In the Blink of an Eye

by S J Batsford

  Throughout the test and prepping Mace kept up a constant stream of jokes. Keeping my mind busy and making me and the nurses laugh.

  ~*~

  Mason in scrubs makes me laugh so hard. They are a tad short in the leg, the top is so tightly fitted across the chest that I can see the outline of his nipples. We’ve been taking pictures all morning, but the picture of Mace in scrubs...

  “Okay, I think I need new ones.” He huffs, pulling at the top trying to stretch it.

  “Okay. We’re ready for you now… Do you need some bigger scrubs Mason?” Dr, James asks trying to hide her amusement.

  “No. He’s good. Let’s go,” I rush chuckling at his scowl.

  “Okay then, let’s get this show on the road.” She holds the door as Mace pushes me in a wheelchair, Dr, James follows pushing my I.V.

  The theatre is big, clinical and sterile. Intimidating.

  “Just sit on the side of the table and lean over this pillow. Dad, you can stand in front of her so she doesn’t topple.” Mace looks stunned, but does as asked.

  “Okay, bit cold,” he wipes something wet across my back.

  “Okay, I’m just going to administer the local anaesthetic to numb the area, then I’ll put the epidural in place. There will be a sharp scratch. It’s really important that you don’t move, so try not to jump.”

  I wince as the needle goes in, blowing out a breath and trying to keep still. I hate needles.

  “Okay, you can lie back now, all done. I’ll be here throughout the procedure to top you up if need be. How are you feeling? Any sickness?” Shaking my head, I look at Mace, who held out his hand smiling.

  I’m covered in blue paper sheets, and one is clipped up obscuring the view of my bottom half.

  “Okay, we’re all set. Can you feel that, Lily?” Dr, James asks, but I don’t feel anything.

  “No.” Am I supposed to feel something? Has something gone wrong?

  The heart monitor goes up with my heart rate.

  “It’s okay, Lily. I was just checking you couldn’t feel before I start. It’s good that you can’t feel anything.”

  Blowing out a breath, I try to relax as much as possible.

  “Scared me there for a minute,” I say, smiling at Mason, who has gone a little pale.

  “You okay?” I squeeze his hand.

  Nodding, he sits in the chair the nurse just provided.

  “Hey! You can’t pass out. You promised you wouldn’t wuss out. You said I could squeeze your hand as hard as I like,” he chuckles, gaining a little colour.

  “That was when we thought there was only one baby, and you were birthing naturally.”

  “Hey! A deal is a deal, but if you want I could swap it… You can help do night duty instead.” I hear a few giggles from nurses and a chuckle from the anaesthetist.

  “How is that fair?” He tries to sound annoyed, but a smirk stretches across his face.

  “Well, next time, don’t complain.”

  “Okay, okay squeeze away.”

  “Nope. Don’t need to.”

  “Okay, we’re in. You’ll feel a pulling now it’s normal. Here comes baby number one.”

  I hold my breath as I wait, as does Mason.

  Then the loudest wale slices through the room.

  “That’s one loud little girl,” Dr, James says.

  Tears are pouring down my face. I’m a Mom! I look at Mason, who has tears in his eyes looking at my daughter being cleaned and weighed.

  “Here’s comes baby number two.” Another, smaller cry breaks through the air.

  “He’s beautiful, mommy.” Wow. I have a daughter and a son.

  “Here’s your little girl. She has all her fingers and toes. She weighs in at six pounds, one ounce and nineteen point ten inches long.”

  I watch as she hands her to Mace. He takes her, lowering so I can see her. He’s looking at her in awe, stunned.

  She’s beautiful, her face is pink and scrunched up, like she’s going to cry. She has a tiny nose and heart shaped, red lips and a little bit of dark brown hair.

  Another nurse brings over my son, at the same moment Elizabella opens her eyes.

  Mace and I gasp. Her eyes, they are almost identical to her dad’s, but hers have a little more, green in hers.

  “Wow, she has beautiful eyes,” the nurse says, lying Sebastian beside me on my now free arm.

  Tears flood my eyes as I stare at him, he’s a mini replica of his daddy.

