "if you don't ask me for two months then we can adopt a child. Now let's see you smile again. That's much better Zoey and Chase invited everyone to go out for dinner that should help take your mind off things."
Lola said "I'm not going! I can't look at Zoey and not hate her for having the blessing that I want. She's been blessed with the gift to have a child. If you want me to stop asking you for two months then I need to stay away from Zoey."
Michael said "Lola you're being immature come for dinner and forget about babies. It's not like you to focus on one thing and forget the rest of your life.
Lola said "alright I'll go but don't expect me to have an easy time keeping this promise Michael. This is going to be the hardest thing you've ever asked me to do. You're so lucky that I love you or I wouldn't be willing to do this."
Michael kissed her gently and said "that's my little Lola now get changed and meet me in the car."
Lola changed out of her sweats and sweatshirt and put on a summer dress and heels. Then she grabbed her purse and walked out to the car. When they got to the restaurant Chase was making Zoey promise to do something that wouldn't be easy for her.
Chase said "Zoe I just want you to help James get a girlfriend. Face it he can't raise those kids on his own. He doesn't even know how to change a diaper. His girls need a mother Laura as independent as she is needs a mom."
Zoey said I really don't think I can do this. Its wrong Chase he's not ready to date again we need to respect that. I have morals even if you don't and I'm not helping you."
Lola and Michael had just sat down when Zoey screamed and clutched Chase's hand. Everyone looked at her concerned about her sudden out burst of pain.
Chase said "Zoey I think we need to get you to the doctor now!"
Zoey squeezed Chase's hand again and said "Chase the baby's coming! I knew we shouldn't have gone out tonight."
Chase said "Zoe you're going to be ok. Just promise me that you won't go any where. If I lost you I don't know what I'd do. I'll be in the room right beside you and so will Michael. We won't leave no matter what happens."
Michael took Zoey's hand and said "I know you're scared because it's your first time. You can trust me and Chase that you'll be alright because you're a brave strong girl."
Zoey started to cry because she was frightened and in pain. Chase held her and motioned for Michael to help carry her to the car. Zoey wanted Chase to sit with her but when Michael started driving he drove too fast and she got sick. Chase insisted that he would drive. That left Michael sitting next to Zoey trying to get her to breathe normally and stop hyperventilating.
When they got to the hospital Chase got out of the car and tried to carry Zoey inside without getting her hair in her own vomit that was all over his shirt.
Zoey said "Chase It's not going to wait for you! Don't worry about my hair it'll wash out. However if this kid hits the ground because you were being too careful I'll kill you!"
Chase gave up and handed Zoey to Michael who carried her inside quickly. A nurse got her into an open room. Then she asked Chase to fill out some forms. Zoey was in a large amount of pain but she was trying to keep a smile on her face.
One hour later a nurse came into the hall and said "Mr. Matthews she's under a lot of stress. Is there anyone here who can get her to relax?"
Chase said "The one person who can refuses to go in because she can't have a baby of her own. Let me talk to her I'll get her to calm down."
Chase went into the room that Zoey was in. Zoey's face was coated with sweat but at least now her breathing was normal. Chase held her hand as soon as she felt his touch she relaxed.
Chase asked "are you alright Zoe? I want you to close your eyes. Picture something or someone that makes you feel comfortable. I promise Zoey that Michael and I won't leave."
Zoey said "Chase I did what you said I think I saw Nicole. Do you still have that picture of all of us at the Christmas party? I think that thinking about her might make it easier."
Chase said "that picture is in the car Zoe. I'll send Logan out to get it. If he can't find it I have a wallet sized one in my pocket of just you and her."
Zoey said "that might actually help me more. I really miss her Chase. I wish that she was standing here beside me."
Chase said "Zoe she is right beside you. As long as you remember her she will always be right inside your heart."
Zoey said "Chase shut up and just hold my hand. I'm starting to have contractions again. The nurse said that they'd stopped because I was panicking. Now I'm completely relaxed and know that I can bring my first child into the world."
Chase said "that's great Zoe. I'll be right back I just need to get Michael ok."
Zoey said "Chase get a nurse to please! Hurry it's not going to wait for you!"
Chase found a nurse and told her that Zoey's baby was coming. Then he found Michael and told him that Zoey needed him. Michael started to get up and follow Chase but Lola pulled him back into the chair.
Michael said "Lola I promised Zoey that I'd be right beside her the whole time. I should have been in there earlier. This is really stupid of you to do Lola. You were never so selfish at PCA! If you were really her friend you would let me go in there."
By the time Michael ran into the room Zoey was holding two beautiful babies in her arms. Tears filled Zoey's eyes and Chase glared at him.
Chase said "here Zoe just let me take Katie from you. Michael you said you'd be here. Lucky for you I was able to stay. I'm not taking to you Michael until you learn the meaning of your word!"
