Chapter 6

"Oh look! Isn't it perfect?" Cat said holding up, yet another pink outfit.

I rolled my eyes and continued to push the kart, browsing through the aisles.

"God, I can't wait to see my niece already. All this shopping is making me so eager to meet her." Cat whined.

"Me too, but you do realize you're shopping for one baby and not triplets right?"

"Okay and? There is no such thing as too much for my niece." She said.

I smiled placing my hand over my not so small baby bump. I looked like a baby school bus. The last few months have been a total roller coaster for me, filled with work, doctor visits, shopping and lamaze classes. Work was pretty much the same, I got into a nice flow with all of my coworkers and even made a few friends. Caleb was a true blessing and beyond understanding. Our work relationship is now a strong partnership. He makes working for him so easy because he's laid back, easy going, firm and assertive when he needed to be. Working while pregnant was harder than I thought. So many days I was sick, weak, fatigued and it was so frustrating. I always pushed myself, because I loved my job and I had my princess to prepare for. Yes, I am having a little girl and couldn't be more happy about it. Every single day that went by I grew to love her more and more. With every kick, every stretch and everytime I heard her little heart beat has brought me closer to her. As the months went by I grew eager to finally look into her face and hold her close to me. With everything going on around me, the only bitter sweet moment in my life is my relationship with Royce. I celebrated my 24th birthday a few days ago and we've talked every day since then. I don't really know the status of our relationship and frankly, I'm tired of guessing. It just felt right to talk to him like the good old days without so many complications. I'm not sure if things will ever be the same between us, but I'm thankful that he's still here for me. It made things a little more easier for me to handle. He doesn't ask much about the baby, which I understand, but it still made me feel sad that he probably won't ever be okay with her. I was due in about six weeks and I looked like I was about to pop at any minute. Catherine and I finally got around to shopping for the baby after I refused a baby shower on multiple accounts. I tried my best to avoid questions about my child's father. People assumed that it's Royce's child, but only mom and Cat knew the full truth. It just didn't sit right with me to have a baby shower, so I settled for buying everything she needed. Besides, I can afford it.

"Ooo, look at this!" Cat squealed.

I groaned. "God, Cat that is enough for today okay? Geez, I want go home already, I'm tired. We can finish this another day." I said.

Cat glared at me silently, before finally giving in. "This baby has everything she needs and more. She's fine for now." I said as we made our way to the cashiers.

My back was beginning to hurt and I wanted to get this day over with and go home.

"Did you talk to Royce lately?" Cat asked.

"Yea, I did actually. His graduation was yesterday and I'm so bugged that I couldn't be there."

My doctor warned me that I was way too close to my due date to be taking any long trips and I couldn't agree more. I could barely stand for thirty minutes without complaining, can you imagine if I travelled? We cashed up our items and headed for the parking lot quickly.

"Oh wow, so he's going to be coming home for good?" Cat said.

"Yea, just thinking about it has me nervous. Maybe I should start looking for a place for me and the baby. I can't exactly assume that he'd want me there when he gets back." I said.

"Oh don't you dare. I have a whole extra room right there for you if you need it. At least until things are more stable."

"Cat, I can afford to rent a nice apartment. There is no need to be over protective." I said.

"I can't help that. I don't want you moving away too far. We live ten minutes away from each other."

"Yes, but what if he doesn't want me there? I don't want to impose on you that way, I'll have a baby."

"You know I don't mind you staying with me in the slightest and if you're so worried about Royce you should talk to him." She said as we started filling my trunk with the baby's things.

Royce and I have definitely been dancing around the subject of his return for a while now. What's gonna happen when he gets back? Are we still a couple? Can we put everything behind us? These last six months was an emotional turmoil all on its own.

"Sleepover?" She asked.

"Meh, I can use some company." I said.

"Good cause I really don't want be alone."

"What's wrong?" I asked worried.

"Ava, I'm almost twenty-five years old. I have no husband, no kids and no dream house. I feel like my life is on a loop." She sighed.

"Cat, I never took you for the settling down type. You always want to party, travel and meet new guys."

"Sure I enjoy those things, but that lifestyle can get tiring too. I'm tired going home to an empty house. I guess that's why I'm always pushing you to move in with me."

This threw me off a bit because I was always the one running after a family, while Cat was all about dodging commitments.

"I didn't realize you were thinking about that. You were all about cutting strings."

"Well now I don't have any more strings to cut."

