Shout out to last chapters commenters for their lively interactions with the story: @FredWeasleyswife1999 @themckenziefrenzy @jueka1 @writerschic @JustGenesis128

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Lily looked gorgeous when she walked into my house with my two cuties in their pram. She had taken the extra effort to curl her hair and apply her makeup. I imagine she didn't feel as glamorous doing it while Tyler was there watching the twins, seeing the transformation unfurl in front of him. But such is life when you're a parent.

"Are you sure you want to watch them for the night?" Lily asked.

"I insist. I would love some alone time with my girls." I crouched down to their height and smiled at them. They blinked at me and Callie smiled back—she had been the first to reach the milestone now that they were two months old. "Besides, you're slowly going to have to give me alone time with them more often. Especially because they are getting older. Aren't you both getting so big?" I then cooed at them, loving the grin that flickered across Callie's face while Lexi blinked at me in confusion.

I stood up once more and turned to face Lily.

"I'm their dad. I know how to look after them. I helped you that first month remember?" This time I spoke a little more seriously.

Biting her lip, she nodded.

"You have to leave them alone for a night at some point."

"I know... I just... feel guilty."

"What for? I'm their dad."

"Yeah, but..."

"Stop. Go have fun with Tyler and forget about being a mother for the night. They're in my very capable hands, and they also have their grandma here. Don't worry. I won't let Jojo touch them."

She grimaced at me for a moment, but then her face relaxed. "Are Jess and Courtney still popping over to see them?"

I nodded in response.

"Have you told Jess about..." she trailed off, knowing that a certain sister of mine could be eavesdropping.

"Not yet. I don't know the right time. Besides, she surely doesn't even—"

"Cory. You told me to have confidence in myself despite being a mum. You're still fully dateable."

"If my opinion counts for anything," Tyler then interrupted, "I don't know what girl wouldn't be wooed by Callie and Lexi if they are part of the package. I mean, they're adorable."

Rolling my eyes, I gave Tyler an awkward pat on the shoulder and said, "Both of you go have that date. Then have fun alone... without the kids."

"Cory!" Lily scolded, whacking my arm.

"Watch it. That's abuse!"

"You're an absolute idiot sometimes."

"Yeah, yeah. That's why you left me."

"You're impossible." But to contradict her claim, she gave me a quick hug, then kneeled down to give the girls one last kiss before finally leaving.

Crouching down to the girls in the pram, I said, "You girls too young to party? Yeah? Well I'm too old now, so don't argue with me. We're not having one and you can't convince me."

"Oh. My. Gosh," Courtney exclaimed as she walked into the living room—not even bothering to knock on the front door—to find Lexi and Callie on their playmat doing tummy time. "Those are just the cutest little outfits and cutest little girls."

She completely ignored me as she barged across the room and plopped down in front of them.

"Hi lovelies. I'm aunty Courtney," she said.

"Aunty?" I questioned.

"Deal with it," she replied, still not even looking at me. She extended a perfectly manicured finger out and stroked Lexi's cheek. "I would kill for skin like that. Girl, tell me what your skincare routine is. Wait what? You were born like that? What? It's called being a baby? Fine. Keep your secrets."

I couldn't stop the laughter erupting from me as she continued to have pointless conversations with the girls.

But when a knock sounded from the front, I left her alone with them for the meantime to answer it.

Long red locks and a light dusting of makeup, Jess hesitantly smiled up at me. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered if she had gone through the effort to dress up for me... or if maybe she had something after this.

"Come in," I said, letting out a breath I hadn't realised I had been holding as I stepped aside to let her pass.

When we had returned, Courtney was already holding Callie in her arms, cooing in her face. "Can I take one home?" she asked, finally glancing at me, eyes hopeful.

"Definitely not. They're mine. I don't get to keep them at home enough."

"I could kidnap them and we don't tell Lily where they are and then you can see them all the time."

"Why don't you have your own baby?"

"Blegh. No. That involves birth. I mean, all props to Lily. She's a power woman. But I'd rather steal your kids. They're so damn cute!"

I shook my head and walked back over to the couch, taking a seat by their playmat.

Jess awkwardly walked in, eyes glancing between Courtney and me. I patted the couch next to me, and she took the sign.

