Chapter 124
"Water Amy ?" Georgie asked walking over to the small fridge in Amy's office. They had met there about 20 minutes earlier. Amy stopped in to review the lecture she was giving later that afternoon and Georgie had already been there to study for a large animal neurology practical scheduled for the same time.
"I probably shouldn't, I don't want to have to pee before the ultrasound."
"18 weeks ?"
"Yup, after the break I'll go in and let the powers that be know that I won't be teaching next semester."
"Will that be a problem ?"
"It shouldn't be, I teach electives and we can work out a schedule that'll be fine for me in the spring. They'll just move around a couple single spring choices to the fall. There aren't enough female vet school instructors for it to have an impact on policy and truthfully not many of the full faculty are still having kids, besides Lorin loves me."
"And it' the law I guess." Georgie added with a chuckle.
"There is that."
"You're meeting Ty at Miriam's office ?"
"And Betty and the kids."
Georgie laughed "Oh, a theatre group, I didn't realize."
"I told them to wait until at least the next one but the kids insisted and Betty's basically if they go I'm going so, anyway, will I see you when I get back ?"
"I'll probably be here for, I guess another hour before I have to leave, but I need a ride home so you either will or I'll meet you at your class when I'm done with my practical or I'll text. Handouts are in the cart and I'll get your tea thermos in there before I leave."
Amy nodded and grabbed her jacket and hat "see ya then Georgie."
She pulled into the practice parking lot about 5 minutes before her appointment and parked her pick-up next to the Jaguar, grabbed her bag and headed inside.
"We beat you." Jackson said when she came through the door and pulled off her hat.
"I didn't realize it was a race kiddo."
"Well, it wasn't really."
She smiled and hung her hat on a peg and shrugged out of her coat leaving it right underneath before walking over to kiss Ty. "Let me check in."
Anne glanced at her when she walked up to the counter and smiled lifting her finger for a second while she finished her call.
"It's definitely not too early for a Braxton Hicks contraction Sylvia and you shouldn't be worried unless there's bleeding or you have several in a row. That's right … yup already in your file …. nope, calling is better than bursting through the door … great, see you in two weeks."
"Sorry." She said looking up at Amy and smiling "it'll be about 10 minutes, how's your bladder ?"
Amy sighed "long or short answer ?"
Anne smiled "never mind, grab me a sample after please."
She then picked up the phone and punched in two numbers and waited a second or two. "Amy Fleming and her posse are here."
"It'll be a couple minutes, Frances is just cleaning up."
She turned and joined the family stopping to kiss each kid and Betty.
Amy asked the kid about the last day of school and holiday assignments. Made sure all was well with Betty before snuggling up to Ty on his chair. "How was your day husband ?"
"Quiet and productive, Bert's been in meetings all day and I am all caught up before we leave."
"Nothing like all caught up." She agreed.
"So what's it going to look like in there ?" Jackson asked pointing at Amy's belly.
"Like two aliens stuffed into a cave." Frances answered with a laugh walking up "You must be Jackson, Miriam warned me about you. I'm ready Amy, everyone watching ?"
"We have an audience Frances, everyone this is Frances. She's the ultrasound technician. This is Jackson, of course, my twins, Charlotte and Madelyn and my adopted mom and the kids paternal grandmother Betty."
Frances nodded as the names were repeated 'it's good to meet you all. Let me get your mom set up and then we'll bring you in."
"So more waiting ?"
"Jackson, some patience please." Ty said softly.
"I'm sorry."
Ty smiled and ruffled his hair, "it'll only be a few more minutes."
Inside Frances had Amy lay back, unbuckle her pants and lift her blouse up. She took out a sheet and covered the lower part of Amy's body to her waist, "I don't want to freak Jackson out in case I have to go low."
"Thank you Frances."
"Ok, the other thing is I want to take a quick peek to make sure we're all good before they see the screen."
They both nodded as Frances took the warmed gel tube out and spread it over Amy's belly which was now certainly a bit distended and looking pregnant. The second she started the now familiar sound of two heartbeats thumping could be heard. A minute later Frances glanced at the screen and seconds after that took the wand off.
