Page 105 of Living for Truth
“Is she okay?” Worry clogs my throat, making it hard to speak.
“She’s having some trouble breathing, but she let out a cry when we pulled her out, so she’ll be okay. Mom’s just getting stitched up, and we’ll bring her to where you and the babies will be waiting in the room.
My stomach turns because I don’t want to leave Hannah alone, but I swallow back my protest and focus on my daughters. I trust Hannah is in good hands with Dr. Badar.
“Baby B weighs four pounds seven ounces,” the nurse says as she continues to wipe the baby clean.
“Do you have names picked out yet?” the nurse tending to Baby A asks, and I shake my head.
Hannah and I decided to wait until we saw the girls to name them, and even though I want to give them names now, I won’t be doing that until she meets our daughters.
We’re guided back to the recovery room where they administer shots to the babies. Baby A screams bloody murder for a good three minutes when she’s poked, but Baby B just lets out a sad yelp of discomfort then goes back to sleep.
Hannah’s rolled in a few minutes later, looking exhausted. Once she’s been situated in the bed, the nurse hands over Baby A to Hannah who bursts into tears. I’m handed Baby B.
I sit on her bedside and kiss the side of Hannah’s head while we look down at our daughters, my own eyes blurring. I’m relieved everyone is okay, and so overjoyed at the gift Hannah has given to me. To us.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Butterfly. I love you so much.”
Hannah lifts her watery eyes to me. “I love you, too. I can’t believe my body made them.”
“I can. You are incredible. They’re so perfect. But… we need to name them.”
Hannah glances between the two babies then strokes the chubby cheek of the girl in her arms. “This is Poppy Fowler. And this,” she places a hand gently on the baby in my arms, “is Violet Fowler. What do you think?”
“I think those names are perfect for them. Violet is already much calmer than her sister. Poppy is fitting for this feisty little thing.”
“When will Aly be able to meet them?”
My heart fucking soars. She’s just come out of a major surgery, and she’s already thinking about when Aly can come see them. If I didn’t already have a plan in motion, I’d ask her if she wants to adopt Aly right now.
“Tomorrow morning. It’s late, and you need to rest, Butterfly.”
Hannah pouts. “Fine. I’m starving, too.”
“Let’s find some food for you.”
Chapter 49
Hannah
The next morning, after the least restful night of sleep I’ve ever had due to the nurses checking on me every couple of hours, Aly, Axel, and Iris shuffle into the room with bags in tow.
The nurses kept the twins in the NICU last night to monitor them, but the girls didn’t seem to need any extra help or attention, so they said we can keep them in here tonight if we want to. I missed them last night, as crazy as that sounds.
“Are you okay, Hannah?” Aly asks as soon as she sees me, making me want to cry.
I’ve cried a lot in the last twenty-four hours. It still feels surreal to have not only one, buttwobabies that Morgan and I made together here with us, safe and sound.
I’m holding Violet, feeding her a bottle, while Morgan feeds Poppy. I didn’t want the anxiety of guessing how much they would be eating while breastfeeding, and bottle feeding will be easier for us when I go back to work, so I opted to not breastfeed.
“I’m feeling very tired, but I’m okay, Aly. Do you want to hold one of your sisters?”
Aly nods her head enthusiastically, and Morgan directs her to use the hand sanitizer before sitting on the couch next to him.
He finishes burping Poppy and teaches Aly how to cradle her head and hold her steady.
“This is Poppy, and the other one is Violet,” Morgan says quietly.
