They both woke early the next morning. "Holy Hannah, Erin, do my boobs ache," Penelope said as she sat up and stretched.
"That's the milk and your body telling you it's time to feed the twins." She got up and handed Penelope one of the nursing bras they'd bought earlier. "We should probably get going so you can feed them. By the time we get to the hospital, visiting hours should have started." Penelope watched her dress before getting out of bed herself.
"You realize that I have hardly any clothes that front fasten. I didn't even think about the breastfeeding when I built my wardrobe." She said as she looked through her closet.
Erin stood behind her and picked out a light weight skirt and blouse. "That's what blankets are for, to cover you up when you lift your shirt to feed them. While I love your breasts, I really do not want them on display for everyone like that."
"Oh my, is someone theoretically jealous for me?" Penelope teased as she watched Erin blush. "Don't worry, these are for your pleasure only, my love." After she'd dressed, they went downstairs and found their travel mugs on the counter, filled with tea and two muffins on a plate. Erin picked up the note Paul had left and smiled gently.
"He and Jack have gone to pick Karen up from the airport. They'll meet us at the hospital later today," she said as she picked up her purse. "Are you ready to head out, or did you want to eat a moment?"
"Yes." Penelope picked up the plate and her mug and followed Erin out to the car. "They put the car seats in already."
"A bit optimistic of them. The twins won't be released for at least six more days." She squeezed Penelope's shoulder. "But I like that optimism, since we do never know what will happen. Better to be prepared than caught off guard."
The drive in took a little longer than normal, since there had been an accident that backed traffic up. When they finally made it to the hospital, Penelope discovered her breasts were leaking somewhat and she crossed her arms in front of her chests. "Erin," she moaned in distress.
"It happened to me, too. Your body wants to feed them," she replied as she pressed the button for their floor. "I know it's embarrassing."
Penelope stole a quick kiss and smiled. "You know just what to say to make me feel better, Erin. I love you."
"I love you, too, Penelope." Ignoring some of the looks they got, they stepped out onto the NICU floor and were quickly buzzed in. The nurse from the other morning was there, waiting for them.
"Good morning Erin, Penelope. I just finished taking the twins' vitals. Elinor has put on three ounces, while Alan's gained four. Do you plan on having any visitors today?"
"Yes, my daughter is flying home from Ireland, she'll be by later with my son."
"I'll keep my eye out for them then."
Erin nodded and led Penelope into room five. Right away, she noticed that it was different today, that the other baby was gone. "He must have been strong enough to go home," Penelope said as she picked up Alan. Sitting down, she lifted her shirt and opened her bra, holding Alan up to her breast. He latched on and sucked strongly. Erin arranged the blanket over her and then picked up Elinor.
"I wonder where she got this dark brown hair from? My family's blonde through and through, and Spencer's mother has blonde hair as well. Do you know if his father has this gorgeous coloring?"
"If I remember rightly, his hair color is more of a darker, flatter brown. Must be a genetic throwback, and that makes me wonder what other surprises we'll have in store." Alan released his hold on Penelope's breast and she handed him over to Erin, then took Elinor from her.
When their daughter had finished eating, Penelope burped Elinor and then rocked with her. Soon, she was asleep like her brother and Penelope smiled down at her. "Will Karen be upset she cut her trip short?" Penelope asked, looking over at Erin.
"No, she won't, because she'll get to see her little brother and sister. But I can't believe you couldn't wait three more days until I was home if you were going to have them early," Karen said as she swept into the room. "May I hold one of them?"
"Of course," Erin replied, handing Alan over. She then beckoned Jack and Paul into the room.
"Aunt Penny, can I hold the other one?" Jack asked, standing at her side and smiling. Penelope nodded and stood up, motioning for Jack to take her seat. Once he was settled, she carefully placed Elinor in his arms, showing him how to cradle her head. She went to stand by Erin and Paul, smiling when Erin wrapped her arm around her waist. "I hope Daddy gives me a little brother or sister soon."
"He has to meet someone first, Jackers."
"He already has, Aunt Erin." Jack smiled up at her. "And while she's not Karen, I like her all the same."
