The phone starts ringing and I try to ignore it, snuggling back into Hawk.

Liam’s sprawled out on the other side of the bed, snoring. Poor baby, training hard again really makes him sleep pretty easily once he’s ready to.

We don’t spend every night together, but we try to do at least 2. Sometimes one of us might want space, and that’s fine too.

“That’s not my phone,” Hawk murmurs, scratching my back gently.

Luckily, it stops ringing.

But then Hawk’s phone does start ringing, and so does Liam’s.

We jerk up, looking at each other. I scramble to the side of the bed and shake Liam.

“Babe, haul your ass up, it’s go time.”

“Hm?” He blinks, wiping drool from his face. “Whas happn?”

“Hello?” Hawk answers his phone as I drag on clothes and throw a t-shirt in Liam’s direction. “We’re on the way.”

Liam sleepily drags the shirt over his head, sputtering when the shorts I throw at him hit him in the face.

“Baby Thoreau is on the way,” Hawk confirms, and that pushes the final sleep away from Liam’s eyes.

“Shoes, where are my shoes?” He murmurs, searching the floor and I kick them his way. “Thanks, baby.”

I’m so excited, I’m practically shaking, but I’m also nervous.

Keyra’s not 40 weeks yet, and if I know my sister at all, she’s freaking the hell out.

* * *

Everyone’s on edge.

It feels like we’ve been here for hours, waiting to hear something. We only saw Dane for a little bit, and he’s been with Keyra ever since.

This is the third time I’ve been at the hospital with my family, and I’m very much praying that this time, it’s all smiles.

The doors open and a haggard Dane comes out, shaking his head. Harlan goes to him and he immediately breaks down crying, and I tear up, standing.

“Son.” Dad puts a hand on his shoulder, his face stoic. I think we’re all expecting the worst.

“Twins.” He croaks out, wiping his face on the scrub top he’s wearing. “They’re early, but they’re okay. Everyone’s okay.”

“Keyra is such an overachiever,” Kaija says, wiping her own eyes as she leans on her knees, laughing and crying.

We all cheer and hug each other, a mix of tears and disbelief filling the room.

“Fucking twins?” Leo claps Dane on the back as Hanson high-fives him.

“We found out about two months ago but wanted to keep it secret. Keyra’s good, she’s just pretty tired.”

“Names? Did you name them yet?” Camille, Keyra’s mom asks, clutching my mom’s hand.

“Ayla Grace and Aiden James.” Dane grins, his smile lighting up the room. That is one proud daddy right there. “They’ll be in NICU for a few weeks, and Ayla had a little trouble breathing, but they’re both stable now. Tiny, but stable.”

“Do twins run in the family?” Michelle, Harlan’s mom asks.

“Not that I know of,” Dane says, looking back as a nurse opens the door. “I’m going to get back to Keyra, but thanks for being here.”

“Where else would we be, man? Congratulations.” Liam says, and I rest a head on his shoulder.

Twins? Good grief.

* * *

It’s the first time we’re getting to meet the twins when they’re not in the NICU, and I’m a little nervous.

What if they don’t like me?

“They’re babies, they basically like everyone,” Kaija says, and I realize I spoke out loud.

“Just wait until they’re screaming and then you’ll think differently.” I scoff. Are my palms sweaty? Sheesh.

We came over before everyone else, because the guys were all together playing golf this morning and our parents had a few things to take care of.

It feels like it’s been awhile since it’s just been my sisters and me. Everyone’s had changes over the past year.

We open the door to Keyra and Dane’s place and move through the house, looking for Keyra.

We move down the hallway and to the nursery, but that’s empty, so we move to the master bedroom and push the door open gently.

“Keyra?” I whisper and see her standing by bassinets with Addison. Her face lights up when she sees us and she and Addison come to the door, and I hug each of them.

“I have a new sister and brother,” Addison whispers loudly, bouncing on her toes.

“I know.” I lean down and scoop her up in a bear hug. “Are you excited?”

“Oh yes, I love them lots and lots already.” She sighs, and we all laugh quietly. She just turned 5, and she’s been so happy every-time we’ve seen her.

We’re just all glad that she doesn’t seem to be taking not seeing her mother Natalie as much, too badly. Natalie’s finishing up her therapy next month though, and she’ll have visitation with Addison if she passes Dane and Keyra’s requirements.

“Mommy Keyra, can I get some orange juice?” She says, and Keyra nods, touching her shoulder softly.

“Yes, make sure you put the top back on this time.”

“Okay!” With that, she’s off, and Kaija and I move deeper into the room.

“What about you, mama bear? How are you?” Kai asks, and Keyra shakes her head.

“You guys were here when I came home from the hospital without them and was a mess, so I’m just glad we’re all finally together without taking a trip to the NICU.”

