Just after her seventh month mark Eddie's stomach rounded rather then expanded. She stared at the wall across the room with a pinched face at the pressure on her lower back. The red numbers on her clock changed to 2:14 am. "You okay" Jamie asked. He often sat up too when she couldn't sleep.
"The babies are heavy on my back again," Eddie replied. "Oh I'm going to sit on the couch for a bit. Maybe I'll be more comfortable sitting up. Ugh."
"Try lying on your side..." Jamie suggested. That might help." He held her waist, helping Eddie move slowly onto her side. Jamie hated the hurt look on her face knowing he couldn't help make it go away "How's that Eddie? Is it any better?
"A little," she replied. "I can breathe now."
Without her asking him too Jamie massaged over her lower back. "Nice and slow breaths Eddie. How's that feel babe?"
"Can you do that all day?" The twins were hard on her small frame. She closed her eyes able to relax a little bit with Jamie's rubs relieving the pressure. He seemed to know exactly where it was hurting her even if she didn't say.
He smiled, breath warm in her ear, "Anytime you need babe. Close your eyes and try to get some sleep. You haven't been getting enough recently. " Jamie kissed her neck as he continued the massage. She nodded and sighed as her body released.
With his help she managed to fall asleep for a few hours only to wake up just past five thirty to use the bathroom. Not wanting to wake Jamie she slowly stood up, having to take her time. In her absence Jamie hugged the pillow but stayed asleep. Eddie smiled, thinking how cute he looked as she settled in bed again and fell asleep.
Sleep didn't come easy as Eddie woke up again at six thirty to use the bathroom again. When she finished instead of going back to sleep she sat on the bed watching Jamie sleep. Both hands cupped under her stomach, gently rubbing the bump. Pain throbbed in her lower back even sitting up. It was times like this she missed her mother, she wanted her advice, Jamie's Pop was great but he never carried one baby let along two.
At the start of another pain up her back Eddie arched, trying not to cry out. She needed her mother's comfort, the way only a mom can. When Jamie woke up he found Eddie lying on her side, with tears on her face. "Eddie? Eddie, babe what's wrong? What happened," he gently moved an arm around her.
"Nothing,' she sniffled. "I just miss my Mom, I want my Mom."
The bed creaked as he shifted a little closer. "Oh Eddie. She came over to work things out maybe you should give her a call. Invite her over?" It tore his heart to see her so upset.
"Will you do it?" Eddie asked. "If she said no..."
He lowered his head to kiss the top of hers and slowly rocked her. "Of course I will but I need you to breath for me okay? Remember what the doctor said about not getting stressed."
She nodded, 'It's so hard to breathe though with the babies so big...everything is just so hard..."
"I can't imagine and have no idea what it's like or how you feel exactly, but if bringing your mom here will help you then I'll do it." He nuzzled her, "I would do anything for you Eddie. I love you so much and I worry about your stress."
"So would I," Eddie replied. "I love you so much."
She turned her head to rest against his as they quietly lay together for a bit longer. Jamie made a nice breakfast then keep his promise to call Lena, hoping she would agree to come. As luck had it Lena was more then happy to see her daughter to try and work things out. They agreed for her to come that afternoon at one.
With Jamie's help Eddie showered and put on a fresh dress to see her mom. He combed her hair very carefully to get all the knots out. By one Eddie sat on the living room couch with her swollen feet elevated when Lena knocked. This time when Jamie he smiled and immediately let her in. "Thanks for coming Lena.," Jamie led her into the living room.
Lena shrugged off the jacket she wore to keep out the November cold. A chill hung in the air though it hadn't started snowing yet.
"Mom." Eddie reached both arms up as she to sit up to quickly. Tears sparkled in her deep blue eyes, forgetting everything else that happened. She was overjoyed her mom came, burying her face in Lena's expensive shirt.
Lena took a seat on the couch with a shake of her head as she pulled Eddie into the comfort of her arms. "Oh Edit. My sweet baby Edit, don't cry honey. "
"I'm so happy you came mom. The other day I was still so angry with you for everything you and dad did but I'm nearing my due date and I just want my mom here," Eddie searched the older woman's eyes. "Jamie has been great but I need to talk about stuff only you would understand."
That was all Lena needed to hear. Tears filled her own eyes, pulling Eddie a little bit tighter whispering, "I'm right here Edit. I love you sweetie. I never stopped and will never stop loving you. I'm sorry for all that we've done, pushing you away but mom is here now. "
It warmed Jamie's heart to see Eddie in her mother's arms, feeling better just with that weight off her shoulder. He quietly slipped out so the women could talk privately and hopefully work things out. Eddie had her head rested on her mom's chest.
"Now tell me honey what's so scary and I'll try to help." Lena's hand found the place where Eddie hurt without asking and started to rib.
Comforted being in her mom's arms Eddie told her. "Just everything is so overwhelming right now. My lower back hurts, I have to pee so much and in two months I have to give birth to two babies. Then we have to raise them."
"For now you just focus on not peeing your pants..."
Eddie lifted her head until she looked her mom directly in the face. Seeing Lena smiling made Eddie smile a little. "I'm just feeling overwhelmed I guess."
"Because you are running ahead honey..." When Eddie tilted her head Lena smiled at her daughter. "One thing at a time Edit. Don't worry about things that will happen. Prepare for the birth, how are you having them?"
""Probably by c section," she replied.
Lena nodded, "Okay. The back pain is normal being this far along, especially with twins and that makes it hard to sleep. The babies are putting added pressure. I had to sleep up in your dad's arms for two months."
"Jamie would do that but I won't let him..."
"Why not Edit. Let him. It makes them feel useful and part of the process. I don't know much about Jamie but he seems to care for you," Lena replied.
"He does Mom," she assured him. "Really."
Smiling Lena pulled Eddie against her for a hug. "Let him be there for you. I know it hurts and you're exhausted but let him be there for all of you. The rest will fall into place. And I hope that I can be there too for my grandbabies."
"Can you accept Janie as part of my life?"
For once in her life Lena didn't hesitate to answer. "Well, it seems he already is so yes. I would like to get to know him better, which I should have done to start. I have to say he made things right, marrying you and being there for you."
"He's really great mom. I hope you can accept him because he's going to be around for a long time," Eddie smiled then frowned seriously. "But I want you part of my life too and our babies. It hurt that you and daddy cut me off."
Sitting straight up with her hands cupped under Eddie's chin Lena met her daughter's eyes. "We were wrong Edit. We made a mistake and let our prejudices cloud our judgement. We worried that because you're so young you would make poor decisions. He got you pregnant so young but he did the right thing Edit."
Their conversation came down the hall into the adjacent room where Jamie listened. He came around into the living room with his eyes on Lena. "I am in love with your daughter and I will never leave her. She is the mother to my babies and I will always be here for my family " He sat behind Eddie smiling, hand resting on her back.
His promise reassured Lena's motherly heart in a way no one would understand. That's what she needed to hear.
They sat in the living room all together talking so Lena could get to know Jamie. It was the start of a new chapter between them. Although it wasn't perfect it was a work in progress and they were all trying.