Secret hearts, Chapter 12: It's a new day (yes that's a Sailor Moon song! ;D)

"How weird is it that you're going to be 20 years older than your brother or sister?", Greg said as he sealed the last decal on the wall on the far side of his & Ami's bedroom. Ami had moved in a few weeks ago graciously giving up her old room for her upcoming sibling & so Greg can be closer to the baby. The spare room was barely bigger than a broom closet, so they decided to section off a part of the master bedroom until they could afford a bigger apartment.

Ami was busy reclining in bed finishing a bowl of grapes watching Greg decorate the baby's side of the room. Nine months & counting, she was due any moment. "It's not that uncommon in some cultures or religions. If you ever stay up late enough, you can watch those American specials about a family that has 19 kids & counting. All the kids are a year & a half apart!", Ami said with a smirk, raising her eyebrows.

Greg held onto the wall feeling dizzy for a moment. He loves his kids already but the thought of have 17 more after them was scary. So many diapers…not to mention college loans to repay.

"Ah…I think I would be fine with just 3 or 4 kids, koibito", he said stepping down off the ladder, he stopped to admire his handy work. They had put up Hello Kitty & teddy bear decorations at Ami's insistence. She's sure the other baby is a girl. Greg had playfully argued that she could be wrong but Ami countered with "Who DOESN'T love Hello Kitty?", so he let her have that argument.

"I'm so mad at my parents! They renewed their vows & didn't even tell me!", Ami said smiling as she finished off the last grape. "Actually it's dad's fault. He made mom go with him to the courthouse saying he had to pay a fine & surprised her with new rings & got their vows renewed on the spot. Even with her getting sick halfway though, it sounded romantic!".

Greg grinned at the story, happy for Ami's parents…and his hopefully future in-laws. Having gotten the ring months ago, he was set on proposing to Ami but nerves seem to hold him back. What if he spoiled something going so good? Did Ami even want to marry him? The doubts were swirling around constantly but he needed an answer & this seemed like the perfect time. Digging into his pocket, he sat down next to Ami on the bed.

"Ami…may I ask you something?", he was breathing a bit hard in anticipation & it didn't go unnoticed by Ami.

Sitting up slightly worried at Greg's change in demeanor, Ami nods. "Of course, what's the matter?", Ami asked taking his hand.

*Gah! I'm supposed to do that! Oh well, no backing out now…*…"Ami, this isn't because we're expecting but it adds a lot of meaning to it. I love you & since we were in middle school, I couldn't imagine life without you. You loved me at my worst & I want you here for all the best times too…will you marry me?", he finished his declaration opening the ring box. The white gold band housed a diamond center stone & two brilliant blue sapphires on the side in homage to Ami's Scout powers & their shared love of the color.

Ami gasped in surprise, not expecting this then she cried out. Greg thought it was out of happiness before Ami looked at him. "…my water just broke!".

Greg blinked for a second trying to process her answer. He was so set on hearing a definite yes or no; the statement flew over his head until he saw the wet spot on the blanket growing underneath Ami. Letting out a yell of surprise, Greg temporarily lost his composure & ran blindly tripping over the can of wallpaper paste making Ami burst out laughing.

"Greg, we have house of time & I had dad put my bag in the trunk of the car last night. Let's just drive SLOWLY to the hospital", Ami said calmly putting on her sweater & picking up her purse.

"Yes yes, hours…keys, ID….crap I didn't put the car seats together yet! How are we gonna get the kids home?", Greg explained, worried the hospital won't let him take the kids.

Ami resorted to shaking Greg slightly to calm him down. "I'm going to be in the hospital for a few days…you have time to do that but I need to get to the hospital unless you want a home birth", Ami said glaring at him.

Greg just nods & leads Ami downstairs to the car & drove as fast as he can without breaking the speed limit or running red lights.

Saeko's point of view

I was almost finished my soup when the phone rang. Hiraku was sleeping from working late in the museum job he recently got teaching art classes so I picked up the phone. Hearing Greg, I expected him to tell me he finished the baby's part of the room, I knew he was working on that today. His words were so rushed & jumbled; I had to ask him to repeat them. All I got was babies, labor & now. I realized he was telling me Ami was having the twins!

"HIRAKU!", I yelled, tossing my sandwich behind me. I ran into the bedroom & yanked him up with strength I didn't know I had & startled him out of his sleep.

Hiraku jumped up looking Saeko over & panicked. "I thought we have another month & a half to go, it is time now?".

Waving a hand, I shake my head & tell him Ami's having the twins & we have to go meet them at the hospital.

A hand flew to his open mouth & he barely suppressed a happy yell. "I'm a grandpa! Let go!", he shouts picking up his jacket & car keys heading for the door.

Blinking, I looked down at him as he ran past me. "Darling!", I called.

Hiraku, already in the hallway, peaks his head back in the door. "What? We have to go!".

"You have to put some pants on. I don't think the babies want you see your Mickey Mouse boxers…", I told him, laughing.

Looking down & seeing his bare feet & boxers, he quickly runs back inside to dress his lower half & follows me to the garage. Surrendering the keys, I drive since I'm was the most composed.

