“Would you like bell pepper, too?”
“Please,” I cooed, batting my eyes.
“You got it.”
“Watermelon, after,” I asked as I eye-begged.
“Watermelon, after,” Mom confirmed. “Go have your shower, honey, and I’ll let Harriet know what you would like.”
I kissed her cheek and took off –aka wobbled- to my room. In there, Marcus was emerging from the bathroom, drying himself after a shower. He smiled when he saw me. I felt guilty when his arms came around me.
“I’m sorry, boo,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to stay all night but I just missed her.”
“Don’t, baby,” he said, squeezing me to him as best he could with that belly in the way. “I get it and understand. Be with her whenever you need to. She missed you as much as you missed her.”
I nodded and let him help me get ready for the day.
* * *
My second night back, Harriet, Mom and Pops’ cook, whipped up a delicious buffet for our families and we had a good time. It felt great to be back with all my family again.
To this day, I don’t think they realize how much I missed each and every one of them, even though it was my own fault that I did.
Marcus gave a beautiful toast about how excited he felt about me and the twins and announced to everyone the names I chosen.
“We're going to call them Donnie and Alex but their names are Donald Harvey and Stephen Alexander Cannon,” I heard him say but I was too busy devouring watermelon to comment.
It made them all choke up, including Pops, who kissed my full cheek, and the usually stoic Dr. Stephen Cannon.
“Good choices, Cookie,” Katherine sighed tearfully. “Four birds with one stone.”
I smiled back and kept eating. Stephen stood and raised his glass.
“I’m flattered, Mariah and Marcus, and am cutting everyone from my will except my namesake.”
We laughed loud and strong, just like before I left.
“Seriously, thank you both very much, I’m honored. To the first grandchildren! May the next ones not be far behind!”
“What,” Joshua croaked. “Not funny, Dad! Cheers!”
“Cheers,” we all shouted with me holding up a cube of watermelon.
“What is it with you and watermelon, Cookie,” Lisa queried.
“I have no idea. I just can't get enough of it,” I confessed. That made everyone chuckle.
“OW,” I yelled suddenly and everyone jumped to attention.
“What,” I asked, amused.
“From now on, don't make that noise unless you absolutely have to,” Ethan demanded.
I laughed. “I got kicked and sometimes, it hurts; what should I say?”
“Wow?”
“Kick?”
“Ooh?”
“Damn?”
“All right, all right. No more ‘ows’! Geez!” I giggled and stood.
“Where are you going,” Marcus asked, holding my arm.
I frowned. “I'm getting more watermelon.”
“Oh, no. Off your feet. I'll get it,” Lisa commanded, standing.
Seriously? It’s like five steps away!
“It's right there,” I uttered, pointing. “I can get it myself!”
“Sit down,” everyone shouted, including Harriet.
“Okay,” I mumble as I sat again. I smiled sweetly at Lisa. “¿Está usted va a querer hacer pis para mí cincuenta veces al día también?”
Alissa cracked up laughing, as did Harriet and everyone else looked at us like we'd grown another head.
“What did she say,” Ethan asked Alissa.
She giggled as she said, “Are you going to pee for me fifty times a day, too?”
I looked at her and laughed. “Alissa! Traitor!”
“I would, Cookie,” Lisa declared, then laughed with everyone else.
“Damn it,” I chuckled.
“What, baby?”
“I gotta go to the bathroom again,” I whined, trying to stand again while laughing at the irony.
Madison would've loved that.
When I got back to the table, I thought about Madison and her antics before we left.
“Mom, I forgot to tell you… Madison came to see me in the hospital.”
Mom smiled warmly. “How is she? She still has that mouth?”
Matthew dropped his fork and shuddered.
“Does she ever,” I confirmed. “She's doing well and looks great. She’s interviewing at a news station in Chicago. I'll give you her number.”
I grinned at Matthew, who had a Cheshire cat-like smile on his face.
* * *
When we arrived in California, I told Marcus I’d let him pick a doctor to deliver his sons and to my surprise, he immediately chose his best friend, Rob the Jackass, or Dr. Robert Brand.
