Chapter 10
The week leading up to Tommy's graduation flew by quickly. Kimberly couldn't believe she would be taking time off from work to be with Tommy for the summer. Kimberly sat up in bed from a nightmare. Tommy's graduation was hours away.
"What's wrong, baby?" Tommy asked.
"I just... Just a bad dream." She laid back to her side breathing hard. Tommy moved her hair aside as he laid facing her. He rubbed her face and shoulder before settling on her stomach.
"Want some water or juice?"
"Maybe a soda." Tommy quickly went over to their microfridge, his mother brought during a shopping spree with Kimberly. He opened the can and handed it to Kimberly as she sat up. They had just taken their last doctor's visit before the trip. Dr. Mara did a pelvic exam to make sure everything was okay for travel, but noticed something was a bit odd, scary the couple as she ran a few test. But everything came back normal, and the babies were fine, but Kimberly still felt a bit uneased. She drank some soda and handed it to him. Tommy drank some as well. Kimberly moved to sit up against his chest. Tommy rubbed her head with his arm around her.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know, everything was dark, and cold." Tommy pulled the covers up from their waist to cover her stomach. "I'm fine now." Tommy rubbed her head before kissing her forehead again.
"You know I won't let anything happen to you or our babies."
"I know." She reached up and kissed him softly. They both smiled, before Tommy made her head rest against his chest. Kimberly took his hand with the gold band and gave him repeated high fives. "Okay, so I'm thinking...if it's boys, I want Parker and Shane." Kimberly was baiting him for baby names again. Tommy kept saying it was too early for naming yet, they had months, but Kimberly would always want to play this game. And it wasn't too early by her.
"I like Jonathan & Thomas."
"No way."
"What's wrong with Jonathan & Thomas?"
"Everything. Chandler is nice," Kimberly said.
"And if hees is shees?"
"Something cute, combination of the both of us."
"So Tomberly."
"NO!" She hit his chest. "Not Tomberly. Annabelle and Michelle."
"My mother's middle name is Michelle," Tommy said with a smile. He kissed her forehead.
"I know. That's why I said it. My grandmother's was Ann, so my mother is Annabelle."
"I see. I like them, but there is something I never asked before," Tommy said as he continued to hit her hand.
"Shoot."
"You know, my mother, my real mom was named Rose. Could we possibly..."
"Have Rose apart of our girl's name, if we have a girl?" Tommy nodded to Kim's question. "Of course. I would love that." She turned her head and they kissed.
"You said if, not when," Tommy said. "You even believe it's boys now, I won you over."
"NO! I still have faith, we'll have a girl."
"Right." Kim smiled, her secret made her smile.
'Oh, tiger, if you only knew. Soon,' Kimberly thought with a huge smile.
"What is that smile about?"
"Nothing," Kimberly said smiling still.
"Liar." Kimberly slowly moved into his lap as they kissed. She sat up and pulled her satin blue nightgown up and off. Tommy's hands went to her belly. A slight poke made him smile, when the baby kicked back.
"You are so beautiful." She smiled at him before wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you."
"I love you too," Tommy said kissing her. "Our babies will be so pleased to have a great Mommy like you."
"And a wonderful Daddy like you." Tommy lifted his wife and laid her to the bed. They made love with great passion, and moved their 2 bodies into one as only ones in perfect harmony can.
Tommy woke up to the phone ringing.
"Hello?" Tommy mumbled rubbing his face down as he let go of Kim's body.
"Tommy, it's Mom! It's nearly 8! You are supposed to be up and ready for to go! We are 20 minutes out!">
"Shit!" Tommy groaned. Tommy sat up and looked at his clock. "I must have didn't set the alarm right." He was supposed to dress by now. Ceremony starts at 9:30 and he had to meet the rest of the graduates at 8:20. As usual, Tommy was running late. "I'll be ready soon!"
"Get to it! Love you!">
"Bye. Love you too!" Tommy rushed to shower. Kimberly moaned as she sat up. "Baby, I am running late."
"What else is new," Kimberly said getting up. She brushed her teeth as Tommy quickly showered. Kimberly had everything laid out for him since last night, his suit, shoes, cape and gown with her outfit, so they didn't have to rush in the morning. She switched to shower and allow him to brush his teeth. Kimberly came out the bathroom and held her chest. Tommy was in his suit, attempting to fix his tie. His gown opened, his hat on lopsided. Kimberly sighed.
