Chapter 12 #2
"What about them?" He gave her a swift glance while he handed her a glass of milk.
She was still breastfeeding and did her best to provide the necessary nutrients for the babies.
Very soon, she knew she was going to have to introduce formulas, but for now it was just her breast milk.
She knew that preemies were susceptible to all sorts of infections.
The doctors had told her that feeding them her breast milk would go a long way in helping to stave them off.
"I don't know which is which." She shrugged restlessly and took a sip of the ice cold milk. "I'm a terrible mother."
"You're being ridiculous."
"I cannot tell them apart. I'm their mother, I gave birth to them, and if I don't happen to see them in their cots, I cannot tell them apart. Even the nannies know the difference. You do," she pointed out.
"That's because I made note of the fact that they have identical birthmarks on different parts of their bodies."
"Birthmarks? Oh! The small red mark on their skin. What does that have to – "
"Jeremy was the first to be born. He has the mark on the left side of his neck. He also has the shape of your nose." He quirked a brow at her skeptical expression. "You don't agree."
"It's just that they look so much like you, it's uncanny."
Samuel nodded. Picking up his fork, he cut into his beef.
"Jason has the mark on his left arm and Jayden on his left wrist. The doctors predicted that as they grow, they will have their own individual features.
Yes, they will continue to be identical, but we as their parents will be able to tell them apart. "
She wrinkled her nose at that. "See? I should know all those details."
"Why?" He asked her mildly.
"Because I gave birth to them." She threw up a hand in frustration. "I keep thinking that I'm going to mix them up and end up giving them an inferiority complex. Don't you dare laugh!" She warned. "Those are valid concerns."
"Of course they are," he said, tongue in cheek.
"By mixing their names up, you will end up turning them into serial killers or even worse, politicians!
By not being a perfect mother, you're going to end up ruining our children, God forbid, causing them to become felons.
I ought to call child services and save them from a fate worse than death. "
She saw how ridiculous her concerns were but refused to acknowledge it to him.
"Now who's being ridiculous?" She muttered darkly.
"Any more concerns? Afraid you're going to drop one of the boys on their heads? Put the wrong onesie on Jeremy? One that was meant for Jason or Jayden?"
"Oh, shut up."
"Gladly." He told her with a grin. "You're sweet when you're nettled."
"I'm about to pour this tasteless glass of milk I'm forced to drink over your head."
"Like I said, you love me too much." In case she meant what she said, he plucked the glass from her hand. "Just a precaution." His grin widened at the dirty look she gave him. "I adore you, Mrs. Copeland."
Her anxiety evaporated under his tender expression and potent words.
Blowing out a breath, she moved to sit next to him. "I love you too. I keep thinking that I should tread cautiously. Not to be too happy in case something goes wrong."
He turned his head to stare at her. "Is that the way you want to live your life?
You're allowed to be happy, Eliza. There will always be instances where we're going to be troubled by events, especially now that we have four children.
There are going to be health issues, we know that.
But for now, we're all home and the babies were given clean bills of health.
We should just enjoy the peace and know that we can face whatever comes our way. "
Putting his glass of water aside, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"I'm happy and there's no place I would rather be than here with you and my children.
" Tucking his fingers beneath her chin, he lifted it, silver eyes searching hers.
"We've received more than we ever hoped for and I, for one, am very grateful. "
"So am I. It's just that I cannot help but think that something is lurking around the corner."
"Enough of that." He kissed her on the mouth, his touch gentle. "Let's finish eating and go and check on them one last time for the night."
"She won't stop screaming."
"Is she wet?"
"No! Don't you think that would be the first thing I checked?" She drew a breath. "I'm sorry, darling. Can you check on the boys? I don't know if somehow the screaming has woken them."
"They're fast asleep. The nannies are with them. Is she hungry?"
Eliza shook her head. "I tried giving her the breast, but she won't take it." Tears burned the backs of her eyes. She had heard the sounds and jumped up immediately to find Maeve was already in Sofia's room. "You did not have to get up."
"I won't dignify that with a response," Samuel told her coolly. "Give her to me."
"I don't think – "
"Eliza, hand me my daughter."
She handed over the crying baby carefully and watched as he placed her against his shoulder, his big hand rubbing up and down her back. When a frown touched his brow, she blurted out, "What is it?"
