I woke up, opening my eyes to Michael's. "Good morning."
He smiled softly and looked down to where our arms overlapped, his hand on Eden and mine on Mason. They were still sleeping soundly, little chests rising and falling underneath our fingertips. "Its been three weeks. The people are anxious to meet them," Michael murmured, his eyes searching mine. I nodded and looked down at the twins, "I know."
We both sat up and Michael moved through the house quietly, leaving me with the babies. I woke them, Mason curling into my side instinctively as he had done every morning since his birth. I began to feed them, my hair falling over my shoulder. It was still amazing to me that I had given birth to my own destiny.
Things were balanced now, just like I had always prayed they would be. Gabriel was with Rosalie and it hadn't taken me long to see that she was his soul mate- something that Michael seemingly had known from the time he had laid eyes on her. I was loving them both with all of my heart because I knew that Rosalie was the only one I trusted whole heartedly with the man I loved so much.
I finished with the babies and carried them to their cradles, pushing them lightly so they would swing back and forth. I pulled out a strapless dress, covering up my swollen breasts and letting it sweep gently over the ground.
"Matthew," I called, hearing him as he walked around the kitchen. He bounced into the room, smiling up at me. "Would you like to help me get your brother and sister ready?"
He nodded and grinned- Matthew was proving to be the most selfless child I had met; he absolutely adored his younger brother and sister.
I led him through washing the babies, dressing them in cloth diapers and brushing their thick hair. Michael returned to the room and picked up the babies, dressed in a white shirt and his favorite, nearly-worn out jeans. We walked outside, my hand on his lower back as we introduced our new family to the world.
People swarmed around us, cooing and fawning over the babies. The twins seemed content with all of the noise, being passed from arm to arm. I looked at Michael as he watched over his children careful, smiling softly as I saw the pride and joy written all over his face. "Let's have some more." He pulled back and raised an eyebrow, seeming confused, "We just had twins darling; I think we're supposed to wait a few weeks- though, I would prefer a few months." I stood on the tips of my toes and kissed him, taking Eden into my arms. "I wasn't talking about right now silly. But I would like more in the future children," I clarified, looking down at my daughter.
"Because they're perfect; we make cute kids."
I laid the babies down for the night, standing over their cradles. Matthew was standing beside me through our nightly ritual, rubbing his eyes in an effort to keep himself awake despite how sleepy he was; he was intent on staying up until Michael and Gabriel returned from one of the other villages.
"Come here Matthew," I said, groaning as I lifted my son up onto my hip. I was still sore here and there, my body not yet fully healed from the twins' rather traumatic delivery. "Momma's gonna sing all her babies to sleep."
I stroked Matthew's cheek, kissing his forehead before clearing my throat. "Precious little angels, take a look at what you've done. Well, I thought my time was over, but its really just begun. Precious little angles, you're my own sweet turtle doves. Won't you stay with us forever, in little bundles full of love," I sang, rocking back and forth gently. "I was lost until you came, my angelic little babes. Won't you spread your light on me- I was locked in the darkness- and now you've set me free. I was covered up with sadness; I drowned in my own tears. I was hurt and twisted, bitter for so many years. I was lost until you came…"
I heard Michael's footsteps in the doorway and turned slightly, "I was lost until you came. And wouldn't I, run a thousand miles to be with you?" He smiled softly and rested his head against the doorframe, listening to me sing.
"And wouldn't I, run a thousand miles? Just to be with you," I sang, letting my voice drift higher and higher. "Beautiful little dreams, tell me how can it be true? That such a gift from heaven has been sent in the form of you… Precious little angels, don't you worry and don't you cry. When its time for this bad old world to crumble, I'll be standing at your side. I was lost until you came… and now, only love remains."
Michael walked over and took Matthew from me, carrying him to his bedroom. I stayed, watching the babies sleep. My husband returned and rubbed my shoulders lovingly, kissing me, "Its… dumbfounding. I'm in awe of our life."
"I know exactly how you feel," I murmured, swallowing and turning to him with tears in my eyes. I wrapped my arms around his neck and Michael hugged me tightly, rubbing my back. "No you don't."
He looked away from me and shook his head, "You can't understand because this is more than I was ever made for- more than I expected to have. But you… you are just amazing Lily. Every morning waking up to you is all I could have ever asked for, because are perfection in every sense of the word; no matter how tired you are, your hair and skin shine with that inner light I fell in love with and there is always a smile on your face. I know that the kids take a lot out of you, but you just take everything in stride and I only love you the more for it. Every night I get to spend with you is a blessing in and of itself; you are everything and I thank you for all that you have done."
I nuzzled his neck and wrapped my arms around his waist, looking up at him. "You are freaking perfect," I grinned, kissing him. "And I love you in ways no words could ever describe. You make me sick Michael."
"How sick," he asked.
"It's a cancer."
