"Uncle Owen," Alyssa asked at the door.
"Come in Lyss," Owen called.
"You're okay," Alyssa asked.
"I will be," Owen promised, "I would leave Leo or Allison or you or Teddy. My family needs me. I want to meet your girls. Teddy told me, are you okay?"
"Scared," Alyssa admitted.
"I'm going to make a full recovery. It might be slow but I will and so will Faroke," Owen assured, "I'll probably be here for recovery and rehab for a few weeks then will be home and get to meet your girls."
"I'm staying here but Matt has to keep going back and forth," Alyssa said.
"Lyss," Owen said, "if you need to go back to BC for your health we all understand."
"She's not allowed to travel," Matt snapped, "Megan has put so much stress on Alyssa it could kill our kids."
"Matt that's called being a family," Alyssa said, "you stick together and you do the hard things together. You don't make them do it alone and I don't know how much help I am but I'm here. And I've been able to help with Leo and Allison and we'll do a lot with them so Auntie Teddy can be here with Uncle Owen."
"My family would never ask me to sit in a hospital for weeks on end like this," Matt argued.
"Enough," Owen commanded, "Matt I know it might not seem like a big deal to you but our family we support each other."
"To the point that what we wanted for our kids isn't respected," Matt said.
"No," Alyssa argued, "you don't get to do that. I was going to find an OB in BC and was calling around to find one that met my needs but you convinced me the only way to do it was with a midwife because that's what your family does. Yes I went along with it and found someone I trusted and Catie recommended, but I wanted to switch as soon as we knew it's twins. I was looking for someone that met my criteria, good outcomes, low c-section rate even with multiples, a single doctor not a group practice and would do the delivery themselves you were the one that pushed for a midwife, you were the one that convinced me to do minimal intervention then twisted it so it was my idea. I hate being the patient and it scares the crap out of me but you added to the fear. I trust Dr Deluca, she will deliver the girls herself with help from her resident, I like Dr Wilson, I met her when she was doing surgery, she's a surgeon and an OB."
"What about meeting family right away," Matt asked.
"They will," Alyssa replied, "I was okay with the plan and having them in BC and waiting for my family to come because the borders were closed. Matt I need my family around. Dr Deluca explained this morning that we were looking at a 95% chance of a c-section, that's a major surgery, it's 7 or 8 layers of tissues to get to the girls. If I'm having major abdominal surgery I need my closest family around. I want my mom and auntie Teddy. I need my family who know me and my triggers and love me. I can do it with the right support."
"Matt you need to be that support," Owen interrupted, "Alyssa is being really clear with what she needs and wants."
"They are our children but I am the one actually giving birth," Alyssa said.
"Lyss, can you go grab me some water," Owen asked, he could see her getting angry and he needed to speak to Matt man to man.
"Ya," Alyssa agreed.
When Alyssa was out of the room Owen glared at Matt, "when she's with you she is not the person I raised. I did not raise her to be meek and submissive to give in to you. If you think that's a healthy relationship, changing her it's not. You are taking away pieces of Alyssa until she is the person you want and you can control her. I don't trust you. I can't trust you and I will do everything in my power to keep her here until she has the girls because the support she's asking for, the people she wants are here, she is saying that she wants to be here with a doctor we know and trust doing her care, she wants to be close to her mom, aunt and grandma the people who raised and love her completly. You will never fully understand the trauma she went through. You never saw how hard she fought, we fought for her to allow herself to be happy. This control is not going to work. I've spent enough of my life with brilliant and driven women to know they will bend so far for you then she'll have enough and find you and your life together limiting and she'll run."
"How do you know," Matt barked.
"Because I've had two wives do it," Owen said, "and I've done it to a fiance. I ended it with Beth because she was limiting me. You limit Alyssa. Christina went to Switzerland and is the happiest she's ever been, Amelia stayed here but met someone else and got to know herself better. Matt you have to let Alyssa be herself. She will bend and flex so far but there will be a day that she will snap and not take it anymore."
"We have kids," Matt snapped.
"Sharing children does not require you to be a couple," Owen said, "I've co-parented with my best friend and we were not a couple. We cared deeply for and respected each other but we were not a couple. You have to let her be herself. Alyssa is not something for you to possess and control. Alyssa is a kind, loyal, brilliant and talented woman. You have to respect that and respect her or you will lose her. You have to support her how she is asking to be supported not how you think she should be. She asks for what she needs if you take the time to listen."
