Page 129 of Perfect Chemistry

“How would you feel about moving out here?”

“Hic-I was afraid to ask,” she admitted as tears filled her eyes. “I want to be here with Katie and her family, too.”

I nodded. “Good. We can talk about it tomorrow,” I whispered and pulled her to me. We’d start planning everything else tomorrow.

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Katie’s Point of View

We decided to name the twins Andreas and Amanda. Amanda was named after Kai’s grandmother who left him the house and also the name of the woman who helped me get back on my feet when I left the Marines. Andreas was named in honor of Andie, a woman who had done more for me since high school than I could say. Kai and I had not discussed names before they were born. We didn’t even want to know what we were having this time around. We had planned for so many other things, but baby names weren’t among them.

Then again, we never imagined delivering the twins in a bathtub, let alone being surrounded by my mom, Kai’s mom, and Tyson’s mom. Three years ago, I was certain that Tom and Annie hated me. Now, I couldn’t see how that would have ever been possible. Tom and Annie were two of the most selfless, loving, and honest people I had ever met. Getting to know them made me love Ty a little more for the man that he was, and miss him a little less at the same time.

It’s not that I didn’t miss him, but having Annie and Tom here made it feel like Ty was with us. Kai and I had talked about moving closer to the midwest to be nearer to Tom and Annie. They had about fifteen years on either of our parents, and I felt like I needed to be nearer to them. It was just a feeling, but I couldn’t quite shake it.

Kai was asleep on a small pull out bed, next to two rolling bassinets. At just after seven a nurse came in to check on me, and a pediatric doctor checked the babies over one more time. As soon as the little bassinet shifted, Kai was wide awake, causing me to laugh.

“They look good, mom,” the doctor said. “Usually with home births we see some issues, but these two look perfect. You must have had a great doula to help with the delivery.”

“We did,” Kyle smiled at me, standing up from his cot.

“Well, as far as my decisions are concerned, babies can go home as soon as mom is released. I’d like to see them back in three days to check their bilirubin levels, and make sure they aren’t jaundiced. This isn’t your first, but have you decided to breastfeed or formula for them?” he asked.

“I want to try nursing for as long as I can,” I told him.

“Okay. I’ll ask the nurses to send the lactation consultant to come talk with you,” he continued.

“We’ve got it covered, Doc,” the nurse chuckled. When the doctor made his exit the nurse chuckled. “He’s new here. I don’t know if you have a pediatrician set up, but Doctor Cambrey is amazing. He did his residency and fellowship at a children’s hospital in Texas. I’m surprised he chose to work for us, to be honest. He’s too good for this hospital, but don’t tell anyone I said that!” She whispered the last.

Just after ten o’clock our parents arrived to meet the new additions. I kept looking out the door for Tom and Annie. “Did you tell Tom and Annie where the hospital was?” I whispered to Kai.

Kai’s mom heard me and chuckled. “Don’t worry, they followed us over with Tysan. They just stopped to get ‘su-prises’ for the new babies,” she said, pronouncing it just like Tysan would.

A few minutes later Annie and Tom joined us with Tysan busting in the door. “I’m big sister!” She announced, proudly showing off a t-shirt that they just bought for her.

“You are, baby girl! Come sit with me, and we’ll hold the babies together!” I said. She ran straight for the bed and climbed up next to me. Once she was settled at my side and the safety bar was up, Kai passed Andreas to me. “This is your little brother, Andreas.”

Her eyes watered up as I placed him gently on her lap and positioned her arm to support his head. “Hi, baby. I’m Ty-Ty,” she quietly introduced herself, making everyone giggle and tear up. Then she leaned forward and gave him the softest kiss on his head. “He’s so pretty,” she whispered.

Andreas started to fuss a bit, so my mom took him and Kai helped Tysan hold Amanda. “This is Amanda, your baby sister,” Kai introduced them.

“Hi, Amanee. I’m Ty-Ty. You can’t wear my pretty dresses, cause they’re too big. But when you are all growed up I will give you pretty dresses. Okay?” Again the adults chuckled at her adorable interactions with her new brother and sister.

My parents didn’t stay long because they had to get to work. I hated that people had to work the day after Thanksgiving. The retail and repair places made lots of money on Black Friday, but the craziness of people wasn’t worth it to me. Kai’s parents left shortly after.

Tom and Annie looked nervous once it was just us. They kept looking back and forth at each other, having some secret conversation that I didn’t understand. “Everything okay?” I asked nervously.

Annie looked at Tom one more time before elbowing him to speak. “We’ve been talking about selling the house. It’s too big for us, and maybe finding a smaller place. You know, downsizing.”

Kai smirked, “That sounds like a big step for you guys. Where were you thinking of moving to?”

“Well, if you don’t think it’s too weird, we’d like to move here,” Annie admitted, looking at my face for anything that would suggest I was opposed to the idea.

I dropped my head back, and laughed. “Kai and I were talking about moving out west to be closer to the two of you!” I chuckled.

“What? No. You have all of your family and friends here. It’s just me and Tom, we’ll come to you, if you’re truly okay with it,” Annie insisted.

“Gam and Pops can live in my room!” Tysan said excitedly, causing everyone to chuckle.

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