CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THREE MONTHS LATER, THE BIRTH OF THE TWINS
Today, my beautiful wife gave birth to healthy twins. Now, our youngest three children share the same birthday; they are exactly a year apart in age. Jo threw a really fun party for Marin. She went all out. I think some of that was to distract herself from the cancer. In addition, it's not every day that your child turns a year old; it's an important milestone. Gordo, Miranda, and their daughter, Lizzie, came to the party. It's funny, but we've gotten really close to those kids since Lizzie's suicide. They were so good and supportive through our grief, even though we knew they were grieving as well. My mother and Jo's parents and Jo's sister, Dianne and her family came up for the party as well. It was nice to have some family members up to celebrate Marin. They'd been to Matt and Lizzie's first birthday parties as well. Jo dressed Marin in a pretty pink dress, which had been Lizzie's when she was a year old; she looked like a little princess.
Jo hadn't been feeling well today. She thought it was either indigestion or nausea from the cancer. Although the surgery and antinausea medication helped stave off most of the nausea, she still had some. It was hard for her to keep food down, so she had lost a lot of weight. Still, Jo looked absolutely radiant, but she would definitely disagree. Maybe it's a mom thing, but she never found herself attractive when she was pregnant. However, I found her incredibly attractive. When I woke up this morning, I heard her throwing up in the bathroom; it was an almost daily ocurrance. "How are you feeling, honey?" She rolled her eyes at me. "Why don't you go lie down and I'll get you some breakfast?" "No breakfast. I don't think I could keep it down." "Are you sure?" She nods and shifts in bed, "Oh, my back hurts." "Here, slide over and I'll give you a massage." "Thanks."
Matt comes in with Marin. "I think she needs to be fed." "Matt," I ask, "Could you feed her a bottle?" "No," Jo answered, "That's okay, I'll feed her." She takes Marin and feeds her. "Matt, could you take the cake out of the freezer and bring up some soda crackers and Ginger Ale for your mom, please?" "Sure." Matt leaves. "Jo, are you going to feel up to having the party today?" "I'll be fine; I'll just keep some crackers nearby."
Marin turned one with a smash. Jo helped opened her presents and then we served the cake. I don't know who had the better time, my wife or my daughter. Jo had baked a vanilla cake with white icing and pink roses. She gets all out for birthday parties. Marin shoved her fist in her piece of cake and smeared it all over her face. Jo lifted Marin out of her high chair and doubled over. I rush over and take Marin, "Jo, are you okay?" She shakes her head as she doubles over again, unable to speak. I hand Marin off to her brother and walk Jo over to the couch. She catches her breath, "Sam, I think I'm in labor."
I ask mom to get Jo's bag and put it in the car as I walk Jo to the vehicle. Mom promised to look after Marin and finish up the party. We leave in a flash. "Great, Sam. Here it is, our daughter's birthday party and I go into labor." "It's okay. I guess the twins wanted to join in the festivities." "You do realize, hold that thought, Aaaaaaaaaah!" She takes a couple breaths, "You do realize that our three youngest kids will share the same birthday?" I pull up to the hospital entrance and escort her into the hospital.
Jo was in her room and settled by the time I parked the car and found her room. Dr. James came in shortly afterward, "Let's take a look at these babies!" She hooked up the ultrasound machine. "Mrs. McGuire, it looks like you're going to need a C-Section." "No! I can't! Sam, don't make me have a C-Section!" She grabs my hands. "Jo, let's listen to the doctor." Dr. James continues, "Ben's lying transverse, which means it's impossible to have a vaginal delivery." "Can't you turn him?" Jo begins crying. "I could try, but you're already quite weak. I don't want to put your body through more stress." "Okay," Jo states, feeling defeated. She buries her face in my arms and cries. I stroke her hair until the doctor returns. In a flash, Jo was prepped and ready for delivery. The babies came out fast! Ben made his appearance and immediately began crying. He was joined shortly thereafter by his sister, Brooke. They were so healthy. Both of them weighed 6 pounds even, big for twins. I was able to cut both of their cords. Jo and I decided to bank the cord blood, just in case we needed it. Dr. James passed each of the babies to me. I held them beside Jo so she could kiss them on the cheek. "Oh, Sam, they're so beautiful!" I kissed her on the forehead.
My parents, Jo's mom and Matt just left. Dianne and her family stayed home to take care of Marin. Jo's mom thought Brooke looked just like Jo as a baby. Ben looks a lot like Matt. They enjoyed fussing over the twins. Matt was excited to get a brother; he always wanted a little brother. I remember when we had to babysit Fredo the chimp. Matt hated that chimp, so we asked him to pretend like Fredo was his little brother or something. He looked at us and said, "I'm not getting a little brother from you, am I?" As much as I loved seeing my parents holding my children and Matt bonding with his brother, I couldn't help but think about who was missing, Lizzie. It's been a little over two years and it still hurts. Do I have three daughters now, or is it two? I miss her a lot. It's easier sometimes, but days like today, it's still hard.