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Chapter 78: A Queen
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Third Wheel Chapter 79: Up Close And Personal With My Breast
At the Same Time Near the NurseryJacksonI stand, peeking through nursery windows, watching the nurses flitter from one infant to another. My twins sleep side-by-side, soundly near the window. Taylor thinks I’m still with Kennedy. A nurse approaches my side.“Jackson, a gentleman approached the front desk requesting to visit with you or Taylor.”“Where is he now?” I ask, scanning the area. “Who is he?” “His name is Howard Buchanan. He is still at the front entrance,” the nurse informs.“Can he come to me, or must I go to him?” I question, running my hands through my hair, worrying it might be the neighbors coming to visit. “If you agree to see him, I can have them buzz him back,” she offers.I stare at my babies while I wait for Howard Buchanan to arrive. “Twins?” a deep male voice asks.I nod, not taking my eyes off my perfect little daughter and son to take in the stranger beside me.“I regret contacting you with all you are going through, but I needed to see you. I needed you t
Third Wheel Chapter 80: I Won’t Take No For An Answer
Taylor“For tiny babies, they quickly wear out his arms,” Jackson shares, ten minutes later. “Bring them here. I will hold them to take my mind off my itchiness,” I offer.He relinquishes one to me. “You need a free hand to itch with,” he claims.I’m not naïve. I know he can’t bear the thought of not holding at least one of them at all times. The events of the past eight hours hitting him, Jackson sinks into the nearby chair. Both he and his daughter are asleep in said chair when the nurse returns with my allergy medicine. “Ah,” she marvels as she takes in the sight. “Want me to snap a pic?” she whispers.I nod. She carefully clasps my phone from the table and snaps a couple of pictures for me.“Perfect.”She shows me the pictures she took on my phone. Then she inserts the medication into my IV and discards the syringe. I stare at the photo. A teardrop glides down my cheek at the sight. Indeed, it is perfect. She slips out after she dims the lights.I close my eyes, hoping to join J
Third Wheel Chapter 81: You Were Right And I Was Wrong
TaylorKennedy’s nurse greets us in the hallway, then signals a nearby doctor to join us. They escort us to a private waiting room. As the lights flick on, I see four chairs along the wall, a side table with a lamp, a TV mounted on a far wall, and pamphlets scattered on a coffee-table. I’m wheeled near a chair; they prompt Jackson to sit next to me. The latching of the door sends an ominous chill through my body.“I am Dr. Peterson,” she greets, shaking my hand with no accompanying smile. “Kennedy has not improved since we last spoke.” She directs toward Jackson. Apparently, Jackson had already met this physician. “Extensive tests show no brain activity.” Taking my hand, then Jackson’s too, she kneels in front of us. “Kennedy is brain-dead, she is on life support, and will not improve.”“Jackson, I must inquire again. Does Kennedy have any other living relatives?” Dr. Peterson asks.He shakes his head, and she takes the seat next to him. “As her spouse, there are hard decisions you mu
Third Wheel Chapter 82: Ours
Taylor“Taylor’s back,” Nurse Jacobs announces to the new shift of OB nurses as we enter the ward. She hands me off, pats me on the shoulder, and leaves without a word.No words could comfort me from the goodbye downstairs.Upon returning to my room, I’m assisted to the restroom. I’ll never take the ability to use the bathroom for granted again. Two nurses escort and maneuver me with the precision of a team of Navy SEALs. I painfully rise from the wheelchair to the stool. They even lower my hospital-issued underwear for me. I am allowed the privacy of a closed door, but I’m ordered to call as soon as I am done. The simple task of rising from the stool and reaching for my underwear is painful and brings tears back to my eyes. Unsuccessful, I remain on the stool and call to my nurses. They assist me to rise, pull up my underwear, then stand at the sink, and wash my hands. Back in the wheelchair, the nurses assist me painfully back into my hospital bed. One nurse leaves while the other fu
