Beautiful Accident

Chapter 16: We're We

Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world, if not the hardest job. You have to be ready, but then again, you never are. People can try to explain to you how it feels to be a parent, but no words can capture that feeling. You constantly have a feeling you're doing something wrong, like you're missing out on something, like you're going to make a wrong move and screw up your own child's life. You're responsible for another human life, you're about to help shape another person, you have to instill some values in them, warn them about the world, keep them safe, but also make sure they never lack anything, especially happiness and love. But even though you constantly worry about countless of things, being a parent is also one of the most beautiful experiences life can offer you.

Elena will never forget the moment she held her daughters in her arms for the first time. The happiness she experienced while they were stretching and yawning in her arms is like nothing she ever experienced before. She wanted to freeze time so she can enjoy this moment forever. She wanted to leave her body so she can experience this moment as an outsider. She wanted to see the look on her face and how she looks like while holding her own children. She wanted to see does being a mother reflects well on her. But most of all, she wanted to capture the happiness she was feeling, because she knew there's nothing quite like it in this world, and she was afraid it will slip away from her if she doesn't capture it properly.

One of the babies in Elena's arms jerked her leg a little, and the movement seemed strangely familiar to Elena. Before she could put her mind on it, she heard Stefan laughing. He made one step closer to her and bent down above the baby in her right arm.

"This one must be Lara" - he said with a gentle voice, much gentler than he usually used, Elena noticed.

The baby released a silent, satisfactory moan, which made both Stefan and Elena smile.

"So this is Emily" - Elena turned her head to the other baby who was sleeping soundly in her other arm. When Elena looked back at Stefan, he was looking at Emily with a peaceful smile on his face. Then his look moved back to the kicking baby who was now yawning.

"May I?" - he raised his look up to Elena, only a little, so he could still see Lara yawning.

Elena did not understand his need to ask if he can hold his own child, but she had let it slide. "Of course" - she replied with a smile on her face.

Stefan smiled back and reached for the baby in her arms. As soon as he took her, she stopped kicking, she stopped yawning, and her eyes were set on him.

"Hey there beautiful" - he said to her as she held her eyes on him.

He kept looking at her with so much love in his eyes. He never thought it's possible to love someone so much without even knowing them. She finally fell asleep after she closed her eyes and rolled to his chest. She looked so tiny in his arms, tinier than she looked in hers, and Elena thought how she hasn't seen anything more beautiful in her life.

Lara was much stronger than Emily was. She was bigger and she weighed more. She held on to Stefan like she didn't come to the world only couple of hours ago. Emily was small and weighed not more than a leaf. But she was a fighter.

There was a knock on the door. Before either of them had a chance to answer, the door opened a little, and Caroline's head peeked in. "Can I come in?" - she asked with a pleading look. Elena nodded with her head and smiled. Caroline flung the door open happily. She walked over to Elena's bed and leaned over to see the baby she was holding in her hands.

"Caroline, meet Emily" - Elena said to Caroline while lifting the baby off her chest and handing it over to her. Caroline pulled a smile from ear to ear, grinning at the sight in front of her. Emily, it had fit her well. It was a strong name, but also very delicate. Caroline moved the blanket on the side so she could see her face better. She had a small puff of light brown hair on the top of her head, one that matched her barely visible eyebrows. Her skin was as soft as silk, and her lips were bright red, as well as her cheeks.