I already know they have both given her monetary gifts and jewelry. The same as I presented at their showers. Their gifts for the babies have already been placed with the others. These gifts are for her.
“Tebrikler kuzen,” they give their congratulations at the same time and turn to allow the next guests a chance to come and greet us.
Brad and Tam are locked in an animated conversation with Nico and Reese, giving me a chance to focus on Divine for a moment. I take the gifts and set them aside before I turn back to search her face as she looks up at me. She has a mischievous smile on her lips.
“What?” I ask dipping in for a quick kiss.
“Nothing,” she sings and shakes her head.
“I know that look. What’s going on in your head?”
She turns in my arms and places her hands on my chest. Her eyes are sparkling giving a further indication that she’s much happier today. I brush a lock of hair off her face.
“This is my life,” she says shaking her head. “I look around at all these successful people and they’re my friends. I break bread with these women. I’m cool with their husbands.
“You’re used to wealth. I’m new to this level. It’s… surreal. I started my business with next to nothing. Now look.”
“We’re all just people. Money changes nothing. It’s just something we have an abundance of. It doesn’t alter who we are at heart.”
“I see that now,” she muses. “We’re just a few months away from meeting our little ones. Your friends have gone out of their way to make this special for me. I mean, some of them came in from all over the world. I can’t find it in me to be mad that this room isn’t filled with my own family.”
I tighten my hold around her waist. I’m glad she’s happy but I wish I could tell her that her family hasn’t forgotten her. It’s the reason we have to leave in the morning. They’re throwing her another baby shower tomorrow evening when we return.
“Remember, our friends. You and our children are very loved and cherished.”
“Yeah, I think we are. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to your words and receive your actions. I was scared. I’ll admit that now. The thought of losing you, having to do this on my own. Not know if everything would change—”
I silence her with my lips. “You don’t have to worry about any of that and you don’t have to apologize. It was a human reaction. Let’s enjoy this.”
“Fai una bella coppia,” Nico croons drawing our attention.
“Grazie,” I reply. “Nico and Reese, this is my wife, Divine. Divine, this is Uri’s brother Nico and his wife Reese.”
“My husband is right, you two make such a beautiful couple. It’s so nice to finally meet you. The girls talk about you all the time.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you as well.”
“Can I say that I love your make-up. Val hipped me to it and I’m hooked. I love that feeling of not having any on but still having that polished look and glow. You have a costumer for life,” Reese says.
Divine lights up. My chest swells. I’m so proud of my wife. Every time I hear someone tell her how great her makeup is and how much they love her products, I can’t help but be amazed by her.
“Oh, thank you so much. You just made my day.”
“Tell me,” Nico says. “How did the doc here end up with such a talented and beautiful wife?”
“You know, I keep wondering the same thing,” Divine taunts, nudging me in the ribs. “I swore I wasn’t dating. Now look at me.”
We laugh just as Val’s voice comes over the speakers. “Okay everyone it’s time for a few games,” she says with mischief in her voice. “Fellas, you’re up first.” A collective groan fills the room as Val cackles over the mic. “Have a seat, Divine. This is about to get good.”
* * *
Divine
I haven’t laughed this hard in my life. I think I’ve come close to peeing my pants more than once. Watching all of these big gorgeous men play these baby shower games has made my life.
First was the bottle sucking contest. Ryan Black won that one. The jokes from his brothers after his victory alone had me in tears.
“I’m not surprised he won,” Wyatt said. “He spends all his time sucking on tits.”
“Best times of my life,” Ryan shot back.
“Best way to shut him up,” Noah grumbled.
Braxton popped Ryan in the back of the head and ducked before Ryan could slug him. “I’m sure he found a way to cheat,” Braxton accused. “He’d have to stop eye fucking his girl long enough to suck anything down.”
They went on for another good two minutes before their women had to collect them. The fun times continued with the egg race. They guys had to blow up balloons and wear them under their shirts while racing to get the egg between their knees into a waiting jar.
Imagine a room full of fine ass men, over six feet tall with pregnant balloon bellies racing with eggs between their knees. I thought that was the best part of the day. Not only was it funny, but Omid won. However, I was wrong. The humor had just begun.
As if watching the guys try to tie their shoes with a balloon under their shirts wasn’t funny enough. I’m in tears watching them all play baby delivery. The first guy to get the balloon from under his shirt without using his hands wins.
“Go head, Noah,” Tasha cheers as he leans back and starts to dance the balloon loose.
His arms are flailing at his sides as he leans back and wiggles the top of his body. I lift a brow. He looks like he would have some serious moves out on the dance floor.
I turn my attention to some of the other guys trying to figure this out. It just gets funnier by the minute. All of the women in the room are doubled over in laughter.
“Oh my God, I can’t.” I laugh. “Look at Brad. Is he dropping it low?”
“Girl,” Val laughs beside me. “Will you look at my husband. Does he think glaring at it is going to do something?”
I look over at Uri and sure enough, he has his arms behind his back as he glares down at the balloon beneath his shirt. He rolls his eyes and starts to pace back and forth. More laughter spills free.
