Buddy traversed her belly with hands and stethoscope, verifying the babies’ body positions so he could find their heartbeats. He tried to keep his face stoic, but when he heard the third strong and rapid fetal heart, he allowed a smile to escape. “One more,” he said, then offered her his hand to help her sit up. “Breathe normally,” and checked her lungs, too.
“Perfect.” He looked at Chuck. “Her blood pressure?” he asked.
Chuck grimaced slightly. “Too high. I don’t like it, but after what she’s just been through, I think anyone would have those kinds of numbers.”
“Come with me, Grace. It’s time for your surprise.” Buddy helped her get off the examination table and back into the wheelchair.
“Now you really got me going,” Chuck said as he followed them down the hall.
“What? You don’t know where we’re going?” Grace asked, frightened all over again.
“No, but I trust him, and you should, too,” Chuck said, patting her shoulder in reassurance.
“What do I have to lose?” Grace relaxed back into the wheelchair, then grumbled, “I have nothing.”
When they came to a stop outside a room with an industrial-sized door, Chuck squatted down beside her. “You will always have me. Always, or as long as you want me in your life.”
Grace quickly looked over at Buddy, avoiding eye contact with Chuck’s new beau apparent, letting Chuck know that she was referring to his new friend.
“I can love more than one person at a time. I just won’t be sleeping with both of you,” he whispered.
“You can sleep with him as long as you leave me with Alice P.”
“Alice B.,” he corrected. “Yes, I’ll make sure you’re well-stocked with sweets and smokes of oblivion.”
“Right in here,” Buddy said, opening the door to the inner room. “It’s an immersion tank, filled with magnesium sulfate.”
“Huh?” Grace asked, pulling back, trying to move away from the tomb-like enclosure.
“Wow. I like it,” Chuck said, then explained it to Grace. “It’s a giant Epsom salts bath. You won’t feel the weight or pressure of the pregnancy while you’re in there. Plus, your body is probably deficient in magnesium. That might be another reason you hurt all the time. This will help take care of that. And if you’re not hurting, your blood pressure should come down. Win-win-win situation.”
“Can I use the bathroom before I go in? And I guess you two don’t care that I don’t have a bathing suit, do you? I mean, you’re both gay, right?”
“Aye,” Chuck said, “we’re both fairies. But more importantly, we’re both doctors. The only way we’re interested in your body is to make sure you stay healthy and keep those babies inside of you long enough that they can survive in the outside world. Any other concerns?”
“Minute by minute,” Grace said. “Potty break then a bath. After that, maybe a bite to eat and a warm place to sleep. What more could anyone ask?”
“A healthy delivery and a new life for you. Silas is still searching for Dusty. I know we never talk about it so we don’t stress you. I just want to make sure you know that he’s still searching.”
“Thanks. I needed that.”
***
Knock! Knock!
“Come in.”
“How’d you sleep?” Buddy asked, balancing the breakfast tray one-handed as he opened the door.
“I can’t believe I slept so long. I’ll bet I was out for three hours straight at least once. If I didn’t have to get up to pee so much, I would have slept straight through. Still, if this clock is right, I’ve been out of it for twelve hours!”
“The clock is right. Chuck said you didn’t care for coffee, but I thought you might like some herbal tea. Normally, I’d advocate exercise, but I’d rather you rest every chance you get. Only get up for bathroom breaks. You can ring that bell and someone will come and take you via wheelchair to the float tank or into the library to choose a book or videotape. No walking beyond the bathroom. Oh,” Buddy held out a colorful cotton thong with a pendant on it. “Press this if you fall and can’t reach the bell.”
“Where’s Chuck?”
“He said he had an errand to run.”
Grace lifted an eyebrow in doubt and shook her head. “If we’re all going to get along for the next month or so, you’d better tell me the whole truth.”
“He wanted to have that paper we all signed last night filed as soon as possible.”
“I’m not going to change my mind,” Grace said.
“Even if your Dusty shows up?” Buddy asked, using the same raised-eyebrow gesture.
