Her doctor came in with the neonatal pediatrician and their own. As the three doctors stood and explained, Gil and Catherine listened in fear. "I'm going to let Dr. Iverson explain things, " said her OB. "But Dr. McGill has been following the case and can also answer any questions you might have. Since Dr. McGill will be doing the follow up care after the twins leave the hospital, we thought it best that she be in from the beginning." Catherine squeezed Gil's hand at the fact that the twins would leave the hospital; that was good news.

"Okay, well...let's start with your daughter; Daryl, I believe?" Catherine nodded yes. "Well, of course, as a premmie, she is underweight and her lungs aren't as mature as we'd like them to be. We are assisting her with that with extra oxygen and she seems to be responding well. All of our initial screenings indicate that after a few weeks, perhaps only two, she will be ready to leave. I'm sure you will be happy to be able to take her home as soon as possible. You'll be able to see her and touch her in the incubator after we finish here and if she continues to do well, we'll let her out for short periods tomorrow so that you can hold and rock her. We believe that this early contact is vital for their progress."

Both parents were relieved at the good news but frightened by the implications for their son. All the good news seemed to be only about Daryl.

"As for your son," the doctor continued, "David. He is smaller than his sister and his lungs were not as far along. He needs more aggressive assistance with his breathing and will continue to need it for at least a few days. When you see him he will have tiny tubes in his nose that provide continous positive airway pressure, or CPAP as we call it. It is not a respirator but it does provide a continuous flow of air to keep the lungs expanded. We are also treating him with surfactant, a protein that keeps the small sacs in the lungs from collapsing. The condition is serious but very treatable and he is responding well. He also has retinopathy of prematurity or ROP. It is an abnormal growth in the blood vessels in the eyes and is not uncommon in premmies. Our pediatric opthalmologist has looked at him and believes it is a mild case and will heal on it's own. He will continue to monitor the situation and make any recommendations necessary if things change.

Both babies are jaundiced and both are anemic, although again...David's case is a little more pronounced than Daryl's. Neither situation is critical and we can clear those issues up easily while we are taking care of their other concerns. Obvioulsy David will have a longer stay in the hospital. For the first few days, they will be fed through tubes. We'll see how they do and go from there. I believe your estimate of 30 weeks was a little low and perhaps they were as far as 32 weeks along, which helps their situation considerably.

Let's see... oh, Daryl came into the world at 4 pounds, 3 ounces and David weighed in at 3 pounds, 9 ounces. Daryl has cried for us and I expect we'll hear the same from David soon. Both are grasping fingers, so feel free to let them hold onto you. You will be able to see their baby blues and Daryl might even stay awake and entertain you for a few miutes. David seems to be a little sleepy head still.

I'll be honest, their condition is serious, but the prognosis for survival for both of them is very good. David's eyes and lungs are of concern but we are on top of it and with a little luck, he'll grow up never knowing that there was a problem. As for other disabiliteis: we haven't run the full battery of tests yet. So far I don't see anything that indicates a severe mental disability but we are very early in the game. Their progress will need to be monitored for several years to fully determine if there are any learning or behavioral concerns resulting from their early arrival. Dr. McGill will walk you through that as necessary.

Overall, I'd like to reassure you. We're not out of the woods yet, but I am very optimistic about the future of your twins. We want you to spend a lot of time with them and do all the bonding things you would would normally do at home. It's going to be a rough first few weeks but in the end, I think the results will be good. Any questions that I can answer?"

Tears of relief ran down Catherine's cheeks. Gil stared thoughtfully at a speck on the wall as he digested the information. Finally he responded. "What are the risks of infections, since their lungs are vulnerable?"

Iverson seemed surprised by the question. "Obviously there is a risk. We'll take all the proper precautions and limit visitors until they are stronger. I can't promise it won't happen. Since his lungs are not as developed as Daryl's, David is at a higer risk. But let's just take things one at a time. I know you want to see your babies. And I think they could benefit from a visit. Are you ready?"

