The Dunhams (Sequel to Better or Bad - Lizzy Walker)

An Odd Gift on the Doorstep

(Up top is their crib)

Having a moment with my Mom was all I needed to let myself break. I'm sure it's all she needed too. Her grief is more different. She lost a daughter twice. This time she's never coming back. An hour passed and Jasmine was still watching the kids. Of all holidays, this had to happen during Christmas. Valerie's body was removed from the hospital room a minute ago. Dad figured we'd plan the funeral next year because we can't spoil Christmas. Grant, being an emotional nineteen year old, didn't wanna attend any funerals or celebrate Christmas since it just got ruined. I understood his emotions. What are we supposed to say to the kids? Their Aunt Valerie died the day their children was born? They just met her but will never know her. The twins will never know their mother. She had so many dreams for them. She'll never see them grow or see their children someday. Mom and Dad was discussing funeral matters after telling Hunter on the phone. The twins were dressed enough to leave. Harry was asleep in his blue carrier. Hailey woke up fussing so I was still rocking her. Bryce sat beside me and exhaled a deep breath. "My heart breaks for them." He muttered sadly. I nodded silently. He rubbed my thigh softly. Her eyes reminded me so much of Valerie's. "She truly loved them. Even before they were born. I hesitate to imagine them growing up without a mother figure. Or any parent figure." I spoke. He caressed her cheek softly, smiling to himself. "She manage to make me smile during this sad time." He whispered. Finally, I smiled for the first time since discovering Valerie's gone. Harry lightly sneezed before letting out a cry. Bryce carefully picked him up and started rocking him. "Shh, shh. It's ok. It's ok. Daddy's here." He said in a soothing voice. I raised an eyebrow in shock. Harry was beginning to calm down after he began singing quietly. Bryce smiled sheepishly. "A force of habit. Something I picked up from singing to Breanna when she had those nightmares." He whispered. Tears somehow were threatening to escape. I sniffled and carefully put Hailey back in her carrier. How could I not have known? "She still had nightmares? How—why I didn't know?" I whispered a bit hoarsely. He looked at me in awe. "They were younger when they came. Breanna was still having nightmares even before. I almost thought we could take her to a child therapist if she's still having them." He explained in a whisper. Harry fell back asleep and he put him in the carrier. I blinked, letting one tear fall. He hugged me. I hugged back. It would've been my fault if I wasn't paying attention more. "Shh. It's not your fault. These things happen, remember? The kids are happy. If they're not, we would do anything to make them happy again." He said. We slowly parted. My attention turned back to the twins peacefully sleep. No idea of what just happened. No idea they have lost their mother. Their lives changed on the day of their birth. Bryce sighed deeply. "What are we gonna do? They don't have anybody. Yes, they have their grandparents, Aunt and Uncles but they're practically orphans. They won't have the experiences or needs parents could give. They won't have—I cut him off. "Love. That's the most important thing to them. Valerie had so many dreams for both of them. For Harry, she wants to him be happy, teach him how to respect women properly, watch him play school games. For Hailey, the piece of her, her precious little girl to never be alone. Given so much love and affection throughout her whole life. From crawling to having her own family. All she ever want for them is be loved unconditionally. She also wanted us to take sole care of them if anything happens. If you ask me, I think that means she wanted us—I paused giving myself a moment. But it didn't take long for Bryce to figure it out. "You mean...have them live with us?" He whispered. I simply shrugged and smiled sadly. "She said she didn't want them growing up without anybody to be their family. We always talk it doesn't matter whether our children is related or not, we're still family. Imagining the twins being without a family would've broke her. She's been gone from ours for nineteen years. Missed the chance to grow up normally. I don't want that for them. It'll break me." I explained. Bryce thought about it for a minute. He rubbed his hair. "Can we manage to keep it a secret? From the press? The media? For the time being. Keep them off the radar. Just like we did with Bella. It's still Christmas and it can't be ruined for the kids." He whispered. A dry chuckle escaped my lips. I wiped my eyes and smiled. "Look who's making all the plans?" I teased. He looked down and chuckled. "Are you on onboard?" He teased. Our hands intertwined on my lap as I stared back at the twins. Valerie didn't get a chance to fulfill her dreams. Now we're gonna fulfill them for her.

At 7:30pm.

