Chapter 16

The next morning John is up early as usual while Marlena continued to sleep peacefully. John looked at his wife with loving tenderness as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Hi honey what time is it?"

"It's a little after eight."

Marlena bolts up in bed quickly overcome with a wave of dizziness. Closing her eyes momentarily she recovered. John walked quickly over to the bed and took Marlena into his arms.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine why didn't you wake me up I have an appointment with Dr. Baider at 9:00am. I am never going to get ready in time to meet her at the hospital."

Marlena throws the covers off of her and jumps out of bed. John stops her enough to give her a morning kiss. The one thing he knew would get her attention she stopped in mid stride as John kissed her. Once they separated Marlena smiled as John took her into his arms.

"Hey now I just thought you could use a little extra sleep. I'm sure you don't object to that it's been a long time since you were able to sleep in. Besides I think you need the extra sleep now that we're having twins. Dr. Baider knows your coming in today I called her to let her know we might be a little late."

"I should have known you would think of that. I just want to get this appointment over and out of the first trimester."

"Is the morning sickness still bothering you?"

"The morning sickness I expected and it is much better then it was. I just want out of the first trimester so I don't have to worry everyday whether or not the twins are going to make it. Who would have guessed that I'd be nervous about this pregnancy after I've had so many in the past?"

"Well those pregnancies were a long time ago I didn't expect anything less with this one. I mean we are starting from scratch again after all this time. I myself am being a little over protective of you."

"A little?"

"Okay very overprotective of you. But that's only because it's the first pregnancy that we will experience together. Besides you aren't the only one who is worried about the twins. I am too and I'm sure the kids are. Well most of the kids are I'm not so sure about Sami."

"She'll eventually come to accept the twins it will just take some time. I just hope it's before they are born."

"Don't worry, she'll come around she always does. Let's get some breakfast I have it already made for you. I was going to bring it up to you but you woke up when I came in."

Marlena curled up her lips at the sound of food John noticed it and took her once again into his arms.

"I'm sorry honey I didn't want to make you sick."

"No really it was generous of you I'm just not in the breakfast mood. The sound of it makes my stomach churn."

"I know, why don't I get you some herbal tea and crackers that's what Roman said you used to eat to settle your stomach. Do you want some of those?"

"Do I have a choice?"

John pulls from the embrace and looks at Marlena.

"No you don't you have to eat something. The twins must be starving I'm sure they really want their mom to eat something."

"John they aren't big enough yet to be hungry. But to make you happy I will I have to take a shower I'll be down soon. "

"You promise you'll eat something?"

"Yes John I will now I really need to get that shower if we are going to make it to the hospital this morning."

With a quick kiss on the cheek Marlena heads to the bathroom while John heads down the stairs. Twenty minutes later Marlena comes down the stairs dressed and ready for her appointment. John looks on while she makes her way down the stairs. She looked beautiful in his eyes and he couldn't wait until she was in maternity clothes.

"You look beautiful."

"I knew you'd say that but pretty soon I'm going to need to go shopping for maternity clothes these barely fit me."

"I'll tell you what after your appointment and you talk to Dr. Steven's about your schedule we'll go to Salem place and pick up some."

"Oh man with my other pregnancies even Sami and Eric I didn't need to go out for maternity clothes until my 5th month. Look at me I'm only 10 weeks along and these clothes are already getting tighter. I think these twins are going to be big babies."

"Well they are mine."

John said laughing followed soon after by Marlena.

"Belle was your baby too and I didn't need to get maternity clothes until I was 7 months pregnant."

"Your having my twins Doc did you expect the same with twins as you did with Belle?"

"I guess deep down I knew that this day would come I just didn't expect them to come until months later. How am I ever going to take off the baby weight once they are born?"

"I have a prediction, all that "baby weight" as you call it, will come out on the delivery room floor. Besides you've always stayed fit with the other kids the twins will be a piece of cake."

"You don't have to loose the baby weight."

"Right I don't have to but to make things fair I will go to the gym with you besides who knows I might just gain every pound you do and need to take it off. I guess only time will tell. Now come on I have the tea ready and the crackers they are in the kitchen."

Marlena smiles and takes John's hand together they go into the kitchen together.

TBC…Chapter 17