“He’s gonna get in trouble, he’s gonna get in fights. I’m gonna lose my temper and some sleep. It’s safe to say that, I’m gonna get my payback, if he’s anything like me…”


Just as Jamie as predicted, the summer months did fly by. Even as things got crazier, the days never seemed to linger for too long. They were there one moment and gone the next. For most of June, Jamie worked with a physical therapist, just doing enough to ensure that his muscles wouldn’t atrophy. It was a relief he was actually taking some down time.

By July, his routine was drastically different. He’d spend four days in the gym, doing full body exercises, working his way to get back into shape and be ready for training camp. On the three days he wasn’t working out, he ogled Cassidy as she continued to grow. Every desire and want went satisfied as Jamie served her. And his kindness couldn’t have come soon enough. With every gaining pound, she felt like she was liable to topple over at any point.

His twenty-sixth birthday came and went. They hadn’t done anything special in particular like last year; just a simple dinner on the water. And a few days after that, they loaded up their things, and flew to Nashville. With the babies on the way, no time could be wasted in getting the nursery set up.

The furniture had been delivered, and neighbors had brought the packages into the house, but now it was Jamie’s turn to put his handyman skills to work. He assembled cribs, a changing table, a bookcase, and some wall decorations before the first day was done. He then collapsed on the couch, feeling tightness in his hips after spending a day on the floor, putting furniture together. Although he didn’t complain much, Cassidy knew it was bothering him, and she wished there was more she could do for him. In reality, she couldn’t do much; hell she could barely turn in bed now.

After spending nearly a month in Nashville, they returned back to Dallas, ready to start the new season. It was only mid-August, so they had some time before that, but not so much time when it came to the babies. They’d be on their way soon enough. While in Nashville, Cassidy began to feel an aching in her pelvis, accompanied by the increase in what Doctor Turner called Braxton Hicks contractions. Neither of which were particularly pleasant, and the only relief she found was in constantly moving.

So whether she was cooking, folding laundry, or just watching TV, chances were, Cassidy was on her feet, rocking side to side trying to soothe her body. And with Jamie’s energy level and morale increasing, he found it amusing to whisk her away, dancing with her across the hardwood floor. She didn’t mind it much, as she just placed all her weight in Jamie’s arms, basically forcing him to keep her up; but he never complained.

Most days, Jamie spent the mornings in Frisco skating with the trainers and some teammates that were already in town. Although he wasn’t doing anything too labor intensive, he was preparing to be ready for training camp. So for now, he stuck with the resistance bands around his waist and bag skates until his lungs felt like they were on fire.

And while he was gone exercising, Cassidy did some exercising of her own. Kennedy, who had been more and more present as the pregnancy progressed, would stop by every morning and they’d walk Truman and Shiloh together. Jordie’s puppy classes had actually turned out to be a blessing. Now with each dog nearing their full size and strength, the training had taught them to be angels on leashes. They didn’t yank or pull, and if anything, their pregnancy sixth sense had them sticking closer to Cassidy than normal. It was like they could tell she was in a vulnerable state, and wanted to do their best to protect her.

So when they got back in from a morning walk, and Cassidy looked down at her sweatpants, seeing they were becoming soaked through, she looked at Kennedy and pursed her lips, “I think we should go to the hospital.”

While she was trying to stay calm on the outside mostly for Kennedy’s sake, she was a war zone on the inside. Bags for the hospital were packed, and the SUV had been updated with two car seats, but Cassidy had planned on going through the whole thing with Jamie. Only now he was in Frisco, and Cassidy was in Dallas, watching as Kennedy ran through the house like a chicken with its head cut off.

She waddled out to the car and sat in the passenger seat, going through her phone to find Doctor Turner’s number. She told her the news just as Kennedy threw the bags in the backseat and handed a bed pillow to Cassidy.

“We’re going to drive safely and slowly to the hospital, and we’re going to make sure the pregnant girl gets there in one piece,” Cassidy murmured, wincing as she pulled the seatbelt across her belly.

“How are you not in pain?” Kennedy asked, pulling out onto the street. She set a hand across her forehead, “I think I’m gonna faint.”

Cassidy let out a deep breath, “it’s not too bad yet. The boys are going to go easy on mommy. We’ve made that agreement, haven’t we boys?” She rubbed her belly and set her head back against the headrest.

