Soulmates

Chapter twenty-one

Two weeks have passed since the twins were born. We were able to take them home a few days after they were born. The first twin we named after Kennedy. The second twin we named Peyton. Thankfully she hasn't had any problems with her breathing since I revived her at birth. 

It was the middle of the night when I heard whimpers from the nursery. I carefully slip out of bed and enter the nursery. I peer down at the twins and Peyton's face was scrunched up, like she was ready to start wailing. 

I look at at Kennedy and she was sleeping peacefully. I quickly scoop Peyton out of the crib and take her to a rocking chair. She immediately calms in my arms, keeping my eye contact. Her eyes droop with sleep and turns her face in my chest. 

She grasps at my shirt, shuttering a sleepy sigh. I gently rock the chair and she curls up in my arms. I feel my eyes get heavy as I rock her back to sleep. I close my eyes and let out a tired sigh.

 
"Kelly, she's in here," Claire says quietly as I was being covered with a blanket. 

"Peyton," Kelly chokes quietly, but I could her the smile in her voice. "I can already tell they're going to be close."

 
I wake to a kiss and Kelly is in front of me, morning light peering in the window. "Hi," she says with a smile.

I look around and realize that I'm in the nursery. "I fell asleep in here," I ask in a yawn and look down at Peyton in my arms. "She was whimpering and I wanted to put her back to sleep."

"I got cold last night and couldn't find you," she chokes quietly. 

"I'm sorry I worried you," I say softly and she waves it off. "How is Kennedy?"

"She's already been changed and had her morning feeding," she says with a smile and looks down at Peyton. "I pumped a bottle for you to feed her." 

I give her a light smile and take the bottle from her. She takes Peyton to be changed and surprisingly she didn't cry from being disturbed. I watch as she smiles, reaching up for Kelly as Kelly changed her. Kelly playfully nibbles at her fingers and Peyton tries her best to laugh for the first time.

Tears fill my eyes as I smile and Kelly hands her over to me. She gives me a kiss and takes the seat next to me. She grunts while she eats and Kelly wipes the tear that managed to escape my lashes. "She's going to be fine Jen," she says in a soothing tone.

"I know, I just..."

She places her finger to my lips and gives me an understanding smile. I nod, clearing my throat and ask, "How is Claire?"

Tears fill her eyes and looks away from me. "Shes been distant this morning. I tried to talk to her, but she keeps dodging me. I'm worried about her Jen," she chokes quietly. 

I stand, handing her Peyton and kiss her forehead. "Let me try talking to her," I say in a soothing tone and she nods vigorously. 

I leave the nursery and go looking for Claire. She wasn't hard to find. I could hear her muffled sobs coming from the bathroom in our room. I walk in and she was hugging her knees to her chest, sitting on the floor of the shower. I reach in, lifting her chin to meet my eyes. She let's out a shaky calming breath and I help her out of the now cold shower.

I wrap a towel around her as she holds my eye contact. I wipe her tears and she closes her eyes. She holds my hand to her cheek, leaning in my palm before meeting my eyes again. "How are you feeling? Kelly said you've been distant," I say in a soothing whisper.

"I had a dream I had a miscarriage and I woke up spotting this morning," she chokes quietly, hiding her face in my chest.

"I'm sure it's just the baby implanting in your womb, but if it makes you feel better, I'll take you to get checked out," I say in a soothing whisper and she nods vigorously. "You can put on whatever you feel comfortable in and I'll let Kelly and Caroline know what's going on, okay?"