Well I hope you enjoyed the last chapter as much a I enjoyed writing it!
Chapter 35
The Babies Are Here
The doctor comes in and says, ok Mrs. Thornton we have to do an emergency C-Section. Your going to feel a little bit of pressure and that's ok. They had her prepped and ready. The doctor makes the incision. He reaches in and pulls out baby 1. He clamps the umbilical cord and cuts it. He says, it's a boy! He hands him off to a nurse. She rushes out to the neonatal unit! The doctor reaches in and pulls out baby 2. He says, it's a girl! He hands her off to a nurse. She rushed her out to the neonatal unit! Then the doctor reaches in and pulls out baby 3. The doctor says, it's a girl. He hands off to the nurse and she runs to the neonatal unit. Jack asks, when do we get to meet them? The doctor says, not for a while. They have to be put in the incubator.
The doctor goes to sew Elizabeth back up and she starts bleeding. The doctor told Jack he would have to wait outside. They rushed him out! Jack keeps say, I want to stay with my wife! No sir you have to wait outside! Hurry! Jack yells to Beth and says I love you Sweetheart! She has already blacked out.Jack is outside the door pacing. He crying to the Lord. He hit his knees and went to pray
Kind Heavenly Father I come before you right now on behalf of my family Lord. Please Lord please don't take her and our babies! Lord you took Jenny away from me and our son. I'm begging you please don't take Beth to! I need her Lord! We need her! Please spare her Lord. Please help the doctor to stop the bleeding. In Jesus name Amen! He starts Singing: Johnny's daddy was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old
Little girl came through the front gate
Holdin' a fishin' pole
His dad looked down and smiled
He said, "We can't leave her behind"
"Son, I know you don't want her to go
But someday you'll change your mind"
And Johnny said
"Take Jimmy Johnson
Take Tommy Thompson
Take my best friend, Bo
Take anybody that you want as
Long as she don't go
Take any boy in the world
Daddy please, don't take the girl"
Same old boy, same sweet girl
Ten years down the road
He held her tight and kissed her lips in
Front of the picture show
Stranger came and pulled a gun
Grabbed her by the arm said
"If you do what I tell you to
There won't be any harm"
And Johnny said "Take my money
Take my wallet
Take my credit cards
Here's the watch that my Grandpa gave me
Here's the key to my car
Mister give it a whirl
But please don't take the girl"
Same old boy
Same sweet girl
Five years down the road
There's gonna be a little one and she
Says it's time to go
Doctor says the baby's fine
But you'll have to leave
'Cause his momma's fading fast and
Johnny hit his knees and there he prayed
"Take the very breath you gave me
Take the heart from my chest
I'll gladly take her place if you'll let me
Make this my last request
Take me out of this world
God, please don't take the girl"
Johnny's daddy
Was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old
The doctor comes out and tells Jack that he got the bleeding stopped. He says, her uterus split but we got it sewn up and she'll be fine but she needs to wait a couple of years before she gets pregnant again. Jack says, thank you doc! Can I see her? She's in recovery right now and she hasn't came to yet but as soon as she gets in her room you can. Can I please see our children please! I think that can be done. Wait right here and I'll send one of the nurses to get you. Thank you! The doctor turns and walks away. Jack looked up and said, thank you Lord! Thank you!
It was about 39 minutes later that the nurse came and got him to see their babies. He walked in to the neonatal unit. He was unaware that they would be in such bad shape. He wasn't prepared for this. He had a tube in his mouth to help him breathe. He had leads all over his chest. He had a mask over his eyes. He looked at the birth card on his son's incubator. He asks for a marker. The nurse handed him a marker and he wrote
Daniel Elijah Thornton
Baby Boy Thornton
February 26, 2021
4 lbs. 5 ozs.
15" long
The next incubator has one of his daughters. She had the same thing their son had. He looked at her birth card on her incubator. He takes the marker and writes:
Charlotte Grace Thornton
Baby Girl Thornton
February 26, 2021
4 lbs. 0 ozs.
15" long
The last incubator had a very tiny little girl. He put his hand on her incubator and said, why is she so tiny? The nurse replies, when there are triplets there is always one that is smaller than the other two! She's strong! She was so small. She had IVs in her, she had leads from her head to her toes, she had a blindfold on her eyes, she had a tube in her mouth to help her breathe. Hi Rebecca Nicole! You hold on and get stronger! We love you so very much! He read her birth card on her incubator. He takes the market and writes.
