The Deadman ✔

Chapter Fourteen

Never give a lousy person the opportunity to create lousy babies.
-Roberto Hogue

"Have you been working looking like that?" I puff out a laugh from the table of Sip 'n Dip and watch as Teddy glances down at himself before pouting at me, making me scoff. "I don't mean you in general, Babe, c'mere." 

Teddy walks over to me, inviting himself onto my lap and sinks down into my chest -the weight now a welcomed comfort, my arms feel empty without him. 

I smirk and tilt his chin up, thankful the place is empty. "You did your bow wrong."

"Oh." Teddy flushes sheepishly, letting me pull him closer to redo it. "Thanks."

When a customer comes and stands a bit impatiently at the counter, not realizing the man on my lap is supposed to be serving him, Teddy stands and tries to rush to the counter but looks so terribly flustered that Kayla immediately shoves him closer to the back room and takes over.

I only shrug like I don't know what made him like that when she shoots me a questioning look, making her roll her eyes. 

I don't get interrogated by her, only because Luke yelps and a mechanical screech sounds out -the tell-tale sign that he broke one of their blenders.

Well, broke one again.

When my phone rings I almost don't answer it, in fact, I almost turn my phone off to try and enjoy this little moment of peace.

But after glancing down to the contact that says 'Violet's Friend - Macy Cho' and having the mental reminder of how close to the due-date it actually is- -less than three days- -I answer without another moment of hesitation.

"Is she okay-"

"She's in labor, her water just broke and-" A low scream and a shout of frustration interrupt Macy's panicked voice. "You need to get here. Fast. I'm in the room with her, but these babies are impatient."

"Okay. Okay." There's a ringing in my ears and I almost don't realize that panic flooded my system. "I'm coming."

She hangs up and I need to get up, I need to move, but here I am, still in my seat and my heart is pounding and holy shit, I don't know how to be a dad-

"Atti?" Teddy asks, hands gently cupping my jaw. "What's wrong?"

"Violet's in labor, I have to -I have to go!" Standing in a rush, I nearly knock my chair over but he just holds onto my hand tighter. "I can't, I wish I could stay but-"

"I'm coming with, you shouldn't be driving like this." He says determinedly, cyan eyes bright and unapologetic as he turns back to his best friends. "We have to go, hold down the fort and sorry I can't help! Now," He pulls on my arm, walking to the door. "Let's go."

Her labor lasted a whole of one and a half hours, my first baby coming into the world with ease and a lack of patience, but her twin sister taking her time, telling the world that she'll come when she's ready and not a second before.

Adelaide Eliza is born at 1:52 in the afternoon and Theodosia Irene follows after at 3:24, both of their lungs healthy despite the shared ambilocal cord, the doctors say they have full health and weighed in good at six pounds and seven ounces, and seven pounds and two ounces.

I would be lying if I said I didn't cry. I would be lying if I said I wasn't terrified. I would be lying if I said this wasn't the happiest day of my life.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared to hold them both for the same time. I would be lying if I said that there was any possible outcome that didn't include them in my arms.

"Hey babies," I say, voice catching by the tears in my throat, sitting in a large chair by Violet's side, Teddy standing next to me, shifting on his heels. "I'm your dad."

"Thank you." Violet speaks, tired but smiling. "I couldn't... I can't -thank you for being here for them." Brown eyes turn up to my boyfriend. "Thank you both. You picked lovely names."

I nod, thumbs brushing over their little temples -both of them already asleep again. "Thank you, for everything Nonnie."

Teddy's hand lays protectively on my shoulder. "We appreciate this more than you know."

It's a big commitment, especially this young, but I wouldn't change it for anything. We're both determined and happy and ready. I don't want to be in a world where my girls aren't in it, and I couldn't have what I have now without the both of them.

Their birth certificates would always say Violet Thompson and Atticus Thatch, but they would always be the daughters of mine and a cute boy named Theodore Hayes I meant all those months ago.