Hope for All- chapter 60
The next morning, Tony was up early with the babies, allowing Angela to sleep in. They alternated throughout the night, but as usual Angela had the brunt of the night shift as they continued to cluster feed. It was just after six in the morning, with their last feeding at just after five. He picked them both up, after about three tries, and brought them into the nursery to be changed.
"Alright you two! New diapers, check. Changed into regular clothes, check. Pacifiers, check. Chances you go back to sleep for an hour or two?" he chuckled as both babies were still wide awake.
"Yeah that's what I thought! Alright let's head downstairs so I can get everything set up for the family before I need to go and get Jonathan" he said as he headed downstairs. He put them into their bouncers and brought them into the kitchen. He prepared breakfast for all of them and made Samantha her lunch. He even managed to clean up the kitchen a bit before Samantha came down for breakfast.
"Morning Dad… morning Anna and Matthew!" she said as she went to play with the twins.
"Oh good! I need to go get changed. Can you watch them for a few?" he asked.
"Sure Dad! Thanks for making breakfast and my lunch!" she said as she sat down next to the babies and started eating her breakfast. Tony ran up the stairs and quietly opened their bedroom door. He was able to grab his clothes and head into the bathroom. He decided to take a quick shower. He was done within ten minutes and headed back into the bedroom just in time to hear the phone ringing. He tried to get to it before Angela could wake up but it was too late.
"Hello? Yes this is his stepfather. Oh okay good… yes… I'll be there by eleven for discharge… thank you…" said Tony as he hung up the phone.
"Was that the hospital Tony? Is Jonathan alright?" she asked as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
"Yes! He's doing well but they want to run one more test before discharge so he won't be ready to go home until eleven. That works out well because my class is over by ten thirty. I'll go straight over to get him and bring him home" said Tony.
"Okay good. Where are the babies?" she asked as she looked around.
"Downstairs with Samantha. They are wide awake just chilling in their bouncers! They are so cute Angela… even if they do keep you up most of the night!" he laughed.
"I think that's why they are cute at this age… otherwise no one would have kids!" she laughed.
"Okay I'm going to go back downstairs. Why don't you sleep some more? I don't need to go for another hour" he said.
"Actually a nice hot shower sounds better… I will sleep when you all get back" she said as she stood up and grabbed her clothes.
"Okay! Take your time!" he said as he headed back downstairs. He headed back into the kitchen and saw Samantha walking around with Matthew, while Anna was sleeping in the bouncer.
"Fussy time for Matthew I see! What's the matter little guy?" asked Tony.
"I think he just wanted to be held! He quieted down right after I picked him up" she said as she handed him to Tony.
"That sounds about right! He's like this for most of the night! Hates to be put down!" said Tony.
"Anna just fell asleep on her own! She's definitely the more laidback one! Which one was I as a baby?" asked Samantha as she finished getting ready.
"Definitely like Matthew! At least when I was home! It didn't help I never wanted to put you down!" he laughed as he rocked Matthew. After a few minutes, he was asleep and he put him back in the bouncer. Just then Angela walked through the kitchen door.
"Morning Angela! Our appointments are still happening today right?" asked Samantha.
"Yes sweetheart! I'll pick you up from school around 1:30 and we will go. I'm hoping to not have to bring a pump and do a feeding right before and then when we get home" she said.
"Alright I will see you then! Bye guys!" she said as she headed out the door.
"Here's breakfast for you Angela. I'm going to head out in about fifteen minutes to try and get some work done before class. Do you need anything else?" he asked.
"No I think I'm good! Hopefully they sleep for a while so I can at least rest for a bit. I wish it wasn't going to rain otherwise I would take them for a walk. This winter is going to be hard keeping them inside so much" said Angela as she started eating her breakfast.
"I know Angela. Between the cold weather and the sickness, we will only be seeing the inside of these four walls until spring!" he chuckled. Anna started to whimper in the bouncer.
"I think she agrees!" laughed Angela as she picked up Anna and held her as she ate breakfast. She was able to finish her breakfast just as Matthew began to cry.
"Good timing! Alright Matthew… you both need to sleep! Tony before you go can you get the carrier? I'm going to try and get them to take a longer stretch of sleep in there if at all possible" she said as she picked up Matthew.
"Sure Angela! Anything else?" he asked.
"No we should be good until you get back" she said as she headed with Tony into the living room. He helped her get them into the carrier as she walked around the living room. It didn't take long for both babies to be asleep.
"Alright I'll be back after getting Jonathan. If you need anything, call the school…" he said as he kissed them all goodbye and headed out the door.
"Okay you two! I'd love to be able to put you down but then we'd be right back in here in a few minutes! I think it's time I give you a tour of my office! You'll be spending a good deal of time in there once I go back to working from home! Don't worry, that won't be for a few more weeks at least. I need to be sleeping a bit more before that happens! I'm lucky I know my name and what day it is!" she laughed to herself as she headed into her office.
She sat down at her desk and looked over some paperwork. She jotted down some notes of things to follow up on in the upcoming weeks. She decided to try and straighten up her desk. Mona had thrown all her work stuff all over the desk when Angela left for her doctor's appointment last week.
