Chapter 37 #2
“They’re doing remarkably well,” the nurse told him.
“Baby number one is just over five pounds, and her Apgar scores are good. Baby number two is four pounds, six ounces. Her scores aren’t quite as good, but it’s nothing to worry about.
We want to keep them here for observation for at least forty-eight hours to monitor their oxygenation and other vitals. ”
“So, they’re going to be all right?”
“They’re going to be just fine. Do they have names?”
Filled with relief, Mac nodded. “The older of the two is Emma Linda, and her sister is Evelyn Francine.”
“Those are beautiful names. I’ll make a note on the charts.”
Mac stared down at two perfect little faces. “They’re named for their grandmothers and great-grandmothers.”
“They appear to be identical.”
He wiped away tears that were equal parts relief, joy and love.
For the fifth and sixth time, counting the son they’d lost, he was amazed by how his heart expanded to make room for more people to love.
Identical twins. He and Maddie had read about how identical twins were truly a miracle, whereas fraternal twins tended to run in families.
For the longest time, he stared down at their two miracles until the nurse returned with news about Maddie.
“I spoke to the charge nurse on her floor, and she’s doing well but receiving a transfusion, as she lost quite a bit of blood after the birth. She’s in room four twelve if you want to go check on her.”
“Thank you so much. Would it be okay if I took some photos of the babies for their mother and the rest of our family?”
“Of course.”
Mac focused the camera on his phone on their cute little faces and got two good photos that didn’t include any of the wires or monitors. “I’ll be back in a little while.”
“We’ll be here.”
Outside the NICU, he removed the protective gear and stuffed it into a garbage can before making his way to the elevator and the fourth floor, anxious to get to Maddie and see for himself that she was really okay.
He came off the elevator and went straight to the nurses’ station.
“I’m looking for room four twelve. Madeline McCarthy? ”
“Third door on the left.”
“Thank you.” He went into the room, which she had to herself, at least for now.
Maddie was asleep, but all he could see was how pale she was.
A bag of blood hung from the IV pole, along with other bags of medication.
Mac sat next to her bed and covered her cold hand with his.
He watched her sleep for a long time before she finally stirred, opening her eyes and turning to him.
“How are they?”
“They’re beautiful.” He found the photos he’d taken and showed them to her.
Maddie stared at the little faces, going back and forth between the two pictures.
“The nurse said they’re doing great. Emma is just over five pounds, and Evelyn is four pounds, six ounces. They’re breathing independently, and their scores were mostly good. She said they also appear to be identical.”
“Which means they’ll be working against us as soon as they realize their power.”
“Damn, I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I had a lot of time on bed rest to think about what it’ll be like to have three teenage girls at the same time. I may require medication to get through that.”
“We’ll get you whatever you need.”
“I’m so relieved to hear they’re doing well.
I was so scared because they were early.
Now that I know they’re okay, I can start to celebrate never being pregnant again.
I’ve had enough of bed rest, lounge chairs, sore boobs and watching other people take care of my kids.
This is a big moment for me, the end of an era. ”
“The team and I couldn’t be prouder of our amazing captain. She’s done some great work these last few years.” He leaned over the bed rail to kiss her. “But honestly, Madeline, on a freaking helicopter?”
She laughed. “I had to top Janey having Viv on the ferry.”
“Well played, my love. You know that topping Janey is a blood sport in the McCarthy family.”
“I do know that, and I took one for the team by having the babies on the chopper. You have to admit, it makes for a good story.”
“I’ll only admit that I’m glad it’s over and the three of you are okay. That’s all that matters. Can I send a picture of the girls and their names to the family?”
“Please do. They must be going crazy with worry.”
“I talked to my dad a while ago and told him the babies had been born and that all is well.”
“I hope you asked him to apologize to Mallory and Quinn for us, too.”
“He said no apology necessary. She already said how cool it is that she and Quinn will be sharing their big birthday and anniversary with their nieces.”
“That is cool.”
“He also said that the kids are fine with them and your parents and Tiffany.”
“That’s good. I hope they weren’t too traumatized by the whole thing.”
“I’m sure they’re fine with everyone telling them not to worry.” He kissed the back of her hand, being careful to avoid the IV needle. “You know what else is kind of cool about having the babies early?”
“Gee, I can only imagine…”
Waggling his brows and smiling, he said, “We’re six weeks closer to you know what.”
“‘You know what’ isn’t happening until that thing gets snipped, so while we’re here, maybe you ought to move up your appointment if you’re hoping to get back in the saddle any time soon.”
“He really hates it when you call him a thing,” Mac said, affecting a pout.
“Tell him to stop being a baby and get himself snipped. No snippy, no nookie.”
“All right, all right, I hear you. You don’t need to enjoy this so much.”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been pregnant for most of the time we’ve been married. You’re damn right I’m going to enjoy this, and I fully expect you’ll milk it for all it’s worth and be a great big baby over it.”
“They’re gonna take a knife to my junk. How do you expect me to feel?”
“I just pushed two pumpkins through my hoo-ha. I win. Today and every day. So, if you’re looking for sympathy for what will be a tiny little scab on your pee-pee,” she said, using Thomas’s word for penis, “you’re gonna have to look elsewhere.”
“I had no idea I was married to such a mean and nasty woman.”
Maddie lost it laughing and then winced from the pain. “You know exactly who you’re married to.”
“Yes, I do, and I wouldn’t trade her for anything, even when she’s being mean to my pee-pee.”
“Tell him I’ll make it up to him, after the snip.”
“Ohhh, he just stood up to cheer that news. He can’t wait. He’s missed you.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t take much to make him stand up and cheer.”
“Not when you’re around, and especially when he’s had to be on his best behavior for months.”
“Oh, the sacrifices he’s made.”
“Glad you recognize them.”
“I do recognize them. Thanks for all you did to get me through this pregnancy. I know it wasn’t easy on any of us.”
“Please don’t thank me. You’re the wonder woman of this story. Thank you for my two perfect little girls.”
“Let me see the pictures again.”
They spent the rest of the day talking to Thomas and Hailey on the phone, napping, looking at pictures, checking on the babies, exchanging texts with family and friends and giving thanks for their perfect, complete family.