Page 84 (1/2)

In Melodie's roo Melodie and the twins to the hospital I'll be back as soon as possible I'd like another doctor to check Melodic over, and, of course, the twins need to be put in incubators until they weigh five pounds The boy weighs three pounds thirteen ounces and the girl three pounds seven ouncesbut nice healthy babies, even so

"In your heart you'll fit the neins and love them just as much as you did Cory and Carrie" How did he know each time I looked at those small babies, visions of "our" twins came to haunt me?

Glowing, Jory was at the breakfast table seated beside Bart when I entered our sunny rooht red on a white tablecloth, and a bowl of fresh holly was the centerpiece Poinsettias were everywhere, both red and white

"Good , Mom," said Jory as he met my eyes "I'm a very happy man todayand I saved my news to tell Bart until you and Cindy and Dad arrived"

Sht eyes pleaded with er, as once Cindy stu, Jory proudly announced that he was now the father of twins, both a girl and boy whom he and Melodic had decided to name Darren and Deirdre "Once there were C- na further through the alphabet"

The frown on Bart's face was envious, scornful, too "Twins, twice the trouble as one Poor Melodic, no wonder she grew so huge What a pain--as if she didn't have enough problems"

Cindy let out a squeal of delight "Twins? Really? Hoonderful! Can I see them now? Can I hold them?"

But Jory was still bristling from Bart's cruel remark "Don't count me out, Bart, just because I'm down Mel and I have no problems we can't

overcoone from this place"

Bart got up and left his breakfast uneaten

Jory and Melodic were going to leave and take the tith them? My heart sank My hands on my lap worked nervously

I didn't see the hand that took ers "Mom, don't look so sad We'd never cut you or Dad out of our lives Where you go, we'll go--only we can't stay on here if Bart doesn't start acting differently When you need to see your grandchildren, all you have to do is yell--or whisper"

Around ten Chris drove home with Melodie, as put immediately to bed "She's fine now, Jory We would have liked to keep her in the hospital for a few days, but she ht her back We left the twins in the nursery, put in separate incubators until they gain weight"

Chris leaned to kiss htly "See, Cathy I told you everything would work out fine And I do like those names you and Melodic chose, Jory Really fine names"

Soon I carried a tray up to Melodic, as out of bed and staring out of aat the snow She began to speak immediately