Lucy lay in her hospital bed pondering on what the doctor had told her and Paul. The thought of two babies was scary but exciting she decided. She closed her eyes, imagining what it would be like trying to look after two newborns. The door opened suddenly, making Lucy open her eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry Lucy." said a midwife coming into the room, "Did I wake you?"
Lucy shook her head. "No, I was just thinking about things. I wasn't asleep. Do you need me?"
"Yes. It's time for your first dose of meds for your blood pressure plus I need to do your observations."
Lucy sat quietly whilst her blood pressure and temperature were checked and her tummy felt. The, after being given a small glass of water and two tablets, she took them.
"All done?" she asked.
The midwife nodded then looked at Lucy concerned. "Are you feeling alright Lucy?" she asked, "You've gone very quiet suddenly."
She shook her head. "I'm feel fine...just a bit...disappointed I suppose."
"Disappointed? Why?"
She grimaced. "Paul and I were supposed to be getting married on Saturday. But since I'm going to be in here for a while, it's not going to happen is it?"
"This Saturday coming? The 6th?"
Lucy nodded. "We're going to have to postpone everything now!"
The midwife looked thoughtful. "Where were you supposed to be getting married?"
"St John's Church," she replied, "My dad's church, why?"
"I have an idea which may mean you can still get married Lucy!"
"Really, what?" Lucy was excited now.
"Well, for a start, you have to stay calm. I'll make some calls then get back to you. Don't give up on that wedding just yet!" She left the room leaving Lucy staring after her in surprise.
Paul returned to see her a few hours later, having gone home to change his clothes and have some sleep. He greeted Lucy cheerfully, and handed her some magazines.
"Rose sent these for you love." He told her, "She thought they might help with the boredom!"
Lucy smiled. "Aww, thank her from me Paul love."
"I will." He leaned in and kissed her. "How are you?"
"Fine. I started the blood pressure medicine earlier. They've checked me and these two over. We're OK."
"Good stuff!"
"Have you spoken to my dad about the wedding yet Paul?"
"I mentioned to him that they want to keep you in and that we have to postpone. I rang my dad too."
"What did her say?"
"Well everyone's disappointed obviously but they're more concerned about you and the babies."
"Did you mention twins to any of them?"
He shook his head. "I thought I'd wait until we've told your dad then I'll tell mine. Just in case the news gets out. Your dad said he'd be here about four o'clock." He glanced at the clock on the wall, "About half an hour. I thought we could tell him then."
She nodded. "So how's you?"
"Me? I'm OK. I've had some sleep and a good shower. Missed you in bed though!" He sat by her on the bed. "Can I snuggle?"
"If someone comes in, we'll get into trouble!"
"Not bothered. I think you need hugging!"
Smiling, she moved up to give him some room on the bed. He climbed next to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"How's that?" he asked.
"Wonderful!" Lucy looked up to him, "I've missed you!" She kissed him softly, a kiss he returned and then deepened.
They lay together, enjoying their closeness and talking about the fact that they were now prospective parents to twins. They discussed names with Paul being ridiculous suggesting Barnabas and Tarquin for boys and Doris and Bertha for girls. They lay giggling at the silliness, just enjoying being together. There was a sudden knock on the door and then it opened. It was Daniel with Lucy's grandparents.
"Dad!" Lucy grinned at him. "Hello!"
Daniel smiled at the couple's closeness. "You're looking brighter today love! That's good to see."
"I am thanks dad." She spotted her grandparents behind him, "Oh hello grandmother, grandfather." Paul began to scramble to his feet. "This is my fiancé Paul. Paul, these are my grandparents."
Paul held out his hand. "How do you do? It's nice to meet you." He smiled.
"So you're the young man who's caused my granddaughter so much shame!" Her grandmother snapped at him. She refused to shake his hand but turned her back on him instead.
"Grandmother!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Claudette, that's enough!" snapped Daniel. "Paul is a good man who adores Lucy. Drop this!"
Paul nodded his thanks to Daniel. He offered his hand to Lucy's grandfather. "How do you do sir." To his surprise he returned the handshake.
"Hello Paul." He replied. "Please, call me Henri. Daniel is right. All this nastiness isn't good for Lucy." He then said something in rapid french aimed at his wife. She replied, again in French then turned to Paul.
"I am sorry for my rudeness," she said quickly, "But I am only concerned about my granddaughter."
"As am I," said Paul softly, "I love your granddaughter very much. The pregnancy came as a shock to both of us but as we were already engaged, it just meant that we brought our wedding forward."
"And I love Paul so much," said Lucy, holding put her hand to him, "We're both thrilled about the baby too."
Paul grinned at Lucy suddenly. "Shall we?" he asked.
Lucy nodded. "Dad, Grandmother, Grandfather, Paul and I have something to tell you."
"Oh?" Daniel looked surprised.
"During the checks carried out on me yesterday, the doctor has found something....unusual."
"Unusual? In what way?"
"It seems," said Lucy with a huge grin, "that Paul and I are expecting twins! There's two babies!"
The three older adults stared in shock then suddenly Daniel began to congratulate them, Everyone seemed excited about the news and they talked about it together. Suddenly the door opened.
"Oh, I am sorry Lucy," said the same midwife from before, "But I need to do your observations."
