Blossom-Topaz

Blossom-Topaz Part Three

[TIME JUMP]

"Baby, please sit down." 

"Toni, I may be 9 months pregnant, but I can still parent our son. Besides, I don't mind actually walking around every once in a while."

"Baby, bed-rest is called bed-rest for a reason. You're supposed to be resting." Toni says, her voice filled with concern.  I know she cares, but I can't spend one more second sitting down. I need to stand up every now and then.

"That's where you're wrong, Antionette. It is not called 'bed-rest' it is called torture. Don't even try to argue with me." I retort. These children have had such a toll on my body and my mind and they haven't even been born yet. Toni looks at me sympathetically.  

"Are you okay?" she asks cautiously. 

"To be honest, no. I'm just ... tired. Like, exhausted. It's strange. I don't have the energy to do anything."

"Wow," she says sarcastically."It's almost like there are two parasites-Tommi, no! Put that back and get down." she hisses through her teeth. She stands up and grabs him. "I can't let you out of my sight for a minute, can I?" she says in a baby voice.  "As I was saying, it's almost like there are two parasites inside of you, taking all of your energy."

"Haha. You're very funny, my love." I smile. "Alright. Toni, you need to take Tommi to Betty's and go to work. I'll be fine, I promise. I love you" "I love you too. Call me if you need anything?" "Always." We kiss and she leaves. 

I've gotten quite used to being alone and dealing with the pain of Braxton Hicks. I got up to go to the bathroom when all of a sudden, my water broke. I stood there petrified. I wasn't ready for this, not at all.  A wave of pain came over me. I cried out. What was I supposed to do? I was alone. and instead of another wave of pain, I got a wave of fear. I was alone, sitting on the bathroom floor, crying, and in labor. My phone was in the other room and I felt helpless.  I stood up, slowly, and walked over to my phone. My hands were shaking so bad that I could hardly call Toni.

"Hi, this is Toni. Sorry, I can't come to the phone right now. Please leave a message!" her voice said. I hung up and fell on the floor another contraction came. I called Betty and she answered. 

"Hello?" 

"Betty, I need you to come to my house."

"What? Why? Did you try and call Toni?" her voice taking on a sudden tone of urgency. Why did she have to ask so many questions? 

"Yes, I tried, she didn't answer. I'm in labor and my water broke. " I yelled again. 

"Cheryl, are you okay? I'm on my way." 

"Thank you. I'm fine, just a contraction. I'm going to try Toni again." I said, panting. I called Toni, no answer again. I tried several more times when she finally answered.

"Baby? I'm so sorry  I did pick up. I was driving through that weird area with no service. Are you okay?" 

"Turn around." 

"What? Is something wrong?" Another contraction. 

"Yes, Toni! I mean, no. Yes at the same time." 

"Spit it out, baby," she said. 

"I'm in labor." I sighed. 

"I'm turning around right now. Have you called anyone else?" she asked. 

"Yes, Betty is on her way. Meet me at the hospital, she'll likely get here before you do." I instructed. She agreed and I waited for Betty. She arrived and comforted me. She told me that Toni called her and said she was nearing the hospital. "We have to go, Cheryl." 

The next few hours were a blur. I don't remember much, except the pain and Toni. There were a lot of people in the room and then all of a sudden I heard a cry and someone announced that it was a girl. Then, several minutes later, another cry filled the air and the same person announced to the room that it was a boy. I remember feeling relieved and overjoyed. Our babies are here.