Baby Makes Five (A Multiple Birth Book 1) Read online

  “We did have, and agreement and you also know I like things in ink too, it was going to come up sooner or later. We might as well do it now before the babies are here.”

  “True, but what’s the real reason for the rush?”

  “I asked her to marry me, and she turned me down. If she doesn’t want to marry me, that’s her decision. I just want to make sure my legal rights are outlined should she marry some other guy.”

  “She turned you down? She loves you. I can’t see her doing that, when did you propose?”

  “Three weeks ago, at the gala. If she loves me, she has a funny way of showing it.”

  “How did you propose?” Tom asked suspiciously.

  “What do you mean how did I propose? I got the ring out and asked her to marry me.”

  “Okay did you confess your love for her or did you just ask her like you were doing a business deal?”

  “No. It made sense to get married. We are going to be parents, and she doesn’t want to be an unwed mother. It’s a logical solution. I asked her to marry me, something I never thought I would ever ask a woman. You know how I feel about marriage.”

  “Yes, but this is not a business proposal. I think if you had told her how you feel, that you’re in love with her, then she would have said yes.”

  “What does love got to do with anything?”

  “Could you be any denser? I am happy she said no. You should work on your emotional constipation. Maybe Google how to propose properly to a woman, I am sure there’s a ten step explanation for it. I’ll see you later.”

  “Where are you going? we have a lunch date and squash game.”

  “I am suddenly not in the mood. I’ll let you know when and if she signs the papers.”

  “Great, now you don’t want to spend time with me too?”

  “Later.”

  “Mary!” he thundered calling for his executive assistant.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Is there such a thing on Google as how to propose to a woman?”

  “I don’t know, but I can look into it.”

  “Thank you.”

  As he had done for the past two appointments, he was waiting for her at the entrance of the hospital. After he had hung up on her, she had calmed down enough to read through the custody papers. The agreement was reasonable, something she could live with. He was right. They needed to have the terms of custody straighten out before the babies came if they were going to co-parent properly. She didn’t want to be at war with him constantly about every decision made when it came to the beans upbringing.

  “Hi how are you feeling?” he asked opening the door for her.

  “Great, I signed the documents here they are,” she handed him the envelope as they entered the elevator.

  “Thank you,” he said surprised.

  She laughed “don’t look so surprised, you are right. We do need some legal document where the babies are concerned. For the record, I wouldn’t have gone back on my word.”

  “I know. Are you ready for today?”

  “Yeah I am looking forward to knowing what sex they are. I have my money on two girls and a boy. What about you?”

  “Have it down do you? I think we are having all girls.”

  “Wishful thinking huh? Good luck, want to make a wager?” she asked daringly.

  “I thought you didn’t like betting.”

  “I don’t, but it would be fun to prove you wrong for once.”

  “Okay, what do you want if you win?”

  “Poop-free diaper duty for the first three months. I’ll handle pee you handle poop.”

  “And what do I get if I win?” he asked intrigued.

  “Whatever you want concerning the babies. The sky is the limit.”

  “Let me get back to you. I guess I can’t counteract the poop diapers?”

  “Nope,” she said giggling.

  “Okay I’ll let you know after our appointment,” he said following her out of the elevator.

  “Fair enough. I was planning on looking at furniture I wondered if you’ll like to come.”

  “I’d love too, are you sure it’s time?”

  “I know we talked about waiting until the seventh month, but I am twenty-two weeks I think we are beyond the worrying stage don’t you? I feel great. No spotting or cramping. We’re smooth sailing. I can almost see the end.”

  “We’ll see what the doctor has to say. Hello Kelly,” he greeted the receptionist.

  “Hello you two, come on back, Dr. Sand will be with you in a few minutes,” she said leaving them in the room.

  “Good afternoon how are you both doing today? Have you both decided if you want to know the sex of your Beans?” Dr. Sand asked.

  “I’m not good with surprises so yes we’ll like to know.” Ash nodded in agreement.

  “Okay let’s weigh you and take your blood pressure before we do the ultrasound.”

  “Everything looks excellent your weight is getting there, good job. Okay, hop up on the table so we can see if your little ones will cooperate today.”

  She placed the probe on Miah’s tummy. “Here we go Bean A isn’t shy at all I think he knows he’s on display.”

  “Micah,” Miah whispered.

  “Micah?” Ash asked surprised.

  “Yeah I always like the name for a boy. I forgot we didn’t talk about names did we? If you have a better name; we can use Micah as his middle name.”

  “No, I like it. Micah is perfect.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “Micah Rafael King-Price.”

  He was surprised again she had given their son his middle name.

  “I hope you don’t mind. I thought about it, and it seemed to fit perfectly.”

  “Thank you,” he said clearing his throat.

  “We can decide later the other two names.’

  “You don’t have any names prepared?”

  “Of course, I do I want you to choose the next name, and we can decide on Bean C name together.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Just make sure they are feminine names,” she said with a smirk.

  “We still have two more to go so you may want to hold off on celebrating.”