"Let me." Tommy gave up. Kimberly did the perfect knot.
"Thank you, Beautiful." The doorbell rung. "That's probably Mom and Dad."
"Go. I'll be ready soon."
"We don't have soon, baby."
"You can always go ahead." Tommy fitted his cape on, as Kimberly kissed him and fixed the cape. "Tassel to the left." Tommy kissed her again and rushed to open the door.
"Hey!" Tommy opened the door to find his parents.
"Oh, son, you look so handsome!" Tommy's mother hugged her son tightly.
"Thanks. Where is everyone else?"
"Coming, they'll go save us seats. Where's Kimberly?"
"Dressing. We don't have much time."
"You can go ahead."
"I know, but..."
"Son, go." Tommy nodded rushing upstairs to kiss Kimberly and the babies goodbye. Kimberly came downstairs finally, 20 minutes later. Dressed in a white retro 50's two-tone party dress with pink satin cummerbund and bow with pink glitter pumps. Her hair curled up.
"Did Tommy leave?" Kimberly asked.
"Yeah. Are you ready?" She fixed her glitter clips to the side of her curly hair.
"Yeah. I got my camera and present. I guess I can tell you guys now, since I already told Aisha and my parents."
"What?"
"The twins... are twin boys."
"Really!" Kimberly nodded.
"It's sort of my graduation present. I finally asked Dr. Mara in private."
"But I thought you wanted to be surprised?" Mr. Oliver asked after hugging Kimberly.
"I did, but Tommy really wanted to know, so..."
"This is wonderful news."
"I know. We better hurry for good seats." Kimberly pulled out her sunglasses and a white sweater. "Let's go." They left.
May 27th, Monday morning, Kimberly and Tommy were in the backseat as Tommy's parents drove them to the airport. Kimberly would often kiss Tommy on the cheek or neck. They would be taking Dr. Mercer's private jet to Africa with him and his head crew. They finally arrived.
"Will you two promise to take care of yourself?"
"We promise, Mom."
"Of course, I'll take care of this lug," Kimberly went to pick up a bag, when Tommy quickly took it.
"And you son, take care of my grandboys."
"Yes, Pa."
After a couple of weeks in Africa, Kimberly was ready to go home. The babies were treating her stomach like a gymanstic mat, flipping and kicking about. Tommy would go off with the digging crew for hours as she sat there in a tent, feet propped up. Reading, drawing, or knitting, anything to pass the long days. Kimberly was missing home, her job and friends, food! They had American shopping place, but nothing was like the real thing. It was sticky and hot all the time. She hated that, and she knew the babies felt the same. They were kicking because of the boredom as well. Kimberly sighed, rubbing her belly.
"Just one more month, babies. Daddy and I will be home, in our coolhome, and no more silly Africa." Tommy was set up just for the 6-week program. Kimberly was prohibited by her doctor to be flying in her third trimester, so was urged to return home in mid-July. August at the latest. Any longer delay, and complications could occur with the pregnancy. Kimberly was designing some cute work clothes, when Tommy came into the tent with Smitty and Gene. They were all laughing. Kimberly pulled her earphone down from her IPod and put on a smiling face.
"Oh, hi honey!" Tommy got some water and kissed the top of her head. Kimberly had the table filled with some drawing books, pencils, knitting supplies, radio and snacks. Kimberly was finishing up 2 sets of booties. One with green bottoms, the other pair with red bottoms.
"Awww...these are too cute," Gene said holding the 2 pair. Kimberly was holding on matching bibs.
"Thanks."
"Beautiful, why don't you come out with us, there are some interesting things out there."
"No thank you." Tommy went to put his head against her belly. "Ewwww! You're all sweaty!" Tommy laughed and fixed his headband. He kissed her belly.
"I call it a good old-fashion hard work."
"Whatever. I call it sweat and gross." She put her earphone back on.
"Please, you have to be bored in this tent all day. Walk around, see the place. You'll love it."
"I said no thank you. You may go though." Tommy sighed.
"Okay." He kissed her again.
Tommy came back from a quick run to the supermarket. Kimberly wanted some chips, special pickle dells, and caramel coconut bars, along with diet 7up. She couldn't drink the diet Sprite in the house, she had to have the other kind making Tommy got a ways into another town for that diet. Kim smiled as Tommy came in.
"Did you get everything?" Kimberly asked.
