A year later Caleb was in the nursery holding his gorgeous little girl. She reminded him so much of his younger brother Kayden with her dark hair. Ambrose argued she looked liked Apollo. Whoever she looked like Caleb knew she was his. His and Drew's unique DNA combined to form her and her brother. He smiled as she snuggled into his arms eyes drooping "luv you dada." He squeezed her tight heart soaring at the sound of her clear little voice calling him dada.
He could hardly believe it. He, Caleb Gray was a father. He kissed his precious little girl before putting into her crib. Turning he peered down at his son. The image of his mother in everything but his eyes. Those eyes Andrew got from him. He felt an arm slip around him as he heart Drew whisper in his ear "they're ours and no one can take them away from us." He turned and leaned his forehead into hers. "I know...I...love them so so much..."
Drew squeezed him tight. She understood his fear. Understood how much these little miracles meant to him. He would fight heaven and hell for them. Move mountains if he had to for them. Anything to make their lives a little easier. "How did I get so lucky?" she asked peering up at him.
His lips quirked at the corners as he leaned down and kissed her nose. "You know I was thinking exactly the same thing." He took her hands and led he from the room. Closing the door silently behind them so as not to disturb their sleeping angels. Lifting her into his arms he carried her down the stairs. Reaching their bedroom he embraced her in a heated kiss. He put everything he had in him into that single kiss. He felt Drew move beneath him peering into his eyes as if trying to read his mind. He needed to feel her touch, breathe in her scent, drown in her taste.
As she felt Caleb caress her skin she knew what was happening. He needed reassurance that this was real. Not a dream. Not a fantasy. He had lived so long. Endured so much. Lost his first love more time than anyone should have to endure. Drew knew without a doubt he loved her but it wasn't the same as the love he had for Star. She knew it. She understood it. She accepted it. It was the price she was willing to pay to have him by her side. She wouldn't change it even if she could. "I love you," she murmured as he released her mouth to nibble on her earlobe.
Moaning from deep within Caleb looked down at her. As a slow grin spread across his handsome face "I love you too," he said before crashing down on her mouth once more.
***
Six months later Caleb walked into the house after a long day in the studio to screaming toddlers and two frustrated mothers who both turned and glared at him when he opened the door. "What?" he asked.
"Don't just stand there go after him," Drew demanded. At Caleb's dumbstruck look she elaborated "your son go after him. The little rascal ran out as you came in."
Turning Caleb saw his little boy making a hasty escape towards the road. "Andrew get back here," he called after the boy.
Turning Andrew giggled as he ran faster thinking it a game as his dad chased him. "Hey you little squirt you better slow down before you fall..." As he said the word he watched as his little boy tumbled head first into the gravel. He quickened his pace and knelt beside the boy.
"Mean daddy," Andrew declared when Caleb went to soothe him. Crossing his arms he stuck his lip out "fall down."
Trying not to laugh Caleb shook his head "hey little man I didn't make you fall."
"Did," he state his little lip quivering.
"You know daddy loves you right?" Caleb asked. A slight nod from the little boy told him the boy was listening. "Want me to kiss and make it better?" Caleb grabbed his son before Andrew could turn and make a run for it. Giggling in Caleb's arms Andrew kissed his dad's cheek "What was that for?" Caleb asked looking at his little miracle. At times like this Caleb thought his heart would melt. He loved his family so much. But sometimes he found himself wondering what it would have been like to have had this with Star. Shaking his head he felt his son's little hands patting his cheek.
"Daddy sad?" the little boy asked.
Mentally shaking himself Caleb brought a hand up shaped like a claw "you better watch out it's going to get you." He swooped in tickling his chubby little belly. His son. How he wished his parents could see their grandchildren. Know that he was alright. Happy after so many years.
Drew followed him upstairs and watched him clean up his son's skinned and scraped knees. Setting him on the floor after giving him a hug and a kiss. Smiling she went to Caleb saying "your such a good father." She blinked back tears "I wish there was something I could do to help you..." Sighing loudly his head jerked up as if in surprise. "I know something is bothering you. It's the same thing that's bothering Tayla and Ambrose. Your homesick. You see your children and know they're missing out on knowing your family. Your parents. Your brothers and sisters. Aunts and Uncles." She watched as his eyes misted over "it's alright to miss them. I understand. I want you to tell them about their family history. I want them to know who you are. Don't be afraid to fill out there family tree. Your family is a part of you and a part of them. Don't hide it."
