"Pickup. Pickup. Pickup. Come on, Holden, where the hell are you? Let me guess, he's out with Joanna... again. Breathe, Perri, breathe. This is not the time to panic. I can call Annie. Oh, who the hell am I kidding? She would tell me that she was on her way and then never show. I'm not even sure if I'm in labor. Maybe it's just a really bad bought of Braxton-Hicks."
Perri waddled to the bathroom. "I can't wait for these kids to be born; I am so tired of having to pee all the time."
Right before she was about to sit down a contraction hit and water spewed out from between her legs. The water hit the floor and splashed her feet and her legs. Perri's face turned into a terrified look. Another contraction brought her to her knees on the wet floor.
Fuck, maybe I should call—where is my phone?" She had left her phone in the kitchen. "I can crawl. No prob--" Another contraction. "Ahhh! HOLY FUCKING SHIT! These are too close together. Fuck, I am in real labor, like a baby coming in any second labor. I am--
"HELLO! HEY HOLDEN ARE YOU HERE?"
Perri heard a familiar male voice booming through the house.
Oh, thank God! Not that I want him to see me like this, but hey, don't look a gift-- Perri let out a blood-curdling scream.
"HELLO?"
"JACOB! JACOB! PLEASE HELP ME!"
"Persephone, where are you?"
"In the bathroom! Come quick!"
Jake made his way through the house to the bathroom. He opened the door. "Persephone?" He looked down. "Why are you on the floor? Did you slip and fall?"
"No, Jacob, I am in--" she let out a loud groan as she grabbed her belly.
"Oh God, please tell me that your appendix burst and you pissed yourself."
"Now is not the time to be a moron! I need help! I left my phone on the counter. Call 911."
"I left my phone in the car," Jake said in a panic.
"Mine is on the counter. Go!"
Jake ran to the kitchen, almost wiping out on the way there.
Perri let out another loud scream. "HURRY!"
"Cross your legs or something!"
"IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT!"
"Seriously? You think that would actually work? You are the dumbest man on the planet!"
"I'm sorry. I'm in a panic! But really, if it would help--"
"Just call fucking 911!"
"911, what is your emergency?" the operator said in a calm tone.
"I, umm, it's..."
"Sir, take a breath. Now, tell me what is going on. Do you need police, fire, or EMS?"
"I don't know, all of them? My best friend's sister is in labor. I'm not the father. See, the father is--"
"It's okay, Sir. I don't need the whole story. I do need the exact address."
"Oh, yeah, 707 Old Wagon Wheel. It's a gray house with blue shutters and a big flag pole in the front yard. I'm not sure what flag is on it."
"We will find it." The dispatcher keyed the mike. "6300 to 6312, 6328, and 6334, I have a female in labor at 707 Old Wagon Wheel. Stand by for more details."
"6312 show 12, 28, and 34 en route to 707 Old Wagon Wheel for a female in labor."
"10-4" "Sir? Sir, are you still there?"
"I'm a little scared, but yes."
"My name is Quinn, and we are going to take care of your friend. I need to know what is your friend's name and age?"
"Umm, she's 19, and her name is Persephone Athena James."
"How far along is she, and has her water broken? Have you been timing the contractions?"
"Persephone, how far are you?"
"I'm 35 weeks. I am supposed to have a C-section next week."
"She's 35 weeks and was supposed to have a C-section next week, and her water is everywhere."
"So, she's a little early. Why was she having an early C-section?"
"Why are you having a baby? I mean, a C-section?"
Perri had started her controlled breathing. "I... am... having... twins...you... idiot."
"She's having twins... You're having twins? Congratulations!"
"Jacob, I have to push! I need to push! Oh my God, find Bodhi so I can rip his dick off! He did this to me!"
"Well, it takes two to--"
"JACOB!"
"She says she has to push. Can she push? She's getting really angry."
"She needs to hold off for a moment. I need you to check and see if you can see the top of the baby's head."
"What! No way. It's my best friend's little sister! I can't look at her vagina! One of my friends did that already. That's why she's in this mess. Can I just put a mirror down there, and she can look?"
"Jacob, listen to me. You have to look; it's not going to be pretty, so don't worry about whatever you're thinking about."
"How do you know my name?"
"Well, your friend has been screaming it for the last five minutes. I am pretty sure the entire area code knows your name. Now, look and see if the baby is crowning."
"I don't think I should--"
"Jesus Christ, Jacob, just look at my fucking vagina and see if you can see the head!" Perri yelled, panting.
"Please don't make me do this."
"Jacob Carl Edward Thorsell Jr. the third! Look at my cooch!"
"She used your whole name, Jacob. I would do it."
"Where is the ambulance?"
"It's on the way. Can you see the head?"
Jake dropped to his knees and lifted up Perri's dress.