  It breaks my heart that Ethan isn’t here to see them. His nose is the same, but smaller. His eyebrows, lips and hair colour are the same as Ethan’s. I wonder if they have the same eye colour.

  “He’s a mini version of Ethan.” Mason remarks, gazing from Elizabella to Sebastian.

  “He perfect too. He weighs a little less than his sister, at five pounds, fourteen ounces and nineteen point eight inches long.”

  “But they’re okay? No problems?” I ask, nervously. My heart overwhelmed with love for them both.

  “None. They’re perfectly healthy.” She smiles walking away.

  “Okay, we’re done now, Lily. We’re going to take you through to recovery, once the anaesthesia has worn off, we’ll move you back to your room. Mason will be able to stay with them.”

  This upsets me, I don’t want to leave my babies.

  Seeing my distress, she explains. “We need to keep a close eye on you until it’s worn off in case of any complications. It may only take thirty to forty-five minutes.”

  “Lils, go get yourself sorted, I’ll take care of these two till you get back. I won’t let anyone see them until you’re back,” I nod reluctantly, kissing both my babies before they’re both placed in plastic cots and I’m wheeled away.

  ~*~

  “Miss, Carter?” Blinking, I see a kind young woman in front of my face.

  “It’s time to take you back to your room now, so you can see those babies of yours.” I agree happily, a smile breaking free.

  I can’t move yet, but I can certainly feel where they cut me now. The bed is raised slightly, then we’re on the move.

  On entering my room, I see Mason sitting in a big comfy chair holding both babies, talking quietly to them. He smiles as they push my bed through the doors.

  “Here’s mommy. I told you she’d be back soon… They’ve missed you, and they’re hungry.”

  They finish getting me settled as both babies start wailing. Mace passes them over, looking away as the nurse shows me how to feed them both, it’s hard, but with the help of four pillows we get comfy.

  It’s weird, but they get the hang of it and latch on happily sucking away. They cover me with thin sheets thankfully, I don’t think my friendship with Mace extends to him seeing my boobs.

  “Okay, if you don’t have enough milk and they’re still hungry, just press this call button and we’ll bring you some formula.” She places the buzzer by my hand on the bed.

  I smile gratefully. “Thank you.”

  “No problem, They’re beautiful. Congratulations.”

  She leaves the room smiling.

  Mace comes to sit back down. “You know… I’ll probably need your help with getting the hang of feeding when we leave,” I say teasing him. He turns pink looking away.

  “I don’t know if… I mean, really?” He stutters, I laugh gently at the face he makes.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll try not to need your services when feeding them, but if I do, I’ll try not to flash you. We could always try doing it in the dark. Feeding I mean,” I say, giggling at his now red face, he blows out a breath, relieved.

  “Is anyone here yet?” I ask, wondering if Nan’s here pacing the halls.

  “Yeah, Cora, Niles, mom, dad and Ava, but I wouldn’t let them in until you were here. After you finish feeding them, I’ll fetch them if you want.”

  I’m shocked, sad, disappointed and angry that Ethan isn’t here.

  “So, Ethan’s not here?” I ask coldly, Mason looks at me, sadness and anger in his eyes.
<
br />   “No. I don’t know if anyone's called him, but I bet mom told him the date of your C-Section.”

  I shut down my feelings toward it, because right now I need to concentrate on my babies.

  When they’re done, I pull my gown back into place as Mace puts them in their cots.

  “Before you get everyone, could you ask if I can put on a T-shirt and brush my hair? I know I can’t walk around yet, but I don’t want your family seeing me like this.” Nodding he leaves.

  Closing my eyes, I take a moment to absorb that I’m now a parent, and am responsible for two little people.

  “They said yes, but you need to be careful, don’t sit up and I have to put it on you and brush your hair.”

  “Okay,” we struggle, but manage to get my shirt on without him seeing or touching my boobs. I nearly fall asleep as he brushes my hair gently.

  “Thank you.” He kisses my head.

  I look at him confused. “What for?” He clears his throat.

  “For asking me to be here. It was the most amazing experience of my life.”

  “Aww, Mace, I don’t know what I would have don’t without you. I thank god every day that you knocked me on my arse.” We chuckle quietly, not wanting to wake the twins.

