What He Left (Hannily)

21: Routine

Emily's POV

"Three, two, one!" I push open the nursery door and Hanna and and my mother gasp.
"Emily it looks amazing!" Hanna beams and takes three large steps into the room, turning her head slowly.
I internally high five myself, embarrassingly enthusiastic about their approval.
"So this is the reason the twins have been sleeping in your room for the past three days?" My mom gestures in a circle at the decor.
"And why we weren't allowed in here." Hanna chuckles and looks around the room.
I nod and put my hands on my hips, trying to water down my pride a little.
I have completely redone the nursery, and made it all jungle themed.
Green walls, trees and jungle animals painted on the walls, matching dark oak furniture, and lots of stuffed animals.
I also bought a toy box, a clothes organizer that goes in the closet, and a hamper for their laundry. All jungle and animal themed. I'm so proud of what I've done.
"Wow, Em." My mom nods subtly and my smile continues.
"Ooh! I'll go get the twins!" I squeal and run across the hallway into my room, retrieving them from their Pack N' Play.
I carry them into their new room and set them in their crib. They smile up at me and giggle. I clap my hands and grin from ear to ear.
"They love it." My mom picks up Ollie and starts whispering baby talk in his ear. His head lays on her shoulder and his eyelids droop.
Hanna comes over and scoops up Quinn, who isn't in the best of moods. She squirms and whines when Hanna tries to swaddle her in her arms. I quickly offer to take her and 'shhh' quietly while gently bouncing her in my arms.
That seems to work and soon both babies are fast asleep. I smile at my mom, who picks up on the signal and we both set the twins down in their new bed. I grab the animal print blanket that is folded in the drawer beneath the crib, and use it to tuck in my babies.
I stand back and admire their beauty. Soft, almost inaudible snores are the only sound in the room. I feel at peace knowing my children have a decent place to sleep and grow up.
I smile contently and motion for us all to leave them be. My mother and Hanna follow as I tiptoe out of the nursery.
I follow my usual routine and once everyone has showered and eaten, it's 7:45 AM.
"Okay, Ali and Chels will be here in a few. Bag, check. Phone, check. Keys, check. Ugh I feel like I'm missing something!" I say, flustered.
"Em." Hanna points at my legs. I'm in my underwear.
"Shit." I mumble and run to my room.
Once Alison and Chelsea show up and have all of my things, I drive Hanna to school and myself to work.

"Hanna, good morning." I hear Ezra greet my girlfriend up front at 11 o'clock. I grin widely and skip out of the back room.
"Hey babe, how was school?" I inquire and kiss her on the cheek.
She blushes and hugs me.
"School was school." She shrugs and I laugh.
"Yep, I don't miss it one bit." I throw her her apron from the Hanna hook and she slips it on.
She finishes the dishes and stacks the mugs on the shelves while I wait tables. Then once that's done, Ezra clocks out and we take over the register. We take turns at the counter, cleaning, and serving tables.
After six more hours of work, we finally close and head home.
"Here you go." I hand Ali and Chels each 80 dollars. "That should be right, you watched the kids for eight hours, correct? Ten bucks per hour?" I double check. "Yep. Again, thank you so much you guys."
"Emily, no problem. We love them, and we love you." Chelsea places a hand on my shoulder. I smile at her and hug them both.
"And you really don't have to pay us." Alison says.
"Please, its the least I can do. Without your help, I wouldn't be able to make money to support my kids."
I say goodbye and they head out to their car.
I walk over and set the twins down in their play pen.
"So, what do you say to a scary movie night in?" Hanna calls from the kitchen, and enters the room with a tray of snacks.
"You're so the one for me." I kiss her on the cheek and she turns her head for more. I 'tsk' at her and grab the food. "Not in front of the kids." I tease.
She groans and plops down on the couch. I sit next to her and turn on Netflix. As soon as I click on our shoe, the babies start crying.
"Have they eaten?" I ask myself out loud.
"Ali and Chels should have fed them, right?" Hanna wonders aloud too.
"Well, I think they're hungry again." I shrug and take them to the kitchen and set them in their highchairs.
I watch the TV and feed the twins their baby food simultaneously.
"Okay," Once they're done eating I pick them up and take then to their room. "It's time to go to bed kiddos." I tuck them both in and kiss their foreheads.
They chew on their hands and gaze up at me, wide eyed.
"Not tired? Really?" I place my hands on my hips and stare down at them, confused. "Aha!" I have an idea. I flip on the mobile that's hanging above the crib and they watch, mesmerized. I slowly back out of the room and close the door.
I sigh with relief at the silence.
I skip soundlessly down the hall and the stairs and relax next to Hanna under the covers. We watch our show, Orange Is The New Black, until both of us fall asleep.