"Thanks, little man, that means a lot to me," Karen replied. "Hey, Paul, do you want to hold Alan? I have to go run that errand."
"Oh, that's right, your errand. Sure, Sis, just remember to pick us up." He took Alan from her arms, carefully sitting with him in the other rocking chair. He looked over at Erin and Penelope. "While we're here, do you want to go grab something to eat?"
Penelope looked at the two of them, knowing they were up to something. Erin touched her shoulder and she turned to face her. "What do you think, Erin? Should we go get something to eat?"
"I suppose we could grab something from the cafeteria. We could be back in about thirty minutes." Penelope nodded and clasped Erin's hand. They left the room together and went to the elevators. "What do you think they're up to?" Erin asked the minute the doors slid closed.
Penelope stepped close to Erin, smiling. "I have no idea, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. They do make me wonder, though." Stepping out into the main floor, they went to the cafeteria. "I'll grab us a place to sit and wait for you, if you don't mind."
"What do you want to eat?"
"Chicken salad sounds good. If they don't have that, a grilled cheese sounds good, too. Oh, and an apple, definitely an apple." Erin nodded and got in line. Penelope went to the very back of the room, far away from the line, where it was quiet. Ten minutes later, Erin joined her and set the tray on the table, sitting next to her.
"Chicken salad and an apple for you, Caesar salad for me. And two cups of Earl Grey as well," she said as she put the items in front of them. "I suppose you're going to pick out the onions from your sandwich."
Penelope bit her lip sheepishly, nodding slightly. "Raw onions are disgusting to me now. If I hadn't gotten sick on them in January, I still might be able to eat them," she said as she used her fork to dig them out. "So, we should probably be thinking about getting the nursery set up, seeing as they'll be home soon."
Erin nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. And we have the time to do it together, since your maternity leave is so long. But, we're not supposed to look in the nursery, remember? Paul and his secret project?"
"Oh, that's right. Maybe he's putting together the cribs for us. Wouldn't that be lovely?"
"Yes, it would." They finished eating and went back up to the NICU. Karen was gone and the babies were back in their incubators. "So, did they give you any trouble?"
"No, Mom. They were perfect angels. They're also two days old, and can't really do anything. We're going to take off now. Lots to do today and all."
"I thought Karen was going to pick you up?" Penelope asked.
"She decided to take a cab, since she didn't know how long her errand would take. What time are you going to be home today?"
Erin looked at Penelope, who shrugged. "About seven, why?"
"Just need to know what time to have supper ready. We'll see you this evening then." Paul hugged them, followed by Jack, and they were alone with their babies once more. Erin pulled the blanket out of her purse and began to knit furiously. Penelope pulled out her Nook, picking up where she'd left off in James Rollins' latest book.
She'd just finished her chapter when Alan started fussing. Setting the device on her purse, she went over and picked him up. As she sat back down, she lifted her shirt and held him up to her breast. He latched on and she covered herself with the blanket at her side, rocking gently. When he'd finished, she burped him, then continued to hold him. "You're here, little one. Mommy doesn't know why you couldn't wait another six weeks, but she's glad you're both healthy for all your anxiousness." She bent and kissed his forehead gently.
Erin looked up from her knitting and laughed lightly. "They're impatient, just like their mother."
"They don't have any of my DNA, Erin. How can they be impatient like me?"
"I've never been the most patient of people, either, Penny."
"Too true, my dove." She began to say something else when someone knocked on the door. "Come in."
The door opened and JJ stepped inside, moving slowly over to them. "Hey, Emily called to tell me the news. I had some free time and thought I'd stop by to see how you're doing."
"We're doing well. But how about you? Hasn't your maternity leave started yet?" Penelope asked, gently touching her distended stomach.
"It starts next week. I worked right until I have birth to Henry that I figured why should Kathryn be any different?" she asked as she sat down. Elinor began fussing and Penelope got up to switch the babies. "May I hold him?"
"Sure." Penelope handed Alan over and picked up her daughter. Covering herself, she held Elinor up to her breast. "So, you're having a girl. How wonderful."
"Yeah, Will's really happy to have a little girl to spoil. When are the twins going home?"
"Soon, I hope. Most likely the end of the week."
