Hope for All chapter 68
Tony and Angela enjoyed the next hour of childless freedom in bed. After round two, Tony headed downstairs and brought up their actual dessert, chocolate covered strawberries. They enjoyed feeding each other and sipping their sparkling cider. They were nearing the two and a half hour mark when they heard faint crying coming from downstairs.
"I can't believe we made it this long! They must be starving and refusing the bottles" said Angela.
"I wonder if it's both of them or just Matthew" said Tony as he got up and started to get dressed. Angela followed and threw on her nightgown and robe. They both headed back downstairs to find Samantha and Jonathan walking back and forth with the babies.
"Where's Mother?" asked Angela as she picked up Matthew from Samantha.
"My guess is showering. Matthew's been crying for the past half an hour and spit up all over her hair and down her shirt!" said Jonathan as he made a disgusted face.
"We tried the bottles but they barely touched them. Is there some trick to getting them to take the bottles?" asked Samantha as she handed Anna to Tony.
"Not really. They just prefer their mommy don't you little girl!" gushed Tony as Anna stopped crying.
"Well they are going to need to learn to take the bottle eventually when I go back to work. We should probably start introducing it every few days. I'm going to need to start pumping to get a supply going too" she said as she sat down with Matthew to start feeding. Tony handed Anna to her and soon both babies were quietly feeding.
"So have we lost all three of our babysitters?" asked Tony as he sat down on the side chair.
"Two outta three are sticking around- the one currently scrubbing herself clean in the shower may not make herself available for a while!" laughed Samantha.
"She'll come around! I'll make a few of her favorite meals! Really seal the deal!" said Tony.
"Well if you don't need us anymore, Bonnie invited me over to watch a movie" she said as she grabbed her coat and headed out the door.
"I'm going to head over to Steven's house too. He got some new video games we are going to try out!" said Jonathan.
"Be back by ten! And make sure you thank Steven's parents!" said Angela as Jonathan just rolled his eyes and headed out the door.
"And then there were four! So what's on the agenda for the rest of the night?" asked Tony.
"I have a feeling these guys will be making up for lost time! Neither one looks tired!" she laughed as she looked down at two wide awake babies nursing, looking up at her.
"Well if that's the case, maybe we can find a movie! Something to keep us awake!" he chuckled.
They spent the rest of the night watching a movie on television until they couldn't keep their eyes open. They were able to get the babies settled in for the night before one finally feeding. They nearly had a heart attack when both babies slept six straight hours, not waking up until almost four in the morning. They spent the rest of their Sunday relaxing with the family.
Monday morning came early for the family. They weren't quite as lucky with the twins' sleeping schedule but were still able to get in some additional longer stretches of sleep. Tony was able to get the family's breakfast and lunches made before heading off to class.
"Alright you two! All three of us are fed! You're changed and due for a nap! I'm hoping I can get a work phone call in again today in a little while but you two will need to fall asleep first! I think we should try the carrier and see how you doing that and then maybe later we can all take a nap upstairs!" she said as she got the carrier in place. She was able to put Anna in followed by Matthew as she adjusted the straps.
"You guys are already getting so big! Pretty soon you both won't fit in here together anymore!" she said as she walked them around the room. Within ten minutes, both babies were sound asleep as Angela walked into her office. Mona had brought home some work for her on Friday that she was able to look over before making her phone call.
"Hi Mother! How are things going?" she asked as she looked over the paperwork. "That's good! Yes things are good here… both asleep… in the carrier… can you put on Jack please?" asked Angela as she rolled her eyes. She didn't remember her mother being this way with Jonathan- maybe age had mellowed her out a bit.
Angela was able to have a half an hour conversation with Jack and the team, reviewing the latest plans and layouts for the new clients. She missed being in the office and with her team but she knew she was nowhere near ready to go back in quite yet as she gazing lovingly down at the sleeping babies.
"Thank you my loves for letting me get that meeting done! You think we can make this a once or twice occurrence each week? It would be wonderful if that could be our new schedule! Speaking of schedules… maybe this week we can start to try and get one happening? We definitely need to get some more tummy time in too! Maybe even start some naps in your cribs! Not sure I'll be able to get your daddy on board with that one yet though!" she laughed as she pictured Tony sleeping on the floor of the nursery.