"Ok we're good and you've witched to maternity jeans so that's good, better off comfortable and not restricting blood flow or fetal movement. We can bring them in now, you or me Ty ?"
Ty stood from his stool "I'll go."
Maddie was first in and smiled at her mom. When they were all in Frances asked them to stand behind her. "I'll try to let you know what I'm doing and you may ask questions one at a time please but if I don't answer immediately it's because I'm focused on something."
"They understand." Ty said looking at the kids who all nodded.
"Miriam tells me you've decided that you want the sex if I can determine it ?"
"Ames, you sure ?"
"Yes please." Amy answered.
Frances took a few moments to show the group the gel now evident on Amy's belly and the wand and explained how it all worked. That "also known as sonography from the Latin for sound, ultrasound imaging uses a small probe like this which is called a transducer" she explained holding up the wand "to both transmit sound waves into the body and record the waves that echo back."
"Like a fish tracker on a boat." Jackson said.
"Like the million scans on our legs JT." Maddie said. "Shhhh."
Frances nodded and started again "sound waves travel into the area being examined until they hit a boundary between tissues, such as between fluid and soft tissue, or soft tissue and bone. At these boundaries some of the sound waves are reflected back to the probe, while others travel further until they reach another boundary and are reflected back. Since the speed, direction, and distance sound waves travel differ depending on the boundary they run into, a computer can interpret this information as a two-dimensional image on a screen which you see here."
She spoke while she moved the probe around with one hand while clicking a mouse with the other, whenever she clicked a small x appeared on the screen.
"Right now I'm measuring the length of the babies as best I can. These x's mark the end of the baby's head and feet and the computer records it." She said to the viewers "All good Amy, they're showing excellent growth, you're a solid 17/18 weeks for sure and I've got both as you can see, they're side by side this time."
"What's that ?" Jackson asked.
"Point a little closer Jackson."
"Here."
"Those are their arms, right on one and left on the other."
"Why are they connected like that ?
"I'm sorry, which ?"
"Oh I'm Maddie."
"Your brothers are holding hands Maddie. This one is sort of on his side and this one on his back. You have to imagine it, it's pretty tight in there.
"Brothers, boys ?"
"Boys Dr. Borden, no doubt."
"Boys." Amy whispered.
"Awesome !" Jackson added under his breath.
"Boys." Betty whispered as well.
Amy and Ty were holding hands and smiling at each other.
"How do you know ?"
Charlotte laughed "you don't know the difference between boys and girls JT ?"
"Oh you can see their …."
Frances cut him off "yes Jackson I can clearly identify this baby as a male and they're identical."
"What's that thing moving there ?"
"That's his heart. Now give me a few seconds to take some more measurements and I'll turn up the volume so you can hear what's going on in there."
They all smiled when the heartbeats sounded from the speakers along with the whooshing sound inherent in ultrasounds. "Heart rates as I have them are fine Amy, Twin 1 on this scan in 125 twin 2 about 134 but he's a bit hidden, both well within normal."
With the exception of whispering between them and Frances identifying the different sounds there were no more real questions. Amy was fixated on the fact that they were holding hands. Jackson was fascinated that they were actually ind of encased in fluid.
"Our sons are holding hands Ty." Amy whispered to Ty who smiled and reached over to hand her a tissue from the box alongside the bed to wipe the tears off her cheeks.
Frances smiled and continued looking for a few more minutes "Any other questions before I shut down ?"
A moment later, hearing nothing, the screen went blank.
"That's it, the babies look fine Amy, you're doing great." Then she turned "Ok, let's let your mom get herself together and she'll meet you all outside. Ty you can stay of course."
The kids all thanked her as Betty herded them out but she didn't follow until she leaned over and gave Amy a kiss.
"Pee in this cup for Anne Amy and I'll let Miriam know we're done and get the scans over to her. Just leave that on the counter when you leave and Anne will check it, I'll see you next month."
Amy and Ty sat outside with the family and waited for Miriam to call them. Anne walked past into the ultrasound room to apparently run her test. Everybody was excited that they had the sex and were all fine with them being boys. Betty was thrilled she had colors to focus on and Jackson was going on about finally having brothers.
"I wonder if they'll have your eyes Pappa."