  “Hey, has Sebastian opened his eyes yet?” I ask, wondering what colour his eyes are.

  “No, not yet. Should I pass them to you before I go get that noisy lot?” I nod eagerly, wanting to hold them again.

  He places Elizabella on one arm, Sebastian on the other and grabs the camera taking a picture of me looking down at them.

  “Do they know their names yet?” He asks, smirking.

  “Nope. No one but you and Niles know, and I swore him to secrecy,” I stick my tongue out; he snaps a picture laughing.

  “Go get them before I kick your arse,” I scowl playfully.

  He laughs again “you can’t even move, so kicking my ass is out of the question.”

  I sit quietly looking from my daughter to my son. They’re perfect. My little miracles.

  Hearing scuffling, I smile as Nan rushes to me, crying at the sight of us.

  “Oh honey, I’ve been so worried. Oh, look at these beautiful little angels,” she sighs, taking them in, running a finger down each of their cheeks.

  Elizabella opens her eyes looking at Nan.

  “Wow. Her eyes are nearly the exact colour of yours. Look at all that hair.” She coos for a couple more minutes, before remembering the others. “Sorry, I’m hogging,” I giggle as she moves aside for Isabella, Ava and Alex to see them.

  Isabella tears upon seeing us. I smile, encouraging her closer.

  “Oh, look at them, they’re beautiful.” Sebastian opens his eyes slowly, looking at me.

  “Oh god…” My gasp draws Mason, and the rest in.

  His eyes are the exact same colour as Ethan's. He looks at me innocently, the spitting image of his daddy, so beautiful. Tears run down my face, blurring my vision as I stare into the eyes of my son. A perfect replica of the eyes, I fell in love with.

  “Hi, I’m Ava. It’s nice to finally meet you. Sorry, it wasn’t before now. They’re beautiful.”

  I smile at her. “It’s fine, it’s lovely to meet you, too.” I say, looking at Niles.

  Smiling, he steps around his mom and hugs me gently around the twins. Elizabella wails, making her uncle jump back, alarmed. Mace laughs, scooping Elizabella up and expertly rocking until she calms.

  Isabella, Alex and Ava look on shocked. I smile proudly, they have a brilliant uncle.

  “Well, looks like Elizabella loves her uncle Mace already,” I say, announcing her name.

  A few gasps and a sob follow.

  “Her full name is; Elizabella Rose Barker. And this little fella is; Sebastian Mason Barker.” Sebastian makes a happy noise.

  “Honey, Lizzy would be so proud of you. She would have been so happy to have a namesake… Or half a namesake.” She corrects herself chuckling, wiping her eyes.

  My heart squeezes, I missed my Mom so much today. I wish she could have been here to hold my hand, to see her grandchildren born.

  Teary-eyed I look around seeing a family.

  “Has anyone called Ethan?” Ava asks innocently.

  Isabella looks at her sharply, as Mason grunts his disapproval.

  She winces mouthing, ‘sorry’ sitting quietly in a chair. I feel bad, she didn’t know.

  “It’s okay, I was wondering that myself,” I smile, when she sighs, relieved, and nudges Mace to let her hold Elizabella.

  “No. No one’s called him, we didn’t want to upset you,” Isabella whispers, as Alex rubs her back reassuringly.

  Niles looks on pained, it must be hard for him, to be here and not tell Ethan.

  “Maybe I should call him then, because he’s going to be miffed. If he gets grouchy with me, he’ll know about it,” I huff, as Mace places my bag beside me.

  “Should we leave?” Alex asks, looking longingly at Sebastian.

  “No, but could you hold Seb please?” I ask, because I know he won’t ask to hold him otherwise.

  He smiles at me gratefully, cradling Sebastian in his arms, looking at his tiny face.

  I have to search his number. It’s been that long since I used it. I put it on loud speak when it rings.

  “Hello, Lily. What do you want?” Ashley’s nasty tone comes through the speaker.

  Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes summoning all my manners.

  “Hello, Ashley, I’m calling to speak with Ethan. Could you put him on please?”

  “I’m sorry, but he’s busy right now. I’ll be sure to tell him you called though.”

