Chapter 16
Later on that night, Sam finds his wife sitting in the rocker in the nursery looking out the window, talking to the twins. He snaps a couple pictures and kisses her. "Hi, beautiful."
"Hey, how was your day?"
"Good. I got three tickets to that rock concert Lizzie wanted to go to. I thought she, Gordo and Miranda would want to go."
"Sam, she'll love you forever." Jo becomes contemplative, "Can you believe in a few days we'll have two new babies in here?" She caresses her abdomen and looks around the room.
He kneels down beside her and places his hand on top of hers. "I hope Lindsay's as beautiful as her mother."
Jo blushes, "And I hope that Mark's as sweet and wonderful as his father." The stare into each other's eyes. Jo laughs.
"What is it?"
"The babies are kicking. I think they want out of here fast."
"Hey kids, come on out. We wanna meet you." Sam kisses her abdomen.
Jo laughs. "Sam, would you stop?" He begins tickling his wife, causing her to laugh harder. She puts her arms around his neck. "I love you," she states, breathing hard.
"It's late. Why don't we go to bed?"
"Sounds like a plan," she yawns. "Help me up, please?"
-----The Middle of the Night-----
Jo sleeps fitfully through the night. Around 1 am, a storm tears through the neighborhood. It is raining hard, with thunder and lightning. Roads are impassable. Jo wakes up. "Sam, wake up," she shakes him on the shoulder. "Sam!" She repeats louder, "It's time."
"Wha?" He awakens.
"It's time, Sam!" A contraction hits.
Sam gets dressed and tries to turn on the lights. "Power's out!" He grabs the bags and escorts his wife down the stairs. He opens the front door and a bolt of lightning strikes just outside the door. "Uh, Jo, I don't think we're going anywhere!"
"WHAT? Sam, we've got to get to the hospital! NOW!"
Matt comes down the stairs. "Dad, the radio said the roads are closed."
"Matt, call 9-1-1. Ask for an ambulance." He helps his wife back upstairs.
Matt comes upstairs. "Dad, the phones are out. I tried the cell and it's out too."
"Go wake your sister. We're going to need your help." Matt leaves the room. "I'm sorry, Jo."
"But we need to go to the hospital. AAAAAAHHHH!"
"I'm sorry, but it's not safe."
Matt and Lizzie enter the room with battery powered lamps and flashlights. The kids prepare the bed while Sam stands and rocks his wife.
Jo lays her head on Sam's shoulder. Suddenly, she feels a rush and looks down. "My water just broke!"
Sam and the kids help Jo lay down. They position the blankets and pillows so that she would be as comfortable as possible. "Why don't you try to sleep some more?"
"Okay." She closes her eyes and Sam slips in beside her.
"Kids, we'll need towels, baby blankets, and extra sheets. Lizzie, boil some water, and bring it up once it cools. It's going to be a long night, I'm sorry." The kids do as they are told.
A panic stricken look spreads on Matt's face. "I can't do this, Lizzie! I'm only twelve!"
"Look," she begins, putting her hands on his shoulders, "Mom's in labor. Hear that storm outside? No one's going anywhere. We have to help mom and dad. They're counting on us. Dad can't take care of us and mom at the same time. Now, move it!" The kids bring the supplies upstairs.
A couple hours pass, a contraction hits, and Jo wakes up. "AAAHHHH!"
Sam startles awake. "Jo?"
"The babies are coming! I have to push!"
"Wait. Let me get the kids." He runs out of the room, trips and blows out a knee and ankle. "Kids, get up!" He yells from the hallway.
The kids run out of Matt's room. "Matt, help dad, and I'll go help mom." Matt tends to his father while Lizzie runs into the master bedroom.
"Lizzie, where's your father?"
"He tripped. Matt thinks he broke his ankle."
"Oh my God! For once, can I have a birth experience without complications? AAAHHHH!"
Matt helps a hobbling Sam into the room. "Dad, let's get you in this chair." He pulls a chair beside his mother and helps his dad sit. "Here's something to prop your foot on. How is it?"
"Better. Thanks, Doctor McGuire."
Matt smiles at the compliment. Jo screams and Lizzie takes control of the situation. "Matt, I'm going to need you to sit behind mom and keep her propped up. Mom, don't push yet. Let me get you situated first." Matt climbs in behind and Lizzie situates Jo. "Okay, mom, push!"
"AAAAHHHH! I'd forgotten the pain! OWWW!"
"Again, mom. Push! Matt, hold her legs back, and lean her up against you."
"Touch her, there! I can't!"
"Do it, Matt!" Lizzie yelled. Matt complies. "Push, mom!"
"Oh, God!"
"Squeeze my hand, Jo," Sam instructed. "Don't worry about breaking it."
"I can see the head! Come on, mom, push!" Matt looks down and begins to become woozy. "Matt, stay with me." He regains his composure. Jo pushes. "Head's out. Push, mom!"
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" She squeezes Sam's hand. He winces in pain.
"I've got the shoulders! Come on, a couple more pushes!" Jo complies.
"Oh, my God!" Matt whispers to himself, fascinated by the scene in front of him.
"Oh, my God, the baby's out!" Lizzie exclaims. Jo falls back in exhaustion. Lizzie flips the baby's foot, and the baby cries. "It's a girl! Oh, mom, she's amazing!" She cleans the baby off and places her on Jo's abdomen. "Dad, cut the cord?" Sam complies.
