Chapter 20

Montana, Kira, and the boys had been so engrossed in having a great time at the skating rink that she almost hadn't heard her phone beep with a text from Paul letting her know that he and Mac were fine, Noche Buena was progressing nicely, and his mami was in good spirits.

They had laughed at Michael showing off for a group of little girls as Leif rolled his eyes and shook his head, Montana commenting how much her son was already taking after his dad.

"Yep, he's Papi's all right," Kira giggled in agreement as Michael did a perfect axel.

There were no mishaps on Brian's part this year; he hadn't even shown any indication of even "wiping out," as Leif laughingly called it. As a matter of fact, he was looking almost professional in contrast to being last year's klutz.

Kira wondered if he had been taking lessons.

"If he has," Leif shrugged, "he didn't say anything to me or Mom about it."

"Speaking of Mariah," Kira turned to Montana, "shouldn't we check and see how she is?"

"Brian's mother is there," Montana reassured her. "If something was wrong, she would get in contact with one of us. As they say, no news is good news. And so far, the only thing I have gotten is a text from your dad saying all was well at your grandmother's."

"Wow, you mean Papi hasn't decked any drunks yet?" Kira asked, teasing, recalling the year when she was ten and Paul had been hauled off for punching out a drunk that had been hitting on Montana.

"It's been a good night so far," Montana answered. "Don't jinx it."

They then heard a buzz coming from the pile of coats. Before Montana had a chance to move, Leif investigated the source of the noise, pulling out his father's phone.

"Hey, Dad!" he called. "Yo, skating champ, your phone's ringing!" Leif held it up.

Brian came over. "Who is it?"

Leif looked at the screen. "Home. I'm guessing at this point, it's Gran."

"Shit. Something tells me I better take this. More than likely it could be about your mother."

He went off to a quieter area of the rink for a few moments, where the others could see him nodding from time to time. After about five minutes, Brian hung up and headed back over to the group.

"We're going to have to take off," he announced as Montana noticed he was trying to stay calm.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Ma's at the hospital," Brian sighed. "Mimi's in labor."

Montana nodded hastily. "Go ahead. I can take the kids home and Leif can stay with us tonight. I'm sure Kira can look after the boys and I will meet you at the hospital."

Early the following morning:

It wasn't how anyone had planned to spend Christmas.

At home, Kira had slept in her own room while the boys had shared Michael's room for the night.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Montana had paced a little, texted Paul and Mac to update them and read outdated magazines as Brian snored on one of the sofas in the waiting room. Mariah had been whisked off for a C-section and if it had been any indication what Brian had gone through with Montana having Michael and nearly turning green when Mariah had Leif, a C-section with twins would have surely freaked him out.

At 5:03AM Christmas morning, Briana Montana and her twin sister, Barbara Anne (who would be called Bobbie to avoid confusion with her grandmother) arrived in the world with no complications.

Montana poked the snoring father awake once the doctor had arrived to announce the girls' births, Brian nearly jumping out of his skin. "Huh?"

"Wow, don't be so enthused about the arrival of your daughters," Montana laughed.

"They're here already?"

"Already? We've been here with Mariah practically all night. It's five thirty."

"Jesus Christ, that long? Where's Leif?"

"At my place with Kira and Michael, most likely still asleep."

Brian yawned. "Yeah, he figured out the no such thing as Santa a couple of years ago. May as well let him sleep until a decent hour before I spring on him that he got two baby sisters for Christmas."

"I think he may have figured out as much last night," Montana grinned.

"At least Mimi is doing all right. Let's go get something greasy for breakfast. I need to get some cigars anyway."

Montana made a face. "Ugh. How about we just go home and I will make everyone something? Paul should be home this afternoon and I wouldn't be surprised if he brings the cigars."

"Christ, he's not bringing that Mexican shit, is he?"

"I doubt it," she laughed. "Knowing him, he will probably go all out just like he did when I had Michael. That and it's Christmas. By the way, Feliz Navidad."

"Yeah," Brian yawned again. "Same to you."