"Speaking of daddy, he should be home soon just in time for lunch! It's actually a nice day out- how about we go sit on the swing for a bit…" she said as she grabbed a blanket and their hats. She covered them up and put on the hats as she grabbed her coat, heading out the side door. She was able to sit on the swing for a half an hour, reading one of the baby development books before the babies began to stir. As she was heading back inside, Tony pulled up in his jeep.
"Hi my loves! Getting some fresh air in?" he asked as he came over to her and gave her a kiss, followed by kisses to each baby.
"We did and they let me get in a work phone call too! It's been a good morning but now they are starting to get hungry and need a change" she said as they walked into the house.
"How was class?" she asked as she handed Matthew to Tony to change while she took Anna.
"Good! I've got an exam next Monday so I'm going to need to spend some more time at the library over the weekend" he said as he finished changing him.
"Okay Tony. Maybe I can step out for a bit and get a manicure or pedicure. I'd like to check in with Isabelle to see how things are going. See if she's free for lunch or something" she said as she began feeding the babies.
"That's a great idea! These guys and I need some baby and daddy time! Oh I forgot to mention to you the other day when I was running errands I saw that the children's library is doing a Halloween event tomorrow for babies and toddlers! We should take them!" he said.
"Sounds good Tony! They are going to be adorable in their costumes! I still can't believe everyone is on board with the theme! And they agreed to go trick or treating together as a family! It's the magic of having infants in the house!" she chuckled.
"Hey whatever works!" he laughed as he cuddled in closer to her as they enjoyed their alone time.
The next day was Halloween and the family was busier than normal making sure the kids' costumes were ready. Both Samantha and Jonathan chose alternative costumes to wear to school but agreed to change into the theme ones after school.
"Morning everyone!" said Angela as she walked into the kitchen with Matthew. Tony had Anna as he was making everyone breakfast.
"Morning Mom! You like my costume? I'm a werewolf!" he said as he howled, making Anna smile.
"Anna likes it! You look great sweetheart!" she said as she adjusted Matthew to take a sip of her coffee. Samantha came into the kitchen, dressed in a cheerleader's outfit with a very short skirt.
"Samantha! Where's the rest of your costume? You're missing the rest of that skirt!" yelled Tony.
"Relax Dad! This is the way all my friends are going! It's the way the costume came!" she said as she grabbed a bowl of cereal.
"I don't care what your friends are doing! You go and put on a pair of shorts on underneath that now!" he shouted, causing Anna to whimper as Samantha stormed off into the living room. "I'm sorry Anna banana! Daddy didn't mean to scare you! When your sister is an adult, she can dress any way she wants… until then, it's my way or the highway! You'll learn one day!" he said as he calmed her down.
"Don't listen to your father Anna… you already have him wrapped around your little finger! By the time you're Samantha's age he will be buying you any costume you want!" laughed Angela.
"Hardy har-har Angela! You don't think Matthew has your number? That kid will be stealing hub caps and you'll be throwing him a parade!" he laughed as Jonathan almost spit out his cereal.
"You better not throw him a parade! I was grounded forever after that!" shouted Jonathan.
"No one is celebrating breaking the law! I think it's time for school- you don't want to be late…" said Angela as she gave Jonathan a quick kiss before he left out the back door.
"You too mister… don't want to be late. The library event starts at 1:00pm. I'll try and have them changed and fed by the time you get back from class so we can eat lunch and go" she said.
"Sound good to me! Alright you guys, I'll be back soon! Be good for your mommy!" he said as he kissed them all goodbye and headed out the back door. Angela was able to finish up her breakfast and got the babies fed and changed. She decided to go out a a short walk to get some fresh air and loaded them into the stroller. She was feeling pretty much back to normal since giving birth, aside from being overly tired, so she stayed out for over a half an hour.
She spent the rest of the time before Tony got home from school getting them some tummy time, fed and eventually changed into their costumes. Angela had decided to have them in another costume for the party. She loved the theme they chose but when she saw this costume, she knew they needed to wear it. She was changing Matthew into his costume when Tony came through the door.
"Hi everyone! Are we ready for our first Halloween? Wait… what are they wearing?" asked Tony as he walked over to the sofa.
