An hour later, Gabriella was in the bedroom feeding Easton. She had closed the door so that she could have some privacy since she hadn't had any since before, she went into labor. There was a knock at the door.
"Mommy" Robert said through the door.
"Yes, baby?" Gabriella asked.
"What are you doing?" Robert asked.
Gabriella smiled. She knew Robert was trying to figure out what was going on. He had just met his brother and sister an hour ago.
"Rob, I'm feeding your brother right now" Gabriella said.
"Mommy's milk?" Robert asked.
Gabriella laughed.
"Yes, mommy's milk" Gabriella said.
"Can we play after you are done?" Robert asked.
Gabriella smiled.
"Maybe a little later, baby. I need to feed Everly too" Gabriella said.
"Okay" Robert said.
Ten minutes later, Gabriella walked out of the bedroom. She smiled when she saw Robert waiting for her.
"Rob, you didn't need to wait for me" Gabriella said.
"I wanted to wait for you" Robert said.
Gabriella and Robert walked downstairs. She carefully placed Easton in the pack and play that Troy had now brought downstairs. Troy smiled.
"How did he do?" Troy asked referring to Easton.
"Fine. Now I need to feed Everly" Gabriella said.
Troy placed their daughter into Gabriella's arms.
"Are you doing something right now?" Gabriella asked.
Troy shook his head.
"No, what do you need me to do?" Troy asked.
"Can you go upstairs and play with Rob? He asked me if I would play with him, but I've been feeding" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded.
"Yeah" Troy said.
"I just don't want him to think we are ignoring him or anything" Gabriella said.
"I got it. You do your thing" Troy said kissing Gabriella's cheek and Everly's head.
Troy and Gabriella walked upstairs and then went their separate ways. Troy walked into Rob's room and smiled when he saw Rob playing with his blocks.
"Hey bud, can I play with you?" Troy asked.
"Yeah daddy" Robert said.
Troy smiled. He sat down next to Rob.
"What do you think of your baby brother and baby sister?" Troy asked.
"They are so tiny, daddy" Robert said.
"Yeah. When they are small, they need to be with mommy and daddy a lot of the time" Troy said.
Robert nodded.
"Easton looks like you" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"You think so?" Troy asked.
Robert nodded.
"He has your hair color" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"What about Everly?" Troy asked placing a block down.
"She looks like mommy" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"You know that mommy and daddy love you so much right?" Troy said.
Robert nodded.
"And just because the babies are here, doesn't mean that we won't make time to play with you. We just may not be able to play right when you ask" Troy said.
"Like when mommy said that she was going to play with me later?" Robert asked.
Troy nodded.
"Yeah. Mommy really wants to play with you. But now that the babies are here, we have to move things around a little bit" Troy said.
"Oh" Robert said.
"Do you get what I am saying, bud?" Troy asked.
Robert nodded. An hour later, Gabriella knocked on Robert's bedroom door. Troy and Robert looked up at Gabriella.
"They are taking their nap" Gabriella said.
"Did they go down okay?" Troy asked.
"Yeah. They got a little fussy. But, I handled it" Gabriella said sitting down next to Troy.
Robert scooted closer to Gabriella. He leaned his head on her shoulder. Gabriella looked down at Robert.
"Are you having fun with daddy?" Gabriella asked.
"Yeah. Can you play now?" Robert asked.
Gabriella smiled and kissed Robert's head softly.
"Come here" Gabriella said.
Robert moved so that he was sitting in Gabriella's lap.
"Give me hugs" Gabriella said.
Robert hugged his mother. Gabriella rubbed his son's back.
"I love you so much, Rob" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. The couple and Rob played together for a little while until it was Rob's bedtime. After they put Rob down to bed, Troy and Gabriella heard the twins start crying. They walked into their bedroom. Troy picked up Everly, while Gabriella picked up Easton. The couple bounced their children in their arms until they calmed down. Troy looked at Gabriella and smiled.
"Is he asleep?" Troy whispered.
Gabriella looked down and smiled.
"Yeah" Gabriella said.
Troy looked down at Easton and saw that he was asleep as well. The couple carefully placed the babies in their pack and play. Troy looked at Gabriella.
"How are you feeling?" Troy asked.
"Tired" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. He leaned in and kissed Gabriella's lips softly. Gabriella wrapped her arms around Troy's neck.
"And sore" Gabriella mumbled.
"You need to take it easy. Dr. A told you that too" Troy said softly.
Gabriella nodded.
"I know. I'm just trying to get everything situated with the twins and with Rob" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled sympathetically.
"Let me help you with that. You don't have to oversee everything right away" Troy said.
Gabriella looked down at her hands.
"It's just so much stuff" Gabriella said.
"I know. But, you have me to help you" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded. She looked at Troy with tears in her eyes.
"I love you" Gabriella said.
Troy kissed Gabriella's forehead.
