40. Epilogue One

Epilogue One

ETHAN

M ia is in her ninth month of pregnancy, and all I can think about it's how cute and comical she looks, walking with difficulty through the kitchen while carrying that gigantic belly that's storing not one, but two babies.

"Don't look at me," she says, moody and hiding behind the fridge's door.

"I swear I'm not!" I raise my hands in the air in self-defense. "I'm just grilling burgers, ma'am. Do you want one?"

"No… Heartburn," she grimaces, emerging with a bottle of water and half a lemon. "Smells good, though. Too bad Senna is with Amanda. I bet he'd love one."

"Thanks! I've got my secret seasoning blend," I say proudly, nodding towards the skillet with sizzling burgers. "Excited for tomorrow?"

"Oh, you can bet the farm I am!" Mia pours water into a tall glass and squeezes in lemon. "Don't get me wrong, every time baby girls move is a magical moment, but I'm done with being pregnant."

The C-section is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and this time, I'll be there . It's nice that the timing of this is when we are off-season and it's my vacation, but I would have made sure to be here even if that wasn't the case.

"I'm so glad I'm going to be there," I say, giddy.

"You weren't at Senna's birth?" Mia asks.

"Unfortunately, no," I explain. "We were in the middle of the pre-season in back-to-back games. When Senna was born, I was stuck in Canada."

"And I bet she handled it like a lady?" Mia asks, incredulous.

"Oh, she was angry, but you know her… In the end, she understood. Thank goodness she had her parents," I say, searching in the cupboard for a plate.

"Hmm." Mia shakes her head and takes a long sip of her lemon water. "I think I'd kill you if you weren't going to be there with me."

I've set my hamburger station and I'm rather proud of it. I am not good at cooking, but I do burgers well. I like to cook them with flair as if I'm hosting my own cooking show. There are buns, chips, relish, cheese, ketchup, mustard laid out neatly. All there's left is to assemble the burgers and dig in.

And I do. I place two juicy burgers across from Mia. I just turn my back on them to grab a soda from the fridge. When I turn back around, Mia is taking a bite out of one, looking at me like Senna when I've caught him red-handed.

"What?" she asks with her mouth full.

"Nothing!" I laugh and go sit in front of her. "I asked if you wanted one, so go ahead!"

"Hmm," she chews. "This is much better than fast food."

"Any burger is better than fast food," I chuckle, taking a bit of mine.

For a while, we eat in silence. It's a peaceful silence, one I've grown to appreciate. But all of a sudden, Mia yelps in pain. When I look at her, she's frowning and looking down, feeling her belly.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, a sudden fear gripping me.

"I'm sure it's fine," she dismisses me with a slight wave.

I furrow my brow, worried. I didn't go through it with Amanda directly, and I have no idea what to do.

"Are they contractions?" I ask. It's the first thing that comes into mind.

"I don't know. The girls are not arriving until tomorrow, so I'm not worrying about it just yet… Ouch!"

She winces in pain once again, and from what I know of pregnancies, I am pretty sure that contractions too close together mean the baby is on the way.

"Okay, I'm calling the doctor." I stand up and reach for my phone.

"Ethan, no!" Mia grabs my hand before I can bring the device to my ear.

"Mia, you're grimacing every thirty seconds. What if these babies are about to be born any minute?" I protest, my hand shaking as I search for the Doctor Sturges' contact.

"Ethan, listen to me, I—"

I hear liquid hit the floor. Mia looks down, her eyes as wide as dinner plates, and I raise an eyebrow while I feel my stomach sink.

"You didn't spill your drink, did you?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

"Wish I had…" Mia shows me a sheepish smile. "I guess the girls want to be born today!"

I scoop her up in my arms, carry her to the car, and drive through the city all the way to the hospital.

She makes the phone calls on the way there, calling the doctor, her mother, and also my mother, much to her chagrin. She also calls Amanda, who is watching Senna. When we get to the hospital lobby, Nora and Eugene are already there, all dressed up and holding what looks like leftovers.

"Date night, Eugene?" I ask, elbowing him in the ribs out of nervousness.

They crowd around Mia, and a nurse rushes out with a wheelchair, and I help her sit down into it.

"We were right around the corner luckily. We can't wait for the birth of our first grandchildren," her father says, already looking like a proud grandpa.

"Ethan, stay with me!" Mia complains, shaking from her seat in the wheelchair.

"I'm here, I'm here." I hold her hand and stay with her as she's wheeled by the medical staff. We arrive at a private room where she changes into a hospital gown and then we wait for the doctor to arrive.

