Chapter 397
thotel a et Albans kras
A by the beate
have a son.
shunt reflected in he fare
Tears were ponting down both our faces now.
“He’s beautiful,” a nurse said, and I caught a glimpse of a tiny, squirming body as they quickly carried him to a warming table where the NICU team was waiting. Good color, crying well.
“One more to go, Dr. Chen said. “Baby B is coming now.”
Less than a minute later, another cry filled the room. This one slightly higher pitched, just as loud.
“It’s a girl!”
A girl. A daughter.
“We have both, Athena sobbed. “A boy and a girl. Tristan, we have both.”
I couldn’t speak. Could barely breathe. We had a son and a daughter. Both alive, both crying, both here.
“How much do they weigh? Athena asked, trying to see around the drape to where the NICU team was working.
“Baby A–your son–is four pounds, three ounces,” a nurse called out. “Baby B–your daughter–is three pounds, fifteen ounces.”
“Are they okay?” I asked, my voice rough. “Really okay?”
One of the NICU doctors came over, pulling down his mask so we could see his face. “They’re doing very well considering they’re seven weeks early. Both are breathing on their own right now, which is excellent. We’re going to take them to the NICU for assessment and monitoring, but their initial appearance is very good. Strong babies you’ve got here.”
2
“Can I see them?” Athena asked desperately. “Please, I need to see them.”
“Bring them over,” Dr. Chen said. “Quickly, before we close.”
Two nurses approached, each holding a tiny bundle wrapped in white blankets. They lowered them carefully so Athena could see.
Our son had dark hair plastered to his tiny head, his face scrunched up and red from crying. Our daughter was slightly smaller, with the same dark hair, her little mouth opening and closing.
“Hi, babies,” Athena sobbed. “Hi. Mommy loves you so much. You’re so perfect. So beautiful.”
I reached out tentatively, touching my son’s tiny hand with one finger. His fingers curled reflexively around mine, and
chest crack open.
“They’re perfect,” I said, my voice breaking. “Athena, they’re perfect.”
I felt something in my
1/2
Chapter 397
* Twats Heinoten felt longer than the pative pregnancy. I mayout by avere hond, Bobbing has haut, ruling to Net quite sad er Mahire then Anw fim they were, hem perfect, how much they looked the already
Finally, they wheeled het to recovery. I walked beside her gurney again, ro willing to be separated even for a sound.
In recovery, nurses monitored her vital signs while the spinal block wore off. Slowly, feeling started returning to her legs.
When can I see them?‘ she asked every nurse who came by. “When can I go to the NICU?
As soon as you can move your legs, they promised.
It took another hour before sensation fully returned. The moment Athena could wiggle her toes, she insisted on trying to sit up.
“Easy,” I said, helping her. “Don’t push it.”
“I need to see our babies, Tristan. I need to see them now.”
Dr. Chen appeared to check on her. “Your surgery went perfectly. No complications. You’re going to be sore for a while, but you should heal
well.
“Can I go to the NICU?” Athena asked immediately.
Dr. Chen smiled. “Yes. They’ll bring you a wheelchair. You can’t walk yet–hospital policy after a C–section. But we can take you to see your
babies.”
The wheelchair arrived, and nurses helped Athena transfer into it carefully. I pushed her through the hospital corridors, following signs to the NICU, my heart pounding.
We had to scrub in first–washing our hands and arms thoroughly, putting on gowns. Then they buzzed us through the secure doors into the
NICU.
Comments
3
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
