Chapter 18: The Arrival of Chaos

The days leading up to Emma's due date were a mix of excitement and chaos. Jae was running on pure adrenaline, assembling baby furniture, reading parenting blogs, and trying (unsuccessfully) to baby-proof their apartment.

"Why do these outlet covers have instructions in tiny font?" Jae grumbled one night, squinting at a set of directions.

Emma, lounging on the couch with a massive pregnancy pillow, smirked. "They're not for you, genius. They're for the twins."

Jae rolled his eyes. "Our kids aren't even here yet, and they're already outsmarting me."

Emma laughed, but her laughter quickly turned into a wince.

"You okay?" Jae asked, rushing to her side.

"Yeah," she said, rubbing her belly. "Just a kick. Or two. They're definitely plotting their escape."

A week later, Jae was filming a live stream for his fans when Emma suddenly shouted from the kitchen.

"Jae! I think it's time!"

His face paled as he fumbled to end the stream. "Guys, I gotta go! Emergency—uh, family emergency!"

He dashed to the kitchen to find Emma clutching the counter, her face a mixture of panic and amusement.

"Are you sure?" he asked, frantically grabbing his car keys.

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Pretty sure my water breaking isn't a false alarm."

They barely managed to grab the hospital bag before rushing out the door. Jae, in his panic, forgot how to unlock the car.

"Jae, it's the button on the key," Emma said, biting back a laugh.

"Oh, right! Got it!"

The hospital was a whirlwind of activity. Jae tried his best to stay calm, but his nerves were showing.

"Do you need ice chips? Water? A massage? A new playlist?" he asked, pacing the room.

"Jae," Emma said, exasperated. "I just need you to sit down and breathe. You're stressing me out."

He nodded, sitting down only to jump up again when the doctor walked in.

"Okay, Dad," the doctor said with a smile. "Ready to meet your kids?"

Jae looked at Emma, his eyes wide. "Ready or not, here they come," he said, squeezing her hand.

Hours later, the cries of two newborns filled the room. Emma and Jae looked at each other in awe as the nurses placed the babies in their arms.

"They're so tiny," Jae whispered, staring at the twin boys.

Emma, exhausted but glowing, smiled. "And loud. Definitely your kids."

Jae laughed, tears streaming down his face. "I can't believe we made them."

The twins, identical with a mop of dark hair, were already full of personality. One squirmed in Emma's arms, while the other yawned contentedly in Jae's.

"They're perfect," Emma said softly, her heart overflowing with love.

Back in their hospital room, Jae and Emma began debating names.

"Okay," Jae said, holding up a notebook. "How about something cool, like Axel and Blaze?"

Emma groaned. "They're babies, not action heroes."

"Fine," Jae said, flipping the page. "What about classic names? Like Henry and James?"

Emma tilted her head. "Not bad. But what about Ethan and Noah?"

Jae nodded thoughtfully. "Ethan and Noah... I like it."

"Done," Emma said with a smile.

The first few days at home were a blur of sleepless nights, diaper changes, and feeding schedules. Jae and Emma quickly discovered the joys (and challenges) of raising twins.

"Who knew two tiny humans could make so much noise?" Jae said, rocking Ethan in one arm while Noah napped in a bassinet.

Emma laughed, though her eyes were drooping. "Welcome to parenthood."

Despite the exhaustion, their house was filled with laughter. Jae's attempts at singing lullabies often ended in Emma covering her ears.

"Maybe stick to the day job, rock star," she teased.

"You try singing on two hours of sleep," Jae shot back, grinning.

One evening, as Emma and Jae sat on the couch with the twins asleep in their arms, Emma sighed contentedly.

"Can you believe this is our life now?" she asked.

Jae smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It's messy, chaotic, and absolutely perfect."

And as the twins stirred softly in their sleep, Emma knew their adventure as a family was only just beginning.