Chapter 158
8 weeks later
"So are you two ready to go home" asked Tegan looking at her two babies, both awake and moving their arms and legs around. It had been an exceptionally trying two months for Tegan and Lindsey. They spent most their time in the hospital right next to their little miracles. Tegan's health had been up and down from the stress and constant lack of sleep. Both babies remained in a very serious condition for a long time. Both had frequent low heart rate and breathing scares and that was coupled with two nasty cases of jaundice. Both babies had to spend days under the UV lights with their eyes covered up but they were all okay now and finally ready to go home. "Don't get too excited, the pediatrician still needs to give them the all clear" said Kate. "Nah, I have a feeling that today is the day... right peanuts... you're so cute. We have such an awesome room waiting for you... with so many toys. We're so proud of you" cooed Tegan.
"Let's have a look" said the pediatrician when he finally showed up 45 minutes later. He examined both babies thoroughly and Tegan nervously watched him biting her thumb nail. "Okay... everything looks normal. You two are good to go" he smiled. Tegan gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you... thank you so much... How can we ever thank you enough" she smiled. "You're welcome Tegan. Go home and enjoy your babies. You have everything you need and remember we're only a phone call away" he said pointing at a bag with a breathing monitor and some premie diapers. Tegan swallowed hard. "I think these two should have lunch first though" he smiled. Lindsey had become a breast feeding pro in the last few weeks. The babies were finally able to take latch onto her breasts and get in enough nutrition from Lindsey a couple of weeks ago. After an initial struggle to get it right they were both feeding well now and gaining weight rapidly. They were both still smaller than a normal newborn though. Tegan picked up Casey first and gently handed her to Lindsey. After a slow feeding session it was Ryan's turn and Lindsey offered him her other breast. "They're going to need some follow up visits, the nurse will help you schedule those. Good luck guys" smiled the pediatrician.
Tegan had the car seats ready as soon as Lindsey burped Ryan. He seemed to be ready for another nap and his head rolled around sleepily. Tegan dressed both babies in what were her favourite crawlers. She stood looking at the two sleeping babies with her hands in her sides. "Let's do it. Let's go home" said Lindsey and kissed Tegan on the cheek. Tegan balled her cheeks and let out a sigh. "Are you sure they're okay to go home?" she asked Kate nervously. "We're sure Tegan" smiled Kate. "I... I don't know they're still so tiny... I don't think they're ready" said Tegan. "Tee... we wouldn't be sending them home if we didn't think they were absolutely, one hundred percent ready" said Kate patiently. "I just don't want... to break them" said Tegan becoming emotional. Kate laughed. "You won't break them Tegan"
Both babies were finally in their carry/car seats, buckled up and ready to go. "Let me just check these buckles" said Tegan. "Tee, they're fine... I'm coming with you to help you get settled. Everything's okay" said Kate. "Okay... thank you" said Tegan and covered both babies snuggly with a blanket each. She and Lindsey both picked up a seat by the handle and started leaving the nursery. "Bye guys! Good luck" said the nurse and patted Tegan on the back. "Bye Casey and Ryan... we'll miss you" said another nurse. Some other parents were applauding and it made Tegan blush. "Thanks guys... thanks for everything" she said softly.
Tegan walked down the corridor. The weight in her hand felt surreal. She glanced at Lindsey and took her free hand. "We're doing it" she smiled. "Yup.. we're doing it" smiled Lindsey. Sara and Kate were carrying bags of baby stuff looking like pack horses. "Front door?" asked Tegan. "I don't know... how many people are out there?" asked Lindsey. "Just a few photographers and we have security right on top of it" said Tegan. "Okay... front door" said Lindsey. Tegan stopped in front of the door and looked out at the photographers waiting outside. "No... no, let's do the basement. It looks windy" said Tegan. "It's not windy, it's a gorgeous day" said Sara. "Yeah well it's super sunny and they're sleeping" said Tegan. Kate took two thin blankets and covered both baby chairs. "There we go... up to you though" she said. "Okay let's just go I can see the car" said Tegan.
