Chapter 131

The gang got home late afternoon after an exhausting day. "Come on Sar... practice time" said Tegan. "Tegan why don't we just skip today? Mom's here and I can see you're tired" said Sara. "I don't want to lose momentum. Just an hour or two? Mom can watch" said Tegan. "Okay... are you sure?" said Sara. "Totally... Linds, will you be okay without me for a few hours?" asked Tegan. "Sure sweetheart... I know I said I'd take some photos today but I'm so tired, can I do it tomorrow?" asked Lindsey. "Of course Boo... you just relax and I'll come draw you a nice warm bath when I'm done and bring you dinner" smiled Tegan and kissed Lindsey. "No, I'll come up for dinner. I want to hang out with my mother in law. Take it easy Tegan... please" said Lindsey looking worried.

Tegan and Sara rehearsed for about ninety minutes with their mom watching. "You sound fantastic girls... I have no idea what you're worried about. You're amazing as always" said Sonia. "Mom you don't have to say that" said Sara. "It's true" said Sonia. Tegan looked tired and pale but started playing the next song. She forgot the words during the first chorus. "Dammit hang on... hang on" she said and paced around with her hands in her hips. Sara watched her looking worried. "You okay?" she finally said. "My memory sometimes just goes on the blink... it's fucking frustrating" said Tegan. "Tegan... we discussed this. It's just one of the side effects of the illness. It will get better" said Kate. "Yeah well that doesn't help me much... what if this happens during the show" snapped Tegan. "You're tired... you had an exhausting, emotional day... you'll do better tomorrow after some rest" said Kate. Tegan shook her head looking frustrated.

"Let's try again from the top Sara" said Tegan. "Tee let's call it a day" said Sara. "No... dammit... I will play this song perfectly even if it takes all night" said Tegan. "Tegan... just calm down honey" said Sonia. Tegan ignored her and started playing again. She messed up again and on the third mess up shouted a loud "Fuck!". "Tegan take a moment... have some water and take a moment" said Sara. Tegan sat down and took a drink of water. "Sorry for swearing mom" she said softly. "It's okay... sometimes that's all you can do" said Sonia. Everybody was quite for a minute. "Let's try something you know and we'll come back to this in a minute" said Sara. "Yeah" said Tegan. Tegan played and sang the next song perfectly and Sonia applauded proudly. She went straight into the problematic one and miraculously didn't make a mistake. After the song she hung on to the mic stand with her eyes closed. "Tegan? You okay?" said Kate. Sara hastily took off her guitar and walked over to Tegan. She put her hand on her back. "Tegan just sit down for a minute" said Sara softly. Tegan stepped back and sat down on the couch while Sara took her guitar off for her. "Slow, deep breaths bud" said Kate sounding concerned. Tegan gave a few coughs and started wheezing. Kate patted around Tegan's pants pockets for her inhaler but couldn't find it. "Where's your inhaler Tegan?" she asked seriously. "Um... I don't know... here" she said patting around. She wheezed faster, panicking when she couldn't find it. "Sara go get my bag please... I have a spare in there" said Kate calmly. "Tegan sweetheart... just relax and lie down" said Sonia sounding scared. "I'm fine" said Tegan out of breath trying to get up. "You're not fine... lie down" said Kate sternly. "Kate you're scaring mom" said Tegan, her wheezing getting worse. "Deep breaths Tegan" said Sonia.

Sara ran back in with Kate's bag. Kate took out an inhaler and put it to Tegan's lips. "Here we go... on three" she said and Tegan inhaled deeply. "Another one" said Kate and Tegan repeated her action clutching Kate's hand holding the inhaler with both of hers, desperate for air. "There we go... that's better" said Kate as Tegan's breathing became easier. She put her stethoscope to Tegan's chest. "Stop it... I'm fine I just needed my inhaler" said Tegan annoyed pushing Kate's hands away. "Tegan shut up and stay still" said Sara. Tegan put her forearm over her eyes to hide her tears but her mouth contracted with emotion. "It's okay sweetie... mom's here" said Sonia stroking her hair.

