Chapter 107

EVENING

Hailey was at the kitchen counter, preparing snacks when Cole entered. He went to her, put his arms around her waist from behind, and kissed her shoulder.

“What was that jealous look on your face earlier?”

Hailey stopped, released herself from Cole’s embrace, and turned to face him. She pouted. “You and the twins are in matching pajamas. You all look so much alike, and I’m starting to wonder why your genes are so strong. This baby,” she pointed at her belly, “better look like me, or I’m kicking you all out of my house.”

Cole burst into laughter.

Hailey frowned. “Not funny. I mean it.”

“But you know we have no control over that, right?”

Hailey folded her arms. “I don’t care. I want someone to twin with, too. I can’t believe I carried them for nine months, and they both ended up looking like you.”

“Babe!” Cole said, trying to suppress his laughter. He cupped her face. “You are their mom. They look like you. It’s just that I have stronger genes.” Hailey rolled her eyes.

“Who cares if they look like me? They have your beautiful hearts. That’s what matters.”

Hailey nodded slowly. “I think I can manage that.”

“You have nothing to be jealous of. These pajamas fit you better than they fit us.”

Hailey smiled, rolling her eyes again. “This is my first time wearing matching pajamas.”

“Really?” Cole smiled.

She nodded. “I only get them for the twins. Most pajamas come as kids’ sets or family sets. At least the really beautiful ones I’ve seen. It makes no sense to buy a family set when there’s a missing piece.” Cole released her face and caressed her cheek. “I’m so sorry about that, my love. Your missing piece is here. We are a family now, and we can do all that we’ve always dreamed of.”

Hailey nodded, smiling. She tiptoed and kissed his lips. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby,” he said between kisses, then pulled away before they got carried away.

“So, should we tell them now or after the movie?”

“I think we should tell them now. They might fall asleep before the movie is over.”

“Are you done serving the snacks?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

Cole picked up a bowl of popcorn, a bag of potatoes, and chocolates, while Hailey carried the drinks.

The boys were already seated on the couch, watching cartoons. Cole and Hailey placed everything on the table. Hailey then reached for the remote and muted the TV.

“Okay, buddies, Mommy and I want to talk to you both.” Cole pushed a beanbag chair closer. Thankfully, it was almost the same height as the couch and firm, so he and Hailey sat on it, facing the twins, who stared at them curiously.

Hailey waved at them. Ollie smiled, noticing the ring on his mother’s finger. “You’re getting married to Daddy?”

Hailey nodded proudly.

“Are they supposed to know this?” Cole whispered to Hailey.

“You’ll be surprised how often I have to remind myself of their age.”

“Yay!” Enzo jumped off the couch and danced happily, making Cole and Hailey smile.

“Can we have matching suits on the wedding day? Please, Mommy,” Enzo pleaded. “Yes, Mommy, please,” Ollie said, getting down from the couch.

“Yes, sure, baby! You’ll all have matching suits with Daddy,” Hailey said, glancing at Cole. Enzo and Ollie grinned, hugging each other.

“Okay, onto you,” Hailey whispered to Cole, who didn’t look nervous. “You told them about the engagement, now it’s your turn.” She kissed his cheek.

“Okay, buddies, one more surprise.” The twins pulled away from their hug and turned to Cole.

Enzo’s eyes lit up. “A present!”

Cole smiled. “You’re all going to be big brothers. Mommy is pregnant.”

“Really?” Enzo immediately became teary. Oliver started crying too.

“Okay, we didn’t plan for this,” Hailey chuckled, glancing at Cole. She pulled one twin closer while Cole drew Ollie closer. They each held a twin on their lap, calming them.

“I thought you wanted this so much,” Hailey said to Enzo.

“I do. And I’m happy. I thought you weren’t going to give me a baby sister anymore. But you just made me so happy. I’m a big boy, and big boys don’t cry, but this surprise made me cry. It’s because I love you so much and I love the baby so much already. Thank you, Mommy.” Hailey watched her son pour out his heart, and her heart swelled with pride. Enzo hugged her, and she hugged him back.

Ollie gestured for his daddy to put him down and joined the hug. “Thank you, Mommy.”

“Okay, what about me? Don’t I deserve a hug too?” Cole asked the trio.

Hailey whispered to the twins, making them giggle, after which they gave Cole a long hug. “Are you all happy?” Cole asked.

The twins nodded.

“We’re finally going to meet Bella.”

“Okay, the baby could be a boy,” Hailey corrected.

Ollie shook his head. “It’s a girl. We saw her in our dreams already. She looks so beautiful.”

“Yes, she has two teeth,” Enzo added, raising two fingers.

“And chubby cheeks,” Ollie said.

“And she looks like Mommy,” Enzo said.

Hailey facepalmed, laughing. Cole was equally amazed by his children.

“So, when will baby sister be here?” Enzo asked.

Ollie looked to their parents for answers.

“She’s still growing in Mommy’s belly. But she’ll be here in a couple of months,” Cole answered.

Enzo went to Hailey, leaned close, and kissed her belly. Ollie did the same.

Hailey smiled at her twins. She never imagined she would be this happy.

“Daddy, come kiss baby sister too,” Ollie called out.

“Sure!” Cole smiled, standing up.

THE NEXT DAY

Hailey was reviewing documents when someone burst into her office. She looked up—it was an unusual entrance—and saw Connie.

Connie!?!?!

Hailey sensed something dangerous about Connie’s presence.