Hope for All chapter 71
The rest of Thanksgiving was relatively low key. Tony and Angela spent the night giving the babies their baths and getting them settled in. Despite the long car rides, both babies were tired and fell asleep soon after their last feeding. The family decided to watch an early holiday movie on television. Angela fell asleep within five minutes, Tony within twenty. Samantha and Jonathan just rolled their eyes and continued watching the movie.
Tony decided to sleep on the sofa so he wouldn't wake the babies or Angela when his alarm went off at 4:00am for Black Friday shopping. Tony and Angela had made a list of gifts for each family member; Tony added extra gifts to the twins' list, claiming it was their first Christmas and they needed to be spoiled.
Tony was in a sound sleep when his alarm went off. It was his first stretch of six hours of sleep since the twins were born. He got up and headed back upstairs to wake up Samantha and Jonathan who both insisted on coming along. He quietly opened the bedroom door, only to see three wide awake faces on their bed, the television on quietly in the background.
"Good morning everyone! You guys are up early! You wanna come shopping too?" he chuckled as he sat down on the bed.
"Early to bed, early to rise! They've been up for the past hour, not showing any signs of going back to sleep!" she said with a yawn.
"Well once I get back I'll take over and give you a break! I'm hoping the older two have actually gotten up and didn't roll back over to sleep!" he chuckled as he leaned over to kiss Angela and the babies. He stood up and headed into the bathroom to get changed. Once he was back out, he took the babies so Angela could use the bathroom.
"Alright sweetheart, I'm hoping we aren't too long!" he said as he handed back the babies.
"If you get back early enough maybe I can do some shopping too. I miss shopping on Fifth Avenue!" she said as she got comfortable in bed.
"Maybe we can take the family in a few weeks to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree! You could do some shopping and we could have lunch or dinner!" he said.
"I'd love that! Maybe I could stop into work and see how things are going. I love spending this time with the babies but I do miss being at work…" she said.
"It's settled then! Next month we will all head into the city! I'm sure Jack will love to meet the babies. Alright wish me luck as I head off into the deep, dark jungle that is the Fairfield mall!" he laughed until he heard arguing in the hallway. "And lord give me strength to deal with those two!" he said as he kissed them all goodbye and headed to deal with whatever situation was unfolding in the hallway.
"I'm not sure which is going to be worse… the Black Friday shoppers or your brother and sister on very little sleep!" she laughed as went back to watching television.
After he broke up the argument over who was going to sit in the front seat, he ushered them all downstairs and out the door. He had packed them snacks, knowing the lines would be long; hungry on top of sleepy was not a good look on either Jonathan or Samantha.
"Alright you two! I say we divide and conquer! I need to head to the toy store, jewelry store, department store and finally the electronics store. Can you two be trusted to stay together? Or at the very least stay within a few stores of one another?" he asked as finally found a parking spot.
"Fine dad but if the creep embarrasses me in front of my friends or any hot guys, he will be a permanent part of the display!" she yelled from the backseat.
"Can I stay with you Tony? She's just gonna try and ditch me anyway the first sale she sees…" he said as he turned around and stuck his tongue out at Samantha.
"Enough! Alright yes you come with me and Samantha you can shop but I want us to meet up every two hours at the food court! Okay let's do this!" he said as they headed to wait on line to get into the mall. There must have been hundreds of people lined up at each exit. When the doors finally opened, Tony grabbed on to both kids to make sure they didn't end up trampled.
Samantha met up with her friends as soon as they got into the first store. They did a quick hug, with reminders of the time to meet up. Tony took Jonathan to the department store, tackling the list of gifts. He made Jonathan wait on line while he finished up finding gifts. They were able to meet Samantha and get the first round of bags to the car.
By 10:00am, all stores were hit except the jewelry store. He gave the kids some money to get some food at the food court while he headed over to the store. He had something in mind as he looked at all the display cases.
"Can I help you?" asked the saleswoman as she walked over to him.
"Yes actually! I was hoping to get a charm bracelet for my wife. I'd like to see about putting charms on to represent our family" he said.
"Oh that's beautiful! Well we do have a selection of bracelets and charms over here. How many children do you have?" she asked as she took out the display case with hundreds of charms.
"Four! Our daughter is sixteen, our son is thirteen and we have newborn twins who are ten weeks today!" he gushed, a smile spreading across his face.
"Oh how wonderful! It must be nice to have such a gap in between! The older ones can help out!" she said as she laid out some charms.
