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“We’ve got them until she gets here,” I assure him, rocking little Hemi in my arms. When we glance over at Nick, he’s struggling to keep hold of Hudson, who looks like he wants to get down and crawl.
“Not yet, buddy. You can get down and move when you get to Grandma’s house,” Linkin says to the boy in Nick’s arms.
“I’ll just go keep Lexi Lou company until you’re ready to go back in,” Grandma offers. Before Linkin can even formulate a reply, Grandma is already hustling out of the room and toward our youngest sister.
“She shouldn’t be left alone with an emotional, pregnant Lexi,” Dad says, turning and following in her wake, making Grandpa snort.
“I’m going to regret letting her go in there, aren’t I?” Linkin says, taking Hudson from Nick.
“Definitely,” Abby chimes in.
About ten minutes later, Linkin’s mom, Karen, along with Linkin’s ten-year-old twin brothers, Jackson and Jefferson, enter the waiting room at a high rate of speed. “How is she?”
“She’s doing well, but I don’t want to leave her in there too much longer, Mom.”
“How about I pop in and say hello for a minute, and then I’ll come out and take the boys home with me,” Karen says. “I’m more than happy to take Brielle with me for a while so you both can stay here,” she adds to Payton and Dean.
“That would be appreciated,” Dean says.
Payton looks over at her daughter. “Do you want to go with Karen and the boys and play with them this afternoon?”
“Can we have a tea party?” Brielle asks the older twin boys.
“Can we bring our swords?” one of the twins (I can’t tell them apart) asks, giving Brielle a look.
“Sure,” Brielle says, shrugging her shoulders.
“Okay, but do we have to drink tea? I think tea tastes like rotten feet,” the other twin adds.
“Yeah, I want root beer!” a boy hollers.
While the kids all discuss different beverage options, Karen heads to Lexi’s room to say hello. Grandma comes out of Lexi’s room and heads across the hall to Jaime’s. It doesn’t take long before Ryan practically runs from the room, looking a little frustrated.
“She kicked me out. That old woman just walked in and told me to leave.”
“She tried that shit with me last time, and I had to get stern with her,” Linkin adds with a smile.
“Don’t let her be the boss of you,” Nick says, earning a laugh from Linkin.
“You’re the man, Elson,” Levi chimes in as he joins the group after handing Abby a bottle of water.
“Fuck off,” Ryan mumbles, quiet enough that none of the kids should hear. He rubs his forehead and glances around the room. “Are you all staying?”
“I think so. At least for a while,” I answer, still holding Hemi.
“Is that okay?” Abby asks.
“Of course. Just as long as you can help distract the old woman and keep her occupied so she doesn’t come in and assist the doc,” Ryan says, rubbing his hands over the back of his neck.
“Good luck with that,” Levi replies with a laugh.
“Ryan? Your wife is asking for you,” the nurse says, standing in the waiting room doorway.
“Gotta go.” Ryan says, slapping Linkin on the back and bolting for his wife’s delivery room.
“She’s getting closer,” Karen says as she enters the room. “Her contractions are only four minutes apart now. You should probably head back in.”
“Okay,” Linkin says to his mom, placing a kiss on Hudson’s forehead and squeezing him tight. “I gotta go, buddy. It’s time for you to become a big brother.” He walks over to where I stand with Hemi and does the same thing. “Mommy and Daddy love you, boys,” he says as he helps his mom put the twins in their car seats.
“We’ll be fine. Go be with Lexi and don’t worry about us,” Karen says as she hugs her son and pulls him down for a kiss on his scruffy cheek.
“I’ll call you as soon as I know,” Linkin tells his mom before kissing both boys again and heading off to Lexi’s room.
“We’ll help you take them down,” Dean says, grabbing one of the carriers off the table. Levi quickly takes the other, while Karen rounds up Brielle and her twin sons, who just so happen to be killing each other in the hallway (with fake swords).
Sawyer and Nick follow, grabbing diaper bags and a bag for Brielle as they head out. “Good thing she has a minivan,” I mumble to AJ.
“No shit.”
Taking a seat next to my sister, I exhale loudly. “Well, we might as well get comfy. We might be here a while.”
