Hurts Like Hell | John Laurens

Vingt

Eight long, painful months later, I finally go into labor. 

"Merde!" I groan. The pain is excruciating, way worse than when Frances was born. 

"You're doing great, just a little more." The nurse says. 

"Shh, it's alright. You're doing great." Eliza says, holding my hand. I can practically hear John pacing back and forth in the hallway. 

A babies cry fills the room, but I don't instantly relax, I still keep having contractions, and I keep pushing. The nurse's eyes go wide. 

"Well it appears you'll be having twins, Mrs Laurens." 

What. Twins?

A few minutes later the second baby is out. 

"Both boys, and they appear to be very healthy. Congratulations, Mrs Laurens. We'll send in your husband." 

John rushes into the room. 

"John we had twins." I say. John smiles and runs to my side. 

"Which one is which?" He asks. 

"This one is John Henry." I hand the oldest baby to John, "And I was hoping we would name this one Gilbert Lafayette Laurens." I smile. 

"Of course. I love it. I love them. And I love you." John kisses me. 

Eliza smiles and squeals. "I'll go get Alexander and the children!" She runs out of the room excitedly. 

"We have three children now." I smile. 

"Time's gone by so fast." John smiles, "I remembered something while I was pacing in the hallway."

I smile, "What did you remember?" 

"Frances birth! I remember it! I'm getting my memories back!" John smiles. 

"That's amazing, mon amour." I kiss him. 

Frances runs in, Philip behind her, and Angelica waddling behind Philip. Eliza walks in. 

"Some people decided to show up..." 

Lafayette appears behind her. 

"Lafayette!" I squeal. Eliza takes Gilbert from my arms so I can hug my brother. "I missed you so much." 

"I missed you two. It appears I have two nephews now." Laf says, I smile and nod. 

"Yes. John is holding John jr. and Eliza is holding Gilbert Lafayette." 

Laf's eyes begin to water, "vous avez nommé votre fils après moi?"

"Oui." 

(Translation. "You named your son after me?" 
"Yes." ) 

Laf hugs me, "Je t'aime tellement, ma chère soeur." 

(I love you so much, dearest sister.) 

"Je t'aime aussi Lafayette." 

(I love you too Lafayette.) 

"Can I hold him?" He asks, I nod. Eliza hands Lafayette Gilbert. "Bonjour Gilbert. Je suis ton oncle Marie-Joseph Paul Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette mais tu peux m'appeler oncle Lafayette. Je t'aime tellement déjà. Vous avez la maman et le papa les plus incroyables. N'oublie jamais cela. Votre famille vous aime tellement."

(Hello Gilbert. I am your uncle Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette but you can call me Uncle Lafayette. I love you so much already. You have the most amazing mommy and daddy. Never forget that. Your family loves you so much.) 

I smile at Lafayette. 

"I love you Antoinette." John says. 

"I love you John." I reply. John connects our lips.