My uncle’s face stiffened in anger, but also fear. When I felt a hand rubbing my back, I looked over. Viola had moved to sit next to me. I forced a smile. She wrapped her arms around me in a large hug.
We all sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. The ding of the elevator finally broke the silence. A smiling Maggie and Lilli stepped out. My whole body relaxed when this beautiful creature – my wife – walked toward me, smiling, carrying my children and wearing my grandmother’s necklace. God, I love her.
Lilli sat on my left side with a brown bag in her lap.
"Here." She handed me a bottle of orange juice from the bag and then a bagel.
"Thank you."
I watched her pull out a bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam. She ate the bagel and drank a bottle of milk. Then she pulled out a banana and ate that.
"Is that going to be enough?" I inquired, ready to go get her something else.
"What are you trying to say?" She pretended offense.
"That my babies need to eat, which means you need to eat." I laughed and wrapped my arms around her.
"I’ll be fine. For now." She leaned her head on my shoulder. I deeply inhaled.
"Did you just sniff me?" Her face twisted in confusion.
"Maybe." I whispered.
"You're so weird." She giggled.
"It’s a boy!" James burst through the set of gray double doors.
"Congratulations" and "awwws" flooded the waiting room. James was smiling from ear to ear. I can say I'd never seen my cousin look like so elated.
"Elora was amazing and both of them are doing great." He boasted proudly.
After watching everyone hug and congratulate him before heading back to see Elora and the baby, he stopped in front of me.
"Congratulations." I pulled him into a hug.
He pulled back, smiling with his hands on my shoulders.
"I can’t describe it. One minute I wanted to run and, then, it was like nothing could pull me away from her. It was unbelievable! Once he was here and cried out…fuck, man! I can’t even tell you!"
His smile was infectious and I hugged him again, patting his back firmly.
"I am so happy for you, James."
"You’re next." He smiled and walked me down the hall with his arm around my shoulders.
"So, Lil, you’re next?!" I heard Dixon before we rounded the corner, seeing him walking toward Lilli.
"Fuck you, Dixon, you are not helping to deliver these babies." She pointed to her stomach.
I looked at James.
"Guess who was on fucking duty, of all days?" James rolled his eyes.
I burst into laughter.
"Shut the hell up!"
Dixon's response brought my attention back to their conversation. My smile faded.
"Ah, come on. I’ve already seen you naked before." He chuckled.
James felt the tension in my shoulders and removed his arm.
"We were like sixteen and it was an accident!" Lilli yelled, blushing from his comment.
I relaxed slightly and moved to her side.
"Yeah, yeah, sure it was, Lil. We know you purposely left the bathroom door unlocked for me." He smirked.
"Oh, yes, that, of course, was what I wanted. However, you feeling the need to sneak through my bedroom window to get in the house? What was that about, huh?" Lilli crossed her arms over her chest.
"The front door was locked." Dixon replied like she was an idiot.
Lilli shook her head, took a step forward, and smacked Dixon in the arm roughly.
"You are not delivering them!" She walked around him and headed into the hospital room behind Dixon.
"Hey, man." He smiled at me.
"Are you trying to piss her off so I have to deal with it for the rest of the day?" I raised my brow with a smirk.
"Hey, I didn’t knock her up, so you must deal!" He laughed loudly and turned to the nurses’ station.
Shaking my head, I walked into the room. Viola was holding a small bundle wrapped in a blue blanket. Lilli was leaning over her arm looking into the bundle.
Glancing over at Elora, I saw James scoot in next to her and wrap her in his arms as they both talked about the delivery. Lilli shuddered a few times when Elora recapped the pain.
"Okay, enough. I don’t want to hear any more." Lilli waved her hands in front of her to stop. Elora laughed.
"So, what is my grandson’s name?" Aunt Anne broke into the conversation, she now held the baby.
"Henry James III." Elora stated proudly. James looked surprised by the announcement. His grin spread widely and he kissed the top of her head.
"Happy Birthday, Jimmy!" I proclaimed. It was my turn to hold my little cousin.
Chapter Four
7 Months
Lilli
I sat in the waiting room of my doctor’s office going through every out of date magazine on the table next to me. Thankfully, the nurse called my name. I wanted to get this blood test over with.