“You’re crazy… Bat shit crazy,”

“I don’t want the boys coming into this world with a stressed out mother. I will have years to be stressed out, but not today. Not today as they tear through my body like little demons.” Cassidy looked down at her phone and found Jamie’s number. Chances were, it’d go to voicemail, which was probably for the better. The last thing she wanted was him to freak out and bolt down to Dallas. “Hi babe. Your offspring has decided that they want to today to be their birthday, so I’m on my way to the hospital with Kennedy. Don’t rush, it’ll be awhile… and make sure you shower before you get there. I don’t want you all sweaty. Love you and I’ll see you soon… Happy parenting,”

She hung up the phone and set it back in her lap. Just as promised, Kennedy was driving safely while also going just above the speed limit. They arrived at the hospital, where Cassidy slid out of the car with the pillow in her arms, and Kennedy beside her like a pack mule with the bags.

Once the hospital staff had her admitted, she plopped down in a wheelchair and took the short ride up to the maternity ward, smiling as she was escorted to her own room. She shuffled to the edge of the bed and sat down as Kennedy got situated.

Doctor Turner had come in shortly after they arrived to do an ultrasound. It was determined that the first baby was in perfect position to do a natural birth, and then considering the position of the second baby, a c-section might have to be done.

With the contractions getting closer and closer together and Cassidy’s body preparing for the big event, she opted for an epidural; anything that would minimize the discomfort she was already feeling. Thankfully, Jamie showed up just in time, wearing a Stars t-shirt and a pair of athletic shorts. His hair was wet, but judging by the musky scent, it was because of his shampoo, not sweat.

“Hey beautiful. How’re we doing,” he kissed the top of her head and stood in front of her, smiling as a doctor entered the room. Kennedy had since left to get some air.

“We’re about to get a shot to the spine,” Cassidy said through her teeth. This was already harder than she thought it’d be.

The anesthesiologist stepped forward, separating Cassidy’s hospital gown, exposing her lower back. She looked up at Jamie and squeezed her eyes shut, reaching out for his hands. He held onto her tightly, allowing her the chance to squeeze him as hard as she needed. And when the shot was being administered, Jamie winced and chewed his bottom lip as Cassidy clutched onto him.

When it was over, Cassidy laid back in bed and took a few ragged breaths in, “did I ever tell you about the time I accidentally shot myself in the foot with a BB gun when I was eight?”

Jamie reached for her hand and shook his head, “no, I don’t think you ever mentioned it.”

“Well this is worse,” she rubbed her stomach in big circles, “come on boys, be good.”

“Alright Cassidy,” Doctor Turner stepped in. When she saw Jamie, she smiled and reached out to shake his hand, “good to see you again, Mr. Benn.” She pushed her hands into her lab coat and smiled, “so Cassidy, you’re about four centimeters dilated. We have to get to ten, so until then it’s a waiting game. If they start to come early, we’ll do a c-section. And they are only thirty-four weeks so we’re going to have pediatricians check them out before we hand them to you,”

Doctor Turner smiled reassuringly and left the room. Cassidy sucked in a deep breath and looked over at Jamie, “how was Tyler?”

Jamie giggled and reached for her hand, curling his fingers around hers, “fine. Said spending the first part of summer in Europe was fun,”

Cassidy smiled and shut her eyes, “keep talking. Take my mind off this,” she cringed again as another contraction started up. She felt like her insides were on fire.

“Uh… my mom’s flying down. I called her on my way over… She’s excited to meet her grandsons. And I’m sure we’ll appreciate her help once they’re here. I feel like we have a lot to learn,”

She smiled and opened up her eyes, “Jame how many people are we expecting to visit?”

“My mom, my brother, my sister, Tyler, Kennedy, Daddy, probably Rich and Nathalie… a few,”

Cassidy chuckled, which then turned into a groan. It was getting progressively harder to keep her mind off of the increasing pain. The hours ticked by, slowly at first and then seemingly all at once. When the nurses paged Doctor Turner, stating there was an emergency, it was already eleven at night.

One painful crisis had led to another. While the doctor had urged her not to push until her body was completely ready, Cassidy wasn’t listening. She wasn’t trying to deliberately disobey the orders of her doctor; her body just had other instinctual plans. So instead of putting herself through extra abuse, Doctor Turner, three nurses, and two pediatricians scrubbed up and got ready for a c-section.

After a local anesthetic was given, Jamie sat up behind Cassidy’s head, brushing her hair away from her face. He was whispering encouragements to her, but she barely heard them as the pressure of a scalpel being pressed into her skin was all she could really think about. There wasn’t any pain, which was fortunate considering she was oddly aware of what was happening to her.