Zoey was holding their other daughter Nicole. She held her close to her heart and whispered "hush my little one. Chase you woke Nicole. You and Michael need to stop fighting. I hate it when my friends fight. I need you Chase. How can you support me if you and Michael are fighting?"
Michael said "Zoey I messed up. I should have been here Chase is right. I will make it up to you. Chase I'll drive back to the apartment and get you a clean shirt. Zoey would you like anything?"
Zoey said "Michael you don't owe me anything. Just hurry and get Chase a clean shirt the smell of my own vomit is making me sick."
Michael ran to the apartment and grabbed Chase a clean shirt. Then he went into a drug store and bought Zoey a large bundle of yellow roses and a card that said "welcome little strangers from heaven above you have been given to someone to love."
When he got back to the hospital he found Lola sitting in the room with Zoey. She seemed happy until Zoey handed her Nicole to her for a minute so she could take Katie from Chase.
Lola snapped "how could you do this to me! I thought you were my friend Zoey but then you get something I want and can't have ever and you dangle it in front of me! Michael I'm taking a bus home I can't stand to be around you guys right now!"
Michael said "hey Lola this isn't just about the baby is it? I think you miss Nicole a lot more then the rest of us. I also can tell that you're scared because you know that the same thing could happen to you if you ever decide to have a baby. I'm here for you Lola and I always will be here for you."
Lola said "this is tough for me. Maybe I can go a month with out asking for sex but not two months. I feel like I caused you to break your promise to Zoey. When Nicole was still alive keeping my word was easy. Now when I feel lost I only have you, Chase, and Zoey to grab a hold of when I feel scared. Nicole was my strong hold my rock. She told me it didn't matter if I could have a baby or not because she would always have my back."
Zoey said "Lola you should have figured out that you have more friends you will always have your back. I know this isn't easy but things will go back to normal."
Chase said "Lola Zoey and I work late. We were hoping that we'd be able to find a baby sitter. Zoey however doesn't want to leave her babies with a strange woman. You are like family so I was wondering if you wanted to baby sit for us."
Lola said "That would really mean a lot to me. I'm sorry for the way I acted Zoe. I would be glad to baby sit anytime you need me."
Michael said "that's much better Lola now you won't be so obsessed with having a baby."
Zoey whispered "I think that was the idea Michael. Lola please hold Katie for me. I want to hold Nicole for awhile."
Lola took Katie from Zoey and smiled at her friend. Zoey laughed and hugged Chase who didn't want to put Nicole in her arms."
Chase said "when you and I were going to school together I never dreamed that we'd be living together. Now things are almost perfect I love you Zoey. Just promise me something. Promise that you and I will always be together."
Zoey sighed and said "Chase people change. I can't promise that we'll always be together but what I can promise is that I will always love you."
Chase said "I can deal with that. When do the doctors think that you can home?"
Zoey said "the nurse said I can go home in three weeks. They just want to make sure that the babies are healthy."
Lola said "you have such sweet kids. Nicole has your eyes Zoe but she has Chase's smile."
Michael laughed and said "Katie is going to be just like her father. I can feel it plus I see just a little of bush hair growing in already."
Lola smiled at Zoey and said "Nicole would be proud of you Zoe. You're going to be a great mother. Chase needs a little work in the father department but you'll help him out."
Chase said "put a sock in it Lola. Unlike James I know how to change a diaper. I know that Zoey and I will raise great kids."
Michael laughed and said "Lola and I should head home and let Zoey rest. Good luck Chase on trying to prove to Lola that you can be a great father."
Chase watched Lola and Michael leave with their arms around each other. He turned to Zoey and smiled at her when he realized that she'd fallen asleep. He carefully took both of his children in his arms and kissed them on the cheeks.
Then a nurse came in and said "Mr. Matthews I need to take the babies to the nursery. You can come see your wife in the morning. She needs to get some sleep we were not planning on her having twins. Katie was a surprise and you are very lucky to have her."
Chase asked "how do you know which one came first?"
The nurse said "Just a lucky guess. That and she almost hit the floor when I was wiping Nicole off."
Chase said "we'll I should be going home and let you get back to work."
Then the nurse said "no stay for a while help me pick out cribs for your kids. I wish my husband was this devoted to me when I was having my babies."
Chase was confused but he said "alright where's the nursery."
The nurse led Chase into a room wall to wall with cribs. Chase put Nicole in one of the cribs and the nurse put Katie in the other one. After the nurse left he smiled at his children. He had to prove to Michael that he could be a good father. Katie gazed up at him with loving eyes. And Nicole smiled a little baby smile. Chase had never been happier he kissed his babies goodnight. Then he left the nursery so his babies and his wife could get some rest.