Page 99 of The Un-Apparent Heir

The nurse was intimidated by Natalie, as everyone was.

“Of course. I will try to… expedite it.”

“That would be nice, thank you,” Vanna said.

The nurse disappeared. And, magically, a few moments later, a wheelchair appeared. Sanne finally joined her husband in the other ward. She found him with one of the babies on his chest. She wasn’t sure which. The babies had names but she wasn’t sure who Paul named who.

“Who is this?”

“Oh, my God! You made it!” Paul looked over, his face erupting in joy. “Let’s get you comfortable so you can hold them.”

The nurses in the NICU, being absolute angels, transferred Sanne to a glider. Paul handed off what he called “Baby A.” Baby A was just the firstborn. They were not sure who was who yet.

“I want you to confirm that he looks either like an Edwin or an Oliver.”

“I will must meet them both, Paul,” Sanne said. “Your Mum will want to meet them, too. She made it.”

“Let’s focus on the task at hand and then we can talk about bringing Granny back,” a nurse said.

The baby settled on Sanne’s chest. She couldn’t help but cry. Compared to Keir and Nate, he looked so frail—not like the bruisers they were at birth. He was precious and looked so much like Paul—the most like Paul of their children yet.

“He’s all you,” Sanne laughed as the baby’s fingers clasped her pinky.

He let out a little yawn, contented.

“See, he’s glad you’re here,” Paul said. “He’s the quiet one—the easygoing one. The other is more high maintenance but he’s very alert.”

Sanne rocked the baby before deciding she wanted to hold the second. Nurses took pictures of her with both. She would be grateful for those later. As the second baby settled, she was also contented. Life returned to a normal keel. They could all rest better. This baby had more hair—lots of ginger hair—and was her mini.

“Oh, see, he’s mine,” Sanne giggled. “Look at that face. Heisalert.”

“He likes to let us know what he wants,” Paul said. “And probably needs a feed.”

A nurse nodded. “We want them both to take bottles. That is the key now. They take syringes well. He will take a bottle like a champ. It’s his brother who is struggling, but he’ll get there.”

“Well, I’d like to feed this little guy,” Sanne said.

It took effort but Baby A received the bottle eventually, sucking away, and looking up at her with big, curious blue eyes. She was in love with them both, but this one was the bigger character right now.

“This is Ollie,” Sanne confirmed. “Oliver. And that is Edwin. But let’s call him Win. Eddie doesn’t seem right and we cannot have two Eds.”

“Win and Ollie it is,” Paul agreed. “Do you like that, boys? Win and Ollie? I suppose you have no choice.”

Ed was up to his eyeballs in children but contented. The transition to fatherhood would be no cakewalk. And, while Sanne had given them all a fright, she was alright. She was happy and healthy now. Natalie sent pictures of Sanne holding both boys. Paul sent photos, too. He was so proud of their new babies. Ed was keen to keep Keir and Nate abreast of the happenings with their new brothers. The boys were adorably excited and on pins and needles to meet their new siblings.

It would be a few days before they released Sanne and at least a week more before the babies came home. Meanwhile, the boys needed minding. With Robbie having fallen ill with a simple cold, the two were out as an option for childcare. Paul and Sanne would spend most of their time at the hospital. Ed wanted to take care of the boys to make sure there was some stability. Natalie and Lucy shuttled engagements. People had to understand. Babies didn’t arrive in a vacuum. Natalie’s new leadership style bothered some, but Ed was glad she fought for the children to have the best.

In a bid to get the boys out and do something fun, Ed brought them round to his parents’ house in Richmond. They were keen to play in the back garden. Ed’s parents were glad for the happy distraction.

“I’m always so glad to see them,” Margaret said. “They look so happy. It is good they are excited for their brothers to come home.”

“We all are,” Ed said.

“And their mother is doing better?” John asked.

“Yes. She’s improving by the day. She wants to get better quickly but also doesn’t want to leave her boys. I suspect that’s how any mother would be.”

“Yes. And speaking of mothers, how is Natalie doing?” John asked.

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