by Amy Davies
“Alright, that’s enough mental scarring for one night,” Lipsy says.
“Fine, we are going. Come on, baby, I will make us something to eat. I am starved after all that working out,” Maisey says to Gunner as she climbs out of my bed. “Do you two want anything?” I look down at my girl and she nods.
“We could eat. We will be right out.” They both leave us, finally. “Shit, I thought they would never leave.”
“I heard that,” Gunner shouts from the kitchen, making both of us laugh. I kiss her soft but deep, pouring as much feeling into it as I can.
“Come on, let’s go eat, babe.” I climb out of bed, butt ass naked and walk to my dresser. I pull on a pair of green pajama pants and throw an ‘Inside Noise’ t-shirt at Leah. After slipping into our clothes, we join Gunner and Maisey in the kitchen. Maisey is busy at the stove, cooking bacon and scrambling eggs. Gunner is pouring three mugs of coffee and one tea for Lipsy. I sit at the table and pull Lipsy into my lap, nuzzling her neck.
I hear my cell ringing from my bedroom, so I tap Lipsy’s thigh. “Hop on up, babe. I need to get that.” I walk into my room and see Ryder’s name on the screen. Sliding my finger across, I answer while walking back to the kitchen.
“Yo, bro. What’s up?”
“Snowflake just went into labor, her water broke so they have taken her straight in. She wants Leah in the room with her. Get everyone to the hospital now.” I breathe heavy through the phone.
“Shit. On our way.” I run into the kitchen, “Get dressed, baby. Juicy just went into labor. Baby Phoenix is on her way.” I smile and everyone jumps into action.
Chapter 17
Rafe
So today started out great, I woke up semi wrapped around my beautiful Snowflake and our baby bump. I cannot believe that she only has four weeks left. We have the nursery set-up and the baby’s name picked out. We know what we are having but we have kept it a secret from our family and friends. We decorated the baby’s room in a neutral color. We added decal stickers around the room, music notes, stars and snowflakes. Everything that is Lucy and me.
I walk into the bathroom, which is filled with steam. My baby thinks that she is having a shower without me but yeah, not happening. I remove my boxers and open the glass door and slide in behind her. The water cascades over her fuller body and she looks fucking beautiful. Her hips are wider to get ready to bring our baby into the world to meet us. Her ass, wow no words. I place my hands on her hips and she leans back into my chest. I slide my hands from her hips, over her blossoming baby belly and up to her now fuller tits. Now, they are one of the reasons that I would love to have Lucy pregnant all the damn time if I could. Before the baby they the perfect fit but now, damn. Her tits over fill my large calloused hands.
“Morning, baby.” She turns her head to kiss me.
“Morning, Snowflake. How you feeling?”
“I am ok. My back hurts more today, but that is to be expected. I can’t wait to meet the baby, Rafe. But I am also scared; I know I lost Shane early in the pregnancy but I don’t think I will fully believe that we have a baby until Peanut is in my arms.” She turns to face me.
“Snowflake, you and the baby will be fine. We will be a family in a few weeks.” I kiss her again, tilting her head and I deepen our kiss. I pull back and climb out of the shower. I wrap a towel around my waist and pick a towel off the shelf and help Lucy climb out of the shower. I run the towel over her body and dry her off.
“Go and get dressed, baby. Then I will make us some breakfast, ok?”
“God I love you, Rafe Phoenix. I hope you know that.”
“Yeah, Snowflake, I know. I love you too Lucy Cooper, Miss Soon-to-be-Phoenix.”
I make my girl some berry pancakes that she loves. I have had to limit her syrup because she went pregnant crazy with it. She wanted to add the damn stuff to everything she ate; I understand the whole pregnancy cravings but damn. That much sugar is bad for her and the baby. I place our plates on the table and turn to open the fridge to get the OJ, pouring Snowflake a glass and get myself a coffee.
