After a few weeks of observations at hospital, Sadness was discharged from hospital. Naturally, the others were delighted, not least because there were two additions to the family to fuss over. Fear and Sadness couldn't believe their luck. Both were delivered safely, with no major complications to speak of. In spending time with the twins, it was easy to see why they were named what they were: Love seemed to hug anyone she was being held by. Shyness was happiest in the arms of his mother, resisting most others' contact with him. They both were lovely children, and when the other emotions came to visit them, they were the star attractions. So, coming home to Headquarters was going to be a big event.
In preparation, Joy, Anger and Disgust cleaned up the place, especially the nursery. They wanted Headquarters to look "practically perfect in every way", as Joy said.
"I heard that from a movie Riley watched once. I can't place my finger on it, though," she explained.
"Is it the movie with the lady with a flying umbrella?" asked Anger.
"Yeah, I think it also had a guy who danced with penguins. Now, what was it called?" Disgust wondered.
"Well, we'd better finish cleaning," Joy said, while singing: "...just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down..."
"Honey, are you ready to go home?" Fear queried to his wife. Sadness was putting the twins in a stroller the hospital had provided them with.
"After I put the twins in the stroller, I should be ready," she replied.
"Great," Fear said as he zipped up the last of their suitcases. "You know, I'm excited to get back to the others. Especially with Love and Shyness. Do you think they'll be okay coming back in the tube vehicle?"
"I fed them two minutes ago, dear. I think they'll be fine. They're asleep now, anyway. When they wake up, they'll be in their new cribs."
Fear nodded. "Of course. They'll be fine."
Soon, the new family were on their way back to Headquarters. True to Sadness's word, Love and Shyness were fast asleep for the entire journey.
"The nursery is going to look beautiful," Sadness whispered in Fear's ear.
"Oh yeah... unless it's not on fire," Fear replied nervously. "Or... eaten by termites... or..."
"Fear, it'll be okay. I hope."
"Oh my gosh! They're here, gang! Act casual!" Joy shouted as she heard the vehicle come to a stop. She ran to the vehicle and helped Fear and Sadness with their stroller. "I've missed you guys so much," she confessed to them as she hugged them. "It's been boring without you two. Well, now it's going to be eleventy bazillion times cuter. Right, guys?"
"Yeah, of course," Disgust and Anger replied together.
"The nursery's still there, right?" Fear asked. "I've been worried all the work I put into it would be for nothing."
Joy took Fear's hand. "We checked, and it's fine. We even cleaned and dusted it for you. Nice and clean."
She took Fear and Sadness into the nursery, which indeed looked magnificent. The walls looked as if they had been painted that very morning, and the cribs looked ready to sleep in.
"You guys did a great job," Sadness said, starting to tear up. "You did all this... for us?"
"You're our best friends. How could we not?" Joy smiled.
At that moment, Love woke up and started to cry. Sadness picked her up and rocked her gently whilst moving around the nursery, taking in the painted walls, the cribs and the ceiling. It looked amazing. Sadness choked up and fought back tears herself. She realised in that moment that she had terrific friends.
So, the twins had come home at last. Fear and Sadness couldn't wait to see them grow up and achieve milestones. It would be sometimes hard, sometimes scary and sometimes sad, but they really felt that they would be able to face challenges, whatever they were.
Their parenting adventure had just begun.
AN: Thank you everyone for reading, favouriting, following and especially reading this story. I am continuously amazed by how many people actually view my series, and how the review count has grown for each story. It's pretty amazing. So, thank you, guys. It fills me with joy writing for you all, as I can't wait to see what you guys say about it.
I have a question. I will write a follow-up to this, but what I want to know is:
Do you prefer a fourth installment of the series, or a series of one-shots?
Review what you want in the comments. I'll go with the idea you want the most.
Thank you again, guys, and I'll see you soon.
-JonoGwood
