Chapter 9
Waiting
A full 24 hours has passed and she still hadn't woke up. Every time Dr. Bowden came in to check on her Jack would ask, is she really going to be alright, Doc? Jack, you ask me that same question every time, and I have said the same thing every time. Her body has been through a horrific ordeal. Please, Jack, trust me when I say, she is going to be ok. You have to give her body time to catch up. Doc, you can't give her blood so her body doesn't have to work so hard to catch up? I could but I would rather her body replenish it on its own. If she was in danger and couldn't make her own red blood cells then I would. Jack, her body is doing what it's supposed to be doing. Thanks, Doc. I'm sorry if I'm being a nuisance but I'm truly afraid of losing her. It's ok, Jack. I would probably be just like you if the shoe was on the other foot.
Jack's phone vibrates in his shirt pocket. He pulls it out and sees the text from Melissa, the twin's nurse. He kisses her lips and says, I'll be back in a few minutes. I've got to go feed our babies. I love you, Elizabeth Thornton!
In the nursery, Melissa had the bottles ready. He fed Jarrick first this time. He had been taking turns feeding them first. He quietly talked to his son. Your mommy is going to be over the moon in love with you 2! I know that you don't understand why you can't be with her but she's trying her best to get better so she can hold you and love on you. Mommy and I love you and your sister so much. Jarrick looks up at him as if hanging on every word his daddy is saying. You are my identical twin bud! Your Nana is going to be so surprised when she sees you! She already loves you but she hasn't seen you with your eyes open. He burps his son, kisses his cheek, and says Daddy will be back later. I have to feed your sister now. You be good now. Daddy loves you!
He gives him back to Melissa to change and put him back in his bassinet. He picks Jaclyn up and cuddles her as he feeds her. Hey, how's Daddy's Little Princess? I've told your mommy all about you and your brother. I've told her how much you look like me but with her hair color. Daddy loves you so very much! I can already see you are going to have me wrapped around your little finger! I know you miss your mommy but she's trying really hard to get better so she can hold you 2! You 2 are her world! Mommy had to fight hard to get you here so it's just going to take her a little longer to get better. Daddy is taking lots of pictures so she can have them. She finished her bottle so he raised her to burp. He kisses her cheek and promises to be back in a little bit. He hands her to Melissa. I'll be back in a little bit. I need to check on their mama! Melissa nods and shoos him out.
Another 24 hours passed. Jack didn't ask questions anymore. He just sat there holding her hand and rubbing his thumb across it. He talked to her like she was there just listening. He had Melissa bring the twins into her room so they could all be together as a family. He would put them both in the crooks of her arms just as if she were holding them. He took plenty of pictures. Charlotte and Priscilla brought clothes for them so he could dress them for pictures. All the outfits were matching.
Charlotte had come in first to see them. She picked Jarrick up first. He opened his eyes to see who this stranger was. Oooh, son! He's identical to you! I told him you were going to be amazed! He's bigger than you were though. Really, Mom? How much did I weigh? You were 6.14 and 23" long. Wow that's a whole pound different. She kissed his cheek and said, Nana, love you so much! She put him down and picked Jaclyn up. Oh, son, she is beautiful! Yes ma'am she is! She has me wrapped already! I'll bet! Jaclyn opened her eyes and looked around for her daddy, that wonderful familiar voice. He sees her looking. It's okay, daddy is right here. Let Nana hold you a minute then Daddy will take you. Son that is just too precious! I know Mom! I can't get enough of them.
I've always wanted children but always thought they weren't in the cards for me. Then Bella comes along and gives me 2 of my very own to love for the rest of my life! Don't ever take it for granted son. Cherish every moment you have with them because they grow up and leave you to take what you have taught them to start their own lives. I will Mom, I just wish she would wake up to enjoy them too! She will son when she's ready. God has her right now watching over her. Thanks, Mom for being here for us! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now!
That evening William and Priscilla came by. They each took turns holding them. I can't believe my baby has babies of her own, Priscilla says. I know Cilla, me either. I thought we were destined to have just the girls we have. Now we have another and a grandson too! Jack had stepped out to give them time. He went for a stroll to get some fresh air. The twins were going to be discharged tomorrow. He was hoping the 4 of them would be going home together but it wasn't in the cards yet.
