Loving a Little Heart

by Breanna Hayse

  The cramps grew more pronounced as they sped through town towards the base hospital. A gurney was waiting for them at the emergency room to take the frightened girl straight into the back to be examined.

  "I want my husbands to go with me," Baylor begged. "Please."

  "Only one person can come with you, ma'am."

  "That's bullshit. These are her husbands and they are both going with her," Terry's voice boomed. "If you have a problem with that, we will see you in court after this is done. Jake! Hayden! Go."

  Baylor was relieved to see her regular doctor waiting for her in the examination room.

  "What happened, honey?" he asked calmly, listening to her stomach with the stethoscope. She sobbed in between telling him about what had led to her collapse.

  "Where is the rest of your family?" he asked.

  "That asshole wouldn't let them come. He didn't even want Jake and Hayden to be here."

  "Nurse? Will you please invite the other two men in?"

  "What's wrong? The babies—are they all right?" Hayden demanded.

  "They seem to be fine. I just want to take a little peek down here, okay?" The physician sat down between her knees. "Relax. I warmed this up for you. Atta girl…"

  "What's happening?" Terry asked, bursting into the room.

  "I'm checking out her cervix. She's lost a part of her plug, which might not mean anything at this point. Her blood pressure, however, is very high, and with a dual pregnancy, we've got a risk factor. The babies' heart rates are a little accelerated, but that doesn't surprise me given momma's stress level right now," the doctor explained.

  "I knew we shouldn't have let that bitch come in!" Jake slammed his hand against the wall.

  "Jake? Hayden? Come here," Baylor called, holding her hand out to them. "We didn't know this would happen. She's to blame, not us."

  The doctor patted her thigh and helped her sit up. "Everything looks good. However, you have a scolding coming to you, young lady. First, you've been warned not to get over-excited. No more, okay?"

  "Not my fault." Baylor pouted.

  The doctor laughed. "Of course not. Second, lower your salt intake and increase your water. See these puffy things?" He pointed to her ankles. "Not good. Get your feet up more. In fact, I am strongly recommending bed rest for the next two weeks, and then a follow-up exam. You are too early to deliver, and we need to have your blood pressure under control beforehand. Gentlemen? That means that she is not to leave that bed, except to go to the bathroom and take a shower. Terry? Please monitor her blood pressure daily."

  "What if she doesn't listen?" Matt asked, as Baylor wrinkled her nose.

  "This cramping is pre-labor, meaning that her body is preparing for delivery. The babies are only about three pounds each right now, maybe less because they are twins. Bed rest could mean the difference between life and death at this point. If that isn't serious enough to get her to listen, nothing is."

  "I could lose the babies?" she asked, horrified.

  "If they're delivered too soon, the chance for survival is low. This is not the time to be stubborn or defiant, Baylor. You need to guard these babies with every breath you have."

  Baylor covered her mouth. Those were the exact words which had been spoken to her by the man who'd lost his son in the accident several months ago. She nodded. "I promise I will do everything I'm told."

  "Good girl. I'll see you in two weeks. Let me get your discharge papers done and we will find you a wheelchair."

  "Honey, I am so, so sorry," Matt said, hugging her. "I should never have pushed the issue."

  "Please don't apologize. I am rather impressed by you, though. I didn't know you had that fire in you. You actually backed her into a corner."

  "Matt's smarter than he looks. He went to Yale, pre-law," Jake said, stroking her hair.

  "He did?"

  "Only a year. They were too stuffy, and didn't let me wear shorts to class. Besides, I'm too honest to be an attorney." Matt grinned

  "And you have to wear a suit." Baylor snickered.

  "That, too."

  "I'm just grateful that the girls are okay in here." Baylor sighed. "You all realize that the fun is about to begin. What kind of things can you do to keep me from losing my mind over the next two weeks?"

  "Baby Day!"

  "No. I'm supposed to be unstressed, remember?"

  She sighed as the four began to discuss how to occupy her every waking minute. She looked at the doctor pathetically when he came back into the room.

  "Help? They're going to drive me crazy," she said.

  He chuckled. "They will take good care of you and the little ones. Call me if you have any questions."