“Is it gross?” She whispered up to Jamie, tilting her head back to look at him.

He glanced down at her, “if you think I’m gonna watch them cut into you and put your intestines in a bowl, you’re sorely mistaken.” He bent in and pressed his surgical mask covered lips to her forehead.

“I don’t like this,” she murmured, shutting her eyes. She could feel Jamie nodding with his lips still planted on her head. It couldn’t have been very long, but it felt like an eternity before they both heard the shrieking cries of their first child. “How’s he look?”

Jamie looked up and then covered his mouth with his hand, setting his forehead down against Cassidy’s shoulder, “bloody. Please don’t make me do that again. I’m gonna pass out,”

Cassidy smiled and turned her head to press her lips against his temple. And only three minutes later the room was filled with the cries of baby number two.

“Congratulations on baby Benn one and baby Benn two. We’re going to check them over and stitch you up, and we’ll get them in your arms as soon as possible,” Doctor Turner said. By the squinting of her eyes, it was evident she was smiling beneath her surgical mask. And the fact that she was smiling put Cassidy more at ease.

---

With the exception of Rich and Nathalie, everyone Jamie had expected to be present to meet the twins was. Normally only a few people would be allowed in the room at a time, but with the town’s hockey captain, there was some leeway with the rules. Jamie sat on the hospital bed beside Cassidy, his mom sat in the chair beside him, and his siblings sat on the small couch in front of the window. Kennedy stood on the other side of Cassidy, with Jason beside her, and Tyler stood with his arms folded, leaning against the bathroom door.

It was already nearing midnight, and after a nearly thirteen-hour labor, things seemed peaceful once again. This was the way she hoped her kids would enter the world.

“Knock, knock everyone,” Doctor Turner smiled at the hospital room door. “I think we have presents for all of you,” she stepped aside and ushered two nurses into the room, each toting a portable crib behind them. They placed them side by side and left, and after Doctor Turner promised to come check on them, she left as well.

Immediately, Cassidy burst into tears, seeing each of the tiny humans in the cribs. She reached out for them eagerly, and Jamie stood up to pick the one wearing a green cap up first. He looked awkward to start, and handed the infant to Cassidy. She took him in her arms and cradled him against her body. Upon looking around, all the women in the room were tearing up, while the men stared with goofy grins on their faces. After picking up the baby with the yellow cap, Jamie retook his place beside Cassidy.

“Four pounds, thirteen ounces, and all fight. I think this is our Knox,” Cassidy bent down and gently pressed her lips against the infant’s head.

“Well don’t discount little Kiptyn,” Jamie smiled, bouncing the child in his arms softly. “Four pounds, ten ounces, and quite a fighter himself.”

Heather reached forward and brushed the back of her finger against Kiptyn’s cheek, choking back happy tears. Kennedy smiled and curled into Jason’s side, wrapping her arms around his waist. And Tyler stood beaming at the new family in front of him.

“Ty you look like you’re going to cry,” Jordie gushed.

“I’m happy. Who thought Chubbs would be a father, you know?” He pushed up away from the door and shoved his hands into his pockets, “listen, you’ve got a full house so I’m gonna get going. I’ll hold your kids tomorrow. Congratulations,” he smiled and shook Jamie’s hand as he held it out, and then bent over to kiss Cassidy’s cheek.

From there, the babies were handed from one set of hands to the next. Cassidy smiled as she watched Kennedy and Jason the babies. It made her excited for their potential future together. Every so often, nurses came in to check on them, but never lingered too long. As the night wore on and turned into early morning, the hospital room eventually cleared out, leaving Cassidy and Jamie alone with their sons. They had switched off, getting the chance to hold both. And when the boys dozed off, Jamie placed them back in cribs before he laid down beside Cassidy on the bed.

“You did great,” he mumbled, turning on his side to kiss Cassidy softly.

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” she smiled against his lips and then looked over at the boys, swaddled in their blankets. “Yesterday we were just Jamie and Cassidy, and today we’re parents. Crazy how that all works out,”

She supposed she’d never really figure out how the blessing of becoming a parent could happen so quickly. The day would pass, and maybe she’d even forget most of it, but she’d always have the products of that day in the form of Knox Jordan Benn and Kiptyn Lee Benn, who arrived in the world three minutes apart on August 19th.

Notes

This chapter is titled after "Anything Like Me" by Brad Paisley.

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