He walked back in just as the nurse was taking them back to the nursery for the night. He kissed them both and said he loved them before she left the room with them. Have they said anything else about when she might wake up son, William asked. No, just that when her body is ready she will wake up. It has already been almost 4 days. Yeah but her body needs the rest to heal itself. I guess, he says. They say their goodbyes and leave.
Jack sat on the side of her bed and said, Bella, they are discharging the twins tomorrow. So I'll be taking them home. I wish you would wake up so maybe we could all go home together. Mom is coming home with us so she can watch them while I come to sit with you during the day. I had their pictures taken in the outfits you brought to take them home in. I have their car seats in the Yukon. Tom came in this morning. He'll come see you tomorrow when he brings Mom. She'll ride home with us. I love you, Bella. He leans over and gently kisses her lips. He slid her over just a little and crawled into bed next to her. He wrapped his arms around her gently so as to not hurt her. He fell asleep holding her.
The next day was bittersweet. He had to say goodbye to her to take the twins home. He had dressed them in their going-home outfits and laid them in each of her arms. He took their pictures. He put them in their carriers and covered them up. He leans over and kisses her one last time until tomorrow morning when he will be back. I love you, Mrs. Thornton! I don't want to leave you but I have to take the babies home. You keep fighting to get better. He picked up both of the carriers with the babies. He walks to the door but turns one last time, with tears in his eyes he whispers, I love you so much and he was gone.
Dr. Bowden was at the nurses station when he walked by. He stopped and asked, please call me if she wakes up, and I'll come back. I will Jack, I promise. Thank you for everything! You're welcome.
He got the twins clicked into on their car seats. Charlotte was in the passenger seat. Jack cried all the way home. He pulled into the garage and shut the door. Tom came through the single door to help bring the stuff in. Charlotte took Jarrick and he got Jaclyn into the house. They took them up to the nursery to get them changed into their PJs. They each took a bouncy downstairs to sit them in. Jack got their bottles ready because he knew it wasn't going to be long before they were hungry again.
Tom was holding Jaclyn and walking around softly talking to her. He was showing her her new home. Charlotte had Jarrick doing the same thing. Jack sat the bottles in the warmers just like Elizabeth had shown him.
He ran upstairs to their bedroom and shut the door. He goes into the bathroom and closes that door too. He sits down on the commode and lets his tears quietly fall. He whispers she should be here too. Why Lord, why wouldn't you wake her up so she could come home too? This isn't fair Lord. I truly believed that you brought us together but now I feel like you just brought us together because of the twins. I feel like you are going to take her away from me and them. Lord, I need some guidance here because I don't want to be just a single daddy. I want my wife too Lord.
Just as promised Jack was back at the hospital bright and early the next morning after he got the twins fed and bathed. Tom decided to stick around a few days to help out while Jack was at the hospital. He walked into her room. Crawled into bed with her, kissed her good morning, and fell asleep. A couple of hours later Priscilla, William, and Julie walked into her room. They were both asleep so they went out to the waiting room to wait for them to wake up.
Jack's phone buzzed and woke him up. He didn't look to see who it was. Hello? Mom? Whats's wrong? Ok, I'll be there in a few minutes. He kissed her lips and said, I'll be back Bella. Jaclyn is crying and Mom and Tom can't get her to stop. I love you! He sees his in-laws in the waiting room. How long have you been here waiting? Only a few minutes. Oh ok. I have to go, they can't get Jaclyn to settle. If she wakes up, tell her I'll be back as quickly as I can and he was gone.
He pulls into the garage and goes inside through the mud room, takes his shoes off, and can hear Jaclyn screaming. He walks over to his mom and puts his hands out to take her. Charlotte places her in her daddy's arms. He wrapped them around her and she immediately stopped crying. Oh baby girl, what am I going to do with you? I need to be here and with your mama. I can't be in both places at the same time.
How long has she been crying Mom because she has snubbles? Son, she's been crying since she woke up about an hour ago. She won't take her bottle, I've changed her so she is dry. Son, you can't be here 24/7 with her. You need to be at the hospital with Lizzy too. I know Mom, we'll figure it out somehow. We just have to.