They left the safety of the hospital and photographers immediately started shouting. Tegan stopped in her tracks and put her finger in front of her mouth to shut them up. "Shhhh... babies sleeping" she said. The photographers grew a bit more quite but were still annoying. "How do you feel guys? Finally taking your babies home" asked the one. "Best feeling in the world. We're absolutely ecstatic" smiled Tegan and walked to the SUV waiting surrounded by their security team. "Can we get a shot of them?" somebody asked. "Not a chance" grinned Tegan and walked to the car. Tegan personally secured both seats at the back. "Is that it... are they secure?" she asked Charles. "Yup that's it Tegan" he said. "Are you sure?" she asked. "I have three kids Tee... trust me... I know how these seats work" he said. Tegan climbed into the front and made her way to the back seat between her babies. She buckled herself in. "Okay home time" she smiled and Lindsey got in front next to Charles. Sara and Kate followed in another car.
"I'm so happy they're going home" said Sara on their drive to the house. "Yeah... they've had a hectic start to life" smiled Kate. Sara put her hand on Kate's thigh and smiled looking distant. "You nervous about tomorrow?" she asked. "Honestly... yeah... I hope it worked. Don't want you to go through all that again" said Kate. "You're amazing you know that" said Sara. "No you're amazing... thank you for doing this Sara" said Kate. "I'm excited... and so fucking nervous" said Sara. "It's going to be okay" said Kate and looked at Sara when they stopped at a red light. "I love you" she said and touched Sara's cheek.
Tegan looked at Ryan for 5 seconds and then at Casey for 5 seconds then at Ryan, then at Casey. She held one of each tiny hand in hers and watched their tiny chests move in and out fast. "Everything okay back there Tee?" asked Lindsey and turned around to face Tegan. "So far so good" said Tegan nervously. Lindsey grinned widely and patted Tegan on the knee. "Drive slower" said Tegan. "I'm going at a snails pace already Tegan" said Charles and laughed good-naturedly. "I don't care, go slower... precious cargo" she said. Charles slowed down some more. Everybody was quiet for the rest of the trip. Tegan thought about how blessed she was. How amazing it was to finally take her babies home.
The car stopped in front of the house. Sara and Kate were already there, they after all drove at a normal speed. Tegan smiled as she saw her mom looking as if she was about to burst with excitement. Sara and Kate were holding hands. Alex stood behind Erin with his arms around her waist and his hands her now quite large pregnant belly. Ted was casually leaning against a wall. "That's sweet... only Jeremy missing" said Tegan, her voice breaking. She hadn't heard much from Jeremy during the last few months. He sent Sara a few messages saying that he's safe and happy and not to worry about him. "He'll be back Boo" said Lindsey. Tegan nodded. It killed Tegan not having him there today.
The car stopped and Alex opened the door for Lindsey. "Welcome home guys" he smiled and helped Lindsey out of the car. Tegan hastily climbed out through the front and greeted her friends and family excitedly. Charles had undone the car seats. "Alex and I will carry them in for you" he smiled. "No, thanks but I want to carry them into their home for the first time" said Tegan. She lifted the one baby out of the car and waited for Lindsey to do the same. They carried their babies into the house and grinned when they saw the living room decorated with balloons and welcome home signs. "We're just going to put them to bed" said Tegan and headed to the room. Kate followed with the bag from the hospital. She helped Tegan put the mats that would monitor the babies' breathing under the sheet of the crib. "Can't believe these two are still sleeping through all this commotion" she said. "Guess they got used to quite a bit of commotion in the NICU" said Tegan. "Yeah and that's probably a good thing. You don't want the babies to need complete silence to sleep. It's always good if they can sleep through a bit of commotion. Gives you a bit more flexibility" smiled Kate.
