by K. C. Crowne
“Yes, but we have an appointment.”
“Babe,” Vivian said firmly. “As much as I appreciate the protective Papa Bear in you, I need you to reign it in a little. Everything’s fine.”
I took a seat next to her and held her hand, kissing the back of her knuckles. “I just want to make sure you have everything you need, angel. And I’m excited.”
Vivian grinned. “I’m excited, too. Ava has money on the twins being girls.”
“Funny. Theo bets it’s boys.”
“Which do you want?” she asks jokingly.
“Doesn’t matter. As long as they’re happy and healthy.”
Vivian leaned over and kissed my forehead. “You’re so cute.”
“I am.”
She stuck her tongue out. “When did we get so gross?”
“I don’t know, but you probably started it.”
There was a knock at the door. The OBGYN walked in, examining a chart in her hands. “Miss Jones,” she greeted with a smile, “and Mr. White. Good to see you two again. Apologies for keeping you waiting.”
“Oh, no problem,” I said coolly, earning a pointed stare from Vivian.
The doctor sat down in a rolling stool and scooched over to Vivian’s bedside, still reading her chart. “It says here you’re five months along?”
Vivian nodded. “That’s right.”
“Any discomfort? How’s your appetite?”
“Appetite’s fine,” she answered. “But I feel full really fast. I hope I’m getting enough nutrients.”
“Yes, that tends to happen when you’ve got two buns in the oven. There isn’t a whole lot of space for food. But your bloodwork’s just come in. It looks like you’re getting what you need, though I always strongly recommend a calcium supplement.”
I whipped out my phone and wrote everything down in my note app. “Any particular brand?”
“Any of them will do. What matters is the consistency in which you take them. At least one a day to make sure your bones stay strong.”
Vivian placed a hand on my wrist. “I’m sure he’ll get on that straight away.”
“Already ordered off Amazon.”
The doctor grabbed a pair of blue plastic gloves and pulled them on before retrieving a bottle of lubricant. She rolled Vivian’s shirt up over her baby bump and flicked on the large ultrasound machine beside her. “Alright, let’s take a look.”
“It’s cold,” Vivian said with a giggle as the doctor squirted the gel onto her skin.
I leaned against the edge of the table carefully, eyes transfixed on the screen across from us. It was hard to make out the shapes at first. Nothing but black and white curving lines with a few splotches in between as the doctor moved the wand around. She eventually settled on the image of two very distinct baby shapes.
“There they are,” she announced happily.
“How are they doing?” I asked, holding my breath.
“Everything appears fine. Both very healthy. A little on the small side, but that’s perfectly normal when it comes to twins.”
Vivian breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear.”
The doctor looked at us both. “Are you interested in learning the genders?”
I nodded, holding onto Vivian’s hand. “Yes.”
“Well, this one here—” The doctor pointed to the baby on the left side of the screen, “—is a girl. And this one’s a boy.”
If my mouth could drop any wider, it would have touched the floor. “You mean—”
“We’re having one of each?” Vivian asked, bewildered.
“Yes, congratulations.”
I kissed Vivian, elated and practically floating from the high. “We’re naming them Luke and Leia.”
Vivian threw her head back and laughed. “Absolutely not.”
“Hansel and Gretel.”
“Jesse, please know that I love you when I say this, but fuck no.”
The doctor chuckled. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”
“Tate and Kate?” I suggested as I adjusted my cufflinks.
We were back home at the penthouse, getting dressed before our big dinner date. It had been a hot minute since I took Vivian out to a fancy restaurant because her cravings were normally so specific that we usually just ordered in.
Banana peppers and pineapples on pizza. Vanilla ice cream with bacon bits on top. Pickles and hard-boiled eggs.
But tonight was special. It took some convincing, but Vivian finally agreed to let me treat her to La Cordova, an upscale restaurant in downtown Chicago.
