Chapter 243

• After a long and completely sleepless night, Elsie was kind enough to make breakfast for both Ethan and me when we finally got up. Despite her efforts, neither of us had much of an appetite. We both sat at the table, barely touching the food, while clinging desperately to our cups of coffee. That hot, strong drink was the only thing keeping us from collapsing. Elsie smiled tiredly at us and made a comment about how difficult it was raising one baby. She couldn't even imagine what it must be like trying to care for two at once.
• She wasn’t wrong. It was hard. I knew that having one baby might have made things a little easier, maybe even manageable without feeling so overwhelmed. But the truth was, even though the twins had given me complete hell all night long, I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. I looked at both of them and saw pure perfection. They were absolutely beautiful, tiny little miracles that made every sleepless hour worth it. My heart was so full of love for them that even the exhaustion couldn’t touch it. I would go through it all again just to have them in my life.
• Once we finished what little we ate for breakfast, I stepped outside the front of the house, needing some fresh air to clear my head. The sky was dull and quiet, the morning light just starting to brighten. I stood there breathing in the cool air, trying to settle the nerves building up in my chest. Ethan joined me not long after, stepping outside with his phone to his ear. I could tell immediately that the call was serious. His body was tense, his voice low, and his expression darkened as he listened carefully.