  “Mom and dad say hello to your daughters,” the doctor said.

  “Can I celebrate now?” she asked tongue in cheek.

  He rolled his eyes but smiled.

  “Am I missing something?” the doctor asked.

  “We made a bet about the sex of the babies, and I won.”

  “Miah, I need to do a transvaginal ultrasound could you undress from the waist down?” she handed her a sheet.

  She did as the doctor asked.

  “Is everything okay?” Ash asked walking over to where the doctor was grabbing more gel. From the look on her face, he knew something was wrong.

  “I just need to take a better look at her cervix. From the ultrasound, it looks like her cervix is beginning to open,” she whispered.

  “What does that mean is she going to be okay? What about the babies?”

  “They are okay for now, but if her cervix is opening there’s a possibility she may miscarry.”

  “Is there anything you can do to stop this? Why is it happening?”

  “We can do a cervical cerclage to stitch the cervix closed then put her on bed rest until she gives birth. If the cerclage holds, it will help her from going into preterm labour. At twenty-two weeks, the babies aren’t viable.”

  “At what stage are they viable?”

  “Twenty-four weeks and there are many complications with being born that early they will have a low birth weight below two pounds. If they survive, they will need to be put on oxygen and will spend at least three and a half months in the NICU or until her due date. There could be health problems such as cerebral palsy, hemorrhage that’s bleeding in the brain, heart or even lung problems. Let’s just take things one step at a time and make sure her cervix is closed.”

  “And this Cerclage
will help? Is it painful or invasive?”

  “The cerclage is the only thing we can do, and she will be sedated and put under during the procedure first. I need to do the ultrasound to make sure. We can talk about this after if my suspicion is confirmed.”

  “Is everything okay you two seem to be hooked in an intense conversation,” Miah said looking from Ash to her doctor.

  “Let’s just focus on the ultrasound,” Ash said holding her hand.

  “Alright,” she said taking a deep breath now it was her turn to frown. Why was he holding her hand?

  Dr. Sand took her gloves off but remained on the stool. “We need to talk Miah. Your cervix is beginning to open. It is not normal at this stage of your pregnancy.”

  “Okay, then why is it opening?”

  “Sometimes during the second and third trimester as the pressure of the babies bear down on your cervix, it can soften and weaken. When that happens, we do a procedure called a cerclage to stitch the opening close.”

  “Did I do something wrong? Shouldn’t I have felt some pain? Am I going to lose my babies?” she asked panic.

  “Slow down Miah, one question at a time. I know this is a scary moment for you, but I am going to do my best to make sure these babies stay inside where they belong. To answer your first question, no you didn’t do anything wrong. Things just happen sometimes without explanation.

  “There usually aren’t any contractions or signs or symptoms for this. It is mostly found during an ultrasound.”

  “Shouldn’t you have seen this before?” Ash asked.

  “I assure you, Ash if this had happened when you were last here I wouldn't have missed it. We would have had this cerclage done, and Miah would have been on bed rest with weekly visits instead of biweekly.”

  “What now, what do I do?” she asked tears running down her cheeks.

  “We get you admitted and have an emergency cerclage put in. Cerclages are usually done between the fourteen and twentieth week if you have a history of preterm labour or shortened cervix. The decision is yours, but I highly recommend getting the procedure done.”

  “What are the risks to Miah and the babies?” he asked.

  “Some of the risks are infections, miscarriage, preterm labour and vaginal bleeding. You are in your second trimester, and there is a possibility that some of the above or all can happen without the cerclage since your cervix is already dilating.”

  “What are my chances without it?” she asked.

  “I can’t tell you. There is a possibility that your cervix won’t dilate anymore, and you can carry the babies to term. There is also the possibility you’ll lose all three babies before you reach the twenty-fourth week. As of now everything concerning these babies is on a daily basis, not week or trimester. Every day is a new milestone.”

  “With the procedure, is the outcome usually good?”

  “Yes, I’ve had patients who went to term and thirty-four weeks with the cerclage. Every pregnancy is different, but it’s the best option now.”

  “The decision is yours to make, and I will go with whatever you want to do.”

  “I’ll do it, whatever it takes to keep my babies safe. When can I have it done?”

  “Today, when did you last eat?” Dr. Sand asked.

  “Six hours ago.”

  “I’ll get you admitted and book an OR. You will be out when I perform the procedure, and you will be observed overnight and in the morning for any cramping, bleeding or contractions. If you have none, you will be discharged and put on infinite bed rest.”

  “Okay.”

  “You will need to quit your job. I am giving you the option of resting at home with someone to take care of you and help you with showering, cooking, etc. If you can’t abide by the restrictions, I will have you admitted until your give birth.”

  “I’ll make sure she’s well taken care of. She’ll be staying with me, and I will hire a private nurse. If you have any recommendations, I am open to them.”

  Wait did he just said she’s moving in with him? How presumptuous. Sure she didn’t have any other option, but shouldn’t he, at least, ask her first? She fumed silently.

