What? “Wait. Can you repeat that?” I ask, sitting on the edge of my seat.
“His heart is normal. Everything checks out.”
“Oh, thank God. I was certain it was bad news. I’ve never been brought straight back for results,” I explain.
He nods in understanding. “I scheduled out some extra time today. Just in case we didn’t receive a positive outcome. It’s rare when I’m not rushing off to another patient.”
“Thank you. I— Can I see him?” I barely push the words past my lips. He passed with flying colors. His heart is fine.
He’s fine.
“Of course. Josh will take you to his room. We’ll work on getting him discharged.”
“Thank you, Dr. Langston. Thank you for everything.” Reaching across the table, I offer him my hand.
“It’s been my pleasure. We’ll see you in a couple of weeks for Ben’s checkup.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, grabbing our things and following Josh out of the office and down the hall.
“He’s in a private room, but there’s a nurse in there with him.” He pushes open the door, and the sound captures Beck’s attention.
“Hey, buddy,” I say, and he smiles, waving his little arms all around. “How are you?” He babbles his little baby babble back to me. “I heard you were such a brave boy and your tests are all good,” I tell him, like he knows what I’m talking about. I kiss him on the head and step back. “I need to call my wife. Can you watch him a little longer?” I ask the nurse.
“Of course. I’m assigned to him until discharge. Take your time.”
“Daddy will be right back,” I tell my son. Backing out of the room, I rush down the hall and stop when I get to the waiting room. Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket, I dial Reagan.
“Tyler?”
“Hey, babe. I have some good news.”
“Tell me,” she says, and I can hear the hope in her voice.
“He’s clear. His tests came back normal.” My heart leaps into my throat as I say the words. Relief washes over me.
“Really?” she asks, her voice cracking.
“Yes. He’s going to be fine. They’re processing his discharge paperwork now. We’ll be home soon.”
“Okay,” she croaks. “I love you. Please be safe.”
“I love you too. We will.” I quickly pull up the group message to our parents and the guys, letting them know the results. When I get back to the room, the nurse is preparing one of those premade bottles we used when they were born. “I have his formula here,” I tell her. Pulling a bottle out of the diaper bag, I take Beck from her and settle into the rocking chair and feed him. He sucks greedily, and this time it’s without me worrying if he’s going to stop breathing from a congenital heart defect like his brother. My relief is overwhelming. My heart breaks for Ben and the limitations he’s going to have, but it’s soaring for Beck, for those that he’ll never have to endure. Most of all, I’m happy that my boys, both of them, are okay and going to live long, healthy lives. Again, relief has me inhaling deeply as the stress of the last few months lifts from my shoulders. Both of my boys are going to be okay.
Chapter 29
Reagan
* * *
Today marks the three-month mark since Ben’s surgery. He’s passed every one of his follow-up visits, and Dr. Langston assures us he’s doing great. Tyler and I went a little extreme when it came to the boys once we bought Ben home from the hospital. No visitors to bring in outside germs and they didn’t leave the house. If someone came over to watch them, they had to put on gowns we ordered online and booties to cover their shoes. We also bought hand sanitizer in gallon jugs. Sure, it was over the top, but these are our babies we’re talking about.
If we don’t protect them who will?
Our friends and family understood, and all took turns coming to visit while abiding by our requests to keep them healthy. Kendall thought it was best if Knox and Everly not visit considering the way kids can harbor and spread germs. It made me sad to keep the cousins apart. But looking at the bigger picture, making sure Ben had a good shot at staying healthy until he built his immune system back up, was more important to us.
Yesterday he had his three-month visit, and Dr. Langston told us we could lift the ban. He’s strong, the patch is staying in place, and he’s had no further incidents since that first night Memorial Day weekend. We thought about doing something at our place, but bringing in all those germs into our home just doesn’t sit right. Sure, we’re taking them out, and they’ll be exposed, but we just weren’t ready for that. So Kendall offered to host at their place. She’s excited to get the kids together again. I stumbled over my acceptance at first because that’s where all of this started. I know their house wasn’t the cause, simply the location. I pulled up my “mommy worries too much” panties and told them we would be there at four as promised.
“We’ve kind of spoiled ourselves by staying exiled to the house.” Tyler laughs. “We’re not used to packing up and taking them out.”
“Right? But it was worth it,” I say, watching the boys as they lie on their bellies playing with the activity mat Grandma and Grandpa Justice got them last week.
“Parenting is hard. We made the right choice for us. For our boys. That’s all that matters.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“Okay. I’ve already loaded the stroller and the Pack ’n Play. What else goes?”
“I’m packing up this bag with diapers, clothes, toys, and blankets. We need the other with formula, baby food, spoons, and bibs. Oh, and can you toss in a couple of receiving blankets just in case?”
“No, you don’t, mister.” Ty laughs, scooping Ben up into his arms. “You don’t pull on mommy’s blanket. She’ll get you for that.” He tickles his belly, causing Ben to cackle with laughter.
The sound fills the room, and it’s one I’ll never tire of hearing. “And you.” I bend over and lift Beck into my arms. “You’re the innocent one in all of this, right?”
“Hey, now. Don’t go betting them against one another. They’re partners in crime. Beck had it first before Ben took over.”
“What?” I gasp in mock horror and Beck giggles. “You were trying to take Mommy’s blanket?” I ask, making a funny face, only to make him laugh harder. It’s just a throw I bought when we moved in. It has zero sentimental value, and they’re allowed to play with it. Well, drool all over it is more like it. Except for the fact we’ve picked it up what feels like a million times today already. It’s a constant battle keeping the house straightened up with the twins.
“All right, in you go.” Tyler places Ben into the large gated play area, and I hand him Beck to do the same. “Mommy and Daddy have to finish loading up so we can go bye-bye,” he tells them. He then turns to me and grins. “Hurry. They won’t be happy there forever.”
My happiness follows him as he races into the kitchen to pack the meal bag as we call it. It’s a smaller diaper bag that holds all the formula, baby food, and bibs. The boys cackle with laughter seeing their daddy be goofy, running all over the house. That is until they can no longer see him. “Daddy will be right back,” I tell them. They turn to look at me and don’t seem too impressed. Have I mentioned that Daddy is their favorite person?
With the Explorer loaded, we each pack up a baby and put them in the car. “We got everything?” Tyler asks.
“I think so.” I laugh. “If not, we’ll deal.”
“So, a change from the last time we did this,” he teases.
“They’re older now,” I defend myself.
“All right, boys,” he says, looking in the rearview mirror. They each have mirrors on the back of the seat so that we can see them. “You ready for a day of adventure?” he asks. Nothing from the boys. “Good. Let’s go,” he says, laughing.
“I thought we were going to be early. What time are we supposed to be here?” I ask him.
“Four.”