Last chapter everyone I hope it brings you some Clew cheer after tonight's episode.
Ch.25 Take hold of the Threshold of Eternity
(CLARE)
"Alright Clare the staples are all out, that area will be sore for a few days probably but it shouldn't be painful. If you feel any pain take an over the counter pain reliever, if that doesn't help or the pain is severe then call or come back in. You'll need a follow up with your gynecologist in a month but everything else looks good, you're healing a little slow but considering what you went through it's no surprise. Despite the slow healing you are healing well and at a steady pace. You're all set," the doctor says after taking the staples out of my C-section scar.
I get dressed again and Drew and I go to the NICU. Chianna and Adira are five weeks old today, last week we got to start kangaroo therapy. We come to the hospital two or three times a day at least to be with Chianna and Adira and we do kangaroo therapy twice a day. I absolutely love having one of the girls lying on my bare chest. We get to the NICU and Penny says she and a nurse will bring the girls into room three. There's several family rooms in the NICU for kangaroo therapy and other things. Drew and I go into room three, I lie on the bed and Drew sits in the chair, he leans it back a little and takes off his shirt putting the blanket in his lap so he can get put it over him and whichever girl he holds. I take off my shirt and bra then cover myself with the blanket just as Penny and another nurse bring in the girls. Penny gives Adira to me and Dana gives Chianna to Drew, he and I smile at each other as we hold our children. Adira is curled on her stomach lying on my breast, her skin against mine and her little hand gripping at me as I gently rub her back.
"Hey pretty girl," I whisper to Adira, "I love you so much and I can't wait to bring you home."
Drew is whispering similar things to Chianna and we smile at each other every few minutes. They came off the ventilators and CPAP last week, they still get oxygen sometimes but they don't have to be on it constantly anymore. They also have a long way to go before they can come home but we made it through the first five weeks and they are doing so well. After we've been holding them a while Penny comes back in.
"They should eat again if you want to try breast feeding Adira again, here Drew," Penny says handing him a bottle and Drew takes it sitting up a little so he can hold Chianna the right way to feed her. Penny presses a button to make the bed move up so I'm sitting instead of lying down in order to feed Adira. "Try breastfeeding her again, if she won't then I'll get you a bottle," Penny tells me.
We've been feeding them for a couple of weeks now, at first they wouldn't breast feed at all, they wouldn't latch on and suckle. That was hard to go through but Penny and the other nurses told me that it was quite normal. They had trouble with the bottle at first too and would only take a few sips before going back on the feeding tube. Chianna now has no trouble latching on to breast feed but Adira is still having problems. I move her in my arms, putting her to my breast; she latches on for a second and then let's go. After struggling with it for a few minutes and only having her stay latched for a minute at most I give up and Penny brings me a bottle. Since I've been producing milk I pump it at they keep it stocked at the hospital for feeding.
After feeding and burping we hold them another hour before they need changing and Penny says they should go back in the incubators and rest. Drew and I help change the girls and kiss them before letting them go and return home. We're having dinner with Jake and Glen in an hour and a half so I shower when we get home and then we rest and watch TV with Adam before we leave for the townhouse that Glen and Jake now live in.
"Hey sis," Jake greets when he opens the door and hugs me before shaking Drew's hand. I hug Jake and then hug Glen.
This isn't just a regular dinner we are celebrating the one month anniversary of the adoption being approved. I have officially and legally been Glen's daughter and Jake's sister for one month. I was thrilled when the adoption came through and felt like I had a parent again. It was a completely different feeling from when he married my mom and became my step-family.
"How are my grandbabies doing?" Glen asks as we sit down to eat.
"They're doing really well; we stayed with them for a couple of hours and fed them," I reply.
"Great, I'm going to see them this weekend, I love holding them it reminds me of when Jake was a baby. You know Jake's favorite thing when he was a baby was to be naked in the grass, he always loved the outdoors," Glen smiles.