"Do you see it, Jake?" Perri asked, trying to peer over her belly.
"Well, I either see a head of hair, or you need to shave."
"Will you stop trying to be funny, you fucking moron?"
"Sorry, I do that when I'm under stress!"
"Jacob? Jacob, do you see the head?"
"Yes, I do. It's like right there, and she's really opened up."
"Ask her if I can push. I have to push!"
"Can she push, or should she wait for the ambulance?"
"It doesn't work that way. I need you to get a towel and a rubber band if you have one."
"To clean the floor?"
"No, Jacob, to catch the baby with and then tie off the cord."
"What? Perri, I don't think I can do this."
She tried to talk as calmly as she could. "Jacob, I need you right now. Please, help me."
He took a deep breath. "Alright." He grabbed a towel from the cabinet and a rubber band from the shelf. "Got it."
"Okay. Now tell your friend she can push. Make sure she is not holding her breath. Count to ten, and when you get to one, she needs to stop and take some nice deep breaths."
"Okay, Persephone, you can push now. Don't hold your breath, and let's do it for ten seconds."
"Okay." At the next contraction, Perri started to push while Jake counted down from ten."
Quinn spoke as soon as the counting stopped. "Jacob, the baby's head is going to come out, and I do not want you to pull on it. You need to support the head gently when it starts to emerge."
"Support the head gently." Jake nodded. "Got it, I hope. What if I forget to support it?"
"You're not going to forget. I have faith in you."
"But I'm not an OB; I'm an accounting major!"
"You're who your friend is counting on to help her. Now listen. Once the baby's head is out, the rest will come out quickly. Since she is five weeks early and they are twins, they will be a little small."
"Don't count on it. You should see their dad." He wiped his forehead on the sleeve of his shirt.
"It might look like it's coming down a waterslide. So, if you see water and maybe some blood, don't worry. That is normal."
"Jacob, I gotta push again."
"Okay. Push. 1-2-3-4-5. Here comes the head!" Jake did as he was told and supported the head. The contractions were one on top of the other. Perri pushed one more time, and the baby's body came out."
"He's out! What now?"
"Clean out the mouth with the towel."
Jake cleaned out the mouth, and the little boy started screaming.
"HELLO, EMS! WHERE ARE YOU?" a deep male voice came through the house.
"Oh, thank God. We're in here! Down the hall to the left!" Jacob wrapped the baby in the towel and gave it to Perri.
"You did great. Let the medics take it from here."
"Thank you, Quinn. You were amazing."
"You weren't so bad yourself, Jacob."
The medics squeezed into the bathroom. As big as it was, four medics, a new mother with her infant, and a terrified friend take up a lot of room.
"She's got another one in there," Jake said, moving out of the way so that the medic could get in.
"Well, then, let's pack it up and get this new mommy to the hospital so you two can meet your next kiddo."
Perri was looking at her baby boy. He was beautiful and looked just like his daddy.
"Are you coming in the ambulance, Dad? I'm sure you want to be there just in case the next one comes."
"Me? Oh, I'm--"
"Definitely coming in the ambulance." Perri injected and took Jake's hand. Her eyes were pleading for him not to leave her alone.
He understood and squeezed her hand. "Show me the way," he said. "I'm not going anywhere, Persephone."
They loaded her into the ambulance, and Jake climbed in behind them.
"6312 to 6300"
"6300, go ahead."
"Put us en route to Rainbow, call ahead, and tell them we are coming in with a 19-year-old female currently in labor. One male baby has been delivered, the baby is alert, and vitals are strong, and so far, the other one is giving mom a break."
"10-4 6312. Tell mom we all here said congratulations!"
"Will do, 6300." "How are you feeling?"
"I am having contractions again." She started to do her Lamaze breathing again. "Jacob?"
"What?"
"Thank you. I owe you."
"Well, when I go into labor, I'll give you a call."
"You are such a smartass."
"But you got to love me."
She smiled, and he looked into her eyes. He moved a piece of hair that was stuck to her sweaty forehead. "You are beautiful for just squeezing a human out of your cooch. And if you really owe me one, I think if you name him after me, we can call it even. I mean, I did successfully catch him when he fell out of your vagina."
"He didn't just fall out, but thanks you for catching him."
"And the name? I mean, it doesn't have to be my full name."
"Sorry, I like you, but not happening."
Jake laughed. "Well, even after pushing a human from your body, you're still one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen."
"Jacob, are you seriously trying to hit on me right now?" She was hit with another contraction. She squeezed his hand. "Can you call Holden when we get to the hospital?"
"If you don't break my hand before we get there, of course I will. I hope he's not going to kill me for seeing your cooch."
"Would you stop obsessing about seeing my pussy."
"Hey, Mom, watch your language; there are fresh ears in here!"
