A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you liked the wedding. I think I was the most despised fanfiction writer yesterday lol. I have to apologize for a big error. I changed the Christmas gifts because I somehow sorased Danny in my mind and made him older. It's bad enough that I just realized I said he was fifteen (several times) when he should have been fourteen (now you know why I had a spreadsheet). I'm just too tired to go fix it on three different sites so he'll just have to stay fifteen. Oh well….
Chapter 56
A nurse rushed towards them and knelt next to Jason, feeling his pulse. "Take a few deep breaths, she's alive. They got her back. The doctor has sewn her up and is giving her a transfusion."
They all let out a sigh of relief. "Can we get him over to a chair?"
Jason didn't know if he could stand. He was emotionally drained. Max stood behind him and Jake and John on either side and they lifted him up and got him settled.
Epiphany had been notified and went to Jason's side as he struggled to keep it together. "The babies are doing well. Your first daughter is four pounds, seven ounces and the other one is four pounds two ounces. Their lungs are fully developed and they will probably have to stay here for the next five days or so. They are going to be fine Jason. You made her eat and the babies are a good size."
"She—I'll never get it out of my mind. I thought I lost her." He didn't want to say too much because the boys were listening.
Epiphany squeezed his hand. "She's strong and she will fight. There is nothing that is going to make that woman leave you or her children." She hugged him as Jason tried to stay strong and relax.
Abbie handed him a tissue and Jason wiped his face. No one was used to seeing him so vulnerable which is why it had freaked Cam and Aidan out.
Jason turned from the embrace and saw that his youngest was a total mess. "Aidan."
His lip quivered as tears pooled in his eyes. He couldn't lose his mom and he felt so helpless.
Jason slowly stood and gathered his strength before he started moving and then pulled him into his chest. "She's stable. We're not going to lose her."
"You don't know that."
"Losing her is unacceptable. Believe in her."
Aidan shut his eyes. He needed the hug and to hear Jason sound strong again. "Okay."
The doctor walked towards them. "Mr. Morgan."
Jason turned to face her. "How is she?"
"Well, she gave me pause for a while, but she's doing great. The transfusion will help her heal faster. Due to the baby's position and her blood pressure, it was causing her to pass out. However, she's stable now and her pressure is coming down. She'll probably sleep until morning due to exhaustion, but I do have some bad news though."
Jason swallowed hard as Aidan squeezed his hand. "Go ahead."
"I had to do a hysterectomy, so she will not be able to have any more children."
"We weren't planning on it."
The doctor nodded. "While that might be the case, Elizabeth might be upset about it. Just listen to her and let her cry it out."
"I will. Can I see her?"
"Yes. I'll take you. She's in recovery right now and then we'll move her to her room."
Epiphany asked the boys if they wanted to see their sisters, thinking it would be a good distraction.
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Jason tentatively moved into the room. Elizabeth actually looked pale, but peaceful. A nurse was monitoring her readouts and he pulled up a chair. Taking her hand, he gently raised it and then brushed his lips against it. "I love you so much Elizabeth. You are my heart. The babies are doing well, now I need you to be okay. You can't leave us."
The boys looked watched the twins via a t.v. monitor.
"They are so small," Aidan said.
"Are you sure they are okay?" Jake asked.
Epiphany slightly smiled. "They are probably a little traumatized after having to squeeze through a tunnel, but under the circumstances, they are doing well."
Cam studied them carefully. "I can already tell they will look different."
"Their head shapes will probably change. Right after birth, it's hard to tell because of the delivery. No matter what, I think they will be beautiful."
Aidan slightly smiled. "Yeah." Right now, he just felt a need to protect them. They had been through so much.
Jake noticed his change of demeanor. "They are getting to you already."
"Darn girls," Aidan muttered.
Cam chuckled. "They are our girls."
"God help them when they get older," Epiphany said.
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Piph entered Elizabeth's room. "Do you want to see the babies?"
Jason took in a sharp breath. "I'm scared to leave her."
"I'll stay with her if you want. The boys are still there."
Jason glanced at her. She could tell he was struggling. "It's okay Jason. When she wakes up, she'll want to know that you saw them and made sure they were fine."
He kissed Elizabeth's hand. "Will you hold her hand so she knows someone is still here?"
Piph nodded and they switched positions. Jason disappeared into the hallway. "That man loves you more than life. I don't think he'd make it without you, so get your rest and come back to him. I need you too. You are my best friend and I never thought I'd have the same "person" as Patrick, but you are it. I love you like a little sister. You are family to me. Your babies are beautiful Elizabeth and I can't wait for you to meet them."