"Dad," Jake groans rolling his eyes while Drew and I laugh. "It's about six weeks to the wedding how's the planning going?" Jake questions changing the subject.
"It's all done, we've heard from everyone, the last thing we need to do is find me a dress, Audra, Meghan, Stacey and I are going out this weekend. Speaking of the wedding I was hoping you'd walk me down the aisle Glen, Dad I mean, I was hoping you'd walk me down the aisle Dad," I request and Glen beams.
"I'd be honored Clare," Glen says and I smile.
We spend all the rest of dinner talking about Adira and Chianna and the wedding. Glen has to work tomorrow so we stay long enough to help clean up and then we leave for the hospital to say goodnight to Adira and Chianna. We sit in the NICU this time, I hold Chianna and Drew has Adira, we stay long enough to feed them again. Chianna latches right on and feeds from my breast. I don't know that I could accurately describe the feeling of feeding her but it's wonderful. After feeding them we change them and kiss them, tell them we love them and say goodnight before going home. It's been a long day actually and I'm tired by the time we reach home, Adam is watching a movie in our basement apartment when we get home and we join him on the sofa. I fall asleep in Drew's lap before the movie finishes.
(DREW)
My eyes open and I roll over kissing Clare, she doesn't open her eyes but she does kiss me back. I could barely sleep last night because I couldn't wait for morning to come. Today is going to be like Christmas for us because after nearly ten weeks in the NICU unit of the hospital Chianna and Adira would be coming home today! September 12th, five days before their due date, our daughters would be coming home! They were just over 9 weeks old today, they had been born ten weeks early, that day was one of the best and worst of my life. I was given not one but two daughters, beautiful, amazing daughters but they were so tiny and almost didn't make it. Clare didn't even know because she was unconscious having lost so much blood and her body going through so much trauma. They did make it though, all three of them and Clare and I will be married in a couple of weeks with our beautiful girls there with us.
"Chianna and Adira are coming home today," Clare smiles so brightly it lights the whole room.
"Yes they are so let's get dressed and go to the hospital so we can get them," I respond.
Clare practically leaps out of bed and rushes to the closet to get dressed. We get ready as fast as we can and grab a quick breakfast with my parents, Adam and Dallas.
"Adam will go with you because you'll probably need an extra pair of hands. We need to stay here and get the house set up for the party. By the time you two get home I expect most of the guests will be here," Mom says as we're eating. It's a good thing the girls are coming home on a Sunday so everyone could be here to welcome them home.
"Bianca said she'd come over to help set up, she should be here in about half an hour," Dallas comments.
We finish eating and leave with my brother to go to the hospital. Clare and I, with help from my mom, secured the car seats with the detachable infant carriers in the car yesterday. I feel like the drive to the hospital takes forever, much longer than usual, I always feel like the drive there takes a while because I'm anxious to be with my daughters. I guess it's because we really get to bring Adira and Chianna home today that's making the drive feel like it's taking so long. We finally arrive, I park and we get out the carriers from the back taking them in and up to the NICU.
"Hello Clare, Drew, Adam," Dana smiles when we come in, "today's the big day. The girls are excited and ready to go home. Come with me to the classroom and we'll review everything you've been learning for the last nine weeks while Chianna and Adira are prepared to go home."
We go with Dana and she reviews with us home care for the girls and we ask a few questions. We're nearly done when Chianna and Adira are brought to us in their carriers, they are sleeping peacefully and I smile when I see them. One of the nurses sets down a big bag of stuff for the girls from the hospital. We thank Dana and the rest of the team that cared for Chianna and Adira then I pick up Adira's carrier, Clare gets Chianna's and Adam gets the bag and we go out to the car. We lock the carriers into place while Adam gets the bag into the trunk, Clare sits in the back between the girls while Adam take the passenger seat and I drive us all home. The backyard is full of people when we arrive home and even though most of them saw Chianna and Adira in the hospital they still crowd near the car to see them.