Tegan gave up struggling and allowed Kate to take her BP, temp and and her pulse ox. "You're alright Teabag... just lie down for a few more minutes okay" said Kate. "Why does this keep happening?" said an emotional Tegan. "This happened before?" said Sonia sounding panicked. "Just once before mom... calm down" said Sara. "The elasticity of your lungs are still not close to what it used to be Tegan... and it's normal. You had a crazy day... just like last time. It's okay. I'm going to change your meds and tomorrow before rehearsal I'm going to nebulise you and we're going to do some lung exercises before you sing. That should help prevent this happening again" said Kate. "Let me guess... tonight I get another fucking IV" said Tegan. "Hopefully it's the last round of immune boosters tonight Tee. Just the normal. And if all goes well I can take out the central line tomorrow" smiled Kate. "Are you sure about that, what if she needs IV fluids again?" said Sara. "Why don't you leave the doctoring to the doctor Sara?" said Tegan. "We'll see tomorrow, and if she needs another IV we'll just put one in her arm but I don't think that will be necessary" said Kate.

"I don't understand... I thought you'd be on the verge of admitting me again tonight after this" said Tegan. "You're just fine now... I'm pissed off that you don't have your inhaler with you because that would have prevented a lot of this drama but you're okay now. Go to bed nice and early tonight and try and get some rest" said Kate. Tegan nodded. "And next time... try not to take the music so seriously. And take breaks... you need to learn to deal with your anxiety better Tegan. I want you to discuss this with Violet next time you see her" said Kate seriously. "Yadda yadda yadda... can I go now" said Tegan sitting up. "Kate I want you to give me a spare inhaler in case this happens again and you're not here" said Sara. "Dammit Sara I'm not your child... you don't need to baby me" said Tegan loudly. Kate just mouthed "Okay" and nodded at Sara. Sara threw her arms up in frustration and turned around.

"I'm sorry you had to see that mom... this isn't a normal day... I'm sorry" said Tegan walking to dinner with her mom. Sonia stopped in her tracks and held Tegan back. "Tegan... Sara may not have the right to baby you but I'm your mother and I sure as hell do. You take it easy from now on... and you carry that damn inhaler with you okay. It's just music Tegan... it's not worth your health! I don't want to fly back to Canada on Sunday and lose sleep over you" said Sonia. Her anger suddenly turned to tears. "I'm sorry mom... I promise I'll be more responsible from now on" said Tegan softly and hugged her mom. "Please Tegan... because this is not just about you anymore... you've got a family to think of okay" said Sonia. "I know... I'm okay mom... I've been doing so great I promise this almost never happens" said Tegan comforting her mom. "Let's go have dinner, Lindsey and the rest of the guys must be waiting for us" said Tegan.

Tegan and Lindsey walked back to the guest house after dinner. "I think mom wanted to sleep in our guest room but I'm glad Sara convinced her not to" said Tegan. "Why? I thought you'd want her with you" said Lindsey. "I'll see her tomorrow... I just don't want her checking on me 10 times during the night" said Tegan. "Why? Does she have reason to?" asked Lindsey frowning. "No... but she's a mom you know... I'm sure we're going to be checking on our kids 10 times a night too" said Tegan, she felt a bit guilty not telling Lindsey about her latest episode. "Yeah but not when they're 33 hopefully" said Lindsey. "She... she's just a bit over protective and super motherly after the illness... she'll calm down eventually" said Tegan. "It must be hard... not being able to be with your child when they're sick" said Lindsey. "I'm not sick anymore" said Tegan annoyed. "Yeah well... you're not the picture of health yet either" said Lindsey holding up Tegan's nightly IV bag. "Yeah well Kate said she's taking out the central line tomorrow" said Tegan smiling. "Really? That's great news baby" said Lindsey and hugged Tegan. "How the fuck does she want me to take a shower with this thing" said Tegan annoyed. "We'll take a bath together... how does that sound" said Lindsey.

