Chapter 32
Charlie
I was scared shitless, and I swore that the guy who caused the accident and took off would pay dearly.
Mateo pulled up to the ER. Climbing out, I ran inside and told the security guard that Marley was in labor. He grabbed a wheelchair, and I helped Marley get into it. A nurse ran over and immediately took us to the Labor and Delivery Unit.
“She was in a car accident about two hours ago,” I told the nurse.
“It was just a minor one,” Marley said.
I looked at her and shook my head. She was taken straight to a room and told to change into a gown.
“OH GOD!” She screamed. “Make it stop!”
“Hello. I’m Pepper, your nurse. My, you are handsome.” She smiled at me. “Okay, Marley. By the way, love the name. Let’s get you hooked up to the fetal monitor. You said you were in a car accident recently.”
“Yes, she was. Just a couple of hours ago.”
“When did the pain start?” Pepper asked.
“Well, I’ve had serious back pain all day.”
“You have?” I cocked my head. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“I didn’t think much of it, Charlie. Anyway, the actual gut-wrenching, stops your breathing, and makes you want to end it all pain started not too long after the accident.”
“It sounds like to me that you’ve been laboring all day, and now it’s progressing. I’ll grab the ultrasound machine and Dr. Gregario will be in shortly.”
“He’s already here?” I asked.
“Yep. He just delivered a baby about thirty minutes ago.” Pepper grinned.
I grabbed Marley’s hand and pressed my lips against her forehead.
“Charlie, it’s too soon for the baby’s to be born. I’m so scared.”
“Shh. Everything is going to be okay.” I gripped her hand.
“What’s this I hear about a car accident, young lady?” Dr. Gregario entered the room.
“It was minor, Dr. Gregario,” Marley said.
The door opened, and Pepper walked in with the ultrasound machine.
“Let’s see what’s going on with the snug bugs.”
He moved the transducer over Marley’s belly, and my children appeared.
“The twins have finished baking and are ready to come out of the oven.” Dr. Gregario grinned.
“But it’s too soon,” Marley said.
“Maybe by a week. But I’m confident they’re going to be just fine. Are you ready to have your babies?”
“If you mean by C-section, yes. So, let’s get moving here, doctor.”
He chuckled. “I’ll get the team in here to get you prepped. Pepper, call the O.R. and tell them Twins A and B Stone are on their way.”
“Yay!” Pepper clapped with excitement.
“Charlie, I think I’m going to have a panic attack.”
“Look at me, babe. Remember the first time we met?” I smiled. “Remember how you waved your first-class ticket in my face?”
“Yes, I remember,” she softly spoke.
“I knew right then I was in trouble.”
“Why?”
“Because I felt something.”
“You were annoyed.” A light smile crossed her lips.
“I was infatuated.” I kissed her forehead.
“Are you ready, Marley?” Pepper asked. “They’re here to take you to the O.R.”
“I’ll be right behind you, babe.” I held her hand as they wheeled her out of the room.
“I got you a pair of scrubs to change into,” Pepper said, handing them to me. “You’ll be more comfortable than in that fancy suit. Go change in the bathroom, and I’ll take you to the O.R.”
I went into the bathroom and changed into the scrubs. When I walked into the room, Penelope and Olivia were standing there.
“Damn.” Olivia’s eyes raked over me. “You’d make a fine doctor.”
“Where is Marley?” Penelope asked.
“They’re prepping her in the O.R. I have to get down there. Can one of you do me a favor and call her mom and dad?”
“I’ll call her dad.” Penelope smiled.
“And I’ll call her mom,” Olivia sighed.
“Thanks. I’ll keep you both updated.” I left the room with Pepper, and she took me to Marley.
The moment I stepped into the O.R., Marley looked at me and held out her hand. Gripping it, I sat on the stool next to her.
“Hi.” I smiled.
“Hi. Guess what?”
“What?” I asked.
“I feel no pain.” She grinned.
“That’s great, babe.”
Dr. Gregario walked into the O.R. and took his place.
“Let’s deliver these babies, shall we?”
“I love you so much.” I held her hand.
“I love you more.”
“Here comes Baby A,” Dr. Gregario said, holding up our baby girl.
The sound of her cries was the sweetest thing I’d ever heard.
“Is she okay?” Marley asked.
“She’s pure perfection, Marley,” Dr. Gregario said.
A few moments later, our son was born, and his cry was stronger than his sister’s. Tears streamed down my face when I saw my children for the first time.
“Welcome to the world Ashley and Ashton Stone.”
Marley
I was a mom, and I couldn’t believe it. When I stared at my babies, everything that had ever gone wrong in my life was now right. I was exhausted, and the four day stay in the hospital was welcomed, but I was more than ready to go home.
Penelope and Olivia came to the hospital the morning I was being discharged to help gather the flowers and gifts that our friends and family sent. Charlie and I dressed the twins in their ‘going home’ outfits, took multiple pictures, and set them in their car seats. As I was wheeled down to the lobby, Charlie was in front of me, holding the car seats in each hand. I held up my phone and took a video.
“There is nothing sexier than a man carrying his two children out of the hospital,” Olivia said.
“He’s one fine daddy,” Penelope spoke. “Damn.”
“He sure is.” I grinned.