VII.
I could still remember when you hesitantly approached me.
I remember how uneasy I felt, as I could usually read you like an open book. I was in my study, finishing up grading for my class on Administrative Law, when you stood in the doorway. I remember raising my eyebrow at you, and I could feel the anxiousness rolling off of you in waves.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" You didn't answer me. I slowly got up, approaching your small form. Your hazel eyes were filled with fear, yet excitement. "Rey", I try again, "is everything alright?" You looked at me, pondering your next words.
"Ben I… I'm pregnant again." I froze. I didn't know how to act. I was scared to celebrate too early, the loss of our first child still raw.
"Rey… Are you O.K.?" I still remember the tears starting to shine in your eyes, and how you nodded with a brilliant smile I haven't seen in nearly eight months.
I could still remember our ultrasound. See this? Seems like you got yourself twice the surprise! That bit kept replaying in my mind as I watched you in our nearly complete nursery. You were positively glowing. The swell of your stomach was mesmerizing, insane to think that we created two healthy babies at the same time. Watching you sit in the rocking chair, gently rubbing your stomach while reading stories to the two unborn siblings, stirred a strong feeling of protectiveness in me. You were such a sight to behold, your beautiful smile and your positive radiance as dazzling as the first time I saw you in that coffee shop. I felt so much love in that moment, Rey, I thought I was going to explode.
As I was thinking about that, I could remember you looking at me with the glint of light in your eyes, and smiled softly at me. You beckoned me to you, and found myself following your light like nothing else mattered, and I gave you a quick kiss before getting on my knees to kiss the swell of your stomach.
"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are when you're carrying my children?" You laughed softly.
"I just feel like a whale ready to pop." Little did you know that the pop would happen later that night.
No feeling compares to the birth of your kids. When the first one came out – a boy, followed closely by a girl – I was never more proud of you. I could still remember the relief as I heard the scream tearing out of the babies, and the overwhelming sensation of love and adoration for all three of you.
I could still remember the feeling of completeness as our family laid together in a small hospital bed. I remember basking in the feeling of peace, relishing the feel of the tiny bundle in my arms. I remember looking at you too, with our beautiful son in your arms, fast asleep.
The smile you gave me at that moment will always be one of my most cherished memories.
The Solo family was now complete.
I finally had the family I wanted.
I'm finally complete.
