-----Chapter 14-----
It is April. Friday—the day of the appointment.
Monica and Andrew are sitting in the waiting room of Drs. Smith and Hammonds. The brunette angel can't help but smile—here, she has a wonderful husband beside her, a precious daughter; she can't believe Hannah's already three months old. In addition, their next-door-neighbour, who had quit her practice when she lost a baby during an emergency delivery, decided to go back to her practice...after much convincing from three older angels and one newborn angel—Hannah Tess. She looks down at her abdomen and instinctively places her hand over her baby. It...it feels different, she thinks to herself, ...a bit rounder, perhaps. Is this what happens in a second pregnancy? She feels a little bigger than she felt when she was pregnant with Hannah. Have I overdone it with the potato chips?
Andrew notices his wife deep in thought. "A penny?"
Monica startles, "Huh?"
"You were lost in thought," he chuckles. "What were you thinking about?"
A smile grows across her face. "The baby. I can't wait to see this baby when he's born. Oh Andrew!" she exclaims, "we're having another baby!"
Andrew gazes into his wife's eyes. He sees the contentment, pure happiness in them. Although he's happy about the baby, a part of him is still worried. Two babies in less than a year? Oh Father, give me strength!, he prays silently, while trying to keep a smile on his face. "I love you!"
"I love you!" she purrs, resting her head on her husband's shoulder.
Soon, the nurse enters the waiting room. "Monica Godly?" The couple follows the nurse into an exam room. She takes Monica's vitals and then leaves the room.
After about a five minute wait, Dr. Smith enters. "Hi Monica, Andrew. How are you?"
"Pregnant!" she beams, "I hope." She sits on the exam table, eagerly anticipating a positive result.
The doctor smiles. "I figured that's why you were here. You know the drill. Now, lie back so we can see this little one." Monica does as requested; Andrew scoots his chair over and holds his wife's hand. "How's Hannah?" the doctor asks, "I was hoping you'd bring her. I know she's growing like a weed."
"A friend of ours is babysitting," the brunette angel answers.
"Your friend with the glasses or the other lady? Tess! That's her name!"
"Yes. Tess wanted some time with her namesake and we figured Hannah would be a wee bit fussy. It's her nap time, so we decided it would be best if Tess kept her."
"I understand. I remember when my kids were that age," the doctor reminisces. "Scheduling around the kids' schedules proved to be challenging at times." She places the ultrasound gel on Monica's abdomen, forgetting to warn her.
"Yeow! That's cold!" she yelps.
"Sorry." The doctor places the wand on Monica's abdomen and moves it around. "Any morning sickness?"
"Oh yes!" the angel chuckles. "I think I should buy stock in potato chips." This causes the doctor to chuckle as well. Monica continues, "Morning sickness seems to be worse this time around." She looks at her husband, wondering whether or not to state another observation.
Meanwhile, the doctor stops the wand. "There's your baby! It looks to be around four to six weeks gestation."
Monica and Andrew grin from ear to ear. The brunette angel looks at her husband again and sees the joy in his eyes. "Look, Andrew!" Monica exclaims, "There's our baby!" Andrew sits silently, holding his wife's hand, staring at the screen before them. Although he wasn't ready for the news, he can't help but smile. Here is his baby—right there on the screen. He is filled with joy and gives his wife's hand a reassuring squeeze.
She then looks back at the screen, sighs and decides to continue stating her observations, knowing full well her husband has no idea she's been wondering a few things. "I'm...ummm...also noticing," she states with a bit of hesitation in her voice, "I feel like I'm...ummm...bigger than I was when I was pregnant with Hannah. Ummm...what...ummm...what could that mean?"
The doctor removes the wand, so she can answer her patient's question without any interruptions. "It could be a few different things. First, you gave birth to Hannah three months ago, and probably haven't had time to lose your baby weight. Then, you became pregnant almost immediately after you gave birth. So second, it's not uncommon for a mother to be a bit bigger the second time around because the woman's muscles are a bit stretched out from the previous pregnancy and therefore aren't as taut as before. Also, many don't lose all their baby weight, even if there's more time between pregnancies." As the doctor moves the wand around, she almost hesitates to bring up an additional point, "Or third, there could be more than one baby in there." A look of shock, mixed with a bit of dread cross the angels' faces. Trying to reassure the couple, the doctor continues, "Let's look and see how many are in there before we jump to conclusions."
