Bellissimo Angelo - Book Three

Chapter 40 - The Delivery

TWO MONTHS LATER...

I am in the final stages of my pregnancy, and I have a check-up at the doctor. I am seated on the raised table, waiting for the Doctor to come in.  I feel numb. How am I supposed to take care of these little babies feeling the way that I feel? She knocks on the door and comes in, looking down at her chart, "Mrs. Rossi?" she greets me.

I immediately begin to tear up. She approaches me, patting my back, "Oh sugar. What did I say?" she asks. 

I grab a tissue from my pocket, "Nothing. I just got emotional when you said, Mrs. Rossi." I respond. 

She flashes a confused look as she glances at the chart, "Are you not Mrs. Rossi?" she asks. 

"Yes, I am, but my husband just passed away two months ago from a brain tumor," I explain. 

She gasps, "Oh my lord. Sweetie." She pulls me in for an embrace, "I did not know darlin. I am so sorry; I haven't seen you since your six month check up."

I wipe my nose with my tissue, "Yeah, I had a lot going on lately." I respond. 

"I can see... I can see." She says as she pulls up a chair in front of me and has a seat, "Do you have anyone around you that can help you?" she asks. 

"Yes, I have a lot of support. It's just tough. It's still so fresh. I can still smell his scent around the house." I tell her tearfully. 

She sighs audibly, "You know, you shouldn't be ashamed to come to me after you have these babies if you need any medication. Post Partum Depression is a real thing."

"I understand. My mother and sister in law are both nurses. One of my good friends is also a nurse,"  I tell her. 

"Okay, I trust they will keep an eye out for you."

 I nod in agreement, "Yes, Dr. Campbell." 

"Okay, sweetie, lie back on the table. Let me assess you." She says. 

I lie back, and she begins to palpate around my abdomen, "Everything is looking good. If we make it to 38 weeks, that is full term for twins. We should count our blessings then."

 "Well, my husband's birthday would have been December 11th. Hopefully I can have them that day."

 She glances down at the chart, "Well, we can schedule your induction for that day if you like. You will be 38 weeks and two days." 

She helps pull me up to a seated position, "Yes, I'd love that." I tell her. 

"Okay, well Dr. Burcham is on call that day. I'll get it scheduled for her to deliver those beautiful babies. Let's cross our fingers and hope we make it that long. We will see you again in a month and then every week after that." 

"Okay, thank you, Dr. Campbell," I reply.

"Have a good day, Maggie." She says as she slips out the door.  I hop off the table and waddle to the front of the office to make my next appointment. Then I waddle back to my car and drive back to the shop.

SIX WEEKS LATER... 

I made to my scheduled induction on the morning of December 11th, which is also Dominic's birthday. Momma came with me while Brie and Mariah are handling things down at the shop. They are life savers for me I'll tell you what. 

Once the doctors examined me, they determined one of the twins were breach, so I had to end up having a c-section. The first little girl was born at 8:56 am. She weighed in at 5lbs 4 oz and 19.5 inches long. I named her Gianna Isabelle Rossi. The second baby was born at 9:02 am. She weighed in at 5 lbs 2 oz and 19 inches long. I named her Abrianna Celeste Rossi. They both had a head full of black hair. 

Dominic's mom and sister in law flew in to be there for me when the babies were born.  When I wheeled back to the recovery room, they brought the babies out. Momma had one and Francesca had the other. They were all so in love with them. 

Valentina came and sat with me and pulled me in for an embrace, "You did good my dear." She says. 

I match her embrace, "Thank you." I respond with tears streaming down my cheeks. 

"Do you regret any of it?" she asks quietly. 

 I shake my head from side to side, "No, not one minute. I'd do it all over a thousand times even if it ended the same way every time."

She smiles and pats my leg,  "He was right. You were sent down from the heavens."

All of my family and friends come to visit the babies that night. We are discharged to go home the next day. Francesca and Valentina come to my house to stay for a week to help me out. Having two sets of hands really helps a lot, and those women are so good with babies. They are just in heaven holding them and rocking them. It allows me to get lots of rest. 

Once they leave to head back to Italy, I slip into a routine with the two babies. It's not that bad, honestly.  Everyone has really stepped up and helped me out, whether it's with the babies or at the shop. I never have to worry about being overwhelmed or being alone. I always have someone there. Even my old knucklehead brother helps. Georgia helps me out after she gets out of school. She is in heaven helping to take care of her little cousins. 

Once the twins approach six weeks, I decide to take them to see their Daddy's grave. I walk them up in the stroller and park it in front of the headstone. I kneel in front of it, grazing my fingers across the writing; it reads: 

 Dominic Vincent Rossi 

Loving son, husband, and father 

"Fino a quando ci incontriamo di nuovo."

Born December 11, 1970 - Died September 16, 2007 

"Hello, my love. I brought your girls to see you. They are getting so big already. They were born on your birthday. I think you would be so proud already. They are the most beautiful little girls I ever laid eyes on. Of course, I am bias." I tell him with tears streaming down my cheeks. 

I reach up and wipe the tears that roll down my cheek, "I still miss you so much. I can still smell you around the house. I still have your clothes in the closet. I kept your cologne and deodorant. It makes me feel safe and secure. I can't really explain it. I wish you would come back to me Dom. I wish you could see your girls and how beautiful they are. I wish you could see how everyone has banded together to help me out during this time. I'm very lucky. I'd give my right arm to have you back Dom. I love you so much. Not a day goes by where I don't think about you. Not a single minute even. I feel your presence in the house all around me. Sometimes I feel like I can hear you walking around the house. Sometimes I swear I can feel you wrap your arms around my waist. I start to sing when I feel your presence hoping you can hear me. It gives me some comfort and reassurance to feel you there." 

One of the babies begins to cry. I pull out the pacifier and place it in her mouth. She takes it and sucks on it, "The business is doing very well. I am busier than I've ever been. I'm just taking it day by day. That's all I can do. Thank you for leaving that video for me. You have no idea how much that helped me. Whenever I'm feeling down and start missing you, I just pop in the video, and there you are. You are the love of my life. Fino a quando ci incontriamo di nuovo (until we meet again.)" I manage to choke out. 

The wind rustles through the tree branches as I begin to sing,  "Wise men say...only fools rush in....but I....can't help....falling in love....with you..." 

A bird flies by and lands on the headstone, flapping its wings, "I feel you Dom. I love you." I whisper. 

I continue singing and watch as the bird takes off and flies around the cemetary.