#cricket-phd

The instructions were simple enough. At a moment, the nurses were supposed to give something to the patient to “help her nerves” while Dr. Reid could speak to her husband about a few different matters that needed to be addressed. This wasn’t ordinary business, of course. The nurses would think it was, given the patient’s recent displays towards her newborn children and others who entered her room. Eric had other things in mind. They weren’t very tasteful and he dearly wanted to throw in a few jabs at Archie, but he wanted to enjoy this situation first. He tapped on the door first, then let himself in when he noticed the tiny woman was tucked into bed and the blinds were drawn for her to sleep. He assumed the children were sleeping. Oh, if only the world knew what he knew... “Archie,” He dropped formalities. This was, after all, his older brother. He lowered his clipboard and stared at him with a strange, icy gaze. He often felt inadequate when in a room with him, but he finally felt like he could have the last laugh this time. This time he had something. He had just a little bit of power that Archie didn’t. “So she’s sleeping?” Eric tried to keep things business-like, but how he moved awkwardly and zigzagged in his walking from Cherise then to Archie and the children proved he wasn’t here just to discuss Cherise’s mental health. “That’s...good. Progress.” He knew Archie would see through the stalling. Truthfully, he was surprised that he was still able to stand at this moment. That Archie hadn’t killed him on the spot out of pure rage was a shock.

Each birth had been anything but routine. The triplets were stressful and a vague memory of pain and ultimate joy at seeing her dangerously small children. They were beautiful and though the memory was hazed over with pain and fear, what was left at the end was recalling that her children were safe and sound. Kiernan’s birth was full of waiting and patience, then the heartbreak that she had failed to protect him. Her little boy had been hurt even before he was born. Now came the twins. This birth was tense and something different. Cherise had turned into a shade of her former self. It was almost like she had the same behavior before the curse broke. She was impatient, harsh, and fairly cruel towards the nurses. But in the same thought, she’d burst into tears after those outbursts and beg not to be looked at. She didn’t even want to hold the babies. For now, it was quiet. Cherise stared at the hospital bassinets left in her room. One placard was decorated in pink with a rabbit wearing a hair bow. The other placard was in blue. This rabbit wore overalls. It was obviously some spring theme for the nursery, but she hadn’t bothered to pay attention. She was too busy hiding under her sheets to pay attention to the babies wrapped up and quietly sleeping. She tilted her head over to take a good look at the newborns. This was the first time she had ever looked at them. The little boy had a full head of bright red hair. The little girl didn’t have hair yet. Suddenly Cherise felt anxious and began to search the room. Her teeth dug into her lip while her fingers pulled at her sheets frantically. “Archie...? Archie, get me out of here! Archie! Archie!”

“Knock knock, Gingy. Daddy-in-law here for a visit. Woo-hoo. C’mon, I know you’re pulling out the hair you’ve got left. What’s wrong, Gingy? Do you need me to distract the kids so you can have a five minute pee and masturbation break?”

Cherise had an attachment to her pregnancy pillow. Other than being something that provided her heavy body comfort as it grew and changed shape in these more dangerous months of carrying her twins, it was also the only thing she could manage to give herself support with. She groaned in her sleep, feeling pressure moving within her abdomen. Even in her sleep, Cherise couldn’t stop feeling the twins. They were always moving and still growing. She just had to hold out a little longer... Dream a little longer... Suddenly, Cherise’s eyes opened and she reached out to gently grasp Archie’s hand. The pressure had become sharp and she gritted her teeth. It wasn’t contractions. It was just pain. It was dizzying and awful pain. Letting her eyes adjust to the darkness of the room, Cherise inhaled the crisp coolness of the night air that had layered around the house. She didn’t want to get up, but maybe if it was warmer... “Archie,” She moaned. “Archie, turn the heat up. Please? The twins hate me...” The words came so easily. The twins hate me. Of course...of course they hated her. She was already so flighty and panicky in this pregnancy. They likely hated her for so much already.

heaven isn’t too far heaven is where you are stay with me and let me be your wings Thiminy (Jiminy Cricket/Thumbelina - Archie Hopper/Cherise)