Her Awakening

Bonus Chapter: Awakening to Miracles

The air was thick with anticipation, almost like the moments before a big exam — except instead of calculus equations, we were about to announce the next chapter of chaos in our lives. Jalal was pacing around the kitchen like a man who'd just realised he left the oven on. He was trying to be casual, but I could see the nerves bubbling up under that calm exterior.

We had huge news. Life-altering, tear-jerking, laughter-inducing news.

We weren't just pregnant. Nope, because apparently, we don't do things halfway in this family. We were having **twins**. .

Twins. Double the diapers, double the sleepless nights, double the random toys in the toilet. It felt like we were either really lucky or the universe had a seriously twisted sense of humour.

The moment we'd seen those two little heartbeats flickering on the ultrasound screen, Jalal had gone through all five stages of shock in record time. His face contorted like he was doing mental maths, calculating how many baby bottles we'd need this time.

"Two? Again?" He looked at the technician, then at me,. "Back to back twins?"

The tech, bless her heart, laughed, "twins are miracles."

Now, as both our families filled the living room, I was equal parts excited and terrified. Jalal's mom had been not-so-subtly dropping hints about wanting more grandchildren since we'd tied the knot, and my parents? Well, they had their "we knew it" faces ready.

Melody and Markie were buzzing with energy, perched on the couch like they were waiting for the greatest show on earth. Honestly, they probably thought we were about to announce a trip to Disneyland or the acquisition of a pet dinosaur, judging by their grins.

Jalal stopped pacing long enough to give me a look. I nodded. Showtime.

"Alright, everyone," Jalal announced, clapping his hands together like a ringmaster about to introduce the lions. His mom, already on the edge of her seat, leaned forward with the eager eyes of someone waiting for a winning lottery number.

"We've got some exciting news," Jalal began, pausing for dramatic effect. He'd clearly been practising in front of the mirror, probably while brushing his teeth.

"We're pregnant," I added with a smile, trying to contain my own nerves.

Gasps and cheers erupted from around the room. Jalal's mom was the first to react, tears immediately springing to her eyes. She leaped from her chair and practically bowled us over with a hug. "I knew it! I knew it!" she cried, already talking about spoiling them.

My mom followed quickly, giving me the kind of knowing smile only a mother can give. My dad, meanwhile, shook Jalal's hand with a grin that was halfway between "congratulations" and "good luck, my son."

But we weren't done yet. Jalal glanced at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I took a deep breath and dropped the real bomb.

"There's more," I said, biting my lip.

"Of course there's more," Yasmin, Jalal's sister, joked. "You two can never just give us one simple announcement."

"We're having twins!" Jalal said, his grin stretching wider than the Grand Canyon.

The room went silent for a moment. **Pin-drop** silent. And then... **chaos**.

"**TWINS?! AGAIN?!**" Jalal's sister Nadine shrieked with laughter, practically doubling over. "Are you trying to form your own soccer team?"

"Mel, how does this keep happening?" my cousin asked, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

I groaned, laughing despite myself. "Apparently, I'm very fertile."

Jalal's mom was already crying again, muttering something about how she needed more arms to hold all these babies. She hugged us tighter than ever, while my dad cracked up in the background, muttering something about déjà vu and needing to child-proof the house — again.

But amidst the laughter, I crouched down to the only reactions I truly cared about. Melody and Markie had been uncharacteristically quiet, eyes wide like they were watching the most unbelievable plot twist.

"You guys are going to have two baby brothers or sisters," I explained, smiling at them. "What do you think?"

Markie's jaw dropped for a second, and then he let out a whoop of joy. "**Two babies?!**" he shouted, bouncing up and down like a kid who'd just found out he won a lifetime supply of candy. "Like me and MelMel, that's so cool?!"

Melody, however, tilted her head thoughtfully, clearly weighing the pros and cons of sibling multiplication. "Two babies?" she repeated, eyeing my belly like it was hiding some kind of magic trick. Then, with a serious nod, she asked, "Is it girls like me?"

Jalal burst out laughing, scooping her up into his arms. "Boys or girls,I think you're going to be the best big sister ever," he said, kissing her on the cheek.

"Yeah, I'll let her wear my frozen dress!" Melody declared proudly. I'm pretty sure her enthusiasm will evaporate after the first whiff of a real diaper, but hey, we'll take the optimism while we can.

As for Markie, he was already planning how he'd teach his new siblings to play soccer, share toys, and apparently, jump off the couch when I wasn't looking. "I'll be the best big brother i can show him legos," he announced, puffing his chest.

The room was buzzing with laughter, hugs, and the endless stream of jokes about how we were obviously aiming for a full basketball team. My cousins were already planning the world's biggest baby shower, and Jalal's sisters were arguing about what the twins should call them — as if they weren't all going to just end up as "Auntie" anyway.

Later that night, after the whirlwind of excitement had finally died down, we found ourselves alone in the living room. The kids had passed out on the couch, curled up under a mountain of blankets, completely wiped out from all the excitement. Our parents were still in the kitchen, chatting and reminiscing over tea and sweets.

Jalal pulled me close, his arm wrapped around my shoulders as we sat together on the sofa, watching the quiet night unfold. I could feel his heartbeat under my cheek, steady and calming.

"Twins again, huh?" I whispered with a grin.

He chuckled softly, kissing the top of my head. "you really don't do anything halfway, do we?"

I laughed, feeling a deep sense of contentment. "Nope. And I wouldn't have it any other way."

And as we sat there, watching our children sleep, knowing that our family was about to get a whole lot bigger and louder, I realised something: life might be chaotic, unpredictable, and full of surprises — but with Jalal by my side, it was exactly what I wanted.

Twins and all.