“He’s too cool for this shit,” I burst out, tears streaming down my cheeks.
I look at Nick or at least I think it’s Nick. Unless you see Gavin sighing, you don’t know the difference between the two. He has his arms in the air as he shakes his body.
“Omid looks so perplexed.” Paige snorts as she laughs. “Like, I do this for a living. Why can’t I get this one out?”
“Please, make it stop. I can’t breathe.”
Val wraps an arm around my neck and kisses my cheek. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“Thank you. I’m never going to forget this.”
Her blue eyes sparkle at me. She looks like a proud big sister. I have a pang in my chest as I think about Patience. I wish she could be here. I wish Marica were here as well. At five months pregnant, learning to walk again hasn’t been the easiest. She’s frustrated most of the time. Although, I think there’s more to it.
Shaking those thoughts off, I focus back on the party just as both Noah and Brad get their balloons out. The room erupts in cheers. Bean runs over to Noah and jumps onto his waist. Brad wraps Tam in his arms and spins her around.
I look around the room at our friends. There’s nothing but love in here and it has so many shapes, colors, and sizes. I wish my father could see this. There isn’t a couple in this room that doesn’t have a story, but the one thing you can be sure of, they have love.
That’s what’s most important, everything else is just outside noise. I look at Omid and he starts for me with the balloon still under his shirt. He stops in front of the throne I’m sitting in. Leaning over me, he hovers just inches from my lips.
“I want to see you smile like this every day of our lives.”
“Is that right, handsome?”
“Evet aşkım.”
“In that case, I think I could smile just a little
more if you kiss me,” I purr.
Without another word he crushes my lips with his. I feel like I’m floating above the room as my toes curl, my scalp tingles and goosebumps race across my skin. If kisses had a language of their own, this one would be whispering of love and forever. It’s the kind of kiss that says life is perfect and can only get better from here.
Chapter 34
Too Early
Divine
I lean into Omid’s side as we walk to the front door of our home. I’m tired but I had so much fun. I wish we didn’t have to rush back so soon, but I know Omid has to return to work.
“I’ll draw you a bath and we can soak together,” he says as he unlocks the door.
“Sounds good,” I yawn.
He pushes the door open and I walk in first. I stop in my tracks at the sight before me. My tired brain starts to boil. I swear I can feel my blood pressure rising.
“Omid, you’ve returned,” his mother sings while sitting with a full tea set in my home. Having tea with the woman she brought to my door with the intention of marrying off to my husband.
This is his family so up until now I’ve allowed him to handle things on his own. I left it to him to handle this mess. Now, this level of disrespect. Nah. I’m Janise and Clive Favors child. My fuse is but so short.
“How dare you?” I snap.
“Excuse me?”
I ball my fists at my sides. “Omid made it clear to you this is our home. I’m his wife and I’m the only damn wife he will have. You bringing this woman in my house, under my roof is the most disrespectful and trifling—” I double over in pain. “Omid.”
I just barely gasp his name out. I feel like I’m peeing on myself as liquid begins to run down my legs to the porcelain floors. I start to panic. It’s too soon. I’m only seven months. This can’t be happening.
“Shh, listen to me,” Omid commands in a firm voice, accent thicker than usual. “We’re going to get you to the hospital. I’m here, Divine. Everything will be okay.”
“It’s too early,” I whimper in pain.
“Twenty-eight weeks is pre-mature but the survival rate is in our favor. I’m one of the best OBs in the State. You and our children will be fine. I need you to calm down.”
I nod but another wave of pain hits, knocking me breathless. I close my eyes and start to rock from side to side. Omid takes my hand and I squeeze tightly.
“Something’s wrong. I feel so much pressure. Something’s not right.”
Before the words are out of my mouth, Omid has me lifted into his arms carrying me out to the car. He places me across the back seat as he yells in a mix of Farsi and Turkish for Navid to get us to the hospital. I lift on my elbows as he parts my legs and lifts my dress. He peels away the soaked panties.
“Shit,” he bites out. Pulling his phone from his pocket.
“What’s wrong?”
He places a hand on my belly and looks me in the eyes. “Baby A is crowning— Yes, this is Dr. V-Shah. I’m coming in with my wife. The membranes have ruptured. She is twenty-eight weeks. Baby A is crowning, we’re going to have at least one baby in transit. Be ready with a stretcher and two incubators. Locate Dr. Nobi.”
He ends the call and tosses the phone aside. I bite my lip to keep from screaming as pain sears through my abdomen. The urge to push consumes me.
“Good, baby. Just like that. Go ahead and push. I’m right here. Push for me,” he says soothingly.
I’m so scared. What if they need medical attention right away? I look toward the front of the car trying to see if I can get a glimpse of where we are. That’s when I realize Sassa has climbed in with us. She’s looking over the passenger seat nervously.
“Beklememen gerektiğine emin misin?” she says to Omid.
“This baby isn’t waiting for anyone. I’ve delivered hundreds of babies. I can handle my own,” he says as he keeps his focus on me. “On the next contraction, I want you to give me one more good push, sweetheart. We’re about to meet our first little one.”