Marcus met Mom, Katherine and I for every visit. He and Rob teased each other mercilessly, which was completely their way of life, from the waiting room to right outside the exam room, where they were very professional and attentive to me, but once that door opened and they exited through it, all bets were off again. They reminded me of Tom and Ethan together, and of how Marcus is with his own brothers.
* * *
I smiled at Marcus. I was becoming his wife... all 188 pounds of me. I couldn't believe we'd finally made it to that point in our lives.
Mom and Katherine did any excellent job putting this together and only a week after that beautiful baby shower!
Marcus and I had to do several coin tosses as to who would walk down the aisle, as I didn't want to hurt any feelings. It just wasn't practical to have all the siblings in the wedding party. I'm thankful they all understood.
Madison got the job in Chicago, and she couldn't make it. She had to start her contract negotiations and they didn't want to wait. She promised to figure out a way to get out here when the babies came.
I loved my dress. It was a pale purple, had thin shoulder straps and fit over my entire belly with no problem. The sheer overlay flowed and looked as it were a train behind me.
Katherine hired Rico to fix my hair the same way he did for Mandy and Joshua's party. He added a small sprig of baby’s breath in the back. He put mascara, waterproof of course, and tinted gloss on my full lips. I thought I looked pretty damn good as we posed for Mom's demanding photographer.
I grinned when Joshua entered and kissed my cheek. My grin grew bigger when he gave me a gift from Marcus. I opened it and frowned.
“A key? What's it for?”
“Now, Cookie, I just give the gift. I cannot comment,” Joshua teased.
I scowled at him as he next said how beautiful I looked. I blew out a breath as I gave Mandy my gift for Marcus, and she immediately left with Joshua to give it to him. Everything was going well. Too bad my contractions started last night.
I swore Lisa to silence when that first one hit as we were talking in my and Marcus' room at Mom’s, while we were waiting for the other ladies to arrive. Mom had kicked Marcus out an hour before, saying something about bad luck before the wedding. It was 9:07 when it hit and at first they were irregular and I assumed they were more Braxton-Hicks, but around three a.m. they proved to be the real thing.
“Mariah, we have to call Marcus and get you to the hospital,” Lisa whined at me.
“No, Twink... I have to marry Marcus tomorrow. No more bullshit between us. It has to happen tomorrow. Swear not to say anything until after we're pronounced. Just keep time and if it gets too bad, I'll go. But for now, I can handle it.”
She looked very skeptical as she asked, “Are you sure, Cookie?”
“Yes. I promise.”
* * *
“Therefore if any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak or else forever hold his peace.”
At that point, they were about eleven minutes apart and not slowing.
Okay, Reverend Miller, speed it up! Let's kick this thing into high-gear!
“
Mm,” I grunted softly and blinked rapidly... another one, and it brought a few tears. I breathed through it, thinking, that was not eleven minutes!
I patted my thigh, hoping Lisa could see from behind me. It was her cue that I felt another one. She gasped behind me.
Yeah, she saw.
“I do!”
Yes! Our part's done...
I began to pant softly... hee-hee-hoo... hee-hee-hoo...hee-hee-hoo... oh shit, Marcus was frowning, staring. I think he was on to me.
Quick! Fix it up!
I gave him a weak smile.
“Yeah, yeah... I do,” Marcus waved off the Reverend and scowled at me. “Mariah--”
“Continue Reverend, please,” I panted out, hurriedly.
“Then by the powers...”
I tried to pay attention but I need to blow, do something to distract me from the pain that was now surging through me.
“Hee-hee-hoo,” I said, softly.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
The audience applauded as Marcus and I kissed then I tightened my grip on his hands. I wrenched away from his mouth and screamed out as the latest contraction ripped through me, “Rockford!”
“I knew it,” Marcus shouted. “Damn it, Mariah! ROB! She's in labor!”
Our guests jumped for joy and a ruckus began. I leaned into Marcus, throwing my arms around his neck, breathing heavily.
