Harlow was now four months along. She and Jack were at the OBGYN's office and they were waiting on the ultrasound tech to come in. Jack and his parents had taken the Anderson's to court and demanded child support and that if Harlow truly meant she didn't want anything to do with the baby that she sign away her parental rights. The judge decided in Jack's favor that the Andersons would provide child support for the baby or babies until they were 18. He told them that he wouldn't authorize the terminating of Harlow's parental rights until she'd given birth and had decided that was definitely what she wanted to do. Everyone could agree on that decision.
"Harlow Anderson," called the nurse. Slowly Harlow got up Jack next to her and made her way down the hall. After taking her weight and other vital signs she was left to change into the gown. A couple minutes later the tech walked in. XXXX
"Good afternoon, are you ready to find out what you're having?" the tech asked brightly.
"I guess," Harlow mumbled.
"Yeah I am," Jack replied clearly much more interested in knowing than the mother of his child.
"Okay then, if you'll just lie back. It's going to be cold," the tech warned as she squirted the gel on Harlow's slightly rounded stomach. The expectant mother shivered at the contact. Grabbing the probe, the tech flipped on the machine and ran the probe over the pregnant girl's stomach.
"Is the baby okay?" Jack asked anxiously just like he had each doctor's visit.
"Oh my," the tech gasped.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Jack asked in a panic.
"Nothings wrong, it's just that you're having twins." Pushing a few buttons the sound of two heart beats were heard.
"T-t-twins? Are you sure?" Jack stammered.
"Yes, see for yourself," the tech answered turning the screen so he could see the babies.
"Here's baby A and here is baby B. Would you like to know the sex of the babies?"
"Do you want to know?" Jack asked addressing his ex-girlfriend.
"I don't care; I just can't believe I have to push two brats out of me, not just one. What the hell, I didn't sign up for this," she grumbled. Jack blushed at her callus attitude.
"Id like to know, please," he answered shyly. Giving Harlow a strange look the tech smiled at Jack and turned back to the ultrasound machine.
"In about five months you'll be having two daughters, congratulations. Here are some pictures to share with your family," she said printing out several copies and handing them to the expectant parents. Jack stared at his two little girl's tears in his eyes. The sound of ripping paper caught his attention. He glanced up long enough to see Harlow glance at the pictures briefly then tear them into tiny pieces and throw them away. He couldn't understand how she could hate their babies so much when his heart was practically bursting with love for them and they weren't even born yet.
"The doctor will be in shortly," the tech told them.
"Thank you," Jack said in just above a whisper as he stared transfixed at the two growing miracles in the picture. Twenty minutes later the doctor had came in and finished her exam telling them to make an appointment for next month and congratulations on the twins. XXXX
"I can't believe you're gonna have to daughters in a few months," Christi exclaimed later that night at dinner.
"Yeah, I know, neither can I," Jack told her.
"They're beautiful," Derek said in a choked voice as he stared down at the picture of his granddaughter's.
"Yes they are," Hotch agreed.
"I don't understand how I can love two people so much and they aren't even born yet," Jack said softly.
"It's called parenthood," Hotch replied.
"How can Harlow look at them and not see what I see? Two perfect little angels? You know what she did when the tech handed her the pictures?" Jack asked angrily.
"What?" Christi wondered.
"She barely glanced down at them then she ripped them up and threw them away. She threw them away like she's throwing away our children."
"She's a cold-hearted bitch and these babies are lucky to have a wonderful dad like you," Christi complimented.
"Language, Christi!" Hotch corrected.
"I'm sorry, but she is," Christi argued.
"No matter what our personal feelings towards Harlow may be, she's carrying your nieces and she will be treated with respect, do you understand?" Derek told her. Nodding Christi picked up her fork and continued eating. XXXX
It was now a month and a half later and Jack was just getting off work. He was working at Best Buy trying to earn some money so he could support the twins. He'd just climbed behind the wheel of his used Handa when his cell phone rang. He was finally ungrounded so he thought it might be one of his friends inviting him to play a basketball game.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Jack, this is Harlow's mother. She's in the ER; she's having severe stomach cramps."
"I'll be right there!" Jack cried hanging up and pressing down on the accelerator. XXXX
"I'm looking for a Harlow Anderson. She's five and a half months pregnant and was brought in with severe stomach cramps?" Jack said to the receptionist at the desk in the ER.
"Room 4, her mother is with her. You can go on back. It's the second door on the right."
"Thank you," Jack called turning and rushing down the hall. XXXX
Reaching her room, Jack took a moment to catch his breath before walking in. She was in a hospital bed and was hooked up to several machines including a fetal monitor. He felt his stomach relax slightly when he heard the strong heart beats of his daughter's.
"How is she? What's going on? Are the babies okay?" he asked all in one breath.
"She's suffering from a slight placental abruption. She'll need to remain on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy in order to ensure the safety and health of both her and your daughters," the doctor standing next to Harlow's bed explained.
"Will I have to do it in the hospital or can I do it at home?" Harlow wondered.
"We will let you go home, but if things get worse we'll keep you in the maternity ward so we can deliver the twins at a moments notice," the doctor explained.
"What is a placental abruption?" Jack questioned the doctor.
"It's where the placenta separates from the uterus before the baby is ready to be delivered. If not treated carefully it can cause premature labor."
"And bed rest is the best way to treat it?" Jack confirmed.
"Yes it is. I'll release you as long as you promise to do exactly what I tell you. Do you understand?" the doctor asked addressing the pregnant woman in the hospital bed.
"Yes, I will," she answered flatly.
"Not only do the lives of your children depend on you doing exactly what you're told, but your life as well," the doctor explained. Harlow nodded shortly and glared at the wall. She hated being pregnant and all the things that went with it.