Alyssa came back with the water, "Uncle Owen?"
"It's okay Lyss,' Owen assured.
"You've been on your feet too long now," Matt said, "you should go home and relax."
"Not until I see mom and Faroke," Alyssa replied.
"Lyss you doing okay," Owen asked.
"I just didn't sleep well here," Alyssa said, "it's never fully quiet. I wouldn't mind a nap but I have to see mom and Faroke first."
"Say hi, then go home," Owen said, "do what you need but go home and rest."
"I will," Alyssa agreed, "can I give you a hug?"
"Yes," Owen said, 'just be gentle."
"Everything hurts and you're not dying," Alyssa tried to tease.
"Yes," Owen smiled, "go see your brother then go home. The couch in the living room has a piece that slides out so it becomes a bed, it was Teddy's idea."
"I was just going to use the sectional like I had been," Alyssa replied.
"Go home and get comfortable," Owen said, "theres your sasquatch flavoured chips in the cupboard and a lasagne in the freezer."
"I will." Alyssa said, "love you."
"Love you too kiddo," Owen said, "text me later."
"I will," Alyssa agreed.
Alyssa made her way back to Farokes ICU room with Matt following.
"Mom," Alyssa said, "is he asleep."
"Hi," Faroke mumbelled.
"Hey bud it's good to see you awake," Alyssa smiled.
"They discharged you," Megan said, "seeing Alyssa in her regular clothes."
"Yes we're going back to the house," Alyssa said, "we're just saying hi."
"Can you stay," Faroke asked.
"We'll come back later," Matt declared, "Alyssa needs to go rest."
"If I sit with mom it's fine," Alyssa said, "Faroke needs us. He's my brother."
"Alyssa," Matt said, "you have to take care of our girls. "
"Lyss he's right," Megan said, "go rest for a few hours and come back around dinner time."
"Why," Faroke asked.
"Alyssa isn't feeling well her babies are starting to be too much for her body," Megan said, "so she's going to go back to Uncle Owen's and nap for a bit."
"I will come back around dinner time," Alyssa promised, "let you sleep some more two. I'm so happy you got your heart and woke up."
"And it's Christmas in a week," Megan said.
"Can I go home," Faroke asked.
"Not yet," Megan said, "maybe around New years two weeks."
"Then home," Faroke asked.
"We'll stay in Seattle and let you recover and meet Alyssa's babies," Megan said, "you need more time to recover."
"Is everything stable," Alyssa asked.
"It's looking good," Megan said, "vitals are good, he's talking."
"When can I leave," Faroke asked again.
"When you're well enough to leave," Megan said, "it's not my decision."
"I'm tired," Faroke said.
"Pain meds will do that," Megan said, "so I'm declaring nap time for both of you. Matt take Alyssa back to the house. Lyss your bed please not the couch you don't actually sleep on the couch. Go to bed for a couple hours, sleep, read but you are laying down and monitoring your Blood Pressure. Lyss ask Matt for what you need."
"I will," Alyssa agreed, "mom you'll bring my truck home? I drove us here yesterday."
"I will," Megan assured, "I'm going to come home in a few hours once grandma gets here and come shower and check on you."
A few hours later Megan let herself back into Owen's house and found Matt on the couch playing with his phone, "how's Lyss doing?"
"Sleeping," Matt replied, "she said her back really hurt so I tried to massage it until she fell asleep. She just needs her space."
"No," Megan said, "I've been staying in her room with her some nights . She's not good on her own when she's this vulnerable. Matt, Alyssa needs to be held and to be loved. I've been trying, Owen and Teddy have been trying but we're not you. She needs you to love her and hold her. Even though you're not tired and are wide awake, go lay on the bed with her and read or play with your phone. She's been walked away from too many times and her safe person, the person she knows will always, always come for her, nearly died falling off a cliff yesterday to get Faroke's heart."
"You left her," Matt said.
"And I regret it," Megan said, "I'm going to go up and shower but think about it. I know Owen talked to you as well and Teddy will. You have to think of Alyssa as having three parents instead of two. It took a lot for me to accept that Owen and Teddy are her parents as much as I am. You got mad at her yesterday when you haven't been here. You let her do it alone. I don't think if she had your support here, in Seattle that she would be in as bad of shape as she is. You let her do it alone, you stayed away. We are going to be in her life, yours and your daughters. Alyssa and I have a different relationship because I was captured and we were just starting to really reconnect when lock down happened. But Matt I'm not letting her go and you bully her away and isolate her without a fight."
