Infinity Chapter 135 - Cake to the Face

[itztigress3]

Chapter 135 –  Cake to the Face

POV:  Emily

Word count: 4390


October 22, 2016

  When I considered a house with stairs, I never expected to be pregnant with twins. I could no longer go up or down the steps without Zac standing with me and then it took time. But I knew it would improve after they were born, so I was just stuck hating them for right now and staying downstairs as much as possible. Thank god we had a bathroom room down here! My bladder would not have made it up and down those steps that often.

I had been doing so well with not getting upset and relatively keeping myself calm, but one of our new employees, Harold, just barged in and was complaining about the order slips, how disorganized the place was, and how he wanted me to come down and fix it. I was nice at first, told him that Sean was his direct boss and he needed to take those complaints to him, but no he wouldn’t take that answer and insisted. The louder and more insistent he got the more attention he drew and I finally reached a line when Isabella started to whine and he told her to shut up. I ignored the heartbeat monitor and instead of calling for someone to handle him I went off. Pent up anger is never good. I didn’t even know I’d fainted until I opened my eyes to Zac calling my name. I could hear Harold and Zac had turned, clearly pissed off and fired him on the spot. I tried not to visit the ER but Zac made me go and Zander was not pleased.

Zander and Dr. O’Brian laid the book down hard, no more work of any kind. Zander even banned me from going to the studio for any reason until after they were born. I could only verify things on my home computer and everything else was to be directed to the band. But, because I couldn’t stay home Zac began to drop me off at Casey’s with Robert. Granted, Robert was fine with the practice watching them and even used the time to interrogate me on safety changes and what they might need.
Physically, I was not feeling that well anyway. My back consistently hurt, my feet swelled, and I was chronically hot. Robert was excellent at catering to me and trying his best to keep me comfortable, Zac approved. In addition, Robert enjoyed having the company.

Alexander’s room was now complete and he’d been sleeping in there since the beginning of the month, he did have a semi-meltdown when he realized he had a different room. But, Zac sat down and explained to him that the new babies needed to be closer to Mommy and since he was such a big boy he got the new room. He was resistant until Zac painted a few animals in his room as well, a monkey playing one of the guitars, a small snake hanging from a note, and a tiger on the wall. He may look like his father but he was so much like me.

Yet, as I got up this morning I realized my first born was four, he was no longer a baby or a toddler, he had moved up into the little boy category. It was still amazing to see how much he had grown up. We were giving him a party, but it was more for him and Zac, so the cake was large and had both names and everyone was going to be here. I’d tried as much as I could to help Zac prepare, but I could only do so much at once.  My basic duty was watching them play here in the living room until everyone arrived, which was 2.

“What do you want for lunch?” Zac asked.

“For my back to stop hurting and to be able to move?”

He sat down at my feet and rubbed my leg. “Back rub later will help and you can move, just not quickly.”

“Eh, I guess something that’s not overly complicated, since everyone is arriving soon and Taylor should be here earlier, he
volunteered for his burgers.”

“He called a few minutes ago, there heading on over.”

“Something quick then.”

He fixed lunch and I was almost done with the soup and sandwiches when they arrived, yet I just couldn’t get up to help or do anything.

“Aunt Emily!” Ezra said.

He gave me a hug and sat down beside me, I didn’t want to say they played favorites, but I was sure I was his favorite Aunt. It was hard to imagine that he was barely over a year old when I met Zac and Natalie had confided that even though she and Kate had been friends for years, Kate rarely had anything to do with him. Now at ten, he was a very smart little boy who loved his siblings to the max, he also adored all of his nieces and nephews and yeah, I was going to be biased and say he loved Aunt Emily at least a wee bit more than the others.

“Hey buddy, are you excited for your birthday?”

“I am! I’ll be eleven. Are you going to make it to my party?”

I smiled at him. “I won’t miss your party for anything. I’m not confined to the house, I just can’t be moving around a lot.”

“Mommy said you were having twins.”

“Yep. Twin boys to be exact.”

“So, your having two babies at once?”

“That’s right.”

“Is that why you can’t do things right now?”

