Chapter 37
Hamilton
On the train in a private compartment they sat around talking about the upcoming two months. Dr. Randel had sent her medical records ahead so Dr. Becker could be prepared upon her arrival. Elizabeth stayed in bed for the thirty four hours ride except for eating or to use the privy. Jack laid with her holding her to give her comfort that they were hoping that everything would be alright. Jarrick took turns playing on the bed and playing in the sitting compartment with Granma.
The train pulled into Hamilton at a half past eight o'clock that evening. Father had the car waiting. Elizabeth, Ma and Jarrick were waiting in the car while him and Jack got the trunks in the trunk and tied down.
At the house Priscilla had turned her sewing room downstairs into a bedroom for Jack, Elizabeth and Jarrick if he wanted to stay with them. That way Elizabeth wouldn't have to climb the stairs. Wilson the butler had put everyone's trunk where it went. Elizabeth kissed everyone and asked, would it be alright if I go to bed? We can visit tomorrow at breakfast. I'm really tired right now. Yes dear you take care of yourself. Ma says, you and Jack get settled and I will put Jarrick to bed in my room for tonight.
The next day Jack and Elizabeth went to see Dr. Becker to make sure the twins are alright. Dr. Becker called them back. Jack helped her up on the exam table. Dr. Becker came in and asked, how have you been doing? I've been really tired so I sleep a lot, she replied. That's good, I asked you to listen to your body. Most women say they can't slow down for one reason or another. Dr. Becker, these babies mean the most to us and keeping both of them alive are our number one priority right now, she said. I'm glad to hear it Mrs. Thornton.
Doc I have a question that is worrying me, Jack says. Ask away. I'll answer any questions you have to the best of my knowledge, Dr. Becker said. Jack clears his throat and asks, what are…the…chances…of…losing…her…and…or …the…babies? Mr. Thornton, I promise, I will do my best to save all three of them but there is a chance that I may lose one or all three. I say that but I would say that we have a ninety nine percent survival rate for all of them.
Dr. Becker, I want it put in my records that if it takes losing me to save our babies then that is what you do, ok, Elizabeth says. Bella…please? Well Mrs. Thornton if that is what you want then it will be put in your records, Dr. Becker replied. Jack hung his head and wiped his face before a tear could fall. Elizabeth raised his chin with her fingers and said, hon, listen to me. I want both of our babies to have a chance at life and if that means I have to go to make that happen then you and everyone will see to it that they know how much they meant to me and how much I love them. Bella…please…I…can't….make…that…choice. I know hon, that is why I told Dr. Becker my wishes but hon we are going to pray that all three of us will be just fine, ok? Bella I love you so much! I love you too, hon and I love these babies! I love them too.
Dr. Becker takes her vitals, listens to the heartbeats. He says, those are two strong heartbeats! They move a lot too. As long as they both move then I know they are fine, she said. That is a very good way of looking at it Mrs. Thornton. Do they keep you awake yet? No not really, she replies. Ok, I want to start seeing you every week. We have five weeks before we deliver them. When you're feet start swelling I want you on complete bed rest. You can get up to use the bathroom or move to the couch so you don't go stir crazy in your room. You will take your meals on the couch or in bed. Your vitals are pretty normal right now. I will be by to check on you every week until you are admitted to the hospital in five weeks. Do you have any questions? Jack looks at her and asks, Doc, is there a chance she will go into labor early? There is always that chance but if she stays off her feet as much as possible I think she'll be able to carry them for another five weeks.
Jack helped her back to the car and Wilson drove them back to the Thatcher's. He helped her out of the car and into the house. He asked, couch or bed? Hon I want to lay on the sofa in the library and visit with everyone. That's fine with me, Bella. I just want you comfortable.
He lead her into the library and everyone else joins them. They explained everything that Dr. Becker said. I will be here until Monday. That's when I have to report to headquarters here. I'm going to ask that you all help her as much as she'll allow you to. Hon, I promise I'll be good. These babies are my first priority so I will do everything in my power to make sure I do exactly what I'm supposed to do, I promise! He kissed her and said, I love you so very much Mrs. Thornton! I love you too Mr. Thornton. We will be fine while you're at work but if something happens then you will be our second call, Dr. Becker will be our first call. Good to know, he replied!
Mom and dad came in two weeks later. Mother and father let them stay at the house with them. Dad and Jack went to work every day together. Everyone had learned that the Deputy Commissioner Delaney and Jack were related but they didn't act like it at work. They never talked at work. Jack did his job and helped with the rounds around town. There were no special treatment for him. Jack didn't care for the city. Always someone being arrested and a lot of paperwork. He longed for their little community but for his Bella he would stay here for as long as he needed to be.
