Meet the Howlters

Counting the Minutes

YEAR: 2048

[Delilah's POV]

"Mum!" Fiona cheered as she bounced on my bed. "Mum, wake up!"
"Fiona," I groaned. "Mummy's tired,"
"Mum-"
"Stop jumping," I mumbled.
"Sorry," she sat down in Joe's spot. "Come downstairs,"
"Why?"
"Uncle Winnie and Auntie Jen are here,"
"Why?" I frowned.
"Come on, mum," she complained as she pushed my shoulder.
"Okay, tell them that I'll be down in a minute,"
"Okay!" she smiled as she ran downstairs.

I let out a weary groan and swung my legs out of bed. I sat there for a second, debating whether or not I should climb back into bed. I was nearly nine months pregnant and my belly has gotten so big, I can hardly do anything anymore. I must say, everything was a lot simpler with one kid in me and having it taken out six months in. I eventually got myself out of bed, put my glasses on, and waddled downstairs to see the family.

"Guys," I mumbled. "I am very tired and-"
"Surprise!" A large group of people cheered.

I nearly fell back on the stairs in shock; thankfully, I caught myself. I cracked a smile and walked downstairs and started to cry.

"I'm sorry princess," dad said. "Did we scare you?"
"Little bit," I sobbed as he hugged me.
"I'm sorry," he laughed.
"It's fine," I wiped my eyes. "I'm just a hormonal mess," I pouted. "Thank you guys... Really... What is this for?"
"Well," bear started. "We never got a chance to give you a baby shower with Fiona so, we're giving you one for this one," he smiled as he hugged me.
"One?" Winston raised a brow.
"Yeah...why?" bear asked.
"No reason," he smiled. "Dil, come with me,"
"Why?"
"Just, ugh, come on," he mumbled.
"Fine," I sighed as he dragged me into the office. "What?"
"Would you like to tell me why you haven't told bear and dad that you're having twins?"
"I thought you were gonna tell them,"
"Now why would I tell them?"
"Cause I have pregnancy brain... I forget a lot of important stuff..."
"Come on, Dil. You have to tell them,"
"Winnie," I whispered as I grabbed his arm.
"Ow! What?"
"Go get Jenny..."
"Why?"
"Just go!" I shoved him out of the room and sat on the office chair.
"Hey, Jen," Winston said.
"Yeah?"
"Dil wants to talk to you,"
"About?"
"I don't know. I was just told to get you,"
"Okay..." she said as she walked into the office. "Hey, what's up? Are you okay?"
"How far apart do my contractions have to be before I go to the hospital?"
"Three minutes. Why? Are you in labor?"
"I think so," I cried. "This can't be happening," I sobbed.
"Honey, you have to give birth eventually," she said.
"No, you don't understand. My c-section date is next week,"
"Why are you getting a c-section?"
"Cause she's having twins," Winston said.
"You are?" I nodded. "Congratulations!"
"Fuck this," I whined. "Okay, y'know what, you guys planned an amazing party for me. I say we just power through as much as we can before my contractions become three minutes apart,"
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay?" Winston asked.
"I'll be fine," I said. "Someone help me up,"

They both took ahold of my arms and pulled me up from the chair. Without letting go, we slowly walked into the living room and helped me sit down on the couch.