We left the hospital and rode home safely with the twins. My parents's car followed behind carrying all their necessities. Jasmine texted me the kids are asleep. We parked on the driveway and got out. I held Hailey's carrier while Bryce held Harry's as we walked to the doorstep. "Are the kids sleep?" Dad whispered. I nodded. Bryce used the key and opened the door quietly. The house was surprisingly too quiet. "Is there another room?" Mom whispered. "They can sleep in our room." I whispered. She nodded. "You sure?" She asked. Bryce smiled assuringly. We walked upstairs to our room and set the carriers on the bed. "I'll get the crib." Dad spoke. "I'll go with you." Bryce offered while following him behind. Mom smiled sadly. "You are doing an amazing thing sweetie." She told me. I returned the gesture. "I made a promise to Valerie. I'm gonna fulfill it." I said confidently. She rubbed my back comfortingly. "Have you signed the papers? At the hospital?" She whispered. I said nothing but nodded. Nonetheless a warm smile popped across my lips. Mom hugged me tightly. I hugged back. We parted. "She'll be so proud." She spoke hoarsely. Tears were threatening to escape but I took deep breaths. Dad and Bryce arrived with the huge crib with presents sat on top. We helped set it up including a baby monitor in our room. Mom and I put bottles on top of the nightstand. The wipes, diapers, their clothes were in the gores.

Once everything's done, we put the twins in their crib after putting their PJs on. At the same time we were quite exhausted. My parents already left. The room's air was good temperature for them. Bryce smiled warmly. I returned the gesture. We kissed both their foreheads before changing into our PJs and getting under the covers. I stretched while yawning. He closed our door, knowing their nightly cries could wake up the kids. "Long day." I muttered. He nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Longest day of our lives." He muttered tiredly. We cuddled closer and I inhaled a deep breath before drifting off to sleep. Now, we have a long Christmas ahead.

******

"They're so cute!!" "No bets! We won!" "I know but why are they here?" "How come Mom and Dad came home so late?" "Let's save the questions for later to enjoy two miracles of life." Was all I heard through my ears. I turned sideways and realized Bryce was out of bed. Wait, the twins! I instantly jolted awake while rubbing my eyes. The kids were near the twins's crib. Jace approached my bedside and smiled widely. "Mom, are these Aunt Valerie's twins?" He asked. "Did you guys adopt overnight?" Breanna asked confusedly. Bella raised an eyebrow. "Most importantly, why you and Dad came home late last night?" She asked. "How come they're here? Where's Aunt Valerie?" He asked. All these questions were messing with my mind. I even smelt musty from yesterday. I huffed, rubbing my forehead. Bella stared at me worriedly. "Mom—I cut her off. "Guys, it's nearly 8am! If you let me do my morning routine, shower, eat breakfast and feed the twins, will you let Dad and I explain?" I asked in a serious tone. Breanna almost spoke until Bella motioned her to quiet. "Of course Mom. You really deserve the time." She said softly. They quickly walked out. Not long when Bryce came holding their milk-filled bottles and approached the crib. My jaw dropped. The twins immediately start fussing. He smiled happily. "Looks like they're hungry." He teased. We held them in our arms while feeding them milk. They stared at us innocently. I smiled. "Too cute!" I squealed. He returned the gesture. "Same. I'm surprised the kids didn't startle them." He joked. I mentally scoffed. "Nope but their presence and questions startled me." I muttered. Bryce sighed. "We'll have to explain later." He told me. I kissed Harry's cheeks softly. His smile managed to break out from his sipping lips. He made silly faces at Hailey. Her smile quickly shown from hers. Aww! "Hi my princess and prince." He cooed. "What's on our holiday agenda?" I asked. "First, I set up their play mat downstairs. The kids can play with them and watch Christmas stuff. You go freshen up and I'll make breakfast. Hurry! You should see their mat!" He beamed, smiling. I breathed a breath of relief. "If I didn't smell like crap I'd kiss you right now." I said. He chuckled and kissed my lips. "You're still beautiful." He whispered. We took the bottles off their lips and patted their backs repeatedly for five minutes. Two soft burps escaped their mouths. I smiled happily. "Yay! And I need to shower." I said, frowning at the last part. He smiled nervously. "Yeah." He mumbled. I playfully glared. He snickered.