At the house Elizabeth was never alone long. They left her by herself as long as she slept but if she was awake then she had company to visit with. Mid morning Jarrick and Charlotte would come in and let him play with his mama. He always wanted to play Choo Choo with his little wooden trains. Mama ou pway wif dis one an I pway wif dis one! He gently ran his Choo Choo up her belly. He felt the babies moving. Mama! Ou belwy moove! He thought it was funny. The more he move the train over her belly the more the babies moved. She asked, do you know what is in there as she points to her belly? Ess babe, he says! That's right! Do you want a sister or a brother? Don know, he replied. This went on until it was time to have lunch. He wasn't allowed to eat anywhere but at the table in his high chair. The ladies took turn eating with her. At night Jack would have dinner with her, just the two of them. She thought it was a little romantic just the two of them eating together!
The week before the delivery Jack came home with a bullet wound to his shoulder. It was just a graze but it was enough for Elizabeth to get upset. She kept asking, Jack what were you thinking? What would've our children done if they lost both parents? Jack…how would I raise three children by myself? Bella, I'm fine. I was behind the wall. It was a rickashay. My point exactly, Jack if you had been standing in a different spot it could've killed you. Bella we don't do what ifs right?
Jack I'm just scared right now! Hold me please? He got up from the coffee table and sat down next to her and held her as tightly as the babies would allow. Bella, I've told you that I would always try my best to come back to you. I did that Bella. I've come back to you and our babies. It's just a flesh wound which I might add puts me at a desk for the next two weeks. I wish you had one until after I have these babies because I wouldn't have to worry about you, hon. Well, technically I am on desk duty until after you have the babies, Bella, he sassed with a chuckle. This isn't funny Jack. I need you, she said. I know Bella, just using a little levity here!
Are you ready for bed Bella? I am, I just want to kiss our son good night first. Okay, I'll go get him, be right back. A few minutes later Jack came in with Jarrick on his heels! Mama, mama, mama, I go bed now! You are? Are you going to bed with Granma? Ess, I seep wif hur, hur bed! You sleep with Granma in her bed? Ess! Don't you sleep in your bed? No, I seep wif ganma! Ok little man. Come give mama a kiss good night! He opens his mouth and gives a full slobber kiss on her cheek. She blew a raspberry on his cheek! He giggles and says, no mama! Mama loves you so very much, you know that? Wuv mama too! Okay let daddy take you to bed and mama will see you in the morning, Love! Jack took him up and tucked him in and read him his Choo Choo book. After his son fell asleep, Jack went back downstairs to help Elizabeth to bed.
In bed, Jack asked, Bella I would like to pray with you. I would love that hon! They bowed their heads and he said, kind Heavenly Father we come to You tonight because we need some peace in our hearts. We are both scared of the surgery that Elizabeth has to undergo next week. We ask that You go before her and prepare the doctors hands, guide them so both these babies and Elizabeth comes out alive Lord. You say You don't put anymore on us than we can bare. Lord I trust that You will not make me bare life without her or our babies. We thank You Lord for everything that You have blessed us with. In Jesus Christ name. Amen.
The next day Dr. Becker came by to check on Elizabeth. Both babies were doing great, heartbeats and movement! Elizabeth's vitals were a little elevated but nothing to worry about. Dr. Becker scheduled her cesarean surgery for next Tuesday, July fifteenth, nineteen fourteen. She would be thirty seven weeks.
After Dr. Becker left Jack sat on the side of their bed, he took her hand and asked, Bella, what are you feeling? Our babies will be born on July the fifteenth Bella! He put his hands on her belly and talked to their unborn babies, this is your daddy little ones! I love you both so very much and can't wait to meet you both and hold you both in my arms but you stay in there nice and warm! Mama is doing what she needs to do to keep you both safe inside until next Tuesday! We love you both so very much! You have a big brother that doesn't understand that you are coming but we know he will love you both so very much! He'll want you to play with him! He loves Choo choo's!
Elizabeth put her hand on the back of his head rubbing his hair. You know, you're a wonderful daddy! I couldn't have chosen a better man to be the father of our children! He crawled up beside her. She rolled over and put her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her as close as he possibly could, Bella, you are my perfect soulmate. You make me want to be the best version of myself that I can be! They both fell asleep holding each other.