"Cat, when the moment is right, the right man will come to you. Sometimes it happens when you least expect it to." I said.

"Well he better hurry up before my ovaries dry out." She mumbled.

Cat and I drove to my house in a short time and she helped me carry the baby's things in the house.

"I'm guessing you're not gonna finish this nursery then?" Cat asked staring at the baby's room.

"I don't know yet. I figure, why set up to move out." I shrugged.

"This is exactly why you guys need to talk".

"Yes, I know and we will." I said.

"I miss college. The only thing we had to worry about was passing classes and counting how many time we could get drunk in a week." Cat said.

"Um, that was you. I was only concerned about my classes and keeping my scholarship."

"Work with me here." We laughed and she started to help me unpack the baby things as we sat on the floor. Seeing her little clothes and diapers brought the excitement back in me.

"Did you pack your hospital bag yet?"

"Yes I did. I just have to add a few little things." I said.

"You can finish up in here and I'll do the dishes." Cat said.

"God bless your heart." I said.

Cat laughed and shook her head as she got off the floor. "Feeling some pizza?" She asked.

"Defintely."

We spent the rest of the evening sorting through the baby's things and listening to music. The baby was growing so big now, I had to use the bathroom every fifteen minutes and it was ridiculous. Caleb even started letting me use the bathroom in his office, instead of the one near the break room like I was suppose to. I was coming out of the bathroom when Cat was collecting the pizza at the door.

"God, I'm running out of toilet paper faster than food." I groaned.

"It's that bad huh?" Cat said moving to sit on the floor with pizza. I went to sit on the couch. Spot hopped in the chair next to me, placing his little head on my lap and I rubbed it softly.

"You don't know how hard these last few months were. Too many trips to the bathroom, swollen feet, weight gain, nausea, back pain and heart burn, ugh, it's horrible." I said.

"Whew, that's one thing I'm not looking forward to." Cat said.

"Count your blessings."

"At least the baby is healthy so far. It was all worth it wasn't it?" Cat asked as she handed me a slice of pizza.

I felt a gentle kick and placed my hand over the spot on my tummy. "I'll let you know." I chuckled.

The next day I spent most of the day cleaning. I was still trying to make the baby's room a bit more comfortable, but I wasn't much of a designer and I'd hate to go all out to only have to leave later. After cleaning, I headed in the shower because it was mom's day to cook sunday dinner. I've come to love sunday's with my mom. She's more excited for her granddaughter maybe even more than I was. I was putting on some clothes when the house phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID I smiled.

"Hey." I said.

"Hey, I was hoping to catch you before you left to go to your mother's. How are you?" Royce asked.

"Me? How are you?! God how was your graduation? I'm so sorry I couldn't come, I really want to see pictures." I rambled on.

He graduated from flight school on Friday and I've been waiting to hear from him since. Apart of giving him space was not calling him. We texted each other all the time, but I leave the action of calling solely to him.

"It was so great. I'm sorry you couldn't come too, but dad was there so it was all good. Some of my friends decided to have a last minute gathering before we went our separate ways." He said.

Royce lost his mom to cancer when he was just a teenager and him and his dad have been close ever since. Growing up in a single parent home is one of the many things we have in common.

"I'm so glad you're finally done with all of that. How does it feel to be a pilot now?" I asked.

"Honestly, I'll let you know when I can catch my breath. It's still all overwhelming."

"I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks but don't be proud yet, I have an interview to go to when I get back." He said.

"Well that means I can stay proud because I know you'll get the job."

I sat on the bed and talked with Royce for a few moments before I decided it was time to go. He wanted me to get him from the airport tomorrow after work and I couldn't wait to see him. I wonder how he'd react seeing me so big. I looked like a blimp lately. I made my way to my mom's house for dinner after leaving the house. She stood by the door as I pulled up. She must have me timed by now. Her smile grew wider as she watched me struggled out of the car.

"You know, I think I'm just going to come to your place for sunday dinners from now on. You can barely fit behind the wheel." Mom laughed.

"Hello to you too mom." I said rolling my eyes.

She pulled me into a gentle hug and we headed inside. The house smelled amazing as always. My mom was a chef for most of her life. Reading is my get away while cooking is hers. Some of my best memories with her was spent in this very kitchen. I sat down, while she started placing the food on the table.

"We're having a filet steak with a tasty mushroom glaze, steamed vegetables and mash potatoes." Mom said.

