Two?
The couple kissed, hugged, and held hands quite often. It was not meant as a flagrant show of their feelings; it had become a natural part of their lives, as natural as breathing, to touch one another, each showing their love for the other in simple ways. They always kissed each other upon leaving or returning to the other’s company.
The fire of their love was always glowing; the embers ready to re-ignite the passions they felt with a glance, a touch, or a spoken word.
“Trish, let’s never hide what we have behind closed doors or ‘under a bushel basket’. When we have children, I want them to be aware of our love for each other and to know how much they will be loved. You feel the same way, don’t you?”
“Yes, John. I want to teach them they should never be afraid or ashamed to show their love for anyone or anything.”
When Johnny was eighteen months old, Trish had another surprise for John. Again, she was going to have his child. The family was growing, and she and John were ecstatic.
On their son’s second birthday, Trish was six months along with their second child. There was quite a difference in the two pregnancies, though. This time she was much larger than before, which made things increasingly more difficult for her, the further along she was. The more Trish thought about it, she realized she had been bigger from the beginning this second time. Neither she nor John knew what to think of her increased size, and Doc said everything was fine.
They had a small birthday party for Johnny. He was having a wonderful time, being the center of attention, even more so than usual. When Daddy brought out his gift, he let out with a squeal of delight; it was a rabbit all his very own.
Trish sat down for a while to enjoy the sight of her husband and son together. It was a perfect day, filled with warm sunshine, sweet breezes, and happy voices. Just watching the two of them with that rabbit made her heart sing with happiness; both of their faces shone like the sun! Their joy and laughter was contagious. Johnny’s eyes sparkled brighter than she’d ever seen them. They were tiny, sparkling pools of blue. And, oh, how she loved to hear them laugh!
As the final weeks of Trish’s pregnancy approached, both she and John became more apprehensive about the impending birth. They had both spent time talking to Johnny about the new brother or sister he would have, trying to prepare him. He began to change, seeming to understand that he would soon have to share Mommy and Daddy.
When her time came, Doc was fetched, and once again, John was summarily tossed out of the house. He had Jasper to keep him company in the long hours of waiting. This time they had the added attraction—or distraction—of Johnny.
John had become extremely concerned about Trish. Things were taking so much longer this time; John began thinking disastrous thoughts, and he allowed them to envelop him. All that was real melted away. He began to feel as if he were drowning, gasping for air, frantic for the sweetness of its smell.
Everyone waiting felt the tension. Jasper too was concerned about the time, but he didn’t speak of it, for John’s sake. Johnny became restless. Soon he lost interest in playing in the yard and remembered that Mommy was inside the house.
“Daddy, I want to go inside the house and see Mommy!”
“No, Johnny! You stay out here.” John boomed.
The boy shrank away from his father, frightened. Immediately, John realized what he had done. He got up from the porch where he had been sitting with Jasper, ran over to his son, and scooped him up in his arms, hugging him.
“I’m sorry, Johnny. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I know you want to see Mommy, honey; so do I. But we can’t right now. Mommy is very busy. She’s with the doctor, remember?”
“Is Mommy safe?” Before John could answer him, they heard a scream from inside the house. John jumped in surprise, tightening his grip on Johnny, who was still in his arms, and turned toward the cabin door.
“Mommy!” the child screamed.
Trying not to show his own fright to his son, John comforted him, saying, “Don’t you worry, honey. Mommy is fine. The doctor is helping Mommy.” In the same moment, he glanced to Jasper for support.
Father and son went back to the porch to wait. The two sat down side by side. As they did, Jasper, smiling through his concern, spoke reassuringly to the boy. “Of course your mommy will be all right, John. Your Mommy is pretty tough!”
They expected the doctor to come out soon and tell them that they could go in and see Trish and the baby. That was not the case, however; the time continued to drag on and on. What was really only minutes seemed like years. Later, they heard a second scream. Everyone outside stopped in their tracks. It was all John could do, not to go running in to Trish, but he knew if he did, Johnny would follow right behind him, so they waited and waited, the three of them together on the porch.
Finally, Doc did come out looking exhausted as he wiped the perspiration from his brow with a yellowed, ragged handkerchief. He looked up, sporting a broad grin, and announced, “Well, John, you have healthy twin girls! Trish is very weak but doing fine. You can go in, but only for a few minutes.”
Jasper and John exchanged shocked expressions. Jasper caught up Johnny and hugged him tightly, dancing around the yard with the boy in his arms. Still numb with shock over Doc’s announcement, John went into the cabin; he was in a daze, walking on air. Slowly he walked to their bedroom and saw Trish lying quietly, her eyes closed, her face perspiration-soaked. Cradled in her arms were two little bundles. Quietly he approached the bed and whispered her name. She opened her eyes sleepily and smiled weakly.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
Instantly, John was aware of how the birth had indeed weakened her; her voice was very strained. The uneasiness John had felt so strongly earlier returned. She spoke again, trying not to let John see how tired she was. Her voice is stronger but it’s not as strong as it should be.
“Come here, Daddy, and meet your beautiful daughters.” Unsure of her health, he came closer. “Are you all right, my love?”
Trish grinned from ear to ear. “Exhausted, but I think I’ll make it. I guess I’ll have to; someone has to take care of this growing family.”
John was astonished as he gazed at his daughters. “Honey, I can’t believe this, two babies, and both girls.”