  "Okay, but if I end up pulling my hair out, it's all your fault."

  "Two words. Dark chocolate." The doctor winked.

  "Really?"

  "Yes, ma'am. Studies are showing that it not only reduces the chance for preeclampsia and hypertension, but also leads to the birth of 'positively reactive' babies. Go dark, though."

  "I'll tell you what," Jake said. "I'll take the little mama home and get her situated while you boys go for a chocolate run."

  "You are in good hands." The doctor hugged Baylor. "I'll see you back here in two weeks."

  She watched him leave and grinned. "Wow, a prescription for chocolate. This is turning out to be a good day, after all! Did you hear that, girls? We get to eat chocolate! Lots and lots of chocolate!"

  As though responding to her words, the babies both kicked at the same time. Baylor sighed with relief, comforted by the movement inside her. Despite the ugly situation, she felt free and well-loved, and there was nothing more she could ask for.

  Chapter Nine

  Baylor sat up in bed, dazed for a moment by her surroundings. Something was not right. She reached between her legs to discover that the sheets were soaking wet.

  "Shit. Hayden? Jake?" She gently shook the men on either side of her. "Boys? Please wake up. My water just broke."

  "What? Huh? You aren't due for another three weeks," Jake said, suddenly awake.

  "The doctor warned us that the twins might come early. Should we go to the hospital?" she asked, watching as both men quickly rose and began to dress.

  "I'll go get Terry and let him decide. It's up to you, sweetheart."

  "Are you feeling any contractions?" Hayden asked, pulling on a t-shirt.

  "No, not yet," she replied. "I need to pee, though."

  "Help her to the bathroom and I'll go wake up T-bear and Matt," Jake said, kissing Baylor's cheek and running out of the room.

  "No hurry. I want to take a shower, and we need to change the bedlinen," came the unexpected calm response. "We have a lot of time."

  The first contraction struck her as she was washing her hair. "Oh, fuck," she whispered, clutching her stomach and leaning against the wall. "Hayden?" she called. "I think it's begun."

  "I'm right here. Does it hurt?"

  "Like a bad period cramp. It lasted about thirty seconds or so. I can't believe that it's happening. I'm not ready yet. I still haven't finished helping Terry decorate the nursery," Baylor said, stepping out of the shower, where Hayden proceeded to pat her dry and then rub lotion over her body. He slipped a flannel nightgown over her head, wrapped her in a soft robe, and then sat her down to blow dry her hair.

  "I don't think the babies will care about a few toys, or what color the wall is. Do you remember the first night you were here? I dried and brushed your hair just like this," Hayden said softly. "I never dreamed that our lives would have gone in this direction."

  "Me neither. Damn, here is another one." She cringed.

  "It's been about ten minutes. We need to start timing them. Up you go, Mama." He helped her to her feet.

  "I feel like a giant penguin. They're right on my bladder. My stomach is so tight that it feels like I could pop like a balloon," she groaned, wrapping her arms under the large bulge and trying to lift it off her pelvis and relieve some of the pressure.

&n
bsp; "You're the most beautiful penguin I have ever known," Hayden said and grinned, leaning over to kiss her tummy. "Just think, we are going to meet your little chicks pretty soon."

  "Terry said that we should head on over there and that he will be right behind us. He's notified the hospital and said that they are getting the room ready for you. The car is already packed and I called Dad. He will meet us there," Jake said, quickly making his way to her other side.

  "Careful, now. Slowly," Hayden coached as they helped her down the stairs and out to the car. Another contraction struck her after she was buckled in.

  "This is moving fast," she panted.

  "I'm driving," Jake announced. "Move over, bro."

  The CHP officer was soon zooming down the dark, silent road and towards the base hospital, where they were greeted enthusiastically.

  "Hey Captain Paterson! Congrats on the new arrivals. Doc T called and we got everything set up for you and the missus," a corpsman said, pulling a wheelchair to the car.

  "Thank you. This is Jake, the other expectant dad. Take care of him, because he suddenly isn't looking too good," Hayden said with a grin.