She sounded like a food commercial. "Smells great mom." I commented.

"Thank you sweetie. So, how's my favorite daughter?" She asked sitting down.

"I'm your only daughter."

"Exactly. You were so perfect I just stopped at you." She smiled. I blushed lightly.

"I'm good momma. The food is delicious by the way." I moaned, taking a bite of the tender steak. Her food never ceased to amaze me.

"Why thank you. I try my best."

"You always do." I said.

Mom beamed hearing the double meaning behind my words.

"Have you picked out a name for my granddaughter as yet?" She asked.

"No, it's actually harder than I thought it would be. Everytime I think of something I change my mind."

"For the love of God, just don't be calling that child blimp." She said. I laughed. Everyone hated that nickname, but it was all I could come up with at the time.

"That was never meant to be permanent mom." I said.

"It better not be. Seeing you here pregnant and all smiley reminds me of when I was carrying you." Mom said.

"How so?"

"I was so young, but from the moment I felt you move, I couldn't take the smile off my face." She said.

"What was it like mom? Being pregnant for someone who didn't want me." I said.

"Tssk, stop it your father had his own problems Ava. He was not cut out to be a father and I wished I knew that earlier."

"I always thought it was because of me. Maybe I wasn't good enough or smart enough. I felt like a part of me was missing because I had a father who didn't want to know me." I mumbled.

"Now you hush. Your father was an immature little boy who only cared about himself. You can't allow someone who don't even know you to have any power over you. Being with him was a mistake honey, but you weren't." She said.

I sighed. "I can't help but think that you and I were kinda in the same situation. I don't know what I'd tell my baby when she asks for her daddy." I whispered.

Mom grabbed my hand across the table. "You'll tell her what I told you. That no matter who comes and goes, I will always be your mother. You're gonna love her and spoil her and show her that with or with a father she will be taken care of."

"You think that I can do that or that she can forgive me for how careless I was?" I asked.

"Ava bear, we all make mistakes. We sometimes make the wrong choices and we let our emotions get the best of us. That only makes us human. You're in a way better situation than I was when I was pregnant. I was a teen barely out of high school with no job. You have a degree and a good paying job with great benefits. I always wanted you to be happy, healthy and stable, and you are." She said.

Tears I didn't even realize were building up slowly went down my face. "

Despite everything, you're perfect Ava and your daughter will see that no matter what." She whispered.

"Thank you mom." I said.

"Now enough with the heavy, it's starting to give me gas." I chuckled wiping my tears away thankful for the light moment.

I felt good driving home after that talk with my mom. Sometimes I feel like my life is spiraling out of control and I can't stop it. I could use reassurances every now and again to remind myself that keeping my baby was the right choice. I ended my night with a nice hot cup of tea, Spot by my side and a really good book. Getting out of bed the next day was more harder than usual. My back and feet ached, I felt nauseous and a bit dizzy. I took a panadol and struggled to go in the shower. I wore a dress because it was the better way to go since most of my clothes stopped fitting months ago. I wasn't in the mood for making anything, so I decided to just get food on the way to work. The traffic this morning was crazy, reminding me why I hated Monday's. I had my phone connected to my car to play some music when it started to ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Ava, good morning, are you getting breakfast? I know you're getting breakfast. Bring me some breakfast on your way here." Caleb said.

"Caleb you should probably take it easy on the coffee." I chuckled.

Caleb drinks loads of coffee when he's on edge. "I can't, big meeting today and I need to be ready for it." He said.

"How did you even know I was getting breakfast?" I asked.

"Haven't you realize by now that we are connected? Yes, we are connected. I'm feeling a breakfast sandwich, thank youuu."

He hung quickly and I laughed. He's right though, for reasons I can't begin to describe, we are connected. Not in a romantic way, at least I don't think so. I just feel like I've known him most of my life instead of almost a year. I stopped for our breakfast like he requested and quickly headed to work.

"Hey momma bearrrr."

"Hi Juliaaaa." I said. Julia was one of the girls that work as a photographer for R.P magazine. She is responsible for retrieving inside scoop almost like a paparazzi. She's a real sweetheart.

"You look so great, lunch is on me today." She said winking.

In other words, she has gossip to spill. I laughed and headed in the elevator, making my way to the top floor. Setting my food on my desk I knocked gently on the door waiting for my signal to come in.

"Come in." He said.

"Hey Caleb, I got your breakfast." I said.

