Page 61 of Break

But I fucked up, I guess. But, you know what? So did he. We both did. Over and over.

It’s been weeks since I’ve had him in my life, and I still feel as gutted as I did on the day he walked out.

I blow out a breath as I wait in the hospital bed. Brenton is already here, talking to the nurses and filling out paperwork. Alyssa and Caroline are at my sides, both of them texting as if it’s a new Olympic sport. Probably updating everyone and their mother about the babies.

“Who are you girls talking to?” I murmur, jealous because my phone is sitting in my recovery room on another floor, buried deep in my baby bags. I don’t even remember the last time I looked at it, to be honest. I used it to call Bianca and Brenton but I haven’t checked my text messages. Too afraid to see them still empty.

“Nolan and Landon demanded updates… We might have told them that your waters were about to break and your vagina was dilating or whatever.”

I snort and shake my head, relaxing back into the stiff, thin pillows. “Cervix. My cervix dilated. Brenton just checked it again about an hour ago and I’m already at four centimeters. It’s a wonder that I’m not in labor, I think my body is just done.”

The girls nod and hum, continuing to tap around on their phones, taking photos with me scowling in the background. I might have flipped them off a few times, too.

Nurses step into the room with Brenton waving from the hall. “It’s time, Marie! Are you ready to become a mom?”

I nod and lick my dry lips, wishing I put on extra lip balm. “I am.”

The blonde nurse winks and looks around. “Who’s coming back with us? We need to get you fitted into your space suit, gloves, and mask.” Alyssa raises her hand and she follows the nurse out of the room.

“Where do I go?” Caroline pouts and Brenton chuckles.

“I’ll take you to the waiting room, I’ll come grab you when Marie is in recovery, I’ll bring you to the party.”

It’s a hazy, fuzzy blur after that. Vitals taken, cuffs on my legs, and I’m wheeled off to a freezing cold, sterile operating room. I’m maneuvered around like a dummy, a spinal block placed. Doctors and nurses all around me, talking and I just stare up at the ceiling.

Oh my god, it’s really happening.

“Alright Marie, we’re placing the catheter now. Then I’ll run some quick tests to make sure you don’t feel a thing.”

I grunt an affirmative and Brenton rolls his eyes. “Stop being a brat, Marie.” Everyone chuckles and a nasal cannula is placed up my nostrils, oxygen pumping into me. I feel like time stops and fast forwards all at once.

One moment I’m just staring at the ceiling… the next, strangled, whimpering, babies cry. Two nurses eventually flank me with wailing babies.

Oh goodness, they’re so tiny, so red and open-mouthed screaming, I cry right along with them. They help me open my gown and lay them on my chest. They only have their diapers on, so I wrap them up in the gown, pressing kisses to their sweet heads.

“Oh my stars,” I cry and breathe them in.

“You did great, Marie.” Brenton clears his throat, I can’t see him but I can hear the strain in his voice. “Two perfect, healthy babies. Baby boy is seven and a half pounds, twenty inches long. Baby girl is seven pounds, two ounces, and nineteen inches long. Both are going straight with you to recovery. We’re almost done here.”

I sigh and relax into the table, staring down at the tiny goblins on my chest. Both of them have fuzzy light brown hair, their eyes are closed so I can’t see what color those are… but all of that can and will most likely change.

Alyssa and Caroline were born with brown hair and dark blue eyes.

Alyssa leans over my shoulder and kisses my cheek. “They are absolutely gorgeous, Marie. I love them so much.”

I nod and let the tears fall. “Me, too.”

Chapter 16

James

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Landon and Nolan’s phones are going insane. We’re on the bus heading to the stadium in LA for hopefully one of our last away games. It’s not going to happen though.

We’ll probably be traveling for another two weeks if we keep winning like we have, but my heart just isn’t in the game.

“What the fuck is going on?” I grunt and glare at them.

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