It took a while, but the family has settled into a routine after the arrival of the twins.
One of the first things Ana wants to fit into her daily schedule is jogging. Ana has always been perfectly happy being well out of the size 2 range of clothing, but after the last pregnancy wit the twins she is definitely carrying a bit of extra, extra weight. She wants to stay healthy, so she decides to start her jogs. Surprisingly Arthur wanted to join in. He says he has put on some weight too. Ana hadn't noticed it on him, but he said the same about her. Regardless she's just happy for some company during the run.
They mostly stick to the street directly in front of her house, because she has to stay in range of her baby monitor in case the twins need their mommy.
One of the first things Ana wants to fit into her daily schedule is jogging. Ana has always been perfectly happy being well out of the size 2 range of clothing, but after the last pregnancy wit the twins she is definitely carrying a bit of extra, extra weight. She wants to stay healthy, so she decides to start her jogs. Surprisingly Arthur wanted to join in. He says he has put on some weight too. Ana hadn't noticed it on him, but he said the same about her. Regardless she's just happy for some company during the run.
They mostly stick to the street directly in front of her house, because she has to stay in range of her baby monitor in case the twins need their mommy.
Another nearly daily activity for Ana is reading stories to her kids. Bridget and Aaron both always sit very attentively during story time. I guess all those crazy faces Ana has a talent for making finally come in handy.
Ana wasn't really surprised that her kids are becoming very close friends, but she was very pleased with it. Maybe because she was a mom, and mom's worry; she had been a little worried they would fight all the time. And while they do have their moments, for the most part they play nice and more than get along.
In fact never a day passes when Aaron and Bridget aren't spending time together. Even when they are busy with school, homework, and after school activities they at least have mealtimes together.
In fact never a day passes when Aaron and Bridget aren't spending time together. Even when they are busy with school, homework, and after school activities they at least have mealtimes together.
"Aaron, I had the funniest dream last night. Want to hear about it?" Ana asks one morning.
"Well, I was a flying unicorn with wings like this. And I was friends with a scary troll whose face looked like... |
"THIS!"
"Bridget, did you really dream that? Or are you just making up a story?"
"Okay, you caught me. Just kiddin'."
"Bridget, did you really dream that? Or are you just making up a story?"
"Okay, you caught me. Just kiddin'."
Something that does surprise Ana is how much Arthur feels like part of the family. She, of course, knew he would be part of it as a father. What she hadn't expected was how big of a part he would be. He is a big part of her life, not just her children's lives. Somehow their relationship has changed from partners to something more.
She's not quite sure how she feels about this, after all she had promised herself she would never get too serious with a guy for fear of relying to much on a man. But Ana knew she wanted to keep him a part of her life at least for now.
She's not quite sure how she feels about this, after all she had promised herself she would never get too serious with a guy for fear of relying to much on a man. But Ana knew she wanted to keep him a part of her life at least for now.
Ana hasn't asked Arthur about having anymore kids yet. There really hasn't been time for any baby making anyways, not with the twins requiring around the clock care and attention. But Ana knows she needs to ask him soon. She was nervous, because she kind of though he might want to be done after the twins. Maybe she can ask him during their day at the park with the kids.
The morning of the trip to the playground has arrived, but the kids don't know it yet. Ana is planning to surprise them after breakfast.
Halfway through eating his eggs, Aaron looks at his mom and says, "Mama, you look so pretty today. I like how shiny your hair is."
This boy is such a charmer, Ana thinks. "And I think you are just the sweeeeetest little boy in the whole wide world." Oh how I love these little moments.
After the plates are cleared Ana tells them about the plans for the day. "Now I want you both to go brush your teeth and finish getting ready. We leave in 30 minutes."
Ana gets herself ready too. See Arthur suggested they go to the playground near the museum, and that was where the two of them had first met. So while it might not officially be a date, Ana still wanted to look her best.
Halfway through eating his eggs, Aaron looks at his mom and says, "Mama, you look so pretty today. I like how shiny your hair is."
This boy is such a charmer, Ana thinks. "And I think you are just the sweeeeetest little boy in the whole wide world." Oh how I love these little moments.
After the plates are cleared Ana tells them about the plans for the day. "Now I want you both to go brush your teeth and finish getting ready. We leave in 30 minutes."