"Come here my sexy surgeon with the perfect eyes... they're so beautiful" said Sara and pulled Kate close the second they stepped into their room. Their faces moved closer together. "My hot rock star" said Kate and kissed Sara. Sara's lips parted in anticipation and Kate's tongue darted into Sara's mouth. Sara pulled Kate's shirt up and Kate whimpered. "Shit... I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" asked Sara. "In hindsight, jumping on a trampoline with broken ribs is probably not the best idea" said Kate through clenched teeth. "Yeah I could have told you that" said Sara. "Get into your PJs sweetie, I'm going to put some of that anti-inflammatory gel on and give you your pain meds" said Sara. "I don't need pain meds... I just need you" said Kate. Sara put her finger on Kate's mouth. "Shhh... nurse Sara's going to make it all better" she whispered.

Kate lay down on the bed after getting into her spaghetti strap pajamas and taking some pain killers. "I should just tape it again it's nothing" said Kate. "Shhh" whispered Sara. She gently lifted Kate's shirt and placed a soft kiss on the large, slowly fading bruise. She gently spread some gel on it. "Oh you're good at this nurse Sara" giggled Kate. "You just stay nice and still now" said Sara softly. She took some body cream and rubbed her hands together. She took Kate's arm in hers and softly started massaging it. "That smells almost as good as if feels" said Kate. She closed her eyes and smiled. Sara's hands moved over her forearm and onto her perfect, lean, yet muscular bicep. "You are such a perfect specimen of a woman... I'm so damn lucky to get to touch you" said Sara. "No I'm the lucky one" said Kate softly. Sara rubbed Kate's bicep and tricep up and down slowly and Kate moaned. Sara felt the muscles under her fingers and had to hold herself back to not jump on Kate. She rubbed in silence and moved on to her other arm. She slowly made her way down to Kate's legs and moved her hands slowly up and down, admiring Kate's perfect skin. "I want you" moaned Kate. "Patience patient!" whispered Sara. After a few minutes of expert massaging Sara moved back to Kate's face. "You ready for me?" she whispered with a grin. Kate didn't reply, her eyes were closed and her mouth hanging open. "Kate? Sweetheart?" whispered Sara. She smiled and gently pulled the covers over Kate. "Sweet dreams dreamboat" she smiled and softly kissed her forehead.

Tegan and Lindsey lay in the large bath for ages relaxing after a hectic day. "Oh this feels good" said Lindsey leaning back against Tegan's chest. "This bath holds fond memories for me you know. I'm gonna miss it when we move" said Tegan playing with a strand of Lindsey's hair. Lindsey giggled. "That day when I first came back from hospital... and you... you know... it was probably the gentlest and calmest sex we've ever had and yet, it will always be in my top three favorites. I'll never forget it" said Tegan softly rubbing Lindsey's belly. "Mine too... because it finally felt as if I had you back... After you've been off on standby for so long" said Lindsey. "Yes... you pressed the power button" said Tegan laughing.

"And the other two?" asked Lindsey turning her face back to Tegan. "The first time... the very first time... I struggled so long to win you over, I thought it would never happen and then... when it did... it was magic... I knew I found the love of my life and I decided never to let you go again... ever" said Tegan. "I never knew it could feel so right... and that night it was like 'ohhhh now I get it'" laughed Lindsey.

"And the other one... was the day we decided to have a baby... it was in that shitty hotel room in Austin... man that place was a dump... but I've never felt more sheer passion" said Tegan. "I remember... you were so damn sexy on stage that night... you were on fire... Girls were screaming and fainting for you and I knew you were all mine... We tumbled into that shitty hotel room fumbling all over each other... you were all sweaty and hot and I've never felt more turned on" said Lindsey. "I hope we'll still be having hot sex when we're ninety" laughed Tegan. "We'll probably both have arthritis of the hands from over work by then" laughed Lindsey. "I love you... and I want you so much but fuck I'm tired after today" laughed Tegan. "Thank god you said that because I'm exhausted too" said Lindsey rubbing Tegan's leg. "We have the rest of our lives to have hot sex right... that's if there's not two kids in bed with us" laughed Tegan. "Oh there better not be... We can always drop them off at Aunt Sara's for a sleepover... Anyway... Let's not have the discipline talk tonight" said Lindsey. "Yep, Let's get to bed" said Tegan.