I nodded. “The babies and I both need more rest. The doctor doesn’t want them to come early.”

“Early is bad.”

“That’s right. So what do you want for your birthday?”

That prompted a thirty minutes conversation about what he wanted and why. He even took the bowl to the kitchen when I was
done. The other kids mingled with Alexander and Isabella, but Natalie laid Willa down beside me on the couch, she was asleep. With the older children now arriving it helped me keep an eye on them, I had reinforcements!

Amanda showed up around 1:30 and even thought she was a month ahead of me, she wasn’t near as big. She was having a great pregnancy, no sickness since the end of the first trimester, she wasn’t tired, she wasn’t swelling, she could wear the cute clothes while I was stuck with blue jean pants and a shirt that I was pretty certain was Zac’s and not mine. By then Willa was up and Natalie was feeding her and she sat beside me, but she didn’t dare complain about anything because she knew exactly how hard it was, she’d apparently looked up the differences. Eliza was a little late and she and I were close, but Eliza was clearly smaller yet she complained far more. It really was getting annoying because her complaints were on normal things that no one can do anything about.

The fourth time she went to the bathroom Amanda nudged me. “Are you ok?”

I forced a smile at her. “Yes.”

“Liar.”

“I’m not allowed to be upset remember? I fear if I show up at the hospital again Zander is going to confine me to the hospital.”

“Emily..Do not make me go find your husband and drag him into the house.”

“He’s not going to say anything and he’ll tell you to drop it because he’s not going to let me be upset either.”

She nodded and didn’t say anything else, about three we went outside and I hoped I could find a somewhat comfortable spot, but I didn’t find one. The chairs made my legs and feet hurt, the lounge chair caused back pain, standing was damn near impossible and yet the whole time I was trying to find one single place Amanda found one no problem and Eliza found one but complained about it. Yet, I saw the look Natalie gave her when she realized I couldn’t sit still and how Eliza was doing.

It was a rather warm day for October and we had shade but it was still fairly warm in the shade. I was told to expect being warmer, I certainly felt much warmer. Amanda was fanning herself with her hand and I could feel sweat running down my neck.

“Em are you ok?” Amanda asked.

“Hot, but it is warm today.”

“Your face is red honey, are you sure you don’t want to go inside?”

“I’m not missing his party Amanda.”

I shifted yet again, trying to shift one of them off my back and the other one off my rib cage.

“Fuck it’s hot out here, why didn’t you do inside?” Eliza asked.

Amanda snorted. “All of these people wouldn’t fit inside, that’s why.”

“I am sure there are places somewhere that would hold this many people.”

I gritted my teeth and got up, I was very near a very explosive moment. I knew I needed to calm down. I understood it was her first pregnancy and all, but god damnit she was complaining about everything! Jessica and Amanda were almost 2 full months ahead of her and while Jessica had said she was hot, she wasn’t complaining about anything else. I had to ask Isaac to get my bottle of water from the cooler though because bending was out of the question.

I stayed by them until I couldn’t anymore and then returned to sit down, finding a semi comfortable spot. Maddi and Ryan came from inside, looking exhausted.

“Sorry we’re so late. I got the little ones ready and had Riley ready, then she decided it was perfectly fine to play in the mud. So,
I had to give her a bath and clean clothes, but by then the little ones were starving and needed diapers again. At least we didn’t miss lunch but why are you so irritated?”

I smiled. “I’m fine. It’s ok, everyone arrived about 2ish and it’s not even four yet. Taylor got the grill up and it really should be done soon, I’ve seen Natalie and Nikki fixing plates for the vast amounts of kids.”

“Vast amount is right. You say your fine but you know how I am Emily. I can tell.”

About then Eliza complained again about the heat and Maddi narrowed her eyes on her, clearly understanding what and why. She had gone through the summer with Riley, but even in the winter months she had been hot as hell and felt like melting most the time.

“Nevermind, I see the issue.”

“Yeah, since she arrived.”

“Well, you need to calm down, right now. I know it’s warm but that redness is more irritation that heat.” She said.