Tegan put her arms around Lindsey who was standing with the babies where their seats were put up on the changing table. "I can't believe they're finally home... I'm so happy" she whispered into Lindsey's ear. "Me too... look at them... so happy and peaceful" said Lindsey. "Let's get them into their new bed" said Tegan. She unbuckled Casey and gently lifted her into one of the cribs. "You've become quite the expert" said Kate softly. Lindsey put Ryan down next to his sister. Both were still fast asleep. Tegan covered them with a blanket and Kate checked that the breathing mats were working. She set up the baby monitor before taking out her stethoscope and checking both babies' heart beats and breathing. She looked up and smiled. "All good" she whispered. "Thank you" Tegan mouthed. "I'm going to give you guys a moment" she said and left the room. Tegan and Lindsey stared at their babies in silence for a few minutes. "And so the next chapter begins... I'm so stoked... and scared shitless" laughed Tegan. "Tell me about it" laughed Lindsey and kissed Tegan passionately for a minute. "I have everything I've ever wanted" whispered Tegan.
Ted was pacing around outside and looked up when Sara joined him. "So... when will you know?" he asked and sat down on garden chair. "Tomorrow" said Sara and sat down next to him. "Oh... well good luck" he said. "Thanks... Ted... are you still sure about this?" asked Sara looking nervous. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life Sara. I want to do this for you" said Ted. "Thank you" said Sara and nodded but she couldn't get Jeremy out of her mind. She really wasn't sure about their decision any more and it worried her. She silently told herself not to worry about it, this kind of thing hardly ever worked first time anyway.
Tegan and Lindsey joined the gang in the living room a few minutes later. "Thank you for being here guys. We really appreciate it" said Tegan. "How are my little angel grandkids" asked Sonia. "Sleeping like... babies" laughed Tegan. A minute later she got up. "Tee?" asked Sara. "I'm just going to check on them" said Tegan. "Tegan... you need to learn to let go. They're fine, we have the breathing mats under them, which is just a precaution I may add and we have the monitor, we'll hear when they wake up" said Kate. Tegan sighed and sat back down reluctantly. A minute later a tiny cry came out of the monitor. Tegan and Lindsey both jumped up in record speed and raced to the room. "Hey Ryan... hey big boy, welcome home" said Tegan and picked Ryan up. She gently started bouncing him up and down but he kept crying. This in turn woke Casey up and Lindsey was now bouncing Casey around. "Um... are they... are they hungry?" asked Tegan. "No it hasn't been three hours" said Lindsey. "Shhh... shhhhh... okay mommy's angels" cooed Tegan.
The crying in the room continued for a few minutes and the gang was listening to the entire thing through the baby monitor. "Why won't they stop crying" said Tegan sounding panicked. "Um... shhhh shhh" is all that left Lindsey's mouth. "Should I go get Kate?" asked Tegan now sounding desperate. "No... I don't know... maybe" said Lindsey. "Should somebody tell them to check the diapers" said Sonia. "Give it a minute" said Kate looking relaxed with her feet on the coffee table. A few seconds later the penny dropped. "Diapers" said Tegan. "Oh yeah of course" said Lindsey. The gang listened to the entire drama of the dual diaper change unfold. "Oh dear... who's got a cold, wet bum? I'm sorry guys... your mommies are still learning and we're a bit overwhelmed. We'll get there" said Tegan. Lindsey giggled. The crying was getting less and less and eventually stopped completely.
Tegan and Lindsey eventually walked back into the living room, each carrying a baby, both looking a bit rattled. "Okay... everything's under control" said Tegan. "Can I hold her Tee, please" asked Sara. "Okay I guess" said Tegan and reluctantly handed Casey to Sara. Lindsey handed Ryan to Sonia who wouldn't ask but looked desperate for some cuddle time. "I'm exhausted already" laughed Tegan and plonked down next to Sara. Sara had Casey on her legs and played gently with her hands while watching Casey suck her pacifier vigorously. "Be gentle on the mommies guys... they're novices" she said.
A/N: Sorry for the really long absence guys. Hope you're all still with me. I've had a crazy few weeks at work and I've been sick to top it off. I think I've finally figured out how to take the story further though. Had to get the babies back home safe first. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please review!