The doctor moves the wand a bit over to the side and finds another sac with a tiny embryo. "Well, we've got an answer to your question." She pauses and then continues, "Congratulations! You're having twins!"
Both Monica and Andrew stare at the screen. Neither of them can speak from shock. Monica is the first one to speak. "Tw...tw...twins?!? I'm having twins?!?"
Andrew begins shaking from laughter. He can't believe it. Twins! They're having twins! Three babies in less than a year! Oh boy! My head is spinning!
Dr. Smith continues to move the wand around, which is making the couple nervous. "Lessee. One, two. Nope! Just two!" She prints off a few pictures, shuts off the machine, and wipes Monica's abdomen clean. "You're about six weeks along. If you go to term, you'll give birth right before Thanksgiving, but I don't think you will."
"Will the babies be okay if I deliver early?" a worried Monica asks.
"Most twins are born a couple weeks early. Even if they're born a month early, they should be just fine," the doctor reassures.
The visit ends shortly afterwards. Monica and the twins are in excellent health.
The couple is in their car on their way home. They're both still in shock. Although Monica wanted twins eventually, so she said, she feels thrown off guard by the news. Twins, she thinks to herself, chuckling silently, well, I did ask for twins....maybe not this soo, but if we'd had a second singleton next, then we might have changed our minds about twins. She smiles and then prays silently, "Oh Father! Twins! I'm surprised but happy. This may not have been in my plans, but it looks like it's in yours. Thank you for Hannah and these little ones." She places a loving hand over her babies and continues, "I hope these babies are salt-and-pepper twins, but more importantly, please let these wee ones be healthy. And then, if it is in our plays, I'd still like to have a little boy next year...in October. I do want two little girls and two little boys."
Andrew glances over at his wife and notices she's deep in thought. Instead of asking her what she's thinking about—he knows what she's thinking about—it's the same thing he's thinking about—the twins—he takes this time to pray silently, "Father, I'm a little caught off guard by twins. I'm not sure I'm ready for this, for three babies in under a year." He again glances over at his wife. She seems so content! He continues with his prayer, "Give me the strength to embrace these babies. I do love them and I know I'll love them as much as I love Hannah. Whatever your plan is, I will submit to your will."
Before the couple realizes it, they pull into their driveway. They look at each other and clasp hands. "Are you ready?" the brunette angel asks. Andrew nods. They sigh and try to paste the best smiles they can manage, for the surprise and shock still haven't subsided, get out of the car and walk to their front door.
Tess is pacing the living room floor, trying to calm a fussy Hannah. "Oh, precious Angel Baby. Auntie Tess has you. Your mama will be back soon." Unfortunately, Hannah continues to wail. The elder angel hears the car pull up in the driveway and breathes a sigh of relief. "Your mama's home. Thank goodness!"
As the couple is walking up the sidewalk, they can hear their daughter wailing. All of a sudden, Monica feels two wet spots on her blouse. "She's hungry." She opens the door and makes a beeline to her baby and the frazzled angel holding her. "Thanks, Tess. I'll take her."
The elder angel passes the baby to Monica and greets Andrew. "How did the appointment go?"
Monica doesn't pay attention to her mentor's question, but turns her attention to her daughter. "You hungry, sweetie?" She sits in the rocker, adjusts herself and helps Hannah latch on.
Andrew joins them in the meantime. "It went well," he states, trying to cover up his shock.
Tess notices the couple's hiding something. "Okay, Miss Wings, Halo Boy, what's up?" she inquires, complete with hand on hip.
Andrew looks at his wife. "Do you want to tell her?"
"Tell me what?" the elder angel demands, hand still on hip.
"I'm pregnant!" Monica exclaims.
"Oh, Angel Girl! Congratulations!" Tess cheers as she gives her protégée a light embrace.
"With twins!" she adds.
Tess is surprised. "What?!?"
"That's right," the blond angel confirms, "Twins."
"Three babies in a little less than a year?" Tess muses, "Are you ready for that?"
"I guess we'll have to be," Andrew interjects.
