Chapter 34:
Third time is a charm:
It's been a month since Jane and Maura took little Colin home . The new parents both took a maternity leave so they could take care of him on a full time basis.
Things were a little shaky at first because Colin arrived in their lives so fast that they didn't have time to prepare themselves. Quite fast, with Angela's help, they became experts in the art of feeding, changing and letting him cry from time to time, which broke Maura's heart every time.
Today was a sunny Sunday and Jane was outside in a long chair, under an enormous umbrella with Colin sleeping on her chest.
Maura, who hasn't been feeling well for the past two days, finally found the strength to get out of bed and after going to the bathroom to vomit for the 3rd time this morning decided to join them.
She stood there for a while, watching Jane holding him tight and rubbing the back of his little head with her thumb. She always knew that Jane was going to be a great mom, caring, protective, just like she was with her.
"He fell asleep?"
"Yes, I'm warning you, men in my family are heavy sleepers." Jane joked.
"Well that's a good thing, wait until he reaches puberty and we have to get him out of bed ."
"Yeah, we have time to educate him, don't worry. How are you?" Jane asked straightening in the chair still holding him tight.
"Better, but I think we need to talk. Do you mind putting him to bed and join me into our bedroom please?" Maura asked as quietly as she could, she didn't want Jane to worry.
"Alright, give me a few minutes, I don't want to wake him up." Jane replied standing up as slow as she could.
"Alright." Maura nodded kissing her son before retiring to their bedroom.
About 5 minutes later Jane, who was a little worried, joined Maura who was sitting on their bed.
"Alright, you have all my attention." Jane said sitting in front of her.
"Are you happy?"
"Are you kidding me? Maura, I'm more then happy, I feel blessed." Jane replied moving closer to her wife who seemed in distress.
"Really, I mean are you happy that we adopted Colin, I know that at first you agreed to start the IVF process to make me happy."
"It's true that at first I was a bit reluctant, but not because I didn't want to have a baby, but because I was scared. Before I met you I was barely able to take care of myself so being responsible for a baby was frightening. But as soon as I started to read all those pregnancy books and as soon as we started going to the OBGYN, I realized that's what I wanted more then anything. I love you Maura and I love our son, he's the most precious thing I ever hold in my arms apart from you. I feel so grateful that we were lucky enough to find him. I also feel full of responsibility, I know I can't screw up, like I once did with you. You and Colin give me purpose . I know that I have to be the best person possible for you guys, because you deserve it. I love you. When I'm with you guys I feel complete. I love you alright?"
"I know, it's just…please don't be mad at me but I think you were right."
"I know that, I'm always right! Which time are you talking about here?" Jane grinned trying to get a smile on her wife's pretty face.
"When you said I should consult my obgyn after I had my period last month to confirm I wasn't pregnant."
"I'm not following you…" Jane replied narrowing her eyes.
"It wasn't the sea food we had the other night that made me sick Jane." Maura explained handing a pregnancy test to Jane.
"Holly crap, are you…..Are you pregnant?" Jane mumbled looking at the stick.
"That what this test seems to indicate. I booked an appointment with Dr Montgomery for this afternoon so she can examine me, take some blood and do an ultrasound as well." Maura quietly explained.
"Oh God, you're… I can't believe it…" Jane said trying to keep her eyes open as the tears were streaming down her face.
"Let's not jump to conclusion until we hear Dr Montgomery's diagnosis."
"Right, right." Jane nodded trying to hide her excitement.
"But, what would happen if I was really pregnant?"
"What do you mean?"
"Would you like to keep the baby?"
"How can you possibly ask me that?"
"I don't know, it's just we just took Colin in and it's already a lot of work so…."
"So nothing, Maura, I love you and I love Colin and I'm going to love this baby as well. I know raising two babies is going to be a challenge, but a good challenge never stopped us before right?" Jane said her hand on Maura's belly.
"I know, I guess with a little help and some serious organization we could manage…."
"We will, I promise I will stay home as long as you need. "
"You don't need to do that, I mean we can hire a nanny to help me, because I'm sure that at some point I might have some issues doing simple things such as giving Colin his bath or picking him up from his crib…"
"Alright, if you want us to hire help we will but I'm staying home with you, I don't want to miss on your pregnancy or on Colin's first few months. I promise I'm going to take care of you, the 3 of you." Jane said kissing her forehead tears streaming down her face.
" I know…" Maura whispered leaning her forehead against Jane's.
So Jane and Maura stayed in bed cuddling , Maura on her back and Jane resting her head on her belly..
Neither of them we willing to talk, they couldn't, they were still trying to realize what was happening to them and to picture what was going to happen. After trying the get pregnant 3 times through IVF, they finally met Colin and loved him almost immediately . Now Maura was pregnant and they knew that they would have to face the challenge of raising 2 babies. Part of them was worried, wondering how they would be able to manage two babies, while working without neglecting each other. But for the most part they trusted each other. They knew that they always were a great team and that they would find a way to make it work without hurting they marriage, thank God they had the financial ressources to afford some professional help.
