Padmé Amidala (queenofnaboo) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2014-10-26 18:38:00 |
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Entry tags: | padme amidala, verity |
Who: Padmé Skywalker and Verity
When: Oct 11th
Where: Padmé’s hospital room
What: Verity comes to visit to see the babies
Rating/Warnings: Low/None
Status: Complete when posted
She honestly couldn’t believe that she was a mother right now. It felt surreal to be sitting in a hospital bed and not feel the movement of the babies inside of her anymore. They were tangible and she had snuggled with them for quite a while. They were born early, of course, but the doctors said they should be fine. They may stay a little longer to be checked out before they got to go home with the two of them, but she didn’t mind. Anakin was being his usual worryful self and she was trying to balance him out.
So, when Verity had decided to come visit she was really excited about that. She had changed into more relaxing clothes and was laying on the bed reading a book when her friend knocked on the door. She called out for her to enter and set aside her book. Verity had picked a good time to show up because she knew the babies would be coming down soon for a feeding.
Verity knocked gently on the hospital room door. She pushed open the door at the sound of Padme’s voice, and broke into a smile at the sight of her friend in the bed. Christina was with her sister-in-law, and Verity was carrying a little, gift bag with a couple of things inside. For the new mom.
“Hiii,” she said, grinning, as she came into the room. She whispered, just in case an infant or a husband was sleeping. “How are you, honey? Look at you! Welcome to the world of Mommies!”
“Hey! I’m pretty good, just tired,” she admitted with a smile, “and don’t worry, babies aren’t here just yet and Anakin left the room a bit ago. They should be down in a little bit because it’s almost time for a feeding.” It was good to have someone who understood this kind of thing here because she was feeling a little overwhelmed sometimes.
“Come on in,” she waved her arm in the direction of the chair that was beside her bed. She pushed the remote to sit up more and grabbed a glass of water off the nightstand, “I do have to admit that these rooms are really nice and I don’t really want to go home.”
Verity nodded. She kept Christina in the room with her nonstop after the baby was born, but she’d been full-term. And Verity was pretty much on her own--she didn’t have a husband to send along with the kids to the NICU.
“You’re nursing them, then?” She asked, moving into the room to take a seat at the bed closer. “Did you end up with the c-section?” She added. These were the sorts of things that new moms talked about. “I don’t blame you. Take advantage of the twenty-four hour nurse care.”
“Yeah, the first time was a little iffy, but they got it by the end of the day, thank god. I don’t think I could handle it if I couldn’t nurse them. It hurts so bad!” Padme had been surprised by that fact and had prayed that she would be able to nurse them. It had taken a handful of tries before the babies figured it out and that was when she was able to breathe a sigh of relief, “No, I thankfully was able to do it naturally. They took their sweet time once my water broke, but once they came out they were only a little bit apart from each other. And yeah, the twenty-four hour nurse care is a life saver. And the food here is really good.”
“That’s amazing.” Verity beamed. “Wow, wonderful! I hear about so many moms of twins who end up with the c-section. That’s how Christina was born, and it took a while for my milk to come in, so our first few days were really rough. Pumping and nursing pretty much every twenty minutes.” She sighed and shook her head. “I’m so glad. I remember the food being good… probably mostly because I can’t cook, and I hate having to do dishes.” Grin.
“Yeah, I was thinking that would probably happen, but I’m so thankful it didn’t. It sounds painful. Although, Ani doesn’t know this, but I think it’s all dream related. I believe the twins were delivered naturally in my dreams, so I was kind of expecting it to happen here. It’s honestly a little freaky,” Padme didn’t really talk about the fact that the twins and the dreams were related, but having the babies here now made it feel even more real, “And yes, not doing dishes is great. I think Anakin likes being able to just relax in here with me and the kids. But I can’t wait to bring them home.”
“Nah, it’s not that bad, really.” Verity said, shrugging her shoulders. “Did you get an epidural? They just give you more medicine in the epidural, and you feel nothing.” Verity explained. “Then there’s some meds you take afterward while you heal. No big deal.” But she paused and listened. “I had triplets in my dreams. Bizarre, right? I’m so glad there was only one here. Especially since Christina’s father took off again.” Verity smiled. “Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s a struggle when you get home. I’ll bring you guys meals, though. So long as you don’t mind freezer meals!”
