Topic: Meet the Van der Lindts

Lucky Lindy

Date: 2017-06-16 20:29 EST
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The day Emily Van der Lindt's daughter was born was the day her family was complete. Emily, n?e Vernon, had the image of a perfect family in her head, and it included a son and a daughter. The fact that they would get along famously was just icing on the cake. She had been prepared for at least some jealousy when her second child was first born. After all, it would be such a big change and it was only natural when first born children felt a little left out when all the attention seemed to go to the new baby. But that was never the case. Throughout the years, her children rarely ever fought, or bickered, or even disagreed. A small part of her thought it was too good to be true and simply couldn't last. Rather than dwell on it and spoil what might possibly be the most perfect pair of siblings, she decided to simply enjoy it for as long as she could. Emily only had experience with her own siblings and the memories were rarely pleasant. The youngest of four daughters, she witnessed a lot of arguments and, at times, all out wars between her sisters. For the most part, she tried to avoid getting involved. Occasionally she would be the peacemaker/tie breaker when they cornered her and made her choose a side, but if she could find a way to escape, she wasted no time doing just that. So it was no surprise when she met her future husband, the relationship moved quickly. Had he been anyone else but a Van der Lindt, her parents might have had reservations when the three month courtship turned into a six month engagement. Not that it would have carried weight with Emily. She was head over heels and determined to break away from her old life to start a new one. Her sisters were torn between being happy for her and griping about the absolute scandal of their baby sister having the audacity to get married before any of them. Luckily, appearances were important to them and it simply wouldn't do to make a fuss and get themselves kicked off the wedding court, or worse, elope and rob them of the chance to meet eligible bachelors! None of them would put it past Emily to do just that. The wedding was divine and the honeymoon a blur of passion and bliss. No one was surprised when her first child was born nine months to the day after their wedding.

Lucky Lindy

Date: 2017-06-19 13:21 EST
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Warren Pierce Van der Lindt IV was a legacy. He was named for his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Every one a man's man. The kind of men who had martinis for lunch and made business deals over cigars at the country club. Men who knew how to put a woman in her place and turn a boy into a man. Men who needed other men to validate that they were indeed men. Manly men. So, naturally, when his two year old son needed a surrogate to help him deal with the anticipation of his baby sister, Warren didn't hesitate for a moment to get him a life-like baby doll with bottles and little cloth diapers. His iron gaze challenged anyone, man or woman, friend or relative, to question his choice as a father. His son was happy, his wife was happy, and that was all that mattered. In truth, he was just as excited for his daughter's arrival as little Will was. The two would snuggle at bedtime and tell each other stories about when the baby would arrive. Warren would tell stories of how the baby would grow up and be a part of their family just like Will. Will would tell stories of how the baby would have superpowers and go on adventures all over the neighborhood. One night in particular, Will fell asleep before he got his turn at story telling. Warren just continued whispering softly about his hopes for his children and how much he loved both of them. When he finally kissed Will's forehead and slipped quietly out of his room, he was misty-eyed and smiling. When he reached his bedroom, he closed the door with a soft click and smiled at his incredibly pregnant wife. She looked up at him with every intention of returning his smile when she saw an expression of concern pull his mouth down into a frown. "Warren, sweetheart' What's wrong?" She patted the bed next to her and he obliged, slowly sinking into the covers. After a moment of contemplation, he turned to her and frowned again. "If Will already has me wrapped around that adorable little finger, what?s going to happen when the baby is old enough to team up with him?" He was genuinely distraught for a brief moment before both he and his wife dissolved into laughter. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into an affectionate side hug. As their laughter subsided, Emily looked up into his eyes and sighed contentedly. "Do you hope it's a girl or a boy?" She asked. Warren smiled and gently pulled her chin toward him with his index finger. "I hope it's happy and healthy, just like our first amazing child." With deep affection, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. Emily smiled and simply gazed at him in admiration for what seemed like a lifetime. Finally, she spoke again. "I hope it's a girl." They looked at each other unblinking and burst into laughter anew. The sound and movement spurred the baby into activity, making her parents fawn and laugh even more.

Lucky Lindy

Date: 2017-06-20 23:30 EST
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William Nilson Van der Lindt was two and a half years old when he became a big brother, a duty he took directly to heart. His mother spent months preparing him for his little sister's arrival with promises of big boy tasks such as holding the burp cloth and fetching clean diapers. He was so excited he could hardly contain himself. It was actually his father who had the brilliant idea of giving him a doll to practice with. Will loved the doll. He carried it with him everywhere, talking to it, showing it his toys. He even tried to feed it raisins. His parents would explain to friends and family members that he was getting ready for the new Van der Lindt baby, which Will would echo with eagerness the new "Vandy Lindy baby." Eventually, his parents would simply call the unborn treasure Lindy baby. When the big day arrived, Will could feel it in the air. He seemed to know even before his parents did. He was anxious and energetic from the moment he woke up. He refused to take a nap when he had never put up so much as a fuss before in his life. At dinner, when he refused to eat his favorite meal, or anything at all for that matter, his parents knew something was wrong. His father reached over to his high chair and put a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder. "Will, what?s wrong, sweetheart?" He tried not to frown as his concern grew. Will, wiggled in his seat for a moment before looking his father in the eye, a no-nonsense expression contrasting comedically with his adorably little toddler face. "Time for Lindy baby." He said, matter of factly. His parents didn't think anything of the declaration. He said it often enough throughout the day whenever he wanted to play with his doll. His father smiled and spoke in a firm but gentle tone. "It's time for dinner, Will. You can play with Lindy baby when dinner is over." Again, a fairly common conversation as of late in the Van der Lindt household. "No," Will, insisted. "Time for real Lindy baby." He pointed his mother's swollen belly. His father chuckled softly and began to explain very patiently. "I know you're excited to meet the new baby, but-" "Warren?" Something about the tone in his wife's voice and the knowing smile on his son's face made Warren Van der Lindt pause. It was time!

