Chapter 3 - Life

Michelle only slept for an hour. Waking up groggy, she was instantly upset that she had missed her moment. “Where are they?” she cried as she sat up, wincing at the pain.

“Hey, take it easy. There’s a lot of…you’ve got a few stitches,” Cam whispered as her palm caressed Michelle’s pale face. “Lay back, take off your top…”

“Camryn, this is hardly the place.” Michelle glared.

Cam laughed; she hadn’t even thought about being physical with Michelle. “Take off your top, so that…” She twisted back around, carrying Noah, unwrapping him like the nurse told her to do. His scrawny little body was pink and blotchy with just the tiniest diaper to cover him. When Michelle saw him, she almost squealed and pulled at the sleeves of the gown she had on until her top half was naked. Cam gently placed their son against her. “He’s been waiting to meet his Mama.”

“Mama?” Michelle smiled. “I like that.”

When Noah kicked contentedly, Cam grinned. “He does too.” Once they were both settled, she reached around and lifted their daughter. “Darcy Maria Rose, say hello to your Mama.” Darcy wasn’t quite as pleased to be moved as her brother had been. She kicked and cried, her little face red with anger at the disruption to her comfortable sleep.

“What’s wrong with her?” Michelle asked, alarmed at her child’s reaction.

“Nothing; she’s a baby, babies cry…lots, according to our mothers.” Cam tried to reassure. but Darcy was having none of it and refused to settle.

“Take her,” Michelle said, tears streaming down her face. “She doesn’t like me.”

“Of course she does, she’s your baby. She’s just a little fussy and probably hungry and weirded out that she isn’t floating around in your nice warm womb anymore,” Cam suggested. She tried to help adjust Darcy so that she could find a nipple, but the kid was adamant that she was going to scream instead.

“Cam, please just take her, I don’t want to…I can only do one at a time.”

She picked up the bundle of lungs and cradled her while Michelle got Noah settled on Michelle’s breast. He latched on like a pro and began to suckle instantly. Darcy continued to cry as Cam bounced her gently, talking to her in hushed tones. Her eyes were open now and she stared up at Cam with big blue eyes. “Oh, you are so beautiful,” Cam said. She looked towards Michelle and noted that the tears, though they had stopped falling, were still there in her eyes. “She looks just like you.”

Michelle smiled sadly. “She hates me.”

Cam chuckled. “She loves you; she has no choice in the matter.”

Michelle looked away and then returned her gaze to Noah. He opened his eyes and stared up at her as he continued to feed. “Hey, baby,” she whispered to him. His little feet kicked and the hand that was placed against her breast opened and closed.

Now that Darcy was settled, Cam offered her back to Michelle. At first, she shook her head, frightened that she really did hate her mother, but Cam insisted, and this time as Darcy was placed into position, the only thing she was interested in was a nipple.

“See, she’s just a drama queen. I can’t think where she gets that from.” Cam smiled down at them all. When Michelle fixed eyes with her, she slowly smiled back.

“Must be Gavin.” She chuckled as she relaxed and finally began to enjoy motherhood.

* * *

It was almost six in the morning when Cam came back out to their family. She had all but forgotten about them in her desire to check that Michelle was alright.

The nursing staff had already informed them of the medical issues, so Maria had made the decision to go home and prepare for their arrival later if all was well. Bob was snoring in the corner. Erin was doing a crossword with Cam’s mother, Pippa, with both taking turns to yawn. It was Gavin who noticed Cam first. Standing quickly, he asked, “All good?”

Cam grinned, nodding. “Yeah, they’re all good. You can come in and see them now.” She watched as one by one they all filed quietly into the room. The last to pass her was her mother. Pippa stopped and hugged Cam.

“Well done.”

“I didn’t do anything.” Cam blushed.

“Oh, I think that’s far from true. She wanted you here.” She cupped her daughter’s face. “And she’s going to need you more than ever now. I’m so proud of you.”