We make it to the double bassinet and I breathe out a low breath, seeing their small bodies and tiny faces.

“Are you crying?” Kaija pokes me in the arm and I sniff, not even realizing it. “Damn, real love has turned you into a teapot.”

“I don’t think I cried as much as Mickey has this year during my entire pregnancy.” Keyra teases, tucking her hair behind her ear and gazing down lovingly at the twins.

Their names are conveniently embroidered on the fabric of the bassinet. Ayla is in a yellow onesie and Aiden is a pale blue one, with matching socks.

Aiden seems to be sleeping peacefully, but Ayla’s eyes blink open and I fall a little in love.

“Do you want to hold her?” Keyra asks, looking at me.

“Look at that look on her face, she’s getting baby fever.” Kaija purses her lips.

“You’re annoying,” I say, but with no real heat behind it. I sit on the bed and Keyra places Ayla in my arms. I stare down at her and my heart feels like it’s overflowing with love.

“Can you believe you’re a mom?” Kaija asks Keyra as Aiden gives a small cry.

“It’s still setting in really. I can’t believe these things came out of me.” She grins, picking up Aiden. Kaija sits on the bed next to me and she places him in her arms.

For once, my little sister is silent and I glance over at her, seeing the same reverent look I probably had on my face.

“Now who’s got the fever?” I stick out my tongue, and Keyra laughs lightly as Addison runs back into the room before running back out.

“Daddy’s here! And alllllll my uncles.” All energy, that one.

“Are they asleep?” Dane comes to the door with Addison on his back, and Keyra shakes her head, meeting him and kissing him lightly on the lips.

Leo, Hanson, Harlan, Hawk, and Liam file in and I’m glad the bedroom is so large because otherwise, it’d feel a little small in here.

Four hockey players (Dane decided to keep playing a little bit longer), one football player (my man, of course) and Hawk (who might as well be on some sports team because he matches them in physique).

If Harlan’s brother Nico and his boyfriend Ethan were here, that’d take up the little room left, since those fuckers have had one hell of a growth spurt.

They’ll be here later with Jasmine and Michelle. I think some of Dane’s family is coming later in the week.

Ayla makes these adorable baby sounds and I coo back at her, her small hands gripping my finger. God, they’re just so small.

“Have y’all flipped a coin for who’s next?” Leo asks.

“They had two,” Harlan puts his hands up, “I think that gives the rest of us a little leeway.”

“I think it’ll be Mickey,” Hanson says, and my gaze flies to him in alarm. Before I can speak, Liam beats me to it.

“Why would you say that?” He says, shaking his head and looking at the ceiling. “Is it hot in here? I think I’m having a hot flash.”

“I think that’s called fear.” Hawk snorts, and we laugh.

“Do you guys want to hold them?”

There’s an almost unanimous shaking of heads, and I swear if the wall wasn’t in the way, they’d have all backed out.

“Nope.”

“I’m good.”

“No thanks.”

“Why don’t they wanna hold the babies, Daddy?” Addison asks, covering Dane’s eyes with her hands as she giggles.

“They’re afraid they’ll want one.” He says, smiling deviously.

“I want a baby,” Addison says, and everyone groans.

“Where are my grand-babies?” We hear from the front and I roll my eyes. If Camille and Mom are here, there’s no way anyone else is touching these babies for a while.

As I let go of the little bundle, she blinks her eyes at me sleepily again and I feel my heart tugged with each blink of her lashes.

“Oh no.” I hear, and I look up at Liam slowly. “No way, Mickey. You stop that right now.”

“Stop what?” I ask innocently, as everyone goes to the living room since there are seats for everyone to hang out there. “What if this were what I decided I wanted?” I tease, thinking about that first bet we made at the photoshoot.

“I’m not opposed to practicing baby-making, but can we please give it a few years.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair.

“Gonna have to agree with Liam on this one,” Hawk says, throwing an arm around my shoulder. “We love you baby, but I think both of us want more time with just us first.”

“Okay.” I relent. “I can deal with that.”

“So, who’s giving me grand-babies next?” Dad rubs his hands together, and everyone’s eyes fly to me as I enter the room.

Camille and mom are sitting on the couch, each with a baby in hand.

“Sorry to disappoint, my potential baby daddies have vetoed that for a bit.” I throw my hands up.

All eyes turn to Keyra, and she scowls.

“How about everyone just enjoys Ayla and Aiden first, okay? Damn, I’m not even married yet.”

“Yeah, we’re waiting for that too.” My mom murmurs, and everyone laughs.

This is family.

These are the people that I know I can always count on to have my back no matter what, and that’s what it’s all about.

I can’t see the future, but somehow, I don’t think this crazy clan is going anywhere.

* * *