We took a gondola ride down the canals and the voice of the gondolier brought tears to my eyes. Grayson kept me wrapped up close to him and noticed my tears.
“I’m ecstatic that you’re here, experiencing this with me, it’s the perfect trip for us before the babies come. I don’t know what I was thinking, when I wanted you to stay home,” he whispered against my ear. “You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you, Red.”
“I love you too. You light up my world.”
“I’m going to light up more than that when we get back on that plane and you show me more of that tiger outfit.” His eyes were full of amusement and sparkled like glitter.
“Learn your animals, darling, that was a leopardess,” I said, amused. “Careful, you may call her back out of the cage!”
“Oooh, bring it on,” he said through a low, sexy growl.
When we exited the gondola we ran into a local artists’ show. We purchased a couple of pieces of art to take home and hang in our new house, memories we would cherish for a lifetime. We also bought wine to save and enjoy after the babies were born.
The week went by fast. We appreciated sightseeing and great food, not to mention the gallons of gelato that I personally consumed. I figured that Dr. Stewart would be happy with my weight gain after the trip. I was sad to say goodbye to Italy and even more, it was difficult to say so long to Drew and the staff from PMC. I wouldn’t see them again until it was safe for the babies to travel. Grayson was scheduled to attend the next run of meetings without me. That was going to be hard and I wasn’t ready to think about it.
The flight home was quiet and peaceful. I slept most of the way with Grayson beside me, holding me tightly wrapped in his arms. He kept one hand splayed out across my tummy, in a protective way. I barely remembered the take-off and I didn’t remember landing. The guys loaded everything into my car and it was like Christmas bringing all of our purchases home.
Dad had met the delivery truck for the new furniture while we were away, so that we wouldn’t have to reschedule. When we opened the doors to the house, I was astonished at how well everything went into place. Our new den furniture and rugs looked amazing with the dark, rich colors of fabrics against old-world style dark wood furniture and hardwood floors. It looked like a home finally. No echoes. We had new bedroom furniture and I waited until we could see it together.
“A room fit for a princess in a tower. I have to admit, I didn’t think I would like it, but I do. Once again, you were right, wife.”
“When are you going to learn that decorating comes naturally to women? Of course I was right.” I prodded him.
“Ooh, what I’ve got planned to christen this bed,” he teased.
He twirled me around, having forgotten that I wasn’t built for twirling at that moment. I almost threw my back out. So much for making good on the sex promise.
“How about a massage for my back instead?” I asked him.
“Anything for you, angel. I think I might throw in some warm oil and candlelight, does that sound inviting?”
“Sounds wonderful.” He definitely spoiled me with back rubs and foot massages.
“That I’m happy to do, once I see the new baby beds.” He took my hand and we walked into the nursery together. The beds weren’t assembled, they were in boxes. We just looked at each other. There was a note addressed to Grayson. He read it out loud:
Thought you might want to do this yourself. It’s tradition that a father puts together the bed of his baby. Since you have two, give me a call if you need a hand. All our love, Poppa Al and Nonna.
“How sweet. I’ll take pictures for the scrapbook while you put their beds together next weekend. I can’t wait to build their room. It’ll be beautiful in cream and gold, for Ella and Paige.”
“I’m too excited, can’t wait until next weekend. I’ll start on them in a little bit. You need to rest. Go sit down with the iPad and order their bedding and those wood alphabet name things for the walls. We’re going to have their room ready long before my little angels get here.” He kissed me quickly and went to get his tools to work on the beds, whistling a tune I didn’t recognize.
“Babe, the beds can wait. You need to rest, we had a rough week and a long flight. Come lay with me and watch a movie or something.”
“I slept all night, I didn’t even let your snoring bother me. I’m just excited. I want to get their room together. Hey, promise me there will be no peeking in here until I’m done.”
“For the record, I don’t snore, you’re hearing yourself and getting confused. And fine, I promise not to peek.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him sit down in the middle of the room and pour out a gazillion pieces of hardware on the floor. It was going to be a long afternoon for him, because he’s too stubborn to read the directions first.
Before long, I had the entire decor for the nursery ordered and on its way. It was dangerous to leave me alone with a computer and a credit card! The only thing left to do was hire an artist or painter to do murals on the walls. That I had no clue about, but Cooper had run across the works of several talented artists in homes that he sold and had shown me some pictures.
His real estate business was really booming and he booked more modeling than he planned, but most of it paid so well. He had bought Harrison’s loft and was very excited to be moving into it soon, just sad that he was leaving Monica at the apartment. The loft had an incredible view of the Dallas skyline, of which I was a bit jealous. Still, I had no intention of trading my life for the single life, ever.
Harrison was coming over with Cooper later, and I couldn’t believe how much I missed seeing Monica with Harrison as a couple. I only got to see her solo during the week when she was in town because we took yoga and pilates classes together. She loved her job and all the side benefits of swag bags full of jewelry and clothes from great designers, but none of that was enough of a band-aid to cover her hurt over missing Harrison.
I heard them pull up and I opened the door to greet them. “Hey guys, how was Italy?” Harrison asked.
