Wintergreen: Born and Raised

everything raced by her face, she knew anna was speeding but she was beyond thankful for that. her contractions were far apart, nothing of concern yet, but the sooner they were at the hospital the more relaxed she would be. at least there people could take care of her babies, they had to survive.

hannah wanted to laugh at how eli spoke to his sister, but she was practically shaking with her fear and tears were not stopping. “god, these contractions are a worse pain than –” but she cut herself off, because she was going to say trying anal with him for the first time and anna was in the car. “being stabbed.” she finished. she wanted to keep hearing his voice, but when they got to the hospital she knew she had to get off the phone, “eli, eli i really care about you, please don’t drive badly.” she was going to say something else, but the words just sort of blurted out and there they were? hannah bit her lip and handed the phone back to anna before fumbling with her seatbelt to get out of the car. the second she was out of the car a contraction hit, and she doubled over at it. it was strong, which felt wrong, she was sure they were supposed to be weak at first. “fuck.” she strained out, eyes now watering in fear and pain.

his mind also went to anal with that little pause, but he knew how wildly inappropriate joke that would have been, so he said nothing of the sort, but that was the first thought he had. he was struck for a moment as he was sitting at the driveway to the parking lot. “i care about you too, hannah. i’ll be there with you before you know it.” eli was didn’t want to let her go, but he knew it was better to drive safely then not for just a few more moments talking to her. the phone disconnected and he was left there. his hands were gripping the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles were white and he felt pinpricks in the corners of his eyes. “please, let them be safe,” he prayed quietly to whoever would listen to him. he took a couple of breaths before peeling out of the parking lot. he had to believe they’d be okay. 

hannah’s arms constricted around her stomach as if holding her hands there would keep the babies inside. they were safe there, things were good for them there. being born now.. well they couldn’t be much more than the size of her hands, twins were like that. they were just so small. she crouched deeper into the chair of the car and looked out the window as they drove. “its so hard, eli i’m so scared.” she admitted, though she knew he had to sense it. she was so worried for their babies, any thoughts of being ready to have them already so far from her mind. “anna, anna we didn’t even put the cribs together.” she spouted out, random stupid things she shouldn’t even be concerned about popping into her head like popcorn.

anna was driving as fast as she could and she only got more tense as they entered town. the hospital was a bit away, but it would be long now. if arlo pulled her over for speeding then he'd have to take hannah to the hospital, she wasn't playing games today.

eli had never ran faster in his life, only pausing briefly at loren as he saw her in the parking lot, "loren! hannah's in labor, tell people!" was literally he said as raced passed her. "i know, i know baby," he was panicking too, but trying so hard to stay calm. he fumbled with the keys and dropped them, cursing under his breath. he took a breath and picked up the keys, this time getting the truck door open and sliding in, "i'm in the car right now, i'll be at the hospital sooner than you'll know." he heard her concern, but could tell anna was already answering it.

hannah’s mind was racing, it was too early, they were too little, they would never survive, god, if they didn’t. her mind was in the darkest of places at this point and it was far from worried about her wet leggings. when anna made it to her she couldn’t do anything but nod, taking the keys and rushing outside. once the car was started, she whipped out her phone and shot off several texts, one in a group text with her family, and the other to her doctor. she was freaking out, but she had the common sense to at least warn her family and doctor of the new situation with her uterus.

the woman was usually very put together, but in this moment, with her water breaking and light contractions starting, she just couldn’t. tears began spilling from her eyes and she couldn’t even stop them. wouldn’t even stop them when anna got in the car with her. she was breathing heavily, and could only nod when anna asked if she wanted to talk to eli, taking the phone and pressing it to her ear. “eli, they’re too early.” she cried, her tears audible in her voice clearly. she couldn’t manage much else, she was a fucking wreck.

anna was doing the math in her head, at 26 weeks, the babies were viable, but they were just making the cut. it was too early for comfort. she knew multiples were more dangerous, and hannah was a first time mom.... no, not right now. she had a hysterical woman in labor sitting in the passenger seat, a nephew who was certain to be a wreck. and extended families who would also be nervous and worried. now was not the time to give into fear. she had a families to keep together. no time to panic. she remembered that she needed to tell the other honeychurches that they were about to get new members, but she had more pressing matters, mainly getting hannah to the hospital. she was driving as fast as she could.

pregnancy & labor content below!