  Isabella gasps at her rudeness.

  “Put Ethan on the damn phone, Ashley.” Alex snaps, and I’m shocked at the venom in his tone.

  “Alex? What are you….”

  “I. Said. Put. Ethan. On. The. Damn. Phone.”

  She huffs. “It’s not a good time, he’s busy decorating his son’s nursery,” she announces smugly. I hide behind my hair, not wanting anyone to see how much that shot hurt.

  “Either you put him on the phone, or I come to the house to talk to him, and I’m telling you now, he won’t be a happy bunny when I tell him about you answering his phone and not letting his family speak with him,” He whisper-shouts, to not startle Sebastian.

  “She’s not his family!”

  “No, but I am and so is his mother, his sister and his two brothers.”

  “Hold on a sec!” She snaps.

  “It’s your family. They need to speak with you,” her bitchy tone grating.

  “Hello,” everyone looks at me. I squeak trying to clear my throat.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello Ethan.”

  “Lily? Ash said my family needed to speak to me?”

  “Yes, we do. I… I just wanted to let you know that… You became a father at twelve-twenty this afternoon.”

  Silence, then a thump. “Hello?” I look at his family confused.

  “Hello, Ethan. Are you there?” Still nothing.

  “Did any of you warn him that today was the day they would be born?” I ask curiously, they all look at each other, then at Niles as if he should have. Poor Niles.

  “What? Just because he’s my twin doesn’t mean it’s my responsibility.”

  “And no one thought to mention this before I just dropped it on him?”

  “Ethan, are you back? I’m sorry, no one told me you didn’t know they’d be arriving today.”

  A choking sound comes through the phone, then sniffing. Shit, he’s crying.

  I look at each of his family members, they’re all upset hearing his heartache.

  Right now, I’d love nothing more than to go into the bathroom and cry.

  “I’m here,” Ethan’s voice barely audible. I feel helpless, wanting to comfort him, but I then, I don’t. He’s hurt me so much.

  “We have a daughter and a son.”

  “Are they okay?” He asks, his voice wobbli
ng.

  “They’re both perfectly healthy, and doing great.”

  “Was it a normal birth?” His question shocks me. How little does he know?

  “No, they were born by C-section.”

  “But, I thought you said they were healthy?”

  “They are it was an elective C-Section. I had some complications at twenty-two weeks. So I elected to have a C-section instead.”

  “What?” He explodes, making both Elizabella and Sebastian cry.

  Ava and Alex immediately pass them to me.

  “If you’re going to shout and scare the twins, then I’m putting the phone down,” I snap, trying to hold my anger in.

  “Sorry, is that them? Crying, I mean?” Mace, Niles, Alex and Isabella chuckle. Nan’s not so easily swayed.

  “Yeah, who else’s babies would it be?” I shake my head, smiling at my angelic little babies. Who are both looking for the owner of the voice. I realise they probably recognise his voice.

  ~*~

  “Visiting time is over guys,” a nurse says, popping her head in. Nan sighs handing Elizabella back to me and kissing my head. They all kiss me and the twins as they leave.

  All but Mace, who can stay overnight because he was my birthing partner. Everything is so quiet. We each have a baby. We just sit watching them, watch us.

  My phone beeps, I reach for it blindly, not taking my eyes of Seb. Mason chuckles, getting up, he hands it to me.

  Ethan: Can I come and visit my daughter and son, please?

  I look at Mace holding Eliza, then at Seb watching me curiously. It’s not fair what he did, but he’s their dad and they come first.

  “Ethan?” Nodding, I look at Mace. “He wants to come and see them doesn’t he?” I nod again, tracing a finger down Seb's cheek.

  “How do you feel about it? About seeing him?”

  “I don’t know Mace, he’s hurt me so much, but he’s their dad. And like it or not, they’re going to need him.”

  Agreeing, he rocks Eliza murmuring quietly to her. I have to let him come see them. He’s allowed to come now because he’s their dad.

  Me: Yes. You know the hospital. I’ll tell them you’re coming.

  My phone immediately beeps.

  Ethan: Thank you. I’ll be there in ten mins.