"Or the day after tomorrow." Dr. Barr, their pediatrician, stepped into the room, smiling widely at Penelope and Erin. "I've been talking with their NICU doctor, and the progress they've made so far is remarkable. One more day here for observation, and if they've gained more weight, then you'll be able to take them home the next day."
"That's certainly wonderful news, Dr. Barr," Erin said, setting her knitting on her lap. "Thank you for coming to see us."
"Not a problem, Erin. It will be my pleasure to see these children through to adulthood, just as I've seen your other three. Now remember, I want to see them in two weeks' time."
"Of course," Erin replied, smiling at him. He nodded and left the room. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back."
"Hurry, my love," Penelope said, repositioning Elinor to burp her. Once she was out of the room, Penelope turned to JJ. "Oh, Jayje, I wish you were back at the BAU. Cass is okay, but she's no you."
"I've been gone for over two years now, Penny."
"And she's the third media liaison we've had. No matter how I try to help her, she's still so nervous. I want to say it's her youth, but Reid was more put together at her age. I know, a pipe dream, bit I can't help but wish it so."
"I know, and it's sweet to want me back. We'll have to do some play dates when the babies get older."
"That would be a lot of fun, Jayje. You have to go, don't you?"
"Yeah. My lunch hour is just about over. I'm so glad the babies are all right." JJ placed Alan back in his incubator, then bent and kissed Penelope's cheek. "You make a really good mother."
"Aw, thanks, Angel. I'll see you soon, right?" The other woman nodded and Penelope smiled in relief, watching her leave. "Oh, Ellie, it looks like you'll have a friend to grow up with. It's always good to have girl friends to talk to." She rocked Elinor to sleep and then held onto her, keeping her close to her heart.
"You know, if you only bond with Ellie, Alan won't be very happy." Erin stood in the doorway, watching them.
"I know, but she's still playing catch-up. Though if you want to take her for a while, I can hold Alan. We're going to have play dates with JJ. Oh, that sounds so domestic, doesn't it?" She sighed and passed Elinor off to Erin. Alan stirred a little when she picked him up and then buried his face in Penelope's breasts.
"Well, he's like his mothers in that respect, isn't he?" Erin said, laughing lowly. Penelope felt her face flush and she rubbed Alan's back slowly in circles. "Ah, I've silenced the domestic goddess. Shall I never hear her dulcet tones again?"
"Erin."
"That's better, my peacock. Since we'll be out anyway, should we meet with our wedding coordinator in two weeks?"
"Yeah, that'd be fine. I still cannot believe you went along with my theme idea, though."
"As Emily say, we have to do something large and spectacular to top the engagement party. This will definitely fulfill that." Erin rubbed Elinor's back absently as they lapsed into a comfortable silence. Penelope felt her eyelids grow heavy and she fought to stay awake. It was a losing battle, and before she fell completely asleep, she felt Erin drape the blanket over her and Alan.
She woke up to Alan fussing and rooting against her breast. She lifted her shirt and held him close, smiling gently as she watched Erin cast off the first blanket. "So, that's Elinor done. Did you bring the yarn for Alan's blanket?"
"Do you ever know me to be unprepared, my peacock?" she replied as she pulled out a ball of pastel yellow yarn and began to cast on stitches. "And don't bring up Milwaukee, please."
Penelope giggled. "That was not my finest hour, either, Ma'am."
Erin rolled her eyes and laughed as well. "I don't think I've ever had anyone ask me to talk dirty to them before or since."
"But would you, Sugar?"
"Well now, you'll just have to wait for my next call." Penelope shivered under the look Erin gave her and stood to switch Alan and Elinor. When she'd finished, she set Elinor back in and covered her with the new blanket. She turned in time to see Erin slip their camera back into her purse.
"Let me see those pictures, Erin." She held out her hand and looked at her lover, smiling sweetly. Erin took the camera out and handed it to her. Penelope flipped through the pictures of her feeding the twins and then of her and Alan sleeping. "These are absolutely darling. I'll have to put them up on the blog later today." Erin smiled and Penelope took a few pictures of her knitting on the second blanket. It was at moments like these, she felt truly home.
