Eric sat in the hospital room. His daughters were in front of him in
two clear bassinets, and his wife was lying in a bed to his left. The storm
had stopped a little after Taylor fell asleep, and the power came back long
enough for him to call 911 before it went out again.
He sat and waited with Taylor in his arms. Her breathing was still shallow and no matter how hard he tried, she would not warm up. The girls, thankfully, were sleeping. He looked down at the body that he held in his arms. She had given him everything he had ever wanted with just her smile. His once cold exterior was melted away the moment she blew into his life.
She moved slightly in his arms, causing him to breath out a small sigh of relief. "I love you Taylor. I don't think I tell you that enough," he whispered to her. "You're the bravest, strongest person I know. Don't you even think about leaving me...or our girls."
That was nearly four hours ago. An ambulance slowly made it's way to the house and managed to safely transport Taylor, himself, and their newborn twins to the city general hospital. Taylor had been moved to a private room at the insistence of the chief resident that their Commander's family should be comfortable.
The girls had been examined and they were perfect. Taylor on the other hand was not faring well. The bleeding, he was told, was caused by a rip in her uterus after the first baby had been born. After the second greeting the world, the bleeding slowed, but didn't stop completely. As soon as they reached the hospital, Taylor was taken into emergency surgery to try and repair any damage done.
'Now Commander, there is a possibility your wife may not be able to bear any more children' the doctor had told him after the surgery was done. Eric was of course upset, but he would do anything to make sure his wife would live to see the children she HAD brought into the world. She had only seen one of them before she passed out, and didn't even know the sex of her second baby.
He sighed as he looked over to the frail creature that was next to him. Her left hand was resting on her deflated abdomen and Eric reached out and held it in his. One of the babies began to cry and he released his wife's hand to tend to his daughter. (((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))
Taylor was woken by a loud cry. She opened her eyes and looked around the dimly lit room. "Shh," she heard his voice say. She looked over near the window and saw Eric holding something to his chest.
"Eric," she called softly. He turned around and saw her eyes opened slightly. He gave her a small smile and settled the calmed babe in her basinet. He went and sat next to her.
"I'm right here," he said stroking her hair. Tears were in his eyes as she reached her hand up and covered his.
"What happened? Where are they?" Eric smiled and bent down to kiss her brow.
"Easy. Don't get too excited. I don't want you to over exert yourself just yet," he said. "Everything's fine...you and the girls are both going to be fine."
"Girls? We have two girls?" she asked. Eric nodded and pulled the basinets over to her. He handed her the second baby born and took the first in his own arms. Tears sprung anew in her eyes as she looked at her children. "I don't believe we have met," she said to the little set of blue eyes that met hers. Eric was amazed. "How can you tell?" he asked. Taylor just shook her head. "I don't know...it's just a feeling I guess." Eric's hand rested on Taylor's cheek.
"They need names," he said.
"What was your mum's name?"
Eric smiled. "Evelina," he said softly. The girl in his arms began to make soft cooing noises and both parents smiled. Eric looked down at her. "Evelina Jennifer Meyers." He kissed her forehead.
Taylor smiled and knew that Eric was already wrapped around her little finger. She looked down at the tiny body she held in her arms. She was an exact replica of her sister- dark hair, blue eyes...but she seemed to be a but more subtle than her twin. "And what are we going to call you?" she said smiling.
"Name her for your mum," Eric suggested. Taylor looked down and knew the name would fit.
"Alright then...Melinda Victoria Meyers...do you like that?" she asked the baby. She shifted slightly in her arms and Taylor took that as a yes. The two new parents leaned in and shared a tender kiss. "Thanks for making me a mum," Taylor said.
"Thanks for making me a dad," Eric replied.
They leaned in and shared a long, gentle kiss before a doctor joined them. Two nurses followed him to take the girls to go and get their birth certificates.
"Eric, go with them?" Taylor asked, the doctor told her he wanted to speak with her alone. Eric kissed her forehead- he knew what the doctor was going to tell her.
Eric walked with the nurses to the nursery where he watched as his girls were fingerprinted and placed amongst a few other babies that were just born. A few other fathers were gathered around to look, but Eric was standing way down at the end of the long glass window.
"Commander Meyers?" a nurse asked. Eric turned away and looked at her. "We just need you and your wife to sign these," she said handing them the certificates. He smiled and took them.
"They'll be okay here, right?" he asked in reference to the girls.
"Yes. We'll bring them back in shortly," she said smiling.
He took one last look at them and went to find Taylor.
((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))
Taylor brought her backrest up so she was sitting. Her legs were crossed in front of her. She glanced out the window. The snow had stopped, but the earth was covered in a blanket of white. Her hand absentmindedly went to her stomach and she felt tears in her eyes again when she remembered what had happened only hours ago.