“We’re not naming them Tate and Kate,” Vivian said, exasperated. She exited the bedroom, smoothing her hands over the fabric of her dress. She grimaced. “Are you sure I don’t look fat in this?”
“Angel, you’re pregnant, not fat.”
“If this place is as fancy as you say it is—”
“You’re the most beautiful woman on the whole planet, Vivian. You could show up in a tube top and jean shorts and they’d still let you in.”
She walked over with the tiniest trace of a waddle —which I found absolutely adorable— to place a kiss on my lips. “We better get going then. Isn’t our reservation in twenty minutes? What if they give our table away?”
“They won’t.”
“Let me guess. The restaurant owner is a former client of yours?”
“Am I really so predictable?”
Vivian hummed. “Why would a restaurant owner need bodyguard protection?”
“Let’s just say the restaurant business is far more cutthroat than I first gave Wally credit for.”
“Have you called him yet?”
“I did earlier when you were in the bathroom.”
“And?”
“He’s excited for us. He thinks we should name the twins Sam and Pam.”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “I guess poor naming skills must run in the family.”
By the time we got through traffic, we were officially ten minutes late for our reservation, but I was pleased to see that the owner had followed through with the favor I called.
The hostess showed us to our private table in the back near the water feature. It was a quiet corner, nothing but the low rumble of conversation from the front of the restaurant with occasional ruckus from the kitchen. The table itself was covered in a white linen cloth, a single cut rose standing at the center in a tall crystal vase.
“Delilah and Julius?” she suggested over appetizers. I made sure not to comment about how she dipped her calamari into a side of mustard. My angel could eat whatever the hell she wanted, even if it was an affront to good taste everywhere.
I considered the combination. “Not bad, but they don’t really strike me as a Delilah or Julius.”
“Amelia and Jude?” she asked over entrées. Vivian ordered an entire rib-eye steak and a lobster tail. It was impressive how she cleaned the entire plate, not a morsel to be found.
“Getting warmer,” I said. “I like Amelia. Jude needs workshopping.”
“Okay,” she said definitively over dessert. She ordered the chocolate mousse with extra whipped cream on top. “How about Amelia and Adam?”
At this point, I was no longer listening. I would have agreed to whatever names she wanted because right now, at that very moment, I had far more pressing matters. My heart was thumping steadily but loudly in my chest. So much so that I was worried she’d be able to hear it.
I patted my suit jacket, reassured by the solid mass hidden inside my pocket.
“Jesse?” Vivian called. “Are you okay?”
“Amelia and Adam,” I echoed. “Sounds great. A winning combo.”
She giggled. “What’s going on, babe? You look either really sick or really excited. I can’t tell in this lighting.”
“Don’t worry, angel. I’m not sick.”
I shifted out of my seat and got down on one knee, producing the ring box from inside my pocket. I opened it, revealing the diamond ring inside.
My first inst
inct upon walking into the jewelry store was to buy the biggest diamond I could find, but I stopped myself before the pushy saleswoman could hook me in for the sale. It wasn’t the right one, and I knew it deep within my gut.
Vivian wasn’t about the flash. She was humble and kind and caring. I wanted to give her something she could wear with pride, show off to the world without feeling like she was bragging. Because I knew her. I knew she’d appreciate the elegance and simplicity.
The ring was a thin band of white gold with three diamonds sandwiched together, the center one being the largest with the two outer ones slightly smaller. It caught the light beautifully, glistening in my palm.
“Jesse,” she breathed. “Oh my God, is this happening?”
“You are the light of my life,” I said, peering deep into her eyes. “You make me so unbelievably happy that I can’t put it into words. You keep me grounded. You’re my reason for waking up in the morning. You’ve renewed a sense of purpose in me I didn’t even realize was gone until I met you. You’re smart and beautiful and ambitious. You’re headstrong and loyal and the funniest person I’ve ever met. I know that I’m lucky just to know you. And I’d be luckier still if you’d do me the honor of being my wife. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she said, so soft I almost didn’t hear her. Her smile was a loud enough response.