"They will be changing again later but I couldn't help myself when I saw these costumes a few weeks ago! Two peas in a pod!" she said as she placed the twins next to one another. The costume became evident when they were squished up next to each other, the green matching outfits fitting together perfectly.
"Oh my goodness they are adorable! Where's my camera? Thank goodness I bought extra film the other day!" he said as he ran to get his camera. Angela was able to get them situated on the sofa and even got a few smiles for Tony to capture before they packed them into the car and headed to the library.
They were able to put the babies in the stroller and headed into the library. The main area was decorated for Halloween. About a dozen or so toddlers were running around in their costumes, their parents congregated around a table filled with snacks and drinks. Tony was the only father in the room.
"Angela! Tony! How nice to see you!" said an all too familiar voice.
"It's nice to see you too Joanne. I wasn't expecting to see you here. Your kids have been out of diapers for quite some time!" laughed Angela.
"Yes they have… not all of us have those surprises thrown at us at a certain age… I thought I would stop by and support the community!" she said.
"Eh oh, oh eh! What's that supposed to mean?" said Tony in a louder than normal voice for a library.
"Oh nothing! It's just…" she started to say when Angela cut her off.
"I'd tread very carefully Joanne. Neither of us has had much sleep and we wouldn't want to say something that you would regret. C'mon Tony, let's go see what else they have going on" she said as she pushed the stroller and pulled an irate Tony away from Joanne.
"Angela! How could she say that? I oughta knock some sense into her!" he said as he gave Joanne a death stare from across the room.
"We both know she's absolutely beyond jealous of what we have- a loving marriage, four beautiful kids, two of whom she was right were in fact surprises. The best surprises of our lives, isn't that right!" she gushed as she tickled the babies, causing them to smile.
"You're right Angela! It's just I hated how she said it! Especially after all we went through those first few months with the clinic. They were always wanted and are loved more than anything in this world!" he said as he tickled them again.
"Exactly and anyone who truly knows us knows that…" she said as she leaned over to give him a kiss, making sure Joanne had a direct view. "We love each other and they are loved. That's all that matters…" she said.
"Exactly! Alright let's see what activities they have! Well that six week olds can do! If there's a looking adorable in matching costumes category, you two will win hands down!" he laughed. They walked around a bit until they started story time. They sat in the back away from all the little kids and their germs. Soon it was time for the costume contest. To avoid any issues, all kids were given a prize for participating.
"I get why they did it that way but you two deserved to win!" said Tony as he rocked Matthew in his arms.
"C'mon Tony let's head home before the older two leave without us!" she laughed as she pushed the stroller out to the car. They arrived home before the kids and were able to change and feed the babies before Samantha and Jonathan arrived home.
"Alright everyone! Go get changed and meet back down in twenty minutes for photos!" said Tony as everyone rolled their eyes. Thankfully, everyone was ready and waiting for Tony as he came into the room with his camera.
"Meet the Flintstones! How's Barney and Betty doing?" asked Tony as he put his arms around Samantha and Jonathan.
"Please don't remind me I'm supposed to be married to the dweeb! I don't know how you conned me into this!" said Samantha.
"Because these two make the cutest Pebbles and Bam-Bam!" said Angela as she walked downstairs with the babies. She was dressed as Wilma while Tony was dressed as Fred.
"Alright you all win… they are absolutely adorable!" said Samantha as she took Matthew from Angela.
"Okay everyone on the sofa for photos! Kids together then I want you to get one of the four of us before I set up the timer for one of all six of us!" said Tony as he had them sit on the sofa. It seemed like all four of them had learned to just suck it up and smile for Tony, even the babies who were easily coaxed into smiling. Tony was done in half the time with all the photos as they got ready for trick or treating. Even Samantha was excited as they started out the door.
"Let's head out before it starts to get cold and dark!" said Angela as she grabbed the stroller and diaper bag.
"Remember! I get dibs on the twins' candy!" yelled Jonathan as he made his way down the driveway.
"No way! It's a 50/50 split!" yelled Samantha as she ran after him.
"C'mon Pebbles and Bam-Bam… we've got a long afternoon ahead of us with those two!" laughed Tony as they locked up the house and made their way down the driveway to join them.