Ana gets herself ready too. See Arthur suggested they go to the playground near the museum, and that was where the two of them had first met. So while it might not officially be a date, Ana still wanted to look her best.
When she walks into the living room she finds her kids patiently waiting; they must really be anxious to go play. She is greeted by a very excited Bridget, "Mama, you are the best Mama in the world!" And with that her daughter runs to Ana to give her a big hug. "Well, aren't both my little rascals being sweet and charming this morning?" |
Arthur arrives with the babysitter 5 minutes later and the family heads to the playground.
Ana definitely enjoys herself much more today than she did on the day that she sat depressed staring at the empty playground, back when she was pregnant with Aaron.
While Bridget and Aaron play pirates with a couple of friends from school that turn up, Ana plays the part of a sea monster. Everyone is having a blast, including Arthur who sits back and watches from one of the nearby benches.
Ana definitely enjoys herself much more today than she did on the day that she sat depressed staring at the empty playground, back when she was pregnant with Aaron.
While Bridget and Aaron play pirates with a couple of friends from school that turn up, Ana plays the part of a sea monster. Everyone is having a blast, including Arthur who sits back and watches from one of the nearby benches.
The family stays at the playground most of the day. Taking a break only to eat lunch that Ana had luckily packed that morning.
The kids went back to playing immediately after lunch. Ana and Arthur walk to a nearby patio where they can watch over the kiddos while enjoying some grown-up conversation. Ana decides now is as good a time as any to ask the question that she's been meaning to ask.
The kids went back to playing immediately after lunch. Ana and Arthur walk to a nearby patio where they can watch over the kiddos while enjoying some grown-up conversation. Ana decides now is as good a time as any to ask the question that she's been meaning to ask.
"Arthur, I don't know if you want to, after the twins... But I know I would like to have more kids. What do you think?" "Ana, why do you seem so nervous? Are you really that worried about my answer? You needn't have worried yourself. Nothing would make me happier than to grow our family a little more." |
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Although I am-"
"Yes, really. Although I am-"
"You're pretty sweet yourself, Ana. I love you." Ana is surprised, because they have never said those three little words to each other. But for once she doesn't over-think things; she doesn't worry that she is getting too attached to one man. |
But the moonlight also means it's getting late. It is time to get the kids home, fed, and in their beds.
Ana and Arthur begin trying for the next baby a few weeks later, having decided to wait until they know that the twins' birthday will fall before or during her pregnancy.
Speaking of birthdays, Aaron's falls a few months before the twins'. Ana baked him a homemade cake. His favorite, chocolate.
Ana keeps a smile on her face, although it is bittersweet seeing her little man growing up.
She also notices that Aaron seems a bit nervous. He has one of the highest grades in the whole elementary school, and is close friends with his classmates. He is probably just worried that things will be different in high school.
It turns out that he has nothing to worry about. Aaron loves high school. Many of his friends moved up to the same high school as him, so he doesn't feel alone in those big halls. And he even gets to choose some of his classes. Ana got a chuckle at the smile on his face as he worked on his homework after his first day. |
But the twins are not babies for much longer. Their birthday arrives about halfway through Ana's latest pregnancy.
Easy to see now that Blake and Ben are identical twins. Luckily Blake's favorite color is red and Ben's favorite is blue.
And they are just as close of friends as you would think identical twins would be.
Life is just perfect at the moment for Ana and her little (little in her mind at least) family. Each of the kids is thriving. And things couldn't be better between her and Arthur. She has even started thinking that she might consider marriage if it was to Arthur....Maybe.
"I wish you could stay over tonight."
"Me too, honey. But that meeting at the office tomorrow...."
Ana cuts him off with a kiss. And Arthur holds her in an embrace for a long moment after.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Ana says as a question.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Arthur states for certain.
"Love you"
"Love you too."
Arthur leaves for the evening then. Still Ana goes to bed happy that night.
But the next morning, just after the kids had gone to school...
"Me too, honey. But that meeting at the office tomorrow...."
Ana cuts him off with a kiss. And Arthur holds her in an embrace for a long moment after.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Ana says as a question.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Arthur states for certain.
"Love you"
"Love you too."
Arthur leaves for the evening then. Still Ana goes to bed happy that night.
But the next morning, just after the kids had gone to school...
Ana's phone rang.