Lindsey sat forward and Tegan got up behind her. She got out and wrapped herself in a towel. "You need some help?" asked Tegan. "No I'm fine... actually yeah... I'm gonna need help please" said Lindsey. "Mmmm... how are we going to do this" laughed Tegan. She put her arms under Lindsey's armpits and pulled up hard. "Okay... up you go" she said. She didn't have much luck. "Sorry I just feel a bit wobbly from the warm water and this belly is so huge now" said Lindsey. "Let's try again... one, two, three" said Tegan. Lindsey struggled but plonked back down in the water. "Dammit... I don't know Boo... should I call someone to help?" laughed Tegan. "Oh hell no! And don't you laugh about this Tegan Quin you little shit" said Lindsey. "Okay... don't stress. Just roll over using the water. I'm going to get back in behind you and then when you're on your knees I'm going to pull you up... no problem" said Tegan. Lindsey rolled over and got on her knees as Tegan got in behind her. "Careful of the IV sweetie" said Lindsey. "I've got you... here we go" said Tegan helping Lindsey up. Lindsey turned around and put her arms around Tegan's neck and pressed her body against Tegan's. "My hero" she whispered.

Tegan and Lindsey got into bed naked. "You hot again sweetheart? Can I go fetch you some ice packs and wet towels?" asked Tegan. "No... I'm okay... I cooled down a bit in the luke warm water" said Lindsey. "Let me know if you need anything" said Tegan. "I need your body against mine... I don't care if it's hot... I need the koala" said Lindsey softly. Tegan put her arm over Lindsey's body and her leg over hers. She felt the babies move against her stomach. "This is perfect" she whispered. "I'm scared Tegan" whispered Lindsey in the dark. "Why are you scared angel?" asked Tegan. "Giving birth... I'm so nervous" said Lindsey. "Don't be scared... it's going to be such a beautiful experience... it's going to be amazing... and I'm going to be there every second holding your hand... loving you" whispered Tegan. Lindsey nodded. "Shhhh... just relax now and sleep. Everything's going to be just fine" whispered Tegan. She felt exhausted and weak and closed her eyes taking in Lindsey's scent. "Great day huh" whispered Lindsey a minute later. Tegan didn't reply. "Sweetie?" she whispered but Tegan was out cold.

Tegan was woken up by the doorbell in the morning. Tegan groggily opened the door holding her empty IV bag and rubbing her eyes. "Morning sleepy head... sorry I woke you up but it's almost 8" said Kate. "Really? Wow I was out for the count last night" said Tegan. "Lindsey's bathroom breaks didn't wake you?" asked Kate. "No... strangely enough they didn't" said Tegan. "Well that's good" said Kate. "I guess... but I feel kind of guilty if I don't wake up" said Tegan. "Don't feel guilty baby. I'm just glad you got some quality sleep for a change" said Lindsey walking into the room wearing her robe. "I feel like a new person I must admit" said Tegan yawning.

"Oh hey mom" said Tegan when Sonia entered. "Morning you two... Nothing has changed huh... still like sleeping in" said Sonia. "This is hardly sleeping in... you know I used to sleep till noon some days. Anyway, well we have to before the babies come" said Tegan. "Yup because there will be no more sleeping in then, no no no" laughed Sonia waiving her finger. "How are you feeling today kiddo?" asked Sonia. "Great thanks" said Tegan quickly. "You had me worried there for a few minutes last night" said Sonia. "Why? What happened?" asked Lindsey making tea. Tegan closed her eyes annoyed. "Nothing Boo... I was just really tired" said Tegan. Sonia realised her mistake pretty fast "You know... mom's worry all the time" she said. "Let's get your check-up out of the way and then we can maybe look at removing that annoying central line" said Kate trying to change the conversation. "Where's Sara?" asked Tegan. "She said she loves you to bits but there's no way in hell she's going to watch me pull a tube out of you" said Kate.