Both nodded in the affirmative. Gil helped Catherine from the bed and they slowly made their way down the hall. Around the corner, they found the doors that would soon become very familiar, the doors to the NICU. Inside they were given the cap, gown, and gloves that would be required for the next few days and then led to their twins. Catherine placed a hand on each of their plexiglass boxes when she saw them. Gil stood behind her, supporting her with his hands.

Dr. Iverson pulled a rocker close and invited Catherine to sit. The nurse carefully opened the door to Daryl's box and lifted the baby, gently transferring her to Catherine's waiting arms. Catherine carefully hugged her close and then relaxed her embrace enough for Gil to see. She was small and thin, her skin had a reddish hue. Movement was awkward, jerky. Her blue eyes filled her face as she peered in the general direction of her mother's face. Again, tears rolled down Catherine's cheeks. Gil gently stroked her tiny hand, marvelling at her fingers, so small and fragile. He kneeled next to Catherine and gently kissed her cheek. "Another girl to tug at my heart," he whispered to her. Catherine smiled into his eyes.

"Mr. Grissom, would you like to meet your son while Daryl and her mother get aquainted?"

The nurse showed him how to reach inside to touch David and then stepped back. Gil stood beside David's incubator and reached inside. He was so tiny. Gil's heart tightened at the sight of his tiny son. Very tenderly he stroked David's arm, which then jerked upwards as if reaching for his father. Gil touched his fingertip to his hand and David gripped it. His touch was feather light to Gil but sent waves of emotion through him. How could a baby so tiny survive? He wanted to hold his son but knew that they would have to wait, so he talked quietly to him instead. "Hi David," he said. "I'm your Dad. I know this all seems very strange to you...not nearly as warm and comfortable as your Mommy's tummy. Soon we'll be able to hold you and that'll feel better." Tears were forming in Gil's eyes and his voice was tight in his throat. "I love you, son." He began to pull his hand away and David began to jerk; then they all heard a tiny cry.

"I thought we might be hearing from him," said Dr. Iverson. "That's good...it takes lung power to cry."

Gil smiled but was reluctant to take his finger away. Catherine spoke softly, "Gil...trade.You come hold Daryl and let me see him, please."

Gil withdrew and turned to his girls. He took Daryl from Catherine and she stood, allowing him to sit in the rocker. She stepped toward David and slid her hand inside his chamber. While she stroked and caressed him, Gil stared into the eyes of his daughter. Her vision was still too immature to focus on his features but he sensed that she was aware of him.

Finally the doctor spoke. "We really should get Daryl back into her oxygen rich environment now. Let's let them get some rest and I'm sure thier mother could use some too. They'll be ready for another visit in a few hours. Gil handed his daughter to the nurse, who settled her into her box. He stood and stepped to Catherine. She had pulled her hand out but stood watching her son. "Cath, let's go for now. We'll come back in a little while."

"Yeah...okay." He steadied her as they made their way back to her room. Once she was settled back in the bed, she looked at her husband. "They are so small. They look so...so fragile."

"Yes, they do. " he agreed. "And the tubes that David has...they don't help. But he held my finger, Cath. He...knew me."

She smiled. "Well, I would hope so, as much as you sat and read to them while we were relaxing in the bed. He's probably wondering what buggie fact you're going to come up with next."

Gil smiled. "And Daryl...she's going to be beautiful, like you."

"Oh...she is, isn't she...going to be beautiful, I mean. I don't feel too beautiful at the moment, though."

Gil looked at her in awe. "Honey, you just gave me two precious gifts...the most precious thing a woman can give a man, children. As far as I'm concerned, you could never be more beautiful." He kissed her tenderly; a kiss filled with all the emotions he was feeling, all the love and gratitude that was washing over him. "I love you, Cath. You are the center of my universe, you know. And now we have three little satellites orbiting around you. And Lindsey, whose orbit seems to be expanding but will always be a part of you and so a part of me."

Catherine absorbed his words and settled back into her pillows as she watched his face. She saw his sincerity and felt his words. She had never felt more loved in her life. Nor had she ever felt like she could love another as much as she loved him in that moment. Rough days were ahead but because she had him, she knew she'd...no they all would make it through.

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More to come?