Building the Nursery

by Amy DeMeritt

  “If you want to do it this year, that’s probably your best chance. I wasn’t going to say anything till I received a final agreement, but I believe I secured us a two-night performance in Chicago the first week of December for Symone’s show.”

  “Seriously? We already have interest for more performances?” Sara smiles and nods at Symone’s question. “Yeah, the teaser trailers we uploaded to our different websites and channels online are getting a lot of hits. I’ve received several inquiries from theatres across the country and a few from abroad. I exchanged terms and conditions and schedules with ten theatres so far to see where we can go next. Kayla’s next movie will start filming in June, so we have a really good open window to put a tour together after the holidays.”

  Symone jumps up, sending Jaime stumbling off of her lap laughing, before she tackles Sara and Keira. Sara laughs and wraps her arms around Symone. When Symone pulls back, she wipes her eyes and pulls Jaime back down to sit with her.

  “Did you think any of this would be happening when you talked all of us into being a squad?”

  “I knew we have what it takes to be successful, but no, I never imagined we’d go this far. I figured we’d travel a lot, like in the beginning, doing music videos and concerts, while occasionally selling our choreography to artists for their concerts and videos we weren’t featured in.”

  “Well, we do that with a lot of the choreography we post online. So, part of your vision worked out.”

  My cellphone vibrates in my pocket, and Sam jumps in surprise, from the vibration on her ass. She laughs and sits forward so I can pull it out to check the new text message.

  Julia: They just released the first trailer for the movie! It’s incredible. Have you seen it?

  Me: Oh, shit. No, I haven’t. Hold on.

  “They released the movie trailer.”

  Everyone quickly stands up and Sam rips me out of my chair with a big smile. My heart is hammering in my chest with my nerves as Sam drags me into the house. We sit around the family room and Madison pulls up the internet on the TV to search for the video.

  The video freezeframe is a picture of Julia and I standing back to back with guns raised in front of us. Our faces are dirty and bloody, but we look badass. It’s a really good shot.

  “Damn, you look hot.” I smile really big at Jaime and my nerves settle some. Madison asks, “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.”

  She kisses my lips, and presses play. It’s just over three minutes and gives teasing glimpses of some of the most intense moments in the movie. It includes some of my knife throwing practice with the sandbags, part of one of the love scenes with Julia, the scene with Aura leaping on top of me in the woods, and several clips of our battle with the terrorist group that captured us. The trailer ends with Julia and I walking away from the terrorists’ hideout and it blowing up behind us.

  Neither of us react to the explosion or the debris that flies around us. We’re both wearing tactical pants and boots. Julia is in a dirty and torn white tee shirt, with a military style rifle in her hand at her side and a bookbag over her other shoulder. I’m in a black sports bra, with my tank top tied around a stab wound in my thigh. My abs look amazing. I’m covered in streaks of dirt, blood, and sweat, but the makeup artists really applied all of it just right so my muscles are popping. I have my rifle propped up on my shoulder, with my elbow up. The camera angle shifts enough to the side of us to show the contour of our faces and the definition of my arm muscles.

  When the video ends, everyone starts talking at once, giving me a lot of praise and positive feedback, making me blush and laugh.

  “Thanks.”

  “Madison, play it again.”

  Madison smiles at Tonya and pushes repeat on the video. They did a really good job editing and piecing the trailer together. If I wasn’t in this movie, and I had seen this trailer, I would need to see this movie – it looks awesome. I’m really proud to be a part of this project. I really hope the entire movie is successful and that people like it.

  Me: We just watched the trailer. It turned out amazing. Thank you for pulling me off of that dance stage and asking me to be your co-star.

  Julia: Thank you for saying, yes. This was my absolute favorite project I’ve ever done and the trailer is amazing. You looked so fucking hot in that final scene. Can we get together and celebrate while you’re here next month?

  Me: Definitely. My family will also be in town because my younger sister is working the choreography event with us. Do you mind if they come too? I’ll pay for dinner.