After an extensive physical exam Kate took a blood sample. "While we still have the line in we may as well do the blood tests now" said Kate. "Take it ooouuut now" moaned Tegan. Kate put on a surgical mask after handing Tegan one. "What's this for? You'd swear we were in the OR" asked Tegan. "Just preventing infection. Your dirty morning mouth is pretty close to the site" said Kate and gently removed the adhesive dressing over the incision site and inspected it carefully with gloved hands. "Morning mouth" mumbled Tegan. "Looks good... no infection. You did a good job taking care of this" said Kate. "Hurry up I want it out already" said Tegan. "I just want to keep the pulse ox on your finger there while I take it out to keep an eye on your pulse" she said. "I'm fine... just do it" said Tegan. "Calm down already... I'm taking it out okay... it's not like taking out a normal IV you know" said Kate annoyed. "Sorry I'm just very keen to be rid of the damn thing" said Tegan.

Kate cleaned the site carefully and cut the stitches with a small pair of scissors. "Okay here goes the stitches" she said pulling them out one by one. "Does it hurt sweetheart?" asked Sonia observing from a distance. "No... not so far" said Tegan. Kate started tugging on the line and slowly pulled it out. "Wow that's so long" said Sonia. "Uh huh. Went all the way into her chest" said Kate concentrating. "I can feel it move in my chest... Feels like a worm leaving my body. It's kind of gross" said Tegan laughing. Lindsey stretched her eyes open wide and then closed them tight. "Whoooo... seeing this makes me whoozy" she said. "Lindsey just lie down on the bed for me I don't want you passing out" said Kate. "Don't look Linds, we all know you're kind of a wuss" said Tegan. "Take a deep breath for me and hold it" said Kate before pulling the last bit out. She held a piece of gauze to the site to stop the bleeding. "You can breathe again... it's out" smiled Kate and pulled her mask off. Tegan let out her deep breath. "Freedom!" she said victoriously.

"Linds you okay there?" asked Kate still holding the gauze on the site. "Uh huh" said Lindsey with her eyes closed. "Sonia, can you do me a favor and hold pressure on this... I just want to take Lindsey's BP" said Kate. "Linds? Baby are you okay?" asked Tegan panicked and pulled her mask off. The pulse ox meter on her finger blinked faster. "Yeah I'm okay" said Lindsey. Kate handed Sonia a latex glove and Sonia put it on before taking over from Kate. "It's like when you were a kid and you got a boo boo" said Sonia. "Linds your BP is a bit high... I just want you to take deep breaths and calm down" said Kate. "Baby I'm fine it's nothing... it didn't even hurt just calm down" said Tegan.

Kate moved back to the other side of the bed and lifted the piece of gauze. "Still a bit of bleeding... just keep that pressure on it Sonia. It should stop soon" said Kate. "Uhhh... something... is contracting in here" said Lindsey. "Lindsey does it feel like a proper contraction or just a bit of tightness?" asked Kate. "Um I don't know... I don't know what a contraction feels like" said Lindsey. "Deep breaths Linds... you're okay" said Kate taking Lindsey's BP again. "BP is down a bit, that's good. Let's just see where this goes... hang in there" said Kate. "What's happening... is she in labour?" asked Tegan trying to sit up. "Lie down Tegan!" said Kate sternly. "Talk to me Kate" said Tegan sounding desperate. "Tegan it's probably just some Braxton Hicks contractions... take it easy I've got this" said Kate feeling around Lindsey's belly. "Well your water certainly hasn't broken... how do you feel now? Any lower back pain?" asked Kate. "No... It's going away... I think it's over. Tell me this is nothing Kate... it's way to early... waaay too early... I can't be in labor" said Lindsey sounding panicked. "Okay just relax... calm down... we'll see if there's another one soon but I'm sure it's nothing" said Kate.

A/N: And the soppiness just keeps on coming ;) Hope you enjoyed it.
Is Lindsey in labor? We'll have to wait and see...
Review pleeease!