"Oh Drew," he pulled her close nuzzling into her neck breathing deeply of her scent. "Thank you," he mumbled "I was just thinking of my mom and how she would have wanted to see me so happy. I married Hope because I didn't want my mom to worry about me being alone."
"Your mom sounds like a wonderful woman. I know she loved you. She'd want you to be happy enjoying the time you have with these little terrors we call children." He smiled a little at that. Drew laid her head on his shoulder "don't think you have to shut that part of your past out of your life. It's what make you you." She looked up at him "I think that the you I know is pretty fantastic."
Caleb tilted her chin up forcing her to look up at him. He smiled down at her before kissing her. Tender at first then the passion between them built as he let his feelings show. Pulling back he held her face between his hands "I love you."
***
Tayla sat on the floor watching Drew practice her dance steps. She was in awe at how quickly Drew had gotten back into shape after having twins. Of course the twins were now a year and half like her precious pinked haired princess. "Ow" she cried as she reached to untangle her daughters fingers from her hair. "Don't pull mama's hair" she chided the little girl.
Megan looked up her with her big brown eyes so much like her fathers "sorry mama."
Laughing a little Tayla squeezed the little girl tight "I know sweetie," she said letting her daughter go when she began to squirm. Tayla watched her join her cousins. She rubbed her stomach wondering what the next bundle of joy would look like.
"They're like the three musketeers," Drew said sitting on the floor beside Tayla.
"They are," she agreed "I hope they stay that way forever." Tayla watched the kids for a while lost in thought "um Drew I..."
"Yes" Drew prompted when her companion stopped speaking "is something wrong?" she asked turning to look at her.
"I have something to tell you," Tayla looked down at the floor drawing circles with her fingers.
Drew watched her fidget wondering what would make her friend so nervous. What could she possible say to her that would make her so afraid? That's when it her...
"I'm pregnant," Tayla blurted out as if completing Drew's thought "I know this will be difficult for you..." she looked down and away "I'm sorry," she mumbled.
Drew found herself forming the words "congratulations. I'm really happy for you and Ambrose." She watched as the girls eyes brightened and she wrapped her arms around her. She could get through this Drew told herself. She will be happy for Tayla. She kept telling herself she had two beautiful miracle and that was enough. Getting up she said "I'm going to take a shower." Going downstairs she told herself she would not cry. She would not make Tayla feel back for being able to have another baby. As soon as she shut the door behind her she crumpled to the floor.
Angry hot tears spilled from her eyes. Why was this happening to her? Why couldn't she be happy for Tayla? Why must she be eaten up with jealousy for what her best friend had? She wanted children, lots and lots of them. She could only have the two. Would they be enough for Caleb? Would he start to look at her differently?
A soft knock on the door had her jumping to her feet. Wiping her eyes dry "who is it?" she asked through the door.
"Sweet heart let me in," Caleb said from the other side.
"I'm about to take a shower," Drew said hoping he'd go away.
"I know. That's what Tayla said but that was over an hour ago."
An hour? Had it really been that long? Drew rubbed her eyes before opening the door to let Caleb in. As soon as he slipped inside she threw herself into his arms sobbing. "What happened?" Caleb asked. "Tayla said you might be upset..."
Her sobs increased at the mention of Tayla's name. "Do you love me?" she asked when she was able to speak.
"Of course I do," he replied squeezing her tight "what kind of question is that?"
"Do you love me even thought I can't have anymore children?" she asked crying onto his shoulder.
"I have two beautiful miracles already. I'm happy with what we have" he told her "where's all this coming from?"
"Tayla .... she's pregnant again," she wailed "why does she get what I want?"
"I don't know baby," he kissed her cheek "I wish I had the answer but I don't.. Sometimes we don't get what we want." He of all people understood that better than most. He held her feeling her body shake in his arms "honey how many babies do you think we need?"
"I...I..." she looked up at him "if you asked me this before I had the twins I'd have said two."
"What changed?" he asked "is it because you think I want more?"
"Yes," she mumbled "I see how you are with the kids and I think how nice it would be to have another..."
"Drew I'm happy with the two we have. I don't need more than that. I never thought I'd have children. I never expected to hold a baby in my arms and say this little person is a part of me." He lifted Drew's face up kissing her tenderly "I have all I need. I have you and two beautiful kids."
