"Ethan...baby?" Ari whispered. She couldn't sleep. The babies were squirming and stretching, poking her in every internal organ she owned. She couldn't wait for them to arrive...just a few more days now.

Her husband let out a long drawn-out snore, his dreams undisturbed.

"Fuck you!" she grumbled, "I'm so getting you back one day." She threw the covers off and grabbed her water bottle. It was hot and stuffy too, regardless that the air-conditioning was set to arctic temperatures. Closing the bedroom door, she made her way through their small apartment to the stairs up to the main house, the LED floor lights illuminating her pathway.

Ari was panting hard from the climb, stopping at the top to catch her breath and rub her belly before waddling into the kitchen for something cool to eat. Yogurt maybe, or some fruit...ooh some mango! She had a craving for mango the past few weeks.

Her Aunt Leesha kept the fridge well-stocked with both fruit and yogurt, three mangos hidden away from the men in a special compartment. She grabbed a spoon from the drawer and ripped the top off a small container of strawberry yogurt, shoving the creamy dessert between her lips with low moan of relief.

She took out the container of pre-sliced mango cheeks, popped it open and bit into the sweet fruit, smearing the juice all over her face. She smiled as she remembered her mother teaching her to eat mangoes in the bathtub, swearing that it was the only way to do so to save the messy clean-up afterward.

"Can't sleep either, kiddo?" David's voice startled Ari from her ravaging of the fridge and she popped her head over the door, spoon dangling from her mouth and eyes wide.

"Holy shit!" Ari exclaimed, "You almost scared the twins out of me, Uncle Lema!"

"Sorry." Dave rubbed her back as he hobbled to the cupboard. "Didn't expect anyone else up."

"Can't sleep again?"

He shook his head. "No...doctor upped my steroids and insomnia is worst. Plus my joints hurt like hell."

"I'll trade you the sore joints for four feet kicking you in the ribs and two heads rubbing on your bladder," she retorted.

"Pass. I love you, squirt, but dealing with your Aunt being pregnant three times was enough."

"Was she better or worse than I've been?"

Dave paused while pouring hot water for his tea. "With Ethan, she kicked me out of the bedroom for getting her the wrong chips. Janelle...she had no patience for the smallest noise. I couldn't even piss without her telling me to keep the noise down."

"Wrong household to be in for peace and quiet," Ari chuckled, "I don't think I've ever known this house to be quiet...even when you've been away on vacation." She groaned a little from a twinge of pain in her lower back, her hand rubbing absently over the spot.

"What can I say...the house can get wild sometimes. Throws parties even I don't know about." He opened the tea drawer and deliberated over which he wanted. Settling on an herbal tea for relaxation, he draped the tea bag into the hot water and inhaled the vapor.

Ari giggled at the picture of the house spontaneously bursting into party mode. The crazier her visions got the more she laughed making her belly jiggle in front of her, until suddenly she stopped. Her eyes went wide in shock as she muttered a tiny, "Oh!" and felt a warmth flow down her legs.

Dave looked up at the dark wall as the sound of liquid hitting the floor met his ears. He turned slowly and looked at his Goddaughter's feet. "Oh fuck..."

"Uncle Lema...," Ari groaned as the pain in her back increased. She gripped the spoon in one hand and the countertop in the other.

He knew that look. He'd seen it several times and felt utterly helpless. "It's okay, kiddo...shit..hold on..." He hobbled over to the intercom and pressed the button for the master bedroom. "Honey, wake up!"

"D?!" Leesha's voice came through the speaker and Ari let out a soft cry of pain.

"Get down here, babe...please...now," Dave replied and hurried to Ari as quick as he could. "Come on, honey...it's okay...your Aunt will be right down..."

"The floor...I'm sorry...," Ari said, turning pink in embarrassment, "I'll clean it up. Just hand me the mop."

"Shush," he led her slowly to one of the dining chairs and sat her down. "The floor's seen worst. Believe me." He pushed another chair next to her and sat, rubbing her back and knee. "Just breathe, honey..."

Leesha's rushing footfalls could be heard racing down the stairs. She appeared in panties and pulling David's favorite Giants shirt over her head. "What is it, handsome?!" She stopped short and took in the sight of her husband and niece to the overturned yogurt on the counter.

