A Different Christmas (University Park #5) (14 page)

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” Mimi stroked Lexi’s hair, giving her the comfort that should’ve come from her mom. “You’ll be holding your bundles of joy before you know it.” It was awesome my grandmother was being more of a mother to her, but sad at the same time.

The nurse entered the room and my mom motioned for Mimi to leave. “Can’t wait to see the babies!”

“Thanks. We’ll see you guys shortly.” Lexi waved as a tiny smile emerged.

It didn’t take long for the nurse to get everything ready. I was suited up for surgery and waiting for Lexi to be brought to the operating room. Within a few minutes, the hospital staff pushed Lexi into the cold, sterile room. A peculiar smell floated through the air, turning my stomach. Three large lights hung from above and a flash of me lying in the emergency room last year hit me. I shuddered at the memory, glad to be at the hospital now for another reason. It was crazy how things changed in just one year.

“Are you okay?” I asked as I sat next to her.

“Just a little nervous.” Her lip trembled and her eyes watered.

“Don’t be.” I kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right here next to you.”

Lexi reached for my hand, squeezing it tightly. She looked helpless, near fragile on the operating table. I knew she would be fine, but it was a little scary to see the woman I loved about to be cut open. Not wanting to frighten her with my own thoughts, I put on a brave face. Lexi needed me to be strong and that was exactly what I would do. She’d been there for me so many times, now it was time for me to be there for her.

The doctor informed us what she would be doing and I assured Lexi everything would be okay. A sheet was placed below her chest, blocking the view. Lifting my head, I had a clear shot of everything, but I made it a point to look at Lexi and talk to her so she wouldn’t be scared. I really didn’t want to see any of her insides anyway. I saw enough blood and guts on
The Walking Dead
and preferred to keep it that way.

“Lexi, you’re going to feel a lot of tugging and pulling, but no pain,” Dr. Castillo said with a calm, soothing voice.

“Okay,” Lexi replied.

Lexi’s body shook as the doctor jerked her from side to side. “You’re doing great, baby.” I coaxed her as my heart pounded. A few minutes passed before the doctor asked, “Raven, do you want to see one of your babies being born?”

Cautiously, I glanced over the sheet, praying I didn’t see anything gross. As my eyes grazed over the barrier, I saw one of the babies being pulled from Lexi’s stomach.

“Here’s your son.” The doctor held him up for me to see. His body was covered in a thin, white coating and a little blood. Nothing too gruesome or gut wrenching. I waited with baited breath for him to cry and after several long seconds, he released a strong, forceful yell.

“Wow, he’s big.” I blinked several times, totally awestruck that just moments ago he was inside of Lexi.

“I want to see him.” Lexi lifted her head, struggling to see our boy.

The nurse swaddled him in a blanket and then placed him directly on Lexi chest, skin to skin. “He’s so handsome.” Lexi looked at him and then at me. “And he looks just like you.” Tears streamed down her face. “I can’t believe we have a son,” she sobbed.

I took a hard swallow, trying to keep from crying, but tears seeped from the corner of my eyes. “Hey, Jonah. Glad to finally meet you.” I latched on to his tiny hand feeling his baby soft skin.

“And here’s your…” a burst of crying filled the room, “daughter.” The doctor shook her head. “She’s going to be the feisty one.”

I smiled, seeing my beautiful baby girl screaming like someone had royally pissed her off. “Oh, no. She’s already claiming her diva status.”

Lexi laughed. “Don’t say that.”

The nurse brought Nevara to Lexi and I helped her hold both of them on her chest.

“Unbelievable. She looks just like you, baby.” I brushed my daughter’s plump cheek as she continued to cry. In all my life, I’d never seen anything so sweet and innocent that was actually part of my DNA.

“It’s amazing. They are so perfect.” Joy filled Lexi’s eyes and all traces of worry vanished in an instant. “I didn’t think love at first sight was possible.” She kissed the crowns of both our babies. “But it is.”