“Do you think he’s going to want this blimp of a body?”
“Grace, men love the person, in here,” he thumped his chest, “not the fabric-wrapped flesh container. Now, I might be ruining the prospects of two couples getting a child by speaking with you like this, but I don’t want you to have regrets.”
“Did Chuck put you up to this? Is he standing outside, waiting to hear me recant so he can tear up the release of parental rights, then take the babies back to our fathers to raise as one giant dysfunctional family?”
“Eat. Please. You have low blood sugar. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for the people who are going to take these babies home next month. If you don’t keep your ‘flesh container’ healthy, all this will have been for nothing. We’ll be burying little corpses, then sending you on your way a few weeks sooner. Is that what you want?”
Grace glowered at him, angry that he had gotten through her thick skin, then grabbed a piece of toast and stuffed it in her mouth rather than answer his question. “Go away,” she said with cheeks full. “I have some babies to build.”
Buddy closed the door behind him, then let a smile escape. The chances of the babies surviving just went up.
Chapter 12
Shopping
Late December 1991
The Mall of New Hampshire
Chuck pulled into the mega-mall’s parking lot driving his new old ride: an all-wheel-drive van. It was boxy but discreet, an electrician’s work vehicle that had been converted into a mini-home on wheels. It had a bed, cabinets, propane stove and refrigerator. It didn’t have a bathroom but did have a battery-powered water pump and basin for quick clean-ups. The seller assured him that a five-gallon bucket with trash bag liners would work for any long stretches between gas station pit stops. The young man was more than happy to make a swap for the ambulance – an exotic and hard-to-find vehicle. He had given Chuck his full asking price, plus marked down the trade-in value of his van because it needed a paint job. Both buyer and seller walked away happy with the transaction.
“A low-profile ride and enough cash in my pocket to outfit my cross-country motorhome with a nursery and supplies for at least a month. No need to use that trackable, traceable credit card yet. The stars are aligning, Chuck. You’re doing great.”
The mall seemed to be even larger on the inside than it was on the outside. He looked for a mall directory, couldn’t find one, so walked into the biggest store on his end of the building. “Excuse me, but do you know where I can find clothing for preemies?”
The bleached blonde at the jewelry counter looked Chuck up and down like he was an idiot, batting her long fake eyelashes at him as if shooing him away. “We don’t have that in this store, sir,” she replied haughtily.
Chuck started to explain that he just wanted to know if there even was such a store in the mall or where a directory was so he could figure it out himself, then realized that if it didn’t pertain to her or her commission, she probably didn’t want to hear about it.
Suddenly, he felt a soft hand on his elbow, trying to get his attention. “I know where one is, and I’m going that way.” The friendly lady in a sporty mauve business suit was all smiles at the prospect of helping him, proving that classy clothes and good grooming didn’t make a snob. “Care to join me?”
“Yes, I’d like that. My name’s Chuck and I’m new in town,” he explained as
they walked down the corridor. “I have no idea where to shop. I’m looking for items for a premature little girl.”
“How much did she weigh?” asked the woman, stopping suddenly, her hand grasping his upper arm.
Momentarily stunned by her intense reaction, Chuck quickly realized that she was genuinely interested, eager to hear any information or hints about tiny baby girls. “She hasn’t been born yet,” he said, “but I know she’ll be under term weight.”
“Same here,” she replied, then pulled him along with a renewed excitement. “I’m Gloria Thornwhistle, by the way. I’m getting a daughter in one week, maybe sooner. We couldn’t conceive so decided to adopt. We just heard that she’d be available soon. I thought we had more time, so didn’t have anything for her yet. Well, except for the nanny. I made sure I had the best one in New England on retainer as soon as I even considered marrying Roger.”
“How does he feel about the adoption?”
“Oh, he’s over the roof with joy. He’s the greatest uncle in the world to his sister’s two boys. At first, I thought we were going to have to wait until a baby boy became available, but Roger said he’d always wanted a daughter. I guess the stars are aligning for us now…”
“Funny, I was thinking the same thing just a few minutes ago. So, tell me; you said this baby became available suddenly. I thought waiting lists were years out.”
