Page 14 of Coming Innocent

Chapter Five

THE TRIP TO THE hospital whizzed past Avery, all she remembers as they wheel her through the double doors leading from the helipad is that the paramedics worked to get both babies to latch onto her breasts to feed.

Caroline had no trouble, latching on as if she depended on it, and she very well did. But Everett struggled and couldn’t get a good latch. So with Logan’s help, he manually pumped her breast so that their littlest miracle could get the life-saving nutrients that he needed.

Now, as they make it on the maternity floor of the hospital, the nurses on staff and Dr. Burnett’s partner pry the babies from her grasp and she instantly feels a sense of loss. They placed her in a birthing room that contained two incubators and she watches as Logan trails after the doctor holding his children.

As the doctor unwraps Caroline from her warm blanket she lets out a heartbreaking wail and Avery’s eyes mist over. She looks at Logan’s expression, watching for any signs of distress, but he simply smiles as the tiny newborn reaches hold to grasp his finger while the doctor takes measurements.

With a clean diaper fastened on her bottom, the doctor carries Caroline over to allow Avery to place a kiss on her before returning to place her in the incubator.

“Miss Caroline weighs in at four and a half pounds and is seventeen inches long. She looks very healthy, but we need to keep her in the NICU for a few weeks to make sure her lungs are fully developed and that she can eat and digest on her own.”

Avery simply nods and watches as the physician moves towards the other nurse that holds Everett in his arms, Logan follows suit. Everett doesn’t make much noise as he is unpacked from his blankets, his eyes blurrily taking in everything surrounding him. Logan strokes a gentle finger across the top of his head with a hint of brown fuzz that matches his sister’s and then trails it down his tiny arm to his wiggling fingers which grasp him tightly. She witnesses the wide smile on Logan’s face as he gazes down at his son in awe and she can’t help the smile that graces her face as well.

Everett finally protests when Logan has to step back and remove his finger to let the doctor get his weight. He continues to whimper as she straps a diaper over his body, but he relaxes when she turns around and brings him closer to the bed.

“Say hi to mommy.”

Avery leans forward and presses a soft peck to her son’s cheek as she whispers, “I love you, sweet boy.”

Her heart swells with love as his eyes seek hers and she can swear a hint of a smile perks on the corners of his lips just before the doctor carries him back towards the incubator.

“Your young man weighs in at three and three-quarter pounds and he’s fifteen inches long, quite a bit smaller than his sister. Dr. McCafferty briefed me on his birth and we’re going to keep a good watch on him; make sure that he’s developing physically and cognitively at the rate he should be. There is a good chance he may be here longer than his sister so you need to be prepared for that,” she cautions and Avery’s breath catches in her throat.

Logan must sense her anxiety because he reaches for her shoulder and squeezes gently.

“You did great, Mrs. Chamberlain, and you have two beautiful babies that need you to be strong for them. I’ll have the lactation specialist stop by and speak with you; otherwise, you’re welcome to visit them in the NICU as soon as you’re up for it. Right now, try to get some rest.”

Avery stares at the group as they exit, scooting the two incubators holding her heart out of the room. Her breath catches in her chest and she feels an ache travel through her body and out of her limbs.

She parts her lips to speak, but only a gravely tone surges forth as she whispers her husband’s name, “Logan,” before turning to collapse into his arms where he cradles her in his quiet strength.

THE SUN SETTING OUTSIDE her window streams across her cheeks. She follows the beams to where her husband rests in the chair in the corner of the room, a peaceful expression on his face.

He must sense her gaze because he opens his eyes and smiles warmly.

“You ready to go see them?”

“Yes, please.”

“Ok, I’ll call the nurse to help you. They’ll probably want to push you in a wheelchair.”

“That’s fine, they could drag me across the floor naked and I’d still want to go,” Avery jokes.

“There’s my girl. I thought I lost you there for a while,” he adds as he presses his lips against hers, pouring his love out.

An older woman waltzes into the room and cheerfully breaks through their moment.

“Who’s ready to meet two of the cutest twins I’ve ever seen?”

Avery giggles as Logan smiles widely at the nurse, his panty-dropping smile, who then braces a hand on her chest as she murmurs, “Oh, my.”

The trip up to the NICU floor feels like it takes hours. The nurse helps Avery prepare to enter the room and explains the set up before buzzing her through the secured doors.

Logan grips her hand tightly as they take in the large room filled with incubators containing premature and sick babies. She tries to smile towards the other parents and volunteers in the room, each taking care of a special baby, but the stretch of her lips is forced and weak; until she spots a larger container with a tag saying “Chamberlain Babies A and B.”

“Good evening, Mom and Dad. Are you here to hold your little ones?”