10 Minutes

"I believe in Us"

Can walked out of Sanems room and stopped just outside her door. He wasn't sure if he was coming or going at the moment, the last couple of hours had been glorious and traumatic. He felt like he had been on a rollercoaster ride that he couldn't get off of. From extreme lows to incredible highs, he had been holding on by sheer will power but now that his wife lay sleeping, completely and utterly exhausted he let his guard down and felt all the adrenaline start to leave his body. In the next moment he forced himself to move down the hall to the small waiting room which was only for fathers or partners of the expectant mothers. He immediately found a chair and dropped down into it. He sat and stared at the other man who sat in the room playing on his phone and a young girl seated next to him. He looked up at the T.V. airing a rerun of an earlier football match. The room was quiet and the quiet seemed too sterile and cold for his taste. Right now all he wanted to do was process everything that had taken place since her first pain struck. The best place to do that was outside but he didn't want to be so far away. He let his mind wander for a moment and he was right back in the room with her. It had been unlike anything he had ever lived through before. Even having been separated from Sanem, which had been a nightmare for him, for over two years; had been nothing like the reality of this night. The possibility of loosing her and his children during her labor was terrifying and gut wrenching. He truly didn't know how he could ever survive loosing her. Now as his wife lay resting, medicated, comfortable and safe along with his children he suddenly felt a sense of belonging unlike anything he had ever known. His children... his babies..they were all in the NICU. In tiny incubators hooked up to various wires and tubes but alive and for the most part healthy and strong. If tonight hadn't happened the way that it did, to them; he would have thought it was a movie scene gone haywire. They weren't out of the woods yet, with the babies; but as long as Sanem was taken care of he would do whatever he needed to make sure he advocated for his babies as he knew she would. They hadn't been prepared for this, not even close. Life happens as they say and you just have to roll with it. Their obstetrician had finally arrived and had taken some time and advised him of what came next. It had all happened so fast he felt like he'd been run over by a truck. He looked up to see several nurses walking into Sanems room and he immediately got up and ran toward them, following them in. "What's wrong?... what's happened?" He pushed past the nurses and walked up to Sanem's bed as she looked up to him with tears rolling down her face.

"Can?... I didn't know where...you were.. uhhhgh... and where are the babies uhhhgh... I need to uhhhgh...see them... uuuugh Can?". She was crying as she spoke and gasping. He could see she was beginning to hyperventilate as a nurse adjusted the medication on her IV and another checked her dressing. While yet another listened to her heart. He held her hand and leaned over the rail of the bedside to speak to her softly and stroke her hair. "It's alright Birtanem. It's alright. The babies are safe, they are each in their incubators and there are doctors and nurses assigned to care for their every need. I've been with them and seen them and they are as beautiful as when you last saw them. Now we have to make sure you are well Sevgilim so that you will be with them as soon as possible". He kissed her forehead as he dried the tears that fell down her cheeks. He looked up to see the older nurse smiling at him and nodding her head. Giving him the affirmation he needed to continue. The nurse had spent a few minutes with him and Sanems doctor earlier discussing the plan for Sanem and the triplets. She was thorough and direct but also calm and kind, explaining things along the way. He felt comforted by her knowledge and manner. He felt incredibly grateful to have this woman on their team.  Now as she addressed Sanem he continued to stroke her hair seeing her relax bit by bit. "Mrs. Divit, your medications are fairly strong so you're experiencing a bit of confusion, that is normal. Your emotions are on overdrive and that too is quite normal. We understand perfectly and are here to support and assist you as you mend. Now, what's important is to make sure you are resting, staying hydrated and allowing your very capable husband, and the daddy; to take care of you all. You have only one job right now and that is to heal. In a few hours a new mother's nurse will be in to assist you with your pumping. Unfortunately you won't be able to nurse your babies just yet but you can provide their milk for them. It is very important for them to receive that first milk and it's important for you to pump as much as you can when you can so you don't develop mastitis. We are here to help you in every way we can, please do not hesitate to ask us anything. We will see you through this stay with us and you will be just fine". Can smiled at her and then looked back to Sanem. She was doing her best to calm herself and take it all in but her face was as expressive as ever. He leaned down and kissed her lips softly and looked her in the eye. "You and me bebeck. We've got this. I'm not gonna let you or those babies down Canim. So...your job is to rest, pump and get better. My job is to see that you do and to keep up with the babies care. Okay?" He watched her eyes blink several times as she tried to reign in her emotions. She slowly nodded her head and forced a smile that didn't quite make it to her eyes but it was a start. "I know you're a little scared and frankly so am I but we've been scared before Sevgilim, and look what we've done. We've grown our family threefold. If we can do that, we can surely take care of them and protect them. I believe in us Sanem. I believe in you". He watched her face tilt to the side as only she could and slowly blink her eyes as she bit her lower lip. Then slowly she smiled up at him and nodded her head. He smiled slowly too "there's my beautiful bride and mother of my babies-I'm so proud of you and so thankful for you. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I don't remember who I was before you and I'm so thankful that you love me. That you chose me. That you gave me a chance to love you in return. Thank you Sanem Divit for all that you are and all that you've done. I love you!" He kissed her soft lips and stayed next to her until he heard a soft noise and realized that Nurse Onur, had delicately gotten his attention. When he looked up the two young nurses were staring at them with huge smiles on their faces and puppy dog eyes. Onur grinned and patted Sanems hand. Sanems face reddened as she realized they had put on quite a sentimental show for their audience and soon wiped her cheeks and asked for some water. He coughed and stood up tall. "Perhaps Mr. Divit you would like to go and tell your family the happy news while we attend to Mrs. Divit?"
Sanem turned her head to him and stared with eyes wide open "You mean they don't know yet?" He realized just then that he hadn't gone out to tell them the news at all. "Uhm... no...I guess I should do that right now. Are you ok with that Bebeck?" Sanem nodded her head up and down and said "yes...er ah, but you might want to brace yourself. My moms going to try and faint on you and then she's gonna want to storm this room". Can looked at little taken aback thinking that Mevkibe Aydin was definitely a force to be reckoned with. They both then looked at nurse Onur who smiled "not to worry dears....I've dealt with my fare share of many a Turkish Anneanne, I know exactly what to do. You run along, and leave the rest to me".