"Don't you want more..."
Shaking his head Caleb sighed "no I don't. I don't want to put you in danger because I was selfish to want more than what I've been blessed with already. Why tempt fate?"
Sniffling through her tears Drew smiled up at him "are you really ok with this?" she asked her voice small with a little bit of doubt.
"Of course I am," he pulled her close "I have all I need. My family is complete. Besides Ambrose will keep up busy with babies."
"Are they planning on having more?" she asked.
"I think they're planning on filling the house with babies," he told her peering into her eyes to see how she took the news.
Looking thoughtful she nodded. Lifting her chin with determination "I'm ok with that. I'll be the best Auntie ever."
"That's my girl," he smiled down at her "so do you think that shower is big enough to two?"
"We can always test it out," Drew told him starting to unbutton his shirt.
***
"I can't believe the twins are two years old today" Drew said smiling up at Caleb "soon they'll be going to school and ...."
"Honey they're two," Caleb told her "don't rush ahead. You'll miss out on the here and now." He put his arms around her "besides you can start teaching the some of your awesome dance moves."
Nodding "uh huh and you can teach them music." She heard him grunt "you have to admit that it'll be a lot better than them just banging away on the xylophone you gave them."
"I know but I was hoping they'd have some natural ability."
"Did you think they'd just get it by osmosis?" she asked laughing at him "I don't think that's going to happen."
"Oh I know that" Caleb admitted laughing "I've heard them play. They're awful." He smiled over at his kids "but what they lack in musical ability they make up for in dance."
"They are pretty good aren't they?" she said smugly "even Megan is picking it up. We may have some natural dancing talent shining through."
They watched as Indira and Andrew walked up to them "mama you have baby?" Indira asked.
"No honey," Drew shook her head.
"Yes," Andrew insisted "in there," he pointed at her stomach.
Kneeling in front of him "No Andy I don't have a baby in my tummy."
He frowned pointing "Aunt Tay has one."
"Yes she does," Drew agreed "but I don't," she told him.
He stuck his bottom lip out "I want you to have a baby." Tears rolled down his chubby little cheeks "me be big bruder."
Indira put an arm around him "you lil bruder."
Pushing her away from him Andrew crossed his arms "don't want big sister."
She looked up at Caleb "now what?" she mouthed.
Shrugging "he'll get over it."
"I hope so," she said standing up and moving towards Tayla and Ambrose who were playing on the floor with Megan. "Are you all set to launch this baby?" she asked joining them.
"You bet," Ambrose enthused "if I could I'd have a dozen of these lil rugrats."
Putting up a hand "whoa there I never agreed to being a baby making machine" Tayla protested despite the twinkle in her eyes.
"Admit it," Drew said turning to her "you'd be barefoot and pregnant if he asked you to be."
Tayla's mouth twitched as she tried to hid a grin "you're right. I would be. I can never say no this guy. No matter how hard I try."
***
Drew woke up in the middle of the night. Laying in the dark listening to Caleb breathe beside her. She strained her ears for the sound that woke her. A muffled cry. One of the kids maybe?No sound came from the baby monitor on the side table. There it was again. Drew got up to investigate the noise. Opening the bedroom door she heard it again and it was coming from Tayla's room. Tayla was in trouble. She ran across the hallway towards the other bedroom that was Tayla and Ambrose's. Knocking she waited until Ambrose called out to come in. Taking one look at Tayla she said "honey how far apart are your contractions?"
Sweat poured down Tayla's face as she tried to keep from crying out. "Close too close," she finally managed.
"I'm going to take a peek," Drew told her. She looked at Ambrose "have you called for an ambulance?"
He nodded his normally fair complexion pale and sickly green "they're not going to make it in time are they?"
She shook her head "no we're going to have to deliver this baby ourselves." She looked up as Caleb came into the room blurry eyed and yawning. "What can I do to help?" he asked.
"If the kids wake up before the baby comes we'll need you to keep them occupied." Drew instructed. He nodded accepting his assignment. Drew sighed realizing that everyone was looking to her. She was the one in charge. She didn't know what she was doing. She felt her insides twist as she resisted the urge to panic. She felt Caleb squeeze her shoulder encouraging to her do her best. "Alright folks let's get this show on the road."
