130: Bonus Chapter 4: Two Little Bunnies Part 1
Luci
“Mommy you ottayyyy?” Hayden yells behind me as he runs into the bathroom. Skittles is
standing here barking worriedly at me like some kind of alert dog. I rub her head to stop her.
Cole will be hot on his heels after him, I already know and I hurry to get to the sink. After
quickly rinsing my mouth out, I splash water on my face. Cole darts in, focusing on me
intently.
“I’m ok. Needed to wash my hands and face.” I reassure them.
Cole’s eyes narrow on me and I’m reminded of his father so much. “Mommy, are you ok? Why
did he think you’re not ok?”
“He’s two, Coco. His favorite expression is to ask if we’re ok right now.” It’s true, and it
reassures Cole, who nods slowly.
“Ok. If you were sick, you’d tell me right, Mommy?” His little face tight with worry and a tinge
of fear.
Great. I forgot one of the kids at school has a mom going through cancer treatment. “Yes, I
would tell you. I promise I am not sick.”
With that, he’s nodding happily and tells Hayhay he’s taking him to Grandpappy’s. I lean on my
hands against the counter.
I lied to my sons. I’m sick, but it’s morning sickness most likely, not some complicated illness.
I remove two pregnancy tests from beneath the sink and check the directions. Probably two
months along which I should have known as freaking tired as I’ve been. My focus has been
excellent, another sign I’m carrying another Reed baby. The extra estrogen floating around in
my body really helps with my ADD. I grab my phone and set the timer after using the two
sticks, before texting Jason to let him know Cole and Hayden are taking the path to his house.
I can watch them on my phone. They swing through his gate right as the alarm goes off.
Keeping both eyes on my boys until they enter the back door, I blow out a slow breath. Turning
toward that side of the sink, I can see the results from where I stand.
Positive
Both of them. I’m pregnant…..I feel the smile curving on my lips as I touch my stomach softly.
“Hi little one. You want to come join wonderland. Your daddy and brothers are going to be over
the moon once they find out.”
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They will. Easton will go hyperprotective polar bear again. Cole was as bad though with Hayden, so we’ll see how he acts this time. “Probably worse. Mini Easton Reed.” I whisper to myself, laughing a little.
I will need to make an appointment with my doctor. I want to make doubly sure before I tell Easton. We thought I was pregnant three months ago, only to find out I was just late and I don’t want to get it wrong again. And this time I think I want to reveal it to him in a special way. I grab my phone and call the OB office to make an appointment. When they tell me I can stop by that afternoon, I agree quickly. Easton is at the office all day today before the weekend begins. He always says I can’t keep secrets from him and he’s honestly right. My poker face is pitiful and the sooner, I confirm this the sooner I can reveal it. Maybe even tonight because the morning sickness is getting worse. Cole will notice if I’m not careful.
I hurry to the appointment after making sure Jason can watch my boys. They caution me the blood test won’t be back until Monday but the urine test shows positive. Dr. Morris walks in and smiles. “Hi Luci. Your urine test shows positive so that makes three positive tests. Let’s let you lay back and we’ll see if we can hear a heartbeat. From your chart, looks like you’re about eight weeks along.” I lean back and they run the heart doppler over my stomach. I catch the first whoosh and smile. “Oh yes, there it is. We’ll wait to the do the ultrasound until your next appointment. Your husband is going to be very excited along with that precious Coco of
yours.”
She’s very
familiar with them and as usual Cole stole her heart. “He is precious. And they will
be over the moon. I need to figure out how to surprise them tonight.”
I leave and an idea comes to my squirrel brain. I remember my ice rink floor shirt and hurry home to go through my craft supplies for school.
I find some iron on letters and one of my old maternity shirts from Hayden’s pregnancy. I iron on my saying and then toss it on before going to start on dinner. Jason has a business dinner tonight so it will only be me and my boys here. Baker will be down at the restaurant tonight working. I put my bread pirate roberts apron on to cover it up. Easton texts me as I am finishing up the chicken fettucini.
Got the two little Jedis and heading home. Missed you all day.
I grin at that. Like I didn’t know. He texts me probably five times a day telling me how much he loves and misses me. I keep waiting for the day he changes it up and works from home
forever and begs me to quit my job too.
They walk in as I’m setting the table and Cole immediately runs for me. “Hey Mommy. We
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130: Bonus Chapter 4: Two Little…
having chicken fettucini?”
“Yes sir we are, Papa B’s recipe like you love. Can you and Hayhay go wash hands?” He takes off with Hayden’s hand in his. I hurry to take their picture of them walking together. They will have another one tagging along soon, I think as Easton spins me around to kiss me fiercely.
“Hi.” I say when he finally releases me.
“Hi yourself. I was hoping all day you might agree to a late movie night with me once those two are asleep.” He leans his forehead to mine.
“Rough day?” I run my hands over his shoulders.