"If he grows up around my brother and his friends, he's going to learn all kinds of fun words. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Oh God, this hurts worse than the first time."
"That happens. It's hard enough when you just have one. Now you have to do it all over again."
"Thank you, Mr. Medic." She rolled her eyes and stared at the roof. "Jacob." She pulled him close to her and whispered. "When we get there, make sure you tell them that you are the dad."
"What? Why?"
"Because I don't want them to make you leave. I want you in the room for the next one. Might as well see the matching set."
"Maybe Holden will get there in time to come in with you."
"I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Because he's not going to make it time! Mr. Medic, I think it's time for the next one."
"Hey, Holden."
"Hey, Jake. What's up?"
"Funny story. I stopped by your house to pick up my PS5 and... well... I found Persephone on the bathroom floor."
"What! Is she okay? I've been trying to call her, but her phone is off. She called me a few times--"
"FIFTEEN! SHE CALLED HIM FIFTEEN TIMES!"
"Yes...thank you, Joanna."
Jake could almost hear Holden rolling his eyes.
"Continuing on, is Perri okay?"
"Umm. Well. Congratulations, Uncle Holden!"
"What are you talking about? Did Perri have the babies? It's too early. Is everyone okay? Boys or girls? Where is she now?"
"Calm down. Yes, she had the babies. They are early, but they are perfect. She is doing fine. Man, they are two of the cutest little dudes ever. You can tell they are Bodhi's. No question of paternity there."
"Great, just what she needs, two constant reminders of the guy that broke her heart and her soul."
"He didn't break her. He made her stronger. You should have seen her today. She was amazing."
"I'm sure she was. She's always been amazing. Hold on." "Jo-Jo, I am an uncle to boys! Yay! Can't wait to toss the ball around and do cool uncle stuff."
"How are they doing?" Joanna asked excitedly.
"Everyone is fine."
"Tell Perri I said congratulations!" she shouted in the background.
"You can tell her herself; you are coming with me," Holden said matter-of-factly.
"Really?"
"Of course, babe."
"Babe? So, are you two like a thing?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that." Holden smiled at Joanna.
Jake smiled; he was happy for his friends. They were very cute together. "I'm happy for you, man. Treat her right. Don't forget where she came from."
"I know. I will. So, where are you guys?"
"Down at Rainbow, Babies, and Children's. She is resting comfortably. They brought her to Rainbow because they wanted to make sure that the boys were alright. We are still in the ER, but they are hoping to get her up to the post-partum ward soon."
"We will be down in about... twenty-five minutes. Give her a kiss for me! On the forehead. Don't get dumb ideas."
Jake flinched. "Yeah, about that, should we try to call Bodhi? I mean I know she didn't tell him about the pregnancy but these are his kids. His blood. His legacy."
"I say no, but it's up to Perri. Ask her when she wakes up. If she wants us to try to reach him, then we will."
Jake nodded his head even though Holden couldn't see him. "See you soon."
"Hey, Jake."
"What?"
"Thank you for taking care of my sister. You're a good man."
"Sure. I mean, I get to tell chicks how I delivered a baby; do you have any idea how much pussy I am going to get!"
"What! You delivered... like you saw, my little sister's--"
"See you soon! Gotta go!" Jake hung up before Holden could finish his sentence.
Jake walked back into the room and saw that Perri had woken up.
"Hey, Mama. How are you feeling?"
"I'm a little sore. My breasts are killing me. I think I need to either pump or feed the boys."
"Do you want me to go get the nurse?"
Before she could answer him, two nurses came in, each pushing a plastic bassinet.
"I think a couple of someones are hungry."
"Oh, thank God. My breasts feel like they are going to explode."
"Do you need the lactation consultant?"
"I'll give it a try." The nurse helped Perri wiggle out of the top of the gown, exposing her engorged breasts.
Jake's eyes took her breasts in their entirety. "Oh, ummm. Wow. I will go and give you some privacy."
"Really, Dad? It's nothing you've never seen before. I heard you delivered one of your little boys. Good job." The nurse placed baby one on her right breast while the other nurse put baby two on the left.
Jake was looking at the ceiling. "Is it okay that she feeds them both at the same time? The babies won't get hungry because they didn't get enough?"
"It will be fine. The body knows what to do. Plus, in the beginning, Mom has far more milk than they are going to need. We'll have her pump, and we can freeze the milk for her. Then, when you go home, you can wake up in the middle of the night,, and you can feed them."
"Yeah, Daddy, you can wake up and help feed them," Perri said with humor in her voice.
"If you need us, just push the button. When you're finished, we should have a room for you in post-pardon. By chance, do you have names for the little angels picked out? Records will be up sometime tomorrow when you are released to file the paperwork."
"I think I do. Thank you."
"Of course." The nurses left Perri to feed her little boys for the first time. She was glad that all those baby books she read paid off. She had the breastfeeding on lock.
