The first week of the new year, Nurse Marci joined the Rossi household and began helping set up the twins' nursery in what had been Christine's study. She quickly made it clear that she expected to be consulted on every aspect of the mother-to-be's health and welfare, as well as any plans for the babies. Hotch, remembering Haley's problems, quickly relented, and Reid, after speaking with the nurse and carefully reviewing her certifications and credentials, also agreed. Following some initial conflict, even Sonia managed to reach an accord with the house's newest resident.
Interviewing a pediatrician for the babies proved to be another challenge. Hotch and Reid each insisted that their current pediatrician was the best choice. However, as Christine pointed out, neither of them practiced at the hospital where she was scheduled to deliver the babies, and decided that she would speak with the pediatrician Dr. Sullivan suggested.
All three men, as well as Nurse Marci, insisted on sitting in on the interview. Fortunately, Dr. Sullivan had already briefed Dr. Winters and, when they arrived, she was waiting for them in a small conference room.
"Thank you for taking the time to speak with us this afternoon," Hotch formally began the meeting.
"My pleasure," the doctor replied with a smile. "After speaking with Dr. Sullivan, I feel I know all of you already!"
She nodded towards Christine. "Twins, I understand?"
"Yes," she replied. "The second set."
"Well," Dr. Winters opened a folder that had been sitting on the table. "Dr. Sullivan sent over some information and, from what I can see, the babies both appear to be doing quite well. Your amniocentesis turned up none of the markers we check for, and your latest sonogram looks great. I understand you don't want to know the sex of the children?"
"No!" Christine told her. "I just want to know that I have two healthy babies!"
"I understand," Dr. Winters agreed. "Now, let me tell you something about our practice." The doctor then proceeded to outline the important issues concerning her education and experience, and that of the other pediatricians in the practice, their office staff's qualifications, and back-up plans in place in case of an emergency.
"Any Questions?" she asked at the end of her presentation.
Nurse Marci quickly took the floor with questions concerning which immunizations would be required for the new arrivals. She had already spoken with Hotch, and they had developed a list of the ones they wanted to verify would be administered, along with the anticipated timetable.
The proper diet for a nursing mother was Reid's concern, along with the doctor's views of various baby formulas currently on the market. He then followed up with questions involving storing the baby's cord blood.
Rossi sat quietly listening; amazed that two small human beings could be the cause of such serious debate. As the group left, he hung back to speak with Dr. Winters.
"You are quite certain about the babies being healthy?" he asked her softly.
Dr. Winters recognized the source of his concern. "You've experienced a loss?" she asked sympathetically.
"My son," Rossi told her. "Everything was going along just fine, until one day it wasn't. The tests, the specialists, it all became a blur for my wife and I, but the bottom line always remained the same. We wouldn't have him with us for long. It turned out to be several hours. That day I not only lost my son, but I lost my wife as well!"
"Well, there are no guarantees," Dr. Winters reminded him. "However, all indications are that, assuming Dr. Nielson doesn't go into premature labor, you are going to be welcoming two healthy children."
Rossi sensed a slight motion behind him and, turning, realized that Christine had come back into the conference room and was standing there. Silently, she hugged him.