"Did you two know when you were about to be born, Mommy decided to work? I knew once Daddy came home he'd make sure all I did was sit and wait for you two so I knew I had to do something while he was out! You two decided to come a bit earlier than I thought you would so not a lot of work got done! That's okay though… I appreciate you coming quickly!" she laughed as she finished up and headed back to the living room to relax before she needed to change and feed them.
Tony finished up his class and started to head out to the car to go and pick up Jonathan. He was able to get a close spot as he headed into the hospital and up to his room.
"Hey buddy! How are you feeling?" asked Tony.
"Much better! I can't wait to go home!" said Jonathan. Just then, the doctor walked in.
"Hello! Jonathan should be ready to go home momentarily. I have all his discharge paperwork here and a nurse will review it with you. Please make a follow up appointment next week with his pediatrician. Is his mother around to sign the discharge papers?" asked the doctor.
"No she's at home with our newborns. I'm his stepfather Tony. Can't I sign him out?" he asked.
"Are you his legal guardian?" asked the doctor.
"No… no I'm not. My wife really can't come in. Can I have her call and give verbal consent?" asked Tony.
"Yes that should be fine. Alright Jonathan! You take it easy!" he said as he walked out of the room.
"Let's hope your mom is awake and can answer the phone!" said Tony as he found the phone and called Angela. She was able to talk to a nurse who came into the room and soon everything was ready for his discharge. The orderly came with a wheelchair as Tony helped him off the bed. Tony grabbed his bags and wheeled him out of the room to the hospital exit.
"To… Dad? What would need to happen for you to be my legal guardian?" asked Jonathan.
"I'd have to see legally what would need to happen but I'm guessing your dad… uh… Michael… would have agree to sign over some sort of custody. Agree for me to be your legal guardian then I guess looking into adoption officially. Is… is that something you'd want us to look into?" he asked as he wheeled him to the car.
"I… yes. I want us to be a family in every way possible… my dad will always be my dad but his priorities are with Heather and his work… not me…" he said.
"But he loves you… don't ever doubt that… but if this is something you want us to explore, then we will, I promise you that… but regardless of legal status you are and always will be my son. I couldn't love you anymore if you were my biological son. Never forget that!" he said as he helped him into the car. Soon they were pulling into the driveway as Tony helped Jonathan out of the car and into the house.
"Sweetheart! How are you? I've missed you! Are you feeling okay?" asked Angela as she came over to him and helped him sit down on the sofa.
"I'm okay just a little sore. How are the babies?" he asked.
"Sleepy but refusing to actually sleep! I've been walking them around the living room for the last twenty minutes but they are still awake!" she said as she shook her head.
"Can I hold them? I've missed them!" he said.
"Sure! Maybe you will have the magic touch and get them to sleep!" she laughed as she picked up Anna and handed her to him.
"Hi Anna banana! Did you miss me? I missed you guys!" he said to her as he held her close. Tony brought over extra pillows so he wouldn't have to put any weight on his incision. Anna looked up at Jonathan as he was talking to her but soon she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
"See? The magic touch!" she said as Matthew started to cry. Tony came over and picked him up, cuddling him close. Soon, he was asleep.
"Are you hungry sweetheart?" asked Angela.
"I could go for a sandwich if that's okay" he said.
"Okay I'll go make you one…" she started to say when both Jonathan and Tony yelled no simultaneously.
"Uh… what I mean is let me go make him one while you relax Angela…" said Tony as he handed Matthew to her.
"Yeah I just got out of the hospital… I don't want to go back!" laughed Jonathan as Angela gave him a glaring look.
"Very funny! You're lucky you're recovering!" she laughed.
"Okay break it up you two!" said Tony as he headed into the kitchen. He made them all sandwiches and brought them into the living room. Tony tried to take Anna from Jonathan but he insisted on holding her while he ate. They were all able to finish eating and relax a bit before the babies started to stir. Angela and Tony changed them and Angela fed them on the sofa.
After she finished almost an hour long feeding, she grabbed her purse and headed out to pick up Samantha for their appointments. She was able to head into the school and sign out an already waiting Samantha. They arrived at the doctors, signing them both in.
"I'm nervous Angela… does… does it hurt?" asked Samantha.
"It doesn't hurt exactly… more like uncomfortable. The doctor is very gentle though and will talk you through what he is doing. Do… do you want me to come in with you?" she asked.
"Would you?" asked Samantha. Angela had to smile; despite being a teenager, she looked more like the little girl who walked through her door so many years ago.
"Of course sweetheart! I won't leave your side" she said as she grabbed her hand. After filling out some initial paperwork, they were called back into the room. Samantha was up first as the nurse took her vitals and gave her a gown to change into.
"Welcome to the first of many ugly gowns Samantha! Hopefully at some point they will make them less ugly!" laughed Angela.
"Yeah this is really ugly! Couldn't they design one a bit nicer?" asked Samantha as Angela helped her into the gown. Soon the doctor came in and introduced himself. He explained exactly what he was going to do as he began the exam. Angela sat down next to her as Samantha reached for Angela's hand as he began. Once he finished the exam, Angela helped her off the table.
