Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Shit.”
On the other side of the curtain, I hear giggling and find myself smiling.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Westbury. You’re not the only father we’ve encountered with multiples. One at a time is your best and only bet,” the voice behind the curtain says.
“Right, okay then.” I pull the chair toward the incubator and reach my hand in. The space is warm and honestly feels inviting. I touch each of their cheeks as tears spill over. I think about what I want to say to them, but the words don’t come easily. Do I say, “hey guys?” or is that insulting to my daughter? I know she doesn’t know the difference now, but eventually she will.
With a deep breath, I lean toward the opening and say the cheesiest thing I can. “Hi, I’m your dad.” I feel awkward and rather silly, but I know it needs to be done. Peyton and I learned about early bonding through the books we read and the classes we took on parenting.
I clear my throat, take another deep breath, and let the tears slide down my face. Silly or not, I need to do this. They need to know who I am and what my voice sounds like.
“Like I said, I’m your dad and I’m so happy you’re finally here. Your mommy is resting but she can’t wait to hold you. So, until she can be here with you, you’re stuck with me, and probably your grandparents. That’s the thing you’ll never fully grasp, but you have this massive family. They’re all waiting in the lobby to meet you. Your Aunties Elle and Paige are going to love you to pieces and spoil the crap out of you, and then there’s your Uncle Quinn—he wants to teach you all about music and art. You’ll get your sports knowledge from me and Uncle Mack. We love our sports, but you know what—your mommy is the smartest when it comes to sports. I wouldn’t have the career I do without her.
“I know you don’t understand a single thing I’m saying. I wish you did though because then you’d know how much you are loved. How your mommy can’t wait to hold you. You see, I know she loves me, but once she gets her hands on you three, I’m moving down the line in the pecking order. I’m supposed to be the one protecting you and being a macho dad, but I’m going to need at least one of you to have my back. Especially when it comes to your mom.
“I don’t know much about being a dad, but I know what it’s like to be a big brother, and boys let me tell you this, it’s your job to protect your sister. She’s going to look up to you. Your mom and I will protect the three of you, but you need to have each other’s backs, always.” I continue to caress their cheeks, hoping my time is spread equally among them. “Thank you for making our family complete.”
“Mr. Westbury?”
“Yes?” I clear my throat.
The curtain parts and another nurse steps in. “Your family is at the window. Would you like to show them the babies?”
I look back at my three. “What do you think?” I know they’re not going to answer me, but at least I gave them the option. After nodding, the nurse opens the curtain and then pulls the incubator toward the window. Despite the thick glass, I can hear each and every one of them oohing and ahhing. They wave, tap the glass, and say, “Hi baby,” as if the triplets can hear them.
The nurse removes the top of the incubator and encourages me to tilt each baby up. I do, giving our family ample viewing.
“When can I hold them?” I ask her, while I have my daughter on display.
“As soon as Dr. Ashford gives you the okay. But from what I’ve seen, you’ll be able to hold your daughter soon. She’s very strong.”
Like her mother.
31
PEYTON
When I wake, it’s dark out. The curtains to my room are open and my husband is cast in a glow thanks to the moonlight streaming through my window. I try not to move much, my stomach hurts where they stapled my stomach back together. Lightly, my hand touches my now empty womb and I find myself fighting back the tears. I know the triplets are here, but that doesn’t assuage the pain I feel from not having them inside me anymore. And it definitely doesn’t help that I haven’t been able to hold them. I saw them briefly when I came out of recovery, thanks to my family. They insisted I be able to at least see them through the window. At least Noah was there with our babies, talking to them. Loving them.
I blink and refocus my eyes on my husband. He’s sleeping in a chair and shirtless. For a moment, the sight of him confuses me. That is until I see he’s holding something. No, not something, but one of our babies.