Chapter 19
For the next two months, Julia worked with her patients for only 6-8 hrs. She did very well, however as she got bigger she was walking a little slower. When
Barnabas would come up for the weekend, he would not let Julia do anything, only would take her for a walk after dinner and before he would leave. They did go to
Rockport for lunch and walked around a little, but Julia was slower and she was showing as the doctor said. Barnabas was animated at watching the babies kick
Julia. He would lay his head on her belly. When they were in bed, Barnabas could feel the babies kicking lying next to Julia. They enjoyed themselves and Julia was
crying more often and harder when Barnabas had to leave. When she got to the old house, all she could do was sit down. Barnabas would walk her over to
Collinwood to visit with Liz.
The rest of the weekend Julia and Barnabas just relaxed and thought of things they needed to do for the babies. Julia will go to the doctors after her progress
meeting. The expansion was 80% done. All was a need now were the furniture and the people. She also had to get all the supplies and things to make the wing
whole. She was trying to get as much done before she had the babies which could be any day really because she was just about done with her 6 months.
Barnabas picked her up and took her to the doctor. The doctor did the sonogram which revealed that Julia had one boy and one girl on the way! She asked Julia
"how do you feel. I want to put you on bed rest but it just depends on how you feel. I can tell you are walking a lot slower carrying that load right now." As bad as
Julia wanted to be tough, this was too much for her. She had to admit it was hard carrying the babies and working. She had to figure out with Dr. Holmes who
would take over for her until the babies were born. Barnabas was so elated that he was having a boy and a girl, he was so excited. He said, "Julia, I know you
want to be a superwoman but we need you to rest sweetie. I can talk with Dr. Holmes for you too." Julia appreciated Barnabas. He was so excited. "I know
honey. Doctor, what do I need to do? If you're going to put me on bed rest I will need a note from you, although my boss is very supportive. It will be for
paperwork purposes." The doctor asked her what is her primary duties with the expansion. Julia explained that she was just the project manager and the hardest
part of it is done for now. All she was seeing to now is the hiring of the doctors and nurses for here, and getting the furniture installed.
The phones were on the way and Mr. Riggins has said he would help in that area since he knows where everything is going to go. At Wyncliffe she had to do her
rounds and reports. That required some walking because she had to visit the patients in their rooms or interviewing area. Her staff doesn't let her carry charts
and they make her take a break. She just does a lot of walking around. The doctor said, "Julia I think you need to keep still as much as possible. What do you
think now her husband Mr. Collins, what do you think?"
Barnabas said "Julia I think you should do what the doctor says. I am worried about you that you might get stuck or you might fall or something. Plus, I also see
how you are moving a lot slower. What do you think?" Julia thought about it for a minute. "Yes, she said. I probably need to sit still now." So, Julia got the letter
from the doctor and took it to Wyncliffe. She also showed Mr. Riggins who said he had no problem with her resting. If he needed her he would call her. She could
come and see how things are going but he didn't want her stressing needlessly. "When you have the babies Julia and get your schedule down, you can come back
and start working. You have done the bulk of the work. We can miss you for 3 months and call you if necessary."
Julia kissed Barnabas goodbye tearful of course. He was tearful too and said he would be there on Friday. She got back at Wyncliffe and took her note to Dr.
Holmes agreed that Julia did not need to work now. "You have done enough Julia. When you leave on Friday you don't have to come back until after the
babies are born.
Then I know you will have pregnancy family leave and that will be fine also. During that time, you can steal away and check out what is going on at the new wing.
If you could do that it would be great. Julia gave her word that is what she would do. She and Barnabas were looking at who will help me with the babies so I can take a break and come over and see what is going on.
Mr. Alex and Jody helped Julia take her suitcases and put in her car, to go to Collinwood and the old house. Julia said that whoever gets the apartment can have all
the stuff in it because she didn't need any of it. Barnabas met her outside to get her suitcases and led her into the house. After he put her suitcases in the house,
they walked over to Collinwood to say hello to everyone and let them know she has to be on bed rest until the babies come.
Liz and everybody volunteered to come by and check on her while Barnabas was at work. She can go for short walks but she was getting so big, she was having a
hard time with that. After they walked back to the old house, Barnabas fed Julia, then took her upstairs and took a shower together and got comfy. Julia was so
glad to be home and with Barnabas.
The next day after Barnabas went to work, Julia was sitting downstairs in the drawing-room in her chair reading, when there was a knock on the door, then Liz,
Maggie, Vicki, and Carolyn surprised Julia with a baby shower. Julia was so full she shed a tear and fussed at them for doing this for her. Then Liz went back out
and came back in with a double stroller and car seat. Julia shed a tear this time, and they bought her a lot of stuff, particularly bottles. diapers and a breast pump.
They also bought lunch and sat and talked with Julia. Julia said, "I am so thankful to have you guys in my life, and thank you for the lovely stroller and bottles!"
Vicki was huge also, saying that she can deliver any day and she wished the day was here. Everybody started laughing. Vicki said, "I am looking at getting a anny
for the first few months since Burke and I both work." Julia said, "Ask Mrs. Johnson because we need one too. She has some nice maid friends. I will let her know
today for you." So they sat around and talked and helped Julia put everything in order so when Barnabas comes home he can help also. Julia said, "If you want to
see the nursery it is up on the right. I think we have everything ready. So they all went up for a moment and peeked in. Julia and Barnabas had both cribs, a
changing table, two big dressers and wall to wall shelving. It is a very spacious room, with a nice blue color. They had a little sitting area with 2 chairs, to feed and
burp the babies. It was so nice. They all came back down and visited a little while longer and Julia showed them how the babies are kicking. They had been kicking
her a lot these days. They were fascinated. Julia said, "They are having a party." Everybody started laughing. Vicki said, "I thought he was drag racing." They all
started laughing. Julia said, "Carolyn we are gonna save all our beginning baby clothes for you. When you get pregnant, you won't need to buy anything right
guys? Maggie said, "Carolyn I have boxed all the beginning clothes for Vicki and Julia if they need but I have all my stuff for you. Even though we may have
another possibility, we all have enough baby stuff all around. Now when we go to Collinwood we will have to ask Liz and Elliott if we can make one room the
playroom for all the children." Julia was so grateful to her friends that loved her. They made sure they would be dropping by each day to check on her until
Barnabas came home. Julia said she gets up with Barnabas while he gets ready to go, then he brings her downstairs to sit in her chair. Barnabas was doing more
cooking and Willie would too. Julia can cook though but she is still sitting most of the time feeling the babies kicking and playing.
Barnabas came home and was overjoyed at all the stuff Liz and all came by to give to them, especially the twin stroller/car seat. "Julia look at all the presents.
This is so nice!" Julia was smiling. "Isn't it so sweet Barnabas. We definitely will need the stroller. Vicki is out there too. She is due any day. They had a shower for
her before they came here. I am so happy!" Barnabas got comfy and fixed dinner for them and they settled in for the evening. The babies were kicking might hard
these days. Julia just could sit down good. Barnabas doted over her hand and foot, making sure she does not do anything. Julia was doing the best she could to
hang in there for the babies. He was so proud of her and so grateful for her. He loved watching the babies kick. Julia would just smile and hug Barnabas will he
played with the babies kicking.