"I love you too baby. If you feel overwhelmed, tell me what to do and I will do it" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded. The couple went to bed. At two in the morning, the couple heard the babies cry. They got up and lifted each one up into their arms.
"They need a diaper change" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"Where are the diapers, babe?" Troy asked.
"Um, there should be some in the cabinet" Gabriella said.
Troy walked to the cabinet in their bedroom and saw that they were out of diapers. He cursed himself.
"We are out. I'm going to run and get diapers" Troy said.
"Okay. I'm sorry" Gabriella said.
Troy shook his head.
"It's not your fault" Troy said kissing Gabriella's lips.
Troy left the house. Ten minutes later, Troy returned home with three packages of diapers. He walked upstairs and placed the packages in the cabinet. Troy took two diapers and handed one to Gabriella, who was trying to calm both babies down. Troy and Gabriella changed the twins' diapers. Troy lifted Easton into his arms and saw him start to fall asleep. Gabriella lifted Everly into her arms and watched her fall asleep.
"Thank you for getting diapers" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"Of course, baby" Troy said.
The couple put the twins down to bed. They got back into their bed and fell asleep. A couple of hours later, the couple heard the twins' cry. Gabriella knew that she needed to feed them. She woke up and got out of bed. Gabriella picked up Everly and walked back to the bed. She sat up in bed and pulled her shirt down. Gabriella brought Everly up to her breast and watched her eat her early morning meal. Troy stirred and opened his eyes. He saw Gabriella feeding Everly and sat up.
"You should have woken me up, Brie" Troy said.
"It's okay. I got it. You don't have boobs" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. He kissed Gabriella's head softly.
"I love you" Troy said.
"I love you too. Can you get Easton up?" Gabriella asked.
"Yeah" Troy said.
Troy got up and picked up Easton and got back into bed. He had Easton lay on his chest. Troy rubbed his newborn son's back.
"When he's not crying, he's so calm" Troy said kissing his son's head.
Gabriella smiled. She looked down and saw that Everly had pulled away from her breast. She stood up and patted her daughter's back gently until she burped.
"Time to switch?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded. Troy placed Easton on their bed. Gabriella placed Everly into Troy's arms. She then lifted Easton up and kissed his head. Gabriella sat back up in bed and fed Easton. After Easton was done eating, she burped him. Gabriella looked at Troy.
"Did you sleep?" Troy asked.
"Not really. I was on high alert" Gabriella said.
"Do you want me to take them downstairs so you can get a nap in?" Troy asked.
Gabriella shook her head.
"No, I'm okay" Gabriella said.
Troy looked at Gabriella's appearance. He saw how tired she was. Gabriella was also still recovering from giving birth not even a week ago.
"Babe" Troy said softly.
Gabriella looked at Troy.
"I am going to call my mom and have her come over to help me watch the two of them. You need to get some sleep" Troy said.
"Troy-" Gabriella started.
"Brie. You can't be on high alert for days on end. You need to rest. You just gave birth to twins" Troy said.
"I can take care of them, Troy" Gabriella said.
"Baby, this is not about that. I know you can take care of them, sweetheart. But, you need to also take care of yourself too" Troy said.
Tears ran down Gabriella's cheeks. She was exhausted. She was emotional. She knew Troy was right.
"Okay" Gabriella said breathlessly.
Troy moved closer to Gabriella and kissed her lips.
"Just an hour or two" Troy said.
Gabriella sighed. Troy carried Everly downstairs and placed her in the pack and play. He then jogged upstairs. Troy opened his arms. Gabriella placed their son into them. Troy leaned in and kissed Gabriella's forehead.
"Get some rest" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded. Troy carried Easton downstairs and placed him in the pack and play next to his sister. Two hours later, Gabriella came downstairs. She heard silence. Gabriella walked into the living room and smiled when she saw Lucille and Troy talking quietly while the twins were napping in their pack and plays. Lucille turned around and smiled.
"Hi honey" Lucille said getting up to hug Gabriella.
Gabriella hugged her mother-in-law.
"Hi. How long have they been down for?" Gabriella asked.
"An hour. Mom came over an hour and a half ago" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled.
"How are you feeling?" Lucille asked.
"Really tired and overwhelmed" Gabriella said.
"I remember that. But, I only had one baby" Lucille said.
Troy smiled. He placed his hand on Gabriella's lower back.
"How was your nap?" Troy asked.
"Fine. But, I still feel exhausted" Gabriella said.
"You've been up for four days straight" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"How have the nights been with them?" Lucille asked.
Gabriella shook her head.
"Crazy" Gabriella said.
Troy chuckled.
"Every time we put them down, they cry for something else" Gabriella said.
Troy rubbed Gabriella's back soothingly.
"Are you breastfeeding?" Lucille asked.
The couple nodded.
"That's been an experience in itself" Gabriella said.
"Sore everywhere?" Lucille asked.
