Hot Coffee (The Hollens Book 1)

Then and Now

Ethan's POV

I watched them sleeping so soundly in the double crib in our bedroom. I had redecorated and arranged a bedroom across from ours for them, but Emma wanted them in the room with us so she could keep a very close eye on them. The first pregnancy was unsuccessful and I believed she would become very overprotective of the twins. 

The twins had come into the world yesterday, July 8th, at 11:04 a.m and 11:07 a.m. 

Emma's birthday was only four days away and I planned on making it extra special for her and my Nana.

As I watched my children Evan's eyes opened. They were a bright gray like mine. I couldn't help but smile as he looked up at me and gave a bright toothless smile. He was silent. He didn't make a sound, only stared as if he were judging me. I was tempted to pick him up and hold him in my arms. The son I'd always wanted was now here in my room looking up at me, and he was perfect. 

I couldn't help myself anymore. I leaned in and picked him up very carefully, making sure I supported his back and his head with my hands. I laid him against my chest, softly.

"Hi Evan. Welcome to the world. I'm Ethan and I'm your daddy. I love you and your sister, though she's still sound asleep," I whispered as I peered down at Emily. 

She was beautiful. She was sleeping so peacefully. 

Emma was still also sleeping. 

The girls.

"I love you and your sister and your mom so, so much and I'll always be there for the three of you, and we'll always be a family."

Evan made a small cooing sound like he was understanding what I was saying and replying in his baby language. His small figure was still in my hands and I didn't want to let him go. 

When I put him back down in his crib to rest, he began to throw a small fit, and then he began to cry. I picked him up again and he immediately stopped.

"Kid are you serious?" I joked as I walked around the room with him in my arms.

Emily woke up too. Apparently she had heard her brother crying, so she was now up and crying too. Evan heard her crying and began to cry. I now had two crying babies in the room. I went back over to Emily and attempted to pick her up but got frightened when I saw she was really throwing a tantrum and it wouldn't be wise to have both crying babies in my arms like that.

"Baby. Baby wake up. The babies are crying," I said to Emma, shaking her out of her sleep. 

She got up and attended to them both. Emily began nursing on her left and Evan on her right. It was really a sight. They were quiet as they fed from their mother. Their eyes closed and after a minute or so they released her nipples and were back asleep. 

Thank you Jesus.

"Hold Emily and I'll hold Evan. We have to make sure they burp before putting them to bed."

"But they're sleeping," I said, taking my daughter. 

I followed what Emma was doing, rubbing the baby's back gently with the palm of my hand. I was enjoying this-- fatherhood was awesome. I gave a giggle after the twins burped at the same time. 

We put them back to bed and I took Emma into my arms. "I love you," I told her, burying my face into her neck like a big baby.

"I love you too, daddy," she said with a smile and gave me a kiss on my lips.

_______________________

Flashback

Emma was six months pregnant. I came home from the office and met her in the bedroom-- the only place she enjoyed being.