I slipped the ring onto her finger and rose to kiss her. Nearby tables applauded politely, but I didn’t pay them any mind. All that I cared about was Vivian.
My future wife.
My angel.
Epilogue
Vivian
Thanksgiving wasn’t this big of a deal for me. Growing up, it was just another day. Sometimes I had an extra helping of pudding after dinner, but that was about it. There wasn’t a whole lot to be thankful for as a foster kid. But now, I had a million and one reasons to be thankful.
Amelia was asleep in my arms. She was a deep sleeper, sucking quietly on her thumb while totally unaware of the rambunctious goings on at the Phillips house. Jesse was holding Adam, who —unlike his sister— rarely ever slept at all. My son was so alert and curious, always looking about with his big eyes to take in his surroundings. I figured that was something he got from his father.
I could see Jesse in the kitchen with Theo and Devin, baby Adam reaching up with his tiny hand to tug at his father’s beard. It wasn’t a moustache like I’d wanted. In fact, the beard was much better. It tickled when he kissed me, and it gave Adam something to play with.
Ava, Molly, and I were in the living room. The turkey was still in the oven, not quite done, so we had some time to kill. The TV was on, switched to some weird contest show featuring child geniuses.
“What kind of parent would let their children go on a show like this?” I wondered aloud. “Can’t kids just be kids?”
Molly shrugged. “I mean, the prize for first place is ten grand. Wouldn’t you want Amelia up there if she could win?”
I pressed my lips into a thin line. “No. Not unless she wanted to be up there. But even then, it feels icky putting your children out there for the world to see.”
Ava nodded. “I know what you mean. It feels sort of exploitive.”
“Yes, exactly!”
Amelia whimpered, stirring from her slumber. She sobbed, breaking out into choked off cries. I patted her on the back and bounced her gently, hushing her. “It’s okay, sunshine. I’m here.”
“Do you think she needs a diaper change?” Molly asked.
“No, that sounds like an I’m hungry cry,” Ava said.
I retrieved Amelia’s milk bottle from off the coffee table in front of me and brought it to her lips. She immediately took to it, eating hungrily. “You were right.”
“Huh,” Molly said. “I feel kind of left out. Maybe I need to find my own silver fox and have a baby so I can join the club.”
Cory, who’d been playing with Cassie on the other side of the room, looked up. “What does silver fox mean?”
Molly made a strangled sound, something between a laugh and a choke. “Nothing, nothing,” she said dismissively.
“I don’t think you’re allowed to keep foxes as pets,” Cory continued.
Ava and I laughed. Molly’s face was bright red.
Luckily, Wally’s sudden arrival rescued her from Cory’s innocent remarks. He came in through the front door with heavy grocery bags hanging from both his arms. “Sorry that took so long,” he said. “It was nuts at the grocery store.”
“Of course it was,” I said. “Everybody’s probably out trying to do last-minute shopping.”
“I’ll say. I almost had to wrestle a little old lady for the last turnip they had.”
“Did you get it, though?” Molly asked, walking over quickly to help with the bags.
Wally fished the turnip in question out, holding it up like some sort of trophy. “I did. Almost lost an eye, but you know. That’s what Thanksgiving’s all about.”
I frowned. “Grocery store fights?”
“No, the perfect ingredients for dinner.”
“I thought it was about being thankful,” Ava teased.
“Everybody go wash up,” Wally said. “I’ll have the rest of dinner ready in five.”
We gathered around the kitchen together. There were so many of us around the table, but I wasn’t going to complain. It was wonderful, my first Thanksgiving with the whole family. It was loud and chaotic and perfect.
Jesse sat next to me, checking on Amelia while kissing me on the temple. “How are my two favorite girls doing?”
“We’re doing good. Hungry, though.”
“I thought I heard her crying.”