Ok, Mom, I've got a schedule worked up that I think will work for her and her mama. I just fed her and she's asleep. That gives me 2 hours to go spend with Elizabeth. I'll be back before it's time to feed her. Son, you can't go on like this, you are going to work yourself into a frazzle. I know Mom but there's nothing else I can do about it until Bella wakes up. Jaclyn needs me as much as I need to be at the hospital. He looks at his watch and says, I have about an hour and 45 minutes before she wakes up again. He kisses his mom's cheek and thanks her for being here. You're welcome son, now go be with Lizzy.
Back at the hospital he walks in her room. He walks over to her, bends down, kisses her on the lips, and says, I'm back Bella, I'm here. He takes her hand in his and says another silent prayer for her to please wake up. He looks over against the wall and sees her parents still sitting there. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you sitting there. It's okay son, we just wanted to wait for you to get back so she wouldn't be by herself. Thank you, Mr. Thatcher. Son, we are family now please call me William or father. Yes, sir, I mean William.
Priscilla spoke up and asked, what was wrong with Jaclyn? She wanted her daddy I guess. I took her and got her to eat and she went back to sleep. She had been crying for about an hour, Mom said because she had the snubbies. Jack, what are you going to do? I mean you can't be in both places at the same time. No ma'am, I'm going to sit with Bella until it is almost feeding time for Jaclyn. Then I'll come back and stay with Bella.
Jack, please let us help. We can stay with Beth while you go home to go take care of Jaclyn. That would be great Priscilla, I would appreciate all the help I can get right now. She walked up to him next to the bed, side-hugged him, and said, you are our family too now. We have to be there for each other. I've got an hour and a half before I have to go home so if you all have something to do I'll sit with her for now. William came over and put his hand on his shoulder and said, we will be back before you have to leave. Thanks!
Jack crawled up in her bed and put his arms around her. He laid his head on her pillow above her shoulder. Bella, I need you so bad right now. Jaclyn won't let anyone feed her but me. He told her everything that was going on. He apologized for having to leave her but with her asleep he felt he needed to go to his daughter.
This went on for a couple more days. Jack had just got back from feeding Jaclyn. He walked into her room and sat down on her bed. Priscilla and William spoke as they got up to leave. We'll be back in an hour and 30 minutes. Call if you need anything. He just nodded his head. He laid down next to her just like always.
He was softly humming something, her hand started twitching and her eyelids started twitching like she was trying to open her eyes. He sits up quickly and says, Bella, please wake up, I'm here! Her eyes flutter a couple more times but eventually opens. Oooh, Bella, I truly didn't think I was ever going to see those beautiful ocean-blue eyes again.
With a raspy voice, she asked, babies? They are fine. They are home with mom and Tom! He reached over and pushed the call nurse button. Yes, Mr. Thornton, can we get you something? Yes, the Doc! She's awake! They all rush in to see for themselves. Ok, Lydia says, they rush back out and call Dr. Bowden.
Jack leans over and kisses her and for the first time since the twins were born, she kisses him back! Ooooh, Bella, I've missed you so much! How..long..have..I..been..here? It's been 2 weeks Bella. The twins were born on the 22nd.
He went to telling her everything that had happened. He pulled up all the pictures that he had taken in the past 2 weeks. She had silent tears rolling down her cheeks. Oooh, Babe, they're beautiful! When can I see them? Let's let Doc decide that, ok? But Jack I want to see our babies. Ok, let's wait for your parents to get back and I'll go get them but I want to be here…Dr. Bowden walked through the door and said, well look who decided to come back to this world!
Dr. Bowden checked her out thoroughly. When can I see the babies, Dr. Bowden? Well, everything looks good so I would say as soon as he can go get them. She looked at him with pleading eyes and asked please go get them, Babe! He kissed her one more time and said, I'll be back in a little bit! Thank you Jesus for bringing her back to us!
On the way home he called his mom, and her parents, and Lee and Rosie to let them all know that she was awake! He pulls into the garage and goes inside. He didn't even take the time to take his shoes off. He was too excited to even think about it!
She had the twins almost ready to go in their carriers. Jack helped her finish getting them ready. Mom, are you coming with us? No son, this is a time for just the 4 of you. I'm going to rest until you get back. He kissed her cheek and said, thanks, Mom! I truly don't know what I would have done without you! You would have managed but I am glad I was here for you all.
