January 14th, 2005

Parenthood was a joy. There was no doubt about it, but Parenthood was also very stressful. Michael didn't know what was easier, working in the ER or parenting twins. Some days in the ER were easier but some were not.

"We need to call someone else in." Michael said.

"I'm trying." Susan growled as she slammed the phone down. "Kovac isn't coming in. he's sick apparently."

"Well, Me and you are here. Neela will be here soon. We're well stocked with nurses. Have you tried Morris or Jake?" Michael asked her.

"No answer." Susan said, "Let's just pray a major trauma doesn't come in. Three doctors can't run an ER."

"Is it possible to grab a doctor off another floor who isn't busy?" Michael asked.

"Maybe later." Susan said looking at the board, "Right now it's just me and you. Let's get this board cleared. Treat and street."

"Got it." Michael said as he grabbed a chart. He walked over to curtain four, "Melissa Rebo?"

"That's me." The young lady smiled. Michael pushed a wheelchair over to her. She was very pregnant. "Thank you."

"No problem." he pushed her into the curtain area. "So, tell me Melissa. What seems to be the problem?"

"I'm probably over reacting. This is my first child. But I was bleeding slightly this morning." Melissa said.

"How far along are you?" Michael asked.

"Thirty-Seven weeks." Melissa said. Michael nodded as he helped her up onto the table, "You have any children?"

"Two. Twins. My wife was a hypochondriac too." Michael chuckled as he snapped on his gloves. "All right, Ma'am. I'm just going to give you a quick examination. It'll be uncomfortable."

"All right." Melissa smiled weakly. Michael put on his plastic gloves as Chuny closed the curtain around them.

"How is it with Twins?" Melissa asked.

"Oh well. Stressful but wonderful." Michael said as he sat in front of her. He lifted up the sheet. Michael cleared his throat. "Chuny, can you tell Lewis that I will be tied up for awhile. Melissa Dear, have you had any kind of pains?"

"Just some back pain today." Melissa shifted, "Like now."

"That's because you're in labor and crowning." Michael said.

"Wh-What? I cant be." She said. "it's too early."

"Thirty-seven weeks is considered full term." He said, ":There's no way to stop it. The baby is coming."

"Oh god." Melissa moaned. Chuny came back in.

"OB is backed up. Triplets and twins galore." She said, "it's just you and me. Lewis is grabbing the warming tray."

"Great." Michael smiled, "You're going to have a baby, Melissa. I need you to push."

"I don't want to." She moaned.
"Push!" Michael commanded. Melissa moaned as she began to push. This was exciting. Michael loved seeing new life coming into the world. "I need suction."

"here." Chuny handed it to him.

"The baby's head is out." Michael said, "do you have any names picked out?"

"I was going to do that this week." She mumbled. Michael chuckled.

"you need to think quick. Okay, push, Melissa." Michael said. Melissa pushed hard. Michael helped ease the baby's shoulders out, "Once more." Melissa followed his instructions and soon the baby was out. "you have a gorgeous baby girl."

"Oh god." Melissa panted. Michael cut the cord and put the baby on Melissa's chest.

"Congrats." He said.

"What's your name?" Melissa asked.

"Mine? Michael." he said. Melissa smiled looking at the baby.

"Then her name will be Michaela." She said. Michael beamed with pride. There was nothing better than seeing a baby come into the world but having one named after you…That was amazing.

January 29th, 2005

Neela stared deeply into Teja's eyes. Her hands crept up her legs and began to tickle behind her knee cap. Teja gasped and cooed. She had not yet mastered the art of laughing. Neela laughed for her and repeated the same action to Chander. He cooed with delight.

"You funny babies." Neela laughed as Michael knelt down in front of Chander.

"They're getting so big." Michael said rubbing Chander's stomach.

"They're a month hold. They got eleven more months before they get big." Neela picked Teja up. "We should take them out for their first real outing."

"In the snow?" Michael arched his eyebrow.

"Yes in the snow." Neela stood up with Teja on her hip, "Bundle them up and we can go out for lunch. We haven't been humans in a month." Michael nodded with a slight chuckle.

"All right. I can handle that." He said as they brought the twins into the nursery. It took the two doctors a full ten minutes to get the twins completely bundled up. Chander fought it tooth and nail. After Neela and Michael got themselves bundled up and the twins loaded in their stroller, they were off.

"It's not too bad out here." Neela said looking up into the blue sky.

"Thank god." Michael said. He didn't want to be stranded in a white out with twins. They walked down the sidewalk looking at all the beauty around them.

"Let's go over to Mel's diner for some food." Neela said.
"Sounds good to me." Michael said pushing the stroller over a snow hump. They walked for another block before they saw Mel's diner. Each of them unhooked the carrier from the stroller and walked in.

"It's nice a warm in here." Neela grinned as she put Chander's carrier on the table and sat down. Michael sat down and pulled out a menu. It was nice being out of the house with the twins. A waitress walked over to them smiling.

"may I start you off with something to drink?" She asked. Neela nodded.

"Could I have a decaf coffee." She asked.

"And may I have Pepsi with very little ice?" Michael asked.

"I'll be right back with your drinks." The waitress said as she walked away.

"Thanks for suggesting this." Michael said. "It's nice to be out and not at work."
"Oh I know." She chuckled as she looked over the menu. "I think I know what I'm going to get."

"Me too." Michael said taking her menu. As soon as the waitress came over with their drinks, Teja began to fuss. "We're ready to order." he told her. The waitress nodded, "I'll have the turkey club with fries and my wife will have…."

"The ham club with onion rings." Neela said.

"All right. I'll put your order right in." The waitress said. Neela pulled out Teja's pacifier and popped it into her mouth. She immediately quieted down.

"I always vowed never to use these things." Neela said. Michael chuckled.

"Me too." He admitted. "We should plan a date or something sometime."

"And who would watch them?" Neela asked.

"Abby?" Michael asked.

"Oh that would scare her off of ever having children." Neela laughed, "Maybe your mom?"

"Maybe." Michael said as Chander began to cry. He rubbed his belly, "Shhhh, Buddy. It's okay." Teja's spit her pacifier out of her mouth and began to scream. Neela pulled her out of the carrier and began to bounce her.

"People are trying to eat." She said trying to calm her daughter down. Neela hated feeling helpless and hated having people stare at her. The waitress came over with their food as both twins screamed bloody murder. Neela looked at Michael sadly.

"Could we have these to go? I guess nap time is needed." Michael smiled weakly.

"Certainly." The waitress said. Neela sighed deeply. SO much for an afternoon out. Maybe they'd just have to wait until the twins were older in order to enjoy life.

http/groups. you would like an update on my fics or just general discussion, then join my e-mail list. Just e-mail me to join