One Day

Casey’s eyes fluttered open slowly, a groan escaping her lips as her eyes adjusted to the harsh brightness of the room. A numbing pain throbbed at her side, and her hand moved to her now-flat stomach, feeling the absence where a life had once been nurtured. As she turned her head to the side, she caught sight of Izzie lying in the hospital bed next to hers, peacefully asleep.

They had been together for three wonderful years. After countless discussions and plans, they had finally decided to start their family. It had been a journey filled with anticipation and hope, and they had meticulously coordinated every detail – from the day they began their IVF treatments to the moment they would give birth.

The entire process had gone remarkably well. They laughed and cried together through every step, sharing the ups and downs with unwavering support. Now as she lay there, the reality of it all washed over her. Their daughters had arrived on the same day, only hours apart from each other. The thought brought a smile to her lips, even amid the discomfort.

“What are you smiling at weirdo?” a soft voice murmured. Izzie had awaken while Casey was deep in her thoughts, and was now looking at her. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I feel okay. How about you?”

“Everything hurts.” She stuck out her lower lip.

Casey chuckled. “I guess your anesthesia is wearing off faster than mine.”

“Where is everyone?” Izzie lifted her head for a moment to scan the room, but a sharp pain shot through her side, prompting her to groan and lower her head back onto her pillow. “Okay, ya, not ready to move yet.”

“Probably looking at the babies.” She turned to look at the wife. “Do you remember anything?”

“A lot of pain,” Izzie replied. But then her lips curved upward, and a sweet smile blossomed on her face. “But when they put her on my chest afterwards… that was the best feeling in the world. I started bawling, and then the baby started crying even more.”

“That sounds so amazing. I’m sad I passed out. I don’t remember a thing.” She pouted a little.

Izzie had experienced a natural birth, while Casey had undergone a cesarean section, a decision made when the doctors informed her that their baby was breech. At first, Casey had been really scared and worried about the cesarean, but the thought of ensuring her daughter’s safety quickly overshadowed those worries.

A soft knock on the door interrupted their moment. They turned their heads in unison as their siblings entered the room, their expressions a mix of excitement and caution. Thaddeus and Sardonna each cradled a little bundle in their arms, their movements careful, as if they were walking on eggshells.

“They are so adorable!” Thaddeus said happily, his voice just barely audible. He had the brightest smile on his face as he made his way over to Casey. “Just look at her.” He carefully handed the baby in his arms to Casey.

The baby was asleep and seemed unbothered by the world around her. She didn’t fuss or anything as she was being passed to her mother.

“She looks so much like you, Izzie. Like identical,” Sardonna said as she handed Izzie her baby.

Izzie took one look at her baby, and tears filled her eyes again. The baby felt so small and fragile. “She does.”

“Really? Mine doesn’t look like me at all.” Casey started to laugh, but a sharp pain flared in her side, causing her to stop abruptly.

“Casey’s baby is bigger than Izzie’s,” Sardonna said, “That’s why it took so much longer for her to give birth. Izzie’s baby is the older one.”

“Finally. After all these years, there’s finally something I’m faster at,” Izzie joked. She rocked the baby gently in her arms and stuck out a finger to stroke the newborn's soft cheek. “Hello, little one. It’s mommy,” she said softly to the child in her arms.

“Have you two thought of names yet?” Sardonna asked.

“Yes,” Izzie said, looking down at her daughter. “Chloe. Chloe Taylor-Gardner.” She smiled at the child who stared back blankly at her.

“And this one is Zoe Taylor-Gardner.”

Izzie and Casey had considered given their daughters a more unique name, but in the end, decided that simple was best.

“Chloe, Zoe,” a computerized voice said.

They looked over at Ulysses, who slowly wobbled his way to Casey’s bedside. It was remarkable how much he had improved in the past three years. He had taken his first steps at age 13, and could now walk short distances without any assistance. They had gotten him a tablet equipped with a specialized app, and he was now able to communicate verbally through it. Although he still faced some motor challenges, his progress meant that he required much less care than before. His improvement had been a significant factor in their decision to start a family; knowing that Ulysses was becoming more independent gave them the confidence to bring two new children into their lives.

“Yeah, and you’re Uncle Uly now!” Casey said happily. “Do you want to hold her?”

Ulysses nodded, clearly very excited.

Thaddeus helped Ulysses sit down on the chair and placed his tablet to the side. When Casey handed Zoe back to Thaddeus, the baby whined a little as if missing the embrace of her mother. Casey smiled as she watched how slowly and carefully Thaddeus moved with the baby in his arms. He placed the baby in Ulysses’ arms carefully, but didn’t let go completely, just in case.

Ulysses laughed, cackling with joy at the sight of his new niece. “Casey! Casey!” he exclaimed.

The sound of his voice must’ve startled the baby because her eyes flew open, and she let out a wail that filled the room. Thaddeus flinched, wide-eyed, and quickly handed the little one back to Casey.

Casey had no idea what to do next. She felt herself panicking as she looked down at the tiny face, her mind racing with potential ways to comfort her daughter. She gently rocked the baby, whispering soothing words as she tried to calm her down.

Chloe, hearing the sound of her sister crying, started to cry too, and Izzie rocked her, while shushing her softly to calm her.

“Wow, this is chaotic,” Sardonna said. She took Chloe’s little hand and rubbed it, hoping to provide some comfort. “I can’t believe you two signed up for this.”

“You know we’re always up for challenges,” Izzie replied over the sound of the two babies crying. “I mean, we got through raising you. What’s two more kids? They can’t be as bad as you.”

Sardonna rolled her eyes.

The two new mothers tried to calm the babies for a few more moments, but they still wouldn’t stop crying.

“Case, let’s swap,” Izzie said. She carefully handed Chloe to Sardonna and Thaddeus took Zoe over to Izzie.

Casey reached out to retrieve the baby, a smile spreading across her face as she set her eyes on the tiny bundle. Sardonna was right. Chloe was the spitting image of Izzie. “Hi Chloe,” she said softly. She leaned down to kiss the baby’s forehead as she patted the baby’s back gently a few times.

The wailing began to soften as the child looked back at her with her big watery eyes.

“Wow, it worked?” She turned to Izzie who had her lips on Zoe’s forehead and was rocking her. Zoe had also stopped crying, and her eyes were shutting again as if she was about to fall back asleep.

“I figured if Chloe was anything like me, she would take a liking to you,” Izzie joked. “And same for Zoe.”

“Well, you were right.”

“And Zoe does look like you. Just look at that nose and mouth and the color of her hair.” She beamed at the baby now fast asleep in her arms. “A little Casey. Look how beautiful she is. I love her so much already.”

They both looked at the babies in their arms, proudly.

“We really did it,” Casey said to Izzie. “Two kids.”

“Yeah, we did. Are we crazy?” Izzie laughed.

“Yes, but the good kind of crazy.” Casey looked at her and smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”