Chapter 4

Life After the Visit

Sorry all….Tennis …. NCAA Basketball ….and Life sort of got in the way

New babies…new Shoes…. new Car…...new House

Olivia never considered the number of changes having four children under five would have to be made. The house, of course but so many other changes. They needed a car that would hold all four children…. Mercedes had a wagon that could handle four car seats, but Volvo had a better safety record. Fitz had put his foot down about her driving the last months of her pregnancy and absolutely no driving with four children in car seats.

Now they needed a new house, a new car, a nanny and a housekeeper. She wondered if she would be able to continue at her job and if she did would she deprive her children of the parenting they deserved... Was it possible to be a full-time mother and run a successful business…...

Did she need a driver since Fitz was adamant about her driving alone with all four children in the car? …..Had the job she loved become a job she needed to afford the extra people and things the family now needed. …. They could easily afford everything the family needed but is this the dilemma wives, and families face daily as they increase their family. As her due date grew nearer her anxiety level grew and Olivia was getting a inkling of what other faced daily..

They settled on the Volvo wagon since it would hold all four car seats but decided to park it in the garage until the girls came. No need to put the boys in one row only to have to move them... No need for additional drama.

Since the boys had been told about the girls they had shut down all conversation and never initiated any conversation about their siblings …...only answering when they were asked.

The appointment with Dr. Stephanie Lane was scheduled when the boys were in school. They got the news on the girls during the last visit now they were in for a checkup as the birth grew closer.

"Fitz, Olivia…...the doctor looked at them both. You guys are becoming the topic of conversation whenever we have our office meeting. Two sets of twins in two successive pregnancies, that's rare. How are you feeling Olivia?"

Olivia nodded yes

The doctor started to examine Olivia after the nurse had completed the pre-exam.

"You Fitz are you ready…...two months but probably less?"

Fitz gave the doctor a sideway smile

"Are you still going to name the girls for their grandmothers …...Meghan and Marie?"

"Yes, we are sticking with the names we picked. I'm glad we were not faced with finding names for two boys." Fitz said with a shrug.

Dr. Lane smiled at Fitz' comment. "naming babies can become difficult when one throws, grandparents. uncles, aunts and friends into the mix...did you guys pick a middle name?"

"The boys got Thomas the girls will get Olivia or Carolyn." Fitz answered

"That's smart the boys named for their father and grandfathers. The girls their mother and grandmothers…. Fitz you do not miss having a Fitzgerald IV?"

Fitz snuck Olivia a look then answered. "If we have another baby and it's a boy…IV it is."

"Olivia do you have any opinion?"

"Dr. Lane let's get these two out before we start talking about another one."

The doctor finished the exam and turned to the parents …..., "Olivia and Fitz your girls are doing fine. They are a bit bigger than the boys ...usually it's the other way around but they should not present a problem. Any discomfort Olivia?"

"Nope…. just the usual…...two tiny humans in a space made for one. They both seem to be sitting on my bladder and they both have a big appetite…... hence the size."

Fitz let out a big sigh….…...two sets of twins….one set of each…...the new babies and his wife are healthy... The boys are old enough to look out for the girls. That is if they don't demand that the parents send them back. The brother's jury is still out on that one.

Dr. Lane sat facing the parents in his office. "do I need to go over the drill with you Olivia…., keep your stress level down, take several rest breaks during the day and take your vitamins."

"I will do my best with the stress remember I have two at home. The rest breaks and of course I will take my vitamins. These girls demand to be fed a little too much for me."

"And now my final comment…...Olivia stop on your way home and buy some sensible shoes."

Olivia down at her feet." What's wrong with my shoes?"

"Honestly no woman should ever wear those type of shoes and they are definitely not the type any woman that is seven months pregnant with twins should wear. I told you the same thing with the boys nothing has changed Olivia. Your body is off balanced you need to wear shoes that helps that balance."

Fitz did not dare say anything out loud, but he has been saying the same thing to his wife.

"Dr. Lane they are fine …...for some women they may be a problem but for me they are like work shoes."

"Work shoes until you hit an uneven walkway or don't step high enough on the stairs. I am your doctor. If I saw evidence of any other type of behavior that could jeopardize your health I would tell you. There are a lot of very fashionable shoes that do not have three-inch plus heels…. find a pair." The doctor said with such finality Olivia knew this was not a suggestion this was something she was expected to do without question.

The parents made their way to the car the only comment was Olivia asking that they make a stop at one of her favorite shoe boutiques to find a pair of fashionable, yet physician approved shoes.

The only comment Fitz made was to ask directions. He knew Olivia did not want to give up her shoes, but he knew she understood and by going to the shoe store, she is taking the doctor's advice.

When Olivia entered her favorite shoe boutique she looked at the new arrivals but had to walk past them. To her surprise the store carried a large selection of very fashionable shoes, many in the colors and styles that appealed to her. The only difference instead of the 3 inches + stiletto heels most had 2 inches, or less… wedge or block heels. Olivia tried on several pair and to her surprise they looked good on her feet and even better …they felt good. She did not have that off balance feeling when she stood up.

She decided on three different styles and bought each in two colors. She figured two more months then she had the chore of keeping up with 4 children, all under five she needed some shoes that would fit that responsibility…She considered getting more but since she knows giving up her prized Weitzman's and Jimmy Choo's is not forever she stuck to those she had already selected.

