Falling for the Matchmaker [ Chaennie ]

Epilogue

Roseanne

A baby is incredibly hard to look after. The dirty diapers. The feedings. The burping. The changing. The laundry. More dirty diapers. The dishes. The bottles. More feeding. Less sleep. It's pretty much an exhausting, yet so amazingly rewarding cycle. But two babies? Two is sheer madness. Last year, when Jennie and I decided that after two years of marriage and two and a half years together before that, that we wanted to start a family, we never dreamed we'd end up having twins. We knew it was a possibility, since with IVF it can happen, but we just couldn't have dreamed of it. My teaching job is incredibly important to me and I really didn't want to leave it. We spent a long time discussing how we wanted to make a family a reality. Jennie was all for the in-vitro right from the start. It was a long, tough process. It was hard on her, on both of us, but we're here. Exhausted, sleep deprived, and covered in spit up. But it's incredible. The best experience of my life. Being a mother is, well, I don't think there are enough words in the whole language to describe what being a mother is like, even for people who are good with words. Yes, it's a ton of work, especially with two, but I know that Jennie and I will both remember each and every single one of these days for the rest of our lives.

Twin. Boys.

Yes. I don't know if there's a point where it gets better or if it just goes straight from sleepless nights to out and out destruction as they get their legs under them and start tearing the house apart. I should be dreading it, but I'm not. I'm pumped. I'm so excited to watch those two little boys grow up. They're only two weeks old and they already have so much personality.

"You're thinking about their personalities again, aren't you?"

I let out a small gasp, which I bite down on immediately, and stare anxiously at the two angels sleeping in their identical bassinets by the bed.

"I didn't know you were awake."

Jennie was taking a much-needed nap. We have basically started sleeping in shifts, so I'm sitting propped up against the headboard, reading. The twins were up most of the night. We both stay awake together with them for the few hours that they're most active, then we start our shift sleeping. There isn't much sleeping with two crying babies though. Jennie didn't have enough milk for two babies, so we've been formula feeding since day one, which is a small mercy. It lets her get more rest, since the twins drink a bottle much quicker than they would breastfeed. Jennie is still sore from the birth two weeks ago. She had a scheduled C-section, so it's going to take her a while before she's able to move without feeling sore. I know some people say they don't feel it, but she feels it. I immediately search her face for signs of pain. She often tries to tell me she's fine when I can tell she isn't, but right now she's relaxed.

"I was staring at them too," she whispers. "They're so freaking perfect, aren't they?"

"They are. The two most perfect babies that ever lived."

"We probably just say that because we're their moms. I wonder what other people think. If they think they're just stinky, pukey, snotty little brats. I used to think that about other people's kids. Only when they deserved it. Never about Tildy or Chance."

I laugh softly, smothering it by closing my mouth on the sound. Mandy got remarried a couple years ago. She's very happy, and last year, Chance came along to make Tildy a big sister.

"They're perfect too. I love those kids."

"I know. They were so excited to see the babies. Even Chance, and he's barely just started walking. I love how he can't talk yet, but he gets these huge smiles for them. It's so adorable."

"Mandy said she'd never have twins. I think she pities us."

"She does for sure! My parents do too. And your poor parents. No one can keep up. I think this is going to be a pattern until they're, like, forty or something."

"I was just thinking about that. How we'll just start learning what it's like to get regular sleep again and the house will constantly be torn apart."

"I can't imagine them when they're two."

"Everyone says it gets better after a year. That they look out for each other and keep each other occupied. It's actually easier."

"I think it's always going to be double the trouble. If they look after each other, they can encourage each other to get into double the messes. That one mom in the twins group online was saying that she's never seen holes that big before."

"Holes?"

"In her walls."

I smother my rising laughter. "I'll believe it when I see it."

"Don't tempt fate."

"Okay, I won't. But who knows? They could grow up to be perfect angels."

We both look at each other and grin. Yeah. We know that's not likely.

"That's okay if they're not. I won't mind. It freaked me out when I found out we were having two babies and they were both boys, but I've had time to prepare for it. I'm good now. I'm ready."

"How did I get so lucky? I have the most beautiful babies and the most beautiful wife. I love you all so much that there are so many times when I feel like I could burst. I'm going to be heartbroken when I have to go back to work."

Jennie took the full maternity leave. I took a month off, which the school was very gracious to allow. Jennie now works for my parents' company. My dad and brother had no trouble finding her a position in communications and she was a rock star from the beginning, exactly like I knew she would be. With two babies, I'm not sure when she'll be going back. Finding childcare for two kids is expensive, and two spots at the same place can be hard to come by. When she does want to go back, she'll for sure have her job waiting, not just because she's part of the family, but because I don't think anyone else could fill it the way she does.

"You're going to be tired is what you're going to be," Jennie remarks, giving me a sympathetic look. "You're going to miss them, but I promise to bother you with pictures and endless texts all day long. I'll take so much video that you'll spend hours watching it every single night."

"Sounds like the best night."

Jennie carefully moves closer to me. I set my book aside and wrap my arm around her. I caress the hair back from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear, out of her eyes.

"Do you need anything? Are you in pain?"

"No. And no. I just need you." Her eyes flicker to the bassinets again. "And them."

"Me too." I kiss her forehead softly and tuck her just a little bit closer. "I love you."

She closes her eyes and sighs softly. "I love you too."

I know she has to be exhausted. Maybe if she's lucky, she can get a half hour nap in. Maybe we both can. Maybe, but not likely. I didn't think I'd enjoy this part. The messy bits and the exhausted bits, but I love it. I love that I have the love of my life right beside me, and that, together with those beautiful little boys, we're a family now.

THE END

Ps : Happy Birthday Jennie love!