"Hi, Lindsay," Jo coos. "Oh Sam, she's gorgeAAAAHHH!" A contraction hits. Lizzie takes the baby and gives her to Sam.
"Okay mom, one born, one more to go. Push!" Jo pushes. "I can see the head! Push again!"
"I can't! So, tired!" She cries, in between contractions.
"Come on, mom. You can do it."
"Yeah, come on, mom. I want a brother!" Matt coaches. Jo pushes again.
"I've got the shoulders! A couple more and the baby will be out!"
"Tired!" Jo pants, running out of steam. "Can't do it!"
"Come on, Jo. You can do it," Sam coaches. "Make Lindsay a big sister!" Jo pushes again.
"The baby's out!" The baby cries. "It's a boy!"
"Thank you, Jesus!" Matt exclaims.
Lizzie cleans the baby up and puts him on Jo's abdomen. "Oh, Sam! Oh my God! Mark!" Sam cuts the cord while Lizzie helps Jo deliver the afterbirth.
"Matt, if the phones are back on, could you call Dr. James?" Sam asked.
"Sure." He leaves the room while Lizzie helps Jo get cleaned up.
-----The Storm Passes------
The storm passes and Dr. James comes over to examine Jo and the two newest McGuires. "How are you feeling, Mrs. McGuire?"
"Tired and sore, but wonderful. You should have seen the kids. They were wonderful, such troopers. Matt really came through for Sam, and Lizzie delivered the twins like a pro."
"You look good. No tears. That's good. It looks like everything's contracting down like it should."
"How are the twins?"
"Both look really strong. Would you like to try and nurse while I take a look at Sam's ankle?"
"Sure." Dr. James helps Jo position the babies, who latch on immediately.
"Let's take a look at that ankle, Sam." Dr. James examines Sam's ankle. "Yep, it's broken." Jo sighs and rolls her eyes. "Matt did a good job setting it. I think you've got a doctor in the making, well, actually two. How about having Lizzie drive you to the clinic this afternoon for an X-ray?"
"Okay."
"Your knee seems to be fine. You probably dislocated it when you fell, but it looks like Matt did a good job popping it back into place. You'll be sore for a few days, but you should be fine."
"Thanks, Dr. James"
"I'll need the babies' names so I can fill out the birth certificates."
"Lindsay JoAnne and Samuel Mark," Jo states, not taking her eyes of the babies.
"Thanks. I'll check on you tomorrow." She leaves. The couple is alone for the first time with their new babies.
"Jo, you are amazing." She blushes. "No, I'm serious. You ARE amazing!"
"I can't believe they're here. I love them so much." She kisses each on the top of the head and then kisses Sam.
The couple hears a knock on the door. "Come in," Sam answers.
Lizzie and Matt enter. "They're so beautiful," Lizzie remarks. She sits by her mother and strokes Lindsay's head.
"I want to thank you again, Lizzie, for helping me deliver the twins. Dr. James said you did a great job. The twins are healthy and I have you to thank." She kisses Lizzie on the cheek.
"You're welcome, mom."
Matt blushes by the door.
"Come on over, Matt," Jo calls. He sits on the other side and stares at Mark.
"Matt, thank you for helping me after I fell. You were right. My ankle is broken. Dr. James said you've got the makings of a doctor." Matt blushes.
"And Matt, thank you for helping me too. I know you were embarrassed," Jo begins. Matt blushes harder. "but you handled it like a pro."
"Thanks. Maybe I will think about becoming a doctor. I'd never thought about it before."
"Remember, your first patch you earned was in first aide," Sam reminds his eldest son.
"Would you like to hold your brother?" Jo offers. She passes the baby to Matt.
"He's so tiny," Matt exclaims, his eyes transfixed. He runs his fingers down Mark's arms and legs. "I can't believe I've got a brother. Remember when we babysat Fredo and you asked me to pretend like he was my little brother? You should've seen your faces when I asked if I was getting a little brother from you! They were priceless. This little guy was well worth the wait." He continues to admire his brother.
"Lizzie, would you like to hold Lindsay?" Jo offers. She passes the baby to Lizzie.
"I'd better get used to holding a baby, I suppose. I need the practice." She looks Lindsay over. "She's so pretty, so angelic. I can't believe my baby will be born in 6 and 1/2 months." She looks at Jo. "Mom, you were amazing."
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"No, I mean it. Mom, I can't believe you gave birth to twins with no help from a doctor or any pain medication. I hope I do as well as you."
"I had three great coaches to thank for that. You're young and strong. You'll do fine when the time comes."
"Mom, dad, can I call Gordo and Miranda to tell them the good news?"
"And can I call Melina and Lanny?"
"Sure," Sam replied, "but let's give your mother today to rest before anyone comes over. Okay?" The kids agree and leave to call their friends.
"Thanks, Sam." She looks down at her twins, and sings, "Hey now, hey now, This is what dreams are made of."
The couple spend the day resting from the night's events, and bonding with the newest two McGuires. Thoughts about Lizzie's baby and engagement and the future are banished from their minds for the moment as the couple welcome their twins into the McGuire family.
----------------THE END-------------------
A/N1------Sequel is possible.
A/N2-----The Sequel begins in the next Chapter.