Chapter 150: NICU
*So many good things come in threes,*
*Like Musketeers and ABC’s.*
*- Larry Howland*
The nurse insisted that Helen go to the nursery in the wheelchair. Reese was quite content to simply carry her. Dr. Aberton stayed out of it, except to point out that it was hospital policy.
Neo chuckled at his grumpy friend. “You can probably make a donation big enough to change the policy, but probably not until after she is wheeled down to the nursery to see her babies.”
“I hate it when your right.” Reese grumbled as he put his wife in the chair.
The nurse gave a light laugh as she connected the IV pole to the wheelchair with velcro straps.
“No wonder you’re always angry.” Neo smirked and Jolene popped him on his arm as she snickered his name.
“Shut up.” Reese growled.
“Children.” Dean laughed.
“I just want to go see my babies.” Helen said placing a hand on Reese’s arm. “Our babies.”
He knelt next to his wife and cupped her face in his hand. “Anything you want, Kitten.”
“I love you.” She whispered as she leaned into him for a kiss.
“I love you, too.” He whispered after ending their kiss. “Let’s get you down to meet our babies.”
Dean and JD rolled their eyes at the couple causing Ty to smack JD on the back of his head. Rubbing his head he looked at his brother-in-law.
Smiling at her husband, Helen nodded at him. Pressing a light kiss to her lips, Reese stood up and gently nudged the nurse out of the way. She gave another small chuckle as she moved away and let him push his wife down to the nursery. Helen’s children and partners followed them down the hall.
“I can’t allow anyone but immediate family inside.” The tall male nursery nurse said at the door.
“Well,” Dr. Aberton gave a small laugh. “Mom and dad.” He pointed at Helen and Reese.
“Brothers,” he pointed at Jaxon, JD and Neo. “Sisters,” Jolene waved and the doctor nudged Dean.
“And the Johnson baby and mom and dad.” He rested a hand on Bunny’s shoulder. “Baby Arial needs to come in for her morning check.”
“Uh-huh.” The nurse said as he looked at Neo.
Grinning, the Asian man used Ty’s line. “I’m adopted.”
The male nurse rolled his eyes and shook his head, knowing that the doctor could simply overrule him. He stepped out of the way and let the large group into the nursery. What had been a large open room just a few minutes before was now packed.
“You’ll have to let me get by.” The nurse said as he squeezed through to get to the incubator. “I’m Chuck, head nurse in the NICU. A and B are over here. Do we have names yet?”
“Jagger and Janelle.” Helen said looking up at Reese who smiled down at her.
“Alright.” Chuck opened the incubator and carefully removed the bigger of the two babies. “Mr. Jagger here is going to make you grateful you did not go to term. At eight weeks early, he weighed in at five pounds seven ounces and thirteen inches long.”
“Oh God bless.” Helen murmured as the baby was placed in her arms. “Hello, sweet prince.”
His eyes fluttered open and he looked at his mother with light blue eyes. Tears flooded her eyes, and she couldn’t hold them back.
“He’s so perfect.” The new mother declared. “Absolutely perfect.”
Reese went to his knees next to his wife and son. “Just like his mother.” A large gentle hand caressed the tiny head with a light dusting of dark brown hair.
His large blue eyes roamed around the room seeing his new world. At his fathers voice, the baby turned towards the familiar sound.
“They both know dad.” Chuck said as he placed Janelle in Reese’s arms. “This little lady weighed in at three pounds nine ounces, just shy of eleven inches.”
“Oh, hello, my sweet princess.” Reese murmured as he brushed a kiss on her head.
“Mom, let me take big man from you.” Chuck said as he gently took the oldest and biggest baby from Helen.
“May I?” Jolene asked motioning to her baby brother.
“Of course.” He smiled as he placed the newborn in her arms. He pointed to the wires and tubes and showed her the swing arm attached to his machines. "Don't let it pull and watch the slack."
“Hi there. I’m your older sister and I’m way cooler than either of those stinky boys.” She said as she sat down in a glider.
The door opened and another nurse escorted Cheryl and her brothers inside.
“More of your kids?” Chuck asked.
“My daughter and her brothers.” Reese confirmed just as Cheryl kissed Helen on the temple.
“I would have been here sooner, but the airlines don’t care about me becoming a sister.”
“How rude.” Dean grinned as she sat on the floor next to her uncle, gently caressing an arm and beign careful of the tubes attached to the small body. “She’s so little.”
“Well, if you think she’s little. Wait until you meet her baby sister.” Chuck grinned as he opened a second incubator. “Does little miss have a name? I know that they said you didn’t know about her until recently.”
“Jaina.” Reese said and Helen nodded.
“Miss Jaina came in at two pounds ten ounces and ten inches.” Chuck said as he placed the baby with all her wires and tubes in her mother’s arms. “She can’t be outside for very long, but skin to skin contact is very important.”
Just like her brother and sister, she had pale blue eyes. Unlike them, she had no hair. Her pale skin was nearly translucent, and her mouth sucked as her eyes closed. Helen very carefully caressed the tiny head with a pink knit cap on it.
“I’m going to cry all over again.” Helen admitted.
“Tears are allowed, mom.” Chuck assured her as Jaina gave a soft whimper. “Uh-oh.” He said softly as the only warning before the other two began crying.
He walked over and gently took the tiny baby away from mom and placed her in the second incubator as her whimpers grew louder and stronger. The nurse then took Janelle and placed her in the same incubator.
“Sorry, big sister.” Jagger was scooped up and placed inside the same incubator.
Once the only boy of the three was inside with his sisters, all three settled down.
“Those three are already a handful, just so you know.” One of the nurses warned. “If one of them is upset, all three are upset. And they don’t calm down until all three are together.”
Helen tried to hide a yawn, but she saw that Reese saw and he stood up. “Come on, Kitten, back to bed for you.”
“But…” She objected and yawned again.
“Dad’s right.” Dr. Aberton interjected. “You’re still tired and this is emotionally exhausting.” He looked over at Chuck. “What time does the pedi come around?”
“Their pedi on record, Dr. Robuck is usually here around seven thirty or eight. Neo is in at nine.” Chuck said as he made notes on the tablet.
“I’m over here.” Neo said a little confused and at their looks, he explained, “My name is Neo.”
“Neonatal.” Chuck explained with a grin. “The neonatal doctor. But nice to meet you Neo.”
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