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Jason walked up to the window. Aidan wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned onto him while he visually inspected the girls.
"They're doing great, dad," Cam said.
"They are fighters, just like their mom."
"How is she?" Jake asked.
"She's sleeping. I've been talking to her and driving myself crazy."
John moved forward to get a look and the door opened and a nurse approached them. She wanted to smile because it was very cute that the girl's big brothers were already wanting to dote on them, but knew they were stressed.
"Mr. Morgan, you can come in."
He sucked in a breath, suddenly feeling a little nervous. "Okay."
He followed her to a room and he scrubbed his hands and then they entered the area the twins were in. The boys watched as he approached one of the babies and touched her hand. She moved and Jason held his pinkie out and her tiny fingers gripped it. A tear rolled down his cheek. "Daddy's here and loves you," he said softly. "Your mommy is resting." After a few minutes, he moved to the next station and did the same. "I love you baby girl. Your mommy will come see you soon. Don't be scared."
Cam put his arm around Aidan. "It's going to be okay. I just feel it."
"Me too," Jake said.
"They have to be okay," Aidan said emotionally.
"They are breathing on their own. That is such a good sign," a nurse said. The babies would need to be monitored, but as long as they continue to do well, they will be able to go home sooner.
Jason came out, visibly shaken, and Jake hugged him.
"Do you want us to stay?" Jake asked.
"No. Go home and get some sleep and come back in the morning. Your mom will be awake by then."
"We can all stay at the Q's so we can be together," Cam suggested.
"Good idea," Jake said.
"We can stop by the penthouse and pack a bag," Aidan said.
"Can we say goodbye to mom?" Cam asked.
Jason nodded. He needed to see her too. "Come on."
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One by one they kissed Elizabeth and told her they loved her before hugging Jason. Epiphany stayed with him a little longer. She was worried that he was carrying around too much stress.
"I'm going to go home and get some rest, but I'll have my phone on. If you need me, I'll be here."
"Thank you."
She left and Jason finally laid on a bed and turned towards his wife and fell into a troubled sleep.
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Liz's eyes fluttered open. Her body ached, but she was alive. She looked around the room and then saw Jason and slightly smiled. His hair was messy and he looked like he had tossed and turned. Tears filled her eyes. She had almost lost the opportunity to watch him like this. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open and their gaze connected. "Elizabeth." He rolled out of the bed and stumbled towards her. "You're back."
"I couldn't leave you Jason. Don't you know that?"
He lightly kissed her. "Should I get the nurse?"
"I'm sure they will notice that my pressure is slightly elevated. Your touch always does that to me."
He smiled as a nurse rushed into the room. When she saw them, she was relieved. "Welcome back."
"Thanks."
"I just checked on the babies and they are doing great." She whipped out her phone and pressed some buttons and handed it to Liz who gasped.
"I counted all their toes and fingers. They are perfect," Jason said.
"When can I see them?"
"We need to run some tests on you and you're going to be weak, so you'll need a wheelchair. I'm thinking in a few hours you should be ready to go. Your doctor should be here shortly and we'll need to start pumping some milk for the babies."
Elizabeth turned her attention to Jason. "Did the kids go home?"
"They are staying over at the mansion."
She understood. "Did Aidan take it well?"
"He was scared, but he'll be fine."
"And what about you?"
His shoulder dropped and he kept his eyes on her hand. "I can't live without you Elizabeth. When you coded, I pretty much ended up collapsing. You are my heart."
She gripped his hand. "I'm sorry I worried you."
"It wasn't your fault."
Patrick hurried towards them. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. What are you doing here?"
"I woke up to a text message from John. I had to come."
He looked panicked and Liz took his hand. "I'm okay."
Her doctor came in. "Gentleman, I need to examine my patient."
They both kissed her goodbye and went into the hallway.
"How bad was it?"
Jason shut his eyes. "We almost lost her."
Patrick's heart dropped. "And the babies?"
"They are fine. The nurse took a video of them this morning so Liz could see them."
Patrick touched his shoulder. "Are you hanging in there?" He couldn't even imagine watching Maya go through all that.
"I'm exhausted. I didn't sleep very well because I was scared too she wouldn't be there when I woke up."
"I understand. Elizabeth will probably sleep a lot today. You should sleep when she does."
"How is your family?"
Patrick slightly smiled. "Charlotte is beautiful and Maya is amazing."
"You're very lucky."
"I know. You are too."