Ari let out a groan as she breathed freely after the pain had eased. "Holy crap...that hurt! Now I'm scared."

"Oh my god! Your water broke?!" Leesha exclaimed after seeing the puddle in front of the fridge.

"I'm sorry Aunty L," Ari said.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, baby! Oooh! You're gonna be a mommy!" Leesha squealed in excitement. "I need to call the doctor. Just focus on your breathing!" She grabbed up the house phone and dialed Ari's doctor. "Hi, Doctor Greenberg, it's Leesha Bryan. I'm doing fine but I'm calling for Arielle. Her water broke. No, my husband was with her. Honey, how long since the last contraction?"

David looked up blankly. "Six or seven minutes?"

"He said six or seven minutes. Yes that's correct. Ok, we'll load her into the car and get her over there. Thanks..." She hung up the phone and handed it to David. "Call Julie so she and Jon can get to the hospital. I'll get her robe."

"Ethan...he's sleeping," Ari said, "He needs to get his lazy ass up and get my hospital bag-gah!" The last of the word being drowned by another pain building through her lower back. "Oh god...," she groaned then started panting, finally remembering her birthing classes.

"I'll get him," Leesha groaned and called out from the foyer, "Breathe!" The basement apartment was pitch black and she flipped on the lights. "Ethan! Get up! It's Ari!" No response. "Ethan!"

Down the short hallway to their bedroom, she switched on the overhead lights. Her son didn't stir. Just like his Dad. "Ethan?!" She walked over to the bed and pulled the blankets down, shaking Ethan's shoulder. "Dude, wake up..."

"Mmm baby wants more Daddy," he mumbled.

"You better be talking about the baby that's about to be born!" She smacked him roughly. "Now wake up, you little asshole!"

Ethan moaned and fidgeted under the covers. "Feisty baby..." He threw his arms around Leesha's neck and dragged her on top of him.

Leesha, horrified at being manhandled by her own son, sighed and growled, "Your Dad introduced me to some kinky shit but I draw the line at that!" and she slapped shoulder as hard as she could.

"Mom?! MOM, WHAT THE FUCK!! Ugh..." Ethan yelped and sat up, tossing his mother off the bed.

"Good morning to you too," she muttered and pulled herself up from the floor.

"Why are you in our bedroom in very little clothing?" he asked, "And where's Ari?"

"Upstairs going into labor. Now get your ass outta bed...and quit with the kinky talk!"

"Labour?! Oh fuck!" he swore, bolting from the bed and forgetting his was naked. He raced around trying to get dressed, grabbing at whatever came to hand first.

"Is she okay? Have you called the doctor? Who's with her?" he asked at breakneck speed as he slipped on his shoes and headed out the door only to double back and grab the carry-all beside the door.

"Yes, she's okay. Yes, I've called the doctor and Sam is with her," she said with a straight face.

"Sam?! He's two! What the hell?! Where the fuck is dad?!" he yelled, rolling his eyes, "Gotta get up there." He slammed the door, leaving his mother standing in their apartment.

A split second later he rushed back through the door, "I get it, it was a joke, wasn't it?" he said and grabbed his jacket with one hand and Leesha's hand with the other and pulled her out with him. "Sorry, mom."

Leesha giggled to herself, deciding against telling Ethan that he'd grabbed Ari's shirt instead of his own. His jacket hid the holographic and rainbow printing of 'Be a Unicorn in a field of Horses' with a cartoon unicorn giving a thumbs up and winking.

"Jon and Julie are gonna meet you at the hospital," David told his wife when she was dragged into the kitchen by Ethan. "Son, you need to calm down. The calmer you stay, the better it'll be for Ari."

"Easy for you to say, Dad," Ethan said, pulling at his hair a little, "You've done this like a dozen times."

"It's not easy since I won't be able to go. Not with my immune system being this weak." It killed David to tell his son that he couldn't be there with him and his heart contracted painfully. He stood and placed his hands on Ethan's shoulders. "You're gonna be a strong man and soon...a Dad."

Leesha sniffled quietly and helped Ari into her robe. "I'll have Steph and Colton come over tomorrow to look after Sam and DB. Then I'll be there to see you both and the babies." She kissed Ari on the forehead and helped her out to the car. Ethan hugged his Dad and loaded Ari's suitcase into the trunk.

