They have neutral colors, you know? I fired back.

Girl, you expect me to decorate the nursery in neutral colors? Thats like room decor suicide. His tone was filled with disgust, making me laugh at how serious he took the whole decorating thing.

Youre a pro. Youll think of something. I winked at him.

Fine, he pouted. Youre lucky I love you.

Alright, well since you dont want to know, Im going to turn the screen away and take some measurements for the doctor. The ultrasound tech did all her measurements and printed out the ultrasound pictures for us.

They were the most beautiful pictures ever. Perhaps I was overly emotional over the whole thing, but it was proof that this whole thing was real. It was happening. We were having twins.

They were labeled Baby A and Baby B. Every time the doctor felt around my stomach, she always referred to them that way, letting us know which one was laying where.

Ill get the report to your doctor soon, and sh.e.l.l contact you with the results.

We both thanked her and got ready to head back out.

Mommy? Stellas small voice grabbed my attention.

Yes, honey?

How will the babies come out? If theres water in there, wont they drown? And if its dark, how do they see? Stella began flooding me with questions, and I could tell it was time"time to have that talk with her.

Drake and I shared a glance. Lets talk when we get home, okay?

Okay. She smiled back.

Violet dropped Liam over at our place after the appointment. I was now faced with two very curious children.

I made Stella and Liam their favorites"hot cocoa with mini marshmallows. I popped a candy cane in and stirred it until it was perfectly mixed.

Alright, kids. Its ready for you, I called. I was trying to mentally prepare myself for this talk. They were far too young to have the advanced talk, so I was going to downgrade it the best I could.

Yay! Thanks, mama. She sat down at the breakfast bar across from me. She blew on it before taking a sip. I couldnt even believe I needed to have this conversation with her already, but Stella was smart. She caught on quick.

I decided to dive in slowly before getting to the hard stuff.

So kids, what do you think we should name the babies? I asked, sitting down in between them.

Bert and Ernie! Stella squealed.

Fred and Wilma! Liam interrupted.

No, Cinderella and the Prince! Stella said again gleefully.

Woody and Buzz! Liam smiled.

Okaywrong people to ask.

I couldnt help but laugh at their cuteness.

What aboutBarbie and Ken? Stella suggested, smiling.

Okay, while those are some great suggestions, I think Mommy and Daddy might choose something else. I smiled.

I dont knowI might be a fan of Woody, Drake chimed in, coming up behind me, rubbing his hands over my shoulders.

You would be. I laughed. I leaned my neck to the side, allowing his lips to graze my skin.

How is it possible for me to desire you even more? he whispered into my ear so only I could hear him.

Must be my animal-like pheromones. I giggled.

Whatever it is"I sure do like, he growled, making the vibrations surface right to my core.

Drake nibbled on my ear, making me squirm and forgetting that we had an audience. Suddenly, Liam and Stella both fake-coughed, turning Drakes and mine attention away.

Yes? Drake asked.

Is that how the babies were made? Stella asked in a serious voice. My eyes bulged out of my head as I sat there speechless. Mackenzie told me that mommies and daddies kiss a lot when they want to make babies.

Well" Drake started, but couldnt seem to get the words out.

Mackenzie also said that when her mommy pushed her brother out, that he was born with blood and all kinds of icky stuff on his face.

Ewww, Liam added, laughing and cringing.

Will the babies be born like that? Stella asked, tilting her head to the side.

Looks like its time for that talk, Drake whispered, barely able to contain his amus.e.m.e.nt.

Okay, fine, but when they start dating, youre up! I laughed as his smile turned to a panicked frown.

Drake walked out, leaving us to it. So, what is it you guys want to know about babies? I swallowed hard, preparing myself for the worst.

How will they get out of your tummy? She tipped her head up and looked at me curiously. The mug slipped from my fingers at the realization of what she just asked. I caught it right before it fell to the table in a million tiny pieces.

Greatstarting out with a hard one. This was going to be harder than I thought.

I stared at her, admiring her innocence. She was only five. Of course, I didnt want to lie to her, but I wasnt ready to tell her the truth. So insteadI made something else up.

When it is time for the baby to come, the doctor uses a special key and puts it in mommy's belly b.u.t.ton and a magical door opens. She looked at me thoughtfully, letting the information sink into her head. I gave her a rea.s.suring smile. If only my own words could rea.s.sure me.

Mommy? Her eyes went wide.

Yes, sweetie?

How did the babies get in there? She asked innocently.

Did you really eat Watermelon seeds? Liam chimed in and asked.

And there it is. Talk about overwhelming. Im going to kill Drake for leaving me to fend for myself.

Sugarcoat it the best I can Nopelie. Lie my a.s.s off.

When mommy was sleeping one night, someone called a baby fairy, sprinkled mommy with special baby dust then a baby started to grow. I paused, waiting for her reaction, but continued before she could respond. Actually, she sprinkled too much dust, making mommy get two babies instead.

They both giggled.