Lucky Lindy

Date: 2017-07-01 18:03 EST
Henrietta Penelope Van der Lindt was born with her cord wrapped around her neck. Twice. Doctors and nurses moved about the delivery room with tense expressions and hushed tones. Even after they had cut the cord away, freeing her, she still didn't make a sound. She was lethargic and unresponsive. Her mother was growing more nervous by the minute. She wanted to hold her baby girl and no one would bring her over or even tell her what was happening. Tears flowed freely from her eyes. She turned to her husband in silent plea and he immediately launched into a flurry of questions. "Why isn't she crying" She should be crying. You cut the cord off her neck, she should be crying now, right' Why isn't she crying"!" Despite his best efforts to stay calm, Warren was beginning to panic. He hadn't even had the chance to meet his daughter and already he might lose her. The doctor put her hands up, gently urging him to calm down. "Please, listen, Mr. Van der Lindt," she began. "Yes, your daughter's neck is free of her umbilical cord, but that's not the problem. While she was moving through the birth canal, her cord was compressed. We need to put her on oxygen immediately. We will keep you updated of her condition, but right now we need to move quickly. Do you understand?" She spoke firmly but not without compassion. Warren Van der Lindt said nothing, but nodded and stood aside. "My baby! Warren!" Emily cried, panic rising in her voice. He rushed back to her side and held her as she sobbed into his chest. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head and did his best to keep his voice steady as he spoke. "It's going to be alright, my love. They're going to take good care of her." He said for her sake as much as his own. He even managed a smile for her, despite the spiralling thoughts that plagued him. He imagined having to go home without their daughter. Having to explain to their son why they were empty handed. Having to find a way to bring his family through the unthinkable.

Lucky Lindy

Date: 2017-07-03 02:51 EST
In the NICU, Lindy was quickly put under an oxygen hood and kept under close observation. Almost immediately, she started showing signs of improvement. She didn't cry or fuss. She began looking around and kicking now and then. She would yawn and stretch luxuriously. Even her color was better. The maternity nurses couldn't help but pause and admire the gorgeous baby with the rocky start. It seemed everything was going to be just fine. Just as she was at the cusp of making a complete recovery, the entire hospital lost power. After the initial shock, most of the staff simply shrugged it off. Surely the generators would kick in any moment. As more time passed, people, staff and patients alike, grew increasingly worried. What seemed like hours passed, but really was only a minute or two, and two men with flashlights, a wrench, and a lot of jingling keys scrambled down the hallway toward the utility stairs. Except, that wasn't where the utility stairs were. After a few befuddled seconds, the pair turned and scrambled to go back in the direction they had just been, arguing with each other.. During this ill timed scramble, one of the men stumbled and fell, sending his flashlight spinning across the hall. The second man tried to leap over him but jumped a bit too soon and only succeeded in landing on the first in what was essentially a belly flop. Loud grunts of pain and consternation could be heard all the way to the nurse's station. Where the head nurse stared in disbelief at what little she could see. The entire debacle could be seen from The Van der Lindts" room. In any other situation, they would have laughed hysterically as they imagined Benny Hill music playing along. Instead, Emily and Warren stared, horrified, frightened for their daughter's life. The head nurse had had quite enough. Picking up the flashlight that landed nearby, she marched over to the buffoonish maintenance workers and whispered sharply. "Get it together, gentlemen!" The last word said very pointedly. Before they could launch into protest or begin blaming one another again, she reached out and, with the strength of an ox, yanked the first man to his feet. He stood, cowed and awkward, as he watched her repeat the same action with the second man. Now looking quite sheepish, they both winced in unison when she glared at them and made a single motion with her free hand, ordering them to follow her. With full confidence, she led them to the correct location of the utility stairs and mocked them with an "after you? gesture. Both men mumbled their humbled thanks and hurried through the door, echoing each other's proclamations of who told who so.

Lucky Lindy

Date: 2017-07-11 23:33 EST
Back in the NICU, things were frighteningly quiet. Nurses very carefully moved about, trying to check on all the babies. Most were under UV lamps, others on warming tables. Only one was currently in need of oxygen. Most of the maternity nurses were set to task holding the babies that were supposed to be warming. Mercifully, some of the babies began to whimper and cry, showing signs of life and vitality. Not a sound came from Lindy's direction.

Fearing the worst, one of the nurses picked a careful but determined path toward the newest resident. She ignored the commotion caused by the bumbling maintenance workers and the much deserved scolding from the head nurse. Deftly avoiding wires and machines, bassinets and fellow nurses. In her mind she kept reassuring herself as much as the baby that she was coming. She was almost there.

Nearly at her destination, the maternity nurse felt almost a jolt as the emergency generators finally kicked in. Then came the slow, steady vibrations a split second before lights and machines beeped and hummed back to life. All except the NICU. The nurses held their collective breaths as it seemed every other room in the maternity wing returned to normal functionality. Cheers and cries of joy could be heard from the delivery and postpartum rooms, even the Van der Lindts?. The young nurse finally rounded the crib with the oxygen hood and could not sense any signs of life in the darkened room.

Panic set in. She nearly cried out when, at long last, the NICU lit up and it felt like Christmas and the Fourth of July. She braced herself for what she might find in the quiet little crib. Peering in, the nurse could not help the gasp that tore from her lips. For there, in the bassinet, lay a calm, bright-eyed Lindy, staring up at the nurse. Her piercing blue eyes, squinting in the regained light, sparkled with life and wonder. The young nurse smiled down at her as relief washed over everyone in the maternity ward.