Disclaimer: I don't own Little Woman. This is an AU story.
Meg's Story; Little Women of My own
"I think this baby will be a girl," John said.
I looked up with a smile. I was nine months pregnant and full to the brim with the baby.
"What makes you say that?" I asked.
"You're quite full," John said.
I gave him a stern look. John should know better than to call me fat.
"I'm pregnant," I point out as the baby gives a sharp kick, "and he or she is getting ready to be born."
Suddenly I feel a sharp pain in my abdomen. I groan.
"Come darling," John said, lifting me to my feet. He leads me to the bed and has me recline against the pillows.
"John," I point out," "The baby may not be here for hours."
Another pain hits and my water breaks.
"I… guess I spoke too soon," I said.
John went to fetch the doctor.
John was out for about 20 minutes. Doctor White came in and examined me.
"Well, this baby is in a hurry," he said, "Did you have any names selected."
"Daisy for a girl," I said, "Joseph for a boy."
The pain grew increasingly. I didn't scream but I did cry. John held my hand and urged me to keep going.
"You can do this," he said.
Just as the clock hit 4:49 PM the doctor called, "I see the head."
Using forceps, the doctor delivered the baby who was born breathing. The pain continued.
"It's alright," the doctor said, "You have to deliver the placenta."
I delivered the placenta at 4:54 PM."
"What did we have," I asked the doctor already in love with the baby.
The doctor looked.
"You have a girl," he said.
"I told you," John responded as he kissed me.
After a few minutes of relaxation and relief the pain started again.
"I think something is wrong," I said.
"You just gave birth," the doctor pointed out, "You're bound to have some more pain."
He examined me again.
"Okay," he said, "I see the problem. There's another baby in there."
"TWINS! I'M HAVING TWINS!"
The shock of having twins hits me as hard as a thump in my heart."
"No," the doctor said as he continued to examine me, "There are three more babies inside you."
"WHAT!" I exclaim.
Marmee had four children but not one of us were multiples. I'm going to be raising four children at the same time. The dizziness hits before the next shock and I nearly pass out. John takes my hand. With his free hand he cups my chin.
"Listen to me Meg," he said gently, "We can do this. We're in this together."
I take a deep breath and regain my composure. Marguerite makes her way into the world at 5:04 PM. She melted my heart just like Daisy had.
"She's beautiful," John said as he took her from me. Soon after Marguerite was born, I delivered the placenta at 5:09. Labor was long and tiring but I knew in the end it would be worth it. Lavender arrived nearly an hour later at 6:07 PM. The placenta was delivered at 6:17.
"Okay," the doctor said, "Just one more baby and then you can rest."
I pushed as hard as I could and at 6:18 Primrose made her entrance into the world. She, unlike the others, was not born breathing. The doctor vigorously rubbed her back and she started crying. My relief was immense.
The doctor weighed each of the babies. Daisy was the smallest of them. She weighed only 5 ½ pounds. Marguerite was 6 pounds 8 ounces. Lavender weighed the most. She was 9 pounds 11 ounces. Primrose weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces.
"Now I have four little women of my own," I whispered as I was cleaned up and fell into a peaceful sleep. Raising four little women would be hard but with marmee's example I know I could do it. I felt so good inside and I know that everything will be alright.