"I'd also like to get one to represent our wedding" he said.
"Well I have a gorgeous bride and groom charm. For the children, we could do the boys and girls charms and I can engrave their first initial on each" she said.
"Perfect! Could you add our wedding anniversary date?" he asked as he looked at the charms.
"Of course! Write down all the information and I'll put aside the charms. This bracelet should work with plenty of space for more charms!" she said as she gathered everything together. Tony was able to write out everything and pay. He would need to go back in a few weeks to pick it up before Christmas. He was able to find the kids, grab a quick snack for himself before they all headed home.
When they got home, Angela was sound asleep on the sofa. Both babies were softly cooing in their bassinets. Tony motioned for each of the kids to grab a baby and head into the kitchen as he put all the gifts in Angela's office before joining the kids. He managed to put a blanket over Angela before heading into join the kids. Angela woke up about twenty minutes later. She sat up and stretched before standing and walking towards the bassinets.
"Hello my sweethearts are you still… where are you?" she said as she started to panic. She looked all around the living room as she began to yell. Tony came running in from the kitchen with Anna in his arms.
"Angela! What's wrong?" he asked as she came over and grabbed the baby out of his arms.
"I woke up and they were gone, that's what! I'm so still so tired and worry I'm going to fall asleep with them in my arms some days. I just panicked thinking I put them down somewhere while I was still half asleep" she said as she tried to calm herself down.
"You were asleep when we got home but the babies were awake so we figured you could use some more sleep- which is an understatement with what just happened Angela! After their feeding you need to go back to sleep for a while" he said as he started rubbing her back.
"You need to sleep too Tony. You've been up for a while too" she said.
"I will nap after you get back from shopping or I'll try and turn in early. Why don't you come into the kitchen and I'll make you some tea" he said.
"And breakfast too… I never even made it past the living room yet…" she said as Tony only gave her a look.
By early afternoon, Angela was able to get another nap in along with Jonathan and Samantha. Mona came over to get Angela as they headed out to start their own shopping. Since Tony had done a majority of the shopping this morning, she only had a few gifts left to buy. Mona decided to drive since Angela still looked like the night of the living dead.
"Alright Mother! I've got a few places I'd like to go. Do you want to go together or split up and meet somewhere later?" she asked as she got out of the car.
"No offense dear but I'm ditching you like third period algebra. I will however make sure to give you my bill for all my gifts you are so generously buying me this Christmas…" said Mona as they walked into the mall.
"Whatever Mother! Meet me at the food court in two hours. I need to get back to feed the babies" she said. She wasn't sure Mona heard her as she was already walking off towards a handsome mall security guard.
Angela headed to the different stores on her list. She wanted to get her own gift for all four kids and Mona as well as gifts for Tony. She had seen an ad for a double running stroller and thought it would be perfect for Tony come spring time when he could get out for a run with the twins. She was also able to get him a sweatshirt that said world's best father.
She needed one last gift for Tony as she headed into a specialty engraving store. She knew what she was looking for and found it within a few minutes. It was a beautiful eight by ten silver picture frame. She picked it up and headed to the counter.
"How may I help you?" asked the salesman.
"I'd like to get this frame engraved for my husband" she said as she handed him the photo.
"Of course! What would you like it to say?" he asked as he took out a pen and paper.
"I'd like it to say "Our Dad is our hero! Love, Samantha, Jonathan, Matthew and Anna" she said as she spelled out all the names.
"Beautiful! It should be ready in a few weeks!" he said as he rang her up.
She decided to head into Bloomingdale's before meeting her mother. She hadn't bought herself anything in weeks. She was getting her body back slowly but still wasn't close to her pre-pregnancy weight. She feared at her age and with giving birth to twins that it may never happen but she couldn't focus on that right now. However, she needed to get some more nursing bras and tops as well as something for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She was knee deep in dresses when she was greeted by a friendly face.
"Wendy! How are you?" she asked as the two embraced.
"Been at this shopping crap since six this morning! You'd think since I'm down a husband this year that it would be easier! Ha!" she said with a sarcastic laugh.
"Oh Wendy… I'm so sorry! Hopefully you can finish soon and get home!" she said.
"So what are you buying?" she asked as she looked at the pile of clothes draped over a chair.
"Just some more nursing tops. I also need something to where for Christmas" she said as she showed off a few of her picks of dresses.
"I'd definitely go with this one! You'll look amazing in it! Tony won't make it past the mistletoe!" she laughed.