At the hospital

Twelve hours & a few colorful words from Ami later, the family is looking down at the fraternal boy/girl twins Ami ushered into the world. Like Ami predicted, baby B was a girl & the spitting image of Greg. The boy twin was all Ami. Saeko gently lifted up the baby boy from his bassinette & held him close.

"Oh, he's so precious! Ami, he looks just like you when you were born. Did you pick a name for him yet?", the proud grandma asked beaming.

Greg smiled proudly & fingered his sleeping son's cheek. "Ami & I liked Kaito. It means ocean". He winked at Ami from the side knowing the meaning behind the name for them.

Kaito's sister meanwhile was wide awake & trying to be soothed by her grandfather to no avail. Hiraku frowned slightly & tried the walk & rock method he used to do with Ami. "I can see already she doesn't like me. I hope her auntie gives me less trouble!", he said with a smile so they knew he was joking.

Ami opened her arms for her daughter. "Dad, it's time for her to eat, that's why she's so fussy. I'm glad they're polar opposites", Ami said at she put her shawl on for privacy & began to nurse the baby after taking her from her flustered grandpa. "I can feed one at a time while the other is sleeping or Greg is occupying them".

Saeko nodded in agreement. "That's how you have to raise twins according to mom. Make one as independent as possible so you can soothe the fussy one", she said, reflecting on how her mother took care of her younger twin sisters. "Hey now! You didn't tell us my granddaughter's name! Don't tell me you're going to call her baby B forever!".

Rolling her eyes, Ami looked over at her mother. "However did you guess our intentions? Of course not mother. We thought it would be cute for them to have the same initials so we picked another K name, Keiko. It means blessing. It seemed fitting since she came out of nowhere. When I had my first sonogram, they only saw one baby".

Hiraku put his arm around Saeko & rubbed her back, taking everything in & remembering it was their turn next. All these years he'd wished for his family back together & now he has it. Whole, bigger & better than ever. Looking down at his grandson, he nodded in approval. "I think it fits this whole year. It's been a blessing & then some. I saw one of your friends calling a few minutes ago. I think some of them might be here. I'll go sit with them until you're done feeding the kids & the we'll send them up", Hiraku said, putting his jacket back on.

Saeko carefully gave Kaito to Greg & looked at Hiraku. "Wait for me! I want to stop at the cafeteria on the way down! I'm ready for a snack!".

"Didn't you just have one two hours ago?", Hiraku said, incredulous. "Goodness, Ami didn't need this much food when you were pregnant 20 years ago!".

"I know but for some reason, eating for two at my age seems like so much more work", Saeko replied walking out the room.

"Maybe we should stop by the doctor to make sure you're not carrying twins too…", Hiraku said closing the door behind them.

Ami giggles at her parents banter. It reminded her of the old days when she was younger & they would joke around. Pulling up the neckline of her gown, she carefully puts Keiko on her shoulder to burp her.

Greg looked like he wanted to cry. Seeing his little family all together was overwhelming. Space in his heart he didn't know he had bloomed the second they were born. His life felt complete & full of new promise. He faced Ami & gave her a loving kiss. "Are you alright, do you need any pain medicine?', he asked, looking every inch the tired, happy father he was.

"I'll be ok. I'm fine…just tired. I can't wait to catch a nap when these two go to bed", Ami said in a soft voice to not wake the babies. She leaned on Greg's shoulder when he sat back on the bed.

Thinking back to what happened in the hours past, he looked down at Ami & her empty left hand. She hadn't gotten a chance to answer his important question. Figuring since the chaos was over, he would see if he can get an answer now.

"You know Ami, you never did answer my question…from…last night", Greg said softly, trailing off as he saw Ami's eyes were closed. She must have dozed off when she leaned over on him.

Smiling softly, Ami opened one eye & snuggled closer to him. "I told dad to bring the ring box when he helps you with the car seats tomorrow", Ami said, sounding moments away from sleep's grasp as she lowered her eyelid.

Greg laughs slightly, casting his former worries into the wind & watched his fiancée & children sleep in the early morning glow of the new spring day. His life went from good then better to best in the span of one year.

Now how would he tell Ami he would quit writing? *Ah..it can wait*.

Author's note: I never thought I would say this but…THE END! Oh my gosh! This story is kind of symbolic now. It's been active since I started school last year & I finish it right after I finish school. My baby is done! Again, I updated on a whim! A lot's happened since my last update. I finished my internship a week early, passed my licensing exam & one of my friends got married! It was a surprise & I was a witness. That partly inspired Ami's parents vow renewal!

Thank you SO SO much to everyone who reviewed, subscribed or favorite my stories. It means so much to me still after all this time! I don't get to write often so when I do, it's a labor of love from start to finish! I hope you guys enjoyed this story! I can't say for sure when I write again but when I do, you'll be the first to know!

In case I don't get to anytime soon, I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukah & Happy New Year! It's gonna be a busy season for me! In addition to shopping, I have some bit work lined up while I update my resume, business cards & look for permanent employment. Wish me luck!