Hope in Our Hearts by Lydia Proffitt

Chapter Twenty-Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.

- Laini Taylor

Lucy finally reached twenty-four weeks the following Sunday. She felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The first major milestone, she could breathe a sigh of relief knowing if the babies needed to come now they reached viability—they had a chance. Lucy didn't want to say "I told you so" but she did feel a little smug. The twins went from no chance of survival to roughly a thirty-three percent chance. She felt validated in her choice even more—not that she needed it. She thanked God over and over again.

The doctor was making frequent appearances in her room taking her blood pressure and gathering urine samples that showed protein levels. Nurses were in and out throughout the day, many were congratulating Lucy and celebrating the moment with her. Lucy's celebration was a little short-lived because she started feeling swollen and her head pounded. Lucy didn't know if it was pounding because it was a side effect from her condition or whether it was from all the tears she had been crying out of happiness.

The nurses were all kind to Lucy, and most of them had become friends. Many of them went to school with Jason and entertained Lucy by telling stories of Jason in high school. The nurses often ate lunch with Lucy and tried to give her company when they knew Jason wasn't at the hospital. Rebecca also called her during her spare time always being nothing but positive and encouraging.

Despite the company nurses and Rebecca's frequent calls, Lucy still felt lonely because she missed her babies. The flowers next to her bed were starting to wilt, and Lucy felt so sick of feeling lonely. She longed to kiss their foreheads and hug them tight against her chest. She missed her kids more than she imagined possible.

Lucy was often bombarded with pictures of them from Jason, Lexie, and Kathleen. Lucy had a love-hate relationship with them. She sometimes felt like she was missing out, but she loved seeing them enjoying their life—she loved seeing their smiles light up her phone and heart. Lucy also missed Jason. He came by every day at least once, but sometimes it felt like he wasn't there. He wasn't real. Lucy knew he only said what he knew she wanted to hear and sometimes he snapped and grew angry instantly. Sometimes, Lucy thought it would have been better had he never stopped by at all, but she still missed him every time he walked out of the door. Sometimes she missed him and he would be right beside her, but his heart somewhere else.

Lucy was messing with her hospital bracelet when her door opened. Lucy raised her tired blue eyes towards Jason and smiled at him.

"Hey, honey," Jason said, smiling. He held the newspaper in his hand, and Lucy noticed he had shaved his beard. Lucy hadn't seen Jason a lot this week. He was going to work more often. He still visited every day but in shorter intervals. However, when he did stop by he was more Jason than before. He had a new feel about him, but Lucy could never figure it out fast enough—he would be out the door as quickly as he came. He promised her Sunday he would be able to spend more time with her.

Jason was working on perfecting his article, and the boys had him busy in the afternoons. He would pick the boys up from school, and Caleb would gather Kale's baseball stuff. Caleb was helping Jason out a lot by taking care of Kale. Jason tried to spend the night with Lucy when he could, but he found it difficult when Meg was having trouble being without both of them. He couldn't find a good balance, but he decided he was going to start asking for help. He knew his mom and sister would be happy to help, and he knew it was arrogant of him not to ask sooner. Lucy deserved more attention, and he knew he had a lot of making up to do. Lucy seemed so valor, but he knew she was having difficulty keeping it all together. He always asked the nurses what happened behind the scenes, and now he knew it was time to change all that.