Whewoperation completed.

Will I be able to watch as the doctor unlocks your belly b.u.t.ton?

Umprobably not, honey. They only allow the mommys and daddys to watch, but I promise you, as soon as theyre out, you and Liam will get to see them.

I cant wait, Mommy. Im going to sing to them. And rock them to sleep. And play with them. Oh, and feed them their milk. She smiled, looking beyond proud of herself. She was the sweetest little girl I could ever ask for. Oh, but mommy?

Yes, sweetie? I rubbed her cheek softly.

I wont change the p.o.o.py diapers, she said in a very serious tone, her eyes wide.

And sweet little girl gone. I couldnt contain the laughter that escaped my mouth. Thats fine, sweetie. You dont have to do that. I turned and noticed Michael standing in the doorway. Thats why we have Michael. I smirked.

I did not agree to this, he snorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

Sure you did. I grinned.

Unless its p.o.o.p made from gold and Chai Tea Lattes, Im not going near it. He waved a finger at me.

Okay, enough p.o.o.p talk, Drake interrupted, walking past Michael. He had a worried expression on his face, and I could tell something was wrong.

What is it? I asked eagerly, locking my eyes with his.

The doctor just called with some test results from your ultrasound. His face deadpanned. I walked eagerly up to him and clenched his hands.

Whats wrong? I spat out quickly.

Baby B isnt growing on track and is much smaller than Baby A.

Heart meet throat.

What does that mean exactly? I asked in a panic voice.

It means you need to get off your feet right away. He wants to do weekly check ups with you, but h.e.l.l be coming to the house instead.

Thats a little extreme, dont you think? I cringed at the thought of permanently being on bed rest. It wasnt that I wasnt taking the situation serious, but how long did he expect me to just lie in bed and do nothing?

He sprang toward me and grasped my arms with his hands, looked straight into my eyes.

Nothing I do for you is extreme. Protecting you is what I do. Protecting our babies. Protecting your health. Do you understand?

Yes, of course I understand, Im not an idiot.

Im"just gonna take Stella and Liam up to my room while you two talk, Michael stuttered, grabbing both their hands and rushing her out of the kitchen.

Molly, listen; this little game of yours is over now. I let you work because you insisted, and I didnt want to take that freedom away from you, but now, now Im taking control.

I lowered by brows at him. Taking control?

You are stubborn, he said with gritted teeth.

Yes, I know.

So please, just listen to me. You need to stay on bed rest until the babies are here. The doctor is concerned enough to keep you on bed rest for the remainder of your pregnancy. In fact, he doesnt even want you coming in for check ups anymore. h.e.l.l be coming to the house instead.

Okay, now thats extreme, I pouted. I could at least get one day to get out, even if it was to the hospital.

I dont care if you think its extreme, he replied sternly. I could tell there was no room to negotiate.

Fine. But I promise you, Im going to go crazy.

Im counting on it, he said, trying to hide his I-got-my-way grin.

Drake agreed to let me take a bubble bath before sending me off to the bed for the evening. He made sure the water wasnt too hot before pouring some soothing bath oil in.

Im going to tuck Stella in and come back to check on you, okay? he said quietly as I sunk deeper into the tub.

I nodded weakly, eyes closed, enjoying this little bit of Heaven. I rubbed my hands over my stomach, trying to will the fear away. As upset as I was about being put on permanent bed rest, inside I was a complete wreck. I couldnt help but fear the worst. One of my babies wasnt developing on track, which could mean a hundred different things. I didnt want to be ignorant; I knew it meant I could go into preterm labor, but I was still going to hold on to as much hope and faith as I could.

Doing okay? I heard Drake whisper in my ear. I hadnt even heard him come back in I was so lost in my thoughts.

No, I whimpered, keeping my eyes closed as I leaned my head back against the tub.

Let me help, he demanded. I heard him wrestle out of his clothes before making his way into the tub behind me. I leaned forward, letting him in. He wrapped his arms around me, pushing me against his chest.

I leaned my head back against as he rubbed his hands over me, soothing the pain right out. It wasnt physical pain this time, but rather emotional pain. I was blessed with a near-perfect pregnancy with Stella. I wasnt sure I was mentally prepared for this. So much has already happened to me in the last few years that I feared this would be my breaking point.

Drakes lips grazed over my ear and just below the lobe. He placed light kisses down my neck as he ma.s.saged my shoulders. It felt amazing to be touched like that, to let the stress and anger be rubbed right out of me.

How does that feel, baby? he whispered against my ear.

Amazing. Perfect, I mumbled, keeping my eyes closed. I wanted to enjoy this moment for as long as possible. I kept my hands on my belly, making similar soothing motions with my fingertips that Drake was making on me.

We soaked in silence as Drake caressed my body, rubbing the soreness and fear out of me. It felt great to have Drake take care of me when I needed it. I knew he must be feeling scared and worried as well, but he was always attentive to my needs first.

Im scared, I admitted, breaking the silence.