No sooner than the words are out of his mouth, I’m bearing down and pushing with all I have. A tiny little cry fills the car and I feel like I’m breathing for the first time. The look of awe on Omid’s face is priceless.
“Praise to Allah. We have a boy,” he chokes out, handing me our son to place against my chest.
He’s so tiny. I’m almost scared to touch him. “We’re here,” Navid says as the car comes to a stop.
Everything else happens in a blur. My baby is taken and rushed into the incubator. I’m placed on a stretcher, while Omid barks orders at everyone. He and Dr. Nobi work together as the second baby takes it’s time to appear.
“Bir prenses,” Omid croons when our daughter finally makes her appearance.
“Is she okay?” I ask when she doesn’t cry immediately like her brother.
When the blood drains from Omid’s face I start to lose it. He rushes the baby to the corner where he works frantically. Dr. Nobi tries to step in but Omid isn’t having it.
“No. I have it,” he barks.
The nurses move to carry out his orders. My grip on the bedsheets is so tight my fingers hurt. Tears are rolling down my cheeks but I refuse to make a sound.
I feel like I’m looking down on all of this from above. I start to pray like I’ve never prayed before, berating myself for getting so angry. This is all my fault.
What tears through to my soul is the sob that leaves Omid’s mouth at the same time our daughter starts to cry. His knees buckle, but he rights himself and allows Dr. Nobi to step in. Omid stumbles towards me and wraps his arms around my head. He rocks back and forth as he gives thanks in Turkish, repeatedly praising for our daughter’s life.
“She’s going to be fine,” Dr. Nobi says. Just a little airway obstruction. I’ll be monitoring both babies through the night. Congratulations. Dr. Omid, would you like me to finish up here or—”
“Please, John,” Omid chokes out. “I just… I trust you. Thank you.”
“No worries. I would’ve done the same,” Dr. Nobi nods.
I’m still speechless. I can’t believe what has just happened. I’m exhausted and grateful all at once.
Thank you, God.
* * *
Omid
I stand watching my children in their incubators. Reaching into the port, I stroke my little princess’s head. She gave me a little scare.
I respect Dr. Nobi and I know he would’ve done his best for my little girl, but I just went into action. Hearing her cry for the first time will be something I remember for the rest of my life. Taking my hand out, I lower my gown and unbutton my shirt.
I want to hold her skin to skin. I’m ninety-nine percent certain both of my children will leave here healthy. They both weigh in just over three and a half pounds but the prognosis looks promising. I’m a proud baba of a boy and girl.
“You’re just as beautiful as your anne,” I whisper to her before bringing her to my chest and closing my shirt and gown around her.
I close my eyes and say a few more prayers. I don’t even want to think of what triggered Divine’s early labor. Navid has been instructed to move my parents to my condo. It’s currently unoccupied. They can stay there as long as they like as long as they stay away from my home.
“Look who had the same idea.” Dr. Nobi’s voice causes me to open my eyes.
Divine is at his side looking tired but beautiful. I sit up but she raises her hand and shakes her head. She ambles over to the chair Nobi offers her. Once she’s seated, he retrieves our son and brings him to her. She sits with the baby against her breasts.
“They’re so small,” she whispers.
“They’re strong. They’ll be just fine,” I reassure her.
“We were still talking about baby names. We never settled on any.”
“Now is better than ever.”
“I’m going to step out for a bit to let you two have a moment,” Nobi offers.
I nod. Turning back to Divine, I
watch her with our son. It dawns on me that she has yet to hold our little girl. Getting up, I walk over and place our daughter by her brother. Divine’s face glows with happiness.
“Look at them. It’s real. They’re real. I have two babies.”
“So what should we name them?” I ask, kissing her forehead then squatting at her side.
“He was born first so he should get his name first.”
“How about Firuz?”
She blinks thoughtfully. “Firuz?”
“Man of triumph. I think it fits him.”
She gives me a big smile. “I like it. Firuz Arman Vahid.”
“Prince Firuz Arman Vahid.” I correct.
Her eyes soften. She looks down at the twins. The love in her gaze is what every precious baby deserves.
“She looks like a…
“Fairuza it’s the female version of her brother’s name. What do you think?”
“Princess Fairuza Araz Vahid.”
“I like,” I say and puff my chest out.
I brush a hand over Firuz hand tiny hand. I can’t express how much love I have for these two. I look up at Divine.
“You’ve made me that happiest man in the world. You did so good, aşkım.”
“Are we going to mention the elephant in the room?”
I tighten my jaw. “When we return home, our little family will be the only ones there.”
“What about Sassa? She wanted to be here when the babies were born,” she says.
I release some of the tension. My tense jaw softening. The two have hit it off. “She’s welcome to stay as long as she likes.”
“They’re going to be okay, right?” she says in such a small voice. “I’ll never forgive myself if something is wrong with them. I just got so mad.”
“Shh. Water under the bridge. We’re going to focus on getting these two big and strong so we can take them home.”
Doctor Feel Good: A Novel From The Be Yours Series Page 22
