Page 14 of Love Like This

“I think so,” Autumn said. “Good advice, Iz.”

“I’m so excited for you,” Gia said, taking Isabel’s spot. She wasbubblier than her usual self, which spoke to how over-the-moon she was aboutmeeting the babies.

“Thanks, Gia Pet. I’m so glad you guys are here.”

Autumn nodded and squeezed both Gia and Isabel’s hands. She turnedto Hadley, her eyes searching, as if needing something. Hadley knew exactlywhat it was. She spoke sincerely from her heart. “It’s okay to be scared,” shetold her calmly. “That’s part of all of this. Embrace it. Listen to everythingthat the doctor says because she is not at all worried.” Autumn seemed to latchonto the words, and nodded. “You’re so close now, Autumn. You’ve wanted thisfor so long. I remember in the car on the way back from Tahoe when you firsttold me you wanted to be a mom. That’s about to happen, and it’s the mostwonderful day ever.”

Autumn’s eyes filled and she smiled through the tears. “Iremember. I can’t believe they’re almost here, Had.”

“Think about that,” Hadley said, and brushed a strand of red curlsfrom Autumn’s forehead. “You’re about to make some amazing memories.”

Autumn nodded, her eyes brightening. “Thank you, Hadley.” It wasclear she meant it.

Hadley kissed Autumn’s cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Autumn said. “I love all of you.”

Hadley glanced up at her friends who, along with her, hadencircled Autumn and Kate. “You let us know as soon as there are new people inthis world, you hear me?”

Kate nodded. “Of course. I’ll be out there as soon as I can be.”

With a few final long looks, and happy tears, Hadley, Isabel, andGia moved to the hospital waiting room. They gave Vicki a moment alone withKate and Autumn, and Hadley prayed she wouldn’t say anything to detract fromthe joy of the occasion. She joined them a few moments later, and the four ofthem waited. Time seemed to crawl by, and for Hadley the wait felt agonizing.She searched for anything to occupy her brain. While immensely happy, she wasalso a tight bundle of nerves, and her palms were sweaty. Talking generallyhelped. In fact, when she was nervous, she talked way too much.

“Who do you guys think looks good going into the preseason?” sheasked her friends.

They exchanged a puzzled look.

“For what sport?” Isabel finally asked.

“I don’t know,” Hadley said. “Just thought that was somethingpeople said.” She shook her head in defeat. “No?”

“Hey, they’re gonna be fine,” Gia told her, and hopped seats sothey were sitting side by side.

“I know.” Hadley took a deep breath. “It just feels like it’s beena long time. How long has it been?”

“Thirty-two minutes,” Gia said without missing a beat. Isabel andHadley stared at her. “So maybe Had isn’t the only one watching the clock. Ijust think—”

But Gia didn’t get to finish. A singsong chime came over theloudspeaker, the one they’d been told about, Brahms’s Lullaby! This was thepublic notification that a baby had just been born in the hospital. Passersbypaused their conversations and smiled up at the ceiling in gentle recognitionof the new life. For a moment, no one in their group moved, no one breathed.

“That’s ours. It’s gotta be,” Isabel said, leaping to her feet.

“I’m a Gigi?” Vicki asked in disbelief, looking up from her phone.It was as if the gravity of the occasion had penetrated her self-involvedbubble for the first time.

Hadley laughed and cried at the same time. “You are!” She pulledVicki into a tight hug as the chime came to a conclusion. They traded peopleand did the hugging dance until everyone was sappy, crying, and smiling likeidiots.

“It’s a boy!” Kate said loudly, as she bounded into the waitingroom with wide eyes and a happy smile. “He’s beautiful and pink and alreadycrying! One down, one to go!” With that, she bounded off again as they applaudedher exit.

Hadley sat down, absorbing the joyful news, and then stood upagain. She was lost in overwhelming emotion and unsure how to process it. Shesat down once more. Then up. “Had?” Gia said, wrapping an arm around hershoulders. “You gonna make it? You’re looking a little uneasy there.”

“I’m fine,” she said, wiping her cheeks. “Just really, reallyhappy. He’s finally here! And Autumn must be doing great, because Kate wasglowing, so all is well, and we can just relax, everyone, and wait a littlelonger for more happy news. I just think maybe I should sit down again. Orstand.”

“Good idea,” Gia said, laughing. “I’ll sit. You should join me.”

“One more!” Isabel said, with a loud clap. She jumped around likea football player about to go into the game. “Let’s do this. C’mon, Vicki!”

Not knowing what else to do with herself and her newfoundsentimentality, Vicki joined Isabel hopping. Hadley stood up again. Then satdown. What a sight their group must have been. Twenty minutes passed and thesecond lullaby hadn’t chimed.

“Didn’t Autumn say that the average time between twin births istwelve minutes?” Hadley asked. “I’m pretty positive she said twelve minutes,and we’re past that.”

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