"They'll have what they have Charlie, I'll be happy with healthy babies and eyes that see."
"That's for sure." Betty added softly.
Miriam came out of one of the exam rooms wiping her hands. She stopped and stepped on a trash can dropping the towels in before walking over with a big smile.
"So, boys it is I hear."
"Boys it is." Amy repeated standing with Ty "you all wait here, this should only be a few minutes." She said to the group.
"Your sugar and protein tests were fine, blood pressure, heart all look good." Miriam started after sitting across from them with the ultrasound running on the screen and two pictures printing behind them.
"As Frances told you this all looks fine, growth, heart rate and development are spot on. I've preliminarily scheduled you for a birthing room at Cornell for October 1st but that could change, I'd say earlier is possible but no promises, anyway, you have a reservation and you're on the list. No spotting, cramps, anything out of the ordinary ?"
"All good." Amy answered.
"Bowels, urination ?"
"Fine and slowing down."
"The need to urinate will come and go as they grow and start moving around more. It's gonna get tight in there, nausea ?"
"Seems to have passed for the most part."
"That might show up again too. Heartburn ?"
"Not yet thankfully."
"Do you have a birthing class slot ?"
"With Liz, 4 classes in September, 2 and a half or so hours each, she said they usually end at 2."
Miriam smiled "Glad you could get her, she's popular, let's hope you make them all, it's fine though, the last week is generally the movie anyway."
"You really think it can be earlier than October 1st ?" Ty asked.
"You know Ty, in the end, it's not really up to me." She answered laughing, "how many deliveries have you done ?"
"One human, I couldn't tell you how many others."
"A human huh ?"
"My sister, long story but there was a lot of snow, it was pretty far to the hospital and it was Alberta." Amy explained.
"And there you have it, only those two know their schedule" she said pointing two fingers at Amy's belly "and we have to learn to live with that. If I got a vote it would almost always be as close to 40 weeks as is medically sound. The closer we get, the more we'll know."
"Never knew an animal keep to a schedule for sure." Amy agreed.
"Ok, weight gain, only way to say this is, eat more Amy, you're weight gain is normal bordering on underweight for twins, you need to eat 600 calories more per day than normal for twins, so step it up, underweight brings early labor."
"I feel like all I do is eat."
"You have a naturally high metabolism and riding or not you're still very active, it's fine for now, don't obsess about it, but, don't hold back either, no one will judge you."
"I'll do my best."
"If nothing else, protein bars, granola bars, fruit, have a PB and J whatever. Don't substitute tea for eating, Ty, make sure she eats."
"This should be fun." Ty muttered which got him jabbed by Amy.
"Great, now ordinarily you're on the cusp of starting to feel them but don't freak out about it, many first timers especially with twins don't recognize it and just put it to gas or something, the best description from me is a weird flutter and I do this for a living. When I first realized my first was moving I thought back that I'd felt that almost two weeks earlier. You can add Peppermint and Raspberry Leaf to your teas if you'd like, aside from that I'll see you in about a month. Blood work again next time by the way. Anne will schedule you and give you a card. Call with any questions." Miriam finished standing "Come on, I'll walk you out."
Amy split off from the group to see Anne and get straightened out whileTy herded the group to coats and hats.
"Everything Ok Pappa ?"
"She and the babies are fine Maddie, your mother needs to eat more."
"Mom ? Is that possible ?"
"Hush Charlotte." Betty said "Is there a problem Ty ?"
"It's fine Betty, she just needs to eat some more and gain some more weight. It's her metabolism and I guess work habits. She's normal for now, low end."
After spending a few minutes setting up her next appointment which would come at 21 weeks. They all waited while Amy grabbed her hat and jacket before heading out to the car and the truck where they would split up. The family would head back to the ranch for homework, afternoon chores and rounds and Amy would head back to school for her last lecture before the Easter break.
Amy got a last hug from Betty and the kids before piling into the car while Ty walked her around to her truck and opened her door. He leaned over and kissed her while gently placing his hands on her slowly growing bump.
"Getting bigger." Amy whispered placing her hands over his.
"Happy ?"
"I couldn't be happier Ty."
"Ok with boys ?"
"I'm thrilled my love, I can't wait to feel them."