The doctor told her what had happened and all she could think of was what would have happened if Eric hadn't been there to take care of her and the girls? None of them should have survived according to the doctor. Eric did everything that he could and had saved them.
"Taylor." She turned to the door where Eric was walking towards her. She opened her arms as he just about ran to her and wrapped his arms around her.
He repositioned himself so he was sitting on the bed holding her to his chest. Taylor let out a few soft sobs and buried her head in the crook of his neck and shoulder. "They said if you hadn't been there..." she breathed onto his neck. Eric didn't even want to think about that.
"But I was there, and you and the girls are fine. I'll never let anything ever happen to you Taylor. I promise," he said kissing her forehead. Taylor felt at ease at last as she settled deeper into his strong arms.
Eric stroked her back lovingly. She had her hand pressed up against his chest. "I meant what I said you know..."
"What was that?" he asked.
"Once we get home you're not allowed near me," she said grinning up at him. Eric leaned down and captured her lips in a sweet kiss that made Taylor want to laugh and cry at the same time. They pulled away and Eric wiped away a single tear that had escaped her eye.
"Whatever you say Lieutenant."
((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))
Three days later, Eric, Taylor, Evelina, and Melinda went home. The snow was still piled up, but the roads were clear and the sun was shining as the Meyers family entered their home. Eric had one carrier in each hand and Taylor entered the house first.
Looking around she could see that Eric had been busy while she was in the hospital. There was new carpet laid in the living room and several gifts from well-wishers and friends were scattered about. Eric set the girls down on the couch in their carriers and helped Taylor with her coat and bag.
"I can take off my own coat Eric," she said. Eric still took it and hung it up.
"You need to take it easy," he said. Taylor put her hands on her hips.
"Eric, I'm not made of glass...you never treated me this way before and I don't want to be treated like a porcelain doll." Eric looked at her with a love sick grin on his face. This was the Taylor he fell in love with. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
He didn't say anything, but grabbed her in his arms and kissed her. Taylor tried ot pull away, but he wouldn't allow it. She finally gave in and sank into his arms. When they pulled away, they were both out of breath.
"Forgive me?" he asked. Taylor swatted his arm and walked away with a smile on her face. He took that as a yes and watched as she began to take the girls out. She took Evelina out first and held her in her arms. Melinda was asleep and comfortable in her carrier. Eric walked over and took the empty carrier away and sat in its place.
Melinda began to stir and Eric picked her up. "I guess we're going to have to get used to this," he said trying to cradle her in his large arms. Taylor smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek. Both girls now began to whimper.
Some time later, the girls and Taylor were all sleeping and Eric made a phone call. Taylor woke up and walked into the living room where Eric was looking out the window at two people walking up.
A knock on the door made them turn their heads. "Who could that be?" Taylor asked. Eric shrugged his shoulders. She got up and opened the door.
Two figures clad in blue were standing on the porch loaded down with bags. "Tori!" Taylor cried as she embraced her sister. Tori in return hugged her close. Blake was standing behind them with the bags he was carrying as well as the ones Tori had just dumped on him.
"Uh, a little help here?" he said after a few moments. Tori and Taylor pulled away laughing a little and helped him in. Taylor then hugged her brother in law and escorted them to where Eric was now standing. He greeted them and they all sat.
"When did you get here?" Taylor asked in shock. Blake and Tori looked to each other sheepishly.
"Uh, like ten minutes ago..." Blake trailed off. Taylor gave Tori a look.
"You used your powers? Are you nuts?" she asked. Tori shrugged her shoulders.
"I just wanted to come see you and the girls as soon as I could," she replied honestly. The moment she had heard from Taylor that the girls had arrived, all she could talk about was seeing them.
Eric had slipped out of the room and came back with the girls in his arms. Tori's eyes went wide when Eric knelt down to hand her one of them.
"Tori, this is Melinda," he said. Tori carefully took her niece. Tears instantly began to form in her eyes. "Melinda Victoria." Tori's head snapped up as she met her sister's eyes. Taylor smiled and Tori looked down at Melinda.
Blake moved closer to Tori and looked down at Melinda as well. "I'm you're Auntie Tori," Tori said softly.
"And this is Evelina Jennifer," Eric said leaning towards Blake. Blake looked up at him nervously.
"I, uh, I don't want to break her," he said.
"Hey, if Eric can hold them both and not break them, I think you can manage one," Taylor said. Eric turned and smirked at her and turned back to Blake.
Carefully Blake took the baby and cradled her in his arms. Tori couldn't help but smile at the sight. Evelina began to whimper and Blake began to panic. Tori reached her hand over to the baby and tried to calm her. Blake readjusted her in his arms and she settled down, sucking her fist.
"You're a natural," Eric commented sitting next to Taylor.
