“We’ll wash our hands of New Hampshire soon,” Kenzie replied.
They arrived at her tiny apartment after several hours, and Kenzie required an immediate nap. Bryce gathered supplies at a local grocery store and cooked them a vibrant meal, conscious of the vegetables, meats, and nutrients Kenzie required now as a pregnant woman.
Kenzie sent a letter of resignation to her boss, asking him to reassign her clients to other real estate agents. After the company received an email explaining Kenzie’s departure, Kenzie received no note from Austin, no “Good luck.” But she felt a collective sigh across the company, everyone grateful that the drama of Tori, Austin, and Kenzie could be over for good. Perhaps she just imagined it, though.
Kenzie sold many of her belongings, bringing only the bare essentials for her new life on the mountain. Before leaving, she met a final time with her gynecologist, who set her up with a colleague in Vermont. Kenzie couldn’t have planned anything better; it seemed her life was suited for moving in with Bryce, for motherhood. Even her own mother didn’t seem to care about her decision, seeming frazzled and far away on the phone. “That’s great, honey. Call me when the babies are born.”
Kenzie supposed she’d done precisely what her mother had asked, at least in a sense. She’d found a man who would take care of her. But that was just the bare minimum. In her mind, she’d found her soul mate.
The summer months were bright, sunny, with the forest trees springing to life with vibrant blossoms in May. Kenzie and Bryce took long walks together, Kenzie clinging to her belly and Bryce clinging to her, conscious of the uneven terrain. Kenzie poked fun at herself often, telling him that if she grew another inch around her belly, she’d have to start crawling.
It was true that the twins made her look like a glowing balloon, albeit one with long, flowing dark hair, thin arms, and a wide, hopeful smile. She didn’t often think about her old life back in Concord. Bryce seemed to have found reprieve from his past as well, having placed a portrait of his parents in the living room instead of hiding them away under his bed.
The twins’ due date was mid-November, a full nine months after Bryce and Kenzie had met. As Kenzie prepared to give birth, the true Vermont winter weather kicked in, pummeling them with snow showers and sleet. Kenzie began to grow nervous, gazing out the window with her tea in hand. Steam filled her face, opening her pores. “Do you think we’ll be able to get down the mountain when it happens?” she asked, her fear obvious.
“Your due date’s not for another week or so,” Bryce said, rubbing her tense shoulders. “By then we’re supposed to get some sun. I’ll clear the roads with my snow tires. You know, if anyone can handle Vermont mountain snow, it’s me.”
But Kenzie was still fearful, becoming the portrait of an anxious new mom. She couldn’t sleep at night, despite being incredibly fatigued, and she found herself growing haggard looking just from worry. One particular night, on November 11, she stood in her winter coat, gazing out at the snowy, winter night. Her boots were laced, her hat was tucked low over her eyebrows, and snow was falling thick and fast. Bryce was out front, trying to dig them out, suddenly conscious that this was the kind of snow he couldn’t conquer. They both seemed to pray for the same thing: No labor. Not today.#p#分页标题#e#
But standing there, Kenzie felt her first contraction. She cried out, placing her hand against her massive belly. Bryce immediately dropped his shovel and ran to her, his blue eyes wide. “Is it happening?” he asked her, panicked.
“I think so,” Kenzie said. She leaned against the cabin, waiting for the contraction to stop. “It hurts. They said it would hurt, but I didn’t know it would be this bad…” Her face was pale.
“It’s going to be fine,” Bryce said, although he didn’t sound convinced. He swiped his hand over his hat, ridding it of the thick snowflakes. “Why don’t we grab the bag and try to make it down the mountain, huh? If I go slow, I think the tires can make it.”
“Are you sure?” Kenzie asked, imagining cartoon car crashes, the truck barreling off the steep road.
“Of course,” Bryce said. He grabbed the bag from inside the cabin, not bothering to lock the door behind him. “When we get back, we’ll have two safe babies in our arms. Just focus on that. And on your breathing.”
Bryce helped Kenzie to the truck, unable to carry her any longer. Kenzie shifted up into the passenger seat, watching as Bryce cleared the snow from the windshield. He leaned toward her as he got in, kissing her quickly. “Let’s do this.”