"Yes, I did."
"Why so many bags?"
"Well, when you said surprise me with chips, I knew whatever I got you wouldn't like, so I…" He poured 3 bags out. "I brought all the chips, I could see."
"Did you get the ones with ruffles?"
"Uh, ruffles?" Tommy asked.
"Yeah, they are great for spinach dip."
"Sorry, babe. I forgot" He kissed her cheek.
"Forgiven for now." Tommy watched as Kim went through the bags. She greedily opened many bags and ate. Tommy took a seat and watched tv with her. Tommy held Kim, as she lay against his chest on the couch. He rubbed her stomach and ate whatever she lifted up to his mouth. He loved to feel his babies within their Mommy kicking away these days. At night, he always spent time talking to them, even as Kimberly would push him away or try to shut him up.
"You know, just because you're pregnant, you gotta get me fat, as well." Kimberly laughed.
"You don't seem to gain anything so hush," she said taking some more cookies with spinach dip.
"Because, I workout." Kim smacked his chest.
"You are silly, baby." They stayed on he couch for the longest watching a movie, and then Tommy carried Kimberly to the bedroom for bed.
A month later, Tommy came into their rented apartment. He had got out early, wanting to spend time with Kimberly. She was none too pleased to find out that the program was required more time since they hadn't finished the job yet. Tommy and Kimberly have been fighting for 2 straight days about it now. Tommy found Kimberly crying as she laid on the bed.
"No Mom, he doesn't understand. I want to come home now. I can't take this place. I miss my job, my friends, our home, our bed! I hate this place! It's hot all the time, Tommy goes off for hours with Smitty and Gene. He doesn't seem to care about me or our babies..." Tommy stood in the doorway. Kimberly laid stroking her stomach. "Mommy, I need you to come. I can't do this alone. I don't want to be alone."
"You are not alone!" Kimberly gasped and sat up. She wiped her eyes. "How could you possibly believe you are alone and I don't care about you and our babies! You 3 mean the world to me!"
"You go off for hours! How can you call that caring! What about me? I have no friends or nothing to do!"
"Because that's how you want it! You can make friends! You can do whatever you want! You chose to be alone and sulk!"
"Do not yell at her!" > Tommy took the phone.
"Mrs. Dumas, we have to talk about this alone, she can call you later."
Wait, don't you dare hang this phone..." > Tommy closed the top.
"Look, I said I was sorry. I didn't know this program would take this long, but we are finding some pretty amazing things. Why can't you just be happy for me!"
"What about me? Aren't you suppose to making sure I am happy!"
"This is my job! You knew that when you agreed to come. If you hate it so much maybe you should just go home!" Kimberly gasped at Tommy's words.
"Fine!" She got out of bed and slammed the bathroom door behind her. Tommy realized what he just said and desperately wanted to take it back, but knew he couldn't.
"Kim! Kimberly! Open the door! I'm sorry!"
"I don't want to talk to you!"
"We have to talk!"
"I'm leaving, that's what you want so there!"
"I didn't mean that! Come on, open the door. Open the door!" Tommy pushed against the door. "Kimberly! Kimberly!"
"Go away!" Tommy banged on the door with his fist.
"Open this door now!"
Kimberly sat on the toilet crying. She threw another ball of toilet tissue to the ground. She sniffed a bit, knowing her make-up was shot. Kimberly went to stand and check her make-up when she fell to her knees in pain, knocking things off the sink in her fall. Tommy heard things falling to the ground.
"Kim? Kim, what happened!" She cried out in pain. "Kimberly! Kimberly!" Tommy kicked the door in. He found her on the ground. "Baby, what happened!"
"Don't touch me!" She pushed away his hands. "Don't!" Tommy rubbed her back, as she was in a ball on the ground. "Ahhh! I...I don't...I'm... scared, Tommy." She pulled his arms around her. "I'm scared..."
"Shhh..can you sit up?"
"I don't know, my back..." Tommy held her up.
"Take deep breaths with me, okay." She nodded. "Deep breaths."He kissed her cheek after her forehead. His heart was racing as well. Tommy knew he had to get her calm first or risk something happening to the babies.
"Hold me tight," Kimberly said holding the arm at her waist, as her other hand reached up to touch his and hold his face.
"You know I will." They sat there, just holding each other before Tommy lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed.
"Ineed tocall a doctor."