hannah was in her new kitchen, not alone since she’d invited anna over to see the house once everything had been moved in and the painters had finished. all that was left was putting together the cribs and what not, but they still had two months for that. pouring her tea, she felt the oddest sensation, and liquid appeared on the floor. “oh, nooooo.” she whispered to herself before looking up towards the living room where anna was. “anna!” she called, voice clearly distraught. it was too early, they couldn’t be here yet, they weren’t ready. eli wasn’t even here. // @wintergrccns & @annalorebriz

anna was so ecstatic about the new house. She would be lying if she said that she was a little sad to see hannah leave, but it was the plan anyway. the house was beautiful though, nice and cozy, perfect for raising a small family, spacious enough that four people, hell, even five people could comfortably live in, but it wasn't a maze. the yard was nice and spacious, plenty of room to set up playgrounds, and it even had a little three horse barn right in the shadow of the valley's mountain range, and a totally doable distance to traverse to her house. now she was just hoping that eli would move into the house, but she knew better then to press eli about it.he didn't do well with pressing. she was studying the living room more in depth, already planning all of her housewarming and baby shower (well, there wasn't a shower, but she would still get hannah and the babies plenty of gifts) gifts. she was lost in the planning when she heard her name being called in a desperate manner, fight or flight kicking in quickly. she bolted to the kitchen and looked at hannah in question, but her eyes caught the puddle of her feet. her stomach dropped. they were early. she quickly banished the thoughts of doom and gloom and looked at hannah. 

"hannah, listen to me," she pulled the keys out of her pocket. "go start the car and wait for me. i'm going to go upstairs and grab you a change of clothes," fuck, they didn't even have the baby bag ready yet. there were no car seats. nothing to get them home. well, looked like she had her work cut out for her, "and i'm going to call eli and tell him to meet us that the hospital. okay?" she was the picture of grace under pressure right now.

she was dashing upstairs to grab the change of clothes. the hospital always provided those adult diaper... things for new moms, but anna pulled the loosest and most comfortable things she could find with such a quick search. she took a small moment to still her hands before calling eli. as the phone rang, she found a bag to stuff the clothes in and started her decent downstairs. the phone finally picked up.

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eli had a late night shift before closing the mountain last night and early morning shift this morning and to say he was tired was an understatement. he was sure his schedule worked out that way as payback from his father for something. the point being, he passed out after work was sleeping like the dead in the afternoon. he woke from a dead sleep to his phone going off. he groaned and debated not answering it and going back to sleep before he got a feeling he should. he saw it was anna, and he sighed before picking it up, "hey, anna, i had some killer shifts, i don't think i can co-"

"hannah's in labor." she didn't really have the mind for pleasantries as she shoved her boots on her feet.

eli was still confused by sleep and his first response was "but hannah had today off?" and it was like he could hear anna's facial expression through the phone. then it hit him. "oh. oh. wait. what? she's not due until march?"

"the babies have a different plan, okay? just get your ass to the hospital five minutes ago." she was climbing into the car now.

anna was never one to panic, but he heard the strain in her voice and it suddenly became very real. now his stomach dropped and he felt like he was going to be sick. twins were always at risk for being premies, but the doctor assured them them that the pregnancy was proceeding as normal with a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies. "i'll be there as soon as possible."

“I’m free now,” Tess nodded in confirmation. “And I’d go for pie any time, you know that.”

hannah still needed to pick out colors the the baby rooms. it was super important to her to pick the colors, why? she couldn’t even paint them. everything else in the house could wait, but if she got the colors then it could be painted and then she could move it. so many things to do, and she found herself thankful the buns weren’t due for a while.

hannah’s hands stayed wrapped around eli’s neck, and between that and his wandering hands she was lucky because her knees tried to buckle right then and there. his words… well they did things to her that she would not explain to people under the age of 18. she just wanted to… drop undergarments right then and there and honestly was surprised she did not. “eli..” she warned gently, his words making her heat up by the second. “fuck, daddy please.” she all but whined into his ear when he finished talking. she was a mess, and practically hanging on him now because she couldn’t even stand, everything he said just sounded too good. calm and cool hannah was gone, now she was just hot and horny. she blamed the hormones.