"Wendy! You're horrible! I do love this dress though… it manages to hug my body in the right places and hides the parts not quite there yet…" she said self consciously.
"Don't be silly Angela! You're one hot mama! That hubby of yours will be all over you in that one! How about something for New Years Eve? Are you two going to the party at the country club?" she asked.
"I hadn't thought about it yet! I suppose if we could find a sitter we could go for a bit…" she said, wondering if the kids would be up for babysitting again.
"I take that as a yes! Alright you need something sexy for this mama of four! Let's take a look…" she said as she looked over at the gowns. She grabbed a few low cut ones with high slits up the legs. She showed Angela the dresses.
"You think I can fit into those? I still have more baby weight to lose first…" she said as she looked up and down at the dresses.
"Oh stop it Angela! You're beautiful and you have a gorgeous figure! Show it off! Especially your rack… the breastfeeding years have it's benefits!" she chuckled as she tossed the gowns at Angela.
"Wendy! A little louder next time… the people in the parking lot didn't hear you!" she said as she threw them right back at her.
"At least try this one on… you know red is your color…" she said as she handed her one of the gowns again, gently shoving her towards the changing room.
"Oh alright already! I'll try it on!" she said as she grabbed the gown and headed into the changing room. She came back out a few minutes later.
"So… what do you think?" she said as she twirled around, showing off all sides and angles.
"Angela… that's… that's gorgeous on you! Do they make it anymore colors? Get one of each! Trust me when I say Tony will thank me later! Red is your color for sure!" she said as she whistled at Angela, causing her to blush.
"You really think it looks okay?" she asked as she finally looked at herself in the mirror.
"It's more than okay Angela! You look like a million bucks! Just make sure that wedding ring is securely on your finger because every guy in Fairfield is going to make a pass at you in that dress…" she said.
"Right… a mother of four is on every guy's dream list… but I think I will get this one for the party. Now I just need to figure out childcare!" she said as she went back to change. Once she was done, she said goodbye to Wendy and headed to check out. She was pleasantly surprised to find her mother waiting for her as they headed out to the car.
"So find everything that you wanted Mother?" she asked as they headed out of the parking lot towards home.
"And then some! Made a date tonight with the cute security guard…" she said.
"Of course you did… I ran into Wendy and she convinced me to buy a dress for the New Year's Eve party at the club. I doubt we will be able to find a babysitter, but it would be nice to go out somewhere just us…" she said.
"I'm sure you could convince frick and frack at home to babysit! Maybe see if one of Samantha's friends wanted to join them to help out!" said Mona.
"I don't know… I will have to see what Tony thinks about it. That might be good to have someone else to watch them- an extra set of hands would be good" she said.
Soon, they were pulling into the driveway and unloading the car. Angela was pleasantly surprised to not hear screaming or crying coming from any of the family members, adult, teen or infant aged. Instead, she found Tony sitting on the sofa with both babies in their bouncers taking bottles.
"Hi everyone! Tony… are they both taking bottles? Even Matthew?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes they are! He fought me for almost ten minutes but finally success! They both seem to like taking the bottle from the bouncers and being able to look around!" he said as Angela sat down next to them.
"Hi my big boy and girl! Look at you taking bottles!" she said as both babies looked over at her. Anna started to smile, spitting out her bottle, while Matthew started to scream.
"Well that was short lived! Maybe I should take a nap in the car for a few more minutes!" she chuckled as she tried to get the bottle back in his mouth, unsuccessfully. Finally she picked him up and calmed him down enough to finish the bottle and burp.
"See! That wasn't so bad! Maybe we can do this once or twice a day, give Mommy a break!" said Tony as he cuddled with Anna.
"If they can have a bottle or two a day, that would be amazing! Alright, I need to pump now since they fed" she said as she handed Matthew back to Tony as she set up to pump. She was able to finish a short while later and take back the twins so Tony could rest up.
The next couple of weeks went by fast as the family continued to prepare for the holidays. Tony was able to decorate the outside of the house and put up all the inside decorations, except for the tree. They were able to wrap most of the presents and hide them up in the attic. The week before Christmas, Tony and Angela got the babies ready for the childbirth class reunion.
"Alright you two! You look adorable! You're gonna be the cutest kids there for sure!" said Tony as he picked up Matthew. Angela had dressed them in matching blue and green plaid outfits; Anna was in a dress with a white turtleneck, white stockings and shoes, while Matthew was in a pair of overalls with a white turtleneck as well.
