Found Love
Chapter 34-8 months later
Wolf paced around the delivery room, terrified. Willow had been in labor for what felt like days and due to her small frame; it was not progressing fast at all. Jim, Maryann, Mike, Andrea and Hannah were all there, coaching Willow. The poor girl was having triplets and had wanted to have them naturally, if possible. Her doctor came in and examined the monitors.
"I understand wanting to have them naturally, but Baby C is in distress. I think a C-section is our best option. It could cause a lot of damage to both Willow and Baby C if we don't do this. I will give you a moment to decide." The doctor said before he walked out. Wolf could see the fear in Mike's eyes, as well as the look in Jim and Maryann's eyes.
"Willow, I've had a C-section. It doesn't make you less of a…anyway, it'll be alright." Andrea tried reassuring her.
"I suppose it's the best option. Can Maryann and Wolf still come in with me?" Willow asked.
"I'll go talk to the doctor." Jim stated before walking out.
"If Jim wants to go in; it's okay." Wolf offered.
"No, you need to be with your wife." Maryann insisted. Jim, the doctor and two nurses walked back in.
"Alright, we have room for two besides my team and we do need to hurry. Willow is already bleeding a bit too much." The doctor told them.
"Wolf and I will go in." Maryann stated matter-of-factedly. Jim squeezed Willow's hand and then stood back with Maryann. Wolf also opted to give Mike some room. He was terrified.
"Daddy, I will be fine. Don't worry." Willow tried to assure Mike. He brushed her unruly hair out of her face and kissed her forehead.
"I will worry. You're my baby. I love you." Mike told her.
"I love you too." Willow told him and then had similar conversations with Andrea and Hannah.
"Alright. Let's go." The doctor said and guided Willow's gurney out with the nurse's help. Mike, Andrea, Hannah and Jim walked to a nearby waiting room while Maryann and Wolf got suited up for the operating room. They hadn't found out what the genders of the babies were, and Maryann and Jim had picked out names but refused to tell anyone the names. It was going to be a huge surprise. They walked into the operating room and sit down on either side of Willow. Both had ahold of Willow's hands and the doctor began cutting, warning Willow of pressure and pain.
"Ouch…I thought you said there wouldn't be any pain…" Willow gasped.
"I said it wouldn't be so bad. Trust me, it could be worse. Just breath through it, in and out, in and out." The doctor instructed. He was watching her heart monitor closely and Wolf could see he was a little stressed. "Alright, final cut made. And here is Baby A. You all ready?" The doctor asked.
"Yeah." Willow said through clenched teeth.
"Alright, you'll feel some pressure. One, two and…" The doctor warned.
"Aww…" Willow interrupted.
"And meet Baby A, a perfect baby boy." The doctor said as he laid the first baby on Willow's chest. Maryann already had tears rolling down her face and the baby boy was crying.
"He's perfect." Maryann stated. She was still holding Willow's hand but had her other hand on the baby's stomach. In just a minute, a nurse whisked him away and the procedure started again.
"Alright, Willow; again." The doctor stated, and Willow took a deep breath.
"Alright…good, here is Baby B. You're doing good, Willow. And Baby B is a beautiful baby girl." The doctor said as he placed the baby on Willow's chest.
"Doctor, her pulse ox is dropping. I'm putting her on four liters, non-rebreather?" The nurse asked.
"Yes." The doctor answered, and the nurse put a mask on Willow. Wolf was getting really worried.
"Is everything okay?" He asked the doctor.
"It isn't an abnormal reaction." The doctor assured him. "Alright, Willow; you will feel a little pressure again, but you will be done." The doctor told her, and she nodded. Within just a couple seconds, another baby was laid on her chest. Another perfect baby girl. The nurse removed her a moment later. Wolf expected Maryann to follow but she stayed by Willow's side.
"They are perfect, sweetie. You did good. How are you feeling?" Maryann asked as Willow took the mask off.
"Hurt and I'm so tired." Willow admitted.
"We'll get you closed up and cleaned up. You can sleep soon." The doctor promised.
"Are the babies okay?" Willow asked. The pediatrician walked back over and rubbed Willow's shoulder.
"They are perfect. They're temperatures are a little low and we are taking care of that, but they are perfect otherwise." The pediatrician assured her.
"Maryann, when they're done; can I hold them?" Willow asked.
"Absolutely, sweetie." Maryann told her.
"Do we have names?" The nurse asked.
"The little boy's name is Liam Michael. The oldest baby girl is Piper Willow and the other is Zoe Christine. Jim and I wanted names that would mean a lot to you, but we had to name at least one of them after you, sort of. So; Liam, Piper and Zoe are going to love you." Maryann told her.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that." Willow said.