“Well, they are,” the woman said, then dropped her voice to a whisper, forcing Chuck to lean close to hear her, “unless you know the right people. Or rather, the right doctor. We’re paying over $50,000 plus expenses for this child. He’s making a mint off delivering white babies to desperate folks like me. He has a few birthing homes stashed around the country, I hear.”
“Can you tell me his name? This little girl might want a sister,” Chuck asked, curious about the black market for white babies.
“It’s some odd Indian or Pakistani name: Jeet or Peet or something like that. We just call him Dr. Buddy. His latest client is having triplets, but he’s only making money on two of them. Apparently, the person who brought him the mother gets the runt of the litter. I’m getting the biggest one, he said. Since there’s no guarantees, she’ll have a better chance of survival. All the post-care is up to me. He’s an obstetrician. As he’s so fond of saying, ‘I just pull them out. After that, the kid’s all yours and the pediatrician’s.’”
Gloria picked out a frilly pink dress, then set it back. “Maybe later. My sister-in-law said to keep away from ruffles and lace until they’re older. It just scratches and itches their tender little skin. She’s so excited about this baby. When she found out there was an extra one to adopt, she wanted her. But she was too late. That would have been so awesome: identical cousins.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not following you,” Chuck said, forcibly scowling in confusion to cover his ire.
“You see, the babies are identical! Three identical little girls…” Gloria sighed, her smile of contentment stealing any more words.
“Maybe you can find out who the other parents are. You know, keep in touch to see how much the girls look and act alike over the years.”
“I’m one step ahead of you. I’m pretty sure I know who the one parent is. Luther has been a friend of mine for years. He and his wife Leanne have been wanting children for ages. He’s some world-famous botanist, frustrated that he can get corn to grow on a rock but can’t do anything about his wife’s infertility. Yes, I’m sure they’ll be great parents, too.”
“How about this?” Chuck said, intentionally shutting off the thread of conversation by showing her a soft cotton sleeping gown. He already had the full name of one parent and enough information about the other adoptive family to get their last name. Not that he wanted to take the girls away from their new parents, but it would be nice to confirm that they were safe and loved.
A salesclerk followed Gloria around as she selected clothing and accessories while Chuck investigated the other side of the store, trying to keep the chitchat to a minimum. He didn’t want to seem too curious, even though he did want to know what she knew about the person getting the ‘finder’s fee.’
He set three boxes of diapers and a carton containing a small portable bassinette by the register, then toted around an infant car seat by the handle, using it as a shopping basket, tossing in assorted gowns, blankets, bottles, and cans of powdered formula.
“You might want a couple of these,” Gloria said, holding up three different styles of pacifiers. “My sister-in-law says they’re a lifesaver. You’d better get all three, though. No telling which one she’ll prefer.”
He added the trio to the rest of his bounty on the counter, then took one more look around the store. “Am I missing anything?” he asked the clerk.
She pawed through the contents, looking down at his choice of bassinette, then nodded. “Yup. Unless this is a plastic doll, I suggest baby wipes.” She pointed to the display on the end cap. “Make sure you get the unscented kind. Oh, and have plenty of plastic bags on hand for disposal. Babies are little, but they make a big stink!”
“And distilled water,” Grace said, coming up beside him. “You don’t want to use tap water.” She set her business card on the counter in front of him.
“I don’t know who you are or anything about you, but I kind of have that zing feeling with you, Chuck. Stay in touch. And if there is anything you need, let me know. I don’t know when our little girls are going to be born, but it sounds as if they might wind up being zodiac twins.”
“Gloria, I didn’t say this was my baby. I’m not even married,” Chuck said, adding a wink.
“If she’s not yours, you want her to be. Whether you’re Daddy or Uncle Chuck, there’s no doubt in my mind that you already love her.”
“That’ll be $374.36, sir,” the cashier said.
