The sound of whimpering wakes him from his less then restful sleep. At first he's disoriented since he's not used to sleeping in a bed much less having a warm body next to him. Another whimper drags him back to reality and he opens his eyes to see that Morgan is starting to wake up.
Maggie stirs slightly next to him and he quickly touches her mind and body. She's still exhausted so he pushes her mind into a deeper stage of sleep. He rolls her on her side and uses several pillows to prop her in place before he opens her top.
It takes him several tries, but he finally gets Morgan latched on. She suckles for about a minute before she pulls off and she's not happy. Abe quickly picks his daughter up into his arms. Normally he would change her diaper but it's very evident that will only get her more upset as she's already on the verge of all out screaming as it is.
He makes shushing noises as he swiftly crosses the room to the box that the nurse brought earlier. He quickly starts pulling items out of the box until he finds the can of formula. He speed reads the instructions as he continues to bounce the baby in his arms and make comforting sounds.
By the time he's got the bottle made up, there's a huge mess of spilt formula and water on the table, chair, floor and Abe and Morgan is extremely upset if her crying is anything to go on. It takes him several tries before she realizes that she's being offered food. When she finally does start to eat, she glares at him as if accusing him for being given formula instead of her mother's milk.
He feels his shoulders sag with relief as he starts to sink down onto the end of the bed. No sooner does his backside touch the bed when he hears Dylan start to wake up. For one heart stopping moment, he's not sure what to do.
He quickly 'checks' the library before running out the door and down the stairs as fast as he can. Guillermo meets him at the bottom of the steps with a confused look on his face. The confusion is replaced with a startled one mixed with a bit of horror as Morgan is thrust into his arms just before Abe reverses his course back up the stairs without so much as a word to the man.
Abe runs back into the bedroom, makes sure that Maggie is still sleeping soundly, rolls her over and then manages to latch Dylan on a bit more quickly than he did with Morgan. Knowing he has maybe a minute, he quickly heads over to the table and starts to get a bottle ready for his son. Since he now has two hands and he knows what he's doing, he gets the bottle completed without adding to the mess.
He's ready when Dylan pulls off a few moments later. Scooping the baby up into his arms, he sticks the nipple into Dylan's mouth and the little one immediately starts to suck on the bit of rubber. He doesn't look to happy with the taste of the formula, but at least he's not scowling at his father.
With Dylan still in his arms, Abe grabs a couple towels from the bathroom before he heads back down to the library and finds Guillermo almost exactly where he left him. Guillermo looks up from his seat on the steps when he hears footsteps descending from above. He gives Abe a sad sort of smile before turning back to the little girl in his arms.
"I forgot how tiny they are," Guillermo states as he gets a bit misty eyed.
"Yet they've grown so much in the past month and a half," Abe points out as he settles down on the steps above the librarian.
"Enjoy it while you can," Guillermo smiles. "Before you know it they'll be scaling the shelves in the library."
"Maggie has already threatened to throw them in the tank with me if they get out of hand," Abe chuckles.
"That girl can be one smart little cookie sometimes," Guillermo muses. "And other times she can be a down right ditz. Why the heck didn't she come down here if she needed help?"
"I don't think she realized how much she had come to depend on everyone helping her," Abe states. "It must have been such a shock to go from several helping hands to none. To top that off, she got almost no sleep and very little food or water in the past few days, so she's not thinking with a clear mind. Let's not forget that she's afraid that bringing them down here puts them in Manning's control. She's not going to be very happy about that when she finally wakes up."
"How long has she been out?" Guillermo asks as he puts down the empty bottle, grabs a towel from Abe and then starts to burp Morgan.
"About four hours," Abe answers. "We got back shortly before six and I know that Maggie had to be sedated shortly after I found her and the twins. I'm hoping to keep her asleep until tomorrow morning."
"That'll be good for her, but what are you going to do?" Guillermo questions as Morgan gives out a healthy sized burp. "I'm going to bed in a little bit and I would highly appreciate it if you didn't drop a baby on me at two in the morning."
"I hadn't thought of that," Abe replies, shocked and worried about how he's going to survive the night alone. "They seem to be eating around the same time again, so I'm not going to be able to do one at a time. I don't want to bother the doctor or the nurses for help. What am I going to do?"
"How about I ask John to spend the night down here in the library?" Guillermo suggests as he repositions himself and Morgan into a more comfortable position. "He's young; he can handle a night of little sleep better than I can."
