The twins look up, confused, as Alicia smooths out the soft fabric over their bodies. "How cute," she coos down at them. Andre peers up as best as he can from the edge of the couch and Alicia taps his nose. "What do you think, big brother? Do they have your approval?"
With some help from her, he scrambles up to get a better look at his sisters. "A pumpkin and ghost?" he asks, lightly resting his hands on the edge of the costumes.
"Yes," Alicia says, smiling over at him. "Do they have big brother's seal of approval?"
Andre hums. Reaches in to lightly tap first Mariana, then Clara, on their nose, giggling when the babies fuss and scrunch their faces up. "I can still see them, so yeah, mama. It does."
"You like looking at your sister's faces," Alicia says, hoisting him up and hugging him close.
"I do," he admits, finger hovering near his lips. "Their eyes are so similar but different. It's weird, mama."
"Well, they're twins, but they're both their own person," Alicia murmurs. "I'm sure as they get older, we'll both find more differences between them."
"Yeah?" he looks up at her, then back down at the babies. "Babies are weird."
Alicia chuckles. "I guess they are, a little. People probably thought the same thing about you." She teases her fingers at his side, making him gasp and giggle.
"Mama, no!" he cries out, squirming wildly until she lets him go with a laugh of her own, leaning in to kiss him.
"Are you looking forward to Halloween, mi hijo?"
"Si," he says, a wild grin on his face as he rests his head on Alicia's shoulder. "New candy, mama!"
She laughs and kisses his nose. "Yes, sweetheart. New candy." She smooths her hand down his stomach, considering the last touches she wants to put on his vampire costume. The cape needs a little altering, because she's not pleased with how it's flowing just yet. But after that, it'll be done and Andre will be the best looking toddler this side of New England.
She hums and helps him off of the couch, eyes soft and fond as she peers back down at the girls. Life's been full of ups and downs, but she thinks this is the moment that she's her most centered. The happiest she's ever been.
She hopes it continues for a nice, long time.