I rolled my eyes and leaned back. Taylor called in anyone to help settled the kids and get plates fixed just ten minutes later. I really started to get up and fix my own but Zac materialized out of nowhere and sat a plate down for me and the two kids who he called over to sit with me.

“I’ll be right back once I help with the kids plates and mine.”

Alexander and Isabella both sat down and dug in, it wasn’t long before everyone was grubbing and conversations seem to stop but it didn’t take long before Eliza complained about the heat again and again I saw Maddi look around, her eyes briefly stopping on Amanda, Jessica and then me before she looked back to Eliza. I didn’t say anything, and I was sure Maddi wouldn’t either. Eliza continued on throughout the evening and I tried to just ignore it because I know I drove Zac crazy with the same shit.

I did move for presents because I wanted to be involved, choosing the steps so I would have a chance of getting up. Maddi was getting pictures and so was Taylor and several others. Alexander got way more than Zac, which we expected because Zac didn’t need or want anything. What he did get was mostly new shirts, which he needed because a lot of his I had laid claim too. Alexander got clothes, toys, and movies.

After presents we moved to cake and ice cream, Zac thought he was going to get out of being caked this year, however he was letting Alexander use the plastic spatula to cut his piece and when he slide it under Alexander hit the handle flinging the cake right into his face. It made for a good laugh at least. Zac got him back but not near as much as he got. About 6 Isabella came to me wet so I got up and went inside, Maddi came close behind me with Declan and Dakota. Isabella was easy to change now, she’d help. Talk to me while she was being changed and talk about her bubbas, because brother was still a bit hard. We were also going to begin potty training her soon because she was beginning to be able to tell us when she was wet and when she needed to be changed.

Maddi seemed to be a champ at diaper changes now, she had them both done in a short time, but I think Declan may have actually been dry and not needed to be changed.

“That was quick.”

“Not bad when it’s not poopy ones. They take more time.”

“I’m not looking forward to those.”

“Hey, as you told me double the smells but double the smiles.”

“True.”

“I assume Eliza is driving you insane?”

“She’s been complaining since she got here, I’m hot, I can’t get comfortable, my feet hurt, my back hurts and on and on…”

“I would slap someone.”

Isabella tickled Declan and he giggled. Yet, there was a pain that came from nowhere and I cringed quite a bit.

“Emily?”

It took several moments before the pain subsided and I could have sworn they were contraction pains, but it was too early for those.

“Ems?” Maddi asked, a little more alarmed.

“Felt like contraction pains.”

“Could be Braxton, I had those early with these two.”

“Maybe, care to feel and tell me if they’re going to be super early?”

She looked at me a little confused, I was one of those women that rather despised being touched on the belly and it was even worse for the last pregnancy. The only person I really let whenever he wanted was Zac, he was there father after all. I had let Casey a few times as well. Most everyone knew that I just didn’t like it and didn’t tolerate it. So, it explained her confused look because she’d never really touched my belly when I was pregnant.

“Are you sure Emily? I know how you are.”

“Hey, if you can tell me they will be ok then I’m ok.”

She sat them down off the sofa before sitting beside me. They really were cute as a button and they were fraternal twins, there was slight differences between them, but Isabella was letting them walk with her and move around the room.

“Ok, are you sure?”

“Yes, Mads.”

I moved the shirt and even let her know where one of them was residing at the moment. I fully expected her hand to be warm or no difference, but it felt cold against my skin and I went to ask her what was up with that but I heard my name and turned to that instead, because the person calling my name was not anyone here.

I then blinked. “Mom?”

She was standing at the end of the sofa smiling at me. Maddi kind of vanished from my mind. My mother was standing before me. She came and sat down, laid her hand on my stomach too.

“They’ll be fine Emily, it’s ok. You’re doing great and you’ll do just fine. I know because you are so much like me. Eliza may have taken more from your father but you are my true mini-me.”

I felt her kiss my forehead before she was gone and I could feel Maddi’s warm hand against me and I turned and she looked confused.

“Maddi?”

“You saw her too?”

“I think..she used you.”