“It’s on me,” Gloria said, handing the clerk her gold charge card. “Her first gift from her silent godmother.”
Chuck took a deep breath, then bent forward and hugged the generous woman, ending his thanks with a firm kiss on the cheek. “You’re going to be a great mother, too,” he said. “Thanks for giving that little girl a good home.”
“My pleasure,” she said, tears welling. “My pleasure.”
Chapter 13
Arrivals
January 3, 1992
Cups and plates skittered across the room as Grace threw another tantrum, a spoon ricocheting off the TV stand and hitting Chuck in the head.
“Oh, God! I can’t take it anymore! I’m serious,” she cried, wiping her runny nose on the shoulder of her hospital gown, the only clothing that fit her. “Nothing is helping anymore!”
“Well, it looks like it’s a good thing we cut you off from forks and knives,” Chuck said as he cleaned raspberry jam from his forehead with a found napkin. He rose from the recliner that had become his domicile and office after he added obstetrician and nurse maid’s duties to those of best friend. The oversized and overstuffed chair was his bed, dinner table, and research library.
“Are you done yet or have you found something else you can throw? Earrings, underwire bra, false teeth?”
Grace blanched as Chuck wiped the red stickiness from his head, then realized it was jam. She still felt bad for having struck him, even if unintentionally. “I’m sorry, Chuck. You’ve been a positive saint about all this. Scratch that. I think saints should take lessons in patience and sacrifice from you. I’m serious, though. Can we get the babies out now? They’re big enough, aren’t they? I overheard one of the nurses tell Buddy that the test results said the lungs were functional.”
“You did? When was that? He didn’t say anything to me.”
“I overheard him the day before yesterday. He thought I was still sedated. He seemed really excited, too, when he looked at the sonogram measurements. He babbled something about 2200 something or other, and then I was out again.”
“Grams?”
“Yeah, that’s it,” Grace said, then winced as a spasm hit
. “He said they should all be over 2200 grams now. Does he mean that’s how much they weigh?”
“Maybe.” Chuck hit the volume up button on the TV remote and grabbed Grace’s hairbrush. “Here, let me fix you up a little.” He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Yup, he’s been keeping data from me. I’m pretty sure this room is monitored. I don’t think he wanted you to know that they were ready to be born. I’m sure it’s to keep you calm. Your blood pressure is still pretty high.”
Grace turned toward him and gave a quizzical look. “What is it you’re not saying? Are you worried about something?” she asked, her eyes shifting back and forth indicating their whole environment.
“Hey, Grace. Remember, as long as you have me, you’ll be fine. Now, are you ready for this? It’s too risky for you to deliver naturally. Lots of women would be jealous of the fact that you don’t have to go through labor. Buddy has it under control, I’m sure. I’ve checked everything out and he has a fantastic operating room and neonatal clinic.” I just hope his postpartum recovery program is as great.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Greetings and good day to you both,” Buddy said, his teeth shining bright with a wide smile. “Are you ready to deliver?”
“Duh! I was ready two months ago, but I guess the question should be, ‘Are the babies ready to deliver?’”
“Yes,” Buddy looked down at the clipboard he held close to his chest, “according to the information from the last ultrasound and amniocentesis, the babies have attained a healthy weight and their lungs are fully developed.”
He paused, looking at the scattered dishes on the floor, the oatmeal trail ending at an upside-down bowl. “So, how much breakfast did you eat today?” he asked, stifling a smirk.
“I didn’t,” Grace said with a pout of embarrassment. “Sorry about the mess. I had a bad night.”
Buddy raised one eyebrow and looked at Chuck who replied with a shoulder shrug. He added, “She has a hard time sleeping. Considering all she’s been through lately, I’d say the damage is minimal. And yes, unless she has a pizza under her pillow and has been sneaking bites of it, all she’s consumed in the last twelve hours was a little jello last night and water. She’s ready for surgery and so am I. I’d still like to assist.”
The Set Up (Triplets: Three Aren't One Book 1) Page 12