  "Mr. Paterson? Can we get you some water? Maybe some ice chips?" a nurse said gently, leading Jake into the admission area. He nodded silently and sat down.

  "Men." Baylor chuckled, leaning forward to kiss Jake's forehead. "It's going to be fine, honey. Just—oh, damn…"

  "How far apart are the contractions?" the nurse asked, quickly taking her vital signs.

  "About five minutes, and they're getting worse," Baylor panted. "They are lasting like almost a whole minute. I can't believe how quickly this is moving."

  "I understand that you want to defer an epidural?"

  Baylor nodded in response.

  "Just let us know if you change your mind. We will do our best to make you as comfortable as possible."

  Terry and Matt arrived minutes later.

  "There's the mama! How are you feeling, babygirl?" Terry asked, kissing her happily. "Is everything set up?"

  "Yes, sir." The nurse smiled. "We have a physician on call in the event that you need assistance. Yours is the only delivery on the floor, so you and your family are going to get a lot of attention."

  "You rock. Thanks. What's with him?" Terry asked, hooking a thumb in Jake's direction.

  "New daddy syndrome." The nurse giggled. "I need to check her dilation and then we can get everyone settled in. Come with me, Mrs. Paterson."

  "Baylor," she panted. "Call me Baylor. Matt? Check on Jake, please."

  Hayden held her hand as another contraction struck, and calmly encouraged her to breathe through it. She was then changed into a hospital gown and helped onto an examining table, where the nurse gently urged her knees apart and inserted gloved fingers to feel her cervix.

  "Well," she said thoughtfully, "the good news is that you are already at five centimeters dilated and fully effaced, and both babies are in position."

  "So when will she deliver?" Hayden asked anxiously.

  "That all depends on how fast the babies want to leave their nice, warm nest. It will be a while yet, so let's get everyone situated and comfortable. We have the team ready in case there are any changes, but right now, everything looks perfect."

  Surrounded by her family of four wonderful men, Baylor delivered two healthy, strong little girls. She held them to her chest, tears streaming down her face in wonder, before handing one each to the new fathers.

  Terry stood back with Matt to watch the new family together. "You did good, babygirl," he praised Baylor, gently wiping her wet face with a cool cloth.

  "We are so proud of you," Matt added, bringing some apple juice to her lips.

  "They are so beautiful," she whispered, watching as each dad relinquished his daughter temporarily to the nurse so the twins could be evaluated. "Are the guys crying?"

  "Honey, you have no idea how long they have been wanting this. Ever since we were young, both of them talked about having little ones of their own," Matt explained. "When they were with their ex, she changed her mind about having children, and it nearly broke their hearts."

  "That's awful. Why would anyone do such a thing?"

  "They're both hot-looking guys with good jobs. She wanted financial and sexual security, and lied to get it," Terry said softly. "But if she hadn't been such a bitch, they would never have gotten you. None of us would have."

  "If you are done hogging my daughters, I would like to say hello again," Baylor said and smiled. The two proud daddies handed her the bundles and sat on either edge of the bed. The room was silent as the babies were introduced to her breasts and began to suckle for the first time. "I've decided on names. This one with the little cleft in the chin is Jaycee Colleen, after her daddy Jacob." She smiled at Jake. "And this one with the dimples in her cheeks will be Haylee Joy—after her daddy Hayden."

  "Get the tissues," Terry groaned. "They're losing it."

  "Colleen was my mom's name," Hayden whispered.

  "Joy was my mother's name," Jake added, his face wet with tears.

  "May I come in?" Bob asked, peeking through the door. "The nurse just told me that I have two beautiful granddaughters."

  "You do," Baylor said and smiled. "Meet Jaycee and Haylee. Girls, this is Grandpa Bob."

  "Congratulations," another familiar voice said suddenly. "How's the new mama?"

  "It was an adventure," Baylor said to the doctor.

  "They are beautiful. I hear you had an easy time of it."

  "That is a matter of perspective," she said wearily.

  "It was a piece of cake. I'm ready to do it again," Jake said.

  "This from the man who almost passed out the minute the first one crowned." Terry chuckled. "Mama did great. Labor went on for only six hours, and they both slid out nice and easy."