"That would be good," Abe agrees as he puts down Dylan's bottle and starts to burp him. "Thank you, Guillermo."
"You're welcome," Guillermo replies.
They sit in silence until Dylan lets out a burp to rival Trevor and both males chuckle at this. Abe takes Morgan and the towel from Guillermo and heads back upstairs as Guillermo struggles a moment before he stands. Abe stops and watches the man as he limps towards the exit, leaning heavily on his cane.
"I'm sorry," Abe says from his spot half way up the stairs. "I shouldn't have just dumped her in your arms without checking with you first."
"It's alright," Guillermo smiles with a dismissive wave. "I was a young and inexperienced father once too. Good night."
"Good night," Abe replies as Guillermo turns and leaves the library.
Abe returns to Maggie's room with two very sleepy children. After placing them carefully on the bed so they can't roll off, he goes through the bags of clothes and comes up with pajamas for the two of them and then grabs a couple diapers as well. He strips first Dylan and gets his first look at how bad the diaper rash is.
The bright red mark completely covers his genitals, goes about an inch down each leg and part way up his back. After making sure that the towels that were used as burp rags are securely under the child, Abe goes rummaging around the box of supplies on the table. After about a minute he finds the tube of ointment that he was pretty sure he had seen earlier and returns to the bed.
By the time he gets there, Dylan has christened the towels and is whimpering and squirming a bit since the urine stings his rash. Abe quickly gets the towels off of the bed and dries off his son. After slathering a good sized amount of ointment on the rash, Dylan gets redressed and settled in next to his mother. A couple minutes later, Morgan joins him after receiving the same treatment as her brother. Just as he's getting everyone settled down, there's a soft knock at the doorway.
"Ah, John, good," Abe greets when he turns around. "I hope this isn't too much of an imposition on you."
"No, I'm good," John assures him. "Besides, I'm used to feeding Hellboy. Feeding a baby's got to be a lot easier. I'll be downstairs catching up on some paperwork for a while and then I'll crash on the couch."
"Ah, my report," Abe moans.
"Don't worry about it," John tells him. "Manning understands you're a bit busy right now. Besides, how often does Hellboy get his reports in on time? I'll let you get some rest now. Call if you need anything.
"Thank you, John," Abe says as the agent turns to go.
"Sure, not a problem," John calls back over his shoulder just before he disappears through the door.
After making sure everyone is resting comfortably, Abe goes over and starts cleaning up the mess over at the table. Once that task is completed, he preps a couple bottles for the next feeding and then returns to bed. Even though sleeping on dry land is very uncomfortable for him, he's so wiped out that he's asleep within minutes of lying down.
By the time dawn breaks, Abe is so exhausted he's shaking. He lays the recently fed and changed twins back in bed with their mother, tosses out the empty bag of fluids and with trembling limbs, he climbs in beside Maggie. He starts to drift off again, ignoring the fact that there are no clean bottles or nipples left; he's just too tired to care at the moment.
Just as he's on the edge of sleep, she starts to stir next to him. He pulls her to him and tries to make her go back to sleep, but it doesn't work, she's too well rested now. In her sleep hazed world, she doesn't question why he's in bed with her as she snuggles into his arms. He sends her thoughts of love, comfort and belonging as she sighs with contentment.
She tries to enjoy her peaceful existence, but something in the back of her mind is trying to worm its way forward. She stretches again and a discomfort on the back of one her hands causes her to finally open her eyes. Abe holds her tighter and wraps one of his legs around hers as she stares in dumbfounded surprise at the IV in her hand while he pins that arm between them.
The memories hit her like a tidal wave and at first she even has trouble breathing as her body starts trembling and her heart starts pounding. A second later, she starts thrashing and trying to get away from the loving arms holding her tight. Despite his own exhaustion, he doesn't loosen his grip on her as he calls for help.
John, get Hodson in here now!
John falls off of the couch he was sleeping on and lands with a 'thump!' After a few seconds of disorientation, he climbs to his feet and staggers across the room to the phone. After racking his mind for her extension for several seconds, he calls the doctor and then stumbles up the stairs.
By the time he gets to the bedroom, Abe is struggling with Maggie to keep her still and she's fighting him for all she's worth. Abe's talking quietly to her but she can't hear because she's crying and wailing. John catches a few words about 'killed' and 'babies' and that sets the agent into motion.