Rebecca Nicole Thornton
Baby Girl Thornton
February 26, 2021
3 lbs 0 ozs
14" long
Jack asked if he could touch them? Yes sir! Just open the little circle dots and put your hands through them. He did as he was told. He rubbed Rebecca's head! Oh baby girl you are so tiny like a little baby doll! We have waited so long to meet you! Your mommy has protected you for as long as she could! I guess you all were ready to meet us to but you got a little ahead of yourselves! Please hang on. We need you to get stronger and fight to stay alive! Beckie we love you! I need to check on my wife. Can I come back later? Yes sir anytime! Jack left to go check on Beth.
He asked the nurse where his wife was? She said she's in room 4142 on the maternity ward. He said thank you and turn to go up to the maternity floor. When he came off the elevator everyone was waiting there in the waiting room. He walked over and hugged Jarrick! He bud you have a little brother and 2 little sisters! They are so tiny and beautiful! Jarrick asked, can I see them? Jack told him, not yet bud. They are in incubators. They are to little yet. Mommy had them to early so they have to stay in them until they grow a little more. Are they alright daddy? They are for right now! Jack hugs everyone! Tommy came over to Jarrick and says, hey man, why don't we go downstairs and get some ice cream while we wait! Jarrick replies, yes sir but we won't be to long will we? Tommy says, no we'll be right back after. Tommy takes Jarrick down to the cafeteria. Jack sits down and puts his head in his hands and just cries. Charlotte and Grace sit down next to him. They both put their arms around his shoulders and rub his back. Grace speaks up and asks, how is Lizzy? She's fine now but after they delivered the triplets she went to bleeding out. They rushed me out of the delivery room. The doctor got the ruptured uterus fixed and she'll be fine but the doctor said she shouldn't get pregnant for at least 2 years. Her uterus needs to heal properly. He said she would still be able to have more children if we want but right now that is the last thing on my mind. I was afraid the Lord was going to take her too mom! All I could do was hit my knees and pray for him not to take her to.
Daniel was born first, 4 lbs 5 ozs, then Charlie was born, 4 lbs, then Beckie, 3lbs. She's so tiny. She's literally fighting to stay alive. They let me touch her . So I rubbed her head and tiny hand and told her how much we loved her and to please continue to fight to get stronger. Have you seen Elizabeth yet son? No ma'am they just brought her from recovery. She's in room 4142. I'm headed there now! I'll see you all in a bit!
Jack walks into Beth's room. She was still asleep. He leans over and kisses her forehead. He whispers, I love you so much Sweetheart! Our babies are small but beautiful! He rubs circles on her arm. She opens her eyes and says, how are they? Well Sweetheart, I'm not going to lie to you and say there doing fine but they are all in an incubator. Daniel is the biggest. He weighed 4 lbs 5 oz and 15" long. He's on a breathing tube and bunch of leads . He has a blindfold on his little eye and an IV. Charlie was second and she weighed 4 lbs and 15" long. She has the same thing Daniel has. But Beckie is so tiny she weighed 3 lbs and is 14" long.
You named them, Love? Yes when I seen the birth card on their incubators, I didn't want them to be called baby boy Thornton and baby girl Thornton 1 2. I wrote their names on their cards above the baby Thornton. I haven't seen their eyes but Daniel has your nose. Charlie has my nose. I'm not so sure about Beckie yet because she's so small. I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them. But I have a feeling Beckie is going to be a daddy's girl all the way!
Have you talked to the doctor Sweetheart? No you're the first I've seen. Well you started bleeding out as soon as Beckie came out. You got a rupture in your uterus. They fixed it and when the doctor came out to talk to me he said you would be fine but you shouldn't get pregnant for at least 2 years. He put his head on her forehead and tears rolled onto her face. I was afraid I was going to lose you Beth. Oh love come here. Sit right here next to me. He sat down on her bed next to her. She pulled him into her and just held him. Love you aren't going to lose me. I'm here! I love you so very much Daddy! I love you to Mommy! I don't know how long they have to stay in the neonatal unit?