Rob was at my side instantly. “Mariah, how long have you been laboring?” he asked, rubbing my lower back.
“Woo-woo-woo, woo-woo-woo,” was all I can get out.
“She had her first one at 9:07 last night, but they didn't get regular till 3:19 am. They've been every six minutes for almost thirty minutes,” Lisa shouted over the commotion.
“Has your water broken, Mariah,” Rob asked.
“No! Ahhh! It's not stopping now,” I screamed.
“Shit! Sorry, Reverend! Let's go, Rob,” Marcus yelled as he picked me up and hurriedly carried me to the car. “What were you thinking, baby?”
I tightened my arms around his neck. “I wanted to be married to you before the twins came! Ahhh! No more delays!”
Rob jumped in the back with me, while Marcus drove.
“This is Dr. Brand. I'm coming in with Mariah Hollander–”
“Cannon,” Marcus and I yelled.
“Mariah Cannon, prep for a twin delivery. Please have Dr. Alexander--”
Pause.
“I know he’s not there or on call, he's with me and is the father! I need you to make sure he has scrubs there, waiting! Page Brewer! Jesus! Just get prepped, we're about three minutes out.” He puts his phone in his pocket then snapped on gloves. “Mariah, I need to check you. Can you prop up your knees and try to relax for me?”
Gloves? Where did they come from?
“Okay,” I wailed.
“Shit! You're already nine centimeters, minus one station! Marcus, you better floor it!”
“Damn it, Mariah! Blow, baby, blow,” Marcus yelled as I screamed again.
We should have instead of fucking him! Then we wouldn’t be feeling this goddamn agony! Fucking tell his ass to blow. Stupid shit doesn’t work!
Right?! “You fucking blow! That shit does not work,” I yelled back.
Very good! He says that shit again, tell him he’s going to carry the next one! No C-section! I wish him good luck getting a baby out of his dick!
I actually giggled at that and groaned when I thought back, ‘or his asshole’.
The car came to a screeching halt suddenly, and Marcus jumped out. I was gently placed on a stretcher and everyone started running as Rob shouted out my stats and info.
“I need to push! I need to push!”
“NO,” Marcus and Rob shouted at the same time then disappeared. Everyone left was moving in triple time. I was quickly stripped and gowned.
“Rush the doctor; her water just broke,” a nurse shouted.
I turned on my side and wailed, “I need to push! Where are they? I can't hold it any longer!”
Someone moved me to my back again and placed my feet in stirrups.
“Okay, Mariah, I'm here,” Rob said, gowned up and very professional with a see-through mask on. “Go ahead and push... deep breath and 1, 2, 3...”
A nurse on either side of me grabbed a foot and pushed my knees up.
“Ahhh,” I screamed as I pushed. “Where the hell is Marcus?!”
“He's coming, Mariah! He had to change before coming in here. Come on, push! The baby's right here!”
I pushed again and again and was filled with relief when my first son finally popped out. He was screaming like a champ.
“Three-oh-four p.m.,” a masked nurse exclaimed. “Congratulations, Mariah,” she murmured, holding him to me.
I smiled as I kissed his little face. I looked at the nurse, breathing heavy. “Millie?”
“Yes, it's me, Mariah,” she confirmed as she passed my baby to a masked doctor.
I felt Rob pressing and poking at my belly. “Let's get a fetal monitor going, see if we can figure out when number two wants to make his appearance.”
“Ahhh,” I screamed, feeling that pressure again.
“Never mind! Mariah, baby number two is still in his sack, so I'm going to puncture it. I need you to keep still, all right?”
“Okay,” I panted. “Where's Marcus?”
“I'm here, baby. I'm just looking over... which one is he? What's his name, baby?”
“Donald! Ahhh! What the hell, Rob? I hate you as much as I hate Marcus right now!”
Rob actually smiled at me. “You'll get over it in a few minutes, Mariah.”
“Miss Jones? This is Donald Harvey Cannon.”
“Yes, doctor.”
“Mariah, number two is ready, so when you're set, you can push, all right?”
