Chapter 133: Birthday
*I love you both, but get these babies out of me. – Evie*
The new year came and her family all went home. Cade’s birthday passed with Evie still on bedrest. Valentine’s Day passed in much the same way.
Early one morning in mid February, a pain ripped across Evie’s back. Within minutes, her men had her loaded up in the gray charger and headed to the hospital. Athos followed in the blue charger with the installed car seats. And the hospital bags.
Because neither of the expectant fathers thought past getting their woman to the hospital.
Within an hour, the whole club knew that she was in labor. It wasn’t long after that when Dixie landed at the municipal airport. There were definite advantages of Tammie being a pilot with her own plane.
Siobhan drove them to the hospital and they all went to the maternity waiting room on the fourth floor. Before noon both boys were born by C-section due to complications.
It was the same complication that would drive the two brothers for the rest of their lives. Both had to be first. Both had to be the best. Both tried to be born first. Dr. Barkley resolved the birth order by removing the first baby that he saw. The second was removed almost immediately after. They both received the same time of birth.
The first one born was the smaller of the two with pale green eyes and a light sprinkling of dark blonde hair on his pale skin. He screamed and cried as the nurse cleaned and weighed him.
Wrapping him in a hospital blanket, the nurse placed the baby in his father’s arms. Tank stepped up on the right side of the bed and held the baby for Evie to see.
With a few words between the nurse and doctor, they delivered the second boy. He was bigger and darker with a full head of black hair and dark chocolate eyes. He also cried until he was placed in his father’s arms.
While Evie was being stitched up, the babies were taken to the nursery. The two new dads walked out to the waiting room and were engulfed in hugs and congratulations. The nurse let them know when the twins were placed in the window.
David Ryan Reagan and Camden Ivan Reagan were snuggled together in a single crib.
“It’s the only way we could get them to quit crying.” The nurse said as she placed hospital bracelets on both dad’s right wrist. “We even tried singing lullabies.”
“They don’t like lullabies.” Athos grinned. “Johnny Cash.”
“Don’t dis the man in black.” Pagan said holding his youngest daughter, Alyssa, so she could see the babies. Her older sister, Ashlyn, stood next to them. They both oohed and awed at the window.
"I'll let the other nurses know." The nurse said, eyeing Athos flirtatiously. "Once mom is settled in her room, we'll bring the babies down."
Athos was oblivious as he snapped pictures and sent them to Michelle.
Several of Evie’s students stopped by to see her. Sheepishly, several admitted to skipping class. After accepting their congratulations, she sent them back to school. Evie knew her students well enough to know which ones would return, and which ones wouldn’t.
Michelle came by with her grandfather. He was still a little leery of Athos. But was warming up to him again. The older man did like Evie. Mainly because she had been willing to work with Michelle. Both she and her brothers were all behind where they should be, but after receiving additional tutoring they were much closer.
The following day, Tank brought a young woman to Evie’s room. Rye was working on her teaching degree, but struggling with history. Like so many of her students, Rye did not think it was as great as Evie did.
Truly, who could not find it exciting to learn about the crazy things that the ships did on D-Day. Specifically, her favorite Dreadnought, UUS Texas.Or how the Magna Carta influenced so many modern governments. Or the fact that a woman was nominated for the American presidency just over a hundred years before women could have their own bank account.
Nonetheless, Evie enjoyed helping her with her homework. They chatted during the lessons. Evie could tell that the younger woman was reluctant to give too much personal information. She was friendly, even though she was guarded, and seemed desperate for connections.
Evie was the youngest of six. She always wanted to be a big sister. With Rye, she was finally getting that chance.
