10:45

PART 27

As the days passed, Claudine focused on preparing for the twins. She had decorated their nursery with soft colors and playful designs. Each little detail was filled with love and hope. Claudine wanted the space to be a warm and happy place for her children. She filled it with toys, blankets, and even a photo of Rico that she placed on the dresser.

One day, while arranging the toys, Marj visited again. She brought more gifts for the babies. "Look at these cute outfits!" she exclaimed, holding up tiny clothes with cartoon characters on them. Claudine laughed, her heart lifting.

"These are adorable! Thank you so much!" Claudine said, taking the outfits and folding them neatly in the dresser.

As they chatted, Marj noticed Claudine seemed a bit more at ease. "You look good, Clau. I can see you’re getting excited."

"I am," Claudine admitted, smiling. "It feels good to be busy. I just want to make everything perfect for them."

Marj nodded. "You’re doing a great job. Just remember to take care of yourself too."

That evening, as Claudine settled into bed, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was about to bring new life into the world, and she felt a mix of joy and anxiety. She wished Rico could be there to share this moment with her.

As she closed her eyes, she found herself drifting into another dream. This time, the scene was different. She stood in a bright field filled with sunflowers. The sun shone warmly, and a gentle breeze danced around her. Suddenly, she saw Rico in the distance, walking toward her with a smile.

"Clau!" he called out, his voice filled with joy. She ran to him, her heart racing.

"Rico! I miss you so much!" she cried as they embraced tightly.

"I miss you too," he said softly, pulling back to look at her. "How are you feeling?"

"I’m scared and excited at the same time. I want our babies to be happy and healthy," Claudine admitted, tears in her eyes.

"You will be an amazing mom," Rico assured her. "Just trust yourself and love them with all your heart. That’s all that matters."

Claudine felt comforted by his words. "I promise I will. I want them to know you, to feel your love."

"You can do that," he replied, gently caressing her cheek. "Every time you smile at them, every time you hold them, I will be there. Just remember, I am always with you."

With a smile, Claudine nodded. "I love you, Rico. You will always be a part of our family."

"I love you too, Clau. Always," he said, and they embraced again, feeling the warmth of each other’s love.

When Claudine woke up, she felt lighter. Rico's words echoed in her mind, and she knew she could do this. She would fill her home with stories of him, sharing all the love they had for each other. Their twins would know their father through her words and the love she would shower upon them.

As the weeks went by, Claudine found strength in her dreams. Each night, she would dream of Rico, and he would remind her of the love they shared. Every morning, she woke up with a renewed spirit, ready to face the day.

She prepared the house, the nursery, and her heart for the twins. She often talked to them, telling them about their father and how much he loved them. She wanted them to feel connected to him, even though he was gone.

The closer it got to her due date, the more excited she became. She envisioned the day she would hold her babies in her arms. She dreamed of their laughter, their tiny hands reaching out for her. Each day brought her closer to that moment.