Best Friends to Lovers

Chapter 14

It has been two months since the boys were born. They are both a little over five and a half pounds now. If their car seat test goes okay today, we will be able to bring them home. As I was getting ready to meet Hayden in the car to head to the hospital, Brenden called. "Melinda, we are headed to the hospital. Maddison is in labor."

"We are heading that way. The boys may get released today. We will meet you guys there," I said as I walked out the door and headed to the car. "I will let Hayden know,"

"Alright, see you there," Brenden says before the line goes dead.

"Hayden babe, Maddison and Brenden are headed to the hospital. Maddison is in labor," I told him.

"Okay, kitten, let's hurry. First, we need to check in on Maddison and then our boys," Hayden says, opening the passenger door for me. 

"I can't believe Maddison is in labor and we have to get to bring the twins home. I am so glad that everything is going so well for me. My life couldn't get any better, but I am worried about what will happen once we get the kids home. Will Brittany show up and cause a problem? Will I be able to do a good job of taking care of the boys?" I said.

"Kitten, we are taking every step we can to make sure that the twins and you are safe. Brittany is going to mess up and will get caught. It is only a matter of time," Hayden says, then adds, "Baby doll, you will be the best mommy there ever is to our kids. They will be lucky to have you as their mommy. I am happy you are the mother of my kids and I love you more than anything in the world,"

"Thanks, babe; I love you too. You are my very own prince charming. You have saved my life and brought so much joy to it," I said as we parked at the hospital and headed to the door. I stop and take a couple of deep breaths. It is something I have done every time I get close to the front door since the first day I had to walk past here since the shooting,

"Baby doll, are you going to be okay?" Hayden asked me.

"Yeah, my skin just crawls every time I walk up here," I say, grabbing his hand and continuing to the door.

"After the next couple of days, we won't have to be here very often. But, if you keep having flashbacks to the shooting, I will make an appointment with your doctor. You have post-traumatic stress disorder. You will need help to deal with it," Hayden says as we head to the maternity ward to find Maddison and Brenden.

"Hayden, I will be fine once Brittany is in prison. The lady needs help, the type of help only being locked up in a mental hospital can give her." I said, then added, "I think Tanner picked up that she was a little off and used that to his advantage. He is just as much to blame for the shooting as she is," I said, looking over at Hayden's expression.

"I know; let's go check on Maddison and then we will go see if our babies can come home," he says as he grabs my hand.

Once in the ward, we see Brenden standing in the hall, pacing the floor. Looking worried and scared, "Brenden, is everything alright?" Hayden asked.

"Yes, the nurses and the doctor asked me to come out here because I was getting a little dizzy. Can you go in with Maddison, Melinda? I will be in in a few minutes." 

"Yep, take a few deep breaths. You have seen all this before. The only difference is, this is your child."

"I know, Mel. Maddison is the love of my life. I don't like to see her in pain."

"It's hard, I know. I am going to go check on Maddison," I said as I walked through the door.

"Mel, where are the boys?"

"This is our first stop. I wanted to make sure that you were okay before I went to bring home the twins."

"Damn, girl, I am okay. I want to see the little guys send Brenden in here and go see if they are ready to come home," she says, shooing me out the door.

"Okay, fellas, I hate to interrupt your time together, but I am on strict orders to go see if the babies can go home. Maddison wants to see the twins. She told me to have you, Brenden, to get back in there," I said, giggling.

"Even in labor, she's bossy," Brenden says as he opens the door and heads in.

"Poor guy is so nervous about the birth and having a child. It's hilarious," Hayden says, laughing his butt off.

"I can't believe he is acting like that. He seemed to be excited up to this point. Now he is losing his mind," I said.

"Well, he thought I was overdramatic when I was freaking out when you were in here with your water breaking. Now he sees why I felt the way I did. He only has one on the way; I had two." Hayden says, just as we reach the NICU.

"Well, the four of us will all be adjusting to having the three babies at home all at once. We are all going to be overwhelmed," I said.

"Let's go see if we can bring the twins home," Hayden says.

"Come on, Babe."

As we walked to the babies, Darla walked up to us. She looked nervous, "Mr. and Mrs. Rowland, the twins, passed their car seat test; they can go home. The doctor will be here to explain a few things; then, I will bring you the discharge papers."

"Thank you, Darla," I said and offered her a smile.

"No problem, Mrs. Rowland. The doctor will be here in a couple of minutes," Darla says, then hangs her head and walks away.

"Oh my gosh, we get to take them with us," I said with tears in my eyes, "I can't believe it."

The doctor walked over to you as we packed up the boy's things. "Well, I see that you heard that they passed the car seat test,"

"We did. Darla told us as soon as we came in," Hayden says.

"They both weigh the same right now; they are five and a half pounds. They are healthy. I want to see them in my office a week from today at eight in the morning. I have the nurses bring you a pump to use that will help you keep your supply up. Continue to pump at home after they eat for at least a couple of months."

"Alright, is there anything else I need to know to better care for the kids?" I asked.