"We wanted to." Maryann insisted, and Willow nodded. The doctor was working on her and Wolf wanted to stay by her side but knew that Jim and the rest of Willow's family would want to know that she was alright, and the babies were healthy. He was torn. Maryann seemed to read his thoughts and nodded. "I'll step out."
Within a couple minutes, Willow was closed up and doing much better. She had gotten to hold Liam for a bit before she was taken to a room. The babies were also brought in. Jim and Maryann both made sure that Willow had plenty of time with each baby. Even though they weren't biologically hers; she was very attached to them. It had actually worried Wolf. He was scared that she wouldn't be able to let the babies go.
Finally, in the late afternoon, Willow fell asleep. The babies were taken to the nursery and Jim, Maryann, Mike, Andrea and Hannah went down to the cafeteria to get some food. Wolf opted to stay with his wife. She slept really hard for about an hour and then woke up; looking for everyone.
"Where'd they go?" Willow asked.
"The babies are in the nursery and everyone else went to get something to eat." Wolf told her as he bent down and kissed her.
"You could have gone. Watching me sleep is like watching paint dry." Willow stated as she wiggled around the bed, trying to find a better position.
"I wanted to be here, and I think your dad would have stayed too. He's been worried about you." Wolf told her.
"I could tell. He's a worrywart." Willow said.
"He worries because he loves you. So, you okay with the babies going to Jim and Maryann?" Wolf asked.
"Its…I thought it would be easier, but I also know, they are still Jim and Maryann's. I just carried them. And its not like I won't ever see them again. I know you want to wait a bit. I want to have a baby of our own. Just one though…triplets are exhausting." Willow stated.
"I am good with one baby at a time." Wolf agreed.
"And the good, old-fashioned way is way better." Willow told him, and Wolf laughed.
"Just because you've missed that." Wolf teased.
"No lie there. My timing with this pregnancy and being a newlywed is a bit suspicious. Not well thought out but worth it. Seeing Jim and Maryann with those babies…it feels so good." Willow told him.
"Piper and Zoe already have Jim wrapped around their little fingers and Liam is going to be a momma's boy." Wolf stated.
"What do you want? A boy or girl?" Willow asked. Wolf had sat down behind her on the bed and was massaging her back.
"I want one of each but…those little girls are sure sweet. I think I wouldn't mind having a girl first…but we'll see." Wolf remarked.
"You've been talking to my dad. He loves his boys, but he is different with the girls. Except me, I was the tomboy." Willow teased.
"Oh, he loves you too. Therapy has done you both a lot of good." Wolf insisted.
"I love our therapy days; not so much the therapy but I love going out to eat after. Spending time together." Willow told him.
"It's a good thing your dad is a foodie." Wolf joked. He was a bit more refined and health conscious where his food was concerned. Willow and Mike loved going to obscure restaurants and healthy eating was the least of their concerns, especially since Willow was no longer a cop and Mike was retired.
"But he's anti-sushi." Willow complained.
"I will go for sushi with you. I did see in the paper; they are having a food truck festival. Next weekend. Think you'll feel up to it?" Wolf asked as he rubbed Willow's back.
"I'd like to go but that type of food is more up Dad and I's alley, not so much yours." Willow told him.
"I might take a cheat day." Wolf told her.
"That would be nice. I'm told this surgery isn't so easy recovering from though. We'll see." Willow said as she bent back and kissed him.
"How long will you be in the hospital?" Wolf asked.
"I would say at least overnight; probably even two nights. If you want to go home, I understand." Willow stated.
"Absolutely not. I am here. Any ideas on the babies? How long they will be in?" Wolf asked.
"I would guess the same amount of time. That's going to be hard. I go home, and they will go to their home. I know Jim and Maryann are excited and I will be able to see them but…it's hard to explain." Willow said. Wolf could hear the tears in her voice and kissed the top of her head. He knew she would never admit having trouble letting the babies go to anyone but him and possibly Mike, but she still needed to vocalize it.
"It won't help with being separated from them, but we can start trying as soon as you're ready to. Or we can take the foster care classes and start that process." Wolf suggested.
"I was actually thinking about those classes. There are so many kids needing homes. We could do that while I'm off work." Willow agreed.
"Okay, I will call the social worker to get us signed up. At the same time, we can also start trying for one of our own." Wolf told her.
"Yeah." Willow agreed.
"What's on your mind?" Wolf asked.
"If…I'm having trouble letting the triplets go, how am I going to be with a foster child? I know the triplets are going to a good home and that Jim and Maryann will be phenomenal parents to them. I will be able to see them grow up and even contribute. I won't have that same knowledge with a foster child." Willow asked.