  "Excellent. Let's see how she looks," the doctor said happily.

  "Hey! Must you poke around down there?"

  "I must. You did a great job, Terry. No tearing, and everything feels perfect."

  "Speak for yourself," Baylor grumbled.

  "May I hold them?" Matt asked timidly. "They are so perfect. Look at those dimples!"

  "And that chin. You did good, my love," Bob said, kissing Baylor's forehead. "You did too, my sons. I am so proud of you. So proud."

  "I wish Mom could have been here for this," Hayden said softly.

  "Me, too. I did something that I hope you guys won't be upset with," Jake said, leaning down to grab a bag. He pulled out two blankets. "I had the quilt that Mom made for my birthday divided in half, to give to her granddaughters. I thought this would be a special birthday present."

  "Oh, Jake!" Tears filled Baylor's eyes. "That is the sweetest, most wonderful thing I have ever seen. That quilt is so special to you."

  "Now it's special for them, too. Thank you, sweetheart. Thank you for these gifts," Jake said.

  "Let's give them some time alone," Terry suggested, ushering everyone out. "Call if you need anything."

  Baylor barely heard another word as she gazed down into the pink faces of her new daughters, and then at the proud smiles of her handsome husbands. Without a doubt, she was the luckiest woman in the world.

  ***

  "Baylor? Honey, you aren't eating. Are you feeling all right?" Jake asked.

  "I'm just tired. No need to worry."

  "You know, it's been eight weeks since the girls were born, and I'm thinking that we need some Baylor time," Hayden announced. The babies had just been put down for the night and he had made a romantic dinner for the three of them, complete with candlelight and a centerpiece of roses.

  "I agree. She needs a little break, too. We can get Terry and Matt to watch the kidlets while we take our lovely wife out to dinner and maybe a nice romantic walk on the beach."

  "I can't leave them. I'm nursing—"

  "We have plenty of breast milk in the freezer, and you can express more if you need to," Hayden said firmly. "We need time with you, honey. Every
waking minute you spend is with the babies. We miss you."

  "I miss you, too, but they are too little to be left alone."

  "They won't be alone. They will have Auntie Terry and Cousin Matt to take care of them," Jake said, winking at Hayden.

  "I heard that you and Matt were calling him that. Did you really catch him wearing that frilly apron we bought for Bay?" Hayden chuckled.

  "He had it over his shoulder while burping one of the girls, but it was enough ammo to tease him," Jake snickered.

  "That's not nice, boys. Seriously, it is too soon to leave them."

  "Didn't the doctor tell you during your follow-up examination that you could resume all your regular activities? That includes going on dates with your husbands, and maybe even a little hanky-panky."

  "You're just horny, Hayden."

  "Hell, yeah, I'm horny. But that isn't the point. I want some cuddle time."

  "Don't pout, it's not becoming for a man," Baylor said irritably.

  "He's not pouting, he is being honest," Jake said, frowning at the wounded look on his brother's face. "Sweetheart, we know you are overwhelmed with taking care of the girls, but you aren't taking care of yourself. We're all here to help you. You have us four, plus Dad, to pick up the slack. You don't have to do this all on your own. We have a marriage we need to keep healthy, as well. We aren't asking for a weekend, just a few hours of alone time with you."

  "I can't do it." Baylor shook her head. "Excuse me."

  "Baylor? Baylor Anne! Get back here!" Jake ordered.

  She could not stop trembling as she left the room. Where is this coming from? She turned her back on Jake when he entered.

  "Okay, time to talk. What is going on with you? You really hurt Hayden's feelings. Is it hormonal, or are you just being downright mean?"

  "You are demanding that I do something I am not ready to do!"

  "Lower your voice, young lady." His tone took on a level of authority, and Baylor immediately felt herself responding to it. It had been so long since she had heard the comforting tone of his dominance. "We work our asses off to make this marriage and our relationships run smoothly for all of us. I know it's difficult at times, even without having the babies around, but we all knew what it would take from the beginning. This snarky attitude has been growing for several weeks. We've been patient and not said anything, but it has reached such a peak now that it needs to be addressed."