"We can't afford her having the girls or the babies being in the hospital here," Matt said.
"Alyssa has insurance, her policy is great, she chose well," Megan said, "and you make it work for your kids. Matt, Alyssa needs to be here. She's said several times that she wants Owen, Teddy and I around when she delivers."
"It should just be the two of us and about our babies," Matt said.
"Matt you haven't been here," Megan said, "Faroke nearly died, Owen almost died. Alyssa is scared. Matt you have to support her how she asks to be supported. You can't assume you know what is best for her. We've all made that mistake and Alyssa gets angry."
"I'll go up in a minute," Matt sighed, "she's asleep and won't notice."
"But you'll be there when she wakes up," Megan said, "did you sit with her until she fell asleep?"
"No, she had a shower then went to bed," Matt said.
"I'm going to go shower and my stuff is upstairs I'll check on her," Megan said.
Megan walked upstairs and Matt went back to texting.
"Matt," Alyssa groaned.
"Just me," Megan replied, "you okay?"
"I just woke up," Alyssa said, "I need to go to the bathroom and get water."
"What do you want to do," Megan asked.
"Sleep more," Alyssa admitted.
"I was going to shower so why don't you use the was room and I'll get your water," Megan said.
"Where's Matt," Alyssa asked.
"Living room," Megan replied.
"Maybe I'll go down," Alyssa said.
"Have you checked since you got home," Megan asked.
"I had lunch showered and have slept," Alyssa said, "what time is it?"
"4:30," Megan replied, "you got home around 11?"
"Ya," Alyssa replied, "we are the left over Thai from the other night. I think I was in bed by 12:30. I've gotten up a couple times but I've been able to sleep."
"Since you're still laying down I want to check your blood pressure," Megan replied, "your relaxed it's the best time to check it."
"Auntie Teddy left it on the dresser," Alyssa said, "she did it this morning. She woke us up."
"It looked bad this morning," Megan said, "have you had your meds?"
"Yes," Alyssa said, "but auntie Teddy wasn't sure if and how much they would help."
"Let me check before you get up," Megan said.
"Okay," Alyssa agreed, "but I really have to pee."
"I'll be fast," Megan replied grabbing the blood pressure cuff and checking on Alyssa, "that's better than this morning. I think this is what you needed. Come home some down time and sleep. What else do you need to do today?"
"I do want to go for a walk," Alyssa said, "I want to show Matt the coffee place and get a muffin there."
"Do that," Megan said, "come up and see Owen and Faroke after dinner for a few minutes. Come spend half an hour with each and go they understand."
"I will," Alyssa said, "I'll do my hair after you shower."
"Your messy bun is fine," Megan assured.
"I'm sure some of it is still wet," Alyssa said, "I didn't have the energy to dry it."
"Do what you can," Megan said.
"I'll at least grab my brush and brush it," Alyssa said walking into the bathroom.
Megan ducked into Alyssa's room and made the bed. She knew Alyssa couldn't stand her bed not being made.
"Mom do you want Matt and I to order dinner," Alyssa asked.
"I'm not going to be here," Megan said, " I literary just came home for a shower. Teddy wants to do her own thing with her kids. You two do you and be a couple. Go out. You are allowed to go out Alyssa go show Matt some of your favourites between now and Christmas. He's staying until when?"
"He has to go back on the 28th," Alyssa said, "it's the 22 so we have six days and will do Christmas at the hospital I guess?"
"We will," Megan agreed, "right now you go relax. Come after dinner. You and Matt go for a walk."
"You mean a waddle," Alyssa joked.
"You do waddle right now," Megan agreed, "but I haven't said hi today."
"I know you haven't pet my belly once pretty good there mom," Alyssa smiled, "go ahead."
"Lyss make sure he takes care of you," Megan said, "use your voice and ask for what you need. Ask him for what you need and want."
Alyssa nodded and made her way down stairs.
"How was your nap," Matt asked.
"Good I needed that," Alyssa said, "lets go for a walk. I want to show you my all time favourite coffee place. I know decaf but I love their orange and blueberry muffins."
"Sure," Matt agreed.
