Della's pregnancy was very difficult this time around. She was gaining more weight, more quickly. Her blood pressure kept going up. They discovered they were having twins when Della was four months along. Daisy started going with Della to the office and helping out at home. Paula would make meals and freeze them for the family. That way, Della didn't have to cook and Perry didn't have to worry. She did stay away until one of them called. Della still went to the office with Perry, but he wouldn't ask her to do something if it meant she had to get up.
"Perry, what are you looking for?" she asked one day. Perry was rummaging through his desk for something.
"Nothing," he said, "don't worry about it."
"It's obviously something. I wish you'd let me organize your desk. You can't find anything."
"Della, it's fine."
Della eased herself up and went over to the desk, "move," she said.
"Della," Perry warned.
"You can move or I can move you." She smiled when he stepped to the side, "thank you." Della sat in his chair. She reorganized his desk for him.
"Now, will you go rest?" Perry asked.
"I sat in a chair and organized papers. I didn't move furniture," she said.
"I know, but your blood pressure."
"Is probably lower than yours right now. Perry, I can't stay off of my feet for the next five months. I've been taking it easy and my blood pressure is only a bit high."
"It gets a bit higher each time."
Daisy walked in, "weren't you on the couch when I left?"
"Yes, but I decided to organize Perry's desk."
"Well, you need to rest."
Della rolled her eyes, "is it alright if I walk to the couch?"
Perry really wanted to carry her, "sure," he said to avoid a fight.
Della stood, "I know you desperately wanted to carry me," she smiled as she reclaimed her seat on the couch. Perry sat at his desk and instantly found what he had been looking for.
"Perry, would you like to eat now?" Daisy asked.
"I'll eat as soon as I finish this in a few minutes," he smiled.
"Della, what about you?"
"Gee, am I allowed to move from the couch to the table?"
A smile crossed Perry's face. Daisy sighed, "yes," she answered.
Della went to stand and winced in pain, "mom, could you give me a hand?"
Daisy turned and noticed her daughter's discomfort, "are you alright?"
"It's nothing out of the ordinary."
Perry stood and walked over, "I've got her," he said. The man wrapped an arm around his wife and took her hand. He helped her to her feet and over to the table.
"And to think," Della said, "it's only going to get worse."
Perry and Daisy looked sadly at one another. If only Della was wrong.
Two months later, Della was struggling. She was still getting light-headed but had figured out how to play it off so Perry didn't know. By the time she entered her third trimester, Della could hardly walk. When she went for her check-up that month, the doctor was quite concerned. "I think it's time to put you on bed rest," he said.
"Unless I can chain her to the bed, that won't happen. At home, she'd get up for the kids," Perry said.
The doctor looked at Della, "do you want to have these babies?"
"Of course I do."
"Do you want to live to see all of your children grow up?"
"Why are you asking me this?"
"Della, answer me," he said gently.
"Yes," she said.
"Then you need to start taking this more seriously. Your blood pressure is much too high for my liking. I don't know how you haven't been dizzy or passed out yet." He noticed Della's expression slightly changed, "Perry, did you know?"
"Know what?" he asked.
"Della, why haven't you told me that you're still dizzy? You are nearly eight months pregnant. I have to know these things. Perry does too."
"I've learned to deal with it."
"I'm going to ask you some questions and I need you to be honest with me."
"Okay," she said.
"Are you in any pain?"
"Yes," she said.
"Where and how often?"
"My back, my hips, my ankles, my feet, and my legs. I would say I feel pain a good portion of the day."
"Every day?"
"Yes," she said.
The doctor sighed, "is it easier for you to rest at the office?"
"Yes, it is."
"Alright, I won't have you placed on bed rest, yet."
"Thank you," she smiled.
"By the location of your pain, I assume you're having difficulty walking."
"Yes, I have been."
"How far do you have to walk from the car to the office?"
Perry chimed in, "far enough that I've had to carry her a few times."
"I'm going to have a wheelchair sent to your office. I'll have them call you with an estimated delivery time."
With that, the couple left. The drive back to the office was quiet. "I'm sorry for keeping how I've been feeling from you. I didn't want you to worry."
Perry sighed, "I know. I'm sorry you're having to go through this. After you give birth, I'll get a vasectomy."
"Really?" she asked in surprise.
"Della, we'll have eight children once the twins are born."
"If they're born."
"Hey, I don't want to hear you talk like that. They're going to be just fine. Our family is complete and there's no reason for me not to."
"I love you," Della said.
"Not as much as I love you."
Della had to admit, that the wheelchair did help a great deal. She'd walk around the office when she had to, but she didn't have to walk long distances anymore. Luckily, they had trained Gertie long ago to be able to take Della's place in court. Della felt bad that she couldn't really do anything at home. She couldn't wait to give birth for a variety of reasons. Della had no idea how long she'd have to wait for the day.
