Adventures In An Alternate Dimension Book 2

Chapter 13 - Laughter, Sawdust, and a Conversation: A Family DIY Project

Ashlynn 's POV

The clatter of dishes filled the cozy kitchen of my Forks home, a welcome contrast to the stunned silence that had followed my announcement earlier. Now, with the cake devoured and most of the family trickling out the door, only my two oldest brothers, Shane and Jackson, remained. They perched opposite me at the island counter, both sporting identical expressions of bewildered amusement.

"So," Shane began, swirling the last dregs of his coffee, "another bun in the oven, huh?"

I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "Seems that way, doesn't it?" My hand instinctively rested on my lower abdomen, still a flat plane, but the knowledge of the tiny life growing there sent a thrill through me.

"Man, Ash," Jackson chimed in, his brow furrowed, "you and Skylar sure aren't wasting any time."

"Nope," I admitted, a wide grin spreading across my face. "We figured, why wait? Especially since the twins are already, well, you know..." I gestured vaguely towards the upstairs where the sounds of 6-month-old chaos – a symphony of giggles and shrieks – filtered down. Jade and Ava, my precious, energetic twins from my other husband Emmett, were a handful to say the least.

"Double trouble squared, huh?" Shane snorted, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Something like that," I agreed. "But hey, at least Skylar loves kids. You should have seen his face when I told him." A warmth bloomed in my chest at the memory. Skylar's initial surprise had quickly melted into pure joy, his face lighting up with a happiness that mirrored my own.

"Speaking of Skylar," Jackson said, his gaze flickering to the back door, "isn't he supposed to be back by now?"

"Should be," I confirmed, glancing at the clock. "He just had to run a quick errand."

A comfortable silence settled between us, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the twins. It felt good to have them here, my brothers, the ones who'd seen me through thick and thin. There was a time, not long ago, when I hadn't known if I'd ever experience this kind of family again, the laughter, the support, the shared joy.

"You happy, Ash?" Shane asked, his voice softer than usual.

My heart swelled. "Happy doesn't..." I whispered, the word catching in my throat. "More than I ever thought I could be."

Jackson reached across the counter, squeezing my hand. "That's all we want, Ash. To see you happy."

"I know," I replied, my vision blurring slightly. "And I am. So incredibly happy."

The back door creaked open, and Skylar walked in, a paper bag clutched in his hand. Relief washed over me at the sight of him.

"Hey everyone," he greeted, a smile lighting up his face as he spotted us. "Sorry I'm late. Traffic was a nightmare."

"No worries," I said, pushing myself out of the chair. "We were just finishing up here."

He approached me, his smile widening as he took in my flushed cheeks and tear-bright eyes. "Everything okay?" he murmured, his voice laced with concern.

"Everything's perfect," I whispered, leaning into his embrace.

Skylar chuckled, and hoisted an overflowing paper bag. "Actually guys," he said, a playful glint in his eyes, "I might need a little help with a few things."

Curiosity piqued, I hurried over to him. "Help with what?"

With a dramatic flourish, Skylar ripped open the bag, revealing a jumble of brightly colored stuffed animals, miniature baby clothes, and a small, intricately carved wooden wolf mobile. My jaw dropped.

"Skylar," I breathed, staring at the treasure trove. "You didn't..."

"Surprise!" he boomed, his grin widening." I also bought a crib and a changing table and I might need help building it. Just a few things for the new arrival."

Laughter bubbled up inside me, warm and genuine. "You are unbelievable," I said, shaking my head but unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips.

Shane and Jackson whistled in appreciation. "Looks like someone's been busy," Shane teased.

Skylar's cheeks flushed a charming pink. "Well, I figured the nursery could use a little sprucing up. Besides, Ash deserves to be spoiled rotten, don't you think?"

I reached out and squeezed his hand, my heart overflowing. "Thank you," I whispered, touched by his thoughtfulness.

The following weekend, the house thrummed with a different kind of energy. Skylar, Shane, and Jackson, armed with an assortment of tools and a mountain of instruction manuals, took over the soon-to-be nursery. The air crackled with good-natured ribbing, punctuated by the whine of the saw and the rhythmic hammering of nails.

Despite their initial grumbles about "complicated instructions" and "too many tiny screws," the brothers worked together with surprising efficiency. Skylar, ever the meticulous one, meticulously assembled the crib, while Shane, a natural leader, directed traffic and offered helpful (though sometimes questionable) advice. Jackson, ever the charmer, regaled us with childhood stories, keeping the mood light and laughter flowing.

By the end of the day, the crib and changing table stood proudly in the newly half decorated nursery, a testament to their combined efforts. Exhausted but exhilarated, they all collapsed onto the floor in a tangle of limbs and sawdust, a sense of accomplishment washing over them.

"Looks great, doesn't it?" Skylar said, gazing around the room with a satisfied smile.

"It's perfect," I agreed, smiling, laying down and laying my head on his chest. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. "For everything."

Skylar gently squeezed my hand. "Anything for you and our little one," he replied, his voice filled with tenderness.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the room, a feeling of contentment settled over me. Surrounded by the love of my family, both new and old, I couldn't help but feel incredibly blessed. The future stretched out before us, filled with possibilities, and I couldn't wait to face it with Skylar by my side.

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See you in the next chapter!!!