Chapter 148: Triplets
*If you’re completely exhausted and don’t know how you’re going to keep giving this much of yourself day after day, you’re probably a good parent. – Bunmi Laditan*
Reese had known something was wrong when Helen said that her head was still hurting on Monday morning. He made a quick call and explained his fears and the home health nurse headed out to their house almost immediately. By the time Corinda had arrived, Helen had already slipped blissfully into unconsciousness.
Dean and JD were hugging each other tightly in the kitchen, concern and fear written on both their faces. Reese stood in stunned silence as the nurse calmly called 911 and ordered an ambulance.
Possible placental abruption.
It had been one of the issues that Dr. Aberton had warned them about. It was one of the reasons that Helen was considered high risk. It was why she was on bedrest. And why no one would let her do anything unless she was sitting with her feet up.
JD pulled out his phone and sent a message out on the family chat. *Mom passed ut. Nurse called 911*
Just before the sirens sounded in the distance, Neo and Jolene walked into the house. Jolene went to her mom and the nurse gently pushed her away.
“I’m sorry, precious.” The dark-skinned woman said in a soft Caribbean accent. “The paramedics will need room to work.”
Neo pushed his friend into a chair and his head between his knees. Then Neo pulled Jolene into his chest and kissed her head. As the paramedics rushed in through the still open door, Neo let go of Reese’s shoulder and nudged Jolene into the other man’s lap. Wrapping his arms around his stepdaughter, Reese gave into the tears as he buried his face in her neck.
Knowing that Reese would be useless as he worried about his wife, Neo grabbed the other man’s phone and found the text group labeled *Original Princesses* knowing that it would only go to the sisters and stepsisters.
“What hospital are you taking her to?” Neo demanded.
“Mercy, they have a NICU.” The paramedic said while they worked quickly to get Helen loaded on the gurney. He then looked at the concerned nurse and thanked her for prepping the patient as much as she could.
It took only minutes for her to be loaded into the back of the ambulance. Neo was certain that to the others, it probably felt like hours. Waiting for the ambulance and fire engine to leave, Neo typed out a message.
*Helen is going to Mercy. No details yet. Does not look good. Neo*
He then found Cheryl’s number and sent the same message. Once that was taken care of, he guided the others out to the driveway and loaded them all up in the IGYS SUV. Flipping on the lights and sirens, he followed close behind the ambulance.
Neo grabbed his phone and found Shelby’s number and connected the call to his earpiece. “Shell, I need some of the Reese guards to Mercy.” He said quietly.
“Okay, how many? What’s going on?” she asked, and he could hear the keys on her computer as her fingers flew across them.
“Listen close.” Was the only warning that he gave before using code colors and numbers to convey the message. It took her a few minutes to translate the message but assured him that everything would be taken care of.
By the time he parked at Mercy, another IGYS vehicle was already in the lot. Neo and the family entered the hospital as the paramedics were already wheeling Helen into the building and headed straight for the elevator. Guiding them to the other elevator, with Childs joining them, they arrived on the maternity floor right after Helen was wheeled through the double doors at the end of the hallway.
“I’m sorry.” a nurse said as she stepped in front of the group, blocking the doors. “I can’t allow you back right now.”
“That’s my wife.” Reese growled as he pushed Jolene at Neo.
Neo brushed a kiss over her forehead and smiled at her as he gently handed her over to her younger brother. Then he and Childs stood between their friend and the nurse.
“We’ll be right over here, when he can go back.” Neo told the nurse as he not so gently pushed his larger friend to the waiting room.
Ty walked around the corner with an arm around Jaxon. Breaking away from his partner, he hugged his sister and brother close. Dean moved to her uncle and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her trembling body and soft sob grounded him enough to put her fears and concerns above his own.
Dean had lost her mother earlier in the year and Helen had stepped in to fill those shoes without stepping on Mary’s memory. It would break her if she lost the other woman that she saw as a mom.
If Reese was honest, it would break him too.
And what would happen to Helen’s kids?
She was the sun to their universe.
She was the sun to his universe.
Slowly, the princess club trickled in and Reese could only assume that Heo had something to do with that.
“Where’s Bunny?” Jolene asked quietly.
“She’s in her room.” Ty smiled at his siter-in-law. “Our little girl was born just a little bit ago.”
“We have pictures and video.” Jaxon shifted and pulled out his phone.
“I don’t want to see that part of your wife.” JD admitted.
“No. Nothing like that.” Jaxon laughed as he pulled up the first picture of Dr. Aberton holding the baby still in the mermaid’s purse.
“What the hell?” JD said, surprised at what he saw. “She’s in an egg.”
Both dads laughed. “It’s the amniotic sac.” Ty explained. “It’s called a mermaid’s purse.”
“So we decided that instead of Angela,” Jaxon grinned, “we would name her Ariel.”
“That’s a good name for a mermaid.” Gina agreed.
JD looked at the woman and could only picture what Cheryl had told them a little over a week ago. It started off as a small chuckle. And then Jaxon snickered. And Jolene giggled.
“Oh, shit.” Gina murmured as a blush covered her face.
The other princesses realized what the siblings were trying not to laugh at and started laughing themselves. Pretty soon, the room was filled with the sound of laughter.
“I’m glad that I could help alleviate some tension.” Gina grumbled.
It was nearly an hour later when the nurse walked out to the waiting room. “Reese?”
The whole room stood up and she couldn’t hide her surprise. “Immediate family?” She squeaked trying to eliminate some.
“She’s my wife and their mom.” Reese said motioning to the group that was huddled together next to him.
Her eyes landed on the dark-skinned man, and she arched an eyebrow.
“I’m adopted.” Ty explained with a shrug.
“Don’t you have the mermaid baby?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He admitted.
Ty and Jaxon had been trading out on being in the room with Bunny. She was sleeping well, as was the baby and they were trying to give them both a little peace waiting for an update on Helen.
“Okaaaay…” she cleared her throat. “Um, Dr. Aberton will be right out to give you all an update.”
“How are my babies?” Reese asked quietly.
“They are in the NICU.” Dr. Aberton said as he came into the room. “Jaxon, I know that you have the same blood type as your mom. Are you willing to donate?”
“We all have the same type.” Jolene cut in as her brother nodded.
“All three of us can donate.” JD agreed.
“Sierra, if you’ll take them down once I’m done here.” He said looking over at nurse who nodded.
“We’ll all donate.” Michelle said and the others agreed.
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