I hear a sound that no man with a pregnant girl wants to hear. Lucy screams my name from the bedroom. My body runs cold as I speed towards my girl; if feels like hours until I get to her but knowing it was only a matter of seconds. I skid as I hit our bedroom. Lucy is standing next to our bed, legs apart, looking like she has seen a ghost. My baby stands there is a pool of water; she looks between me and then her feet and back again.
“Um, I think my water just broke, babe. You need to call Mama Phoenix and the hospital and let them know I am on my way in. I need to change my clothes.” She pulls her maternity t-shirt over her head and walks into the bathroom, coming back out seconds later. Well, I am not sure how much time did actually pass; I am cemented to the spot. Fuck me; I am going to be a Dad in the next few hours.
Holy shit.
“Rafe, you need to move, baby. Call your mom, now. Call the hospital. My bag is in the nursery. RAFE!” She shouts my name. “Move, now.” My body moves towards her, I look down at her. I skim my hands over her baby bump and love the fact that our baby is in there but any time now we will be holding Peanut.
“Baby, Snowflake. I love you with everything that I am. My heart beats with yours. You and this little peanut are my world, my Inside Noise. We will get through this together, ok? You can do this and you are going to be an amazing mom. I believe in you.” I kiss and wipe away the tears rolling down her face. “Ok, baby, let’s go and meet Baby Phoenix.”
I call the hospital and my mom. I tell her to call the boys and everyone to let them know. The drive was some scary shit. Snowflake’s contractions started but she said that she felt weird, like something was wrong in her belly, it just didn’t feel right. So I hit the gas to get her there quicker. Once we arrive at the hospital they take us to a room and get Lucy into a hospital gown and set up on the bed. I just sit back in awe and watch my girl take it all in. They have connected her up to monitors, to help keep an eye on the baby.
“How are you doing, baby?” I ask, while running a damn cloth over her forehead.
“I’m ok for now.” The doctor comes into the room.
“Well, it’s nice to see you again Lucy. How have things been?” She sits between Lucy’s legs to see how much she has dilated.
“Things have been good. Rafe does everything for me, not letting me lift a finger.” The doc nods her head at me with a smile.
“Well Lucy, I am very happy to say that you are at seven centimeters already. So it looks like we will have a baby very soon. I will be back a little later to check on you.” She talks to the nurse and leaves the room.
It isn’t long until Leah and Letty arrive. Lucy wanted them here for the birth. Everyone is here in the room but I will be kicking their asses out when it’s time to push. None of them get to see my girl down there.
“Ow, ow, holy shit that one hurt. Rafe, I don’t think I can do this anymore, they are getting worse and it hurts like a fucking bitch. Why the hell aren’t you hurting? Leah, kick him in the balls to make him know what I am going through.” I try to pry my hand out of hers but she is having none of it. Shit, I am pretty sure I am going to leave here with a few broken fingers.
“Aww come on, Juicy, it can’t be that bad right? Women do this all the time, multiple times even.” Shut the fuck up brother.
“Reeve fucking Phoenix, if you do not shut your fucking mouth right now, I am going to have your girlfriend to drop kick you in the balls so you know how I am feeling right now. I mean, it can’t hurt that bad, right?” She throws his words back at him.
“Shut up, Cariad. I will do what Juicy said just to please her,” Leah jumps in.
“Now see, I don’t think you would, Lipsy. You love my balls too much to hurt them.” He winks at her. Shit, my brother really is digging himself a hole.
“REEVE. OhmyGod.” Leah buries her head in Snowflake’s shoulder and everyone laughs.
Two hours later, the Doc comes back to c
heck on Lucy. “Ok, everyone out, except Letty and Leah. I will keep you posted.” Everyone kisses us both and leaves the room.
The Doc examines Lucy and smiles up at her. “The contractions been getting stronger?” Lucy nods as another one hits.
“Oh fucking shit,” Lucy screams, and she doing a damn good job of breaking my fingers, damn.