"Should be soon, don't push it, it'll happen when it does. I love you so much Amy."
Amy sighed and leaned forward to kiss him one more time before climbing into the truck and starting it while Ty closed the door and gently snapped it shut. Georgie wasn't in the office when she got back, the ultrasound had taken a little longer because of the family but she was by no means late and quickly hung her coat, decided to wear her hat and grabbed the wheeled cart that Georgie had readied for her. A little over an hour later Georgie was at her classroom, dumped her back pack into the cart just a Amy was grabbing her hat.
"I waited as long as I could."
"The scan took a little longer to show the family and answer questions, I got back in time, thanks for having that ready." Amy said pointing to the cart Georgie was now pulling back to the office to leave there and to grab their coats.
"How was the practical ?"
"Freshman large animal neuro, mostly horse, you know."
"It'll get harder Georgie."
"I know, so the test, all good ?"
"All good" Amy answered "Boys."
"What about 'em, we like boys."
Amy giggled pointing at her belly. "In here Georgie."
"Oh boys ! You're having boys, that's great, I forgot you decided to find out, excellent. Everyone good with that ? I mean except for Jackson I'm sure." Georgie answered with a chuckle.
"Yeah, he's through the roof, we're all good. Miriam scheduled me for October 1st but that's not a lock, it's just for a slot. Maybe earlier."
"They going to induce or what ?"
Amy shrugged "I don't think we get to call that yet, and twins are weird apparently."
Georgie laughed. "Your two sure are."
"Ok, I walked right into that, Betty's been all over it for weeks."
"You choose names yet ?"
"A list to whittle down, Ty doesn't think it's fair to name one Tyler. I think he's thinking of Jackson but I'm not thrilled about yelling Ty all day long either. His middle name is James though, I like James so that's still a contender."
"So next week, Mom and Katie will be here Wednesday morning and we'll just drive up to the other house for a few days and join you guys ?"
"That's the plan unless you want to head back to Ithaca for something."
"We'll have the trailer hooked up already, probably easier to do the pickup with the horses and go straight up."
"You're good trailering 4 horses Georgie ?"
"Oh sure, I did my share of picking up in Alberta."
"I'll drive around to your place, I want to stop in and see Spartan and Belle." Amy said driving around the circle in front of the ranch house.
"Yeah, I should check in on my guys too." Georgie agreed as Amy pulled in next to the back door of the barn and Georgie's stairs.
Chuck caught sight of them as they walked to the front to go around to the side of the barn with the family horses. He was pushing a baby stroller with a sleeping Tuck whose face was just showing underneath a blanket.
"Roberta and Robin are out on Spartan and Belle Amy."
"Well, I wanted to say hi but I'm glad they're out. Babysitting duty huh ?"
"It's Ok, I don't mind, Roberta was dropping something off with Sandra and mentioned she hadn't been out for a while and Robin wanted to so off they went. She just fed the baby and said he'd sleep for at least an hour."
Georgie had already gone around to hers and was snuggling with Phoenix when Amy walked over.
"I guess I'll head to the house Georgie. Rounds in the morning ?"
"I'll be there, I'm beat, I think dinner and a nice snuggle with a non text book by the fire."
"Sounds good to me." Amy agreed giving her a brief hug. She walked towards the front and then towards the front door of the barn.
"Amy ?"
"What's up Chuck ?"
"Your truck ?" He said pointed towards the back.
She shook her head for a second and laughed "they call it pregnancy brain, forgot all about it. Goodnight sweetheart, if he gets fussy just wheel him to the house."
Chuck nodded "We'll be fine don't worry, goodnight Amy."
The second she opened the back door of the house she felt the welcoming warmth and smelled the odor of her favorite dinner, Betty's herb roasted chicken. The aroma always filled the house and was always served with roasted Brussels sprouts and crunchy roasted garlic potatoes. It was a crown pleaser. She also knew that there would be 4 freshly baked baguettes cooling on the counter which almost made her drool.
She shrugged off her coat and hung it along with her hat, kicked off her boots and headed to the library where she heard the family. They all looked up which is when Amy's stomach growled in hungry protest which made them all smile.
"Let me get you a hunk of bread to tide you over mom." Maddie said getting up laughing.