I moaned. “Okay. I'm ready!”
I pushed with all I had left and those nurses were fucking counting again.
“STOP COUNTING,” I screamed. I pushed again and collapsed.
Marcus entwined our fingers. “One more and you're done. He's right there, baby. Come on, you can do this. One more, let's go.”
I whined as I sat up again. The nurses pushed up my legs and I gave it my all. I screamed as the last baby passed from my body.
“And stay out,” I mumbled, falling back. The nurses giggled.
“Congratulations! Marcus and Mariah... another boy,” Rob excitedly announced.
Marcus laughed and was giving high-fived all around. I watched in a mirror as he cut the cord. Alex was screaming louder than his brother.
“You did it, baby. I love you so much.”
“Shut up, Marcus. You aren't going back in there, either.”
Everyone, including Marcus, laughed loud. I didn’t see shit funny. I meant what I said and I failed to see the humor.
“Three-seventeen p.m. Dr. Alexander? What's this one's name,” Millie asked.
“Stephen Alexander Cannon,” Marcus replied, his voice cracking. I grabbed his hand. He kissed me and stroked my hair. “Thank you, Mariah. For everything.”
I smiled, nodding off. “Yeah, you better thank me because I am never doing this again.”
Chapter Thirty
I Don’t Think Either Of Us Could Be Happier…
“I want my Daddy,” Lila, my almost three-year-old, wailed.
“Mom! Alex took my juice!”
“Well, Donnie took Lila's ball!”
The six-year-old twins were fighting again. Identical, except for their eye color. Donnie's eyes are brown and Alex's, blue. They both have the same curly black hair and rich caramel skin. Lila has that hair too, and her eyes are blue, but her skin's lighter, like creamed coffee. She is going to be quite a looker when she grows up.
“Boys! What did your father and I tell you about fighting,” I asked my sons.
“Sorry, Alex.”
“Sorry, Donnie.”
“And your sister?”
“Sorry, Lila,” the twins sang t
ogether.
I looked at them sternly. “And?”
Together, they recited, “Fighting is not acceptable especially between siblings.”
“That's right. Now behave and go outside and play.”
“Yes, Mommy!”
“I want my Daddy,” Lila wailed again.
I smiled, rubbing my once again expanding belly. I was having another set of twins... and keeping that part a secret from everyone, including Marcus.
And that was it. Five is enough. Three months and it was over!
Marcus found it hilarious that I’d gotten pregnant again. I wondered how funny he would find it if I cut him off. What’s the saying? Abstinence is the only one hundred percent effective control. Hmm. That would mean I’d suffer, too.
No way. We need to think on that some more.
“All right, Lila Katherine Cannon, let's go find him.” I smiled as I took her hand.
We walked through the huge living room to the hall then to Marcus' home office. Our new home was spacious, quiet and directly in the middle of our parents. It comfortably fit our siblings, their spouses and children, especially on occasions like tomorrow's dinner, a celebration for Marcus' forty-third birthday, which will be catered because I still couldn't do anything except eat in a kitchen.
And have the occasional sexcapade with Marcus.
Giggle. I do love that table. It’s very sturdy.
I softly knocked our code on the office door.
“Yes,” Marcus answered. I opened the door. Lila ducked behind me.
“I have someone here who misses her daddy.”
“Well, who could that be,” Marcus asked, putting down his tablet.
“A pretty little blue-eyed angel named Lila. She was just here a moment ago...”
Lila giggled. “I'm here, Mommy! See?”
“Yes, I see, Angel... and there's your daddy.”
Lila ran to Marcus and flung herself on him. She was rewarded with tickles.
“I'm going to lie down a while,” I said, stifling a yawn. “The boys are outside. Please ask Sidra to fix lunch for me?”
“Okay, baby. Are you feeling all right?”
“Yeah, just a little tired. Your sons have been fighting again.”
“Donnie took my ball, Daddy,” Lila pouted.
Marcus picked her up. “He did? Well, let's go see what his problem is.”
Mariah: The M Series: Book Two Page 37