Home Away From Home

Chapter 22

A few months passed and they were all still mourning over Sally. Valerie tried her best to keep the energy positive for her child. She wanted her child to be born happy, not depressed. Her check up day came and Valerie and Nick went. While she was sitting on the bed with the machine on her stomach, they looked at the monitor.

"Now you see that head?" The doctor asked. They both nodded. "That's your child. Wait a second, I see two heads."

"What are you saying,?" Valerie asked.

"You're going to have twins!" Valerie and Nick looked at each other and smiled. Nick took her hand.

"We're having twins." He said, smiling.

"Are you happy?" Valerie asked.

"I feel like the luckiest guy in the world." He kissed her.

"Now, would you guys like to know the gender of your twins?" The doctor asked. They looked at each other.

"Do you want to know?" Valerie asked.

"I mean, yeah." He smiled at her. "Yes, we would like to know the gender." The doctor smiled and got up. She came back with a piece of paper.

"Looks like you guys are having a girl, and a boy."

"What we always wanted." Nick said. They kissed each other again. After finishing up with the doctor, they decided to start going shopping for their twins. Nick kept picking the cutest outfits for his little girl and Valerie picked adorable outfits for her little man. They bought strollers and two cribs. After driving back home, they brought all the baby things to the baby room they made a few weeks ago. They started setting up the cribs when Zack came in.

"Why do you guys have two cribs?" He asked.

"We're having twins!" Nick said excitedly. Zack's face filled with joy.

"Boys or girls?"

"We're having a boy and a girl." Valerie said.

"Can I help?" They both nodded and Zack helped them set up the baby's room. Later on, Valerie made dinner and they all sat down at the table. They began eating and talking when the phone rang.

"I'll get it." Nick said as he got up. He walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"May I speak to Nick Conan?"

"Speaking. Who's this?"

"This is Lieutenant Charles Miles. I've been trying to reach you for the past few days."

"What is it, sir?" He was surprised to hear from him.

"You are recruited back. We need you in about seven weeks. You know the consequences if you do not show up. Hope to see you soon, soldier.

"But-" The lieutenant already hung up. Nick put the phone down. He walked back to the table and sat down.

"Who was it, sweetie?" Valerie asked, noticing the sadness in his eyes.

"Wrong number." He said immediately. He wasn't sure if he wanted to tell her. He promised her he wouldn't leave.

"Well, you were there very long."

"They asked me if I knew this person I was reaching and I kept trying to tell them no. They finally got the message."

"Oh okay. Let's continue eating."

A month and a half passed by. Nick was still thinking about what the Lieutenant said. He knew he was supposed to stay, but he had to go. He knew he couldn't leave his twins, or Valerie. Things were too complicated in his mind. Finally, the day they were all waiting for arrived.

"Nick! My water broke!" Valerie screamed. Nick ran to her and put her in the car. He tried his best to stay calm. Zack followed. Nick speeded to the hospital. They out her in a wheelchair and took her to her bed. Zack stayed in the waiting room. 15 hours later, their twins were born. Nick held his daughter, while Valerie held her son. They kissed each other.

"So what shall we name them?" Nick asked.

"The boy, Anthony."

"And the girl, Emma. Emma and Anthony." They both smiled and called Zack in. "Zack, say hello to your niece and nephew, Emma and Anthony."

"Those are beautiful names." Zack smiled. "Can I hold them?"

"Of course." Nick gave Emma first, and then switched to Anthony. While Valerie held Emma and Zack held Anthony, they were amazed. Emma took her father's green emerald eyes, while Anthony took his mothers ocean blue eyes.

"They're perfect." Nick said, with tears in his eyes.

u