“I agree with you, one-hundred percent.” I pressed my lips to her temple, catching her tears on my lips.

“I never imagined I could love something so much.” Her voice rattled as she took turns studying their small features.

“You did good, Lexi.” I squeezed her and the babies close together.

“Me? I think you had an equal part in this, too.”

“True.” I laughed as more happy tears released. “But you did all the hard work. My part was fun.”

“Okay, you have a point.”

I stared at Lexi and our twins. Out of all the bad things I’d done in my life, there was finally something I did right. And they were the two most precious creations I’d ever seen — a true miracle of life.

Chapter 10

Lexi

“Oh, she’s so precious,” Delaney squealed as she held Nevara in her arms.

“Thank you.” I smiled, still in awe over the twins finally being here. It seemed like a dream that would be over soon. Seeing my two beautiful babies sent my heart into overdrive. I never imagined I could love something so much. And knowing they came from Raven and me, made me love them even more.

“Don’t get any ideas.” Luke leaned over her shoulder, making silly faces at his niece.

Delaney shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’m in no rush to be a mom.”

I cocked a brow, eyeing them. By the way they were talking, it sounded as if wedding bells might be ringing in the near feature.

“Man, he can eat.” Luke eyed Jonah as Raven fed him. We immediately had to supplement with formula because I wasn’t producing enough milk for both of them.

“Tell me about it.” Raven cradled our son close to his body, caring for him gently.

Knowing what to do came so naturally to him, despite growing up fatherless. Maybe it was the innate desire to prove he could do it or a true blessing, but he surprised me by lulling Nevara to sleep when I struggled. Even after spending all day on the practice field and working long hours, he gave whatever he had left to his babies.

Seeing how passionate he was about them overwhelmed me. I never imagined he’d be so loving and patient with them. Caring for two was a lot of work and every minute he had available, he was right there helping me. Seeing the love he displayed for them and me proved he was worthy of being my husband. And I knew, deep down, I never wanted to spend a day without him.

“May I?” My mom extended her hands toward Jonah.

Raven hesitated for a moment before handing our son to her. I didn’t blame him. After she made it clear to me her social life came before her family, we didn’t know whether we could trust her. “Make sure you hold his head.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I still remember what to do.” Mom took Jonah in her arms.

I had forgiven her, but my heart hadn’t completely healed from the hole she pounded in it. Her uncanny behavior had me questioning her true motives. It all started the day after the twins were born when Mom found out Mimi would be staying with us to help. She convinced my dad they needed to stay until I was released from the hospital. I was totally shocked, but we welcomed them to stay in our home and Mom didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation. Dad didn’t protest, and it allowed us to celebrate Christmas with them a week early.

“Aww. Isn’t my grandson so handsome?” Mom oohed and awed at Jonah as if he’d hung the moon for her. “Oh, yes he is.”

“Doesn’t he look like Raven?” Delaney asked with a smirk on her face. I covered my mouth, hiding my laugh. Leave it to my crazy friend to call my mom out on her statement.

“He does,” Mom confessed. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t act like him.”

Dad scowled at her and I was ready to tell her something, but Raven quickly interjected. “Mrs. Thompson, I’m going to take that statement as you referring to the
old Raven
and not the
new one.
”

Mom kept her eye steady on her grandson, tucking the blanket around him. “Of course I am.”

“Good. Because I think
everyone
would agree with you,” Raven said lightheartedly.

No one said anything. Trish and Mimi looked at each other with indifference, but kept their comments to themselves. I warned them ahead of time about my mother and they were doing their best to be cordial toward her. I wasn’t sure how long it would last and I could only hope things didn’t get ugly.

“So, are you ready for Sunday’s game?” Dad asked, changing the subject.

Raven averted his attention away from the twins. “Yes, sir. We need to win this game and I’m going to do everything to make sure we do.”

