Celestial & Cassiel
She perspired and respired profusely as she stared at the multitude of laughing, blaring children, who joshed and joked and jumped around freely; she smiled nervously, with her heart hammering in her chest, with her blood pounding in her ears, with her stomach clenching in an uneasy manner. Tentative fingers squeezed her hands, easing her of her tension.
"Would you like the see the newborns?"
Leah consented, shaking with nerves when their attendant ushered them down the corridor leading to the newborns. Suddenly, from her peripheral vision, she caught a glimpse of two wheezing, hacking babies with ghastly complexions and tiny, fragile frames, which shook and quivered and quacked immensely. She halted before moving forward and touching the glass separating her from the two newborns.
"What is wrong with them?" Drakon questioned.
"They're sick. They were born a few days ago, and their mother gave them up for adoption, but they've been sick ever since they were born," she reported sorrowfully. "We've been taking care of them, but they're very young. Too young. And our resources might not be enough."
"What are their names?" Leah asked without removing her gaze from the babies.
"Their mother never named them," she recited.
"So they don't have any names?" Drakon prompted, appalled.
"No names," she repeated. "Shall we continue?"
"No," Leah declared.
"No," Drakon supported. "We want to see them."
"But—"
"Please," Leah pleaded. "Please."
Deliberately, she traveled forward and monitored the pair of twins, whose emerald irises blearily stared at her, whose runty frames slowly twisted in her direction, wordlessly persuading her to reach out and cradle them, to nurture and love them. She nursed the squirming girl while Drakon comforted the yawning, yipping boy. Very languidly, their heads lulled to the side, and their mouths stretched with soft smiles.
"Are they up for adoption?" Drakon asked.
"They're very sick, sir—"
"Are they up for adoption?" he repeated.
"They are," she stated. "They certainly are."
"When can we adopt them?" Leah questioned.
"Usually, the process is very long, but considering that they need a suitable home soon and you two are able to economically provide for them, you just need to sign some forms and agreements," she vocalized. "Are you two sure?"
"Extremely," Leah affirmed before cooing at the drooling child.
"I will bring you two the forms," she excused.
When she vacated the infirmary, she neared Drakon, who tended to the drowsy child and kissed his sweaty forehead.
"What will we name them?" Drakon asked.
"Celestial and Cassiel—two heavenly names that will protect them for the rest of their long lives," Leah proclaimed.
"They're beautiful," he whispered. "Once we sign the papers, we will bring them to the hospital and take proper care of them. I'll ask Carabelle and Alcander to buy another cradle and put it in the nursery."
"I really do hope they'll get better," Leah murmured before tenderly pressing her lips to both of their cheeks.
"With you as a mother, they will," he declared, making her smile.
"Did you two decide on their names?"
"Their names are Celestial and Cassiel," Leah announced with blossoming pride, with flourishing affection and motherly love.
Drakon transferred Cassiel to her while he finalized the papers.
"Well, congratulations to you two. I honestly hope everything goes well," their attendant verbalized.
"Thank you," Drakon replied with sincerity before properly bundling up the children and demonstrating to their attendant that they were completely prepared for the two children. There, in the backseat of the car, were two car seats—one that they had recently bought and one that had been given to them as a gift from her mother-in-law.
"Have a good day," she vocalized before settling the children in their seats and heating up the car. "Your mother is extremely perceptive."
"She certainly is," he responded before winking at her and glancing at the two newborns with softening eyes. "They'll be fine."
And they were. Their health drastically improved. And she couldn't be any happier with her two babies, with her two heavenly angels, with her two miracles.