"We met senior year of high school," Aaron said simply. "The seating chart was alphabetical by last name, and Keeley introduced herself by commenting on how similar our names were."

She was surprised he remembered that detail. Even she'd forgotten what she said during their first real encounter.

"That was all? How did you start dating?"

"In this life or the last one?" Keeley wasn't sure how to answer. Thankfully, Aaron answered for her.

"We were best friends first. I was a bit of a statue back then, but she kept talking to me and asking me to do things until we became friends. We were apart during college—I was in Boston, she was in New York—but when we met again, we picked up where we left off."

It was a partial truth. As always, Aaron was an excellent liar. His poker face was unmatched, except maybe Cameron's (he was the World Champion of Poker, but Keeley had never seen him play).

Gray seemed to buy it. "No wonder you started plotting against Father your first year of college. You were already in love with her and wanted to pave a way for you two."

"Yep," Aaron replied. "Everything I did, I did for her."

Keeley was sometimes surprised by how readily he admitted his feelings, to her and anyone else. It was the opposite of his former self. It was sweet, but also a little embarrassing. He was obnoxiously mushy sometimes. She blushed at his straightforwardness.

Gray smiled. "How sweet. I wouldn't have pegged you as a romantic."

"He's the worst kind," she whispered conspiratorially, wanting to embarrass him.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "You know you like it."

Sometimes, but she wouldn't admit it. His current style of romance was something her younger self would have loved. Scheming aside, Aaron was the perfect husband.

"Have you chosen names for your children yet?"

Keeley nodded. This conversation was harmless. Maybe dinner wouldn't be so bad.

"Kaleb for a boy, after my late brother, and Violet for a girl."

"Late brother? My condolences."

She shrugged. "It was a long time ago. Honoring his memory was Aaron's idea."

He narrowed his eyes at his brother. "You're a lot softer than I thought."

"Only towards my wife."

"Oh yeah, my friends were terrified of him until we got married. He's very scary," Keeley assured him.

Aaron elbowed her, and she blinked innocently. Wasn't he trying to defend his honor? She was trying to help!

Gray laughed. "You two are funny. It's obvious you started as best friends."

Was it? It had been ages. She supposed he'd wormed his way back into that role without her realizing it. Their relationship now was much like it was then.

The main differences: Aaron openly showed affection, they treated each other as partners, and Keeley wasn't infatuated.

When the entrees arrived, she dug in. She was starving. About halfway through her curry, she felt a popping sensation in her abdomen and dampness between her legs.

"Um, Aaron?" she asked weakly. "I think my water broke."

His eyes widened. "Now?! You're only 33 weeks along!"

"The doctor warned me twins come early," she winced. "We need to go."

Gray stared in horror as Aaron ushered her out. He was too focused on his wife to notice Gray.

He sped to the hospital—miraculously avoiding a ticket. Dr. Chapman rushed them to maternity and confirmed she was in early labor. She was hooked up to an IV for an epidural.

Keeley sweated nervously. She'd never gotten this far in a pregnancy before. She didn't have her mother to help.

"I can't do this," she panicked.

"Yes you can," Aaron said soothingly, holding her hand. "You wanted this over with. The sooner we do this, the sooner we meet our babies. I'll be right here."

The next few hours were torturous. The epidural, contractions, the TV she watched between them—it was taking forever.

By the time active labor began, she wasn't sure how long she'd been there. Dr. Chapman and nurses encouraged her to push.

With a scream, Kaleb Robert Hale was born shortly after six a.m. His sister, Violet Marie Hale, joined him thirteen minutes later. They were slightly under five pounds but breathing fine. Dr. Chapman gave the parents a few minutes before taking them to the NICU.

The nurse cut their cords, cleaned them, and handed one baby to each parent. Keeley was exhausted but had never seen anything more beautiful. She cried.

She was a mother. They'd made it.

Aaron smiled softly, kissing her forehead. "I love you, Keeley."

She cried harder.

The extraneous promotional material was removed. The writing style remains largely unchanged to preserve the original voice.