"I'm Courtney, by the way," Courtney said, holding her hand out to Jess.

"Jessica," she replied.

"Sorry about the double up," I said. "I only have a short window alone with them and I figure it's not right to be inviting my friends over to Lily's house... And I wanted you both to meet them the first chance I had since you're both so important to me." Of course Lily's parents had already been over to see the twins, and of course Tristan and Casey had been invited. Lily brought them both over here to meet my mum and Jojo, but this was my first time alone with them at my house. First time I could introduce whomever I wanted.

Courtney took nothing of my spiel, too focussed on putting Callie back down and picking Lexi up. But when I glanced over at Jess, a line had worried its way between her brows.

"I'll get us some drinks. Courtney? Preference?" I asked.

"Just water is fine."

"Jess?"

"What do you have?" she responded.

"A whole bunch of things. You're welcome to come."

As I got to my feet, Jess joined me, tailing on my heels.

I walked straight to the fridge and began listing all the beverages we had. We both decided on a coke and I poured Courtney's water. But instead of heading out, I leaned over the kitchen counter, studying her.

"Is this weird?" I asked her, noticing she had been avoiding looking at me. Instead her gaze studyied every crevice of my house.

"Um, no..."

"I just thought..." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I don't know... we're good friends and I wanted you to meet my kids." Maybe I had overread the situation. Maybe Jess didn't even think we were that close.

But then she smiled at me, walking over to the kitchen counter to take a seat at one of the bar stools. "I know, Cory. I'm glad you think I'm that close. How do you know Courtney?"

"I ah... we went to school together. And um... dated once."

She nodded slowly, playing with the tab of the can.

"Do you want me to get that for you?"

"I'm fine." To prove her point, she pulled at the tab and took a sip.

"Have you got... somewhere to go after this?" I asked.

"No. Why?"

The corners of my lips creeped up a little as I let my eyes travel down her. The first times I had seen her out of work, she wore jeans and baggy shirts. Now she was in a summer dress. Despite the weather still being a little cool out.

"What?" she asked, eyes flickering to me and back to her drink.

Biting my lip, I sauntered closer, taking a seat at the bar stool next to her. "I have to tell you something but I'm a little worried it will make things weird."

"Weird how?"

"Maybe awkward for us at work. Especially considering I'm your boss."

She looked to her drink. "Then maybe it's best to not."

I let the silence fall around us, wondering if she knew what I was leading into. Wondering if this was her way of letting me down gently. "But I really want to tell you," I whispered.

Her eyes flickered up to mine. "Okay."

"I... Jess..." I tried opening my mouth a couple more times after that, but didn't know the right way to say this. Even though I had rehearsed it multiple times in my head.

She smirked. "Why has the cat got your tongue? You're never nervous, Cory..." But as she tried to pull the joke, I could see it dawn on her what was making me nervous. That she was the reason for it. "No," she whispered.

"Is it... would you hate it if..."

She shook her head quickly.

Smiling, I stared intently into her emerald eyes, wondering if this was her way of accepting me.

"But you should still say it," she whispered, her swallow very audible. "Just in case... you wouldn't want me to misconstrue anything."

"I like you, Jessica."

She tried to press her lips together to stifle her smile, but it still creeped out nonetheless, causing my own to grow wider. "I like you too," she whispered, looking down momentarily.

"Can I take you out to dinner some time? And maybe a movie? And maybe many places?"

She nodded. "I'd like that. We should head back to Courtney though... I'm worried she might steal one of the kids. Plus, I better meet them properly."

"Yeah, good thinking."

But as I got to my feet and picked up my drink and Courtney's, Jess's hand grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

"Something the matter?" I asked.

But then she pushed herself up on her tip toes, her lips gently gracing my cheek. And then she walked away from me, back to my living room.

Awww look at how sweet Cory and Jess are! Like who is he? Remember the days when he'd just jump into bed with anyone? Now he's nervous about confessing and wants to go on dates. 

How do we feel about the idea of Cory + Jess though? 

AND THE BABIES ARE TWO MONTHS ALREADY! They are growing up so fast.

Finally... there's two more chapters left of this book.