Later that day, after dropping Colin at her mother's, Jane took Maura to her obygn appointment.
"So are you today?How's your little boy?" Doctor Montgomery asked.
"He sleeps a lot and giggles the rest of the time, he's a blast really." Jane said holding Maura's hand.
"I think I might be pregnant. " Maura said without thinking about it.
"Oh, I see, did you take a test?" Dr Montgomery replied a little surprised.
"This morning and it was positive. I'm sorry, I should have come to you when I started bleeding, but after going through it twice already I thought it was my period and I didn't want to hear the bad news from you a third time."
"It's ok Maura, I think most patients would have reacted like you. Would you mind settling on the table so I can examine you?"
"Sure." Maura agreed standing up and moving towards the table.
"You're going to do an ultrasound?" Jane asked sitting right next to her wife.
"Yes, it would be faster than a blood test and we need to see if we can locate a heart beat." The Doctor explained as Maura was opening her shirt.
"Alright, Just breath, I love you." Jane said kissing the top of her wife's hand as she was sitting right next to her.
"Alright, this might be a little cold." The Doctor said while spreading the gel on Maura's belly.
"Alright." Maura nodded holding Jane's hand.
"Everything is going to be ok babe." Jane said rubbing the top of Maura's hand seeing the worried look on her face.
"Let me see. Here it is , this is your baby." Dr Montgomery said pointing out the screen.
"That little peanut?" Jane asked narrowing her eyebrows moving closer to the monitor.
"Yes, let me try to find a heart beat." She said while moving the ultrasound on Maura's belly, who strangely remained quiet.
After a minute of searching she finally found the baby's heartbeat.
"OH God, is that its heart beat?" Jane asked tears on her face.
"It is, really strong and regular, Congratulations Maura, you're definitely pregnant, 8 weeks and a half if my calculations are correct."
"Oh God." Maura let out unable to hold her tears.
"You hear that baby, you did it." Jane cried out pressing her forehead against hers.
"I am, I never thought this day would come, Are you sure you want to keep it?"
"Of course I do! We've been waiting for this for so long, I'm so proud of you,you did it, you never gave up, I love you." Jane said leaning a gentle kiss on her wife's lips.
"I just…I mean we have Colin now and our lawyer said that the adoption should go through in a few months…"
"So what? We can manage two babies at the same time, right?"
"You think so?"
"Of course we can, Colin is an easy baby, he never cries and he sleeps a lot… I just hope he won't get too jealous and start to act out, god knows that a baby with your genes is going to be a pain in our…butts." Jane joked.
"Hey…" Maura protested gently hitting Jane's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, a baby with your genes is a gift sent to us directly from heaven." Jane corrected fluttering her eye lashes.
"That's better. But are you sure we will be able to manage me being pregnant and Colin? Don't forget your maternity leave is only for 6 weeks after that I will be by myself." Maura pointed out.
"No you won't because I'm not going back to work alright. "
"Oh Jane, I know you love being with us at home but you already miss work and it's only been a month."
"I miss work yes, but if I went back to work I would miss my family more. Do you remember when we decided to start a family?I promised you that our family would always be my priority?"
"Yes I remembered, and I replied that I believed that you were going to be a very devoted mother, just like you're a very devoted wife."
"Exactly, I meant what I said. I won't go back to work and leave you alone to take care of Colin now that you're pregnant. Can you imagine yourself 8 months pregnant running around the house?Because I'm sure that in 6 months he's going to be running around like a little monster."
"Well in 6 months he will be 7 months old, so he will probably be crawling around and I'm not even sure I will be able to go down to pick him up. You're right, I might need you, if you don't mind staying home indefinitely?"
"Of course not, you, our son and our future baby are my top priority! God knows we don't need the money." Jane smiled her hand on her wife's belly.
"Alright then, Doctor what do you think?" Maura asked the ogbyn who was silently observing them .
"I think that you too love each other very much and that you're going to be just fine. I'm sure with a bit of organization, and maybe some help from your parents, and a good night nanny you should be fine. Actually, I think that having this baby now is great, he or she will only be 8 months younger than Colin, I'm sure they're going to grew up very close to each other."
"You're right, speaking of Colin, we should go, my mother is going to worry, we told her it wouldn't take long." Jane said.
"Alright, well Maura, you know the drill : no heavy lifting, no running or working out for the next 4 weeks, if you experience any more vaginal bleeding come to see me immediately."
"I will doctor thank you." Maura replied cleaning her belly before closing her shirt.
Half an hour later Jane and Maura were in front of Jane's parents' house.
"Are you ready?" Jane asked holding her hand.
"Just give me a minute to process." Maura replied taking a deep breath.
"Take as much time as you need." Jane replied leaning over to kiss her cheek.
A few minutes later, Maura and Jane made their entrance still holding hands.
"Hey girls, you're back. Colin, look who's back, it's mama and mommy." Angela said as she was sitting in the living room Colin on her lap.
"Hey there big guy." Jane said opening her arms to welcome her son.
"Thank you for looking after him Angela." Maura politely said.