"Nope, I will see you next week," he says." The nurse will have the papers here in a few minutes,"

"Okay, we will be getting their things ready," I said as the doctor walked away.

"I want to make sure that we have everything," I said as I started pulling out the drawers.

"What outfit were we going to bring them home in?" Hayden asked me. 

"The only ones that are the same color. Once we get downstairs, I want pictures of the boys with Maddison and Brenden," 

"Alright, why don't you start getting them changed and I will start moving things to the car. Then all we have to do is go see Maddison and Brenden," Hayden says as I start changing Xander. After Xander was changed and I started changing Xaidyn, Darla came over, showed me where to sign, and asked if I had any questions. I told her no, then she left. When Hayden returns, the twins are in their car seats, ready to go.

"Oh, wow, you got done faster than I thought. Are we ready to go?" Hayden asked, picking up both car seats.

"Yeah, let's take them to see their aunt and uncle," I said as we walked out the NICU door.

We had our boys; they were healthy and happy. We are all together as a family. I could wait to bring them home and start my life with my family. I walked through the hospital halls with a massive smile on my face. Once we got to the maternity ward, a couple of the nurses stopped us and wanted to see them.

"Let me have a look at them," they said at the same time. So Hayden placed the car seats and a desk and turned them so the nurses could look at them.

"Oh wow, Hannah, look at them; they have grown so much," one says.

"Kyley, they are two months old. They have grown a lot since we saw them," Hannah says.

"That they have Hannah," Kyley says.

"Well, we will let you get in there with your friend. I am sure Brenden needs some help," Hannah says as they walk away.

Hayden picked the car seat back up and we walked to Maddison's room, knocked on the door, opened it and walked in.

"Hey, auntie. How is it going?" I said.

"Great, where are the boys?" 

"I have them right here, Maddison," Hayden says, setting the car seats down. He gets Xaidyn out; I get Xander out and bring them to Maddison.

"Look at them, Brenden. They have gotten so big,"

"Aunt Maddison and Uncle Brenden, this is Xander and that is Xaidyn," I said.

"They are freaking cute," Brenden said. "Now it feels like our family is growing and will grow by one in an hour or so,"

"Maddison, how far are you dilated?" I asked her.

"Been at nine for the last fifteen minutes should be getting close to time to…" she trails off when a contraction comes, "push," she says after it lets up.

" It won't be long now," Hayden says.

"Do you still want us here?" I asked Maddison.

"Yes, you're not going anywhere until the four of you meet Allison," she groans out through a contraction. 

"Alrighty, then. Let's have this baby," I said with a smile.

"You know I have no idea how you pushed out two; I am sure I am going to die pushing out one."

"Maddi, you will be fine. I would tell you that after the birth, the pain is forgotten, but I can't because the pain becomes dulled once you hold your child for the first time," I say, smiling at her.

"Oh, s**t, this hurts," Maddison says while squeezing Brenden's hand.

"Your right; it does hurt. But, all the pain you have is bringing you closer to holding that beautiful daughter in your arms," I told her.

Maddison has been pushing now for about thirty-five minutes. Finally, she is crowning, so it is only a matter of minutes until Allison is born. I could see that Maddison was tired, so I walked up to her, "Maddison, Hon, the baby is right there. If you want to hold that baby, you need to push with everything in you. You understand what I am saying, don't you," I asked her. 

"Yes, Mel, I need to give this next push all I have," she says to me/

"You do, Maddie and I will be right here with you.' 

On the next contraction, Maddison pushed with everything in her. Allison had finally come into the world, screaming her head off.

Hayden and I stood back and watched as they bonded as a family. Maddison was crying, crying tears of pure joy. "Baby, you did wonderfully; I am so proud of you. I am more in love with you right now than I have ever thought possible. Look at the little princess. She looks just like you," Brenden says.

"We are parents now, Brenden. You and I created this little bundle of joy. I am so in love with you and can't wait to see our life as a family of three progress from here." Maddison says, never taking her eyes off of Allison.

"Hey guys, let us meet our niece. So we can get our twins home and you three can spend time together as a new family. Maddison, I am proud of you, you make me proud and I am excited to go through the adventures of motherhood with you," I said, hugging her, "I love you. Make Brenden help you with the baby so you can get some rest," 

"You women astonish me. I am proud of you both. I can't wait to see how the two of you grow into motherhood." Hayden says, hugging Maddison. He then stands and looks at Brenden, "Congrats, man. We get to do this father stuff together," Hayden said and pulled Brenden into a hug.

"Dude, I couldn't think of any other person I would want to go on this journey with. Finally, you and I get to learn to be a father simultaneously. I am terrified and excited," Brenden says.

"I agree, Brenden, but I think I am going to take the boys home and get them settled in. If you need anything, give me a call," Hayden says as he picks up the car seats. 

"I love you, Maddi. See you tomorrow," I said as I hugged her and kissed Alli on the head.

Maddison and Brenden both told the twins bye. Then, the four of us left the hospital and went home.