She wrapped herself in Dave's arms and they waved until Ari and Ethan were out of view. "Come on...we need to get you back into bed," she said quietly

*~*~*

Ethan pulled up at the Emergency Room entrance and jumped out, saying "I'll be right back, baby, with a nurse or doctor." He raced in through the automatic doors leaving Ari sitting in the dark.

She gazed up at the building, the entrance bringing back memories of the media pack when Jon had his accident. She shuddered a little in a visceral response. She could feel another contraction start so she opened the door with a groan just as Ethan came back with a nurse pushing a wheelchair.

"Ari, honey, are you okay?"

"Here we go," the nurse said, "as soon as the contraction is finished we'll move you into the wheelchair and get you upstairs as soon as possible."

A short time later, Ari was ensconced in the birthing suite, panting and sweating from the painful transition her body was preparing for. Within another 10 minutes Jon and Julie were ushered into the suite.

"Sweetheart!" Julie exclaimed as she went straight to her daughter, "How are you feeling? How far apart are the contractions?"

"I'm okay, Mama," Ari looked up from where she was bent over the side of the bed, "A little scared though."

"If you're anything like your mama, Babymine," Jon smiled and kissed Ari's cheek, "you'll fly through it with no problems."

"Dad...you," Ari panted, "you gotta sit over there and behave or I'll throw you out myself. No being down the business end either."

Jon held his hands up in surrender and grinned, "Wouldn't think of it, Babymine. I'd much prefer to remember changing your diapers than watching you give birth. I'll just be over here if you need me."

Ethan paced behind Jon nervously as Julie helped Ari strip off her pajamas and into her hospital gown. The nurse hooked her up to an IV and monitor. He scrunched his eyebrows and bite at his nails, unsure of what to do or where to go.

Fuck, why couldn't Dad be here? He thought to himself. He'd know what to do.

All he had were his sleep deprived in-laws and his wife who was screaming for him not to touch her. Jon's protectiveness over his daughter made Ethan feel inadequate and intimidated. I can't do this...fuck, I can't do this!

He sighed and slumped on the window seat, running his fingers through his unruly hair and sent a message to David. "I can't do this, Dad...what do I do? I can't take care of a tiny human. Definitely not two! I don't know what to do!"

"Ethan," Jon spoke, motioning him over to him. Ethan shook his head.

Jon sighed and rose from the chair he'd settled into and strolled over to sit beside his son-in-law. He clapped him on the back and said, "You nervous, Squirt?"

Ethan jumped at Jon's hand, his eyes widening. He nodded quickly. "I don't know what to do. I can't do it. You and Dad made it look effortless. I can't do that. I don't know how..."

"None of us did! Your dad, Mookie, none of us knew how to do it but once they place that baby in your arms," Jon's voice cracked a little, "you'll never know how much further you can fall in love with someone until the moment you hold your children in your arms."

Ethan glanced up at Jon. "I just wanna show my Dad I can be even half the man he is."

"Your Dad knows it already, Squirt. You showed your courage and convictions when you stood up to me when you and Ari first started out together," he continued, "Show Ari that courage now. She needs you more than ever tonight."

"What if I fail? What if I let her down?" His voice was barely above a whisper and he let his eyes trail over to Ari with Julie.

"Then I'll kick your ass from here to kingdom come," Jon side-eyed him, "There's no instruction manual son. All you gotta do is be there for you wife, the mother of your children. Her body knows what it needs to do, it's her mind that doesn't."

"Ethan...whatever has gone on between us in the past," Jon turned a little to face him, "it's just that; in the past. I'd like to know that you'd come to me if you needed to...you know...if your Dad wasn't able to be there at the time."

Ethan nodded and was on his feet when Ari called to him. He walked to her bedside, taking her hands and kissing her knuckles. "How's my Queen?" Her legs dangled over the edge of the bed and wrapped around Ethan's calves.

"Better now that my handsome hubby decided to join the party," she chuckled.

"It's a party is it?" he grinned and held out his hand, "then we have to have a dance, don't we?"

Ari blushed. "Right now?"

"Right now," Ethan replied.

"Okay then. Catch me if I fall," she said as she started to slide off the edge of the bed.

