Chapter 29

Jesse was moved to a private room so the doctors could run their tests.

"I'm going to have Zeo contact your grandmother and locate your mother," Ulric said.

"Please don't leave," Jesse begged.

"Babe, I'll be right back," Ulric said, kissing Jesse on the cheek. A tear ran down Jesse's cheek. "Please don't cry," Ulric said. "They need to know what's going on," he said.

"You're right," Jesse said, sniffling and wiping his eyes. Ulric kissed Jesse goodbye and exited the hospital.

After more blood was drawn, Jesse rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. He took deep breaths in order to push everything negative from his mind. After an hour of doing calming routines, Jesse drifted off to sleep. Even though he heard the door open, Jesse was too tired to open his eyes. Jesse heard the bag that hung from his IV being removed, followed by the hanging of a new one. He felt fingers lightly touch the inside of his wrist for a few seconds. Jesse heard the footsteps retreat, and then the door open and close.

Jesse woke up to a woodsy smell just inches away. He slowly opened his eyes and found Ulric sitting in a chair next to his bed.

"You're back," Jesse announced cheerfully.

"Hi there, sleepyhead," Ulric said. Jesse then noticed two women standing in a corner of the room. He instantly recognized one of them.

"Grandma!" Jesse exclaimed. He glanced at the other woman in confusion. The tall woman stepped out of the corner and smiled sweetly at him. Jesse stared silently at her.

"Hi there, my little man," she said.

Memories of being held, being sung to sleep, and having a birthday party filled his head.

"Mom," Jesse said quietly.

"Yes, dear, it's me," she said. That's when hot tears flowed from his eyes.

"I've missed you so much," he said, reaching out his hands.

"I've missed you, too," she said, hugging him. Ulric sat there and watched as Jesse and his mother bonded.

"I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself," she said, turning around to face Ulric. "My name is Raven," she said.

While Raven socialized with Jesse and Ulric, the door opened, and Dr. Ramos stepped inside.

"Dr., this is my mother," Jesse said.

"Hello; you can call me Raven," she said.

"I'm Dr. Ramos," she said, shaking her hand. "I've been taking care of your son," she said.

"I hear that my baby is having his own babies," Raven said.

"Yes, he is, but it's a high-risk pregnancy," Dr. Ramos said.

The doctor suddenly had a serious look on her face and took Raven to a corner.

"I need to know if you or your mother had similar problems," she said. Cynthia shook her head, but Raven sighed and nodded her head.

"I found out that I was carrying twins," Raven said. "It was a difficult time," she explained. Walking around the room, Raven continued the story, explaining the miscarriage and how she lost one of the babies.

"I had a sister." Jesse asked, stunned.

"Yes, but she didn't survive," Raven said.

"Will that happen to me too?" Jesse asked, glancing at the doctor.

"I'll do my best to keep that from happening," Dr. Ramos said.

Jesse was released that Friday with a prescription for prenatal vitamins, meal suggestions, and an appointment for September 29.

"We should know the genders by the end of December," Ulric stated.

"Do you want a boy or a girl?" Jesse asked as they entered the cabin.

"Either is fine," Ulric said. "What matters most is that they are healthy," he said.

Jesse and Ulric saw Dr. Ramos every month to make sure that Jesse and the twins were healthy. Christmas came around, and there was a gathering of friends and family.

"It's such a glorious time for both Jesse and Neil," Cynthia said. Everyone raised their glasses and cheered.

"I'm just glad that I'm no longer nauseous," Jesse said.

"Me too," Neil said. "It was a pain," he said. As the day went on, presents were exchanged, and everyone celebrated.

A few days later, Jesse and Neil sat with their respective mates waiting to be seen by their doctors. Dr. Ramos walked in as Jesse rubbed his growing stomach.

"Let's see what you are having," she said. Jesse leaned back and pulled up his shirt. Jesse hissed at the coldness of the gel, but he quickly calmed down. "Ah, it looks like we've got a girl right here," Dr. Ramos said. "And baby number two is a boy," she said.