"That's OK." Lucy smiled at her, "You lot go out for a few minutes."
"Can I stay?" asked Paul.
"I don't mind." said Lucy, looking to the midwife, who nodded.
"No problem."
The checks took a few minutes as usual. After she had finished, she pulled up a chair and spoke to Lucy.
"Have you had chance to explain to Paul about the wedding yet?"
"No, not yet."
"What about the wedding?" Paul asked.
"I've made some enquiries on your behalf," the midwife began, "about the possibility of being able to get married here, in the hospital chapel."
"Really?" Paul looked excited now.
"Yes, and according to the chaplain, you can marry there as all the legal paperwork has been done. He will just need you to sign a request for a change of venue and the reason why. So what do you think?"
"I think it's a fantastic idea!" said Lucy happily, "What do you think Paul?"
"If you're happy with the idea then I'm happy!" said Paul, hugging Lucy, "I know how disappointed you were to have to postpone everything."
"The chaplain also said that they have a small side room where you can have some time with your guests afterwards. Though that would depend on how many are coming to the actual wedding."
"There's only going to be about ten people including Paul and I," said Lucy, "Is that too many?"
"It would be an ideal number but you'd have to have some staff there too, to keep an eye on you obviously."
"That's no problem." said Paul, "I'd be happier knowing Lucy was being monitored anyway. So what happens now?"
"Well, I'd take you down to the chapel, it's only two minutes from here. You can speak to the chaplain and then sign what he needs you to sign then it's all done. I've already spoken with your doctor Lucy and he's happy with it as long as you are monitored." She stood up, "I'll go and speak with matron about taking you off ward whilst you share the news with your visitors. I'll be back in a short while."
"Thank you. Really thank you so much!" said Lucy. "You've been so kind!"
The midwife smiled at them both then left the room and sent the visitors back in. Paul and Lucy broke the news about the wedding to them. Daniel was over the moon and thought it was an excellent idea even though Lucy was unsure whether he himself would be allowed to marry them as originally planned.
"But I can give you away instead!" he told his daughter proudly, "I'm sure Henri won't mind, will you?"
Her grandfather laughed and agreed.
Ten minutes the midwife returned with a wheelchair for Lucy. She didn't argue about it, understanding the need although she was told she'd be allowed to walk up the aisle in the chapel as it was very short! The chapel was literally two minutes from Lucy's ward. They went in.
"Wow!" said Lucy, looking around, "It's so pretty and peaceful! I love it! Paul, what do you think?"
"It is lovely Lucy." He agreed, sitting by her wheelchair, "You'd be happy with this as our wedding venue?"
"Very happy!" Tears sparkled in her eyes. She was so happy after the initial disappointment. Paul kissed her softly then wiped away a stray tear.
"Then that's settled!" he whispered, "So no more tears!"
A man in his early fifties appeared through a side door. The fact that he was wearing a clerical collar meant that Lucy knew that this must be the actual hospital chaplain.
"Hello there." He said to the midwife, "I'm guessing that this lovely couple must be Paul and Lucy?"
She nodded. "They certainly are."
"How do you do." he said in a friendly manner, "My name is Peter Hopkins. I'm the hospital chaplain."
They both nodded and greeted him pleasantly. He sat with them and talked about what was needed before the ceremony could be carried out on Saturday. Lucy and Paul agreed and signed the papers quickly.
"Is there enough time for the paperwork to be dealt with?" Lucy asked anxiously.
"Certainly," said Peter, seeing the worry on Lucy's face. "They'll be no problems." He smiled at her. "Now, anything else you want to ask about?"
"Well, originally my dad was going to be marrying us in his church." began Lucy, "So I was wondering if there is any chance he'd be able to do the service here?"
"Oh,"said Peter, looking surprised, "Is your father here Lucy?"
She nodded. "And he is a cleric too."
"Where is your father?" Peter asked
Daniel was sitting on the far side of the chapel with Lucy's grandparents. Lucy called him over and introduced him. The two men looked at each other then started laughing before hugging each other.
"What's the matter?" asked Lucy, confused.
"Your dad and I," began Peter, "trained at Clerical College together!"
"We were also curates at the same church too Lucy!" said Daniel, "Well, what a surprise!"
"So in answer to your question Lucy love," said Peter with a grin, "If you want your dad to marry you then there's no problem although I would also need to be present."
The last few details were finalized before the midwife insisted it was time for Lucy to head back to her room. Paul wheeled her back , leaving her father chatting and catching up with his old friend. By the time they got back, visiting was over so Paul began to say his good byes.
"I don't want you getting stressed about any wedding details, OK?" he told her, "I'll get Rose on everything as soon as I get back!"
She nodded. "I know, keep calm!" She sighed deeply , "Will you ring your dad when you get back too?"
Paul grinned and nodded. "I'll tell him all about the twins and the wedding! I wonder how he'll react!"
Lucy laughed. "You'll have to tell me when I see you next!!" she told him, "Oh remember to tell Rose the news too!"
"She'll be thrilled." said Paul, "She's already said she can't wait until there's a baby in the house!" He leaned over and kissed her softly. "You stay safe and do what you're told. I'll see you tomorrow. OK?"
Lucy nodded and kissed him back. "I will. I love you Paul!"
"And I love you Lucy Jackson. I love you so much!"