Gabriella nodded.
"And pain" Gabriella said.
"It will get better. You guys are only a week in. This will be the worst" Lucille said.
"Hopefully it gets better soon" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled sympathetically.
"Now that they are sleeping, you can take your shower Brie" Troy said.
"Okay. But, what if-" Gabriella started.
"Go take your shower. We have it under control, honey. Don't worry" Lucille said.
"Thank you" Gabriella said.
Lucille smiled.
"No problem, honey. Rob is taking a nap as well" Lucille said.
"Okay" Gabriella said.
Gabriella went upstairs and took a much-needed shower. Thirty minutes later, Gabriella came downstairs and smiled when she saw Lucille holding Easton and Troy holding Everly. Troy looked up and smiled.
"How was your shower, baby?" Troy asked.
"Much needed" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"Do you feel a little better?" Troy asked.
"A little" Gabriella said.
Gabriella sat down next to Troy and kissed Everly's head softly. Everly let out a tiny yawn. Troy smiled.
"I think someone is a little tired still" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled. The couple and Lucille heard footsteps coming from the stairs. A couple of moments later, Robert walked into the living room.
"Hi baby" Gabriella said opening her arms.
Rob walked into his mother's arms. Gabriella kissed Rob's cheek.
"How was your nap?" Gabriella asked.
"Good" Robert said.
"Did you say hi to grandma?" Gabriella asked.
Robert slid off Gabriella's lap. He walked over to Lucille and leaned against her shoulder.
"Hi Rob" Lucille said.
"Hi, grandma" Robert said.
"How do you like being a big brother?" Lucille asked.
"They yell and scream all night" Robert said.
Troy chuckled.
"But, do you love your baby sister and baby brother?" Lucille asked.
"Yeah" Robert said.
Gabriella smiled.
"He's been so helpful with them. Mommy and daddy really appreciate your help, bud" Gabriella said.
Robert smiled. The little family and Lucille talked for a little while longer. That night, Gabriella was changing Easton's diaper. She was getting ready for bed. Troy had Everly downstairs. Everly had started to get fussy so Troy had taken her downstairs to calm down and help Gabriella not feel overwhelmed. Gabriella kissed Easton's cheek softly. She walked down the hall and checked on Robert, who was still fast asleep. Gabriella smiled. She walked back to the bedroom and looked down and saw that Easton was asleep. Gabriella carefully placed her son in his pack and play. She then walked downstairs to find Troy and Everly. Gabriella walked into the living room and smiled when she saw Everly laying on Troy's chest. Troy had his eyes closed but was rubbing Everly's back to continuously soothe her. Gabriella walked over to Troy and kissed his cheek. Troy opened his eyes and smiled tiredly.
"Is he asleep?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded.
"Okay. I'll bring her upstairs" Troy whispered.
Gabriella smiled. Troy stood up carefully with Everly in his arms. The couple walked upstairs to their bedroom and placed Everly into her pack and play. Gabriella wrapped her arms around Troy's waist. Troy placed his chin on top of Gabriella's head and rubbed her back soothingly.
"You feeling okay?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded.
"Just really tired and swollen" Gabriella said.
"Are you supposed to go get checked out by Dr. A again?" Troy asked.
"Yeah. Next week" Gabriella said.
"Okay. I can have Chad come over and help watch them so that you can have some time to yourself" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled. She kissed Troy's cheek.
"Thanks" Gabriella said.
"You said something is swollen. What's swollen?" Troy asked.
"Everything. I didn't just have one baby come out of me" Gabriella said.
Troy kissed Gabriella's head softly.
"Take advantage of the time that you have out" Troy said.
"I don't really want to see anyone like this" Gabriella said.
"Like what?" Troy asked.
"Like this. I'm swollen. All the weight is everywhere. My emotions are everywhere" Gabriella said getting emotional.
Troy's face softened.
"Brie, you look so beautiful. So beautiful. Your emotions will go back to normal" Troy said.
"I can't even think straight" Gabriella said as tears ran down her cheeks.
"Sweetheart, it's okay" Troy said softly.
"I just feel like something is wrong with me" Gabriella cried.
"What do you mean you feel like something is wrong with you?" Troy asked.
"I've never been this emotional. This is not me" Gabriella said.
"Brie, you just had two babies. It comes with the territory" Troy said.
Gabriella shook her head.
"It feels different" Gabriella said.
"Maybe we need to talk to Dr. A" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"You are not sleeping well. I know that" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"Maybe something is happening" Troy said.
"I don't know" Gabriella said.
"Next week when you go, tell her what you are feeling. Maybe it is normal but you just didn't have it with Rob" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"But, in the meantime, you need to sleep" Troy said.
Gabriella leaned in and kissed Troy's lips.
"You too" Gabriella said.
Troy and Gabriella got into bed and fell asleep as soon as their head hit the pillow.