A/N: So sorry it has been forever! I have been going through a lot of personal stuff but I'm back! Hopefully I'll have new ideas flowing soon!
"Norman," I nudged him.
"Mmm?" he sleepily asked.
"Norman!" I nudged him harder, my body was trembling in panic.
Jolting straight up in the bed, "Allie?"
"I-I'm bleeding," I whispered, not wanting to say the daunting words while looking down at the stain on the bedsheets between my legs. "And...I think I'm having contractions."
Norman was quicker than lightning, jumping out of the bed and dialing Dr. Stafford. He paced the bedroom floor in just his boxers, his hands shaking, his knees trying not to buckle.
"Okay, I'll get her there right away...see you soon," he ended the call and pulled some clothes out the dresser drawer. "C'mon baby, we gotta go to the hospital. I'm gonna get Mingus up and then I'll be back to help you get dressed."
"Alright," I said, trying to find the nerve to get out of the bed.
"Dr. Stafford thinks everything's fine, okay? He just wants to check you out," he gave me a reassuring smile.
"You're 30 weeks, Alyson. It's not unusual to go into preterm labor with twins," Dr. Stafford explained. He was a tall, broad, graying man in his 50's. I thought we'd never find a doctor Norman liked, but Norman liked and trusted this one.
I sat on the exam table, my big belly draped under my hospital gown, Norman always vigilant by my side, "So? Do I have the babies now?" my voice shook. I was hoping I'd have at least another 6 weeks to prepare.
"Not tonight," Dr. Stafford smiled, a little amused. "We can try to stop the contractions, keep you here and under observation. Might need to stay on bed rest for a couple of weeks. This is a situation we'll play by ear but your babies will be fine, okay? Nothing will happen to them under my care, that is my promise to you."
Norman was quiet and still. Very unlike himself. He sat by my side, his posture rigid, his hand on mine, but his eyes pensive. I felt the need to comfort him.
"Riott and Ransom are going to be fine, babe," I gave his hand a little squeeze.
"I'm going to call Gale...tell her I'm not flying out to Georgia until the babies are here and healthy," he said, raising his bottom a bit to pull out his cell phone from his pocket.
"Babe-" I started.
"No, that's probably best," Dr. Stafford agreed. "If he wants to be here for their delivery. We'll try to stop the labor, but they could be here any day now."
"I know. The poor fans, though. They will be so disappointed, it'll delay the show," I reminded Norman.
He gave me a little smile, "You're the first ever to actually worry about my fans, you know that?"
I shook my head with a little smirk.
"One of the many reasons I love you, Allie," he stood up and kissed my cheek, pressing his phone to his ear, "Hey Gale, it's Norm." He turned to exit the room.
The searing pain in my adomen was almost unbearable as it broke through the anesthia.
"Shhh, baby, shhh, lie back," Norman tried to reassure me, his trembling lips pressed to my forehead.
"How can I calm down when I haven't even held my babies! We don't even know if they're alright!" I frantically sobbed, laying helpless on the OR table. The blue curtain blocking my view of my lower half. At 34 weeks, I had given birth to two babies. Two babies that were quickly taken away. Babies that I did not hear cry.
"I want my sons!" I screamed, my voice breaking with anger, fear, and tears. I felt so powerless, unable to move from that table, unable to feel my legs, unable to do anything.
Norman had been strong for the past 22 hours of labor. He finally broke, collapsing in a chair beside me. He buried his face into his hands and sobbed. I fell quiet, unsure of how to comfort him. My panic wasn't helping either one of us.
"Baby...I'm sorry...I'm just so, so scared," I sniffled back my tears, reaching for his hand.
His fingers tightened around mine, "I know, Al. I know. I'm fucking scared to death." His eyes remained covered by one hand.
A nurse stepped around the curtain, holding a syringe. "Alyson...this is going to help you calm down. Your blood pressure is very high right now. Your children are fine, do you understand?" she calmly asked.
I nodded, reluctantly as the needle went into my arm. Norman finally sat up to kiss me, his lips brushing mine as my eyelids quickly became to heavy for me to hold open.