He was sitting behind his desk looking at his computer thoughtfully.

"Thank you Ava. How are you this morning? You look a little pale." He said.

"Ugh, don't remind me. I felt nauseous all morning." I groaned.

"You're almost to the finish line. Hang in there." He said. I placed this food on his desk.

"I wanted you to clear my schedule for this week. I have a few things to do and I have to go down to Seattle." He said.

"Is that like your favorite spot?" I asked. He laughed.

"Not exactly. Most of my family are in Seattle and a lot of our companies too. So although I live here and the company I run is here, I'm still responsible for a few companies in Seattle also." He explained.

I nodded in understanding. "You sound like a busy man."

"A very busy man."

"Alright I'll clear your schedule for the rest of the week and I'll reschedule any important meetings." I said.

He nodded in thanks and I left him to his breakfast. Most of the morning I was occupied on the phone, working to arrange what he wanted. The elevator pinged and I turned to see Julia entering the lobby.

"Hey Julia." I said.

"Hi honey. Are you busy?"

"Kind of..."

"Good cause I have some tea to spill." She said. I laughed shaking my head. She was worse than Caleb on coffee.I grabbed my coffee mug and placed it in front of her.

"Pour." I said.

"Okay so Kimmy and Josh got caught in the break room making out."

"What? Did you caught them?" Kimmy was one of our workers and Josh was the delivery guy. They've been flirting for months now.

"Well no. Loren told me, that Nicki told her, that Jessica said that Nathan, told her that he walked in on them." It took me a full minute to completely grasp what came out of her mouth.

"You're insane." I laughed.

"Its true! She came out looking all flustered and guilty."

"If you say so." I smirked.

Julia and I talked for a moment before Caleb came in. "Julia, I hope you're not distracting Ava." He chided playfully.

"Oh no of course not! I was just going." She chuckled as she moved from leaning onto my desk.

"I'll talk to you later Ava." Julia winked and made her way to the elevator.

"Ava, I'm expecting company later today."

"Oh okay, what's her name?" I asked.

"He is my brother in law."

"Oh! Alright, I'll make sure send him when he arrives." I said.

Caleb headed back in his office, while I continued my work.The searing pain in my back from earlier got a lot worse over time and I was trying my best to ignore it. I was scheduled to see my doctor on Thursday, but if this pain got any worse I'd have to go sooner. This wasn't the first time I felt something like this and my doctor assured me it was normal. She said that I was experiencing Braxton Hicks, this however felt a lot different. I groaned and laid my head on the desk. My legs shook unconsciously as I used my hands to massage my back and lower stomach. What the hell is going on? Caleb's office door pulled open quickly.

"Hey Ava, I wanted you to read this draft and tell me what you....are you alright?" Caleb asked.

He walked around my desk and placed his hand on my back.

"I don't know, the pain in my back is getting a lot worse." I whined.

"Maybe you should see a doctor? You're close to that time."

"Yea, but like five weeks away from that time." I said.

The sharp pain came again and I groaned suddenly, gripping onto the desk.

"Ava...Ava come on. You need to see a doctor. What if you're going into labor?"

"No, it's.....it's too early. It's probably just Braxton hicks." I said.

"Ava I don't care if it's Tony Braxton, you need to see a doctor now." He said.

I went to make a comment at his words, but the pain began to ease. I took a deep breath and sit back for a moment.

"Yea you're right, something is going on." I said.

He took my hand and helped me out my chair. Supporting most of my weight he led me towards the elevator. I felt the water before I heard it hit the floor. What the hell? Am I peeing?

"Whoa!" Caleb said pulling away from me. He was still holding onto my arm as we both looked down.

"Oh no, oh God I think my water just broke." I cried in shock.

"Oh boy, okay, let's go. We gotta hurry." He said.

"Wait! Are you coming with me? Aren't you expecting company?" I asked.

"Well I can tell him we can reschedule. You need to leave now. Waiting on an ambulance will take too long." He said.

Caleb was nice enough to take me to the hospital himself since I drove to work. He called my mother and Catherine for me and they agreed to meet me at the hospital. The more the pain increased the more frightened I became. How could this be happening right now? What's happening with my baby? I was sitting in a wheelchair, while Caleb was helping me fill out a form. I could barely hold the pen in my hand without shaking.

"Your mothers name and birthday?" He asked.

"Um Amy Shawn, born April 20th, 1968." I said.

"Any allergies?" The pain was starting up again and I was tired focusing on Caleb.