eli had no problem with doing the things around that house that hannah couldn't do herself. he loved doing it if he was being honest. taking care of a house and getting it ready for the babies meant the world to him. the idea of building a permanent life for himself was somehow growing less and less terrifying, and more and more exciting. the idea having a place to lay his head down every night was becoming a comforting thought.

he felt her knees growing weak and he'd be lying if it didn't make him smile knowing he had that had that effect on hannah. he knew that what he said was obscene and he did remember a time where hannah just might have had him in the room right there. he was definitely smiling now. the use of that nickname had him biting his lip to hold back a moan. he had her just the way he wanted, and he wasn't even ashamed of it. "oh come on now, baby girl," he practically cooed into her ear, "you know i'll treat you right. we just gotta get home. you have the keys?"

thoughts of the house came back into her brain, would he stay with her? she knew he didn’t have a house, he stayed at the resort and she’d been in that cabin plenty, but would he move in with her? how could she ask? would she ask? times like this she wished she could drink wine, wine always helped major decisions she refused to talk to others about.

hannah sighed against his lips, wishing they didn’t have to move, forgetting they were in the midst of a party. forgetting she was pregnant for a hot second too. hannah smiled at him, a playful smile as he nipped at her, “oh? and what do you have in mind, eli?” she wanted to hear it.

eli had... no idea what he was going to do about his living arrangements after the season ended. he ever had need for a house because he worked the slopes for three months and then he was gone for the other nine. there was no need for permanent roots before now. he figured that would just be a question for the end of the season. he was sure he wouldn't have too much problem finding a place, plus, he had gotten a four bedroom house so that there was a guest bedroom that he could use for the long nights that he was over just to make things easier. maybe he'd just make that his room, but he'd have to ask hannah. either way? that was a problem for end of the season eli, not new year's eve drunk eli.

bliss was the only word he had for his state right now. everything was right and everything was good at this current moment. part of him wished that this would last forever. he grinned to as he shifted to whisper in her ear, so his words were only for her. "you know? i've always wanted to eat that ass of yours," he said as his hands cheekily slid to her grab at the part of anatomy he was referencing. he really had no intentions of holding back at this point. "i've always wanted to dig my teeth into it and get my tongue as far as it could go." he nipped gently at her ear, "and from what i remember, i have a faint recollection of how much you loved my fingers fucking you until you screamed."

hannah didn’t want to move, though she knew they could hardly stay there. she was so content in eli’s arms that the idea of being anywhere else felt wrong. plus, she was worried about him and wanted to take care of him, the idea of simply leaving him to have fun long gone from her mind. a worry filled her for him, and for how his morning would be, but she wanted to be there beside him for it. maybe it was just the hormones, but she wasn’t fighting it.

“i’m counting on that.” she said with a smile, a slight tear in her eye because honestly? it was fucking sweet and she loved hearing it. hannah knew she needed to hear it a million times more before she was sure it was true, that it wasn’t just the pregnancy that made him feel more for her and her for him. she sighed into the kiss, playing with his hair slightly and melting into him as much as her bump would allow. it lasted for what felt like forever until she needed to pull away. “eli, if you keep kissing me you’re going to make me angry these babies are inside of me for once.” she’d never been mad about them, but they stopped her from adult activities she desperately wanted to do.

if eli was being honest with himself, there wasn't any other place he wanted to be either. he felt like the world's most natural place to be was in her arms with this bump between them, but he had a sneaking suspicion that it would be even better when they could actually hold their babies. he knew though, he never wanted to leave her arms if hannah would have him. he was truly and fully heartedly whipped for this girl, and he loved it, he just didn't know how to admit that to himself or better yet, her. 

he had a feeling that it would be like that. they had done things backwards, but eli was willing to put in the time to make this work, make this right. no one believed in him, but he knew what he meant. he sighed contently feeling her play with his hair. but at her words, a devious smile spread over his face as he nipped at her bottom lip. "there are other ways to have fun," he reminded her.

hannah had the idea to ask him to live with her once they settled on a house. money wasn’t an issue, he was stubborn in buying her a house and she had long since given up on arguing. hannah knew what arguments were worth it, and what weren’t, and who bought the house was hardly one.

her stomach was getting larger by the second she felt, but leaning over to kiss him was easy and as usual when her bump touched him, she could have sworn she felt the babies kick in happiness. hannah pulled away to reply to him for a second, “then say it to me in the morning when you’re regretting your night.” she teased, but her lips stayed brushing against his as she spoke, she wanted to kiss him again, but she didn’t know how well that idea would play out. her will to leave was long gone, though.

