Glenfield Hospital
January 2021

I stepped outside the room as they gave Bex the epidural. I am not good with needles thank god Ashley is also going to be in the room with us so she stayed and held Bex's hand.
"Ok chicken shit," said Ashley poking her head out "Mr. Needle is gone."
Ashley smirked at me all I did was well it wasn't exactly mature for a father to be I stuck my tongue our at her.She rolled her eyes at me as I walked into the room again.
"Sorry about that Babe.I just can't handle needles," I said sheepishly.
Bex looks at me "Ahh love that's okay. I can't handle two watermelons being pushed threw a straw either do you wanna help me with that?"
I gulp. I just sit and shut up.
"Smart man," said Ashley"You want some ice chips Bex? "
"Yes please," said Bex sweetly.
I looked at Ashley shocked "How?"
" Shhhhhh, "said Ashley "Don't speak.It's better that way.You are just going to make her angry right now."
Ashley leaves to get the ice chips whatever those are.Bex is hooked up to all these machines and I haven't got the foggiest idea what any of them are for.Before Ashley gets back Bex has another contraction. I stand and give Bex my hand. That was one of my mistakes of many more to come.
Ashley comes back to find me kneeling and my hand throbbing.
"Let me guess," she said setting the ice chips down "contraction?-"
I nod.
"-Colby just relax.I get you're trying to help but right now the best thing you can do is nothing. Just be here for her," she says looking at Bex who has dozed off "I know what she is feeling right now. Don't forget eleven months ago I was in her boat and I only had one life to worry about safely delivering.She has two. She is scared,nervous, excited and happy and those are just a few emotions going on with her right now."
"Ash. I understand that all but I am those things too," I said standing.
"I know you are so was Adam!Yes he had been threw it twice before with Sienna but he was still a nervous wreck. He was used to raising girls not a boy. But the old adage is true you never forget how to ride a bike or in this case raise a baby," said Ashley sitting next to me "And Lopez you aren't alone. You're surrounded by a hell of a lot of support. Me, Adam, Trin, Ani,Kenny,Joe, G, Pam, Mercedes,Adrienne,Remi and the list goes on and on. You have a shit load of people at my house right now more than likely spending the night waiting for that call that your twins are here.Trust me Dude as much as I ride you I love you just as much.At first I wasn't sure about you but the smile you put on her," we look at Bex who is still sleeping "face makes me know you're a good man.Maybe not a wise one at times cough my wedding cough."
I look at her "Thanks for reminding me about that on this day," I said with a exaggerated smile.
Ashley laughed and hit me with her shoulder "But see you forgot about all," she indicates the room "of this for a moment didn't you?See you can relax. Bex is in the best damn hospital and her and the twins will be fine. Trust me. They are going to have the best Mom on the planet in Bex."she puts an arm around me "They are getting the best Daddy they can get outside of Adam. Colby I have seen how you are with Coop and trust me you are phenomenal with him. So I haven't got any doubt that you'll be phenomenal with these two they just will be living with you twenty four seven."
I laughed "Thanks Ash," I said "What are all these machines for?"

Ashley went on to explain the machines until the doctor came in to check on Bex and well she was there 10 cm dilated  and 100% effaced. It was almost go time. The nurses hand Colby and Ashley scrubs,a hair net, a mask, booties and, gloves.
They quickly changed and were at Bex side when she got ready to push.