I waited eagerly as time passed, each day growing longer than the next. Despite my attempts at distracting myself, it was hard for my mind to not wander towards little baby Lucy and Leo. Ever since their accident in the night, I had been on high alert with Gus and Daisy. Watching them like a hawk, I refused to let them out of my sight, afraid that similar fates could befall my two innocent babies. They did not seem to mind, happily taking all the attention I gave them when I came home. In my neuroticism, I decided to move a sleeping bag into the smurf room so I could lay beside the smurf cages. In the moonlight, I could see their little chests rise and fall as they slept. I watched them, curled comfortably in their little pajamas I bought for them, and felt a new found sense of responsibility. Their little lives, though frail and insignificant in the grand scheme of life, was in my hands and was something I wanted to protect.

The day came around for me to get the twins from the hospital. Pulling the car around, I entered the main building and went to the office that they had been moved to. After giving my information, I waited anxiously as the person at the front desk sent for their retrieval. After several minutes I saw a large male veterinarian carrying a cardboard box that had several holes punched in it. As he approached, I could hear the tell-tale squeaks, chirps, and hoots of baby smurfs. I paid at the front desk and then returned to my car. Driving home, I kept one hand on the steering wheel and one on the box.

As I drove home, I ran though a mental checklist. Dave and I had made preparations for the twin's arrival. Not only did we redo the smurf room again, with a bigger sleeping cage that could be expanded as needed, as well as making a larger play area for their room and the front room. We expected that there could be some resistance to the move in, but we were prepared for it. I had some experience from when we moved in Daisy and the training which I gave them had made them more docile. No matter what issue arose, I was determined to take them in. The image of them in that partially flooded cardboard box had haunted me since the day I first met them.

I entered the house and quickly prepared my mind, needing to be calm before having everyone meet each other. I already had things set up before I left, the only parts I really needed to do was acclimate the twins and then bring out the others. Still, that being said, I was going to have to be quick if things went south. I flipped on the light switch and set it to half strength, casting the room with a dim glow. I gently opened the playpen door and softly shut it behind me. Coming up to a cushion, I propped it against the wall and then sat down with the box on my lap. I took a breath and then began to open the tabs at the top. As I shuffled around, I could hear the tiny squeaks coming from inside. With my heart starting to pound heavily, I took a final second and then opened the box.

There at the bottom of the box huddled on a thin blanket from the hospital where the two baby smurfs Lucy and Leo. They had been given temporary clothing, which was made of some thin ugly looking fabric. It seemed uncomfortable to them as they would occasionally scratch themselves. They looked up at me, eyes big with fear and curiosity as they cowered below me. Lucy positioned herself above her smaller brother, covering him from the light. The inquisitive younger smurf, not yet as fearful as his sister, looked out from under her, eyes big with wonder. They both looked up at me, shivering slightly. After a couple seconds, Leo gave a slight hoot followed by his sister. I started small at first, simply just putting my hand in so they could get accustomed to my smell. Within minutes they had cozened up to me, clutching at my wrist with their little hands. After a while I felt safe taking them out of their travel box. They squeaked at first, scared of the sudden movement. They quieted down when I held them close to my chest, opening my shirt so I could close it around them. They were surprised at first but settled down after a couple of seconds. After a couple minutes of sitting there I felt that we were ready to move to the next step.

I took them to the bathroom and drew them a bath in the sink. They were scared by the noise at first but I showed them that it was safe. Soon after they were playing merrily in the water, splashing around as I washed them. I took out some soap and gave them both a good rub down, cleaning them of the filth from the hospital. They only laughed and squirmed as I bathed them, having grown to like the warmth of the water and the feeling of their little muscles being massaged by hand. Until now, their little lives had been miserable and uncertain. This was going to change in their new life with me. Taking them out one by one I dried their soft blue skin with a towel. Their tiny little smurf body lay calmly in my hand as I rubbed them with the cloth, only cooing and looking up at me with their big cute eyes. I powdered them both and then put their diapers on. Lucy was comfortable in hers but Leo was still too small for his so I took some tape and fastened it closer to his body. I then gave them some new pajamas made out of soft cotton, which they enjoyed due to the constant snug warm feeling. They purred softly as I zipped their back zipper. I was still not done however, as there was something that seriously needed to be attended to. I reached into my pocket and two out two new smurf hats for them. They seemed to instinctively know the article of clothing, as a big smile grew on their faces as I placed it on them. They purred loudly and came to the edge of the Tupperware I had them in, Leo waddling awkwardly like Daisy did her first couple of days. They raised their hands at me and cooed at me. I picked them up and hugged them, kissing their little foreheads and telling them how much I loved them.

I then brought them to the smurf room and prepared myself for the last part of the night. Placing them on a cushion, they looked at me curiously as I talked out loud to them from outside the playpen as I walked to a cage on the opposite side of the room. I told them about how I was happy to have them and that they would have a great life with me…and their siblings. Whether my words registered with them or not I did not know but I am sure they got the picture when I turned around with Gus and Daisy in my arms. The twins huddled together and went stiff as they stared at the strange smurfs in my arms. I entered the playpen and sat down opposite of them. Gus looked at me and the new smurfs, not sure what to do, I could feel his little grip on my collar tighten. Daisy sat calmly, she clung to me as I gently pet her. The smurfs sat silent, not moving for a minute. Gus was the first to move, climbing down from me and scooting towards them. Lucy stood where she was but put herself between Gus and Leo. Daisy followed Gus, wondering where her brother was going. I watched as the smurfs came together in the middle, their noses wrinkling as they smelled each other. Lucy and Gus seemed wary of each other at first but calmed down when they saw Daisy come up to Leo and calmly reach out to him. The younger male smurf reached out and the two huddled to each other. I thought this was a good sign but I was surprised to hear Gus start to growl. I snapped my fingers at him and in a low voice said hat. He put his hands to his head and started to shiver. Having understood that anger wouldn't be tolerated towards his new siblings, Gus sheepishly came over to the two younger smurfs and joined their huddle. After a couple of seconds, Lucy joined as well.

The four smurfs lay on the playpen floor, chirping away as they began to groom each other. I took a video and sent it to Dave, who responded saying that this was a good sign and showed that they were accepting each other. I thanked him and promised to send more pictures. I put my phone down and watched for a while as my baby smurfs got to know each other, squeaking and chirping happily as they mingled. After a while I noticed them getting sluggish and decided it would be a good time to end the night. Having felt successful, I smiled to myself as I prepared the smurf babies their bottles. Gus and Daisy chirped excitedly as I came to them, alerting the two new smurfs to me as I approached. They squeaked slightly as I took all four smurfs and laid them on their back on the low table. Lucy watched me curiously as I gave Gus and Daisy their bottles, to which they drank with much gusto. I gave Lucy the warm little bottle and watched as her eyes lit up with excitement as she enjoyed the smurfberry milk, a flavor new to her. Leo enjoyed his as well, his face blushing with happiness as he drank. Eventually they all finished and I took their bottles. Then I scooped them into my arms and got them into their sleeping cage. I watched as they gave out little yawns and stretched their little arms as they got comfortable. Then one by one, they drifted off to sleep. Before long, I had four little smurfs cuddled up in their cage ready for bed. I closed the cage door quietly and blew them a kiss good night. I looked behind me one last time as I shut off the light, taking in the sight I had made. I had never been happier. I lay in bed that night smiling to myself, drifting off to sleep surrounded by love.