"I don't have an answer. I wish I did. But I know one thing; you and I have both been foster kids. You just had triplets for Jim and Maryann and I moved Cassie to this side of the world. We've both had good experiences with our foster parents and I think that will make us better parents. They've taught us a lot. The love they have given us, we can pass along to another child. I can't think of a better calling." Wolf told her and then kissed the back of her head.
"You're right." Willow agreed. Just as she said it, everyone walked in and the conversation ended. Mike had a huge bouquet of flowers in his hand and Maryann had a giftbag.
"We all wanted to get you a few things. We know you're having a rough time with this and how attached you are to those babies. Jim and I love you so much. We always have but Willow; what you've done is so special. I can't think of a single person who would have done the same thing; other then maybe Hannah." Maryann said as she ran her hand through Willow's hair.
"And as your dad; I couldn't be prouder of you. I know you and I have had our issues. You are a very special young woman and I love you so much. I also know that your mom would be incredibly proud of you for doing this. She was the perfect mother and this reminds me of something she would do. Totally selfless." Mike told Willow as he bent down and kissed the top of her head. Willow had tears rolling down her face. The nurse came in with the bassinet with the babies just then.
"Jim and I also talked, we think it is appropriate that the babies stay with you at the hospital. We just wanted you to get some rest first. I may be their mother biologically, but they don't know that. Its your heart that they've heard and its you that they know. We trust you and Wolf with them. If you don't want them to, I understand. It might make things harder for you, but it might make it better too. And better for the babies. The nurse told us that Liam has been quite fussy and he seems to be the ringleader. Piper and Zoe are following his lead." Maryann said.
"Bring him here, please?" Willow asked, and Jim complied. As soon as Liam was settled on Willow's chest; the baby settled and was soon asleep.
"I think that's what he needed." Jim stated, and everyone smiled.
"Such a sweet boy." Maryann said as she bent down and kissed Liam's cheek. He had his thumb stuck in his mouth and opened one eye at her, apparently not completely asleep.
"That is a Jim look, right there." Willow joked.
"I remember thinking Jim was asleep and he would open that one eye. Freaked me out!" Hannah agreed.
"Like you ever tried to get away with anything." Jim said, defending himself. Hannah had always been perfectly behaved. She never stepped out of line. Not for Jim and Maryann or Mike and Andrea.
"I was too scared to. Dad's a light sleeper and you open your eyes in your sleep. That was enough incentive for me not to try anything." Hannah admitted.
"I made up for it." Willow teased with a smile. She had been the wild child and Jim and Maryann had had their hands full with her.
"You did give us some gray hairs, but it was completely worth it." Jim admitted. Hannah had yawned, and Mike was watching her closely. She had had another stroke a couple months prior and Mike was extremely protective of her.
"I think that's our cue. We need to pick the littles up anyway." Andrea said.
"Yeah, Wolf; you're staying?" Mike asked, obviously torn between his daughters.
"Absolutely." Wolf assured him.
"I'll be alright, Daddy. Thanks for the flowers. They are really pretty." Willow said, and Mike bent down and gave her a kiss on the top of the head.
"Your welcome. Call if you need anything at all." Mike told her and then Andrea and Hannah bent down for their hugs. Wolf had stayed behind Willow the entire time, massaging her back.
"I'll get more cuddle time with those babies later." Hannah told Jim and Maryann.
"We are counting on it." Maryann told her.
"Careful, she's a baby hog. Lauren still loves her best." Mike warned as he helped Hannah with her jacket.
"Oh, everyone needs a Hannah in their life." Jim said as he gave Hannah a hug.
"She's one in a million." Willow piped up.
"Alright, enough of that. Dad, I am tired." Hannah admitted, and Mike nodded.
"We will come back tomorrow to visit. Bring the kids. Annika has her heart set on holding one of the babies." Andrea told them.
"Of course." Maryann said.
"Did you talk to them about the house?" Jim asked. Everyone had an odd look on their face.
"Oh, right…so, with triplets, we wanted a bigger house for when the kids got older. We bought the one across the street from you, Mike and Andrea. We wanted them to be close to Willow and Wolf. I just got distracted today. We close tomorrow." Maryann told them.
"And then moving starts…yay!" Jim joked.
"I'll help. I'm a retired man now. Have a truck and everything." Mike offered.
"And I'll help decorate." Hannah added. She had taken an interest in interior design and worked with Katherine frequently.
"I was going to ask." Maryann assured her.
"Good, just let us know. Mike, we better go get our hoodlums. Willow, call me if you need anything or have any questions." Andrea told her.
"Thanks. I may take another nap soon. I love you guys." Willow told them.
"We love you too." Mike told her before they left the hospital room. Jim and Maryann would be staying until the visiting hours were over. Liam was sound asleep, and Piper and Zoe were being cuddled by Jim and Maryann. Wolf was still behind Willow. It was the perfect end to a long and stressful day.