“Possibly, but they’re going to be fine. I didn’t see when they’d be born but could see you all playing in the park without creepy guys.”

“That’s good.”

“This one is very active by the way.”

I fixed my shirt. “They’re both very active.”

We rejoined the party with the kids, Eliza was still at it and even Jessica looked like she was going to blow a gasket any moment. Everyone was just milling about now, mingling and letting the kids play themselves out. Maddi heard her say for like the 10^th time that her back was hurting.

“Will you just stop? Everyone here understands your hot, tired, and you’re hurting. But god damn you aren’t the only one. Have consideration for the three other pregnant women here, especially your sister who is having twins and is completely miserable, she can’t get comfortable and you’ve been sitting there in the same spot for an hour. Just stop.” Maddi said.

I blinked and everyone at the table did too, we hadn’t expected it. Usually Maddi was really reserved but at the same time, she understood what I was feeling.

“What do you mean?” Eliza asked.

“What she means if that you’ve been complaining since you arrived, being hot, tired, uncomfortable and you haven’t even so much as bothered to even ask your sister how she was, let along anyone else. For the record Eliza, your sister is on limited activity or bed rest. Meaning she can’t really do much at all. Jessica has had back pain the entire time and especially recently.” Amanda said.

Eliza seemed to soften some and she looked quite miserable before she ran inside. I leaned back letting my head thump the back of the chair. Great, let’s add hurt feelings on top of her complaints?!

“Sorry, she just..you clearly are miserable and I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

“Don’t be, I should have said something hours ago. Hey bro, mind helping me up?”

“Gee I don’t know.” Joshua said.

Yet, he came over and helped anyway. Even stood there to make sure I was steady. He also understood as they had twins. I went inside but saw her on the porch and I went ahead and got some tissue, knowing she would need it.

“Eliza?”

“I’m fine.” She said.

“Bullshit, here I brought tissue. I know how pregnancy hormones work, evil bitches that they are.”

She took them from me and wiped her eyes. “Am I really that bad?”

“You’ve been doing a shit load of complaining today about everything”

“I’m such an idiot.”

I sat down in the chair on the front porch. “I’d be all touchy but I can’t stand that long. Why are you an idiot?”

She turned and looked at me. “Are you on bed rest?”

“I have restrictions, I can sit up and move but I can’t get upset and I have to rest as much as possible. My blood pressure is too high.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not the first time Eliza, I had some restrictions with Isabella too, but it was mostly keeping my blood pressure down. So, why are you complaining so much? Are you that miserable because you don’t seem to be.”

“Because I have no idea what is normal, what to expect or what is ok.”

That totally confused me, she was complaining because she wasn’t sure what was normal or what to expect, complaining wasn’t going to get those answers at all. I patted the seat beside me and she moved and sat down, finished drying her face off.

“Everything you are complaining about is perfectly normal. Pain, swelling, overly emotional, being hot, uncomfortable and so
forth it’s normal. Complaining really doesn’t make it go away.”

“Well, I was hoping if something wasn’t normal someone would say something.”

“Ah, complain about it and pray someone says it’s wrong. Sorry Sis, not happening. It’s all normal and the closer you get the pains that feel like contractions, aren’t there Braxton hicks, those bitches are horrible.”

“Have you had them?”

“Had one earlier actually, little earlier than normal. But, Maddi assured me it was normal.”

“So, I’ve just been annoying the hell out of everyone?”

“Well, not everyone. Just three of us.”

She smiled some. “I’m sorry. How have you been? I mean you seem to be bigger than Amanda.”

“I am bigger than Amanda, for future reference, never mention the weight gain to pregnant women, it’s like setting off all the emotions at once. Lucky I’m fully aware I am bigger. I’m fine except the overly tired and limited activity. It’s a form of bed rest and I’d rather be on limited than full bed rest or even the hospital. What about you?”

“I’ve complained about all my issues. I’m glad I wasn’t sick as crap, your description of Alexander’s pregnancy was scary.”

I smiled. “Yeah, four years ago. It was rough.”

“I’m scared Emily.”

I looked over at her and she really did seem afraid.