"Okay, I don't want to alarm anyone but, um, I'm in labor. It's no big deal but-"
"You're what!" Joe yelled.
"Look, everyone, it's gonna be a while before I have to go to the hospital. My contractions have to be three minutes ap- oh fuck," I groaned. "Winnie? How far apart?"
"Seven minutes,"
"Shit," I exhaled. "Let's just sit here, have a nice party. Maybe open some gifts, have some food-"
"Actually," Jenny intruded. "You can't eat..."
"Why the fuck not?"
"You just can't. You can have ice chips though,"
"Screw ice chips. Someone get me some water, then,"
"Can't drink either,"
"Pregnancy can go fuck itself. Joe, go get me some ice. Crush it up, give them to me to suck on, I don't know just, get me something,"
"Will do,"
"Okay people, let's get this party started,"
"What do you wanna do first?" dad asked.
"Something that doesn't require eating, drinking, or moving, would be preferred,"
"Let's start with gifts," bear suggested.
"Fine by me. Fiona, sit next to mummy and held her open the gifts,"
"Why?"
"Cause mummy needs to open these fast,"
"Why?"
"Cause- shit! Winnie?"
"Six and a half minutes,"
"Fuck," I panted. "I hate this," I whined. "Come on, baby, started opening,"
"Okay," she shrugged.
"Delilah," Joe said as he handed me a cup of crushed ice cubes.
"Thank you, darling. Sit, and start opening,"
"Are you gonna open anything?"
"Nope," I said, pouring some ice cubes in my mouth. "Shit," I whispered.
"What?" Joe asked.
"The one on the right will not stop kicking,"
"The one on the right?" dad raised a brow.
"Yeah," Fiona smiled. "Mum's having two babies,"
"You're what!" Everyone yelled.
"Surprise," I murmured. "Winnie!"
"Five minutes,"
"Okay," I said, collecting myself. "Once my contractions get under four minutes, someone go start their car. I don't care who, someone just go do it,"
"Okay," everyone said.
"Let's just hope your labor doesn't drag on like mine," Louise laughed. "I was in labor, with Darcy, for a good day. She just did not want to come out,"
"That does not make me feel better, Louise!"
"Look," Joe said, trying to distract me. "A onsie! How cute!"
"I'm sure we got plenty of them,"
"Mum, y'got some bottles and pacifiers,"
"That's nice, baby," I mumbled, eating some more ice. "Ah! Winnie!"
"Five minutes,"
"Shit," I slapped the couch. "Look, I don't want a lot of people in the car with me. I just want Joe and Jenny,"
"Why me?" she asked.
"Cause you're a doctor,"
"Fair enough," she shrugged.
"Mum, look! They got blankets and hats!"
"Very nice," I rubbed her head. "Honey,"
"Yeah, mum?"
"You're gonna stay here with papa and grandpa until mummy gets back,"
"Why?"
"Cause I have to give birth to your- fuck!"
"Two and a half minutes. Someone get her into a car!"
"I'm on it," Joe said as he ran outside.
"Come on, honey," Jenny said as she helped me up from the couch.
"Bye mummy!" Fiona yelled. "I love you!"
"I love you, too."

***

"I'm dying," I cried.

I had finally gotten a room in the hospital and now I was just waiting around until I was fully dilated. Joe was sat on my left, holding hand, and Jenny was on my right, trying to calm me down; I actually made her go get ice chips, once or twice.

"I'm not getting a c-section... Am I?"
"I'm afraid not," Joe sighed.
"I hate you,"
"You have every right to,"
"Hello, Miss Howlter," Dr. Stevens smiled. "How are you doing?"
"I've been better. How far along am I?"
"Almost there,"
"Really? Cause- ah! Fucking hell!"
"Now... You're there now... Delilah, are you ready for a baby?"
"No," I sobbed. "I hate this,"
"Okay, Delilah, start pushing on the count of three. One... Two... Three..."

***

"Hi mummy!" Fiona smiled over Skype.
"Hi, baby," I beamed. "Are you behaving for papa and grandpa?"
"Yeah. Can I see the new babies?"
"Not now, honey. They need some rest,"
"Why?"
"Because, they had a very big day,"
"When are you coming home?"
"I'll be home in two days,"
"Can I come and visit?"
"I'm not allowed to have visitors,"
"Oh..."
"I'll be home soon, honey. I gotta go to bed, and you should too. I love you,"
"I love you too..."

***

"Is everyone all set to go home?" Joe asked.
"Yeah," I smiled, staring down at my two, new children. "Come on, let's go home. I miss my little girl,"
"Yeah, yeah. Come on, give me a carrier,"
"You have arms; grab one,"
"Fine," he laughed. "Come on," he kissed me as we headed for the car.

The drive home was rather long; I just stared into the backseat and smiled at the two sleeping children. Eventually, Joe pulled into the driveway and we were welcomed by a nicely decorated house. Joe and I each grabbed a carrier and a diaper bag and lugged them into the house.

"We're home!" I yelled.
"Mummy!" Fiona cheered as she hugged my legs. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too," I beamed.
"Can I see the babies?"
"Of course," I said.

Joe and I set the carriers down on the couch so Fiona, dad, and bear could look at them.

"Would you like to introduce us?" Bear asked.
"This is Evan," I smiled as I pointed to the boy. "And this is Katherine," I said, pointing to the girl.
"They're absolutely gorgeous," dad whispered.
"Yeah," I sighed. Joe wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. He placed a kiss on my cheek and smiled at the two, new little members of the family. "They are..."