Blake gave him a nervous look and then turned back to Tori. "I think he's right," Tori commented. Blake turned his attention back to the baby he held in his arms.
"maybe your right..." he said after a moment.
He sat and waited with Taylor in his arms. Her breathing was still shallow and no matter how hard he tried, she would not warm up. The girls, thankfully, were sleeping. He looked down at the body that he held in his arms. She had given him everything he had ever wanted with just her smile. His once cold exterior was melted away the moment she blew into his life.
She moved slightly in his arms, causing him to breath out a small sigh of relief. "I love you Taylor. I don't think I tell you that enough," he whispered to her. "You're the bravest, strongest person I know. Don't you even think about leaving me...or our girls."
That was nearly four hours ago. An ambulance slowly made it's way to the house and managed to safely transport Taylor, himself, and their newborn twins to the city general hospital. Taylor had been moved to a private room at the insistence of the chief resident that their Commander's family should be comfortable.
The girls had been examined and they were perfect. Taylor on the other hand was not faring well. The bleeding, he was told, was caused by a rip in her uterus after the first baby had been born. After the second greeting the world, the bleeding slowed, but didn't stop completely. As soon as they reached the hospital, Taylor was taken into emergency surgery to try and repair any damage done.
'Now Commander, there is a possibility your wife may not be able to bear any more children' the doctor had told him after the surgery was done. Eric was of course upset, but he would do anything to make sure his wife would live to see the children she HAD brought into the world. She had only seen one of them before she passed out, and didn't even know the sex of her second baby.
He sighed as he looked over to the frail creature that was next to him. Her left hand was resting on her deflated abdomen and Eric reached out and held it in his. One of the babies began to cry and he released his wife's hand to tend to his daughter. (((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))
Taylor was woken by a loud cry. She opened her eyes and looked around the dimly lit room. "Shh," she heard his voice say. She looked over near the window and saw Eric holding something to his chest.
"Eric," she called softly. He turned around and saw her eyes opened slightly. He gave her a small smile and settled the calmed babe in her basinet. He went and sat next to her.
"I'm right here," he said stroking her hair. Tears were in his eyes as she reached her hand up and covered his.
"What happened? Where are they?" Eric smiled and bent down to kiss her brow.
"Easy. Don't get too excited. I don't want you to over exert yourself just yet," he said. "Everything's fine...you and the girls are both going to be fine."
"Girls? We have two girls?" she asked. Eric nodded and pulled the basinets over to her. He handed her the second baby born and took the first in his own arms. Tears sprung anew in her eyes as she looked at her children. "I don't believe we have met," she said to the little set of blue eyes that met hers. Eric was amazed. "How can you tell?" he asked. Taylor just shook her head. "I don't know...it's just a feeling I guess." Eric's hand rested on Taylor's cheek.
"They need names," he said.
"What was your mum's name?"
Eric smiled. "Evelina," he said softly. The girl in his arms began to make soft cooing noises and both parents smiled. Eric looked down at her. "Evelina Jennifer Meyers." He kissed her forehead.
Taylor smiled and knew that Eric was already wrapped around her little finger. She looked down at the tiny body she held in her arms. She was an exact replica of her sister- dark hair, blue eyes...but she seemed to be a but more subtle than her twin. "And what are we going to call you?" she said smiling.
"Name her for your mum," Eric suggested. Taylor looked down and knew the name would fit.
"Alright then...Melinda Victoria Meyers...do you like that?" she asked the baby. She shifted slightly in her arms and Taylor took that as a yes. The two new parents leaned in and shared a tender kiss. "Thanks for making me a mum," Taylor said.
"Thanks for making me a dad," Eric replied.
They leaned in and shared a long, gentle kiss before a doctor joined them. Two nurses followed him to take the girls to go and get their birth certificates.
"Eric, go with them?" Taylor asked, the doctor told her he wanted to speak with her alone. Eric kissed her forehead- he knew what the doctor was going to tell her.
Eric walked with the nurses to the nursery where he watched as his girls were fingerprinted and placed amongst a few other babies that were just born. A few other fathers were gathered around to look, but Eric was standing way down at the end of the long glass window.
"Commander Meyers?" a nurse asked. Eric turned away and looked at her. "We just need you and your wife to sign these," she said handing them the certificates. He smiled and took them.
"They'll be okay here, right?" he asked in reference to the girls.
"Yes. We'll bring them back in shortly," she said smiling.
He took one last look at them and went to find Taylor.
((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))
Taylor brought her backrest up so she was sitting. Her legs were crossed in front of her. She glanced out the window. The snow had stopped, but the earth was covered in a blanket of white. Her hand absentmindedly went to her stomach and she felt tears in her eyes again when she remembered what had happened only hours ago.
The doctor told her what had happened and all she could think of was what would have happened if Eric hadn't been there to take care of her and the girls? None of them should have survived according to the doctor. Eric did everything that he could and had saved them.