  “You are only allowed to go to the bathroom and eating area. You will also be given blood thinners because you will be in bed and not active. They are given once a day in the stomach preferably at nights. You can have the nurse give it to you, or I’ll be happy to show you how to do it on your own.”

  “No, the nurse can do it. I am not a fan of needles.”

  ***

  “If something happens to me in there I want you to keep me on life support until it’s time for the babies to be delivered,” she tightly grips his hand as they made their way to the OR two hours after she was admitted.

  “Nothing is going to happen. You will be okay; you are a fighter.”

  “Promise me,” she said urgently.

  “I promise.”

  “Thank you,” she said sleepily. “I love you,” she said as she succumbed to the darkness.

  I love you. Her last words echoed in his head. Did she love him or was it the fear and anesthesia talking? His feet hurt from pacing the length of the waiting room for the past forty-five minutes and five seconds. That was how long she had been in surgery.

  People came and went, and after thirty minutes later there was still no word on how she was doing. He was about to demand answers when Dr. Sand entered the room.

  “How is she?” he asked urgently.

  “She’s doing well. Everyone is. She is in the recovery room. The procedure went smoothly would you like to see her?”

  “Yes, but I need to use the restroom first. Thank you for everything. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He dashed into the restroom and made it to the toilet in time where he violently vomited. He flushed the toilet then washed his hands and face. He was a mess, and his hands were shaking uncontrollably. His shirt was wrinkled and stained with sweat, and his hair looked as if a comb hadn’t passed through it for weeks. The man looking back at him had aged decades.

  “She was okay, they all are,” he whispered the tears he had kept inside broke loose. He hadn’t been this scared since the day his mother walked out on him. He washed his face again and combed his fingers through his hair. It was the best he can do to straighten his appearance. He also could do with a shower, but that would have to wait.

  She was just coming out of the anesthesia when he entered.

  “Hi, you look like I feel,” she smiled.

  “Thanks. You are a sight for sore eyes. You are beautiful.”

  She snorted “lucky for you; I am high on morphine, but I am happy you are here with me,” she said as she fell back asleep.

  It was the middle of the night when she next woke. He was sleeping on a cot next to her bed. She took the time to watch him, to memorize his every feature. Would their children look like him or her? She wondered as she touched her stomach. Things changed so fast in the past twenty-four hours. It wasn’t what she had envisioned for her pregnancy.

  “You should stop staring at me and try to get some sleep,” he said sleepily.

  “I wasn’t -”

  “Liar,” he said, gently readjusting his pillow.

  She smiled “okay I was staring. I was wondering who they’ll look like you or me.”

  “Let’s hope they look like you.”

  “If I didn’t know any better I’ll think you are buttering me up for something. It sure can’t be sex. We’ve done that already.”

  “I think you’ve had too much morphine. Do you need anything? I can call one of the nurses.”

  “No, I have everything I need for now. Goodnight Ash.”

  “Goodnight Miah.”

  She was discharged the following day with strict instructions for her bed rest.

  “No sexual intercourse for the rest of your pregnancy. I want you to stay off your feet as much as possible. Your areas are the washroom and kitchen. Don’t overdo it
Miah,” the doctor warned.

  “We understand. You have my word; she will follow your instructions to a T,” Ash said for them both.

  Miah scowled, of course, he’d say that. He is getting what he wants; she was moving in with him.

  “Good, here are your appointment dates for the next three weeks, I’ll see you both then,” she said and left the room.

  “Shouldn’t you be at work?” Miah asked surly. His housekeeper Kate had brought him fresh clothes.

  “No, my executives can handle things without me,” he said cheerfully helping her into the wheelchair.

  “yay lucky me,” she muttered, for some reason, she wanted to smack the cheerfulness off his face. He had been smothering her all morning fluffing her pillows making sure she had enough to drink and blankets to keep her warm. She would be happy to get away from him, even if it was a few hours. She had hoped he would drop her off at home then go into work.

  “I was thinking of taking the rest of the week off, to get you settled in.”

  “Thank you, but that’s unnecessary. I’ll be fine until you get home that’s why you hired a nurse isn’t it?”

  “If I didn’t know better I'd think you want to get rid of me,” he smiled opening the car door.

  “Noooo whatever give you that idea?” she feigns shock.

  He laughed, “don’t worry Miah. I promise to give you the space you desperately crave so much.”

  “I’ll believe it when I see it,” she muttered.

  “You’ve been doing that a lot today.”

  “What?”

  “Muttering. I know this is hard for you because you are accustomed to being on the go, but you are doing this for a good reason. Every time you think of what you can do, know that this is the best for everyone involved. I promise to keep your mind occupied.”

  “I know it’s for the best, but I don’t have to like it; I have always been an active person.”

  “I know, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you are doing for our babies.”

  She sighed, what else could she say? He was right. They drove in silence for five minutes before his phone rang.

  He put his earpiece in and answered. He swore, whatever the person on the other line was saying he wasn’t happy.