Chapter 26 #2
“Text me a list of what you want from the house and what I should bring for Liam, so I don’t forget anything.”
“I will. It’ll give me something to do while you’re gone. One more kiss, and then I’m kicking you out.”
His kisses were always the best, but they were extra special today.
“While you’re on the boat, think about that first day and how far we’ve come from there and how much we have to look forward to.”
“Where’s Zen Abby coming from today?”
“I’m trying to stay focused on the gratitude. Remember when we thought we’d never be able to have one baby? Now we have our precious Liam and four more on the way. All that matters is getting them to the finish line. I don’t care what I have to do to make that happen.”
“I’m so freaking proud of you.”
“Aw, thanks. That means everything to me.”
“I guess if I leave now, I can catch the one o’clock boat to the island.”
“Don’t forget to call Seamus about getting the car on later.”
“I won’t.”
He kissed her one last time. “I love you. Behave while I’m gone.”
“I love you, too. Hurry back and bring me my son.”
“Will do.”
After he left, Abby rested against the pillows and released a deep breath full of angst and worry and stress that she’d had to put aside so she could convince him she’d be okay without him for a few hours.
Since yesterday, she’d talked to everyone she knew—or so it seemed—as they’d called and texted with support and encouragement and plans to visit.
Despite the amazing outpouring and the best husband any girl could ever hope to have, she was scared and intimidated at the thought of being in bed for months.
She was terrified of how much weight she’d gain that she might never lose again and whether she’d be up to caring for four babies after all that inactivity.
Izzy had told them that physical therapy would be brought in to keep her muscles from atrophying, but she wondered how effective that would be.
Her phone rang, and she took the call from her mother. “Hey.”
“How’re you doing, honey?”
“Hanging in there. Adam just left to make a quick trip home to grab Liam and pack up what we need for the long haul.”
“Are you sure you want to bring Liam there? I talked to Linda this morning and told her we’re available to help, too.”
“I know you are, and we so appreciate that and what Adam’s parents have already done. But we don’t want to be away from him for weeks.”
“I get it. You waited a long time to be a mommy. You don’t want to miss anything.”
“Yes, exactly. Adam is great with him. He can handle taking care of him on his own.”
“I have no doubt you two can get through this.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence. It’s feeling a bit daunting now, but I’m trying to focus on the goal of bringing these four little boys into the world as safely as possible.”
“Four more McCarthy boys. Is the world ready?”
Abby laughed. “Probably not, but here they come, ready or not.”
“I’m proud of you, sweetie. You’ve had more than your share of upheaval and drama, and you’re handling this latest challenge with aplomb.”
“That’s nice of you to say.”
“I mean it, and Daddy feels the same way. You’re amazing, and we can’t wait to meet those babies.”
“I can’t either.”
“You and Adam will have plenty of time to figure out what you’re going to name them.”
“That’s true. We’ve gone in circles on that, but it’s probably time to start making some decisions.”
“Yes, embroidery needs to begin soon to ensure they have the most stylish going-home outfits.”
“As always, your priorities are straight.”
“You know it, honey. Call me later?”
“I will.”
“We’ll be over to spend some time with you this weekend. Daddy booked a room at the Westin.”
“I can’t wait to see you.”
She took calls from both her sisters as well as a cousin before she received a text from Adam that he was on the ferry and awaiting her packing list.
Sorry, I’ve been busy since you left!
Tell me the truth — are you having a fling?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No.
What kept you busy?
Phone calls from Mom and the girls. I’ll make the list now.
K.
Having a fling? Was he out of his mind? She could only imagine her online dating profile: Bedridden mom pregnant with quads seeks a nice, stable, handsome man to take on her and her five baby sons. They’d be lining up at her door!
As she cracked up at her silliness, she gave Adam credit for making her laugh when she needed that more than ever. She couldn’t wait to see him and Liam in a few hours.
Ashleigh followed Thomas upstairs to his room. He wanted to show her the new truck he was keeping hidden from his baby brother, Mac, who liked to break things. That’s what Thomas thought anyway.
Mac didn’t really know better yet, so he was always throwing toys around, which made his brother mad.
“Daddy told me to keep it up here if I want it to be safe,” Thomas told his cousin.
Ashleigh wasn’t all that interested in trucks, but Thomas was her best friend, so she pretended to be fascinated with the things the truck could do. He used the remote to show her the lights and the beeps and how he could raise the bed to dump a load of Legos onto the floor.
“That’s super cool.”
“I know, right?” He looked over at her. “I’m, um, really sorry about your daddy.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you… Are you sad?”
Ashleigh nodded. “I’m so sad.”
“I’d be so sad if my daddy died. I wish it hadn’t happened to yours.”
“I do, too.”
“Can I give you a hug?”
“Sure.”
Thomas came to her and held out his arms.
Ashleigh hugged him back.
“Does that help?”
“So much.”
“I wish you weren’t sad.”
“Blaine told me I won’t be this sad forever, but I’ll always miss my daddy.”
“That’s probably true. I was sad when Mommy and Daddy told me the twins were girls. But I’m not sad about that anymore. They’re kinda cute.”
“They’re so cute.”
“I hope happy lasts longer than sad, because sad is no fun.”
“Nope.”
“Will you come back to school soon?”
“Mommy said I can go back whenever I feel ready.”
“I hope it’s soon. I miss you there.”
“I miss you, too.”
Thomas told her all about what’d gone on at school while she’d been out. One kid had thrown up during lunch, and another had broken his little finger at recess. “It was so gnarly.” He showed her what Anthony’s finger had looked like after he fell off the swing.
“Ew. I bet that hurt.”
“He was screaming.”
She giggled at the face Thomas made as he pretended to scream like Anthony had.
“I like it when you laugh.”
“I do, too. Crying makes my eyes hurt.”
“If you ever feel sad, you can call me.”
“I will.”
“Tell your mommy to call my mommy.”
“Okay.”
“I’m hungry. Do you want another doughnut?”
“Yes!”
Thomas took off toward the stairs.
Ashleigh ran after him, yelling at him to wait for her.