“What were you boys talking about in the kitchen?”
“Oh, you know, talking shop. Boring stuff, really.”
“Firewall design isn’t boring,” Devin grumbled from his side of the table. “It’s way more interesting than talking about Adam’s weight gain. Right, Theo?”
Theo put his hands up in mock surrender. “I have no opinion.”
“Did you hear that, Adam?” Jesse asked our infant son. “Uncle Devin doesn’t think it’s impressive you’ve grown so much, no he doesn’t.”
Devin rolled his eyes. “I didn’t say it wasn’t impressive. He’s a baby. Babies grow.”
“Do I have to eat the Brussel sprouts?” Cory complained.
Ava gave him a gentle smile. “Yes, sweetie. You have to. Do you want to grow up big and strong like your father?”
“But Cassie doesn’t like Brussel sprouts, either.”
Theo huffed. “How about for each one you eat, I’ll give you a quarter?”
Ava frowned. “I don’t think we should pay them to eat their food, dear.”
“If you don’t take the offer, I will,” Molly said, leaning over to whisper in Cory’s ear.
“Deal!” he shouted, portioning out a small pile of greens onto his plate.
“Alright,” Wally declared from the oven. He retrieved the turkey from inside and expertly moved the bird onto a long serving platter. “Who’s hungry?”
An enthusiastic murmur of agreement washed over the room as Wally sat the plate down in the center of the table before taking his seat. We dug in without much fanfare, feasting to our heart’s content. Everything was delicious. The turkey was juicy. The stuffing was savory. The gravy was thick and salty.
Cory worked on his vegetables and earned himself a whole dollar before giving up. Molly helped herself to a second glass of red wine, listening intently to Devin talk about the coding project he was working on despite the fact that she didn’t know a thing about computers. Theo and Ava traded Cassie back and forth, taking turns eating. Wally told Cory all about what it was like in Paris and the endless number of art museums there.
Jesse and I sat together, knees touching beneath the table. Amelia and Adam were both awake now, but they weren’t fussy, too busy taking in all the sights and smells.
Jesse raised his glass. “A toast,” he said. “To f
amily.”
“To family!” the room cheered.
And then, he murmured in my ear, “And to you, the love of my life.”
I grinned at him. “Right back at you,” I said with a wink.
Epilogue II
Jesse
Four years later
I couldn’t afford to be late. Even though I worked mostly from home now, certain work-related emergencies warranted an occasional drop in first thing in the morning. I was still the boss, and it was important that my employees remembered that. I might not rule with an iron fist anymore, but I still expected a level of professionalism and efficiency. I grabbed the necessary documents from my office before bolting right back out the front doors of Pegasus Star Security, hopping into the front seat of the SUV I’d parked by the curb.
“Dad,” Amelia complained. “Gonna be late!”
“I don’t wanna go to school!” Adam whined, crossing his arms and kicking his feet.
Vivian turned in the passenger seat to look at our children. “Now, now. Don’t you want to make new friends?”
Adam pouted. “Don’t wanna.”
Amelia raised her hands, practically jumping out of her seat. “I wanna make brathelets.”
“Bracelets, sunshine,” I corrected. “It’s pronounced bracelets.”
“Brathelets,” she tried again. I couldn’t blame her considering she was missing two of her front baby teeth.
I signaled and merged into traffic. The preschool was only a couple blocks away, but Chicago traffic was unpredictable. There was also the added stress that I needed to drop Vivian off at Jones-White & Burke Investments before eight. She had a very important meeting to get to, and I didn’t want to be the reason she didn’t show up on time.
“I want to color,” Amelia said. “And play tag. I don’t want to be it.”
“Are there tests?” Adam asked. “Cory says tests are hard.”
Vivian chuckled. “No, sunshine. I don’t think they’re going to give you tests. You’re still too young for those.”
At this, Adam relaxed a little. “Oh, okay.”