“Ok, Lucy you are at ten. So let’s have a baby, shall we?” The Doc and nurses get everything set up. Holding Lucy’s leg with her foot resting on my hip, she starts pushing. Every emotion runs through me, fear, excitement, every one. Will I be a good father to our baby? Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to have my dad here right now.
Always remember, never forget.
“You can do it baby, come on. Push, push, push.”
“You are doing great, Lucy, the baby is crowning nicely. Ok and stop pushing.” There is a whisper of a sucking noise and then the Doc speaks again. “Ok Lucy, one last big push for me, let’s meet Baby Phoenix shall we?” Lucy gives out an almighty scream and her face goes bright red but she does it.
Everything in my world stops, I swear my hearts stops. I hear nothing but the sweet sound of my baby entering the world. I can’t take my eyes off this tiny human that has been placed on Lucy’s chest. I look up and see Leah and Letty are crying but smiling at my new family. Holy shit, we are a family. Lucy lifts the baby’s leg up and both Letty and Leah squeal in delight.
“I bloody knew it; I knew you were having a girl. Oh my God. I am happy. Congrats you two.”
“Well done, Luce. You did amazing, I am so damn proud of you.” Letty steps up.
I lay my head on Lucy’s and we stare at our new baby daughter. I kiss both of my girls’ heads and I see a drop of water hit the baby’s head, I hadn’t noticed I was crying. Lucy goes pale and looks to me.
“Snowflake, what’s wrong? Baby, talk to me. Doc I think something is wrong.” The Doc is just sitting there watching us, but jumps into action.
“Lucy, honey I really don’t know to say this but umm…” She looks to the nurse and signals something. The nurse runs out of the room.
“Spit it out, Doc. What the hell is going on?”
“Lucy, you need to push again for me, sweetie, ok? We seem to have missed something when we did your ultrasounds.”
“What do you mean missed something?” I brush Lucy’s forehead with the cloth again, knowing that she is going to suffer more pain.
“Rafe, it looks like Lucy was carrying twins and baby number two is ready to meet Mom and Dad.”
Fuck me, twins.
The nurse takes our baby girl off of Lucy’s chest and takes her over to the unit to check her out and clean her up. The nurse that ran out of the room earlier comes running back in with more supplies. Lucy starts screaming again and bears down. I can’t believe that we went from the two of us, to three of us and now onto four of us within a matter of minutes.
“That’s it Lucy, you are doing fan-freaking-tastic, honey,” the doctor encourages Lucy.
“You can do, Juicy. Push girl,” Leah says from the side of the bed. Letty is sliding the damp cloth over her face, trying to keep her cool. Me, well I am still frozen at the fact my Snowflake is giving me two freaking babies. Something hits me in the chest, bringing me back to now. I look down and see Lucy give me a tight smile.
“I said something felt off on the way in, didn’t I?” I nod and lean into kiss her. She pushes some more and again we hear the sound that every parent wants to hear when waiting for their baby to arrive. Our second child lets the world know that they are well and truly here.
“Another girl, Mom and Dad. How do you like that?” Holy shit. I now have three girls to protect. Shotgun anyone? The baby gets whisked away by the nurses to get check, because basically she wasn’t expected.
“I” kiss “love” kiss “you” kiss “Snowflake. My Inside Noise, baby, my Inside Noise.”
“Ok, Mom and Dad. Are you ready to meet these two little pink bundles, properly?” One nurse hands me baby number one and baby number two goes to Lucy. I notice that both Letty and Leah are now standing over against the far wall, smiling at us. I smile down at my daughter, and then my other daughter in my girl’s arms.
“Thank you, Lucy. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift, or gifts.” The nurses laugh.
“No thank you, Rafe. You stood by my side through this all, through my ups and downs. I do believe that Shane is looking down on us, watching his baby sisters.” Fuck me, that does me in and a sob escapes me. I swear there isn’t a dry eye in the room.