Over the yard a big banner has been strung up and it reads: Welcome Home Chianna Gabriella and Adira Jeanette Torres! I stop the car and Adam and I get out, I grab Chianna's carrier and hand it to Owen who comes around to the driver's side, then I help Clare out of the car. Most everyone is cooing over the girls as Adam and Owen walk them over to a shady spot in the yard, a few people stay to greet us. We leave the girls in their carriers to sleep, Mom and Dad put out an old futon mattress with a sheet and blanket on it on the stone patio. It's in the shade so we, or anyone that wants to, can sit in the shade with the girls and they have a comfortable shady spot to be for the party. After hugging and greeting our guests Clare and I go sit with Chianna and Adira, Fitz and Meghan are with them but they stand up hugging us and going to mingle in the party so we can be with our daughters.
"I can't believe they're finally home, it almost doesn't seem real I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and they'll still be in the hospital," Clare comments as she watches the girls sleep.
"I promise it's not a dream," I reply pinching her side to prove my point.
"Agh Drew!" She admonishes twisting her mouth at me but I grin and kiss her gently.
"They got so big, they look so healthy now," Emma smiles joining us on the futon with Spinner.
"Yeah they grew a lot, still small but they're thriving, they each gained over two pounds. Chianna now weighs 4.7 pounds and Adira weighs 4.4 pounds which the doctors said was a good weight," Clare smiles.
"They looks so much better and they are so beautiful," Emma says gently caressing Adira's leg with the back of her finger.
"Definitely two of the most beautiful babies I've ever seen," Spinner grins.
They sit and talk with us for a while until Owen, Stacey, Fitz and Meghan come over with food for themselves and plates for me and Clare. Emma and Spinner get up to get food and the six of us start eating. We're chatting about things to do with the girls now that they're home and then at exactly the same second both Chianna and Adira start crying as they wake up.
"They must be hungry, they haven't had anything to eat since the hospital," I comment as Clare takes Chianna from her carrier and I take Adira.
"There's some bottles of breast milk in the fridge and bottle warmers on the counter could one of you heat them please?" Clare requests of our friends.
"Yeah of course, Owen and I will get the bottles," Stacey says volunteering her and Owen.
We thank them as they get up and go inside, Clare and I have set down our plates and we're rocking the girls to soothe them until their bottles are ready. Adira is sucking at my finger and Adira is just crying, Clare turns her cradling Adira against her chest and rubbing Adira's back.
"Can I feed one?" Meghan requests when Owen and Stacey return with the bottles.
"Sure," I reply handing Chianna to her.
"I'm done eating I'll feed Adira so you can eat Clare," Fitz offers setting down his empty plate and holding his arms out for Adira.
"Thanks Fitz," Clare smiles carefully handing him Adira.
After we eat and the girls have eat, been burped and changed they're awake and everyone wants to see them or hold them. I sit on the bench with Clare in my arms, we always have an eye on Chianna and Adira but they're safe and have lots of people here watching them and taking care of them. Everyone stays into the evening, eating some more and chatting, Lucas takes a hand at feeding the girls as do Emma, Spinner and Maya. By eight everyone is gone though since almost everyone has work or school tomorrow but not Clare and I, we're staying home with the girls for a couple weeks, Dallas and Adam will bring us our homework. After that we'll return for half days for a while and we have lots of babysitting help. My parents Adam, Bianca, Dallas and the Baker sibs are cleaning up the yard so Clare and I feed the girls before putting them to bed.
"I'm so happy to have you home," Clare smiles at Chianna as she feeds her.
"Our beautiful girls we finally have you home," I grin then look at Clare and steal a kiss.
After feeding the girls we burp them, change them and get them ready for bed putting them in a swaddling blankets and into their bassinets that are in our bedroom.
"Goodnight Chianna, Daddy's strong little girl I love you so much," I whisper to her bending down to kiss her forehead. Clare says goodnight to Adira and we switch so she can say goodnight to Chianna and I can say goodnight to Adira. I go to her bassinet which is on Clare's side of the bed and kiss her forehead. "I love you little girl, my sweet little surprise," I tell her caressing the top of her head. Clare stands and we meet and the end of the bed, I take her in my arms and grin at her. "So we have our girls home how do you feel Mom?" I ask Clare.