Jason knew that he had to be the luckiest man on earth that they came through everything virtually unscathed. He heard Liz gasp and then a sob tore from her lips and he darted back into the room. She reached her hand out and he went to her. Patrick stood in the doorway. He was aware that Liz had a hysterectomy.
Jason comforted her the best that he could. After a few minutes, the doctor left them alone.
"I don't know why I'm so upset. We knew the twins were our last."
"It's the finality," Jason said.
She nodded. Patrick handed her a tissue. "Will you check on my babies for me?"
"Of course, I'll be right back."
He left and Jason wiped a tear off her face. "We have a beautiful family and I'm so thankful that you're okay. I love you Mrs. Morgan and I don't like to see you cry."
"I love you too." He held her for a while longer as she let out her emotions. Patrick came back and showed them pictures.
"They were moving around a little. The nurse will be in to help you pump some milk. They will be fed through a tube for now. Jason, I would encourage to come hold them."
Liz gave him a watery smile. "Go. They need you."
He hated going without here, but he kissed her and left her with Patrick who tried to cheer her up.
"The nurses will have him up to speed so he can get up in the middle of the night with them."
She chuckled. "That would be really nice."
"You know you have him wrapped."
"But there are two babies now. He'll need help."
"Trust me, he'll handle it."
Her eyes started to flutter as she struggled to focus on him.
"Sleep. I'll stay for a while."
"Thank you."
She rested for a little bit and the nurse woke up so that she could pump some milk.
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Jason sat in a chair and a nurse placed a baby in his arms. She fretted a little and then he spoke to her softly as she slept peacefully in his arms.
"They like to be swaddled. It makes them feel like they are in their mother's belly and safe. I'll teach you how to do it."
He looked up at her. "Thank you." He'd do anything to make them feel good.
She took a picture of them and went over to their chart and texted it to the cell phones listed, like she had been doing several times throughout the night.
Jason hadn't even thought to look at his phone. She let him know what she had been doing and he was very grateful.
"As long as they continue to be stable, they will probably be able to go home in about four days."
"Will they need extra care?"
"That will depend on a lot of things, but mainly they will need love and nourishment. Newborns like to eat and sleep. They might be a little cranky, but they've been through a lot."
She took the baby from him and then handed him the other one and Jason rocked her and told her about her brothers. He whispered words of encouragement and soon she was taken from him too and he went back to Elizabeth.
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When he got back, Patrick was gone, so he laid down and nodded off for a while until he heard a movement in the room. His eye snapped open and it was Monica.
"Hi," she whispered before walking over to him and kissing his forehead. "Rest Jason. I'm going to sit in the recliner over there and read until she wakes up. I just saw the babies. They are perfect."
"I think so too."
The boys had let her know what was going on and were concerned that Jason was overextending himself. "I told the boys to come in an hour."
"That should be fine." He closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
Monica rested and about a half hour later, Elizabeth woke up.
"Jason is sleeping and your girls are doing wonderfully."
Liz smiled. "I can't wait to see them."
They quietly chatted as Jason continued to nap and Liz pumped again since she didn't produce much milk the first time.
"Your son is exhausted. He's been through a lot."
"I heard. He'll be fine. You both should rest as much as possible before you have to bring the babies home."
"Thank you taking care of my other babies."
Monica grinned. "They are very funny. I enjoyed having the house filled up."
The doctor walked inside. "How are you feeling?"
"A little better."
"I just checked on the little ones. They are doing great. A nurse will be in soon to try to get you up. Elizabeth, I know you want to see them, but you are sore and recovering from a traumatic experience. If it's too painful, you'll have to wait."
Liz started to get emotional. "I have to see them. Just let me see them once and I promise I will stay in bed until you tell me it's okay to get up again."
She understood completely. "We'll put you in a transport chair. You're small, so I'll have one of the male nurses move you into it. You have a catheter and are hooked up to heart monitors, so we'll have to work a bit to get all of the equipment situated."
"You don't know how much this means to me."
"I think I do. I want you to stay in the hospital one more day and then you can go home and get settled and your babies will probably be released the next day. Do you have names for them?"
"Yeah. I'll check with Jason to make sure we still agree and then we'll tell the nurse."
"Good. I'll check on you before I leave for the day. Have you eaten?"
"Yes. I had some breakfast." She really wasn't that hungry but she ate anyway, knowing it would help her get out faster.
Two nurses came in about a half hour later. Jason sat up when he heard the chair being moved into the room. He got up and used the bathroom while the nurses rearranged Elizabeth's cords.
