In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

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I don't know how I knew because all babies tended to look the same, but I knew. I was holding my little boy. He had a thick head full of dark hair, and blue eyes. I didn't know if they would change color, but I hoped they wouldn't. Right now, it was like looking at a much smaller version of Colby. "They're perfect," I heard him whisper from beside me. I tore my eyes away from the baby in my arms, and met his tear filled gaze. I nodded, and let out a watery laugh. I shifted the boy on my chest to let Colby lay the little girl down next to him. Both of my babies were on my chest, blinking up at me. I knew that their eyes weren't clear yet, but I knew they knew who I was. There was no way that they couldn't know. They had been inside of me for 9 months, after all. They probably knew me better than I knew myself. Before long, it was time for them eat. The nurse brought a couple of bottles into the room and gave one to each of us. Colby sat down in the recliner next to my bed, and the nurse passed him our baby boy. I watched him for a moment, my heart filling with so much love as he spoke softly to our son. Our son. It sounded so weird, but so amazing. I looked down at our little girl, who was making little mewling sounds as she ate. Her hair wasn't as thick, nor as dark as her brother's so I wasn't sure who she was going to take after yet. I thought that I seen a bit of myself around her eyes and out. Really, who knew though? She was too young for me to be able to tell, just yet. When it was time to sign the birth certificates, we were ready. Our little girl's name was easy because we had been ready. Her name was Leesa Kairi Brock, after Colby's mom and our favorite game Kingdom Hearts. "That's perfect," Colby said, when I brought it up. Our little boy was a little bit harder, but not much. I guess we kind of already just knew. "Can we call him Brock? So he can be Brock Brock." I shot him a glare, my lips pursing from trying to hide my smile. "I am not cursing my child with that," I replied, allowing my smile to come through. "Hey, what's wrong with that? I think it's cool," he laughed. "How about Dylan Samuel Brock?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the little boy in my arms. "What do you think little one? Do you like that name?" Dylan met my gaze with clear blue eyes and cooed while wrapping his tiny hand around my finger. "I think he likes it," Colby said, leaning over to see him. "You really want to name him after Sam?" "Of course I do. That's his uncle. Besides, Sam calls Caleb, little Colby most of the time. It just seems right. We get our own little Sam and Colby after all," I answered, looking up to meet his gaze. "I love you so fucking much Terra Brock," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "Sam is going to love this. He kept joking around about making Kairi's name Samantha. I'm telling you, I was so tempted too, but don't tell him that." I laughed at how elated he was acting. It took some time for everyone to meet the babies, since there were just so many people. I didn't want to overwhelm the babies. Everyone fell in love, just like they did with every baby that had been born in our group. Sam and Kat became God Parents to our children, like we did to theirs. Denise didn't mind, because she was already God Mother to Sarah and Brennen's kid. When the twins were about a year old, we had a huge BBQ, that everyone came too. Even our parents flew out just to be able to fuss over their grandchildren again. "Did you ever think our life would be this way T?" Denise asked me, as we lay back in our lounge chairs watching our kids. They were supposed to be on a large spread that was laid out on the grass. There were toys to keep them occupied, but they were more interested in shooting basketball with the guys or finding it hilarious when Sam and Colby would put XPLR masks on them and pretend to explore the backyard. I shook my head and looked over to her. "Never. Not in a million years Neece." Elias came over then, and leaned down to kiss his wife. "I'm going to run to the store with Corey. Do you want me to take Mariah?" She held his hand and shook her head. "No. I think she's good here. Is Devyn going with you two?" He shook his head. "No, she's over there talking to Tara. Telling her not to be scared of motherhood and all that. She's lying though. She should be terrified." His gaze traveled over to his baby girl, and I did see the fear and the absolute love in his eyes. He was right. We were all terrified that our hearts were now walking around outside of our bodies and there wasn't a guarantee that we could protect them. We would die trying though. "No since in scaring the girl yet. She'll find out soon enough," I said, glancing over to Devyn and Tara. Devyn had recently had her first child, and Tara had just found out that she was pregnant. Elias kissed Denise again, then went over and picked his baby girl up, tossing her in the air for a time or two, before hugging her. "Can you imagine Jake as a father?" Denise whispered, still watching the other girls. I laughed and nodded. "I can actually. He's still such a child at heart. That'll work in his favor." The rest of the girls made their way over to us, and we all sat around on the lounge chairs, or on the ground, swapping our children's war stories and laughing. "You know, our conversations sure have changed from what they use to be," Devyn said, rocking her baby girl in her arms. "Yes, they have," Katrina agreed.