“It was fantastic. I highly recommend it.”
“That good, huh?” he asked while giving me a big hug and patting my tummy. Does everyone do that to a pregnant woman? It must be a natural thing to do. Cooper was the last one in and he tried to twirl me around. What was with the twirling? I’m off balance people, there’s no twirling!
I showed them in and they took inventory of all the changes with the furniture and our paintings we purchased from the trip. “Wow, Alex, this is really looking great. It’s looking and sounding like a real home now, no more echoes.”
Harrison looked around for Grayson. “Where’s the man at?”
“Oh, he’s in the nursery putting the baby beds together. He made me promise not to peak until he was completely done. You can go see if he needs some help because he won’t run you out. He just doesn’t want a chick laughing at him. He knows I would already have them together by now, because I would’ve read the instructions.” They disappeared to check on him, or more like, tease him.
I headed into the kitchen and took out all the ingredients to make us some cookies.
“Domestic diva these days, are you?” Cooper said as he snuck up behind me.
“Don’t laugh, I’m good at this stuff,” I said while spilling flour all over the counter.
“Really, since when?”
“Since, well, cookies are easy, I can do those with no problem.”
“Promise me I won’t break part of my million-dollar smile on them?” he said while tossing a hand towel at me.
“Stop tormenting me. Hey, what did you think of the animal hide rug in the den?”
“You know you got that idea from me. Seriously, it’s all beautiful, you’ve done a great job. Did you love Italy?”
“It was absolutely breathtaking. I’m ready to go back.”
“And the flights?” He raised his eyebrow at me. He was waiting for me to confess my anxiety, but that didn’t happen.
/>
“They were fine. I’m certain it was because Grayson was with me, but whatever, it was great.”
“You seem to be adjusting well to domestic bliss.”
“Hey, at least I have a yard, my own pool, and flowers. You’ve got concrete and more concrete.”
“Ha ha. Just keep it up. You forgot to mention my amazing view.”
“Yes, I did. Hey, have you been able to convince Harrison to buy a house here and stick around?”
“No, he’s definitely going back to Chicago. He moves next week, but don’t say I told you.”
“We have to stop that and get them back together. I just don’t know how.”
“I have an idea. We’ll talk later.”
***
We all gathered at Coal Vines for the most delectable pizza. With the twins taking up so much room in my belly, I had a hard time eating large meals. I found myself eating more small meals a day, but pizza definitely tasted good and hit the spot. I invited Monica to join us. We talked about the girls names. She was in love with Ella and Paige for our daughter’s names, but we both didn’t know what Zoe was thinking with a name like Levi Matthew for a boy.
We chatted about nursery decorating ideas. I told her about needing an artist to design murals on the walls. She was going to ask around. I tried to get her to talk about Harrison or talk to him, but she refused. She wouldn’t even look his direction at the table. Her face showed me that she loved him and was terribly hurt.
“Will you at least talk to him?”
“I did, Alex. He’s moving back to Chicago. We’re done and you need to drop it.”
“No, I’m not done. You both love each other. Neither of you have seen anyone else. There’s room to work this out and I’m not giving up.”
Monica got pissed and left. I was up out my chair about to go after her when Harrison jumped up and ran outside. I looked over at Grayson and he just shrugged, but he smiled, so maybe there was still some hope.
***
With our beds completed, I was excited awaiting the arrival of the nursery bedding so that I could become the official decorating diva of domestic bliss.
At home and finally alone with sexy husband, I found the house calming. Soft instrumental music played over the sound system. I felt so relaxed. “You know, there has been a flurry of activity in and out of our lives for months. Besides the trip, we haven’t had any peace and quiet really since before the wedding.” Grayson was speaking quietly, rubbing my chin and lips with his finger as we snuggled on our new sofa in the den.
“That’s true, there has been so much activity going on and I don’t see it slowing down,” I countered with a mischievous grin. “Would you trade it for your old bachelor life?” I teased him, kissing his hand that was wrapped around mine.
“There’s no greater joy than having you in my life. You three girls mean everything to me.” He had both hands spread across my belly and was feeling the babies move around. “I never get tired of this. I’m jealous though, I wish that I could feel what you feel. Hello, Paige and Ella. It’s your daddy! I can’t wait for you both to come out and play!” It was such a sweet sight to see him talk to his daughters. I was in awe of this wonderful man I married.
Chapter 22
A few months later...
“Hey, I was over at the house helping Alex hang the baby names on the wall and her water just broke. Meet us at the hospital!” Monica’s breaths were quick and she sounded in a panic.
“Oh my god, it’s too soon... Is she okay? I want to talk to her. I should’ve never left her! I’m calling Dr. Stewart and the hospital and letting them know we’re coming.”
“Go ahead Grayson, you’re on speaker.”
“Hey honey, I’m fine, we’re in the car and just a few minutes away. Drive safely… I want you to meet your daughters in one piece. I love you. I’m hanging up now!” I hung up the phone so I could yell how bad it hurt with two kids trying to squeeze out of me at the same time.