“Yes. I had to ream out a manager who thought he should fire his pregnant secretary. The poor lady has hyperemesis and he was upset she missed three days without finishing his notes for a presentation. I explained we don’t operate our company that way. He’s probably on the chopping block, I have no patience for that kind of fuckery as you well know.” He closes his eyes. “I could use some Luci time.”
“I’m all yours once we get them to bed. Maybe some ice cream and I’ll rub your neck and
shoulders.” I offer.
“That’s my job sweetness.”
“Nope. I get to take care of you too. It was in the marriage contract you signed.” I argue and
finish making plates.
“I need to reread that thing.” He mutters with a half–smile.
We sit down and I take my apron off but since I’m sitting, he can’t see it. It isn’t until I start picking up the boys‘ plates that he glances at the shirt. “Luci….what does that say?” He
breathes out.
Baby Jedi number three: fully operational
I hold it open so he can read it. “You’re…..sweetness are you pregnant?” He whispers and
Cole’s on his feet immediately.
“Mommy, are you having another baby?!” He spreads my shirt and sees the mini lightsaber I
made.
I nod keeping my eyes on Easton’s face. He grins before coming to lift me off my feet. “How did you hide it from me?”
“I only found out today. I figured I couldn’t keep it a secret. Hayhay and Coco almost caught me throwing up this morning. I’ve been pretty tired but super focused so….I took a test and
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went to see Dr. Morris. About eight weeks along, due at the end of January, early February. I
heard the heartbeat.” I reach for Cole’s hand and he hops up and down with excitement.
“Yes! Hayhay! We’re getting a baby sister.”
“Whoa buddy. We don’t know that yet.” Easton cautions him.
He fixes his dad with that very Easton–like stare. “I knew Hayhay would be my brother, and I know I’m getting a sister this time.”
“Can’t argue with him there.” I mutter and Easton laughs.
“True Coco. Let’s get you two ready for bath and bed. I’m doing the dishes, sweetness. You go
rest.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I’m not that pregnant, Easton. I can do the dishes.” I turn, heading for the sink. I even have time to set up the movie before going to tell the boys goodnight. Both are
almost asleep when I show up for story time. Grandpappy wore them out on the obstacle
course today.
Easton pulls me into his lap as soon as we make it back to the living room. He covers my stomach with his hand. “I can’t wait to meet this one. I’m betting Cole is right and it’s a girl. A
sweet, beautiful little girl like her mom.”
“We’ll see. I probably will have a house full of boys.” I answer honestly.
His tone becomes very serious. “You tell me if the boys get to be too much once hockey
season starts and we’ll hire a part time nanny.”
“Yes, Ice Overlord.” I say in a robotic voice.
He smirks evilly. “I think it’s been a while since you’ve been punished, Mrs. Reed.”
“Survey says….no, it hasn’t.” I joke and climb out of his lap to grab the ice cream bowls. I hand him one and then squeeze behind him to rub his neck and shoulders.
“Luci Reed, I am the one who should be rubbing your back.” He admonishes.
“You can after I take care of you.” I overrule him.
Four weeks later we are heading to the OB for our first ultrasound. Cole and Hayden are going to a train show with Jason, Mr. Logan and Barrett along with a few more cousins. We promised to bring Cole to the one where we find out if he’s getting a sister.
Dr. Morris greets us and finds their heartbeat first. She smiles as we listen. “Nice and strong. Now let’s take a look at this little hockey player.”
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As we stare at the screen, I hear her chuckle a little. Then I catch it. There are two…
Easton points “Am I seeing things?”
+15 Points
“No, you are not. There are two in there. Congratulations, you are having twins.” She adds with a smile.
“Twins…” I say slowly staring at the screen, letting that sink in.
Easton is chuckling as she turns the machine off. “Guess we need to ask Coco how many baby siblings he’s been wishing for. Twins, Luci!”
“We’re really going to be outnumbered.” I laugh.
“Yes we are. Are you happy?” He asks me.
“Very. I didn’t think we’d see that. Are you happy?” I am happy.
“More than I could ever tell you, Luci.” He says with sincerity.
Dr. Morris passes on instructions and info before we take a few copies of our ultrasound to share. Once we reach the outside sidewalk, Easton steers me toward some benches.
“I’ll go get the car sweetness. You wait right here. I’ll take you three to lunch.” Easton kisses my temple and waits until I nod in agreement.
I unlock my phone, thinking about texting the girls about the twins, but decide to wait.
As I close my eyes, letting the wind run through my hair and absorbing the fact we are going
to have two more babies at once, I hear his voice.
“Still attached to the Reed family. Guess Easton Reed was a bigger fool than I took him for.” I
turned in surprise toward the voice’s direction. Marshall Soames stands there wearing a dark
blue uniform with black and white patches all over it. He has aged and not well I note. “I went
to prison because of your husband.” He sneers as I swing my gaze back to focus on the anger
in his face. He’s stepping my way and I hurry to back up knowing it’s time to escape.
Ivory Row
did you wonder where Marshall went? Part 2 will be up later and this will be the end of our journey with Luci and Easton by themselves
