She was the most stubborn person in the universe.

Well, so was I.

Maybe that's why we were perfect for each other.

Her name was Rosette. But I think we all preferred Rose. Everything about her was perfect in my eyes. Her perfect hair that flowed down her back in golden ringlets, eyes like melted brown chocolate; the ones that connected right into her heart. When she smiled, they glowed bright and strong. When she cried, it was like they were clouded over with coldness. And ever so often, when her rage took over, her eyes turned into sharp daggers; staring you right in the soul. But that never happens enough. And I'm glad for that.

A women's heart is a dangerous thing. Filled with layers and layers of hopes, dreams, and secrets. I'll never know how she works.

Not like us men, of course. We're an open book. Take me for an example. Born to two bustling accountants in '79, I don't really have anything on me. Alone to fend for himself at twelve. Orphanage after orphanage, traveling from place to place. That's why we fell in love that cold autumn night under the comfort of the green oak tree.

Some people believe in love at first sight. But those people didn't know Rose. If anyone asked, she would say the same thing. But we both know that wasn't true. It was actually her brother, Ian, who brought us together. Ian and I; best friends since high school. Honestly, when I found out that Ian Hargrove had a younger sister, I thought it was a joke. Our first date?

Horrible.

She was a nuisance to me in the beginning. Always finding something to gripe at me about.

Stubborn till the end.

That is, until our third date. Because that moment; the moment when she appeared in front of me, with the last rays of the falling sunlight catching in her golden hair, when the soft green branches of the oak tree swayed, pulsing with life behind her, the soft whisper of a nearby mocking jay filling my ears, I knew I was in love. And that love was the first chapter in a book I like to call The New Life of Joseph Lemmings.

It was hard work, at first. With her working everyday until she couldn't even look at another history book, I always gone on another business trip, we didn't even have the strength to say our prayers at night. But I didn't mind. It wasn't until the first morning of November, the day that changed our lives forever.

That morning, the sun rose earlier than usual. When I woke up, the bed was empty. I eventually got up, and struggled into some fresh clothes. Looking around the corner, I saw her. She was sitting on the far end of our kitchen table, a full, untouched cup of coffee lay in front of her. I knew something was up. Very quietly, I crept up behind her and touched her shoulder. Rose jumped as she whirled around in her chair. Her eyes were big and sullen. I knew she had been thinking about something. "What's on your mind?" I tried to settle her aghast expression. She just smiled and shook her head, patting the seat next to her. I slowly sank into the chair and let out a sigh. I knew something big was coming.

Rose looked into my eyes, hers unblinking. "You'd do anything, right? I mean, for me,"

Easy answer.

"Yes." I replied wearily.

She rolled her eyes and put her hand on top of mine. "Good. Because I've been thinking. About... um, a family."

After she said that, the morning became a whole lot clearer. Though I didn't really care for having any of them, I wanted to make Rose happy.

So they came.

Luke was the first to come. And let's just say, he's the reason I make two cups of coffee every morning instead of one. Also known as the "terror of the second grade", our son Luke was everything we didn't expect from a first- born son. Let's just say, he's a free spirit, just like his mom. Talk about work being hard. This was a whole different side of the high school linebacker everyone knew in the hallways.

On the contrary, Emma, our second child, is the reason I'm still somewhat sane. I believe she was sent to us from angels above. And boy does she look like her mother. The same blonde hair, same smile, and an identical little nose the crinkled up when she was angry. But she has my eyes.

We both love them to death. Luke... a tad less then Emma. Maybe that changes over time. If we're lucky enough.

Ready or not, here comes life.

The question is, is life ready for the Lemmings' family?