"Ava did you hear me?"

"Yea, I just can't focus right now" I cried.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm so scared Caleb, it's to early for her." I choked out.

"Ava, just relax everything will be okay." Caleb said.

"I can't relax in a time like this."

"Worrying is only going to make it worse. Focus on your breathing, think positive thoughts and it'll work out." He said.

He gripped my hand firmly into his, before he continued filling out the form. Caleb stayed by my side until my mom and Cat arrived, for which I was thankful for.

"Ava bear are you okay? I'm right here." Mom said frantically grabbing my hand.

I sighed more calmly. "Oh mom, I'm so glad you guys are here." I sighed.

"Of course! You know I wouldn't miss this for the world. Thank you sir for making sure she was okay." Mom said turning to Caleb.

"Mom this is my boss Caleb Reynolds, Caleb this is my mom Amy Shawn and my best friend Catherine Bain." I said.

They exchanged pleasantries and I noticed Cat's eyes lingered just a bit longer than usual on Caleb. I rolled my eyes. Great.

"Did anyone call Royce for me?" I asked.

"I did Ava. He's at the airport, but his flight doesn't leave until three." Cat said.

I sighed. He wouldn't be here until probably six. "I'll get him from the airport once he's here." She said.

Once my doctor arrived to the hospital, everything moved quickly. I was situated into my private room and hooked up to different machines.

"Alright Ava, as you know, you were not due for another few weeks. We are gonna check on the baby make sure she's still positioned the right way and her heart beat is strong." My doctor said.

"Will she be okay though? It's really early." I said.

My mom was by my side holding my hand. Lord knows I needed the support.

"Honestly, we won't be able to know until she's here. So far she's good." She said.

It relaxed me a bit. "Normally we would've given you something to try hold you for a bit longer, but you're already seven meters dilated so no stopping her now." She said.

"I know you never planned to use epidural, but it's not to late to change your mind."

"No, no drugs. I can do this." I breathed and at first I honestly believed that I could do it without the drugs. I tried my best to be strong, but as the baby got closer the more worse the pain got. It felt like someone shoved at hot iron straight up my vagina and back, it was horrible. When the doctor told me it was time to push my nerves grew tenfold. Mom held my hand throughout the entire thing and I felt like I was about to pass out.

"Come on sweetie you can do it."

For the first time in my life my mother's words were not soothing. I panted gripping her hand tightly. My blood pumped faster the more I pushed. The burning between my legs got hotter and I screamed in pain.

"Come on Ava, her head is out." The doctor said.

Apart of me wanted to look, but I just wanted her out already. I gave one big push and the pain eased tremendously, but not completely.

"Oh my God." I gasped as I heard her little cry.

The nurse placed her gently on my chest as she cleared her airway and my heart almost burst opened.

"Oh my, oh my she's beautiful." I murmured.

"She is absolutely perfect." Mom whispered.

The nurse handed her the scissors to clip the umbilical cord. I placed a kiss against her little nose and eyes. I counted all of her fingers and toes. She was so tiny and so perfect. I was so distracted by my little miracle I almost ignored the pain that started to build in my back again.

"Um doc, is this pain suppose to start again?" I asked panicked.

She looked at me in concern an quickly moved between my legs. I tried to ignore what she was doing down there and focused on my breathing. Mom was stroking my head in concern and holding the baby's little fist.

"Oh dear. There's another baby here." The doctor said.

"What?!" My mother and I screamed.

"What are you talking about?! Where the hell did another baby come from?!" I began hyperventilating.

Another baby?! What the hell am I going to do?! I barely held myself together for one and now I have two?!

"Ava bear calm down." Mom chanted.

My heart rate was almost through the roof and it was hard to focus.

"Ava, listen to me. You have to control yourself because if you pass out we risk losing this baby. Just breathe." My doctor said.

She was right so I began forcing myself to take deep breaths. They took my daughter from me and I tried to focus.

"That's good Ava, just breathe, I'm going to need you to push for me." The doctor said.

My eyes began tearing up as another crippling pain tore through me. I screamed and gripped mom's hand tightly as I pushed even harder. My body began to shake from all the exertion and I was about to give up, but as fast as the pain came it left. I breathed deeply as the pain left me completely this time, like it was never there. They clipped the cord quickly and mom left my side for a moment. It was then that I realized that I didn't hear a cry.

"What is it? Is the baby okay?"

