He lit the last candle he'd placed around the bathtub.
In the next room, Daniel could hear her reading to the girls. Reading the same story they had both read for the last few weeks, Cinderella. Mia had dressed up as Cinderella at her friend's birthday party and had become obsessed with it. Unlike her little sister Kennedy, who preferred hearing stories from her father about his travels!
Daniel had wanted to surprise her. Shelley had had a long day and being 4 and half months pregnant was beginning to get tired more quickly than in her previous pregnancies. Doctor Lam had told her to take it easy when she needed too. And Daniel wanted her to stop working in the next few weeks. Shelley had worked right up to the week before when she was pregnant with Kennedy and didn't want her to have to do it again, becoming quite insistent. It was the twins, thing. Since finding out about the twins, Daniel was more possessive. Having 3 of them to look out for, which is exactly what he was planning to do?
Shelley closed the door behind her, turning on the girl's Winnie the Pooh night light before leaving. She headed back into her bedroom, noticing the bathroom light.
"Danny!" she called out, turning her head to look for her husband.
"In here," a voice answered from the bathroom.
She entered the bathroom, noticing that the light was switched off. But finding the room bathed in a warm glow from the candles.
"Surprise," Daniel said.
Shelley stood there, in happy surprise.
"I thought being as you've had a hard day you could use some time to relax. I was reading that during multiple births that a warm bath is good for helping you relax."
"Yeah, I've read that too."
Shelley thought about the book she had brought only a few days ago, about multiple births. Having left it in Daniel's office and realising that he must have read it! Not that she was complaining.
"I know this isn't easy. And I'm gonna be there every step of the way,"
Daniel walked the few steps towards his wife, taking her hand.
"Why don't you get undressed and I'll find you some music,"
Shelley nodded, watching as Daniel disappeared back into their bedroom. She took off her clothes, feeling the tiredness begin to take over.
After a few minutes, Daniel returned, holding a cd player in his hand and a few cd's. He saw Shelley laying in the bath, her eyes heavy with sleep. He placed the player on the floor by the door, deciding that she didn't need music to feel relaxed.
Daniel kneeled besides the tub, running his fingers through Shelley's hair. Her eyes opened again, her lips smiling as she saw him.
"Thank you, for all of this," she said.
"Not a problem. I love you,"
Daniel said, placing his hand on Shelley's bump.
"All 5 of you," he said, kissing the side of her cheek.
Shelley sank back into the tub, her hand holding Daniel's on her stomach.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"There's no need to be angel. I'm here and I'll always be here,"
Shelley hoped that what he said was true.
"I'll let you enjoy your bath," Daniel said, getting to his feet.
A look of disapproval appeared on his wife's face.
"Stay, please," she said.
Daniel sat on the stool next to the bath, smiling as Shelley relaxed even more.
This was the calm before the storm. When the twins finally come along, they would have very little time together. So it was times like these that they needed more of.