"Very well then, I'll bring you your discharge papers soon," the doctor said leaving the room. After making sure she was going to be okay for the time being, Jack left heading home to tell his dads and Christi what was going on. XXXX
The next three months had gone fairly smoothly considering. Jack had started at Quantico Community College (QCC) shortly after Harlow's hospital visit. He was now well into his first semester and doing fairly well. Christi was now a sophomore and Henry was a junior in high school. It was now December 18 and Jack had just finished his last final when his cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"It's Becca, Harlow's having really bad contractions and we're taking her to the hospital." Jack could feel himself start to panic. Harlow was still a week before her due date. He knew the twins would be fine but it was better if they could stay in until they were due.
"I'll be there as soon as I can," he said.
"See you there," she said then hung up. After calling his dad's and extracting promises that they'd pick up Christi and meet him there he headed for the hospital. XXXX
Thankfully they'd been able to determine that the contractions Harlow were having were false labor pains. It was now Christmas day and Jack was sitting in his daughter's nursery. They'd converted the guest room into a nursery with a bear theme. The team had thrown a baby shower and given Jack everything he could possibly need. He couldn't believe his daughter's were almost here. He'd chosen names but had decided to keep them a secret until the babies were born. He heard the phone ring in the distance but ignored it. The family had opened their gifts and enjoyed a huge breakfast before going their separate ways.
"Jack! Get down here, now! Harlow's in labor and it's real this time!" Christi shouted. Jumping from the rocking chair he ran down the stairs and to where his sister was waiting by the door. His parents right behind him.
"Is she sure this time?" Jack checked.
"Trust me if the screaming I heard in the background as her mother talked to me was any indication she's in labor," Christi explained wincing. "It sounded like it hurt a lot," she said with a grimace.
"That's because it does, sweetheart," Hotch said.
"Okay, well, let's go," Jack said walking out the door. The others nodded and followed behind him. XXXX
Several hours had gone by and the waiting room was full of people. Both sets of grandparents were there as well as the team. Jack walked out into the waiting room tiredness showing on his face.
"How is she? Are they here yet?" Christi asked.
"She's really tired, and no, they aren't here yet. The doctor said it won't be long now, though."
"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! Get these damn kids out of me now! This hurts so fucking bad!" came a loud voice.
"I guess that's my cue," Jack said in defeat as he turned and headed back down the hall. XXXX
"You're doing great, Harlow. I'm going to check you and see how far along you are," the doctor said as she moved to the foot of the bed.
"Oh my god, I can feel the head. I have to push!" Harlow yelled as she began to push.
"No, don't push yet. I need to make sure it's okay," the doctor instructed.
"God damn it! I have to push and that's what I'm going to do!" the laboring teen snarled as she began to push.
"No, stop and listen to the doctor for once!" Jack demanded. Harlow glared at him but finally listened and stopped pushing.
"You've reached 10 centimeters. On the next contraction I want you to push," the doctor instructed. Jack had his eyes glued to the monitor that was showing Harlow's contractions and the heart rates for the twins. So far things looked good.
"Oh god, here comes another one!" Harlow cried.
"Put your chin to your chest and bear down. Push as hard as you can," the nurse told her.
"Dad, why don't you count to 10?" the doctor suggested. Nodding Jack did what he was told and counted to 10. Harlow gave two more pushes then the doctor called out.
"Heads out, give me another good push and we'll have the shoulders then you can see your baby," she encouraged.
"She better come out this time or she and her bratty sister are staying in there forever," Harlow snarled.
"You can do it," Jack told her.
"Shut up, you damn jerk, you're the reason I'm here in the first place delivering two babies that were a mistake I never wanted!"
"Okay, that's enough, now Harlow, push! If you don't you're going to tear. You have another contraction coming, so push!" the doctor ordered. Groaning in pain, Harlow pushed with all her strength and cried out as she felt the baby slip from her body.
"It's a girl!" the doctor cried holding her up for her parents to see.
"She's beautiful," Jack breathed as he laid eyes on his newborn daughter for the first time. A loud cry reached their ears.
"Would you like to cut the chord, Dad?" asked the nurse. With tears streaming down his face, Jack nodded.
"Yes, please," he responded in a tight voice.
"Cut between the two yellow clamps," the beaming nurse instructed. Jack nodded and did what he was told to with shaking hands and a wide smile on his face. Once she was free of the chord, the nurse walked over and placed her briefly on Harlow's chest. The young mother didn't even look down at her crying infant.
"Do you want to see your daughter?" she asked.
"No, give her to her father. I don't want anything to do with them," she replied wincing as another contraction hit.
"We'll give you to her once she's been cleaned up and checked out," the nurse told Jack smiling at him.
"Thank you," Jack replied taking his place beside Harlow's bed once again. XXXX
Just then the sound from the fetal monitor changed.
"We need to get the other baby out now. Her heart rate is dropping. Harlow, come on, give me the best push you can," the doctor demanded. Nodding Harlow pushed as hard as she could. After a moment the doctor told her to push again. One more push and she declared that she could see the head. Her next words stopped Jack cold, though.
"The chord is around her neck. Harlow, listen to me carefully, do not push, whatever you do, do not push until I tell you to. Do you understand?" questioned the doctor.
"Yes," Harlow replied grudgingly. The doctor eased the head out and began guiding the shoulders.
"Okay, push as hard as you can!" she demanded. With a loud scream, Harlow pushed and delivered the second baby. Unlike her sister, however, baby B didn't make a sound as she entered the world.
TBC?
A/n, Is the second baby going to be okay? What does Jack name them, will Harlow sign over her parental rights? In order to find out answers to these and other questions, please review!