Twins Under His Tree Read Free Page B

who’d lived in the Victorian house on a quiet street in Sagebrush had gathered there and just enjoyed a ladies’ night of chatting and sharing backgrounds. All of them were connected in so many ways—through their professions, friendships or family ties.
    Lily had felt so alone after Troy had died, but that night all of the women had made her feel as if she had a support network.
    â€œTell me,” Lily said to Francesca.
    â€œYour older daughter weighs four point two pounds, is seventeen inches long, and needs a little time to put on weight. We’re giving her CPAP treatment. She’s breathing on her own and is definitely a crier when she’s unhappy.”
    The continuous positive airway pressure would help the infant breathe but not breathe for her. Lily’s heart swelled with love for this tiny baby although she hadn’t even laid eyes on her yet. “And my youngest?” Lily’s voice shook a little bit when she asked.
    â€œShe weighs four pounds, is sixteen and a half inches and had trouble breathing.” Francesca immediatelyheld up both hands. “Now, don’t panic. We have her stabilized. She’s on a ventilator for now—”
    â€œOh my God!” Lily’s chest felt so tight she could hardly breathe.
    â€œI mean it, Lily. Don’t panic. We’ll wean her off it. Her lungs need to develop and, of course, she needs to gain weight, too, before she can go home.”
    â€œWhen can I see them?”
    Francesca sighed. “I shouldn’t allow it, but I know you’re not going to rest or get any sleep until I let you visit them.”
    Lily nodded. She was happy, afraid and plain exhausted. But she had to see them.
    â€œAll right. I’ll find a wheelchair. But you can only have a few minutes with them, and then I need to tuck you in. Childbirth is natural, but it’s traumatic, too, and you need time to recover.”
    â€œI know,” Lily said. “When do you think I’ll be discharged?”
    â€œYou’ll have to ask Jared that, but my guess is you’ll be here until Sunday morning.”
    At least she’d be here so she could visit her babies. Her babies . Everything about their birth came rushing back, especially Mitch’s presence and support. “Can Mitch come, too?”
    Francesca hesitated and looked from one of them to the other. “This is just for a few minutes. You both have to wear masks and sterile gowns. I’ll be right back.”
    Mitch looked troubled. “Are you sure you want me there, Lily?”
    â€œYou helped me bring them into the world. Of course, I want you there.”
    Maybe it was because of the letter Troy had left forher. In it, he’d told her he’d asked Mitch to look after her if anything happened to him. He’d trusted Mitch, and that made it easy for her to trust him, too. He’d certainly come through for her tonight.
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    Ten minutes later, Lily and Mitch were in the NIC unit, staring at her two precious little girls. The babies absolutely snatched Lily’s breath away.
    Mitch stood behind her, his hand on her shoulder. “Have you considered names?”
    â€œNow that I see them, I can name them.” She pointed to her firstborn, saying lightly, “Sophie, I’d like you to meet Mitch. He helped me bring you into this world.”
    Her baby opened her eyes, seemed to gaze at them both for a few seconds before she closed them again.
    Lily’s heart overflowed with love as her focus turned to her youngest, who needed help to breathe.
    Mitch’s fingers tightened on Lily’s shoulder and she was so grateful for his quiet strength, his stalwart caring.
    â€œAnd this tiny angel is—” Lily’s voice caught. Finally she managed to say, “Her name is Grace.”
    Mitch crouched down beside Lily so he could see her children from her vantage point. The slant of his jaw almost grazed her cheek as he reassured