Meanwhile, I hold her hand, nervous as hell.

"How are you feeling?" My voice trembles. I'm trying to be strong for her, but in reality, I feel like I'm shaking like a mouse.

"As if a watermelon is trying to make its way out of me!" she winces yet again and squeezes my hand tight.

"Am I interrupting?" mom barges in, with dad following close behind.

"No, mom," I say with a sigh.

"You're welcome here, Glenda," Mia says through gritted teeth. "You too, Thomas."

"To be honest, I'm not comfortable here. I didn't hang around for any of the boys!" Dad throws his hands in the air. "Is it alright if I go stay in the waiting room, Glenda? I can help Amanda with Senna."

Mom walks toward Mia and I and gives dad a stern look. "Do as you please, Thomas. I just wished you'd appreciate the miracle of life."

"I'm sorry, son," dad apologizes to me, stepping close to kiss Mia's temple. "I love you, dear, but this is too much for me."

"Do you know where my mom is?" Mia asks my dad.

"She's with a doctor. I believe it's your doctor," dad answers as he heads out. "I think they'll be here any minute."

He leaves, and Nora arrives soon after, bringing Doctor Sturges along with her.

"How's our momma-t0-be doing?" the doctor asks, already gloved and masked.

"Please, get them out of me, doctor!" Mia moans.

Doctor Sturges examines her, and then she looks up and calmy says, "You're fully dilated, Miss Sanders."

Mia and I exchange bewildered glances, taken aback by this unexpected development.

"But that wasn't supposed to happen yet!" I exclaim, terrified.

"Well, sometimes babies have their own schedule," Doctor Sturges says with a reassuring smile. "Okay, Ethan may stay, but I need everyone else to wait outside, please."

"But you don't understand, doctor," mom starts, and I grimace, bracing myself and trying not to roll my eyes. "My son is a billionaire and—"

Doctor Sturges gently takes mom by the shoulders, and ushers her out. Mia's mom squeezes her hand and kisses her forehead, saying, "I am so proud of you, honey. We'll be right outside." Then she heads out.

I can hear my mom trying to convince the doctor to let her stay, but Doctor Sturges doesn't back down.

"I understand," Dr. Sturges responds firmly but kindly. "However, we need to keep the room calm and focused for Mia's comfort and for us to do our jobs effectively. We need to ensure a calm environment and space for the medical team to work efficiently."

However, mom takes offense, opening her mouth to speak again, but not before the doctor shuts the door on her before she can.

Mia giggles, and I look at her, smiling but shaking with nerves.

"I'm glad you're here," she murmurs. I lean down to kiss her sweaty brow, and whisper, "You got this. I'll be here the whole time."

At the doctor's call, nurses rush in. Everything is sterile and ready to welcome our two precious baby girls.

"Can I get an epidural, doctor?" Mia begs, her voice faint.

The doctor shakes her head, "There's no time for that, but can you push?"

"What? Already?" I squeeze Mia's hand extra tight because she sounds so terrified it pains me.

The doctor just nods and says soothingly but firmly, "Yes, it's time."

She pushes, and in doing so, almost crushes my hand. Afterwards, she yelps so painfully, that I have to force myself not to join in with one of my own.

"You're doing great, Mia. Keep pushing!" the doctor encourages her.

"See what you did to me?" Mia looks at me, making a sound that's a mix between crying and laughing.

She pushes again, and this time, she full-on starts to sob.

"And I'll have to do this again?! " Mia screams, tears flowing down her red cheeks.

"You're so strong, Mia. Focus on this one. You're almost there," the doctor says calmly. "Ethan, keep encouraging her. You're both doing amazing."

I wipe Mia's brow and brush sweaty strands from her eyes.

"Just one more push, now!" the doctor instructs.

Mia doesn't hesitate this time, pushing until she turns purple, letting out a sigh of relief at the end.

And then I hear it. It sounds like the meow of a kitten, which soon turns into the powerful cry of a little lioness. With the help of a nurse, Doctor Sturges cuts the first baby's umbilical cord. She is then wrapped in a blanket and taken to be weighed and measured.

The second baby is coming, but I can't keep my eyes away from the first one, fascinated by the sounds she makes, and the way she moves. She looks like a little doll.

"You're doing great, Mia. We have one more to go," the doctor says, encouragingly.

Mia takes a few moments to catch her breath, her gaze looking over at our first baby. I squeeze her hand, whispering words of encouragement.

"You are doing amazing, Mia. Just one more big push and we'll have both of our girls," I say.

