131 - Benjamin Scott

131 - Benjamin Scott
Benjamin Scott

It’s been a little over a month since we arrived here at the hospital. Not only were my four children born, but also the children of my cousins and my sister-in-law, as we all waited for Julian, Vincenzo, Will, and Giorgia to be ready to go home.

I can't deny I felt tense as I watched Camilla preparing everything for our departure. Our hospital room was carefully arranged to offer us a bit of comfort and privacy.

I glanced around and saw everything was ready. The bags were stacked neatly by the door, and the baby car seats were already waiting for them in the car. The feeling was surreal. After weeks of back-and-forth trips to the hospital, despite my desire to stay here 24/7, I had responsibilities to take care of, which meant I often had to leave briefly.

But today, we were finally going home. Us and our four little miracles.

I looked into the mirror, adjusting my shirt once again. Staring at the red polo shirt Camilla had asked me to wear, I couldn’t figure out why I was so nervous. Today was a special day, my children were finally going home. I smiled as I caught sight of Camilla entering the room, her gentle smile always making my world stand still.

“Are you nervous?” she asked, her eyes shining with a mixture of exhaustion and the joy we had shared since the babies were born.

“A little…” I admitted, turning to her.

My wife looked beautiful, even with the dark circles that hinted at the sleepless nights we’d endured to care for our babies. She was perfect. Her simple dress accentuated her elegance, and I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was to have been chosen by her that spring morning.

“Everything will be fine,” she said, placing her hands on my chest. “We’re a team, remember?”

I nodded, holding her hands in mine. There was something about the way she always made me believe we could face anything together. And honestly, I’d believed that for a long time now.

We left the room accompanied by Victor and Andreia, heading down to the neonatal ICU. The nurses were waiting for us with warmth that reflected the bonds we had formed during our time there. As we entered, we saw our babies ready, each dressed in adorable onesies, prepared to face the world outside the hospital for the first time.

I walked over to their cribs, watching them play with their hands or the pacifiers Camilla had thoughtfully provided to soothe them. My wife believed their restlessness came from missing each other.

“So, this is it,” I said, touching Julian’s tiny hand.

I moved closer to pick up the first of them, our little warrior with light hair. Vincenzo looked so fragile in my arms, yet I knew he carried his mother’s strength.

Camilla smiled as she picked up our little girl, a replica of herself, with light hair and the same piercing eyes as my little devil. Giorgia was a stunning baby, and I was certain she would give me plenty of headaches with her beauty as our only daughter.

“They’re going to love the room. I spent hours decorating every detail…” Camilla said, with a hint of insecurity in her voice.

“I’m sure they’ll adore all the teddy bears and toy cars we scattered around the room!” I replied, laughing.

There was something incredibly moving about imagining our children in the space we had so lovingly prepared to be their nursery, a place for them to grow and play as they got older.

We placed the babies in the stroller that resembled a little carriage, two in each, and said goodbye to the nurses, who had been so supportive and helpful with each of our children. Camilla had formed a wonderful bond with some of them, which is why we hired a few to work at our home, helping us with our kids.

Our stay at the hospital had drawn everyone’s attention, not because I was the son of influential people in Vancouver, but because the birth of quadruplets isn’t an everyday occurrence in our city, especially when all the babies are born healthy.

“Shall we go home?” I asked, watching Camilla as she placed Giorgia next to Vincenzo.

I looked at my wife, who radiated joy as she carefully arranged our babies in their strollers for the journey ahead.

“It’s all I want!” she said.

With each baby in their place, we made our way to the car. With every step, I felt happiness swell within me, knowing that our family was complete and we were finally heading home. We smiled at each other, exchanging glances that silently acknowledged that our lives would never be the same again.

As soon as we got to the car I had bought to fit our entire family at once, we faced our first amusing dilemma.

“How are we going to organize them?” Camilla asked, looking from the baby carriers to the car seats.

I thought for a moment, since I hadn’t considered this during all the time we stayed with them at the hospital. I knew we’d leave one day, sooner or later, but only now did I realize I wasn’t entirely prepared.

“Let’s place them in birth order!” I suggested, looking at the two car seats installed behind the driver’s and passenger’s seats.

“I think that’ll work best!” Camilla replied, though she seemed unsure.

I looked at the stroller where Julian and Vincenzo were resting and took a deep breath to arrange our children in their respective spots in the car.

It didn’t take long before I was seated between my restless boys inside the armored minivan equipped with the best safety features on the market. I had invested heavily in security for my children, doing everything possible to keep them safe from any threats.

I picked up one of their toys and started playing with them, trying to keep them entertained. Glancing back, I saw Camilla adjusting something for Giorgia, who looked adorable in a red dress with a delicate bow on her head, clearly marking her as the only princess among her brothers.

A satisfied smile graced my wife’s face, something priceless, truly. She was happy, and that was all I could ever wish for in my life.

On the way home, the soft sound of the babies’ breathing filled the car. I looked at Camilla again. She kept her eyes on them, interacting with each one in her unique way. It reminded me of something I had asked Victor to handle.

“Did you finish the nanny background checks?” I asked him.

Our eyes met in the rearview mirror, and I could sense that something had happened. I probably knew I’d have some trouble with one of the candidates.

“Yes, sir,” he replied, and I heard Andreia cough to cover a laugh. “They’re all clean. Two are married, and the other two are single. Those two, in particular, really need a stable job.”

I looked at Camilla, who seemed interested in our conversation, and stopped talking to Will, who was on the verge of wailing.

“Who are the ones in need of a job?” she asked curiously.

“Anya and Nadine.”

“I like Anya; you can hire her. Nadine has always been very kind and attentive, but I think she prefers to stay at the hospital. Offer her the job; I hope she accepts!”

I smiled and stayed quiet. After all, when it came to my wife, her orders mattered just as much as mine.

I smiled again and returned my attention to my children, eager to get home and find out what had happened between Victor and one of the potential nannies Camilla seemed fond of.

“I hope there won’t be any issues with the women looking after my children,” I said, catching Victor’s attention. He seemed to gulp nervously.

“There will be no issues, sir. You have my word!” he assured me, but I heard my father-in-law laugh outright.

“Of course not, especially since the woman, with a simple toss of her hair, has already made the fool fall for her,” Andreia chimed in.

When we arrived home, the ritual of bringing each baby inside was filled with laughter and minor adjustments. Finally, with all of them settled in their cribs, they slept peacefully as we stood by the door, watching them.

“It feels like a dream,” Camilla whispered, leaning against me.

“If it is, I don’t want to wake up,” I replied, wrapping my arms around her.

That moment, that day, was just the beginning of our new journey as parents. And with Camilla by my side, I knew we could face anything together.