Page 45 of Cannon
“Let’s have Cannon help you get dressed. One of my nurses is bringing a wheelchair. Jesse, you’re dilated to a six and sixty percent effaced. We’re getting you to a birthing suite, and I’ll be right behind you. You’ve most likely been in labor since yesterday. You are one tough mama. I’ll step out because let’s go Mama and Daddy, we’re having babies today.”
Jesse didn’t say anything as Cannon helped her get her panties and leggings on, then slipped on her socks and shoes. He helped her down, then opened the door. A nurse was waiting with a wheelchair. Cannon helped her get situated, then listened to the nurse’s directions. Just out the door and around the corner to the labor and delivery suites. They’d prechecked in weeks ago, and the doctor had already notified the staff Jesse was on her way.
Cannon pushed her down the hall and into the labor and delivery area. They got in the room, and she tried to listen to what the nurse said. Once the nurse left, Cannon pulled her into his arms.
“Honey, you’ve got this. Let’s get you into the hospital gown. I’ll try to be calm, but my heart is racing because, oh holy cow, the girls are coming.”
Jesse grinned and let Cannon help her. His nervousness actually helped calm her down a little. He was right. They could do this. Together.
Cannon held Jesse’s hand and marveled at her. By the time they’d gotten situated, the nurse had informed Jesse it was too late for an epidural. His honey had just nodded and said okay. He would have been running from the room screaming. He held her hand as the doctor told her to push on her next contraction.
He’d taken a second to send aCode Racheltext with the addition of a notebabies comingwhen they’d first entered the room.Then he’d silenced the notifications and laid the phone on the side table. He wanted some pictures after the girls were here, but right now, this minute, he was experiencing every moment with his family.
“Okay, one more now. One… two… three,” the doctor said.
Jesse squeezed his hand and groaned. Cannon glanced down between her legs and saw the doctor pull his daughter out.
“Baby A is out. Dad, do you want to cut the cord?” she asked.
“Nope, I’m good.”
Yeah, he was good, but he was a little nauseous seeing all the goo and stuff on her. He’d let the doctor cut the cord, and he’d hold Jesse’s hand. Once the nurse took Baby A, Jesse groaned again.
“Well, it’s looks like Baby B doesn’t want to be left behind. Let’s do a good push. You’re almost there,” the doctor encouraged.
Cannon watched Jesse but also kept an eye on the nurse taking care of his daughter. He thought she was doing some type of tests after she’d cleaned the baby up.
Jesse pushed and their daughter slid out into the doctor’s hand. She cut the cord.
The nurse returned with their first daughter, who had loudly cried while she was cleaned off.
“She’s five pounds four ounces with an APGAR of nine.”
Their doctor motioned for the baby to be laid in Jesse’s arms. Cannon just stared at his daughter. He reached for her little hand. Her fingers were so tiny.
“I think Clarissa looks perfect. We talked about Rissa for what we’d call her, and she looks like one, doesn’t she?”
Cannon leaned close, kissing Jesse’s cheek and then kissing the baby’s hand.
“Welcome to our family, Rissa. Mommy and I love you very much,” he said, not caring about his eyes filling with tears.
The nurse returned with Baby B. “It’s amazing but these two shared everything five pounds four ounces and another APGAR of nine.”
She held the baby out to Cannon. He held out his arms and let the nurse place her in his arms.
“Ginny, I think you and your sister are going to keep us on our toes.”
He leaned down so Jesse could see Ginny.
“They’re both beautiful.”
“Okay, Mama. We’re good. You don’t have any tearing, so no stitches. As long as the girls continue this good, we’ll let you all go home in a couple of days. The suite will get cleaned up and then we’ll give you all a little bit by yourselves. The nurses will be back in about twenty minutes to tell you about going to the bathroom, feeding, etc. If you need anyone before that, use the call button. Congratulations!”
He waited for the staff to leave and then he laid Ginny in Jesse’s other arm. He made sure she was covered up and then grabbed his phone. He took a picture of Jesse by herself with the girls and then took a picture of him with them.
Once he was done, Jesse was unwrapping them, comparing the two. Ten fingers, ten toes, and as far as he could tell, absolutely identical. He wondered if that would change later, but his daughters were perfect. Ginny pursed her lips, and this wave of love swelled through him. He’d had trouble recognizing it when he’d fallen in love with Jesse, but he instantly realized as soon as he saw them, he’d love them. He wrapped Rissa, then helped Jesse wrap Ginny. A nurse walked back in.
“Okay, Mom and Dad, here are your bracelets. Since you have twins, you’ll each have a bracelet for both babies. Each baby will have their own bracelet. So which one is Clarissa?”