One baby; that is what Cristina envisioned when she first told Owen she wanted to have one.
One baby, that is what displayed on the monitor during the ultrasound appointment.
One baby; a two person job, her and Owen made two people.
Now before her lay two babies, twins.
When Cristina's pain frittered away it was instantly replaced with anxiety. She was overwhelmed. Two babies multiplied everything; responsibility and furniture. All the fears of being a mother that undaunted her during pregnancy finally materialized. Doubt prowled its way into her mind, and it stayed there while she watched her boys wheeled away to the nursery.
Owen's initial state of shock dissolved at the sight of his identical newborn sons and was replaced with indescribable happiness. He could not wait to show them off, and brag at how good looking they are. Buying another set of everything they already purchased excited him. He thought of the adorable matching outfits they could wear.
Once the twins were of out sight Owen turned around to his wife.
With a wide smile spread across his face he expressed his happiness, "Oh my God Cristina, we have twins! How great is that?"
When he saw the emotion projected on her face his smile disappeared, and become concerned.
"Cristina…"he said as he sat beside her. She simply looked up at him with worried eyes.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her, "Cristina, what's wrong? I thought you'd be happy. Talk to me."
"Owen we have twins. How are we going to take care of twins? How am I going to take care of twins with the hours you work, and the hours I'll work." She was scared.
"Cristina, everything will be fine. That should be the least of your worries. Our babies are going to be well taken care of."
"What-what if I'm not a good mother? I don't know how to be mother."
Owen held her close, "Cristina that's impossible. You'll be a great mother. Remember that I've never done this either, it's okay to be nervous, but it'll come naturally. Your motherly instincts will kick it. You can do this."
"Yeah," Meredith abruptly said, "Cristina, if I did it, then you can do it. So shake off those nerves. You have two beautiful healthy twin boys. On my days off I'll pop in to help, and I know Iz, Alex, and George will too."
Their words of encouragement comforted Cristina. The doubt that lurked into her mind was swapped with the thought of her sons, and a smile spread across her face as they were being brought back into the room. They were cleaned up, swaddled tightly in blankets with matching blue beanies. Owen held one and Cristina held the other.
Meredith's pager began to buzz, "Ugh, I got to run, give them kisses for me."
The tiny life being placed in Cristina's arms brought about earthshaking feelings. They were unspeakable. Her son fit perfectly in her arms, and she began to swoon over how precious and beautiful he was. She held him close and planted gentle kisses on his forehead. Owen brought their other son close enough so Cristina could softly do the same.
Owen was simply enamored by the sight he was seeing.
"So," he said through his smile, "I know we agreed on the name Ethan, but now we need another."
"Hmmm," Cristina pondered as she gazed into each of her sons' eyes, "what do you think?"
"I like Evan." Owen confessed. Cristina nodded in approval. "So who's who?" he asked.
"I've got Ethan and you've got Evan." Owen agreed and gave Cristina a tender kiss.
They spent the next few hours admiring Ethan and Evan to pieces.
Owen was talking to each of them, telling of the cute crib and toys that awaited them at home. He spoke of all the things he would teach them; how to play baseball, the guitar, drums, and when the time came how to be gentlemen.
Cristina on the other hand was rather quiet. She was taken in by their beauty and put her in a tranquil state. It would be a few months before their eye color would appear but she knew they would be exactly like their father's.
As she ran her fingers through each of their ginger red hair the thought of how smart they would be, it made her smile. She would purchase Ethan and Evan an extensive book collection, including all the ones she read as a child. She even jumped ahead and thought of what great surgeons they would make, if they chose that path. One thing she hoped they would steer clear from was the military. Cristina was already becoming protective and attached. A small smirk appeared on her face when she thought of the future girls they would bring home. She instantly knew none would be good enough, already holding such high standards for her boys.
When they finally fell asleep Owen gently laid them in their hospital cribs, kissing them lightly.
Before he could climb into bed and spoon with Cristina his pager started buzzing.
"Damn it," he said annoyed, "9-1-1, I have to go. Now that they're sleeping try and get some rest. I'll try and hurry back." He kissed Cristina and although difficult, left the room.
She adjusted her hospital bed, fluffed her pillow and began to drift to sleep thinking maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
It had only been about thirty minutes when she awoke to little "coos" her sons were making. Her eyebrows furrowed as the sounds started to change. What are they doing? It was when the smell hit her that she knew. They were making potty. She was aware of the special bond twins shared but did not know it was this close. Twins even poop together?
Cristina became nervous. She instantly remembered so many years ago as an intern when she attempted to change little tuck's poop diaper and struggled tremendously. Now here she was getting ready to change not one, but two.
She sat up, and looked around in hopes that Owen or one of her friends were returning but nobody was in sight. She sighed; she would have to do it alone.