Chapter 43
Because things were going well, AJ decided to return to work while Liiani remained with her brother in Little Creek. Still wanting to keep a protective eye on his pregnant wife he decided to work Monday through Thursday so he could have a three day weekends in Little Creek.
Liiani was now at the same place in her pregnancy that Collette was when Harley was born. This had not escaped Liiani's notice, she felt guilty for being glad that she and her baby were doing so well.
She was pleasantly surprised when she got to the NIC U and was told that baby Harley was doing so well that she could take her out of the incubator for a short time and could actually hold her.
While Vince was taking his turn holding his daughter, Liiani was sitting at Collette's bedside. It was six weeks to her due date and she was carrying on a one sided conversation when she felt a twinge. Over the next ten minutes she had three more of the same kind of twinges.
The Benet family had become friendly with the nursing staffs that were caring for both Collette and Harley, so Liiani stepped out of her sister-in-laws room to stop at the nurses' station. Explaining what was going on, the quickly checked her out and told her she was having Braxton Hicks contractions. It was perfectly normal, and many women had them at this stage of their pregnancies. Liiani sighed and went back to sit with Collette.
"I don't meant to complain, especially with your situation, but I hate having this happen with AJ not here," she told Collette.
That evening back at Vince's apartment she called her husband to tell him about the contractions. He wanted to come and be with her right away even though it was only Tuesday. "No, don't come," she insisted, "I just really needed to hear your voice. There isn't anything you can do about it, and if something really happened I can call you and you would only be a few hours away."
"Are you sure?" AJ asked.
"Yes, it was just frustrating to have contractions without really being in labor."
"I'll be there in two days, Darlin', you hang in there."
Over the next few days she had four more bouts of the Braxton Hicks contractions. AJ arrived on Thursday right in the middle of one of the incidents. When she had another on Saturday Gerald took AJ aside to talk to him the about the situation. "I think all the stress of what is going on here is getting to her. She needs to be home with you in McLean. Your sister and I are here, we will continue to take care of Vince, Collette, and the baby. Take her home AJ, take her home," Gerald advised.
"You're right, but I'm not sure she will want to leave," said AJ. He knew his wife and how deeply her love of family ran. She would put herself in peril to help them out if she felt they needed her.
When they approached Liiani with this idea, AJ said, "Akaliiani your father is right. You need to be at home."
"I can't leave them AJ! Vince needs the support."
"Your dad and Adel will still be here, but you have to take care of yourself. Remember it's not just you. There are the twins to consider."
Gerald had been within earshot during AJ and Liiani's conversation so heard this, "You are having twins?!" he demanded.
"I guess I let the cat out of the bag there," AJ shook his head.
"It's okay," Liiani told him with a tender smile, "I'm just afraid to leave while Harley and Collette are still not out of the woods."
"I get it, but my job is to worry about you and I agree with your father that you should be at home getting ready for the birth."
With tears in her eyes she agreed, "And if something happened we can be back here in just a few hours."
Vince understood their need to go and agreed totally that Liiani should be caring for herself. He felt guilty for keeping her away from her home for so long.
To be continued…..