"So everything looks good. We will notify you if any of the tests come back abnormal but know that no news is good news. Your mother mentioned you had questions about birth control" he said.
"Yes… I'm not ready for sex yet but when the time comes, I want to be prepared. I want to know my options" said Samantha. Angela teared up as she watched Samantha learn about the different methods of birth control and advocate for herself. Once the doctor was done, he stepped out of the room so Samantha could get changed and wait outside while Angela had her exam. Once Samantha was done, Angela put on another ugly gown and got ready for her exam.
"Okay Angela! How are you feeling? How are those babies doing?" he asked as he began her exam.
"I'm exhausted but doing okay! They are wonderful minus not knowing their days from their nights!" she said.
"Yes that will come with time! Okay everything looks good! I want to see you back in five or six weeks so I can give you one last exam before I clear you for all activities. Since I just had the birth control talk with your daughter, have you thought about your options once you are cleared?" he asked.
"No not really. We've never discussed birth control as… a couple since we didn't expect to get pregnant after the failed IUI and infection. What are our options?" asked Angela. He reviewed all the options with Angela, similarly to his conversation with Samantha. They agreed to discuss it further after she spoke to Tony about it. She was able to get dressed and headed out to the lobby to check them both out and schedule her follow up appointment.
"How'd it go Angela?" she asked as they made their way to the car.
"Good! I go back in about five or six weeks to be fully checked out and cleared. I hope by then I will be able to sleep a bit longer at night but I'm not holding my breath!" she said as she started the car. They arrived home a short while later to two screaming babies and a very flustered Tony.
"Thank god you're home! They've been crying nonstop for a half an hour! I tried a formula bottle but neither wanted to take it" he said as he handed Matthew to Angela.
"They aren't even due to eat for another half an hour. Alright let's get set up. Where's Jonathan?" she asked as she sat down and latched Matthew. Tony handed Anna to her and she latched as well.
"He's upstairs sleeping. Well hopefully he's sleeping with all the screaming that's been going on!" he chuckled.
"Samantha? Would you mind just checking in on Jonathan? See if he needs anything…" said Angela.
"Sure Angela" she said as she headed upstairs.
"So how did the appointments go? Did the doctor talk about…about birth control?" he asked as he tried hard not to overreact.
"The appointments went well! Everything was good for both of us and yes he spoke about birth control options. He spoke to both of us about our options…" she said.
"Both of you?" he asked with a perplexed look on his face.
"Yes Tony both of us. Unless we want a baseball team worth of kids over the next few years, you and I need to talk about our birth control options since it appears we are both… fertile. I've been on the pill before but there's so many side effects that I really don't want to go back on it if at all possible. He gave me some paperwork to look at so when I'm cleared to have sex again we know our options" she said.
"Oh okay that makes sense. It's still a few weeks away right? Not that I'm secretly counting down to the day, no the hour, until he gives us the clearance or anything…" he said with a smirk.
"And that's why we need to discuss birth control!" she laughed.
"There is something else we do need to discuss. It's about Jonathan" he said.
"Is something wrong? Didn't the doctor say he was okay?" asked Angela with a panicked voice.
"He's fine Angela! When the doctor wouldn't let me sign him out because I wasn't his legal guardian, Jonathan asked about me becoming his legal guardian and even adoption. I said if it was something he really wanted we would explore it, which he said it was" said Tony.
"Oh wow… I didn't know he felt that way. I can't imagine Michael agreeing to that but it's worth a shot. I should probably try and call him before his trip. How do I even bring that up to him?" she asked.
"I don't know Angela. Maybe start with the guardianship. He might relent to that being that he will be out of the country…" said Tony as he took Matthew to burp as Angela took Anna. Both babies began to cry as they were being burped.
"Okay, okay! But the sooner you burp, the sooner you can go back to eat!" chuckled Tony. Finally the babies burped and returned to feeding.
"Alright I think I'll try and call Michael tonight. I think he leaves first thing tomorrow morning according to Jonathan. I'll be shocked if it doesn't lead to a fight…" she said.
"We've never really talked about it much, but did you guys fight a lot? Aside from him being a complete jerk for cheating on you…" he said with some anger in his voice.
"In the beginning not really but after a while yes… it was always the same fight on repeat. Me working too hard and never being home enough for him and later Jonathan. Which is real hypocritical when he would leave for months at a time to do his research or whatever…" she said.
"Hypocritical is one word I'd describe him but I can think of a bunch more… anyway, if he refuses, don't push it. It's not worth getting all upset over. I've already told him if we can't do this, he's still my son in every other way…" he said as Angela began to tear up.
"Yes he is in every way that matters. Do… do you think we should have this conversation with Samantha? I mean she is older but the guardianship might be something to explore. What do you think?" she asked.
"I think it's a wonderful idea Angela. Maybe while you are talking to Michael tonight, I'll pull Samantha aside and talk to her" he said.
"Sounds like a plan…" she said as she leaned over to kiss him.