“Names?” The doctor asks. I shake my head.
“We want to introduce them to our family together. Can they come in now?” She nods and Letty goes to bring everyone in. Everyone’s eyes go wide when they see the four of us in the bed.
“Um, you forgot to tell us something, bro?” Ryder asks, shock clearly covering his face.
“We didn’t know that Lucy was carrying twins…” One of the nurses cuts me off.
“Some people call them ‘mirror twins’, when one twin hides behind the other and they are never detected until the mom goes into labor.” She smiles and goes back to her paperwork.
“So more shopping,” Mom states. I smile and nod.
“Are you going to introduce them to their family?” the doctor asks.
“Everyone, I would like to meet Rowan Leah who was five pounds and fourteen ounces. Lucy is holding her. And I have Lyric Tru, who was six pounds and five ounces. Both are doing great, and as you can see, so is my Snowflake, she was a fucking trooper…”
“Language in front of the girls, Rafe,” Lucy scolds me. Oops, my bad.
“And it begins,” Ryder mutters.
“I can’t believe you have two girls to look out for. God help you, bro. If they turn out like Juicy then you are going to have your hands full. Good luck with that, brother.”
“So, what happens when you have kids, Reeve?” Leah asks him, everyone holding their breath and waiting for his response.
“Like hell, Lipsy. We are having all boys. I can teach them all I know,” he says proudly. Typical Reeve.
“We’ll see,” Leah says.
Everyone only stays for an hour after the introductions of the girls. Snowflake is dead tired and needs her rest.
I am sitting in the rocking chair, looking between Lucy, Rowan and Lyric. My three girls. Mine.
“Well Dad, how does it feel to have two more granddaughters? They would have loved you, like you love them. I hope that you are looking after my baby boy up there. And his Uncle Shane, they would have been thick as thieves. They are my Inside Noise, Pop. The Phoenix family is growing. Ren has a baby on the way and I believe that Ryder and Letty won’t be too far behind. Keep looking out for us, Pop. Love you.” Lucy is still sleeping and my two baby girls are sleeping in my arms.
This is right where I belong, with my very own Phoenix girls.
Chapter 18
Leah
I am knackered, so bloody tired. We have just left Lucy, Rafe and the twins. Oh my God, twins. I cannot believe that baby number two wasn’t seen, how crazy is that? Reeve is driving with a tired look on his face; he has been a little off since the comment about us having our own babies. When he commented about only having boys, my heart skipped a beat. It never occurred to me that Reeve would want children. Hell, not long ago he was shagging his way through LA and beyond, not he is claiming me as his girlfriend and telling me he loves me. I think now that he has had time to let things settle in, he is changing his mind. Again Rafe and Ryder have beaten him at something but I think that something never crossed his mind.
“You ok?” I ask, placing my hand on his thigh. He jumps a little from the contact, so I quickly draw my hand back.
“Yeah, fine,” he says, but not taking his eyes off the road. I nod to myself and stare out the window. We ride to Rafe and Lucy’s apartment in silence, not even the radio is on, and the quiet is killing me. I know he is going to pull away and I know that I won’t b
e able to get through that. I can’t take another rejection. I take a deep breath and climb out of the car, Reeve turning the engine off and following me up to the door. As I unlock and open the door, I feel Reeve touch my elbow. I really don’t want to see his face, but I pull up my big girl knickers and turn to face the man I love, with the feeling of being hurt.
“I won’t come in, Leah. I know that we are both dog tired and need sleep. I will come back in the morning, ok?” I sigh.
“Don’t pull away, Reeve. We can just go to sleep; I want you to hold me.” I know I’m begging but I do not want to lose him. He shakes his head no and I know that he has already made up his mind. “Fine, I will see you tomorrow. Night, Reeve.” Ok, I no longer sound like I am begging but I sound like a bitch. I step through the door when he speaks.