The Wedding Night...

Welcome home...

Dilan could hear the sounds of machines in the distance again. She tried to open her eyes, but failed. She felt the warmth of a hand wrapped around hers and knew it was Baran's. "Baran?" Her voice came out a little raspy. His answer was immediate. "Dilan?" She gathered her strength and succeeded. She could see her husband's handsome face. There were tears in his eyes. Fear took over her. "Where are Dilay and Önder?" His silence made her try to sit on the bed. "Dilan, what are you doing?" She wrestled with him. "I'm going to look for my children." He tried to keep her lying down. "Let... me... go!" She struggled to say. "Dilan, stop!" Baran yelled at her. Then his features softened. "Please, my angel. Please!" The exhaustion was not only present in his voice but also in his face. "They were born prematurely. Dilay is fine, Dilan. I had her in my arms. She is so beautiful and tiny. You will see. She is in an incubator right now. But the doctors say she will be out of it soon." Baran became quiet, then, for some reason, Dilan remembered her dream. Her baby boy was in danger. She knew it. "Baran, take me to them. They need me. They need us. I can feel it." Her husband indicated no with his head. "The doctors are taking care of them. We can not see them until tomorrow morning, Dilan." She was not having it. She was going to see her children, period. "Take me to them, Baran. Now!" She yelled, and the nurses came in running. "Ms. Dilan." Realizing Dilan was awake, one nurse said, "I'm calling the doctor." The one who spoke ran outside. The other went to her side. "How are you feeling, Ms. Dilan?" She tried to sit. "You can't sit yet. Let the doctor examine you first, and then..." Dilan didn't let her finish. "I'm going to see my babies." The nurse was acting the same way Baran did. "And you will, Ms. Dilan. Tomorrow morning we will take you to them."

Was Dilan speaking a foreign language? Why did no one understand her? She was their mother, so why could she not see her babies? She was trying to get up again when the doctor entered. "I just came from checking on the babies, Ms. Dilan..." She interrupted the doctor. "I want to see them." The woman squinted her eyes and looked at the machine plugged into Dilan. "Bring a wheelchair. Let's take Ms. Dilan to see her babies." Dilan had won. She began moving on the bed. "Ms. Dilan, you will promise to stay in the chair. You are in no condition to stand for more than a few minutes. Let's prevent something from happening to you." She nodded. She would have agreed to anything if it meant seeing her babies. Baran helped her sit. She felt more than a little dizzy. "I got you." Her husband reassured her, and he carried her to the chair. "Let's go." Baran wheeled out the chair following the doctor. They stopped in front of a door with a nursery sign. "Ready, Ms. Dilan?" She nodded eagerly. Baran pushed the chair slowly. They stopped in front of the incubator where Dilay was. Baran was handed a disposable robe and gloves. After wearing them, he knelt beside Dilan. "I didn't have the chance to introduce her to you." The doctor gave Baran a signal, and he took her out of the incubator. Dilan reached out and didn't miss Baran's smile as he placed their daughter in her hands. "Dilan, meet Dilay. Our daughter." Dilan was not prepared for the emotions she was experiencing. The love she felt inside the moment she held her in her arms was so vast, boundless, and unconditional that she could not contain it. She also felt stronger, like she suddenly had acquired superpowers. But at the same time, she felt fear. Fear that something may happen to her babies. That they could be harmed in any way. Dilay's head moved eagerly against Dilan's chest. "The little princess seems to be hungry." The doctor pointed out. Dilan looked at her with hesitation. "Is it okay for me to breastfeed her?" The doctor nodded.

"Do you want me to leave?" Baran offered. He knew how shy Dilan could be. "No, stay." He was pleased with her answer. He was secretly praying that she would allow him to stay. He didn't want to miss this moment. Baran could see Dilan was struggling to lower her robe. "Let me help you." He offered, and she allowed him. He exposed her shoulder and then her breast. Dilan positioned their daughter. Letting her feel Dilan's skin. Then, with patience and little by little, Dilan guided Dilay until she latched onto her nipple. "Aw!" Dilan complained. "Are you okay?" He asked, and the doctor answered for his wife. "First times can be painful, Mr. Baran. Both Ms. Dilan and the baby need to get used to it." He knew that. He had read about breastfeeding, and yet he didn't want to see Dilan suffer. "I will leave you." The doctor excused herself. Once Dilay settled, Baran could not take his eyes from her and Dilan. Watching his wife feeding their child evoked feelings he had no words for. Maybe admiration? But it was more than that. Baran was in awe, witnessing the miracle of a woman's body. Not only were they capable of growing life inside of them. They were also able to provide nourishment to their babies in the early stages of their lives. "Her hand is so tiny, Baran. Can you believe it?" He was as fascinated as Dilan. She complained again. Baran's instinct was to protect her. "Should I take her?" Dilan smiled a little. "She is not done yet, Baran. I'm fine. Don't worry." The doctor returned a while later. Dilan was trying to make Dilay burp. "It is getting late, Ms. Dilan..." Dilan stopped the doctor from speaking. "Önder. Please let me see him." The doctor paused. She appeared to be making a decision. "Ms. Dilan, Mr. Baran, Önder's situation has improved, but not as much as we would like." Dilan was adamant. "Take me to him." The doctor ended up agreeing.