  Julia: Of course – I’d love to meet your family. The place I have in mind is fancy. Is that ok?

  Me: Trying to get me in a suit?

  Julia: I just laughed out loud. Yes, I like seeing you in a suit. Ok, I have a meeting I have to run into. I’ll talk to you soon.

  Julia: Oh, you need to get an agent. Sara can help you negotiate contracts as your manager, but you need an agent to be able to secure new jobs and this town wants you working. You belong on the big screen.

  Me: Why can’t Sara be my agent?

  Julia: It’s a legal thing. Agents are licensed to solicit work for their clients. Technically, managers aren’t supposed to be a part of the contract negotiations either, but reality is they usually are. I’m sorry, I can’t get too deep into it right now. I’ll text you when I’m out of my meeting and we can talk about it.

  Me: Ok, thanks. Good luck in your meeting.

  “So, um, Julia says I need to get an agent if I want to get other acting jobs.” Sara smiles and nods. “Yeah, you do.”

  “But that’s your job. I don’t want anyone else…” Sara shakes her head and waves a hand. “Kayla, I’m not an agent and I don’t have all of the contacts that an agent would have. I’ll still be your manager and do what I can, but if you want to act beyond this movie franchise, you need an agent. Would you like me to start looking?”

  “Do you think I should?” Sara laughs and points at the TV, where my movie trailer is still on its freezeframe. “Did you watch that?”

  “It was pretty awesome, wasn’t it?”

  My face spreads into a huge proud smile and everyone laughs a little. All of them toss out comments agreeing that it’s great and that I really need to get an agent and act more.

  “Ok, let’s do it.”

  “Good. I like receiving million-dollar checks from you.”

  I laugh hard and Sara smiles really big. Keira loops her arm through Sara’s and firmly kisses her cheek, before laying her head on Sara’s shoulder.

  “I’ll cut a million-dollar check and tie it to your tiny pony with a bow as your wedding present.”

  “You’re insane. It’s a good thing your wives are in charge of the money or you’d be flat broke in no time.”

  My wives laugh and I just shrug a shoulder.

  “I can’t argue with that. They are pretty damn brilliant.”

  “We should go out to lunch today. We have a lot to celebrate.”

  “Lunch sounds good.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  My nerves and excitement have me feeling like I’ve been injected with pure caffeine. We’re sitting in the doctor’s office waiting for the gynecologist to come do Awenasa’s first ultrasound. She’s nearly two months pregnant and just barely starting to show in her lower stomach. We’re doing this a little earlier than is typical because I’m just very anxious to see our baby and to make sure he or she is healthy.

  Awenasa is laying back on a reclined table with a medical gown on and a blanket draped over her legs. My wife looks so calm and at peace. All of us are standing around her, including Symone and Jaime, and she’s just glowing.

  I reach down and place my hand on her stomach, and her small content closed lip smile curls skyward. Awenasa places a hand over mine and puckers her lips. I give her a soft kiss and then bend down to her stomach.

  “Hello, tiny baby. I’m sorry for the weird prodding you’re about to feel. We just want to get a peek at ho
w you’re doing.” Awenasa releases a small giggle and pulls me up to kiss my lips again. “I love you, puppy.”

  “I love you too. I’m so excited.”

  Before anyone else can say anything, Dr. Lindsay Fields comes in with a bright smile and introduces herself and shakes our hands. She explains to us what she’s about to do and asks Awenasa some questions about how she’s feeling, confirms the date we took the home pregnancy test and received the confirmation from the doctors.

  After adjusting her blanket and gown, Dr. Fields gets to work. Holding my breath, and holding Awenasa’s hand, I watch the screen, waiting for our little baby to show up.

  “Do twins run in your family?”

  “No, why?” Dr. Fields smiles and points to the screen, tracing two distinct shapes. “You’re having twins.”

  All of us gasp and get closer to the screen. I touch the small shapes and watch them pulse with two separate heartbeats. I turn to Awenasa and plant a firm kiss on her lips with tears in my eyes.