Mia nods, determination in her eyes. She takes a deep breath and pushes again. The effort is immense, but she doesn't give up. After several intense minutes, we hear our second baby's cry.

Our second little girl comes, crying just as loud, if not louder. The nurses take her from the doctor's capable hands, and I only release Mia from my grip when one of them comes with our first baby and offers, "Your babies are healthy and stable. Ready to hold her, mom?"

Unable to speak, Mia just nods and reaches her arms out, tears spilling down her face. She cradles the baby within her arms, trembling, examining her eyebrows, nose, lips, counting every finger on her hands and every toe on her little feet. Finally, she giggles, relief clearly washing over her.

"Have you thought about the names I suggested?" Mia asks softly, her teary eyes still looking down at our daughter.

The nurse places our second baby in my arms. She's already sucking her thumb, with deep blue eyes gazing at me with lively interest.

My lips tremble as I gaze into her beautiful face, and I feel tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Mirabelle and Anabelle?" I ask, still feeling uncertain, especially now that I'm looking at our girls. Then a thought comes to mind. "What about Mira and Ana?"

"Hmm," Mia seems pleased, her gaze shifting between me and the twins. After a moment's thought, she nods. "I like it!"

We take a few precious moments for initial bonding with our daughters. Mia and I marvel at their tiny features, holding them close, feeling the weight of our newfound parenthood sinking in.

"Congratulations on your beautiful family," Doctor Sturges says. "Your family is waiting to see them. Shall we bring them in?"

After our bonding time, the doctor ushers in our family members. I can't wait to see Senna's reaction. Everyone enters the room with smiles and tears of joy, eager to meet the newest additions to our family.

The entire family somehow fits inside the room, even Ryan, who awkwardly stands back with apprehension, as if unsure if he should even be there or not.

"Oh my God, they're beautiful!" Nora cries out. With tears in her eyes, she reaches out her arms to me and I carefully lay the baby in her arms.

Looking down lovingly at her granddaughter, she says, "Eugene, pick up the other one!"

Eugene moves forward to Mia with hesitation. He slowly reaches out his arms, and I chuckle at his uncertainty.

"Just don't drop her, Eugene," I say, teasing.

"I know how to pick up a baby…" he murmurs, taking the remaining little one from Mia.

I spot Amanda, her eyes red from tears, and see that Senna is poking his head out from behind her with wide eyes, taking in the scene.

"Hey buddy, come hang out with me," I wave him over and he walks carefully over to me, his eyes glued to his baby sisters.

"Have you decided on the names?" Dad asks eagerly.

My mom already has her arms outstretched impatiently to Nora, wanting to hold the baby, and dad hovers over the baby with a warm smile.

"Hmm…" This is a decision to be taken seriously. I can't possibly screw this up. I point to the baby in mom's arms and announce, "This is Mira." Then I point to one in Mia's dad's arms and say, "And this is Ana!"

I feel a tug on my sleeve and look down to find Senna looking at me with wide eyes. I lean down and lift him up, whispering in his ear, "How does it feel to be a big brother, buddy?"

Senna studies his new baby sisters and then declares solemnly, "I'll keep them safe."

As if I wasn't already tearing up already, his response brings fresh tears to my eyes and I just hold him tight and say, "I know you will, buddy. I know you will take care of them and be an awesome big brother."

With some urging, Senna goes up close to his little sisters, gently touching their little fingers.

After everyone has had a chance to meet the little ones, Doctor Sturges says, "Alright, everyone. It's almost time for the twins to have their first feeding. Mia will need some quiet time to breastfeed."

As everyone starts to head out, Doctor Sturges introduces us to a nurse and a lactation consultant who enter the room to help Mia with breastfeeding. They're here to guide her through the process, especially since it's her first time.

"Mom, can you stay?" Mia asks, looking at her mother with pleading eyes.

"Of course, sweetie," Nora replies, staying behind to support her daughter.

The rest of the family gives their final hugs and kisses to the twins before stepping out. I hold Ana as Mia takes Mira.

"I'll stay too," I say, wanting to be there for Mia and our daughters.

Doctor Sturges turns to look at us, smiling. "So beautiful. We don't get many twin pregnancies."

"It's incredible," I manage, my voice thick with emotion. "I have a son who's almost seven, but I missed his birth. This experience with Mia and our twins… it's beyond words."

"I wish you all the best," the doctor says warmly to us, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

As she heads out, she turns around and says, "You are in good hands, but please let me know if you need anything."

Meeting Mia's gaze, I see relief and love shining in her eyes. The significance of this moment settles over us as Mia cradles Mira and I hold Ana close. I know this memory will stay with me forever.