Well one things for sure they won't get to go home until they are ready! It's going to be hard leaving this hospital without them. Yes it is Sweetheart. I'm going to take some time off so I can be with you and the babies. Then when they get to come home I'll take my maternity leave! Sweetheart are you up for visitors? Yeah, where's Jarrick? Tommy took him down for ice cream so I could tell our parents everything that happened but he should be back up by now. I'll go get them. Be right back and he kissed her cheek. She reached up and caught his shirt and brought him in for a real kiss. I love you! I love you too Sweetheart! Be right back! He went to the waiting room. He says, she's awake and she's ready to see everyone! Jack lead them to her room. While they were visiting he stepped down to the neonatal unit for a minute. He asked the nurse if he could take a picture of them for their mother. She said, sure just suit up first! He went in and took a picture of Daniel with the birth card at the bottom. Then one of Charlie, then Beckie! He made sure their birth cards were close enough to read! Then he went back up to Beth's room. He pulled out his phone and showed her their pictures! She took one look and started crying. Jarrick asked, why is mommy crying? Come here son let mommy show you! Jack picked him up and set him on the bed next to her. She showed the pictures to him! He asked, why do they look like that? She said, because they came to early. They are a month and a half early son and they have to have machines help them grow because they aren't in my tummy anymore!
You know what? What mommy? I love you so very much! You are going to be a great big brother! William came over to her and said, Lizzy I'm so proud of you! You're a great mother and wife! I love you so much! Grace said the same thing! Lizzy you have made us proud of the strong, independent woman that you have become! I just wish I could've been half the mother you are! Mother you're a wonderful mother and I love you so much! I love you both so much! You instilled in me good morals and values! I'm going to teach mine the same! They both hugged and kissed her and said, we're going to go now and leave you to your family! We'll see you tomorrow! Get some rest! You're going to need it when those babies come home! Tommy kisses her cheek and says, congratulations sister! I see you tomorrow! Charlotte and Tom said their goodbyes too! Jack told Jarrick to say goodbye to mommy. You're going to stay with Grammy and Pop while mommy's in the hospital. They'll bring you back tomorrow. Good night mommy. I love you and my new brother and sisters! I love you too son! You be a good boy! I will I promise! He hugged her then Jack picked him up and hugged him real tight. I love you bud! I love you too daddy! We'll see you tomorrow, ok? Yes sir!
Everyone is gone now you need to rest. It's my understanding that they are going to get you up tomorrow and walk so you need to rest as much as possible. I know but I wish they would let me at least see them. About that time a nurse came through the door and brought a breast pump. We need to know if you're going to breast feed them when they're able? I am but I had planned on pumping into bottles. That way Jack can feed them too. I don't think I could handle all the crying while I'm feeding 2 at a time. Ok the nurse says. We need to get you pumping. You can store it up to a month. We can store it here for them. Ok Beth says. The nurse shows her how to pump. They will be feeding every 2 hours so you can pump every 2 hours. We'll date and time. We'll save the colostrum and breast milk. Beth pumped 4 oz from each breast. The nurse dated, put the time and put Thornton on the bottle. I'll take this and freeze it. Thank you Beth said. You're welcome the nurse replied. Beth asked Jack to join her in her bed. She scooted over to allow him room. She snuggled into him and it wasn't long she was asleep. He listened to her breathing. He knew she was asleep. It was long after that sleep found him too.
The next day just like Jack had said the nurse came in and checked her staples and said everything looks great! She got her up and walking the floor. It was a slow start but eventually she managed to pick up her pace a bit. Nurse, I want to go see our little ones! Mrs. Thornton, I'm going to have to speak to your doctor about that first. We want to make sure you're ok. Jack speaks up and says, if I can see them then I feel she should be able to go see them. If she can't walk that far then she can sit in a wheelchair and I'll push down there! The nurse said, yes sir. I get the wheelchair and be right back. When the nurse left Beth spoke up and said, thank you Love! I've wanted to see them since the delivery! You see them in a few minutes! The nurse brings back the wheelchair. Beth gets out of bed and gets into the wheelchair. Jack asks, are you ready mommy as he bends down in front of her? She leans forward and kisses his cheek and run her hand down his arm and says, you bet I am! Thank you Love! You're so welcome Sweetheart! Now let's go see our babies! Jack put a blanket across her legs and pushed her out into the hallway and down to the neonatal unit. He opened the door and was met by the neonatal nurse. She hand Jack their suits. He put his in then helped Beth on with hers. She says, I want to walk up to them Love! Jack took her blanket and set it on the back of the wheelchair. He helped her stand up. She held his arm as he opened the door to the neonatal room. She looked around the room . Only their triplets were in this room. She looks at the incubators and put her hand to her mouth! Jack helped over to stand in front of them.