Alyssa lead him out of the house and towards the coffee shop.
"When are you coming home," Matt asked.
"I can't you heard Dr Deluca," Alyssa said, "Matt we're here until the girls are born. They thought I was in labour yesterday. That our girls were coming and actively giving me medication to stop it and mature their lungs and I was alone. Talk to your dad I'm sure Jack will understand you need to be here with me and the girls."
"Why do they control you," Matt asked.
"My brother almost died so did my uncle," Alyssa replied, "my family needs me here even if I'm now part of the problem."
"I don't want to stay in your uncles house for an un known amount of time," Matt groaned, "if we're stuck here can we at least find somewhere else?"
"Grandmas," Alyssa suggested, "to keep my stress level down I need to be somewhere familiar. Matt I need to be there and have you with me. It's amazing I'm not on bed rest."
"Why didn't you come home when you started feeling bad," Matt asked, "you were in pain when you came down."
"Because I couldn't," Alyssa said, 'my mom is really depressed she was talking about some really dark stuff that I won't get into with you. And it came on suddenly, it wasn't gradual it just hit me full force."
"Our plan for the calm birth just the two of us and calling our families when we're ready," Matt asked, "that's what you wanted."
"We can still have the calm we talked about," Alyssa said, 'but Celeste is facing the wrong way and it wouldn't be safe to do that here or there. We can have it calm. And I agreed to just us and calling no visitors until we got out of the hospital because the border was closed. I couldn't have my mom or my aunt and uncle so I agreed to it. But I want them. I always wanted them. I want mom to see them brand new and for uncle Owen to hold them and auntie Teddy to whisper to them the way she does when we're all scared or upset. I want grandma to welcome them to the family. Matt I didn't think we could have that so I went along with your plan but it's not mine. I want my family around. I was raised with a lot of people around me. It was never just me and mom or me and uncle Owen. We always had a community, our village and I want the girls to meet theirs on their birthday."
"Can we do the actual thing just us," Matt asked fighting Alyssa for control.
"I'm allowed two people in the OR for support," Alyssa said, "you and one other. I'm going to decide then if I want or need someone else. If we don't choose and who we don't choose will just go up to the gallery over the OR and watch so they can see."
"And you'd be okay with that," Matt asked.
"Yes," Alyssa said, "I want them to see our babies right away. Matt I need my family. You haven't been here for me or the girls. I know you feel like you have to work and we've never mixed our finances but we can do it for a while. I have enough savings to live on for 6 months without the maternity leave money but I'll still have 80% of my salary for the year so we can survive without you working."
"But that's not being the man," Matt said.
"When have I ever cared about that," Alyssa questioned.
"I do," Matt said, 'at least when I'm working and contributing it's easier."
"Matt I knew when we got together," Alyssa said, "I knew when I bought the house. I need you here more than I need your help with the mortgage. I need you with me we can figure out the money later."
"I'll have to come up with half the girls hospital bills," Matt said.
"Hopefully my savings are enough," Alyssa said, "but our 10% will be a few grand. Thats one reason I need you here and with me. I need you to support me to be my safe person in all the crazy. Your job is to take care of me."
"I can stay to the 28th," Matt said, "but we have that huge proposal meeting on the 29th."
"Move it or do it virtually and explain," Alyssa said, "that I'm having complications and need you. Your dad will get it, your mom's a nurse she'll understand. Tell the client why you have to change forms."
"I'll go and come back new years eve," Matt suggested.
"I guess," Alyssa shrugged, "Matt our world is about to shift completely. I need you to support me and the girls. I need you to be 100% in on this with me. Right now I don't feel like you are."
"I am,' Matt assured, "that's why I'm doing this."
"Take a leave," Alyssa demanded, "I need to send it in but I'm on medical leave now. Matt, I need you here. Not trying to prove yourself in BC. I need you with me, our girls need you with me."
"I'm trying," Matt said, "but if you were the one in the hospital where would the all be?"
"Bullying my doctors," Alyssa said, "demanding better care, calling in every specialist and favour they have. They would be there with me around the clock. They would be there to support and love us."
"Really," Matt asked.
"Really," Alyssa promised, "Matt they would come and they would stay. I need you, our family the four of us need you to stay. I can't go back to BC right now. I want to be here. I want to be with my family. Please Matt we need to stay."
"I'll try," Mat replied dismissively.