The Ladies Man

Ashley and I have been married for a month now. Married, it still sounds strange to me. In a good way, but still. Every time I look at the ring on my left hand I just smile. Ashley Purdy, one of most notorious man whores of our time and he’s all mine. God, sometimes I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
“Here’s some tea, Belle. Maybe it’ll help.” Juliet said, joining me in her living room.
“Thanks.” I took it from her and took a sip. I’d been feeling strange for the last couple of hours and Juliet was trying to make me feel better. Then I winced, another kick. The babies were really active today, more so than usual.
“The twins again?” She asked.
“Yeah, they seem to think that I’m their personal punching bag today.” I said.
“You need anything else?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I’m just going to try and relax.” I replied. I winced again.
“Are you sure you’re okay, you’ve been doing that a lot this morning. Last time I checked, baby kicks didn’t hurt that much.”
“Normally they don’t.” I winced again.
Juliet looked thoughtful for a moment, before going wide eyed. “Could it be labor?”
“I’m not supposed to go into labor for three weeks Juliet.” I said, even as I winced again.
“Really? Cause you’ve been wincing about every ten minutes for the last hour. That sounds like labor.”
“No, it can’t be. They can’t come now.” I said, denying it to myself. As much as I hated to admit it, she was right.
“That’s it. We’re taking you to the hospital.” She said.
“But-“
“No buts. Andy! Get in here!” She yelled.
Andy came running in, looking between the two of us. “What?”
“Belle’s going into labor. Go get the car started.” Juliet ordered.
He was out the door in a flash.
“What about Ashley? I can’t do this without him!” I worried.
“You’ll be fine. I’ll call him from the car.” She said. She took my arm and helped me off of the couch. “Let’s get you to the car first.” She helped me outside and into the front seat of the car.
Andy was already in the driver’s seat, ready to go. Juliet climbed in the back and pulled out her phone.
“Ashley?” A pause.
“Belle’s going into labor.” A longer pause.
“Labor. You need to meet us at the hospital.”
“Great see you there.” She hung up her phone.

Andy and Juliet rushed me into the hospital in a wheelchair. “My friend is going into labor.” Juliet said to the nurse at the desk.
“Follow me.” She stood and led us down a few hallways to a room. She helped me onto the bed and asked how far apart the contractions were.
“Three minutes.” I said.
“I’ll get the doctor.” She quickly left the room.
“I’m scared you guys.” I held Juliet’s hand tightly.
“It’ll be all right Belle.” Andy said.
“I hope you’re right Andy.”
“Hello Belle.” Dr. Matthews walked into the room. At least I wouldn’t have a stranger delivering my baby. “Let’s see how dilated you are.” She took a minute to measure me. “Eight centimeters. You should be ready to push soon.” She took my chart and left the room.
I looked back and forth between Juliet and Andy with a panicked look. “I can’t do this! I need Ashley to be here!”
“I’ll call him and see what’s taking so long.” Andy offered.
“Thanks Andy.”
He left the room and Juliet sat next to my bed. “He’ll be here soon Belle, don’t worry.”

Two more hours had past and Ashley still wasn’t here. According to Andy he was stuck in traffic somewhere and trying to get here as fast as he could.
“While we’re waiting, I want to ask you two something.” I said.
“Sure, what is it Belle?” Andy said.
“Ashley and I were talking about it, and we want you two to be the twins guardians.”
They both looked stunned. Juliet looked at Andy and he nodded his head. Juliet started to tear up.
“We’d be honored Belle.” Andy said.
“Thanks guys.”
“How are we doing in here?” Dr. Matthews asked as she came back in the room.
“Not to bad, all things considered.” I said. “But if my husband doesn’t show up soon, these babies won’t have a father for very long.” The stress and pain were definitely getting to me.
“Let’s check your dilation again.” She measured me again and looked up at me with a smile. “You’re ready to push Belle.”
“No! I need Ashley! He needs to be here!” I screamed. “I can’t do this by myself!”
“You won’t have to.”
I looked up to see Ashley standing in the doorway, smiling at me. What right did he have to be happy? I was miserable.
“Wipe that smile off your face and get over here.” I ordered.
He complied, coming to stand next to my head.
“We’ll be waiting outside.” Juliet said, pulling Andy with her.
“Give me your hand.” I said. “I’ll need something to crush to distract me from this.”
Ashley gave me his hand and I squeezed it as hard as I could.
“Okay, Belle, time to push.” Dr. Matthews said.
I pushed as hard as I could. I got into the rhythm of deep breath, push, repeat. After about forty-five minutes, Dr. Matthews said that she could see a head. A few pushes later we had a little girl. She laid her on my chest for a minute.
“What’s her name?”
“Samantha Buffy Purdy.” I said.
They took her away to clean her and wrapped her in a blanket. I almost immediately felt more contractions and Dr. Matthews told me to push again. Fifteen minutes later, we had a little boy.
“Name?” She asked again, looking him over.
“Jack Richard Purdy.” Ashley said.
They cleaned me up a little and gave us the twins. I took Samantha and Ashley took Jack.
“They are so beautiful.” Ashley said.
“I know, I can’t believe we made two perfect little humans.” I said.
“Yeah, neither can I.” Ashley replied.
“Can our friends come in?” I asked.
“Of course.” Dr. Matthews went out and came back momentarily with Andy and Juliet.
“They’re gorgeous!” Juliet gushed.
“Yeah, now you just have to get through being a parent.” Andy clapped Ashley on the back.
“I’m sure we’ll figure it out.” Ashley said.
“What are their names?” Juliet asked.
“Jack and Samantha.” I replied.
“Can I hold her?” Juliet asked.
“Sure.” I passed Samantha to Juliet and positioned her hands to hold her properly. I then proceeded to fall asleep. Giving birth takes a lot out of you.

Notes

Hey, so I'm almost done. All I have left is an epilogue. Does anyone want me to write a sequel to this? Leave your answer in the comments!