Third Wheel Chapter 83: Phone Call
TaylorHours pass. I don’t remember falling asleep. I didn’t feel my bed lowering to a horizontal position. To my side, the twins lie in the bassinets, tucked tightly beside a sleeping Jackson on the sofa at the window. I can hear his light snores. Not wanting to disturb him, I don’t raise the head of my bed.As I lie flat on my back, I keep my head turned towards the three sleeping Hayeses on the far side of my hospital room. We all need sleep; we need more sleep. But the uncomfortable urge that roused me from sleep grows with each passing minute. I give in to my need, and I press the nurse call button. My peppy nurse quietly slips into the room and my bedside. She must have been in earlier to know we were all asleep.“I need to go to the bathroom, my face is very itchy again, and my pain is back,” I whisper. Peppy nurse nods and turns off the call button before exiting. A few moments later, she returns with another nurse to assist. They raise the head of my bed, then offer me my pa
Third Wheel Chapter 84: Blindsided
TaylorAfter dinner, the twins return to the nursery, and the nurses encourage Jackson to take me for a walk. I’m given a robe to keep me warm, and they secured my socks with the grippy-side down. I cringe in pain as I leave the bed. Once I’m upright, the pain fades. I tolerate slight pain, meandering up and down the obstetric hallway. We pause at the nursery window to peer at the other babies living with Jackson’s.Scratch that.Living with ours.Living with mine.My babies? Jackson and I really need to talk.On our next lap, at my turtle’s pace, I ask Jackson, “Will you hire a nanny to help with the twins?” I keep my eyes focused ahead down the hallway and my hand on the railing.“Do you want a nanny?” He inquires, stopping in front of me and lifting my chin so our eyes meet. “We have much to discuss. I have a few ideas,” he adds.“Want to talk as we walk?” I ask.“We’ll talk back in your room with Carter and Kennedy in our arms,” Jackson states. Jackson holds Carter lengthwise in h
Third Wheel Chapter 85: Adopted Daughter
TaylorEmotions somewhat in check, Jackson continues. “Taylor opened her door then yelled to wake me up. I got out and went to help Kennedy. Taylor’s water broke, so the EMTs drove the two of us here, while the fire department extricated Kennedy.” At his mother’s audible gasp, Jackson pauses, and Gerald reaches for his wife. “Taylor was in active labor when Kennedy arrived at the hospital. The babies were in distress, so she was prepped for a C-section. When Taylor went to recovery and the twins to the nursery, I signed forms for Kennedy to have surgery to stop her internal bleeding.” Jackson releases my hand and stands. “Taylor and the twins got settled here while Kennedy had a second surgery.”“It was a long emotional night,” I add, hoping to give Jackson some support in this emotionally tragic story.“This morning, Taylor decided she needed to go down. She paged nurses, insisting they wheel her down to see Kennedy. She didn’t take no for an answer.” Jackson’s Adam’s apple visibly bo
Third Wheel Chapter 86: Vertical Blinds Opened
TaylorI behave like a perfect patient, and the doctor releases me on Sunday afternoon. As we round the corner, Jackson’s home comes into view. A large sign with balloons attached graces the front lawn, welcoming Carter and Kennedy home.“No, no, no,” Jackson chants. “I told Madison not to tell the neighbors. I can’t handle a party. This is not a time to party.” It might be easy to let his words upset me. The twins are to be celebrated. They are tiny, precious, bundle of joys. However, I completely understand Jackson’s need for privacy. The passing of his wife at the same time his twins are born takes its toll. “I will thank everyone for coming and send them on their way,” I offer. “I’ll fake fatigue.” Not that it would be much of a stretch. I’m exhausted; the thought of relaxing on the sofa or in my bed is my only goal.As Jackson pulls the Mustang into the garage, Gerald and Elizabeth park behind it in the driveway. Jackson opens my door for me and extends his arm to assist me to s
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