  “Twins. We’re having twins. Oh, my god, we’re having two beautiful babies at once. I love you so much.” Awenasa releases a small laughing cry and wraps her arms around me. “I love you too.”

  We pull all of our wives, including Jaime and Symone, into a group hug and love on Awenasa for a couple minutes. Thankfully, the doctor is very patient while we gush over our wife and show affection to her.

  “Are you able to tell if they’re identical or fraternal?” Dr. Fields smiles and nods. She points to the screen again, while moving her wand over Awenasa’s stomach. “They’re fraternal. Each one has his or her own sac and placenta.”

  “When will we be able to know the gender?”

  “Typically, after about seventeen to twenty weeks. Everything looks really good and both embryos are developing at the same rate. I don’t see any abnormalities or anything to cause alarm. Your paperwork shows that you plan to have a home birth. You should seriously consider giving birth in the hospital. The health risks to you and your infants are greater during labor when you’re delivering twins. It’s much more taxing on your body and heart. The hospital would be better equipped to handle any complications that may arise to ensure the health and safety of you and your children.”

  Awenasa wipes at her eyes and clears her throat.

  “I want to do a water birth with the aid of a midwife. That’s how I was born and I want my children to be born the same way. Would we be able to do that in a hospital?”

  “It’s not common and not recommended, but a hospital or birthing center would be able to accommodate that kind of birth. There are some serious risks involved in water births, with little proven benefits. I’d recommend a traditional birth or C-section in the hospital. Keep in mind, if you choose to have a C-section, that is the method you’ll have to use for each of your births, if you plan on having more children.”

  “What are the risks with a water birth?”

  Dr. Fields gives Awenasa a kind patient smile, before removing the wand from her stomach and turning to face us more.

  “Unlike a traditional birth, you cannot see what is happening with the fetus underwater. There is a risk of drowning, infection, pneumonia, tearing the umbilical cord, or being wrapped and choked in the umbilical cord. There is also an increased risk to you. With water births, it’s hard to determine the severity of maternal tears and you may lose too much blood. I’ll give you the name and number of the best obstetrician in the state. You should set up a consultation with her to see what she recommends.”

  “I know there are also similar risks involved with a traditional pregnancy. Our midwife has performed dozens of water births without any complications directly from the water birth, so I’m confident in her abilities and knowledge in performing that method of birth. It couldn’t hurt to get another opinion though. I want my babies to be safe and healthy.”

  “Absolutely. Even if you decide to go through with the water birth, you can still do so in the hospital and the obstetricians often will allow the assistance of a midwife. You’ll just have greater assurance of everything going smoothly in the hospital, instead of at home. If you don’t have any other questions, I’ll get you copies of your ultrasound and the information for the obstetrician.”

  None of us have any other questions, so she gives Awenasa a rag to wipe the imaging gel off of her stomach and gives us privacy to allow her to get dressed. After the door is closed, I take the rag and gently clean Awenasa’s stomach for her. I bend down and kiss her stomach twice.

  “I love both of you so much. Do you want a cupcake? I think you both deserve a cupcake for doing so good for your very first doctor’s appointment.”

  All of my wives release cute small laughs and Awenasa runs her fingers through my hair with an incredible smile lighting up her face.

  “Cupcakes sound good. Can we go to Rory’s and make our own? We haven’t done that in a while.”

  “Yeah, definitely. When do you want to tell everyone?”

  Awenasa stands up and slips out of the gown and starts putting her clothes back on.

  “As soon as we leave. Then I want to spend the day with my wives. I want to make cupcakes, then get takeout and picnic in the woods.”

  “Ok. Tonight, or tomorrow, we’ll need to order another crib, crib liner, moccasins, and ask your mom to make another mobile. I can’t believe you’re having twins.”

  I smile really big and pick Awenasa up and spin her around, making all of them laugh. Awenasa gives each of us a kiss and pulls us into her, so we completely encase her. She closes her eyes, and with a very serene smile, she inhales deeply a few times. Her face looks like she’s in ecstasy – I can tell she’s pulling all of our energy into herself. Jaime and Symone have never experienced that, and both of them shiver and giggle, asking what she just did.