"Wonderful, I'm so happy to have them home," she smiles putting her hands on my chest and running them up to the back of my neck, "I love you Drew."
"I love you My Shining Jewel," I smile and then capture her lips for an ardently loving kiss.
(CLARE)
I stand in front of the full length mirror in my tent and look at myself dressed for my wedding and minutes away from being Mrs. Andrew Torres. I have white wedge heels on my feet, and a garter on my right thigh, the garter is red and white which is the color theme for our wedding. My dress goes to my knees, it's pencil skirt style with a tulle overskirt which is red. The corset style top has no sleeves and is white, laced with red ribbon in the back. I of course have my engagement ring on and a pearl necklace and earring set that Audra leant me. Pinned in my hair is a small white hat, it's sort of old fashioned style, has two red roses on it and a white veil. Drew and I are getting married at High Park, it's a small wedding but all the people we care about most are here to see us get married, even Mia and Izzy came in from Paris.
"You look beautiful Clare," Audra smiles handing me my bouquet.
"Chianna and Adira are ready," Stacey says and I look over at her and Meghan who were getting Chianna and Adira dressed for the wedding. Both of them have red dresses with white collars and white sashes, they also have white headbands on their heads with a red rose made from ribbon on it.
"They look great, so pretty thank you both," I smile hugging my friends.
"You're welcome we'll see you in a few minutes when you walk down the aisle," Meghan smiles.
Audra picks up Chianna, Meghan picks up Adira and the three of them leave the tent to go take their seats.
"I can't believe my little sister is a mom and she's getting married," Darcy smiles at me kissing my cheek.
"I can't either but I'm really happy," I tell her smiling wide, I've been smiling wide all day.
"Then let's go get you married little sister," she smiles as the music outside starts.
"Are you ready Clare?" Glen asks peeking his head into the tent.
"Very ready," I reply.
Darcy leaves the tent to start walking down the aisle and Glen comes over to me offering me his arm.
"You look gorgeous Clare," he grins kissing my cheek and I smile.
"Thanks Dad," I reply as we walk out of the tent.
We stop at the end of the aisle and I look down to see Drew under the rose covered gazebo with the minister. He's grinning from ear to ear, his smile so bright it's more illuminate than the sunlight. I grin back at him, sure that my smile is just as big and bright as Glen and I slowly proceed down the aisle after Darcy. Adam is standing at Drew's side as his best man, I struggled with who should be my maid of honor but Darcy has been staying with us and helping with the girls, she's been amazing and we've grown closer than we ever were so I asked her to be my maid of honor last week and she said yes. Darcy takes her place and Glen and I reach the gazebo, he kisses my cheek and takes his place next to Drew's parents who are currently holding Chianna and Adira.
The minister begins talking as I take Drew's hand and stand with him. I hear what the minister is saying but my eyes are lost in Drew's and my mind lost in the life that lies before us. We say I do at the right time and exchange rings, we got very simple rings of white gold. After we say our vows and exchange our rings the minister says Fitz and Meghan will be leading us in a closing prayer and they stand up.
"Drew and Clare may the love of God be above you to overshadow you, beneath you to uphold you, before you to guide you, behind you to protect you, close beside you and within you to make you able for all things, and to reward your faithfulness with the joy and peace which the world cannot give neither can it take away. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom be glory now and evermore. Amen," Fitz and Meghan say the prayer together and then sit down again.
"Drew and Clare have been married under the eyes of God and with his blessing in front of their closest friend and family. I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Torres, you may now kiss your bride," the minister announces.