eli could be one of the most stubborn people there were, especially when it came to the people he cared about. of course he wasn't going to make her pay for the house when he his family had so much money just laying around, and he couldn't think of a better investment than a house for hannah and their children.  

he knew that she was feeling huge, but eli was just ecstatic to see the changes. everyday the twins were getting closer to being here, and right now he was just excited for them. right now, with the bump pressed against him and kissing hannah, everything just felt right and like it was going to be okay. he smiled at her words. "i'll say it again when i can't even close my eyes how bad my head is spinning, i'll say it when i'm bent over the toilet, i'll say it to you tomorrow morning and i'll say them every morning after that if that's what it takes to get you to believe me." he couldn't help himself, he was drunk, he was happy, and hannah was close to him, his lips met her's again, but this time, much slower, really taking her in, not knowing how long this moment would last, and wanting it to last forever.

maybe it was the hormones, maybe it was just the raw fact that she was carrying his babies, but hannah was drawn to eli and it terrified her. she was so afraid that the emotions weren’t true, that they had only surfaced because of the pregnancy, so she stuffed them down and squashed any idea of them ever being anything else than what they were.

she’d offered to drive since she couldn’t drink, and she didn’t mind, it wasn’t a far drive and she was well skilled in driving in the snow. before she could answer, though the chimes were going and people were screaming, everyone was kissing and that apparently included her and eli. hannah kissed him back instantly, not caring that he was drunk and enjoying the moment. she was swept up too. and when he spoke, she teared up ever so slightly. “eli… you’re drunk.” she said it carefully and softly, but his words had wracked her entire frame, and she leaned in to kiss him again.

eli didn’t know what his emotions were doing on a good day, let alone how he felt about hannah. what he did know was that it was almost painful not to be around her, and he wanted to do everything in his power to make sure that she felt safe and loved. he needed her to be happy. 

it just felt right, kissing her, being with her like this. the bump was pressed against him and the world just felt right and good in this moment, in a way it had never felt before. his words hurt though, they felt like a punch to the gut and he looked at her with a mixture of confusion and pain because he knew he meant every word. “well, yeah i am, but i’d say that sober.” he didn’t deny the second kiss though. he wasn’t sure he could ever deny hannah anything.

Addy hadn’t planned on even getting tipsy at the New Years Eve party. She’d planned on having a drink or two and then stopping before things got too much, but after her second drink, she was already starting to feel a little tipsy. Frowning, she’d headed over to the bar to grab herself some water but, when she’d turned around to leave, she’d almost run into someone and, as she jumped back, she felt some of the water soak into the top of her dress. “Oh fuck,” she muttered, looking down at the dress and at the half-empty glass of water and then drank it. “Well, Happy fucking New Year!”

eli, at this point, was a a miracle he was walking, so it was no surprise that he ran into someone. seeing it was addy, he immediately apologized. "oh my god, addy, i'm so sorry. i don't even have a jacket to offer you. libby has it, or at least," he hiccuped, "she should." he was clearly in a jovial mood. "happy new year's though! it's still a good night!"

hannah wanted to cheer to the new year with everyone else, but she was so tired, and her feet were starting to hurt. the full weight of her pregnancy was upon her and she had decided to go home after not being able to find eli to say good night. no sense in ruining his fun.

when he found her, she recognized the signs of his drinking immediately, after all they’d had plenty of fun times together. “i was going to head home, but i suppose i can stay for a bit longer.” she said easily, finding herself unable to say no to him. after all, the countdown had begun so she may as well. “and then i’m going to bed, and you be safe, okay?” she worried about him a bit seeing him this drunk.

he if he wasn’t so drunk and known she was so tired, he would have taken her home, but he wasn’t a wizard. he couldn’t have known that. he’d definitely be regretting a lot of choices in the morning when his hangover set it. 

he nodded, “of course, do you have a ride to get home?” but he didn’t wait for the answer, the bell tolled midnight and in the choruses of people yelling happy new year, something bold and rash overtook him. he gently grabbed her face and pulled her into a heated kiss, desperately needing to feel her lips against his. only when the cheers died down, did he pull away, softly whispering, “hannah, you are the best thing that’s happened to me, and i mean that.” 