"How are they?" Jesse asked.

"They are doing great," the doctor said. "Would you like to hear them?" she asked.

Jesse nodded eagerly. Dr. Ramos reached over and pressed a button on the ultrasound machine.

***thump thump thump***

"That's their heartbeats," she explained. Ulric held Jesse's hand while they watched the screen.

"Babe, our babies are strong," Ulric said. Jesse giggled and said, "Those are our babies,"

"Would you like a photo?" the doctor asked.

"Yes, please," Jesse and Ulric said. The doctor wiped off the gel and printed out some copies.

Jesse and Ulric left the hospital and met Mac and Neil at the cafe. The four of them found a booth and sat down. "What do you want to eat?" Ulric asked.

"A fish sandwich, cole slaw, and a large chocolate shake," Jesse said. Everyone else decided on their orders and waited for a waiter.

"May I take your orders?" a young blonde woman asked, holding a notepad. Everyone placed their orders and then waited.

They talked about baby names while they waited for their food. "Neil, what are you having?" Jesse asked.

"We're having a boy," he said. "I was thinking Joe or Joey as his name," Neil said. Mac smiled and nodded his head. "What about you?" he asked.

"Maybe Ty or Tyler for our boy," Jesse said. "Abby or Joy for our girl," he said. Everyone enjoyed their time during lunch. As the weeks turned into months, the second bedroom in the cabin was turned into a nursery.

On May 1, Jesse awoke at 2 a.m. to the twins moving around. He groaned and slowly scooted off the bed. Jesse had been walking around the cabin and rubbing his swollen belly for ten minutes when he heard the sound of footsteps.

"What's wrong, babe?" Ulric asked, hugging him from behind.

"They're kicking, and it hurts," Jesse said.

"I'll contact Dr. Ramos and see what we should do," Ulric said.

Jesse sat down on the couch, rested his sore feet, and rubbed his belly. Ulric messaged the doctor and asked what to do.

"Dr. Ramos said if the pain worsens, come right away," Ulric said. "Babies, please stop hurting your mommy," he said, sitting down beside Jesse and rubbing his belly. As the day progressed, the pains increased. Ulric walked into the bathroom and found Jesse in tears. "We're going to the hospital," he said.

Ulric helped Jesse in their hovercraft and got into the driver's seat. Ulric messaged Dr. Ramos and told her that they were on their way. Jesse and Ulric were met by the doctor, and Jesse was taken to one of the rooms. The ultrasound machine was brought in, and the doctor prepped Jesse. Dr. Ramos checked everything, but a worried look crossed her face.

"What's wrong with my babies?" Jesse asked, starting to panic.

"I'm hearing only one heartbeat," the doctor explained. "We'll need to operate," she said.

"But I still have three weeks," Jesse exclaimed.

"If we don't take them now, their lives, along with yours, will suffer," she said.

Jesse was moved into the emergency room for emergency surgery while Ulric messaged everyone. Cynthia and Raven were the first to show up.

"Is there any word from the doctor?" Raven asked.

"They just took him in," Ulric said. "He was hurting so much," he said, fighting tears that threatened to fall. Ulric laid his head in his hands and said, "If I lose him, I don't know what I'll do," he said, his voice cracking.

Ulric immediately stood up when the double doors opened and Dr. Ramos walked up to them.

"How are they?" Ulric asked.

"It was touch and go, but everyone is fine," the doctor explained. Ulric was led through the double doors and down the hallway. Ulric walked into Jesse's room and found a precious sight. Jesse had his eyes closed, and both infants lay on his chest sleeping soundly. They had come early, but they were alive. Jesse slowly opened his eyes and smiled.

"Hello, babe," Ulric said via their link.

"Our babies are here," Jesse said via their link.

"They're beautiful, just like their mom," Ulric said, kissing Jesse tenderly on the lips. Jesse and the twins were released two days later. Three weeks later, Neil and Mac's son, Joey, was born.

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