“Not a lot of women would do this for their friends. We are forever grateful, Mandy.” Davis joined in on our appreciation of our now forever best friend.
“Davis, I owe you a lot, so the fact I can do this small thing for you is more than enough for me.”
“It’s not a small thing. You’re giving us our babies.”
“You know what I mean. Now stop, you guys are going to make me feel weird.” She laughed, waving us off and leading the way now. I smiled, staring at her small back in front of us, small but powerful.
“We’re having twins, my Viking.”
“We’re having twins, my Warrior,” he repeated, kissing the top of my head. I leaned into him, allowing him to hold me against his side as we walked.
“We’re having twins.” Davis and I announced it to the whole family after gathering them together for dinner. I couldn’t hold the news in any longer, bursting at the seams before dinner had even started. We had already told Calliope this afternoon. She was excited, already making plans for her younger siblings, and how she would help care for them with me.
“That’s great news!” Liv smiled at me, rubbing her own growing stomach. “They won’t be too far apart in age from our Johnny.” Lucas and Liv honored John and named their baby boy Johnny. I hadn’t thought about it, but they were right. Our children won’t be that much younger than Johnny.
“They’ll be the new little trio,” Lucas added, rubbing Liv’s bump as well.
They were so in love with the baby, with each other, and little Abi, who sat quietly on Lucas’ lap. Her hair was curling just like Liv’s, only making her look even cuter. I hoped my babies were just as adorable, although I know I would be biased and think they were the cutest babies on the planet. “You guys are cute, but all I’ve gotta say now is good luck.” Lucas and Liv laughed like it was the biggest inside joke they had.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t laugh. We’re about to have a heck of a time ourselves. Still, I know those first weeks with the babies are going to be hectic. Call us if you need anything, okay? Don’t feel you have to handle it alone.” Liv added, being her usual kind self.
“Thank you.”
“Well shit, I went from being an only child to now having three younger siblings.” Izzy sounded like she was complaining, but the smile on her face let you know she was thrilled about the fact. I think she enjoyed being an older sister, and having people to look after and teach. She was a really amazing big sister, and it made me happy to know my children would have her in their lives.
“I know you’ll watch out for them.” Davis told her with a proud look in his eyes as he stared at his oldest daughter.
“I get to be an older sister now, too!” Calliope chimed in from beside me. “I hope I’m as good as you, Izzy.”
“I’m certain you will be.” Izzy winked at her as she tore into another roll we had set out on the table to pick on.
“Congratulations. You guys are the best parents I know.” Jared gave us a warm smile as he paid us the ultimate compliment, at least to me it was.
“Thank you, Jared.”
My heart couldn’t be anymore elated than it was at this moment. Davis’ large hand grabbed mine under the table, squeezing it sweetly. I met his blue eyes, feeling the happiest and most loved right now. My lips couldn’t help but spread wide and show my joy for everyone to see.
“I love you,” Davis whispered to me.
“I love you, too.”
“Okay, guys, Baby One has made its way down. Are you ready to push Mandy?” The doctor asked her, and the look she gave her in return could melt glass.
“Get these babies out of me already!” Mandy yelled.
The woman was strong as hell and all you could see was pure fury in her face. She was ready to push these kids out and be done with the pain. They had her lay the entire time she labored, only agitating her as she felt she could have walked around and gotten things going faster. I would forever owe Mandy everything for this gift.
“Alright, let’s get this going then. Make sure on the next contraction you pull up on the back of your knees and push until I count to ten, okay?”
“I know the drill, Doc. I got this,” Mandy snapped, but the doctor took no offense.
I guess she was used to it in this line of work. People handle pain differently, and this pain was apparently incomparable to any in this world. I would never feel it, but I could imagine how badly it hurt if the beginning of labor was apparently as bad as your worst period cramps. It may be crazy, but I was actually sad that I wouldn’t get to experience this pain, to go through all that for my kids.
Mandy pulled at the back of her knees and pushed as the doctor counted to ten. She did this a few more times before the head came out. I watched in amazement as my little black-headed baby came out into this world. Mandy had done fabulously and delivered what we now know was a baby boy. We had kept the genders a secret, not wanting to know until they were born.
“We’re not done yet. One more, you got this!” the doctor encouraged Mandy, as she let her rest for a moment before starting again. We took this time to watch them weigh and measure our boy.
“He’s so beautiful.” I cried, literally bawled my eyes out at his absolute beauty. He was so small, weighing five pounds and two ounces, but I could tell he was strong, and tall at twenty-two inches.