"No, it...will pass." Tommy wrapped her in the blanket.
"Kimberly, something could be wrong..."
"No, it was just back spasms, I know it. I'm fine now. I'm sorry for scaring you."
"I'm sorry for yelling at you."
"Me too."
"We'll be fine. Just a few more weeks here and...
"I can't stay here that long." Tommy sighed.
"Why not?"
"Because I want to go home!"
"Just rest." Tommy laid with her. He watched her fall back asleep. His mind racing with the thoughts of her leaving him and he couldn't handle not being around her, especially pregnant. Maybe if she wasn't pregnant, he wouldn't fight hard to keep her here, but with her being pregnant, he needed her. He needed to keep eye on her, make sure everything is well for her and the babies.
Just a day later, Kimberly's mother arrived from Paris. When Kimberly didn't call back that night, she immediately called in for a plane ticket early in the morning. She left everything behind to go to her daughter. Tommy was surprised to get the call to pick her up from the airport. Tommy received many evil glares on the silent drive to the apartment that afternoon.
"Before you go up, we need to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you, Tommy. My daughter is lonely and you don't even seem to care the least bit about that."
"Of course I care, Mom! I love Kimberly, you know that! It was just a tinyfight.I can resolve quickly,but Ineed you to help me convince Kimberly to stay a bit longer. Just a bit."
"Why should I help you do that?" Mrs. Dumas asked.
"I don't want my wife leaving. I need to have her by my side. I can only take care of her and our babies that way."
"You haven't cared for my daughter and those babies she is carrying for a week now!"
"I'll make more time for her, I promise. I have been selfish with this job, but I won't anymore. I know that it isn't fair of me to ask this, especially when she feels miserable now. But I know if she can make some friends and do a little busy work, she won't hate the this place so much."
"She misses everything at home. She misses her job, Tommy. She already gave up one job for you! Why can't you see that she doesn't belong here! This is your job, your thing and I'm...we are so very happy for you and this opportunity. But that doesn't mean, you shouldn't let her go back now. I will not have an unhappy daughter okay. She is pregnant for the first time and doesn't need any extra stress. And I will stay with her back at home, I promise."
"But I'll miss her, and our babies if she leaves."
"Then come back with her now."
"I can't." Tommy pulled into the parking lot. Kimberly hurried to open the door.
"Mommy!" They hugged immediately.
"Oh my beautiful baby! Look at you! Look at you! Radiant!" Kim's mother held her stomach with both hands. "Come, off your feet." Kimberly was helped to sit on the couch. "How are my twin boys?" Mrs. Dumas pulled off her light jacket. "Tommy, get us drinks!" She snapped her fingers. Tommy put the 2 bags down and muttered to himself as he went to the kitchen.
"Kicking like hell! I don't think they ever sleep during the day anymore. I swear, baby boy right bites."
"Those boys have no teeth yet, honey! Besides, the boys shift a lot in you."
"Yes, I know, but it's the same boy."
"How are you feeling?" Mrs. Dumas asked as she rubbed her daughter's stomach over and over.
"Happy you came." Kim touched her mother's hand.
"I wouldn't dare not come for you and my grandboys." Tommy came back with a tray of drinks.
"Anything else?"
"No, that is fine for right now."
"I have to go back to the site. Call me on my cell." Kimberly nodded. Tommy went to kiss her, but she moved her face away. Tommy even so, kissed her cheek. He rubbed her stomach. "I love you. Bye." Tommy left.
Kim's mother squeezed a lemon in her tea. She handed over the tray of cookies to Kimberly first.
"Do you want to stay or go?"
"Mom, can we not talk about that just yet. You just arrived and, we have otherthings to do first."
"Fine, but you will have to answer that question shortly."
"I know."
"Okay,I have brought some things for you." Kimberly smiled as her mother went to her second suitcase. "A few surprises for my babygirl."
"Yay!" Kimberly smiled.
Tommy came home awfully late. He had called, but they were already out for dinner. Tommy came into the bedroom and found Mrs. Dumas with Kimberly sleeping. Meaning, Tommy would of course get the couch tonight. He hated every argument with Kimberly. She was his wife, he loved her deeply and never wanted to ever upset her. His decision was forced upon him by Dr. Mercer. He couldn't leave until the job was done. Or could he? Would that really be so awful? Tommy thought. He got a blanket and pillow for the couch.
reviews welcomed :P
until next time