He quickly steps into the room and notices that the twins are sleeping on the bed next to their thrashing mother. Not even bothering to check what Abe wants, John goes over to the bed and picks up the first baby he lays his hands on. It takes him several tries, but he finally manages to get the second child up into his arms just as Dr. Hodson comes charging into the room still wearing her pajamas, her robe untied and carrying her black bag.
"Don't go anywhere, John," Hodson orders as she quickly moves to the side of the bed and the agent moves out of the way.
She opens her bag and pulls out a bottle and a syringe again. A few moments later, Hodson is trying to stick the needle through the IV connected to the back of Maggie's hand and having little success since Maggie's still being hysterical.
"Might I suggest a larger target," Abe grinds out through gritted teeth.
Hodson can only nod in agreement as she grabs an alcohol wipe from her bag. Within seconds the injection is given and a minute later Maggie relaxes in Abe's arms. Though she doesn't lose consciousness, she lies there, quietly crying and whimpering with her eyes closed as he loosens his hold on her.
"Is she alright?" John quietly asks from his spot next to the wall.
"She has post-partum depression, John," Hodson answers as she puts her things away. "It'll be a while before she's alright. But she is calmer for now."
"Her depression hasn't effected her hearing," Abe states rather testily from the bed. "She can hear the two of you just fine."
"Sorry, Abe, Maggie," John replies contritely.
"I'm sorry as well," Hodson apologizes as she turns to the couple on the bed. "Maggie, how are you feeling?"
Her only response is a choked sob as Abe strokes her hair continuing to send her thoughts of love and encouragement.
"Maggie, it's alright," Abe assures her.
"No, it's not," she whimpers. "I killed them."
"No, my love, you didn't," he tells her. "They're still very much alive."
"They're not crying," she points out with a sniff as she finally opens her eyes again looks at him.
"That's because they're sleeping," he replies as he waves John over. "Look for yourself."
She looks over at John as he steps up to the bed. He holds the babies so she can clearly see them. But instead of reaching for them as he expected her to do, she draws away from them, turns and buries her face in her pillow.
"Maggie?" Abe softly calls, trying to pull her attention back to the children.
"Take them away," she whispers through her tears. "I don't deserve to be their mother."
She starts crying again, but thanks to the sedative she was given, she's not hysterical. Hodson sighs part in sadness, part in frustration as she ties her robe shut. John just watches in confusion as his arms start to protest the strain of holding the twins in the same position for so long.
"Abe, see if you can get her to eat," Hodson instructs as Maggie pulls the covers over her head. "When this bag of fluids is empty, go ahead and take the IV out and then get her cleaned up. Hopefully after some food and getting clean she'll feel a bit better. I believe there's a collapsible port-a-crib downstairs. John, would you please bring it up?"
"Yes, ma'am," John immediately agrees and with a nod, the doctor leaves. "Where should I put the babies?"
"Put them next to me on the bed," Abe tells him. "Would you please bring me the food tray? I believe it's still on the table."
John puts the twins where Abe requested as quickly and gently as possible before going over to the table. He has to dig the tray out from under all of the mess before he can bring it to them. Abe sits up, shifts so his back is against the headboard and takes the tray with a smile of thanks and after smiling back, the agent heads downstairs to find the port-a-crib.
Abe quietly peels an orange while keeping an eye on the mound of bedding that is Maggie. She tries to pretend that she's not hungry but her growling stomach betrays her. Eventually, the smell of the orange and her empty tummy win and she partially emerges from her burrow.
With a shaking hand, she takes a segment from him and quickly eats it. Little by little, he slowly feeds her everything on the tray. When she's done, she lets out a large burp, mumbles an apology and buries herself back under the covers.
"You can't stay under there forever, you know," he tells her in an amused voice.
"Watch me," is the depressed reply.
"Maggie, my love," he whispers as he lies down beside her and starts stroking her through the bedding. "You're a wonderful mother. You were just overwhelmed. You went from having people help you take care of the twins and make your meals, to doing it all yourself. Anyone would have had a nervous breakdown."
"I left them to die," she whimpers and he can hear her breathing become ragged.
"You needed a break," he states as he pulls her closer to him. "You'll have help now. You won't have to do it alone anymore."