They decided to pick the boys up from school and take them to their favorite restaurant. This, they hoped, they could talk more about the new babies since the boys had gone nearly silent the past month… One thing was certain Olivia was beginning to like these new shoes.

The first part of the plan was working perfectly but the second, the most crucial still had to pass the Ethan test. The boys were happy to spend the afternoon with their parents and spend it at their favorite restaurant which included a play area.

OPOV

Burgers, fries, juice, ice cream , arcade games…...quite frankly Olivia was tired and getting crabby. Who said children had to be pampered and prodded into accepting the fact that the family was adding new members. Since when did parenthood become a democracy. They were about to have a baby, two babies, it was not up for discussion it was a fact. When did they get a vote or comment on how they felt about anything regarding their new siblings.

At four they would not have to deal with 2am feedings, diapers, colic or ear infections. She was tired, and her doctor had just taken away her beloved Weitzman's and Choo's …for the next three maybe six months Olivia was not a happy person.

She watched as Fitz and the boys return to the table…Fitz looked like he was about to fall asleep as he sat there waiting to talk to the boys. That's it time to tell them and go home where she could hear herself think. A warm bath, a soft bed and a foot rub from her husband. Nothing on that list included any input from children.

With that thought she began the "conversation".….

Boys your sisters will be here soon…...aren't you excited…. you both get to be big brothers."

Ethan had the first comment…" awww girls I wanted boys…. can we change. "

That's it…...enough coddling…. Liv sat up straight …put her arms on the table and told both boys to look at her.

"Nope we can't change, and we don' t want to…... just like we chose not to change you two. You will have two sisters soon when we get home we will mark another day off the calendar and you can see when you can expect them."

"Now we are finished eating and through playing games for today…. finish our juice so we can go home."

Fits who looked like he was about to fall go to sleep perked up and looked at his wife.

What happened to the woman I came in here with…. I like her…. this woman should stay around for a while. What happened to the woman who was always defending her babies …maybe she still is defending her babies, but those babies are still 2 months away.

Just like that Fitz saw the change. The boys were always told to hold hands when they were out…. that made it easier to keep up with them. Of course, either they had to be reminded or one, usually Elijah, always complained but not this time. The two got up from the table, joined hands as they walked with their parents out the restaurant and to the car.

Even the drive home was different….no bickering…Ethan remained quiet Elijah took his favorite book out. Olivia laid her head back on the seat and rubbed her hands absently over her stomach. Fitz did not know if he enjoyed the silence or if this silence would explode into the usual behavior once they got home.

To his surprise the behavior made it home…through a change of clothes …playtime…... snack …bath and bed. He volunteered for the bedtime reading which went the same….one reading …no complaints as he turned the lights off and left their room.

Fitz decided not to push his luck with his wife who had taken her shower while he was reading to the boys. He found her applying lotion to her upper body which he then took over from her. Starting at her feet he applied the lotion all over her body taking more time with her huge bump talking softly as he massaged the lotion into her skin.

"Do you think the girls would like a story tonight?" Fitz asked as he was placing the jar of cream on the bedside table.

"not sure if they would by their mother would like a story. Nothing like that baritone voice of their father …. it's better than a sleeping pill."

"You got it…let me take a quick shower then we can cuddle until you fall asleep."

"Thanks Fitz…today was good…...we got our girls, but the doctor took a way my shoes…." Olivia paused for a moment. "it was a good idea by the way you have been saying the same thing for a while…sorry I did not listen to you. I knew better. Know something…. the shoes feel great…... Hurry up with your shower so I can get my story."

FITZ kissed his wife on the lips then headed off to shower. What he thought would be an iffy day turned into something he never expected but this day he would cherish. He was getting his girls and his boys had shed some of their spoiled conduct and became big brothers all in one afternoon.

The next month sped by. The old nursery was decorated for girls…even the twins helped…or better they did less hindering. Their arguments slowed and now when Fitz came home his bed was free of children. His wife on the other hand was the one he had to carry to bed. If he came in late he would find all three in the twins' room asleep. They could no longer fit in her arms since her stomach got in the way, so she laid in bed and they picked a spot on each side to cuddle while she read their bedtime story.

Fitz considered this was a good time …which would change when the number of children doubled. Olivia worked from home most days now only going in when necessary as they only took cases that were serious enough to need the firm's expertise but not serious enough to demand a lot of stress on Olivia. But now life was good they would deal with tomorrow…... tomorrow.

They had the new car and a new house. A fulltime nanny and a housekeeper. The car would hold the entire family… the new house they found was a steal. It was an older house which would take some time to totally remodel and get ready for the family. It had plenty of room for their home office and the basement was very male adaptable... The good thing they were not in a rush to move and this house really fit them and their growing family. It had all that they wanted …and more. ….. . Seven bedrooms, full basement, big backyard and a nanny's quarter. It was located about the same distance from the office as the present apartment. The more was the needed yard with its trees which looked ready for a tree house. Both parents could see this house as the perfect place to raise their family... The housekeeper would come in every day to take care of daily chores with a major cleaning done as needed.

The only thing left now was await the arrival of Aunt Max who agreed to stay with the family until after the girls arrived and through the move to the new house.