“Call Cooper and my parents. If I try to talk, I’m going to yell ugly words at someone.” Monica started laughing, but, it wasn’t funny for either of us. My sweet girls were coming too soon. We had seven more weeks to go. I prayed they would be okay.
We walked into the hospital and the team was already prepared for our arrival, just one of the luxuries of being married to a doctor. They put me in a wheelchair and said that Dr. Stewart was already upstairs getting ready. Our pediatrician was also preparing the Neo-natal Intensive Care (NIC) team because we were having premature twins. People swarmed me. I suddenly heard a familiar, although out-of-breath, voice behind me.
“I’m here sweetheart, I made it!” Grayson ran down the hallway chasing us.
A nurse yelled at him to go get changed and meet us in the Labor & Delivery unit. “I’m not leaving her. You can bring me some scrubs, but I’m going with her wherever she goes!” He was sort of mean to the nurse, but I loved him for staying with me. “Are you doing okay? It’s going to be fine, they are far enough along they’ll be fine.” He held my hand as we raced through the hallway.
Monica followed along with Harrison, who’d finally caught up with us. The guys had been out playing golf, taking advantage of the pre-daddy days. They took all of us in the birthing room and I was a bit confused. I thought I would be having a C-section. About that time, Dr. Stewart came barging through the door barking orders. “Alright, let’s see about these gals, shall we?” she asked as she started gloving up and issuing orders for everyone to leave the room except for Grayson.
With gloved hands, she checked the birth canal and pushed back on the stool, “Nurse Barbara, we’ve got baby A crowning. Let’s deliver this little girl.”
“Dr. Stewart, no C-section?” Grayson asked.
“No time, Grayson. This baby’s coming right now. Alexandra, when I tell you too, I need you to take a deep breath and push. Grayson, I need you to lift her shoulders forward when she pushes.”
From that moment on, I felt like the room moved in fast forward and a blur around me. It hurt like hell.
Drugs. I wanted them. Whatever they had was fine with me. Call the nearest drug dealer, I didn’t care.
Grayson was a great cheerleader, but his face showed so much anxiety. He had delivered quite a few babies while in school, but told me once it’s different when it’s your own. Finally, after many pushes, Allison Paige was born. Grayson cut the cord and went with her over to the nurses to weigh her and check her out. Dr. Stewart let me rest for just a moment before going again for the next baby.
Grayson walked back over holding our precious little girl and beamed from ear to ear. “She’s perfect! She weighs four pounds, two ounces and she’s just beautiful.” He had tears streaming down his face. I got to kiss her and touch her face before Dr. Stewart interrupted us.
“Hey guys, the monitor says we need to make a move on the other baby. Alex, I’m going to count to three and then it’s going to hurt really bad for just a minute while I try to turn the next little gal, okay?”
She didn’t wait on my response, I heard “three” then I screamed. Whatever she did, I will never, ever have that done again. I thought my insides were being pulled away. On top of that, she informed me she had to do it one more time and that should be it. I wanted to kill somebody. At that moment, I wasn’t certain I would ever have wall sex again. In fact, I think I had just decided that Grayson could be snipped before he was allowed to touch me again! Soon, I started pushing again and our beautiful Emma Katherine was born.
She didn’t make a sound. Everyone rushed to her, even Grayson, and I was alone. “What’s wrong with my baby?” But no one talked to me. The nurse beside me held my arm and told me to wait, it would all be just fine. Sure enough, I heard a tiny scream and everyone cheered. Her little mouth was clogged, that’s all. They took a few extra minutes to check her out before Grayson came back to me holding both babies, one in each arm, both wrapped tightly in blankets with little caps on their heads. Ella Katherine weighed in at f
our pounds, eight ounces.
“Congratulations, you have two beautiful, dark-headed little girls. Although just a bit small, they are both just fine. You can go home in a couple of days, provided there are no further issues.” Dr. Stewart grinned, but her smile didn’t outshine that of my husband’s. Being a daddy looked fantastic on him! He went with the NIC team to do all of the tests that they do on newborns and promised he would return momentarily with our daughters. Dr. Stewart finished with me and helped me get ready for company. Apparently we had a crowd waiting to see the babies.
***
I had a room full of people and a husband who had turned into a photographing maniac in between hugs and kisses. We all passed around the girls, and I saw a beautiful moment between Grayson and my dad. As long as I live I will never forget the tears and the hug between them, each one holding a baby.
“Thank you all for being here to support us this last year, and to my beautiful wife for giving me the blessing of a lifetime, I love you.” Grayson could barely talk as the tears streamed down his face.
“You’re my love.”
I looked around the room and saw that there were quite a few tears being shed. I could see both Zoe, whose had recently given birth to Levi, and Monica. I couldn’t imagine my life without any one of those people not being a part of it. They were more than just relatives, they were part of who I’d become.
Monica and Harrison had been talking but were not back together. He had moved back to Chicago, but came to see us often. Every time he came in, they magically happened to bump into each other. I hoped that one day they would finally put their issues to rest and find that they were meant to be together.
Grayson and Dad walked over and handed me our beautiful, precious little girls. “Now, try and tell them apart!” I teased. Everyone guessed, but I could hear Grayson and Harrison over everyone else.
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