NOVEL SIMPLE Welcome Home
Ender has been at the hospital for four days, recovering. And today, he is finally getting released with his babies.
The twins also had to stay at the hospital as they were too small, even losing a bit of weight. So, the doctor kept them behind to make sure they were at a good enough weight.
During that time, Nevan practically stayed at the hospital with Ender, helping him feed and take care of the twins when the doctors allowed them.
His family and friends would visit, more so his mother, and stay awhile before leaving. Ender and Nevan did not let anyone hold the babies, except Ender's mother, yet.
They wanted to wait until the twins were a month old before allowing the others to hold them.
Ender felt that too many hands touching the newborns would be too much for the babies.
At the moment, Ender finished dressing as he fixed up the bed. Nevan sat on the chair near the bed, bouncing his legs as he held both the newborns in his arms.
The twins were silent, currently sleeping, as they all prepared to leave.
Ender moved away from the bed, looking around the room, making sure he had everything before grabbing his tote bag with most of the babies' things inside.
Putting the strap over his shoulder, Ender asked Nevan, "Do you already have the car seats set up?" His voice was low as he did not want to disturb the twins.
Nevan nodded, "Yeah. Are you ready?"
Taking one last sweep, Ender hummed. Even if he did leave something behind, he could always come back to get it. No one is allowed to use this room except for Ender's family.
Nevan stood up, being careful with the newborns in his arms. Ender walked over, grabbing Emil from him. Emil made a noise from being moved, but he did not wake up.
They left the room, walking to the front desk to sign out.
The doctor left them with papers and told Ender that he has to come back at a later date for him and the twins. Once everything was said and done, Ender and Nevan finally left the hospital.
"I'm tired." Ender yawned. He did not cover his mouth as he did not want to move so much with Emil in his arms.
As they walked, Nevan made sure he secured the blanket on Vera before answering, "Same," he pulled Vera's beanie down some more, "I believe I got six hours, total, of sleep these past four days."
The babies slept for a long time, but Nevan and Ender had to wake them at certain times to feed them their bottles. The newborns flipped their schedules of night and day.
Ender mourned his sleep because he is the type of person who wants to sleep all day, every day.
They did not continue talking, too tired to, as they made their way to the car. Ender carefully took Vera from Nevan. He made sure he had a safe and good grip on both his babies.
Once Nevan's hands were free, he pulled out the car keys, unlocking the doors. He opened the back seat wide, checking if he secured the car seats before putting in the twins.
It is going to be a long ride home.
When he felt they were safe enough, Nevan grabbed Vera first, putting her in. Ender walked to the other side with Emil, slowly opening the door wide.
He put Emil in the car seat, buckling the baby up while ensuring he was securely in with no problems.
Nevan did the same with Vera.
When they finished, and Ender put the bag in the back, they closed the doors, moving to the front seats. Ender was more awake than Nevan as he got into the driver's seat to take them home.
Nevan sighed, resting his head back in the passenger seat after he buckled himself up.
Ender started driving, finally going home with Nevan and their babies. Nevan squinted his eyes, trying not to fall asleep in the car.
"When we get home, will we have time for a nap?" Nevan asked.
Ender thought about the time before frowning a bit, "Kind of? When we get home, we have to feed the twins, but we can take a nap after that."
Nevan groaned. He loves Emil and Vera, but he misses sleep. And that is saying something when he used to be a workaholic.
"Ah, don't worry. Time will go by fast, and we will return to a somewhat normal sleep schedule." Ender simultaneously reassured himself and Nevan.
Nevan hummed as his head fell to the window, resting on it as he relaxed. But he made sure not to get too comfortable. Because if he slept now, he wouldn't be able to get up later.
The ride home was a quiet one. They did not turn on the radio and just listened to the wind (Ender raised down the window a bit).
Ender thought of things to keep his mind busy, while Nevan pinched his leg when he felt his eyes closing for a second.
They will sleep soon. Nevan and Ender just needed to get home, feed the babies, and then they could nap.
They finally reached the house after a long ride. Ender parked the car, turning it off as they quickly got out of the vehicle.
Instead of taking the babies out of the car seat, they carried the car seats with Emil and Vera inside. Nevan unlocked the door as Ender set the car seat on the living room floor once they entered.
Ender walked back to the car, grabbing the bag before closing the car doors and locking them. When he entered the house, closing the door behind him, he could see Nevan unbuckling the car seats.
Ender took the bag to the kitchen, setting it on the table as he unzipped it and pulled out the formula (specifically made for premature babies) and two bottles.
He washed the bottles, cleaning them. He set them down before he started looking for a clean pan. Ender filled the pan with water, then turned on the stove.
Ender waited until the stove was hot enough before setting the pan on it. He let the water boil for a minute before taking it off to cool and turning the stove off.
Once the water was a good enough temperature, he poured it into both bottles, stopping at a certain point. Then he opened the formula, adding the necessary scoop to both.
He closed the bottles and shook them until they mixed. Then he checked their temperatures by pouring a drop on the inside of his wrist to make sure it is suitable for the twins.
Ender walked into the living room with the bottles as he saw that Nevan laid the babies on blankets on the ground.
It seems that he woke them up because their eyes were opening and closing while their arms and legs were moving.
Nevan softly played with them, tenderly smiling. Even though Ender was beyond tired and in a bit of pain from the c-section, he cannot help the fullness his heart feels.
Ender loves his babies, and he loves Nevan. They are the world to him.
He walked over, sitting next to Nevan as he set the bottles down before touching Vera's stomach. "It's feeding time," Ender told the twins.
Nevan grabbed a bottle, picking up Emil as he held him in a good feeding position. He put the nipple of the bottle towards Emil's lips, who quickly latched on and started sucking.
Nevan tilted the bottle to a certain degree, supporting Emil's head as he watched the baby eat.
Ender did the same with Vera.
Welcome home, Ender and Nevan simultaneously thought as they gazed at their babies.
Arc One is finished.