"You can look, Jacob."
"Maybe I shouldn't. I've already seen enough. Your brother is going to kill me for the first private part of you that I looked at. I don't need to add your tits to the list."
"You really can't see much of anything. Plus, you already saw them before you became interested in counting the ceiling tiles."
Jake stopped looking at the ceiling and watched Perri as she fed the boys. It was the first time he had seen both of them all cleaned up.
"You're a natural. They really are cute. I can't believe you're a mom. I can't believe Bodhi--" He stopped realizing what he was about to say. "Oh God, Persephone, I am so sorry."
Perri looked at the boys feeding. They looked so much like Bodhi. She had seen baby pictures, and they were the spitting image. Perri wondered if she was their mom because she didn't see any of her in the boys. Her voice was quiet. "No, it's alright. I mean, he is their father."
"Do you want me to call him? I think he deserves to know."
"I know. I don't think I can. I will lose it if I hear his voice."
"I can do it, or Holden will."
"No. Don't let Holden call. He's still very pissed at him. If you could try him, I would appreciate it."
"I'll go when they come to take you to your room. Oh, I forgot." He came over and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
"What was that for?"
"That was from Holden."
She looked at him. She had always found Jake attractive, but now, after he had been there for her, she found him to be alluring and handsome. "What about you? Do I get a kiss from you? To congratulate me."
Jake's eyes flicked back and forth from her eyes to her lips. "Sure, I guess." Jake leaned back in and kissed her forehead.
"You delivered my baby. I think a forehead is a little too informal."
He ran his tongue across his bottom lip. He leaned in and kissed her sensually. It was slow, and she gently tugged on his bottom lip with her teeth. He pulled back, looking into her eyes.
"Congratulations Persephone. I- I am going to go make that call."
"Yeah, the call." They were just staring at each other. "Jacob-"
The door to the room flew open. "UNCLE HOLDEN IS HERE! WHERE ARE MY NEPHEWS!"
"Did we interrupt something?" Joanna asked while struggling to get a big bouquet of balloons through the door.
Holden looked at Perri and Jake, who looked like they had just been caught stealing the last cookie. "We better not be. I think I have had about all I can take when it comes to my friends and my sister having interruptable moments."
"I was just looking at the babies." Jake backed up.
"It looked more like you were looking at my sister. Haven't you seen enough of her today?"
"Holden," Joanna said playfully, smacking his arm. "Leave him alone. If it wasn't for him, your sister might still be on the bathroom floor. Now, let me see those babies."
She went forward and was looking at the boys. Jake tried making his way out the door when Holden grabbed his arm. "I don't know what was going on, but I just want to make it clear that it stops here. Understand?"
"Crystal clear. I'm just going to call Bodhi. She said that she wants him to know."
"Alright."
Jake took a couple of deep breaths. His head was spinning. What just happened? Did I really just do that? It's just because of the situation today. Yeah. Florance Nightingale syndrome or whatever that's called.
Jake dialed Bodhi's number. It had been a while since they had talked, but he knew that he hadn't changed his number. He was still hoping that Perri would call or text him at some point.
Across the pond, Bodhi was hiding from Janessa in the shower. Tonight was one of their contracted sex nights. He did everything he could to avoid it for as long as possible.
His cell phone, which he had left on the side table, began to ring. Janessa was lying on the bed waiting for her 'husband,' who was really pissing her off.
She picked it up and looked at the caller ID. "Jake? Who is Jake? Well, let's find out."
"Bodhi O'Neill's phone."
Jake was taken aback. He wasn't expecting a woman to answer. Then it clicked. "Hi. You must be Janessa."
"I prefer Mrs. Bodhi O'Neill, but Janessa works too."
Hearing her call herself that, turned his stomach. He still had no idea how, in God's name, he left Persephone for her. "Is Bodhi there? I need to talk to him."
"He's in the shower. We just had a marathon sex session, and he needed to clean himself off for round two."
Jake rolled his eyes. Of course, he was. "When he gets out, can you have him give me a call? It's important."
"Oh no. Is everything okay?" Janessa said in the most fake, concerned voice Jake had ever heard. "Did something happen?"
"I just need to call me. Tell him it's important; it's about Persephone."
"Persephone? Oh, the skinny girl. Sure, I can tell him, but I can't promise that he will call back. He has told me that he has no interest in talking to her or any of his so-called friends back home. He said everyone turned on him because he fell in love with me and didn't want to be with the skinny girl."
"She has a name."
"Yeah, we don't say her name. It's like saying Voldemort in the wizarding world."
"Just tell him. I'll be waiting for him to call me back. It's very important."
"Sure, whatever. Bye, Jack."
"It's Jake." She had already hung up. Now, there was nothing left to do but wait to see if he cared enough to call back.