Holt and Ace.
*Holden's POV*
I got my little deer her food and cola, a little package of sugar cookies with icing too, for good measure. I think I grew three inches in height, I've never stood so tall in my life. I have two big, healthy boys. And a beautiful woman who birthed them like a champ. I can't wrap my head around my great fortune. I have done absolutely nothing to deserve this, and here I am blessed with more than I ever imagined. I can't wait to get back. I speed through traffic, I run up the stairs not bothering to wait for an elevator to land. I get to the birthing floor and chaos is in full play. Nurses run and Evans and Dobrev follow with a crying Elaine chasing their tails. Acacia! My heart sinks as I run after them to her room. The door is cracked and her hysterical mom is in the corner calling family and dad is curled over her, protectively trying to wake her. She is pale and lifeless. Her lips a bit grey.
"She is breathing and has a pulse. It's not right though! She asked for a hot bath and said she was cold. I gave her a fluffy robe and blankets. I tried to warm..." He breaks off in sobs.
"It's not your fault, H." Dobrev comforts as he and Evabs quickly assess the situation and her vitals. He and Evan's silently communicating before turning to the nurses. "Her blood type is AB+, file is in the pocket by the door. We need fluids, blood immediately. We believe she might've lost too much ood. This is a typical sign giving her low temp, freezing and coloring. We couldn't stitch her any sooner though without her birthing baby number two and placenta though. We'll have her some iron administered and a light, nursing safe, pain reliever too for when she wakes if she needs it." We listen to his every word. I move to comfort her mother and my father, but her mother lashes out.
"I thought she was getting proper prenatal care." She snarls. "This wouldn't have happened if she were getting proper care." I'm taken aback by this and I move to defend us.
"She has been..."
"Let's get one thing straight here!" Dad's shaky voice interrupts. I look to see him vividly staring her down, still half poised protectively over Cia. "She has recieved the best of care all across the board. You name it. Prenatal care, nutrition, we eliminated all stressors after dealing with the police. Each of us has been up and down at night the past month and a half running her baths, rubbing her down, getting her comfortable. We have done everything we could do to ensure she is cared for. I will not have you coming at us over something beyond our control. This girl gave birth without even a tylenol to twins, nonetheless, and she lost blood in that process. She seemed fine earlier so nobody was alarmed."
"Obviously nobody was smart enough to catch on, or they would have been alarmed." She retorts.
"Perhaps had you gotten here hours ago you'd have been here to supervise and offer your observations." I snap. Dad quirks a brow at her. She scoffs at us.
"Perhaps had you used a condom, my 19 year old daughter wouldn't be pushing out twins." Dad nods to me and steps back in.
"Perhaps if your father used a condom we wouldn't have to suffer your condescending tone at a moment we need to be focused on Cia. Stop being a battle axe and start trying to focus on your daughter and grandbabies. Both are healthy, by the way, one 5lbs 7 ounces the other 6 lbs even."
She goes silent, sulking, and stands in the corner watching Cia as the team heads back in to hook up iv drips, fluids, blood. The babies are brought back in bedside and with confirmation from Dobrev, we help them nurse once she is still and settled. A few hours pass with the babies in their sleepers against their mommy's chest, and her resting peacefully. Her color slowly comes back and soon she starts to stir. We remain around her, holding the babies in their places. Her mom finally nears us.
"I'm sorry..." She trails off. We nod at her and motion her forward. Her face brightens now and she stares at her grandbabies. "Oh my goodness!! They are dolls! What hair. Oh!" She taps ones cheek and it smiles and wiggles. "Ohhh! I told her father to come. He is missing out! I can't get over them." She keeps brushing them and cooing. Dad hands her one and she rocks and walks around the room whispering in baby voice. Dad shakes his head and grins.
"You know, to have such an ugly daddy, they sure are beautiful." I glare at him and Cia's mom laughs devilishly.
"They get those looks from their mamaw." She says coyly and smirks. We all laugh and the once tense room relaxes.
"Baby..." Acacia groans and stirs a tad.
"I'm here." I grab her hand.
"Not the big baby. The little babies..." She slowly rises a bit, instinctively craddling the twin resting on her. "H-have they eaten?" She asks. Her mom hands dad the baby after kissing its head and dives for the pizza.
"Yes, they have. Now we all agree that YOU need to!" We move to let her eat and pass the babies back and fourth, loving on them. Cia inhales half the pizza and the cola in no time. Dad runs to get water for her and I take both babies to their cribs when they fall asleep so we may eat too.
"Thank you guys. How long have you been here mom, was I asleep long?"
"A few hours honey. Are you still cold?"
"No. I feel pretty comfortable I think. I want up." She moves to stand on shaky legs. "Fucking ivs." She drags the poles with her as she walks a minute in the room trying to stretch her limbs and try her balance. Dad trails her into the shower, he looks so worn. Lines around his eyes more defined today. He really loves her. He loves her too.
"Are you sure you shouldn't follow her?" Her mother asks.
"I was going to, but he has her. She's in good hands. I've hogged her most the day from him." She still looks confused, but let's it go.
"She is very close with him too. You guys make for an interesting family." She chimes. "Cia told me you all put in together on that house. If you guys need help setting up let us know. Jason was too nervous to come, so he went over to mow the lawn for you guys and he is supposed to surprise her by planting a few of her favorite flowers in the flower beds." I smile. Her dad was so awkward about her pregnancy. I'm not surprised he was too uncomfortable to pop in. Dad and I have gotten quite close with him though, he really seems to approve of us. Before long Acacia emerges fresh and in her favorite flannel gown and fuzzy socks. Hair dry and fluffy. Dad must have dried it for her. He has always loved to brush and dry her hair. "You look so much better sweetie, how do you feel?"
"Clean finally, and starving!" She favors herself as she makes her way to bed, and I go after her another plate of pizza and cookies. She eats while observing our sleeping boys, face glowing and deep in thought. "We need names little ones." She says aloud. "Something with the Holden name of course." She ponders, then stands to put her plate away and grabs the sleepy boys bringing them to lay with her. One opens a hazel eye and makes little cries at her. She lights up and soothes him. "Holden Abel. After daddy and both grandpas. Abel is dad's middle name." She says with pride. I like that. It does suit him. An idea hits me. I gedture to the grey eyed babe.
"Holden Ace. To match his twin and to rhyme a little with his mommy. Ace, and Acacia." I smile. Her mom nods enthusiastically.
"And, since I am now daddy and grandpa H, Mr. Holden Abel can steal my old nickname. We'll call him 'Holt' for short. Holt and Ace. Ha! Two bad ass names for two strapping little lads." Dad exclaims and we chuckle. He puffs out like a rooster. He's eyes still misty and his chest swells even more. "Oh if Eva could see you boys!"
"I love their names!! I'm texting your father and Colton right now. Do you mind if I grab some pictures honey? If you aren't comfortable, or don't want to be in them I understand."
"I don't mind at all mom! I would appreciate it." I follow suit and take some photos for myself and dad too. Then of each person with the trio. The boys are awake and alert. I make a few little bucks to get them turned to my direction.
"There's my handsome boys. Smile for daddy, Holt and Ace!" Cia smiles too and my heart could burst.+
"Breath taking."