Monica relaxes in the chair and looks at her daughter. "You're gonna be a big sister. You want a baby brother and sister?"
"You sure it'll be one of each?" Tess asks.
"I was right about Hannah," she defends.
"Well, honey. There's as much chance we could have two boys or two girls."
"Nope!" the brunette angel insists. "We'll have one of each this time and then a little boy next year in October."
"You sure you want four babies in less than two years, Miss Wings?"
"Yes! I'm sure," she insists.
Andrew decides to stay out of this interchange, growing paler by the moment. He can't believe his wife still wants to have four babies one right after another. He's looking more toward the practical; he's not opposed to having four (or more) kids, but not one right after another. There's that headache again, he thinks to himself. He doesn't realize he's rubbing his temples.
However, Tess notices. "Are you ready?" she asks, concerned.
Andrew startles out of his train of thought, "Huh?"
"You okay?" she asks again. "You're holding your forehead."
Monica directs her attention from her daughter to her husband and mentor. "Honey?" she asks, worried. "What is it?"
"It's nothing," he dismisses.
"It's not nothing," the brunette angel insists.
"Really, it's nothing," he insists, a bit firmer.
"C'mon Andrew. You can talk to me," she encourages, becoming increasingly worried. Hannah finishes nursing, so Monica passes the baby off to Tess, keeping her attention focused on her husband. "I'm your wife."
Knowing that she won't let it go, Andrew reluctantly follows his wife into the bedroom. Monica closes the door behind them and begins, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Andrew, what's going on? Ever since we found out we're having twins, you've been distant." He looks away, not wanting to meet her eyes. "Please. Talk to me," she cries, very worried.
Sighing, the Angel of Death realizes she's not going to let this go. He resigns himself to the fact that he's backed into a corner. "Fine. We'll talk."
"What's wrong?"
"I guess I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed."
"Why?"
"We're gonna have three babies in less than one year, Monica," he replies, a bit aggravated.
"Well? It's not like I got pregnant with twins on purpose," she fires back.
"Oh really?" he shoots, upping the ante. "Who was it that said 'I want another baby right away' the day after Hannah was born and hasn't let up yet? Who was it that said, 'I want another baby this November and then twins next year in October'? It certainly wasn't me!"
"Well, excuse me!" the brunette angel yells. "Just because I wanted all my babies close together doesn't mean I got pregnant on purpose. It could have easily been that it took me forever to conceive again, IF at all." Instinctively placing her fingertips of both hands on her abdomen, "I look at these babies as gifts from God!" She is fuming.
Feeling this is a low blow, Andrew fires back, "And I don't?!?"
"NO! It sure doesn't seem like it!"
The blond angel clenches his jaw and looks toward Heaven. "Father, give me strength!" he prays through clenched teeth. After taking a deep breath, he continues, "It's not that I don't think these babies are gifts from God, because I do. It's just that I really am feeling overwhelmed. Three babies in less than a year....it's just a lot to take in." He reaches out to stroke her jaw, but she pulls away.
Monica's still angry. "How do you think it is for me?"
"No, how is it for you?" His tone is still a bit heated, but a bit softer than before.
"I...I thought I was ready for this," she cries, fighting back the tears that are forming and stinging in her eyes, "but I'm not. What was I thinking, Andrew?"
He doesn't know what to say, so he stays silent, letting her continue.
"Two babies, fine, but we're having twins! Andrew! We're gonna have three babies in less than a year!" Suddenly, she winces and doubles over. "AAAAAHHHH! Andrew! Help!"
Andrew rushes to his wife's side, "Monica?"
"The babies!" Another wave of pain hits.
"C'mon. Let's get you to the hospital." He leads her down the stairs.
Tess glances over and sees Monica doubled over and crying and Andrew with a protective arm around his wife. Her eyes widen with concern.
"Call the doctor!" Andrew commands, "And have her meet us at the hospital. They rush out of the house and the elder angel does as instructed.
"Oh Father!" Tess prays, with a sleeping Hannah on her shoulder, "please be with Andrew, Monica and the babies." She looks out the window, down the road where the Angel Family speeds off to the hospital. "Hang on, Little Angel Babies, hang on!"
----End of Chapter 14----