Against my better judgement I moved to try get off the bed. Mom moved back to my side quickly along with a nurse and held me back to the bed.

"Hold on honey." She urged.

"What is it mom? What's wrong with my baby?!" I panicked.

Ten minutes ago I didn't even knew this other baby existed. Now that I did, I was praying on everything that it was okay. The doctor was by my baby trying to clear the airways and began doing CPR. A sobbed left my lips at the look of my little pale baby. God please no, please save my baby. The room busied around the baby and my mom held my hand in a tight grip. I was about to fight my way off the bed when a little cry burst through the air. I immediately began crying in relief. Thank you God. Thank you. I chanted over and over in my head. The doctor placed the baby on my chest.

"It's another girl Ava. She gave us a little scare and she's really small, but she should be fine." She said.

I sobbed tears of joy as I held her close. The nurse brought my next baby to me and I couldn't contain my joy. Twins. What am I going to do with twins?

"Congratulations." My doctor said.

"Doc, how come I didn't know it was twins?" I asked.

"Well sometimes, one twin tends to hide behind the next making it hard for us to notice. It probably the reason you went into labor early." She said.

"Will they be okay?"

"I'll give you a few minutes with them, but we will have to take them to complete a few tests." She explained.

"Thank you for everything." I said. She smiled and nodded before leaving the room.

"They're beautiful honey." Mom whispered. We heard a soft knock at the door.

"Is it safe to come in?" Cat whispered.

"Yea come on in." I said.

"Oh holy shit." Cat said noticing the two babies in my arms.

"How in the fu..."

"I'll explain it later." I laughed.

"It's a good thing we bought all that extra stuff." Cat laughed.

"You're right about that." I said.

"Aww, they're so tiny and perfect." She murmured as she came over to my bedside.

She used a finger to caress the top of their heads. "And totally worth it." I said staring at them.

Later on that night, I was forcing myself to get some rest. There were so many emotions coursing through me that I could barely shut my brain off. Twins, I have beautiful twin girls. I never expected to have one baby but now that I have two, they're the center of my world. I can't wait to take them home and start our lives together as a family. From the moment I found out I was pregnant everyone was telling me it was going to be okay no matter what but for the first time, I truly believe it. There was a soft knock at my door and the last person I expected to see walked in. "Royce." I gasped in shock.

He smiled at me gently and came to sit by my side. "I didn't think you were going to come." I admitted.

"Even under the circumstances, I'd never miss this moment." He said taking my hand in his.

"They're twins." I said.

"Yea, um your mom filled me in on that. I can't believe you didnt know." He laughed nervously.

"Yea, the doctor said that sometimes twins hide behind the other. She was so small she hid behind her sister and we didn't know. She said it's another reason I probably delivered early." I said.

Royce smiled at me gently and kissed my hand. "Did you see them?" I asked eagerly.

The nurses had to take them away for futher testing to make sure they were okay. "Yes, they're beautiful. Just like their mother." He whispered.

My eyes watered then. "What's going to happen now?" I asked.

"Now, we take the girls home."

"Home? Meaning you, me and the girls in one house?"

"Why do you sound so surprised?" He asked.

"Months ago you wasn't sure we'd work out, now you're saying you want us to stay with you?"

"I want you to stay in my life." He said seriously. I stared at him in shock.

"Really? What changed your mind?" I asked.

"Well, you admitted that it was mistake. It was hard for me to accept it, but while I was gone all I could think about was seeing you again. Waking up with you by my side, holding you, kissing you and just being with you. So if keeping you in my life means accepting your babies, I'd do it in a heartbeat."

Tears left my eyes as he kissed my hands gently. For months I worried if Royce and I could ever work things out. I never meant to hurt him and I always wondered if he would ever forgive me.

"You mean it?"

"It wasn't an easy decision in the slightest, but I know what I want. It's going to be hard for us to get back to what we once was but I want to."

"I love you." I said.

"I Iove you too and we'll talk about it more later. You need to rest." He said.

"I know I just can't wait to see the girls again." I laughed.

"Did you thought about names?" He asked.

I smiled, I thought long and hard on what I would name the girls and I finally settle for something I loved.

"Lillian Amira Shawn and Penelope Cruzia Shawn." I said.

Lillian was the first one to come out weighing 6lb 1oz and Penelope came shortly after weighting 5lbs 8oz. They were both a little on the small side, but I can't wait to finally start my life with my little miracles. My Family.