libby was here to make an impression, she wasn’t sure what had caused her to cut off most of her hair, and dye it all blonde but here she was, in a dress that was going to kill her brother, and hopefully a few others as well. with heels clicking as he hips swayed liberty honeychurch made her way onto the large cabin, a smirk playing on her lips. “please, i didn’t bring a napkin, don’t drool too much.” 

eli had to do a double take, he didn’t recognize her at first, but then his jaw dropped and not in a good way. “libby no!” he gasped. her hair was different, her dress was too short, he was drunk, none of this was okay. his jacket was off in a heartbeat and he flung it at her. “cover up!” he yelled. 

loren was the most worried about talking to her brother, honestly, the eldest had never approved of any many or woman in her life and that had been a chore. she valued his opinion more than anything, but the marriage thing would be hard news and she knew it. “i like him a lot so let’s keep that yet at a never, please.” she replied, smiling a bit at him. “i was drunk!” she said quickly, defensively, “but honestly, i love him, and i’m happy, and he’s a great man. he fought a storm for me, eli, me, just like you did for hannah so you should see how much he cares about me and be happy.” she was still worried about her older brother’s approval.

eli disapproved of everyone that tried to be with his siblings. no one was good enough, but he supposed that was getting a little childish now, wasn’t it? they were all adults and eventually, they would find people. people who treated them right and loved them with all their hearts. “i swear it’ll be a never unless he gives me a good reason,” he promised. “i know. i know, it was a shotgun wedding, i heard it from him.” he sighed, but he pulled her into a hug, he wasn’t wasted yet. “it’s different, hannah’s pregnant with our children,” he denied his feelings, “you’re not right? you’re not pregnant?” he was starting to get worried now. 

eli was shit hammered. there was no other way to put it. he had pre-gammed and was slamming back shots like the world was ending at the party. he wasn’t stumbling or tripping, but it was clear by his gait he wasn’t sober. it was nearly midnight and he caught sight of hannah and it was like a honing missile. 

he finally reached her and gently stroked her face before giggling out a greeting to her. the countdown was starting. “care to welcome in the new year with me?” asked, that twinkle of love shining bright in his glossy eyes.

❝  touche  .  ❞  he’s definitely not wrong  .  this place is  ,  not her usual hang out  ,  both by choice and by  ,  well  ,  financial force  ,  especially on a photographer’s wage  ,  though through experience she wonders how many people actually can afford comfortably to stay here  .  it’s all about image around the resort  ,  to orla’s dismay  .  it’s morbid how wide her smile gets when he speaks  ,  though her stomach churns at the thought of actually having to help the person  ,  as well as her spine actually tingling at the thought  ,  ❝  that is what i keep saying to everyone trying to get me out there  !  i could easily break my back  ,  no sweat  .  it’s just safer up here  ,  you know  ,  in the bar and in the warmth  .  the more pressing question is how many BARFIGHTS happen around here  ,  because these old people can fucking drink  .  ❞

noah was ready to tell the other to leave if he was going to just sit here in his office, just quiet–as if he was going over his own thoughts and while noah appreciated that someone was actually thinking before he spoke, right now–he wanted to usher the man out of his office and to tell him to stop wasting his time. but nothing would’ve prepared him for what eli was about to say. “what–does it run in your family, having unplanned kids with people?” noah couldn’t resist and while yes, his younger brother had been the one to knock up eli’s sister–their family clearly had problems in their timing. but when he heard the rest of eli’s words, he found it actually surprising that this man was actually willing to swallow some of his pride, and coming to him for help which meant this person meant a lot to him and well–noah would get some good commission out of it, he’d make sure of it. “yeah–i’ll help you, and for your baby mommy’s sake–we’ll keep the family feud out of all negotiations when she’s around.”

he scoffed out a bit of laughter at his question. “apparently. something about winter sport competitions and too much booze just makes honeychurch kids.” oh, he was fully aware of the situation with jasper, hence the jab with claiming oliver as a honeychurch. that kid wasn’t a breckenridge just yet, piper was making jasper work for that. he was suspecting that the commission was going to speak louder than his words, but he was happy to see that noah was willing to agree to his terms and help him out. from the bottom of his heart, he truly meant these words and he hoped noah could pick up on that. “thank you, noah. really.” alright, that was enough emotions. “well, i think i have intruded into your space unannounced today. just tell me what you need from me to get this started and then we’ll set up an appointment?”