Dad chuckled. “I love the confidence you have. That’s the right attitude you need to win.”

“Thanks, Mr. Thompson.” Raven grinned.

“Travis. Call me Travis, or father-in-law, but not Mr. Thompson. It makes me feel old.” Dad quivered in his chair.

Mom rolled her eyes. “Sorry to tell you, honey, but fifty-two isn’t young.”

“Whatever.” Dad ran his fingers through his greying hair. “I’m like a fine bottle of wine. I keep getting better with age.”

Everyone laughed, including Olivia. “He always says that.”

“At least I know I’ll look good at his age,” Luke said with an impish grin.

Delaney arched a brow and winked at him.

“I’m glad we made it in time to see the twins born. It worked out perfectly. We were able to celebrate Christmas, too.” Mom walked toward Delaney and sat next to her on the couch. “I wish Ashley could’ve come.”

My sister wasn’t much better than my mom, leaving me a congratulatory voicemail and apologizing for not coming to New Orleans as planned. An opportunity to vacation with some friends in Italy presented itself and they were leaving in a few days. It didn’t matter to me. I had my own family now and if she didn’t want to be here, that was fine with me.

“Oh well. She wanted to go to Italy,” Dad said with a slight shrug. “She’s a grown woman and makes her own decisions.”

Mom let out a soft sigh and continued rocking Jonah in her arms.

“I think she’s wet.” Delaney stood and I took Nevara from her. She followed me to her room. “I don’t want to leave tomorrow.” She placed her finger in Nevara’s palm. “These babies are just too sweet.”

“We still have the rest of the night,” I reminded her.

“I know.” She nodded as she handed me a diaper. “I wished we lived closer. Once the season starts, Luke is going to be gone a lot.” Her voice weakened and her shoulders slumped.

“You’re welcome to stay with me whenever you want. Once the twins get a little older, I’ll go to Fort Worth and spend some time with you.”

“That would be awesome.” She inclined her head toward me. “I can’t believe you’re a mom. And with twins.”

“It’s crazy.” I snapped the pant legs of Nevara’s layette and quickly placed her pacifier in her mouth before she started screaming. “It doesn’t seem real. I keep thinking I’m stuck in a dream.”

“Things have sure changed since last year.”

I picked up the baby and placed her on my shoulder. “Tell me about it. I don’t even want to think about last Christmas. It totally sucked.”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry, didn’t mean to bring that up.” Delaney placed her hand on my arm. “At least things have changed for the best. I mean, look at Raven…he’s like this awesome father.”

“True.” I smiled. “Who knew he’d be so fatherly?”

“I guess he’s making what he never had up to his children.”

“I guess so.” My throat tightened and my eyes watered. “And I couldn’t be prouder.” I wiped the tears away.

“I’m happy for you, for Raven…for the babies.” Delaney hugged me. “You guys deserved a happy life. You’ve been through so much.”

“Thank you. I feel so blessed. I hope this isn’t temporary and despite what might happen with Raven’s football career, I pray he’ll still want to be a part of our lives.”

“Something tells me he will.” Delaney stroked the back of Nevara’s head. “Do you think you’ll marry him?”

I glanced at my baby girl, knowing what had been going through my mind the past few days. Maybe my friend saw it, too. “We’ll see.”

***

Raven

The week flew by. Between practice, constant feedings, and diaper changes, I didn’t know if I was coming or going. But I loved every minute it of it. Somehow, I managed to keep my head straight and play my best. Sunday night’s game was a close one, but we won thirty-seven to thirty-four, and Coach Rush was on top of the world. Hell, I was on top of the world.

We were back at the training facility on Monday watching film and preparing for the next game, which was scheduled for the following Monday night. The win, nor the birth of the twins, gave me ticket out of practice, but with Christmas on Friday, it meant less training, which I needed, as well as the team. Although we had an early celebration with Lexi’s family, we were still planning Christmas at our house with my family.