Chapter 187 – Bonus - Welcoming The Twins
Chapter 187 – Bonus - Welcoming The Twins
Isabella’s POV
Child Labor is not for the faint of heart. By the time I arrived at the hospital, I was already 5 cm dilated and went to 7 cm in a span of 30 minutes. Dr. Williams said it was going to be a quick labor, so an epidural may not be possible, and she was right. By the time Zander made it from the lobby to the delivery room, I was 10 cm dilated and ready to start pushing.
A loud cry pierced the room. “Congratulations, Isabella and Zander, it’s a girl,” Dr. Williams declared. “The work isn’t done yet, Isabella, baby number two wants to meet you, too.”
I watched as they took my daughter over to be cleaned up and weighed. No, our daughter, I think as I glanced up at Zander. Zander bent down and kissed me on my forehead. “I’m so in awe of your strength, my love,” he purred against my forehead. “I love you, Izzy.”
“I love you, Z,” I replied.
“Ok, Isabella,” Dr. Williams said, bringing my focus back to her. “On the next contraction, I need you to push.”
No sooner did the words come out of Dr. Williams’ mouth than a contraction wracked my body. I let out a holler, bearing down on the pain.
“I see the head,” Dr. Williams called out, from between my legs. “Fantastic work, Isabella, one more push and we’ll greet baby number two.”
With the next contraction, I felt like I was pushing with the last of my strength. I strained and then collapsed back. “I can’t do this,” I cried. “I can’t push anymore.”
There was a loud wail. “You don’t need to, Isabella,” Dr. Williams stated happily. “Meet your baby boy.”
I started sobbing as Zander grabbed my hand. “You did it, bunny,” Zander said, hugging and kissing me. “We have two very loud children.”
Dr. Williams handed our son to the nurse, who took him to be cleaned up. Another nurse appeared with our little girl and handed her to me.
“Mia Bella,” Mama cried. “She is so beautiful.”
Amelie rounded the bed and hugged Zander. “Good job, Daddy,” Amelie sniffled.
“Oh my god, that sounds so weird, I’m a dad,” Zander chuckled. “Honestly, I didn’t do much. Isabella is the star.”
“So, daddy, do you want to hold your daughter?” I asked, smiling up at him.
Zander slipped into bed beside me. “Absolutely,” Zander exclaimed. Mama helped lift the baby into his arms. “Well, hello there, baby Sophia,” Zander grinned.
Mama gasped, “Sophia?”
“Yes, Mama,” I said, smiling at Sophia in Zander’s arms. “We wanted to name her after Nonna.”
“Mia Bella,” Mama cried. “That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.”
The nurse walked over with our son. “It was hard for me to bring him over to you,” she laughed. “Just born and he’s already a handsome little charmer.”
“Zander,” Mama snickered. “Like father, like son.”
“Mama! Did you just objectify my husband?” Isabella asked.
“What? I’m married, not dead,” Mama replied, shrugging. “Anyone with eyes can see he’s good-looking, and he has to be charming if he won you.”
Damn it, Mama had a point. I couldn’t even respond to that.
“Look at you both,” Amelie beamed. “You guys are naturals.”
Then it started. Mama took a million pictures of the babies and us. Both Amelie and Mama held each baby and took pictures.
“So, what have you decided for full names?” Amelie asked.
I gazed up at Zander, and he nodded. “Welcome, Alexander Edwin Salvatore Cavanaugh,” I said, smiling.
Both Amelie and Mama sighed, and tears welled in their eyes.
Zander grinned and spoke, “Introducing Sophia Amelie Aralina Cavanaugh.”
Amelie and Mama hugged each other and then came over to hug both Zander and me.
“Those names are perfect,” Mama gushed.
“I agree,” Amelie advised.
There was a knock on the door, and Nathan peeked his head in. “Sorry to intrude, but our special guest has arrived,” Nathan said, smiling.
“Well, bring her in!” Mama exclaimed.
The door swung open, and Papa walked in with Nonna on his arm, Nathan following them.
“Nonna!” I squealed. “You came all the way from Hawaii?!?”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Nonna informed. “Now, hand over my great-great-grandbabies.”
Papa walked Nonna to the chair beside my bed and had her sit down. Mama lifted Alexander out of my arms and placed him in Nonna’s. “Meet Alexander Edwin Salvatore Cavanaugh,” I announced.
“Mia Stellina,” Papa gasped, walking towards me and kissing my cheek. “It is an honor to be part of his name.”
“Look at you, just born and already a lady killer, just like your dad,” Nonna declared.
“See!!” Mama stated, then laughed.
“Let’s hope he doesn’t inherit the Salvatore forehead vein,” Nonna chuckled.
“So funny, Nonna,” Papa said, rolling his eyes.
“Who wants to hold this sweet little boy while I see baby number two?” Nonna asked.
“I will,” Papa said, hastily picking up Alexander.
“Actually, Alexander is baby two,” Zander grinned, walking over with our baby girl. “Nonna, I’m pleased to introduce you to Sophia Amelie Aralina Cavanaugh.”
“You didn’t,” Nonna gasped.
“We did,” I advised. “You were the main reason Zander and I managed to be together. Without you, we would have never had these two blessings.”
“Well, about that,” Nonna uttered. “Please promise me that you won’t hate me.”
“Nonna,” I said, puzzled. “Nothing you could do or say would ever make me hate you.”
“Are you sure?” Nonna asked. “Because I did something I knew was wrong, and that it would change the lives of all people involved.”
“Nothing, Nonna,” I replied. “Absolutely, nothing could change my love for you.”
“When you came home from college, the weekend that you went to have dinner with Antonio and his parents,” Nonna said, gulping. “I came up with a plan. I knew Antonio was a bad man, and there was no way I was going to let him marry you.”
“Nonna,” Mama declared, “You’re scaring me.”
“When you were all out at the dinner at the DeMarco house,” Nonna said sheepishly. “I may have just switched Isabella’s birth control for sugar pills.”