At the hospital, he carried both baby carriers into her room. He sat them in 2 of the chairs and set the diaper bag on the floor. Priscilla helped him get Jarrick out while he got Jaclyn out. He takes Jarrick and walks over to her bed. He lays Jarrick in one of her arms and then places Jaclyn in her other. She bends her head down to kiss both of them. It's like they both knew this was their person, their mommy. They settled right in with no squirming or crying. Jack took his phone out and took several pictures. They were finally all together as a family! Nothing could be better!
A couple of days later she was back to her old self again. Dr. Bowden had given her the all-clear news and would be discharging her in the morning! Jack asked, will she have any limitations? No, not really. The twins are 2 weeks old, she's healing nicely. I mean she can't go lifting 10 pounds or anything like that but everything else except for intimate relations are still off the table for another 4 weeks or so. Thanks, Doc, for everything, for talking me down off the ledge at times! You're quite welcome, Jack. Just remember the body heals on its own time. Yes, ma'am, I'll remember.
The next morning Jack was at the hospital bright and early. He thought it best to leave the twins at home with his mom so he only had to worry about his Bella. He had fed Jaclyn and got her changed before he left. He walks in expecting her to still be in the bed waiting for him. He looked at her and asked, Bella, did you get a shower and wash your hair? I did Babe, the nurse came in and helped me. I just need my clothes, did you bring them? I did, and he handed her bag to her. Would you like some help getting dresses? Yes please, my c-section area still pulls a bit. He closed the door and helped her get undressed and then dressed in her loose sweatpants and sweatshirt.
Babe, Dr. Bowden came in this morning and I asked her if I was going to be able to nurse them and she said probably not because it had been 2 weeks. Bella, I'm so sorry but the way I see it is we are a team and we will face this as a team. You're the best Babe! She kissed him and said thanks. She picked up her discharge papers to show him she was ready.
The nurse came in with the wheelchair and asked, did anyone order a ride? They laughed and shook their head yes. He left her just inside the doors at the front of the hospital to go get the car. He pulled up and helped her into the passenger seat. He carefully pulled the seatbelt around her so as to not hurt her. He thanked the nurse and got in the car. He leans over and softly but passionately kisses her and says, let's go home, mama!
He pulls into the garage and shuts the door. He helped her out and into the mud room. She has her slippers on so he asked, do you want to sit in the living room or go on up to our room? I would rather sit in the living room for a while. I've been in bed for 2 weeks. I just want a little bit of normalcy. Sounds like a plan to me he said.
Ma came downstairs holding both babies. Jack walks over and gets their bouncy and places them on the coffee table. Charlotte handed Jaclyn to him and he put her in her bouncy while Charlotte put Jarrick in his. Jack turns them around to face her. She scoots closer to the table and puts a hand on each of them. Ooooh, my, look at you 2! You are so beautiful and handsome in your outfits! They just stare at her with love in their eyes. They knew her!
Son, they have both eaten and she didn't cry this time so I think I will go home for a bit. I'll be back before dinner. If it's ok with Lizzy, I would like to stay at night to help out with the nighttime feedings until she's ready to tackle it. Mom, she said, you are welcome here anytime. Charlotte put her hands to her chest and whispered, you called me mom! They hugged for a couple of minutes before Charlotte left.
Jack sat down beside her, wrapped his arms around her, and said, you just made her day! I meant it, Babe. She has shown me what a true mother is! She steps up and puts her life on hold to help her children. I hope I'm half the mother she is! You will be more, Bella because you went above and beyond for these 2 right here.
Jack? Yes, Bella. We missed Christmas. No, we didn't. The gifts are up in our closet, remember? I thought I missed it. Sit right here. I'll be right back. He runs upstairs taking 2 at a time. He made several trips but eventually brought them all down and put them under the tree that they had put up back a couple of weeks before Christmas. The house was still fully decorated. He took several pictures of all the presents under the tree. He turned on some Christmas music to set the mood.
He asked, how do we do this? I'll take Jaclyn and you take Jarrick, Babe. Ok. I'll sit here on the floor next to the tree so I can get the presents. He pulled the first 2 out and handed her Jaclyn's. He kept Jarrick's. After all was opened, the twins received plenty of clothes and toys. Elizabeth received a Pandora bracelet with the baby charms and some clothes. Jack received some drawing things, clothes, and a cross necklace. He kissed her and said thank you for the best Christmas ever! Thank you too, babe!