Chapter 13: Baby Bundle

Lilly’s due date was a little over a week away. She already started nesting; straightening up everything she possibly could. Cameron was learning to stay out of her way. She was moody, grumpy, irritable…all of it. They decided they didn’t want to know the gender of the baby, though they argued about it. In the end, Lilly decided they did not want to know. She was going stir crazy. She had been on maternity leave for about a month. She cleaned every nook and cranny in the house. Cameron and Erik had been busy preparing the nursery for the baby’s arrival. Lilly was in love with it she spent a lot of time in there, folding and refolding Baby Palmer’s new clothes. She’d spend what seemed like hours, rocking back and forth in the rocking chair. She was content but frustrated at times and Cameron could see that.   

Lilly was relaxing on the couch trying to read. “OH MY GOSH!” she yelled. “You okay honey?” her husband asked, though he was honestly afraid to. “NO!” she snapped, “I want this baby out now!” she got up to walk around.  Cameron just looked at her, “Honey, I don’t think it works like. The baby’s not going to just slide out when you command it to do so.” She gave him The Evil Eye. He tried to smooth over the situation, “Why don’t you just relax. The baby will come when he or she is ready.” The conversation started to become tenser. He tried yet again to smooth things over, “How about a day at the spa? A foot massage, a facial, a day of relaxation.” He was trying the best he could to make her feel better. She was uncomfortable and even he was hoping the baby would hurry up and come.   

Lilly apologized, “I’m sorry Cameron, it’s just exhausting. I can’t sleep, I’m anxious.” He smiled at her and leaned down to rub her protruding belly, “I know honey.” She went to sit down back on the couch. Cameron knelt down to kiss her stomach, “Everything is going to be fine. It’s common to feel this way.” “What if something goes wrong?” she whispered. “I promise. It will be alright.” They smiled at each other and enjoyed the quiet in the house. It would not be long before the peace and quiet would be interrupted.

***  

The girls came over to have lunch with the expecting mother. “Are you excited?” Summer asked. “I’m more anxious than anything and a bit worried.” Lilly replied, “it really only hit me a few weeks ago that I was going to be a mom. Just the feeling of the baby moving around is such a wonderful yet weird feeling. There’s life growing me, you know.”
“Aw…” the girls said in unison. “But I want this baby out now…” Lilly interjected. “Oh...” they said again in unison. It became awkwardly quiet. “So, any names yet?” Summer asked. “We have a few but we’ll decide once we see the baby.” “I can’t believe you don’t want to know the gender.” Emma added, “I’d be too excited not to know.”  “Does Cameron want to know?” Zoe asked. “Yea but I said no.”
“Ah Lilly, you really are acting like a wife: Total control of everything.” Emma remarked. They all laughed. Summer and Lilly decided to play so video games while Zoe read and Emma swam. Though she was enjoying her friends’ company Lilly still could not shake the feeling that something was off.  

***   

Lilly called her mother-in-law Constance to discuss the way she was feeling. “I just don’t feel right Constance.” Lilly explained. “You don’t feel right how?” there was a bit of panic in her voice. “I mean I feel like there’s something off with the baby. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Constance giggled, “That’s completely normal. You are just experiencing the jitters. What has you doctor said?” Lilly sighed, “I saw him yesterday. He said everything was fine. Development was going well. Heart rate was great.” There was silence. “Lilly sweetie, you’re going to be fine. I felt the same way with Cameron. It’s normal for a new mom, any mom really.” “She truly was Cameron’s mother.” Lilly thought. “Okay Constance. I had better make dinner for Cameron and me. I’ll keep you updated.”

Lilly and Cameron spent the evening after dinner catching up on their hobbies. Cameron played a new song that Eric had written and Lilly caught up reading some baby books. She still could not shake this unnerving feeling that she had. She figured she would call the doctor again in the morning, just to be sure. 

***

Cameron had gone to Eric’s place to practice his guitar. He reminded Lilly over a dozen times to call him if she needed anything. She was sitting comfortably on the couch after she had finished her breakfast and figured she would watch some TV. Suddenly the phone rang so Lilly got up to answer it. Lilly’s vision became blurry and a sudden pain hit her side, before she knew it, she was on the floor. The phone continued to ring and Lilly lay lifeless on the floor…

Lilly woke up in an ambulance apparently on her way to the hospital. Cameron came back to get some sheet music he had left and found her on floor. He held her hand as they rode to the hospital all while trying to fight back the tears in his eyes. “Hey honey. Everything is going to be okay. Your bloody pressure was a little high and you blacked out.” Lilly was still a little foggy so she didn’t respond. They made into the hospital and then were rushed to see the doctor. There was so much commotion going on as nurses and doctors rushed to find out what was wrong with the mother and the unborn child.

After everything calmed down, Dr. Blanchard made his way to see her. “Well it does look like you blood pressure was a little high and that did cause the black out.” Before he could continue, Cameron interrupted, “So when everything clears up she can go home right?” Dr. Blanchard took a deep breathe, “Actually Cameron, Lilly there’s an issue with the babies. They’re under stress so looks like Lilly's having them today.”

They did not respond right away then it hit Cameron “I’m sorry? Did you say babies, as in more than one?” The doctor looked puzzled, “Yeah. It’s twins. I thought I told Lilly that.” They both looked at her. “You…may…have.” She answered uncertain. “Well everything will be fine. We’ll get you both prepped for the C-Section.” He said and then left the room. Cameron sat there completely stunned, “TWO?” Lilly laughed, “Honey relax, everything will be fine.”  “I knew something like this would happen.” She thought as she let out a heavy sigh. Lilly was wheeled away with Cameron by her side after about 45 minutes. It was just a matter of time before their babies took their first breath.

*** 

After what seemed like forever at the hospital, the doctors released Lilly and the babies. “Thank God. I can’t stay here any longer.” Cameron complained. Lilly just looked at him, “Just grab the bags let’s go home.”

They made it home and quietly tiptoed to put the babies in their swings. Erik and the girls helped prepare the house for the “extra” guest. Therefore, the house was fit for Cameron and Lilly’s bundle…or now bundles of joy.

The new parents just stared. “I can’t believe they’re ours. I mean, I know this was coming but they’re finally here.” Lilly said. Cameron was quiet and shocked at the same time, “Two. There’s two of them.” He mumbled. “Yea that’s usually what twins means.” She responded sarcastically. One of the babies began to fuss, “Oh it’s okay baby girl. It’s okay Willow.” Cameron said as he picked her up. “Wait I thought, I thought that was Amelia.” Lilly said perplexed. “I think it is.” Cameron replied. “Well check her bracelet!” Lilly panicked. “What bracelets?” the new father asked. Lilly’s jaw dropped, “You took off the bracelets!!!!” She quickly picked up Willow...or Amelia, "What do we do?" Cameron chuckled, "Don't worry. I'll change their blankets in a minute. Make it easier." He laughed while holding one of the babies, "This is Amelia, I’m sure of it.” “Are you positive?”

 Lilly asked. He didn’t reply. “Well please figure it out, I’m going to take a shower.” She remarked. As he played with one of his daughters he whispered, “Don’t worry Amelia, we’ll get the hang of this. I promise you both.” He held Amelia and watched as Willow slept in her swing.

“I’m a daddy.” He said.

Introducing Willow and Amelia Palmer (Generation 2):  

Can the new parents hold it together or will the pressure of parenthood pull them apart?”

*End of Chapter 13*

 Coming up: Chapter 14: Busy, Beautiful, Babies.