  “I pulled all of you into me.” Jaime and Symone give her a kiss on the lips and their eyes mist up. “Thank you for letting me be here with you.” Awenasa kisses Symone’s lips, before answering, “You are my wife, remember? Of course, I want you here.”

  Symone smiles really big and lays her head on Awenasa’s shoulder.

  We’re actually still waiting on the tribe leaders to decide if we’ll be able to marry Jaime and Symone. It’s been over a month since Awenasa spoke with Sparrow, and the only thing they’ve decided on so far is that they’ll uphold our marriage, even though we’ve added two more women to the family. They have lawyers trying to decide what would happen if they allow us to marry two more women. What they did for us is already unprecedented and was done as a great favor to us because of what we’ve done for the tribe. They haven’t allowed any similar marriages since ours. They’re concerned what social and legal consequences it could have to allow us to do this again. They’re very concerned the United States government may strip the tribe of certain rights.

  Even if the tribe won’t stand behind the marriage, Sparrow has offered to preside over a private symbolic ceremony for us and our immediate family. If anything about the ceremony gets out to the media, we have to be very clear that it was strictly symbolic.

  When we get in the SUV, I sit back with a giant smile and trace the little shapes on the black and white ultrasound image. My eyes tear up and emotion makes my throat tight. These are the first pictures of our very first children. They’re beautiful in such a great-mysterious way. They’re still not fully formed, and we don’t know their gender yet, but the life pulsing inside my wife and the miracle of the metamorphosis from embryo to infant is so beautiful.

  I look over to see Shannon’s head on Awenasa’s shoulder, while she holds her hand on Awenasa’s stomach, and my smile widens. I pull my phone out and take a couple pictures of them, making their smiles widen.

  “Will you take a picture of the ultrasound and send a group text to everyone? Then I want to call my mom.”

  I kiss Awenasa on the lips and follow her request. After I’ve sent the text to all of our families and friends, Awenasa calls her mom.

 
While Jaime drives all of us to Oliver Street near campus to go to Rory’s Cupcakes, Awenasa talks to her mom, and I field all of the text responses on my phone. My mom is ecstatic, so I promise her we’ll call her later today. Sara responds that she and the rest of the squad are going to cook a special dinner since we’re not coming home for lunch.

  I’m really surprised how many people are responding already. I can’t even keep up with all of them. I get a text from Giz Anderson and laugh so hard I fall forward clutching my stomach.

  Giz: That’s perfect because I saw these and had to buy both! Now, you can just dress them both up at once.

  She includes two pictures of infants in very soft and cuddly looking wolf and bear hooded onesies with ears. They are so damn adorable. I show my wives and all of them laugh and agree they’re really cute.

  Me: Those are amazing! I love them! Thank you!

  Giz: You’re welcome. I’m sure you’re talking to a million people with that giant family you have, so I’ll catch up with you later. Congratulations. I’m really happy for all of you.

  Me: Thank you. Talk to you soon.

  By the time Jaime is parking along the curb on Oliver Street, Awenasa is still talking to her mom and I still haven’t gotten to all of the text responses on mine. I sit forward and wrap my arms around Madison, who’s sitting in the middle row with Symone. She looks over her shoulder smiling and kisses my lips.

  “My phone is blowing up. It’s scary.”

  Madison laughs and takes my phone from me. While I nuzzle in her neck, giving her soft kisses and smelling her warm soft hair, she takes over responding to the many texts making my phone constantly buzz.

  “You taste good right here.”

  I suck the space on Madison’s neck just under the curve of her jawbone, and she releases a small moan and tilts her head, giving me better access to play.

  “You’re being very distracting.” I smile and move down a couple inches and suck her neck again. “I like when you’re distracted. It’s hot.” Awenasa giggles and pinches my side. “Mom told me to tell you that you’re naughty.”