"Taylor." She turned to the door where Eric was walking towards her. She opened her arms as he just about ran to her and wrapped his arms around her.
He repositioned himself so he was sitting on the bed holding her to his chest. Taylor let out a few soft sobs and buried her head in the crook of his neck and shoulder. "They said if you hadn't been there..." she breathed onto his neck. Eric didn't even want to think about that.
"But I was there, and you and the girls are fine. I'll never let anything ever happen to you Taylor. I promise," he said kissing her forehead. Taylor felt at ease at last as she settled deeper into his strong arms.
Eric stroked her back lovingly. She had her hand pressed up against his chest. "I meant what I said you know..."
"What was that?" he asked.
"Once we get home you're not allowed near me," she said grinning up at him. Eric leaned down and captured her lips in a sweet kiss that made Taylor want to laugh and cry at the same time. They pulled away and Eric wiped away a single tear that had escaped her eye.
"Whatever you say Lieutenant."
((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))
Three days later, Eric, Taylor, Evelina, and Melinda went home. The snow was still piled up, but the roads were clear and the sun was shining as the Meyers family entered their home. Eric had one carrier in each hand and Taylor entered the house first.
Looking around she could see that Eric had been busy while she was in the hospital. There was new carpet laid in the living room and several gifts from well-wishers and friends were scattered about. Eric set the girls down on the couch in their carriers and helped Taylor with her coat and bag.
"I can take off my own coat Eric," she said. Eric still took it and hung it up.
"You need to take it easy," he said. Taylor put her hands on her hips.
"Eric, I'm not made of glass...you never treated me this way before and I don't want to be treated like a porcelain doll." Eric looked at her with a love sick grin on his face. This was the Taylor he fell in love with. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
He didn't say anything, but grabbed her in his arms and kissed her. Taylor tried ot pull away, but he wouldn't allow it. She finally gave in and sank into his arms. When they pulled away, they were both out of breath.
"Forgive me?" he asked. Taylor swatted his arm and walked away with a smile on her face. He took that as a yes and watched as she began to take the girls out. She took Evelina out first and held her in her arms. Melinda was asleep and comfortable in her carrier. Eric walked over and took the empty carrier away and sat in its place.
Melinda began to stir and Eric picked her up. "I guess we're going to have to get used to this," he said trying to cradle her in his large arms. Taylor smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek. Both girls now began to whimper.
Some time later, the girls and Taylor were all sleeping and Eric made a phone call. Taylor woke up and walked into the living room where Eric was looking out the window at two people walking up.
A knock on the door made them turn their heads. "Who could that be?" Taylor asked. Eric shrugged his shoulders. She got up and opened the door.
Two figures clad in blue were standing on the porch loaded down with bags. "Tori!" Taylor cried as she embraced her sister. Tori in return hugged her close. Blake was standing behind them with the bags he was carrying as well as the ones Tori had just dumped on him.
"Uh, a little help here?" he said after a few moments. Tori and Taylor pulled away laughing a little and helped him in. Taylor then hugged her brother in law and escorted them to where Eric was now standing. He greeted them and they all sat.
"When did you get here?" Taylor asked in shock. Blake and Tori looked to each other sheepishly.
"Uh, like ten minutes ago..." Blake trailed off. Taylor gave Tori a look.
"You used your powers? Are you nuts?" she asked. Tori shrugged her shoulders.
"I just wanted to come see you and the girls as soon as I could," she replied honestly. The moment she had heard from Taylor that the girls had arrived, all she could talk about was seeing them.
Eric had slipped out of the room and came back with the girls in his arms. Tori's eyes went wide when Eric knelt down to hand her one of them.
"Tori, this is Melinda," he said. Tori carefully took her niece. Tears instantly began to form in her eyes. "Melinda Victoria." Tori's head snapped up as she met her sister's eyes. Taylor smiled and Tori looked down at Melinda.
Blake moved closer to Tori and looked down at Melinda as well. "I'm you're Auntie Tori," Tori said softly.
"And this is Evelina Jennifer," Eric said leaning towards Blake. Blake looked up at him nervously.
"I, uh, I don't want to break her," he said.
"Hey, if Eric can hold them both and not break them, I think you can manage one," Taylor said. Eric turned and smirked at her and turned back to Blake.
Carefully Blake took the baby and cradled her in his arms. Tori couldn't help but smile at the sight. Evelina began to whimper and Blake began to panic. Tori reached her hand over to the baby and tried to calm her. Blake readjusted her in his arms and she settled down, sucking her fist.
"You're a natural," Eric commented sitting next to Taylor.
Blake gave him a nervous look and then turned back to Tori. "I think he's right," Tori commented. Blake turned his attention back to the baby he held in his arms.
"maybe your right..." he said after a moment.