𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 ─── baby plans

New York, 12th October 2008

"𝔚hat's the matter?" Luke had woken up drowsily at Ellie's tossing around beside him, groaning and huffing in annoyance.

"I can't get comfy and I have Braxton Hicks contractions and the twins keep kicking me and everything hurts," Ellie replied, sounding on the verge of tears, as Luke rolled over and wrapped his arms around her.

"Okay Els, what do you want me to do?" He hummed, running a hand through her tangled hair, and pulling it off the back of her neck.

"I don't know, make it stop?" Luke furrowed his eyebrows at that sentiment. 

"I don't think that I can do that," Ellie groaned in annoyance, as Luke rubbed her stomach soothingly. "Come on, a couple more weeks and then Beans are here."

"That better come quickly. I want them out of my stomach," Ellie groaned, shifting once more as Luke continued to rub her stomach in an attempt at soothing the contractions she was getting, though he didn't truly know how to help.

"Soon we're going to be able to hold them and cuddle them, and they're going to be here." That did bring a smile to Ellie's face, as Luke chuckled and tried to keep his voice low to stop from waking up Ethan and Alabaster, who both were quite light sleepers. "Have you thought anymore about names?"

"At this point, I think we should just spin a wheel for middle names."

"You speak like they're a parcel you're waiting to have delivered." Ellie snorted, before rolling over carefully to face Luke, who rested his hand onto her stomach once more and grinned. "I can't wait."

"Kind of worried about pushing them out." 

"All shall be revealed when we go to the doctors tomorrow." Luke reminded her gently, "Then we can know for sure. But you need rest."

"Cuddle me," Luke grinned, before reaching down to wrap his arms around her shoulders tightly, not caring about the uncomfortable position he was in. If he was by Ellie and Beans then he'd sleep peacefully.

∘☽༓☾∘

"Hello Mrs. Castellan," Ellie's midwife smiled at her and Luke, and Ellie pulled Luke's hoodie up to reveal her large pregnancy bump. "How has everything been going?"

"I've had a couple of Braxton Hicks contractions, and it's becoming more difficult to get comfy, but otherwise all has been well," Ellie replied, rubbing Luke's hand gently. "I've been eating small meals and going for short walks with my dog, with no heavy lifting."

"That's good, and have you had any further thoughts on the birth?" The midwife began to put the gel onto Ellie's stomach, as she nodded.

"Hospital, please." Luke grinned. Ellie had told him earlier that it was 'for the drugs'. He couldn't blame her and it was her body, so her choice how to give birth. He was just excited. "Should I be planning for a C-section or just normally?"

"Well, we'll have a look at your babies position and then discuss it," The doctor replied, as Beans came up on screen. Immediately, both Luke and Ellie grinned as they saw their babies, who's eyes were closed and they were starting to look like babies instead of beans. "Okay, so baby number one is facing directly down, which is a good sign and normally means that you can give birth naturally."

"Okay?" Ellie nodded, unsure of what that meant. She didn't have a mother around to help her out with all of these things as much, so she was still feeling super confused about everything. Her nursing course didn't exactly cover this.

"Baby number 2 seems to be also facing down, but it will be monitored more frequently when you're giving birth," Luke nodded, pressing a kiss to Ellie's head as he watched his babies and tried his best to retain all of the information. "Things to do before we next speak, finalize your birth plan, nursery, hospital bag, think of asking others to help with food and make sure that you are still getting your daily walks."

"I'll make sure that she goes." Luke grinned at Ellie, who was rolling her eyes with a smile. 

"Also, please make sure that you rest and take naps during the day, or put your feet up," Ellie nodded at the doctor. "I don't see any major causes for concern, so whilst I'm not ordering you to go on bed rest, it might be a good idea to."

"Got it," The doctor handed Ellie a towel to wipe the gel off of her belly, before switching the machine off and looking back at them.

"I will see you again in two weeks for the final checks before the babies come, but should you need me at any time, give us a call." 

"Thank you," Luke shook the doctors hand, before helping Ellie to her feet and leading her back out into the main area of the hospital. Immediately, they were accosted by Ethan and Alabaster, who were looking nervous.

"Everything alright?"

"Nothing's wrong?" Ellie shook her head, grinning at the boys.

"Everything is brilliant," They sighed in relief, both of them somehow eating candy (thought Ellie wasn't sure where they had got the money from). "I'm ready to go home and order in pizza. Thoughts?"

"For sure." Luke and Ethan nodded.

"Better than Ethan's cooking anyway. Ow!" Luke flicked Alabaster's ear, as the boy grumbled and stomped off ahead of them.

∘☽༓☾∘

New York, 17th October 2008

"Sit down, Ellie!" The girl growled in annoyance, before huffing and crossing her arms over the top of her bump as she rocked angrily in the rocking chair. The boys were going through the hospital bag once more, making sure that everything, including all of the snacks were ready to go, as well as through the birthing plan. 

"Els, rest please."

"I'm not an invalid, Luke," He raised an eyebrow, before reluctantly handing her the list so that she could read off of it and demand for them to put things in to the bag. "Yay!"

"You are such a child." Ethan muttered, ignoring the dark glare that was aimed at the back of his head.

"List, read it." Luke sighed, already done with boy of the younger teenager's arguments.

"Okay, so we need; birthing plan, insurance card and hospital papers," Luke placed the documents in the bottom of the bag, motioning for her to continue. "I need a night gown, my fluffy slippers, fluffy socks and a robe. Oh, don't forget my snacks."

"How could we forget those? You would kill us if we didn't bring the food." Ellie nodded in agreement at Alabaster's words, watching carefully as he put all of her snacks, and some of their own, into the bag. "I'm guessing toiletries, extra phone chargers and I got your camera, Ellie."

"You are a star, Alabaster," He grinned, as Ellie used her bump as a table to cross things from the list. Luke sighed at his wife, a grin on his face as he watched her and placed more of her clothes into the bag. "Oh, and baby clothes!"

The trio of men laughed at Ellie's excitement, before helping her out of the rocking chair so that she could waddle over and grab the sets of clothes for the babies, that she had picked. She didn't really care what she wore, but baby clothes were a whole different thing. She was just obsessed with the little things for Beans.

"Have you lot all packed your stuff?" Luke nodded in agreement with his wife, though Alabaster and Ethan shook their heads. "Do it ASAP. If you're messing around whilst I'm in labour, I will kill both of you or leave you behind."

"Aye-aye, Captain," They both saluted. Luke chuckled, wrapping an arm around Ellie and pressing a kiss to her head.

"So close, so, so close to Beans arriving."

∘☽༓☾∘

Hiya,

If you're wondering why this is all moving along at a slightly faster pace, it's because there is literally just baby things going on for the family, and school for Alabaster, in these next couple of weeks for them. Also, I think my computer believes that I am pregnant because of all of the pregnancy tabs that I have open (cause I know nothing on the topic), so they keep recommending baby stuff to me as ads and it's getting a little awkward. Lmao.

Let me know what you think, 

Love Li xx