He doesn't get an answer as a tremor runs through her body and she starts sobbing once more. He just holds her, crooning to her to try and comfort her while he fills her mind with love. Some time later, the tears dry out and he glances up at the bag hanging from the IV stand.
He climbs out of bed, closes the valve and then heads to the bathroom for supplies before returning to the bed and sitting on the edge. He snakes a hand under the bedding and grabs a hold of her wrist and tries to pull it out. She fights him at first, but the sedative hasn't completely left her system yet and in the end he's able to draw the hand out.
"I'm going to remove your IV now, love," he softly tells her.
His only response is another whimper and more trembling to which he sadly smiles. He removes the IV as quickly as possible, but she still lets out little squeaks of pain as the needle is removed. He presses the wound closed with one hand and a piece of gauze as he tosses out the items that are not medical waste into the trash.
A minute later, he pulls back the gauze and examines the wound. Other than the fact that the iodine the doctor used to clean the site has left her skin orange and there's a hole in the back of her hand, it looks fine. He takes a wet wash cloth and thoroughly wipes the iodine off of her before he licks the wound knowing that his saliva will help heal it.
A violent shudder runs through her body as her hand grabs a hold of his, startling him and he hears her breathing become a bit labored. A wave of arousal hits him like a brick wall and if he used lungs to breathe, he'd be panting too. As it is, his heart starts racing and his shorts start getting a little too snug.
He drags her out from under the covers and pulls her into his lap. She doesn't fight him as she sits there trembling from the intensity of her feelings. He holds her tight as he strokes her dirty, greasy hair and he remembers Hodson's other instruction.
He pulls her more securely into his arms, stands up and carries her into the bathroom. After putting her down on the lid of the toilet she stands up on slightly shaky legs. She takes one look at him and he understands that there are some things that don't need an audience. He gently kisses her forehead just before turning and leaving the bathroom for her to take care of business.
When Liz walks into the library, she's a bit surprised to find John wrestling with the port-a-crib and from the looks of it, losing. She smiles to herself as he says a few mild expletives as he yanks and shoves on the thing trying to make it collapse.
"What are you doing, John?" she asks, quietly chuckling when he jumps at the sound of her voice.
"Oh, Liz, hi," he stutters. "I didn't hear you come in. Where's Hellboy? Do I need to get his breakfast?"
"He's in bed sleeping," she replies. "I thought I'd stretch my legs for a bit. What are you doing?"
"What? Oh, this," he stammers. "I'm trying to collapse this darn thing, but it's not being cooperative."
"You can take apart your bike and put it together again, but you can't figure out how to collapse a play pen?" she asks, chuckling again.
"It's not like the thing has instructions on it," he complains.
Instead of replying, she walks over to the play pen and pulls the pad on the bottom out. Clearly printed on the bottom of the pen are instructions to set up and collapse the thing complete with diagrams. After turning a lovely shade of pink, he reads the directions and collapses the play yard.
"So, any reason you're moving this thing or were you just looking for something to do?" she inquires as he picks the thing up, takes the pad from her and starts to head for the stairs.
"Abe and Maggie need it for the twins," he answers while struggling to get up the steps with a rather bulky item in his arms.
"Oh, Maggie's moved down here?" she questions in surprise. "I thought she was trying to avoid bringing the twins down here because she was afraid Manning would take them away."
"She was," he confirms as he slowly makes his way up the steps. "She didn't come down by choice."
"What happened?" she asks in concern.
"That's a rather long story, that might be better told some other time," Guillermo states from behind her, causing her to jump.
"Oh, jeez, Guillermo," she gasps as her heart goes a mile a minute. "You scared me. I didn't hear you come in."
"Ah, something else we need to work on then," Guillermo observes with a raised eyebrow. "You can detect body heat; I shouldn't be able to sneak up on you. When Hellboy is through relaxing, I want to see you back here for some more lessons. As it is, I saw your husband a minute ago and he's looking for you, so you better get."
"Yes, sir," she smiles as she quickly exits the room.
"Why didn't you tell her?" John asks from where he stopped on the stairs to catch his breath.
"There's already one stressed out woman around here, I don't need two," Guillermo answers. "Let Liz and Hellboy enjoy themselves for a few days. The world will come calling soon enough with out us shoving it in their faces. You might want to finish getting that thing up there. The twins won't sleep forever you know."
"Yes, sir," John chuckles as he picks up the play pen again and wrestles it the rest of the way up the stairs.