"She's running a temperature."
"What? I never – "
"Call Dr. Pryce."
"It's the middle of the night."
"I don't care what time it is. She has a fever. Now, Eliza!"
His urgent tone galvanized her into action and had her running for the phone. She came back to see him using the thermometer under her arm and talking soothingly to the baby.
"He's coming."
"I'm no expert, but I think she has an ear infection." He looked at the gauge, his alarm escalating. "Temp is over one hundred." Picking her up, he placed her carefully on his shoulder and rubbed her back. The soothing motions were working because Sofia's screams had turned to whimpers.
"She likes it better when you have her," Eliza muttered disconsolately. "Before you came in, I tried everything and nothing worked. And how did you come up with the ear infection diagnosis?"
"The fever and the redness inside her ear.
" Easing the baby carefully from his shoulder, he stared at the wet cheeks and spiky lashes.
"It's making you miserable, isn't it, darling?
" he murmured. Holding the baby's head and bottom between his hands, he started rocking her. "It will soon be over," he promised.
"A nasty ear infection." Dr. Pryce put away his otoscope and smiled at the baby. "Antibiotics should clear it right up."
"Samuel called it. I had no idea what was happening. I didn't even know she had a fever," Eliza told him. "I just panicked and had no idea what to do."
"You're a new mother with quadruplets; it can be overwhelming."
"She has a habit of blaming herself for not being supermom," Samuel interjected, casting her an exasperated glance. "And our daughter is quiet now. Want to take her, darling?" he asked his wife.
"No." Eliza shook her head. "I'll go and see to the boys. Check if they're awake." She slipped from the room before he could respond.
"She's bound to feel inadequate," Dr. Pryce assured him. "All right, young lady, you're all set." Picking her up, the doctor handed her over to Samuel. "It should clear up in a few days, but the medication is already working. Look! She's going back to sleep."
"Lyka-Mae will show you out. Thank you for coming so quickly."
"My pleasure. Their checkup is next week."
"I remember."
Samuel settled in the comfortable sleep chair across from his daughter's cot and rocked her back and forth slowly. "You have a set of lungs on you. Might become a singer when you get older." He smiled at the baby who was struggling to keep her eyes open to stare at him.
"Go to sleep, little one," he whispered. "You gave us quite a scare. There now. Go to sleep. I have to find your mommy and do some damage control."
As if in obedience, the baby drifted off.
He waited a few minutes before rising to put her in her cot.
Pulling the blanket over her, he stood there staring at her for a few minutes, reluctant to leave.
She tugged at his heart. This was his little girl and even after loving her mother to pieces, he was still bowled over by how much he loved her.
He loved his sons of course; they were stunning images of him and were his legacy, but Sofia grabbed at him in ways he couldn't comprehend.
Kissing his index finger, he placed it on her satiny cheek. Stepping back, he checked to make sure the monitor was on before leaving the room to go and find his wife.
She wasn't in the boys' room and the nannies, as well as Lyka-Mae, had retired for the night.
He found her in their bedroom, curled up on the bed.
"She's asleep." Taking off his robe, he climbed in next to her.
"The boys were still sleeping."
"Good." Turning towards her, he studied her face and sighed. "Darling, you have to stop. You're an excellent mother and it's no reflection on you that you did not diagnose what was wrong with her."
"I'm her mother."
"And I'm her dad. Girls tend to gravitate towards their father. The boys fight over you. As small as they are, not two months old and they are in competition as to who gets to be fed first. Sofia and I have a definite bond; you cannot begrudge me that."
"You're right. I'm a terrible person."
"I agree." He pulled her into his arms, ignoring her efforts to resist him. "You kick puppies and shout at little old ladies."
"I hate you," she muttered into his chest, feeling decidedly foolish.
"And I love you." Tipping her chin up, he studied her mutinous face. "To distraction."
"If you think sweet words – "
"Each time I look at our daughter, I see you. Your incredible beauty, the shape of your lips, the eyes, the nose." He flicked a finger over it. "I see you. I love you so much it defies comprehension."
With a sigh, she melted against him, her resentment evaporating. "I don't hate you as much."
"Good." Bending his head, he kissed her into submission.