"Thanks Mad, I didn't think I was that hungry until I walked in, it smells wonderful Betty."
"Butter ?"
"No, just the bread will be great Mad and a bottle of water please."
"Back in a sec." She said walking off.
Amy walked in, leaned over to kiss Charlotte and then Betty before stopping at Jackson, "come sit with me sweetie."
Jackson looked up and smiled as Amy walked over to Ty and leaned over for a kiss before moving to her chair. Her son was in her lap as soon as she sat.
"What's up mom ?"
"What's up with you Jackson, you Ok after watching the ultrasound ?"
"Sure, brothers."
"The whole thing didn't freak you out a little ?"
Jackson shrugged "Nah, I'm not a baby.''
Amy smiled and pulled him into a hug then kissed his head "I guess not, I was just making sure." She kissed him again when her stomach growled a second time.
"Ok bro, move and let mom have some food."
She let go and Jackson scooted as far as Ty before he grabbed him and pulled him in. "All ready for tomorrow Jackson ?"
"Almost all packed." He said "Mom's gotta check."
Amy swallowed some water 'I'll check in the morning sweetheart, we're not leaving until after lunch."
"And we're bringing horses."
"The big transport will bring our horses this time and Georgie will drive up with hers."
"How many ?"
"I think 14, Georgie's 4 and 10 in the transport."
"Who's coming again ?" Jackson asked after settling in Amy and Ty's room post dinner. They were all either reading or commenting on this and that, mostly gossip but also school, horses and the doings around the ranch.
"Us all, Mrs. Spelts, Chuck, Robin, your Uncle Charlie, and Robert and Colleen Hernandez from the hospital. And then Uncle Charlie, Robert and Colleen are going to leave and Georgie, Wyatt, Aunt Lou and Katie are going to come. I'm not sure how long Ruth is staying."
"I liked her, Mrs. Spelts I mean."
"I liked her too Mad."
"I never spent any real time with her so this will be nice." Ty agreed.
"I want her to be happy with her decision, it's a beautiful house and property that she built to honor her husband and the land and she really put her calling before her family and never took advantage of it. I promised her I would not do that."
"Well we won't either." Charlotte added with a giggle and a high five to her sister.
"Me either." Jackson agreed. "Hope we can fish this week."
"I don't see why we wouldn't be able to unless the water's too cold."
"Charlie's right" Ty said "and Jonathan said the only real snow are the piles they made or banked against walls and they're mostly melted so it may be ok."
"Basically it's up to the water bro."
"I get it Mad. I can't wait and for the pool."
"Fly fishing and a pool, Jackson's happy places in a nutshell." Betty laughed "I have food to deal with in the morning, I'm heading to bed."
"Do we have a list of horses to get ready in the morning ?"
"Chuck has it as long as no one changes their mind Charlie and you two will help them get ready and load for the trip, are you two packed ?"
"Just a few things in the morning Mom, we'll be fine." Maddie said fighting off a yawn.
"Maybe we should all call it a night." Ty said standing and stretching.
Amy came out of the shower and stood for a second before dropping her towel I front of the mirror and running her hands over her bump when Ty walked in to wash up. He smiled seeing her and walked over snaking his hands over hers.
"You Ok ?"
"Yeah, just looking."
"So do you think they'll have my eyes ?"
Amy smiled "I've been thinking about having two boys that look like you and the sheer amount of testosterone and young women that will invade my life."
"Not looking forward to it ?"
She smiled again "just the opposite, how about you ?"
"I'm thinking I'll leave that part up to you."
"Tyler James Borden you will set an example to our sons and teach them the proper way to treat a woman."
"I promise to do that."
"And I promise to let you know when you're doing it wrong."
"And Betty and the twins."
"Especially the twins."
"I can't wait."
"Tired ?"
"What do you have in mind ?"
Amy smiled and turned in his arms and then ran her hands around his waist "my pregnancy hormones are at it again."
Ty moved her hair to the side exposing her neck and leaned over to kiss her softly and gently move his lip along her shoulder. "Have I mentioned how much I love your pregnancy hormones ?"
Amy sighed and slipped to the side craning her head up to catch his lips "you get washed and I'll be waiting."