It's been a few months since the babies were born. After a few weeks of being in the NICU they were able to go home with the girls. Lizzie had to go back on her meds so she couldn't breastfeed and was battling a little bit of postpartum depression.
"Looks like you could use a hand.", Caroline said to Hope as she walked into their front door.
"Please deal with your daughter. I've tried to get her to move for the past few hours. She won't get out of bed and I've been running around trying to take care of these two and not have a mental breakdown myself.", Hope said as she was on the verge of tears. "I don't know how to help Lizzie and that kills me. But I also can't do this on my own.", Hope said to Caroline as she was putting Eli in his bassinet and checked on Hayley to make sure she was still asleep.
"Okay breathe, they are asleep. Go take some time to run outside. I'll deal with Lizzie and take care of my grandbabies while you wolf out. Go blow off some steam.", Caroline said to Hope.
"No, I can't ask you to take care of all three of them while I go wolf out. I can stay here and take care of the babies.", Hope said to her future mother-in-law.
"You're not asking, I'm offering. I know how it is to take care of two newborns. I've done it once before, I can do it again. Go do what you need to do to relax. I have things covered here.", Caroline said to Hope with a stern look on her face so that Hope knew she wasn't playing games.
"Thank you, mom.", Hope said, which got Caroline to smile.
"You're welcome.", Caroline said as Hope wolfed out and ran out of the door. "One daughter is stress free one to go. Elizabeth.", Caroline then said to herself out loud then to let Lizzie know she was coming into her room.
"Go away mom.", Lizzie said to Caroline.
"Not going to happen. Talk to me.", Caroline said to her daughter.
"I'm already screwing up as a mother. I can't even feed my own damn kids from my body. I've been in here for most of the time while Hope takes care of them. So add being a shitting girlfriend on the list as well.", Lizzie said to her mother.
"You aren't screwing up as a mother. Plenty of mother's don't or can't breastfeed their children. I never did with you two, you and Josie wouldn't latch on. I tried for months and felt like a failure. But you aren't, you are learning just like they are. There isn't a rule book on how to parent your children. You take what you know from your parents and you learn as you go. As far as being a shitty girlfriend; you aren't one. But you aren't being fair to Hope either, she was on the verge of tears when I came in. She's stressed out just as much as you are. You two have to work as a team in order to do this together. It can't be one sided. I know you can't help how you feel and in time your hormones will go back to normal and you'll feel better. But until then you have to try and get up to help that's all we can ask for. Hope's not angry at you, she's just lost and doesn't know how to help you. I'm sure seeing you like this is hurting her too. She loves you. She just wants what's best for you and the babies.", Caroline said to Lizzie.
"Talking from experience?", Lizzie asked her mother with a watery smile.
"Yes actually I am. You and I are very similar, my dear daughter. Now come on get up and sit on the couch. Baby steps.", Caroline said to her daughter with a smile on her face.
"I think I can manage that.", Lizzie said as Caroline got her to sit on the couch with her and watch some TV. "Where's Hope?", Lizzie asked Caroline.
"She went for a little wolf run. I told her to do it. She needed to blow off some steam.", Caroline said to her daughter as Hayley started to cry. "I've got her, she probably needs to be changed.", Caroline said to Lizzie who looked panicked that one of the babies was up. "Hi baby girl.", Caroline said to her granddaughter.
"She's gotten bigger since you last saw them.", Lizzie said to her mother with a smile on her face.
"They both have, Eli got longer.", Caroline said to Lizzie with a warm smile on her face.
"We see them everyday so to us they don't look that big. It's nice to know that they are getting bigger.", Hope said as she entered the house fully clothed. "I'm happy you are up and sitting on the couch.", Hope said to Lizzie as she kissed her on the forehead.
"A little help from mom. Sorry I've been MIA lately.", Lizzie said to Hope.
"Nothing to be sorry for, you can't help this.", Hope said to Lizzie with a small smile on her face.
"I know, but you've been taking care of them and me and working. It's too much for you.", Lizzie said to Hope.
"I haven't been working. Your father gave me paid leave when I started to fall asleep during classes. We had a conversation about it, do you not remember? I go back when the babies are six months.", Hope said to Lizzie.
"I don't remember that, sorry I'm fucking up with everything.", Lizzie said to Hope with tears in her eyes.
"Hey, you are not fucking up. We'll get through this I promise you.", Hope said to Lizzie as Eli started to cry. "He's been fussy today, I think he can sense your emotions.", Hope said to Lizzie.
"Hand him to me?", Lizzie said to Hope with a smile.
"Sure.", Hope said as she grabbed Eli out of his bassinet and handed him to Lizzie.
"Hi baby boy, you just want some Mommy time huh.", Lizzie said to Eli with a smile on her face.
"I think someone else wants her mommies too.", Caroline said as Hayley started to fuss.
"Come here baby girl.", Hope said as she gently took Hayley from Caroline.
"I can't get enough of these two.", Caroline said with a smile on her face as she watched Hope and Lizzie hold their children.
"Everyone seems to say that.", Hope said with a smile on her face.
"Aunt Freya never stops holding them when she's here. Nik can't wait to play with them.", Lizzie said to Caroline.
"He'll be able to play with them in no time. They'll be so cute playing with each other.", Caroline said to them. "Aunt Bonnie wants to know when she can come see them.", Caroline said to Lizzie.
"Is Aunt Nora coming with her?", Lizzie asked with a smile on her face.
"She didn't say, but I'd assume so.", Caroline said to her daughter.
"Didn't I meet Bonnie when I was younger?", Hope asked Caroline.
"You did when you were like two. So you probably don't remember her. Which is also why she wants to come visit.", Caroline said to the girls.
"She can come whenever she wants we have plenty of room for them to stay here. Plus we can use the help.", Hope said with a smile on her face.
"I'll let her know.", Caroline said as she picked her phone up to text Bonnie.
"Do they need to eat again?", Lizzie asked Hope, not knowing when Hope fed them last.
"No they have a few more hours before they need to eat again. They should be sleeping still but I guess they wanted attention.", Hope said with a smile.
"They know their Grandma is here.", Caroline said as she took Eli from Lizzie. After a few hours of Caroline staying to help the girls she decided to go home and let the girls have some time together.