“Yeah, definitely got an epidural. I would never say no to more drugs since it’s so freaking painful,” Padme had been prepared for the idea of pain, but the idea of it was nothing compared to how it actually was. And then when Verity said she had triplets in her dreams her eyebrows went up and her eyes were wide, “Wow, that’s insane. I’m glad we only had twins. And I’m glad you had one because you’re such a great mom to her. Twins is going to be tough and I wouldn’t wish that on any single mother. I know some do it, but it’s a challenge. And I would never say no to freezer meals.”
“Aww, thank you,” Verity said, blushing a little. “You’re going to be fantastic. I mean, Ani is such an amazing support so far,” from what she’d seen on the outside, anyway. She could only imagine how wonderful he was to have around. “Those first few months on my own were really hard,” Verity agreed. “I didn’t have anyone to help with the hard stuff. But living with River really helped.” She had a fantastic housemate.
“Oh good. I’m glad you at least had someone to help you out. I think Ani will be a great father once he wraps his head around this. I think we’re both feeling a little young and unprepared at the moment, but we’ll make it through. My parents are going to be flying down soon to spend time with the babies and I think my sister is going to try to make it soon as well. I just hope I’m able to learn something from my mom,” she admired her mother and was looking forward to the visit. You had to start somewhere with your learning and she was ready to watch her mother in action.
“It’s hard. We all feel unprepared, I think.” Verity gave a soft smile. “I mean, one is a lot to wrap your mind around. But two?? That’s well more than twice, I think, since there’s so little sleep… everything feels a thousand times more powerful.” She folded one leg over the other, rested her elbow on her knee, and propped up her chin. “I’m sure you will. My mother has been wonderful. She lives near San Francisco. And my Sister-In-Law, too. You find all kinds of people who want to help. Just… take advice with a grain of salt, right? You can’t please everyone. And what works for them may not work for you.”
“True. That is a very good thing to remember. I’m sure other family members will butt heads with me, but I’m going to try and not lose my temper. Although, I guarantee nothing when I’m running off two hours or sleep or something. So, what kind of words of wisdom do you have for me?” She was curious to see what tips Verity could give her in order to make this thing easier for her. She had read the books, but that only went so far, and real life advice was much better.
“Oh my gosh, words of wisdom? Well.” Verity thought for a moment. “...let your house fall apart. Seriously. Sleep when the babies sleep. Try to get your shower in every day, but if the choice is shower or sleep always opt for sleep. Um, let other people hold the babies. Put them down in their cribs to sleep, don’t hold them while they’re sleeping.” She paused. “It’s only a few months. Do anything you need to do to get by. The babies won’t remember it, and you probably won’t, either.”
“That is actually great advice. I know we’re going to be run down with a lack of sleep, but hopefully we can make it work. I will definitely do everything you said. And good to know about putting them down in their cribs and not holding onto them while they sleep. I can’t wait until we get through this newborn phase and things will get a little more normal,” she commented with a smile. It was honestly good advice. She was filing it away to repeat back to Anakin and maybe write it down. She was about to say more when a nurse walked in, “Oh, that must mean the babies are on their way down soon.”
“I’m sure you’ll make it work,” Verity said, gently. “...And if you need any help you can always come and ask me.” She added, supportively. “Please, don’t wish it to go by too fast! Enjoy it while it lasts. I miss the newborn against my chest like crazy. When they get bigger it’s nice… they become stronger and more independant… I miss the cuddles, though.”
And Verity stood up when the nurse came in. “I’ll let you get back to everything. Good luck with the nursing and the diaper changes… I’ll check in with you in a few days.” She smiled brightly, then leaned over to give Padme a big hug. “Congratulations again, honey! I’m so proud of you!” Grin.
“Aw, at least find Anakin in the hallway or something and snuggle the babies. If you don’t get the chance then you’ll do a lot of snuggling when you come by for the baby shower, which is still on. And don’t worry, I won’t wish it to go fast but I’ll wish for lots of sleep,” Padme wanted to make sure Verity at least got to see the babies before she left and returned the hug, “Thank you so much dear. I’m so glad that I’ve got you as a friend. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“I definitely will.” Verity gave her friend a grin. “Okay. That sounds like a plan to me.” And she gave a gentle wave of her hand. “Don’t worry about it. That’s what friends are for. I’m here, whatever you need. I hope you’ll consider coming to Christina’s birthday on Halloween, but I understand if you want to keep the little ones away from people for a while.”
Verity turned to head to the door. “Try to get some rest.” She beamed. “I’ll check in soon!” And then she was off down the hall, with the idea of finding Ani to say hello before heading back to pick up Christina and go home.