Chapter 10

Patrick paced the living room, cradling one of his month-old sons in his arms and trying to get him to stop crying. "Come on Jack, if you don't stop soon, you'll wake mommy or worse…"

He was cut off by a cry coming from one of the two bassinets in the room. Patrick had insisted that Robin go take a nap while he took care of the boys and right now he felt like he was failing miserably. "Just a second Liam, Daddy is going to make you both a couple of bottles and get you fed."

"Or you could just wait a second and Uncle Matt will feed Liam while you," Matt emerged from the kitchen and handed Patrick a bottle, "feed Jack."

Patrick was shocked. "I thought you were at the hospital." Noah and Matt were taking turns helping out during the day so that Patrick could get some work done and Robin could get some rest since she was taking the night shift with the twins. Robert and Anna had left two weeks ago to try and track down Dr. Walker while Mac went to help Maxie out with a problem she was having back home.

"My patient had a fever so my surgery was cancelled." Matt picked up Liam and sat down next to Patrick and Jack on the couch. Silence came as both boys happily ate their lunch. "Dad took Olaf out for a walk and then he will get Emma from school and take her to ballet. I have the files in my briefcase on the newest grant proposal for you and Robin to review after she gets done with her nap and Lori is bringing over Chinese food later for supper." Matt had begun dating the doctor right after the boys were born and they had clicked instantly. "Everything is under control."

Patrick relaxed into the couch. "Thank you so much. I don't know what Robin and I would have done without you two."

"You would have been fine – just like you were after Emma was born." Matt took the bottle out of Liam's mouth and gently burped the boy.

"I was a mess after Emma was born."

"Only because Robin developed DIC." Matt continued feeding Liam. "And then, while Robin was fighting her postpartum depression, you took care of Emma. You stepped up and were the father she needed."

"I know but it is still nice to have you and Dad here to help, especially since this time you aren't using the boys to attract chicks." Patrick shook his head at his little brother while laughing.

Matt joined in on the laughter, remembering the first time he took Emma for a walk by himself. All the girls flocked to his beautiful niece and he had taken full advantage of it. It was right after Robin had left to get treatment for her PPD and Matt moved into their house to help his brother out. Remembering that time and how bad it got for both his brother and Robin, he took a moment and then asked Patrick the question he had been avoiding for the past few weeks. "How is she doing this time?"

Patrick smiled at his brother, touched by his concern. He took a moment to burp Jack before answering. "Robin is doing great. We already had a plan in place with our doctor before the twins birth. Robin is taking Lexapro and is attending counseling sessions. We are keeping a close eye on things and making sure that she isn't feeling overwhelmed or helpless."

Matt was surprised to hear that Robin was already on antidepressants, especially considering how hard she had fought taking them after Emma's birth. "Was she showing signs of depression before the boys were born?"

"No but sometimes they go ahead and start medication and counseling with patients who have a history of PPD or depression immediately after childbirth. Robin and I agreed that it was the best course of action and she already had her first postnatal check up with Dr. Block earlier this week. He said that her HIV is still undetectable and he was happy with the way she is healing." He set Jack back down in his arms after a hearing a healthy burp and finished feeding him his bottle. "I promise, Robin is doing great. If she feels overwhelmed or tired, she tells me and I help her out however I can and if I see anything that worries me, I tell her." Patrick was proud of how great Robin was doing after the twins birth and it was evident in his voice.

"That is great." Matt was relieved to hear how proactive Patrick and Robin were being about the possibility of her developing PPD again. "It must help her some that the boys first HIV tests came back negative."

"Yes, although she won't truly relax until they have their final test at six months." Patrick looked down at Jack and noticed that the boy had fallen fast asleep. He moved the little one to his shoulder and gently patted his back, hoping to get one last burp out of him before laying him down for his afternoon nap. Happily, Jack burped, woke up briefly and went immediately back to sleep.

"I think this one is out too." Matt had finished burping Liam while Patrick spoke.

"Great – that will give me time to wash the bottles and then start reviewing the proposal before Robin wakes up." He laid Jack down in his bassinet while Matt did the same with Liam. He grabbed the baby monitor as he headed to the kitchen. "What do you say – you want to wash or dry?"

"I'll dry – don't want dishpan hands for my date tonight. Lori and I are going to see a movie after we eat supper with you guys." He quietly chuckled as he followed his big brother into the kitchen. "Speaking of dinner, what am I ordering for tonight besides pot stickers?"