“About what? Your healthy, active, and been taking care of yourself.”

“The delivery and whether or not I did good at this.”

“Well, I won’t lie the delivery can be a bitch. I haven’t had an easy one yet where I go in and eight hours later the baby is here, it’s days. But, it doesn’t mean you’ll be that and you may tolerate the epidural better than me. I do recommend that if you can avoid being induced you do, but if she decided to be like Isabella and wait too long, then go ahead. Rest as much as you can. It’ll be fine Eliza, our mother had 6 of us before her 23^rd birthday, I am sure that you’ll be fine.”

“I dreamed about her the other day, it was so vivid, she was there with us and she told me I was going to be fine. It was the first time I’d seen her.”

I smiled. “She’s told me the same thing. I’ve seen her a bit more but maybe that’s because you had Mary Ann. How did they take the news about being grandparents?”

“Would they be?”

“Yes! They raised you Eliza, they consider you their daughter.”

“I told them but I didn’t really ask how they felt.”

“Maybe you should, I think it’ll be beneficial if you did. Let her be there for you.”

“Did you have anyone with Alexander?”

“I had Zac’s mom, she was good but really I just winged it. But, we should get back to the party with less complaining.”

“Deal.”

She was now use to cues of when I didn’t want to discuss it, so she easily dropped it. I didn’t want to retell how scared out of my mind I was and how much I doubted myself and that being sick just compounded everything. We got up and went back inside
but Casey was in the kitchen and he smiled at me.

“If you say the word Waddle you will never have sex again.” I threatened.

He frowned. “I don’t mean it in a bad way! I like the little waddle, it’s kind of sexy in its own way.”

I gave him the best evil look I could and he just smiled. “Love that look too Emily, just as sexy if not more. Are you two ok now?”
Eliza gave him strange looks and didn’t comment on his sexy phrases.

“Yes.”

We then headed outback and rejoined the party which began to break up as people loaded up children and headed home. Maddi and Cody decided to stay, it was late and they didn’t want to risk the drive back. We heated up the leftover for dinner about 8:30. Alexander was already yawning but Zac got them playing after dinner, him and Cody both. I chose the couch and Maddi sat with me.

“Are you still doing a little party next Saturday?”

“Yep. Are you going to be able to make it?”

“Of course, I can’t drink or do much. But we’ll be down for a bit. Ezra’s is the 30^th and then there taking the kids out trick or
treating.”

“Are you actually letting them?”

“Yes. I will go but depending on how much walking there is will depend on how long I stay.”

“Understandable, got costumes?”

“Alexander is going as a Ninja Turtle and Isabella, a princess. All of the girls are princesses, I think that was Penny’s idea.  Jasmine is Belle, Isabella is Cinderella, Penny is Rapunzel, she can handle the wig better, Willa is Ariel, because of her hair color, Nina is Jasmine, Mackenzie is Aurora, and Samantha is Snow White.  The boys I have no idea on them, I think Ezra wanted to see if Everett and Monroe would be turtles too, so we have all four. But, I don’t know.”

“That is a fantastic idea, I should coordinate the twins costumes this years. We haven’t totally decided.”

“Well, Mason and Mackenzie turn 1 Tuesday, there doing their party tomorrow. I’m hoping I can live through the party.”

“You will.”

“Anyway, I thought it’ll be cute, Taylor will get some pictures.”

“Speaking of, are you doing maternity pictures for them?”

I raised my eyebrow, I was already a beached whale and I had 3 months left!

“I don’t know about that.”

“Yes! You are.” Zac said.

Cody and Maddi both looked confused.

“Not if I don’t want too or can’t.”

“We’ll find a way…”

She smiled and I just shook my head.

About 10 she and Cody took their three downstairs to get them ready for bed and Zac took ours up, I couldn’t go up until he could really follow me. Alexander was good with going up and down the stairs, but she was still a little bit iffy coming down, for that reason we had the gate at the top of the stairs, but not the bottom. I got to sit in the quiet room and again those pains came. He came down once they were in their beds and helped me up. It was nice to lay down but it didn’t mean I slept well.