Drew grins and I put my arms around his neck but instead of simply kissing me he sweeps me up into his arms and then joins our lips. I smile and kiss him back with immensely burning passion for my husband. Everyone starts clapping and after a minute Drew sets me down and we look at them. Adira and Chianna are crying but Mia and Lucas are holding them. We take lots of pictures in the park before going to the reception. Some of just me and Drew, some with us holding the girls, me with Jake, Glen and Darcy, Drew with his family, all of us together, the wedding party and the entire wedding.
For the reception we rented a banquet hall at High Park Club which we can't walk to but we also rented a shuttle bus which will take us all in a few groups to the hall. Drew and I go in the first group, getting on the bus and Lucas, Mia and Izzy follow us holding Chianna and Adira, I give my bouquet to Izzy to hold so Drew and I can hold our daughters and the three of them sit down. Audra, Omar, Jake, Glen, Adam, Darcy, Owen, Stacey, Meghan, Fitz, Evelyn, Jay, Spin, Emma, Peter, Maya, Tris and Cam all come over on the first bus. When we get to the hall Meghan and Fitz take Adira and Chianna to feed them. Drew and I stand at the door to greet the other guests when they arrive.
When everyone is here Drew and I have our first dance as man and wife, we dance to "Without You" from RENT and I think it's a wonderfully appropriate song for us. When the song ends Drew and I kiss and everyone claps. Then we get food before sitting at our table, we're in the middle of the table, next to Clare's chair is Adira's carrier which is secured onto a pedestal so she can see what's going on and everyone can see her. Chianna has the same next to mine although so far they're being held everyone and haven't been set back in their carriers yet.
Drew and I eat watching everyone that came to celebrate with us, watching Adam and Becky dance, Darcy talk with Peter, Jay feeding Adira and Luke feeding Chianna, our friends dancing and we smile. Chianna and Adira are put in their carries after they fall asleep and Drew and I are done eating. Adam and Darcy are sitting and eating now so Drew and I dance before it's time for cake, we feed each other bites of cake and then sit down again to eat cake. Audra, Omar, Glen, Jake, Darcy and Adam all give speeches, there's lots more celebrating and our daughters are little angels the entire time. Eventually we have to leave so I throw my bouquet which Mia catches then Drew takes my garter off with his teeth and throws it behind him, Adam catches the garter and his cheeks go bright red.
We say goodbye to our guests and I give Darcy a big long hug since she'll be on a plane to India tomorrow. Drew and I ride home in the minivan with Audra, Omar and Adam and of course Chianna and Adira in their car seats. Drew and I sit in the very back with Adira and Chianna is in front of sitting next to Uncle Adam who spends the whole ride cooing at her, he loves being an uncle.
"I know you've had a million pictures taken today but I just want a few more while the girls are awake and we're all still dressed. We can do them in the backyard," Audra says when we get home.
"Mom it's been a long day," Drew complains.
"It's okay I like having a million pictures to help me remember this day," I smile and Drew kisses my cheek.
We take the girls from their carriers and go to the backyard. Adam and Audra take the girls while Omar turns on the backyard lights and gets the camera. Drew and I take two by the big tree on of us holding each other and one of us kissing. Then we take one each with the two of us and Adam, then Audra, then Omar. After which Omar gets the tripod setting the camera on a timer and Drew and I sit with the girls in our laps on the bench while Adam, Audra and Omar stand behind us. The last picture we take is Drew and I sitting side by side on the bench, he's holding me with one arm and Adira with the other, I hold Chianna and the girls are gripping each other's hands. We look at our beautiful twins, Drew grins and ensnares my lips just as Audra takes the picture of our happy family.
I hope you guys liked the last chapter and enjoyed reading Drew and Care's journey as much as I enjoyed writing it.
As most of you should remember I published a series of shorts last Christmas, if you haven't read them find "Who Likes Short Shorts" on my author's page. I'll be doing something similar this year over Christmas break with Christmas chapters of stories that didn't have Christmas chapters in them including this story so technically this does get one more chapter you just have to wait until Christmas.
Next Tuesday will be the premier of Falling Faster than Anyone Should.