"Of course, that's what grand mothers are for. Please have a seat."
"Well actually Ma you might need to baby sit more often soon." Jane said looking at Maura.
"Don't tell me you're already going back to work?" Angela frowned.
"No, Jane is going to stay home longer than expecting, I'm pregnant." Maura announced .
"You're what?" Angela mumbled.
"Maura is 8 weeks and a half pregnant! Our appointment was with her obgyn, we had an ultrasound, we saw the baby and we heard its heart beat."
"But I thought you had your period last month right before you took Colin in?"
"I thought it was my period, but is was only light vaginal bleeding which is quiet common during the first trimester. I'm sorry, I didn't go to the Doctor as Jane wanted me to, after going through it twice and being a Doctor myself I thought I didn't need to."
"Don't apologize darling, if you had listened to Jane, you would have learned that you were pregnant on that day and you would have never taken Colin home with you." Angela pointed out.
"She's got a point. " Jane nodded.
"Yes, so Jane and I talked about it and if Jane stays at home at least during my pregnancy we should be able to manage, with your help of course."
"Of course, I'm here for the three of you, days and nights. Let's hope that Colin remains the quiet and sleepy baby that he's now ."
"That's what I said too. But don't worry I'm staying home, I want Maura to take it easy during her pregnancy, I don't want anything to happen to her or to my baby."
"Your baby?" Maura replied rising her eyebrows.
"Sorry, our baby. " Jane corrected .
"I hope you realize that Maura will need to rest as much as possible, meaning no heavy lifting, no housework, no stress and that Colin will also as any toddler need 24/7 care?"
"I can manage, don't worry. I'm going to take good care of my you, Colin and our new baby, I promise." Jane said her hand on Maura's belly.
"I know Jane, I know, speaking of which I think Colin need to get changed. I'll do it and leave you with your mom for a little while." Maura offered opening her arms.
"Alright, thank you, you know that changing diapers isn't my favorite thing." Jane smiled carefully handing their son to her .
"So Jane, I hope you realize what you're getting yourself into . I mean you were 5 when your brother was born, but it was hard for me being pregnant and then raising Frankie Jr while raising you. Here you're going to have to take care of a toddler and a pregnant wife and trust me that's not easy and then take care of two babies."
"I know Ma, once the baby is born Maura will be able to help more, but in the mean time I'm going to take care of her and Colin, don't worry."
"I know how devoted you are to your family, I never doubted that but I just want to point out how hard it's going to be."
"So what?You think I can't manage to take care of my wife and my son?" Jane defensively hissed.
If they was something Jane was, it was proud. She made it her life mission to take care of Maura and then of Colin as well. She knew she wasn't superwoman but she did her best to take care of them. She would wake up at night to give to feed him, to allow Maura to sleep, she would give him his bath, she would literally do everything she could to make things easier for Maura and obviously it was only a start.
"I never said that! I just wanted to point out how tiring it's going to be to take care of Maura and the baby, of course once she gives birth she will be more independent and able to help but still she's going to need her rest during the pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. "
"I know…Knowing Maura she's probably gonna send me the the store at 2 in the morning to buy her ice-cream and things like that. I know her Ma, I'm well aware that she's going to drive me nuts, but I can manage and besides we're not in this alone right?"
"Of course not, I'll be here if you need me to come over or if you want to drop Colin even for a few days to be able to breathe a little, alright?"
"Well we might need you a lot during the last trimester and it might be easier if you could take Colin for a few days after Maura gives birth to the baby."
"I will do everything you need me to do. I'm proud of you Jane, really I always knew you would be a great mom, but you surprised me."
"I learned from the best ."
After that day full of good news, Maura and Jane settled in bed with Colin between them and watched him quickly fall asleep.
"Can you imagine that in about 6 months we're going have another baby?" Jane sighed gently caressing her son's face.
"Yes, I can. Oh God, do you think the Judge might rethink her decision about the adoption?" Maura suddenly realized.
"Of course not, the fact that you're pregnant doesn't change anything." Jane replied trying to reassure her.
"Well she might think that we won't have enough time to give to Colin you know."
"I think that after meeting us several times, she knows who we are and what kind of parents we are so don't worry about it." Jane said her arms on Maura's hip.
"I know…" Maura sighed exhausted.
The family quickly fell asleep, Maura and Jane holding hands, and Colin comfortably sleeping between them.
Maura fell asleep feeling as happy as ever, things couldn't get better : she was married to the love of her life, her soul mate, they were adopting a beautiful baby boy and she was pregnant, things were perfect.
Jane on the other hand was a bit more worried, her mother was right, things are going to be hard to deal with, between Colin, Maura being pregnant and after that two babies to take care off. But Jane knew they could do it, Maura and her were a team, they loved each other and they had a great family and friends to help them.
So guys, what do you think?I promise this chapter would rock your world?Thanks to Lisa who suggested this !
The next chapter are going to be hard on Jane, knowing her she's going to try to be like superwoman between Maura who's going to be very demanding and Colin it's gonna be challenging for her. Also I'm planning on making this pregnancy difficult for Maura...