| |
Julie had planned to work until the babies were born. She’d been advised that because they were twins, there might be a chance they’d arrive early, the midwife had told her as much.
Dave had taken her out for a meal. Although Julie felt like a beached whale, going out for a meal with Dave was a favourite treat which she’d miss once the twins were born.
Unusually, she hadn’t eaten much that evening. She stood to go to the ladies’ room and felt warm liquid rush down her legs.
‘Oh my God! My waters have broken! How embarrassing is that? We can’t come here again.’
‘It’s okay, don’t worry. We’ll get you to the car and off to the hospital.’
‘I need to collect my bag from home.’
‘Okay. Is the bag packed ready?’ Dave was in a state of shock and nervousness, but he needed to stay calm for Julie. She nodded and told him it’d been ready for weeks.
She got into the back of the car and put her legs up along the seat. She rang the hospital to give advance warning of her arrival and then she rang Paul. He didn’t answer so she left a voice message.
‘They’re on the way. Just off to the hospital. Wish me luck.’ She clicked the phone off.
‘Oh Dave, I’m glad you’re with me. Mum said to ring her as soon as anything happened, but I think I’ll leave that call for a while.’
Dave wasn’t sure he wanted to be first in command, the prospect was daunting, but he had to try and do his best, there was no one else. He took Julie’s keys and found the bag, zipped up and ready to go exactly where she said it would be. So far, so good! He drove steadily to the hospital and followed the signs for the maternity wing.
‘Oh Dave! This is it! It’s really happening! I’m scared!’
‘Everything is going to be fine. The hospital staff have dealt with this a thousand times before.’
‘You won’t leave me will you?’
‘I expect you’ll want some privacy when the babies are actually born, but I’ll stay until then.’
‘I want you with me. Don’t leave me Dave, please.’
‘Alright, if that’s what you want.’ Now Dave was scared! He’d heard all sorts of stories of what men went through when women had babies. He felt sure he wasn’t cut out for it. He had never been good with medical issues; the sight of blood made him queasy.
Two nurses appeared as though by magic and Julie was helped onto a trolley and wheeled down the corridor with Dave in hot pursuit.
Julie was put in a small single room and various monitors and gadgets were attached to her. A nurse showed her how to use the gas and air and told her she was doing well. What did that mean? She didn’t feel as though she was doing well. It hurt like hell and all the classes she’d been to, hadn’t prepared her for this. No one had told her it hurt this much.
Dave sat with her all night and at ten o’clock the next morning they wheeled her into the delivery room. The first thing she saw was a host of large machinery. She was lifted onto a bed and her legs were put in stirrups.
Dave wanted out! He’d seen enough. He’d left the room when Julie had been examined, but otherwise had been holding her hand through each contraction. With the first serious pains he thought she must be about to give birth. But no, she stayed in pain, grabbing his shirt and digging her nails into his hand for hours. The times in between the pains lessened and he found himself wondering how women could put themselves through this a second time.
‘Would you rather I waited outside?’ He could hear the pleading in his own voice, but Julie seemed oblivious to it. She didn’t want to hear it.
The gas and air mask was over her face. ‘No. Stay. I need you.’
Dave was dressed in a green gown with a white hat on his head. He positioned himself away from the view at the far end of the bed and concentrated on Julie’s face. He mopped her face with a flannel and gave her alternate hands in which to dig her nails. He kept telling himself he wasn’t in as much pain as Julie, but it didn’t make it any easier.
Julie was now in an almost sitting position, pushing when told to, and breathing in between.
‘Relax in between, conserve your energy,’ the midwife had told her.
Relax! She must be joking!
Suddenly everything got hectic, and as a bloodied little baby showed itself to the world, Dave collapsed onto the floor. He had only looked around for a second during all the commotion. A doctor had a quick look at him and then Dave was left on the floor as baby number two came into the world seven minutes later.
Dave came around to smelling salts. He looked around forgetting where he was momentarily, then pulled himself up from the floor. Julie proudly sat up in the bed holding a baby wrapped in a blanket and a second one was handed to Dave.
He looked down at the small sleeping bundle and tears came to his eyes.
‘I’ve never seen anything so precious and wonderful,’ he said.
‘That’s a boy and this one’s a girl. One of each.’
‘What names have you thought of?’
‘Thomas, after your middle name and Tamara after my mum.’
Dave let out a flood of tears. ‘You’re naming him after me? Julie, I’m proud and honoured.’
‘You deserve it, for putting up with me and always being there for me. What more could I ask?’
‘I’ve got a bump on the back of my head,’ he said, rubbing it with his free hand. ‘Fool.’
‘I think you were brave staying with me like that. Thank you.’
‘Yes, I have to admit it was a bit overwhelming, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’
‘Dave, I think you did miss it. You were flat out on the floor.’
‘Must have been tired. It’s alright for you, you were laid in bed all night.’
Julie giggled. ‘I love you, Dave.’
‘And I love you.’
‘I know you do and I’ve really messed you around. Will you forgive me?’
‘There’s nothing to forgive. And if ever you change your mind about a wedding ring, you let me know. Ah, will you look at this little chap.’
‘I haven’t seen him properly yet, shall we swop?’
They cuddled the babies for a couple more moments until they were whisked away to the special care unit as they were early and so small.
Julie knew she would marry Dave, but she had to wait to make sure it wasn’t her hormones playing up, she couldn’t put him through the, yes, no, scenario again.
‘Dave, why don’t you go home and get some rest, you look shattered.’
‘I don’t want to leave you. What you went through... I just... Well, I’m just a sentimental fool.’
‘No. You’re the loveliest man ever and I want to marry you.’
‘You do?’ Dave stared at her for a moment. His expression didn’t change. ‘You’ve had a lot of pain killers, maybe you should wait.’
‘No. I don’t need to. I love you.’
A smile spread across his face. ‘You won’t be sorry.’ He bent down and kissed her lips then stood back and gently stroked her brow. I love you.’ They held hands for a moment. ‘I could adopt them.’
Julie smiled. ‘One thing at a time, you might not be able to put up with all three of us. You’re used to a quiet life.’
He squeezed her hand. ‘We have our own little family; I don’t want a quiet life.’
Dave felt happier than he had for years. He had recently joined up with a few locals and played in a jam session once a week. He kept his fame a secret; no one needed to know. Now his life was complete.
A nurse came into the delivery room. ‘There’s been a man outside, he’s been there for hours. He left you these and said he’ll be back later. He said to tell you it’s bizarre.’
Julie took the pink and blue teddies. ‘Fancy Paul waiting outside like that.’ She held the teddies to her face and cried. ‘I’ve never been so happy. I feel like my life has only just begun.’
She looked at Dave and how much he had given her. Not the scrumptious dinners in wonderful restaurants, not the pretty engagement ring and the flowers. No, with Dave it went much deeper. He´d given her his time and unconditional love at a time when she´d struggled most. Life couldn’t get any better than this.