"They are very cute if I do say so myself! I can't believe they are already thirteen weeks old! Matthew is already rolling from his belly to his back and can hold his head up for such a long time!" she said.
"Little Miss Anna banana will be rolling over any day now! She's just gotta get that momentum to get over this cute little arm! She's really following your every move too!" he said.
"They really are just perfect! Okay well if we want to get there on time we need to leave now" she said as she handed Tony Anna's coat as they put them on and wrapped them in blankets before putting on their own coats and heading out the door. Soon, they were heading into the building, opting for the stroller.
The room was filled with the parents and their babies. There were some light refreshments and decorations for Christmas with the words 'welcome babies' written on a banner. Rose saw them come in and headed over to greet them.
"Tony and Angela! Welcome! I'm so happy you could make it! And who do we have here?" she asked as she looked into the stroller, making baby noises to the twins.
"Hi Rose! This is Anna Samantha and Matthew Jonathan Micelli! They were born on September 15th!" said Angela as she removed the twins' hats and coats.
"They are just adorable! Look at those matching outfits! Everyone checked out healthy?" she asked as Angela picked up Matthew.
"Thankfully! This little girl gave us a scare when she was born with the cord around her neck but she was just fine! She's been so easy-going since then!" said Tony as he picked up Anna.
"I can imagine that was very scary but thankfully everyone is alright! We were very lucky to have all but one family joining us today. Mark and Elizabeth's baby was born with significant complications and has been in the NICU for two months. Little Alex is a fighter though! They hope to wean him off a ventilator before Christmas. It's been so trying for them, especially since they pretty much don't have any family in the area" said Rose.
"Oh that's so horrible! Going through all of that and being isolated! Is there a way to contact them? Maybe cook them a meal or donate Christmas gifts?" asked Angela as she held onto Matthew a little tighter.
"That would be a great idea! Maybe we can see if other families want to donate! I'll ask around…" she said as she walked over to the other families.
"Take a deep breath Angela! I can see the worry and anxiety practically written all over your face. These guys are doing well and hopefully their baby will too" he said as he wrapped his arm around her back.
"I know Tony and we really are so blessed to have them here and healthy. Just hearing about stories like that makes me remember just how lucky we were… we are" she said as she kissed each baby.
"Tony! Angela! How are you?" called a familiar voice as Kathleen came over, Mary coming up behind her with Hannah in her arms.
"Hi guys! How are you? This must be Hannah! She's adorable!" said Tony.
"Yes this is Hannah! And these are your twins! They are adorable!" gushed Kathleen as she grabbed a hold of Anna's hand.
"How are you both doing Mary? Hannah looks like she is doing well!" said Angela as she took a hold of the baby's hand.
"Thankfully she is doing well! We've been out of the hospital for over a month now! It's been a slow and steady wins the race with this one! How have you been doing? Twins must give you a run for your money!" laughed Mary.
"Oh they do! We are getting long stretches at night which is good until they hit a milestone and then that all goes out the window!" laughed Tony.
"Is your husband still home or is he deployed again?" asked Angela.
"He had to go back overseas but thankfully he should be home after the new year. I'm hoping he's home for a longer stretch to help out. Poor Kathleen has had to basically uproot her life to help out! I don't know what I would have done without her help!" said Mary.
"Nonsense! I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to spend time with this little girl for anything in the world!" said Kathleen as she made Hannah giggle.
"Alright! Well I think we will head in and grab some refreshments! We will see you around!" said Angela as she started to head over to the tables.
"See Angela? That wasn't so bad!" said Tony as he put Anna back in the stroller and grabbed them two plates.
"I know, I know! It's just me being hormonal! There's just something about her that gives me an irritated feeling. She's perfectly lovely and obviously a wonderful support for her sister. It's like she was my archenemy in another lifetime or something. You ever get that feeling about someone you don't even know? Anyway… if you want to join her study group next semester, go ahead" she said.
"So you can worry about something happening the whole time, even when there's no way that would ever happen? No way Angela! I think I'll be fine just hitting the library. It's just not worth it to even think about risking what we have" he said as he filled her plate with all her favorite foods.
"I love you Tony…and not just because you picked out my favorite foods" she said with a chuckle as she leaned over to kiss him.
"I'd hope it was at least because I look good in a tight pair of jeans!" he laughed as she playfully swatted his arm as they made their way to some tables to enjoy the rest of the reunion.