LOGIN“Me me me,” he says, hardly able to contain his excitement. “My turn, mama. Please.” And he looks down, again, at his little girl. “Well,” I say, shifting her in my arms and leaning forward so Ian can better see her face. She frowns in her sleep, squirming a little and making me smile. “I was think
Several hours later, I’m changed and curled up more comfortably in my bed with Victor by my side, a baby in each of our arms, and our boys curled up like puppies at the end of the bed. Archie is on the bed too, cuddled between them. We sit quietly together, all still focused on the two little babie
“It’s all right, doctor,” I say, giving her a little smile and nodding towards the boys. “We found them.” “Oh my god,” she says, shaking her head and placing a hand over her heart. Then she frowns at them. “How did they…” “Window,” Victor says, gesturing towards it and sighing. “It’s all right. Th
“Come on, Evelyn,” the doctor says confidently as Victor squeezes my hand, his eyes darting between my face and the first baby, which the doula is now wrapping in her first swaddle. “One more push, and then you’ll be done, and you can hold your little girls.” “Okay,” I huff, sitting up and shifting
Slumped on the couch, Ian heaves a gigantic sigh. “What is taking so long,” he mutters, glaring angrily at the steps as if they’ve personally offended him. “You knew it would take a while,” Bridgette murmurs, running a hand over Ian’s soft brown hair and smiling fondly at her nephew. She sighs and
“Oh my god,” Victor gasps, instantly wide awake. “Oh my god,” he says again, grabbing my face and searching it like it has answers. “Are you – are you okay?” “Yes,” I say, nodding but then belying my answer with an immediate moan. I grit my teeth, my hand going to my stomach as I weather the contra
The doctor comes in then, his face sunny. He greets Victor, looking him over, listening to his pulse, measuring some vitals and checking the machines. I watch Victor closely as he responds to the doctor’s questions. His mind and spirit are clearly intact, but his face, his skin…He’s clammy and an a
On the morning of the fifth day, my eyes fly open when I hear a hiss.Victor has his eyes pressed shut, his jaw clenched together. The tube was removed from his throat yesterday and he can breathe on his own now, but he’s been sleeping the entire time I’ve been here.“Oh my god,” I say, leaning for
The doctor looks out at the rest of us then. “If I were you, I would be praying for a miracle. And if not then…for peace.”I can’t help the tears that begin to drip down my cheeks at this news. I don’t even try to stop them. I hear my boys start to cry next to me, devastated.They’ve just barely got
Sixteen hours later, we’re still in the hospital, waiting for news.My head hangs, my chin almost touching my chest as I listen to the clock in our private waiting room click. And click. And click. The seconds trip slowly by.Ian leans against me, Alvin sprawled across my lap. Both, thankfully, are