"Always, baby." Ethan turned on some music from his phone, gently spinning and swaying with his beautiful wife. She laid her head back onto his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Julie smiled and strolled over to sit with Jon as he was fiddling around with his camera, taking shots of the couple laughing and dancing.

"Hey, baby," she said softly, "Whatever you said to Ethan just then, must have worked. He's a different boy from a few minutes ago. He's more..."

"Like his dad...yeah," Jon finished her thought. "But he's not a boy anymore, babe. He's a man."

Julie smiled and kissed him sweetly, "Where did those years go, Rockstar? It seems only yesterday it was you and I in this situation waiting to meet Ari. Will we really have two more grandchildren soon?"

"Hmm," Jon hummed, "You're such a sexy Nana too."

The two looked at each other as a rap song started playing and Jon rolled his eyes. Ari was mouthing the words and grinding her ass into Ethan's crotch, his hands holding her hips and spanking her a couple times. This only made Ari giggle and wiggle her ass more.

"Ahem," Julie cleared her throat loudly as the younger couple seemingly lost themselves. They looked over to the noise and Julie laughed at them both as Jon snapped away, the whir of the camera drowned by the music.

"What now, mom?"

"Just reminding you, you're not alone right now," she winked.

The atmosphere changed regardless as another contraction shot through Ari, making her almost pitch forward until Ethan scooped his arms around her more securely.

"Told you I'd catch you, Princess," Ethan said and held her until the pain passed, rubbing her back as she whimpered.

The hours lapsed as Ari's labour continued. She alternated between hot showers and happy gas until they became less effective. The doctor came in after the midwife had assessed Ari and announced that it was almost show time. The nurse drew the water into the birthing tub, until the temperature and depth were suitable, and assisted Ethan with getting Ari into the water.

Jon and Julie tried to stay out of the way for the most part until Ari called for her mother after she'd settled into the large tub.

"Mama?" Ari groaned, delirious with exhaustion and pain as she knelt in the warm water, hanging onto the end of the tub with her arms.

"I'm right here, Babymine," Julie soothed her hand over Ari's head, "You're doing so well, sweetheart. Dad and I are so proud of you. Both of you." She looked across at Ethan and smiled as a happy tear fell down her cheek.

Jon finally got David and Leesha on a video call and moved in front of the birthing tub, giving them the opportunity to be part of the birth too. They stayed quiet as not to disturb after Jon showed Ethan that his parents were there.

"I'm scared," she said, "I can't do this!"

"Okay, Ari, the next one I need you to start pushing," the midwife said, "Daddy, you might want to come down this end so that you can deliver your first baby."

"Oh shit," Ethan said moving further down the side of the large tub. He could see where one of the babies was pressing down into Ari's pelvis and swallowed thickly. Jon moved a little to give David and Leesha an unimpeded view.

The strongest contraction yet, gripped Ari and she squeezed her mother's hand hard, as she yelled into the pain.

"That's it, Ari, push, push, push," the midwife encouraged, "Okay, that's perfect. Relax for a moment. The next one is gonna be the head coming through so I need you to push for as long as you can, as hard as you can. Dad, I'll get you to catch the baby, you got that?" Another nurse was on standby with the neonatal warming bed ready to assist the baby as soon as it was out, the pediatric doctor on call down the hall.

"Come on, son!! I didn't take you to Yankees games for nothing!" David called out over the phone and Ethan chuckled.

"Shut up, Lema," Jon chortled, flicking the camera to him for a moment.

Julie knelt at Ari's head, holding her hands, "That's my girl. Are you ready to meet your babies?" she asked and looked into Ari's wild eyes as the next contraction hit.

Ari clenched her teeth and growled as she beared down into the pain and pushed with all her might. The room was filled with noise as everyone encouraged her.

"We have a head of light brown," the midwife announced.

"Oh my god," Ethan cried in amazement, "There's a head coming out of your vagina!"

Ari didn't take any notice as the urge to keep pushing took over her. Within moments she'd pushed the rest of the baby free from her body. Ethan burst out into tears as he held his hands out to receive his child as instructed.

"Congratulations, mommy and daddy, you have a beautiful little girl!"

The midwife helped Ethan bring the baby out of the water and into a waiting warm blanket as the cord was quickly clamped and cut. As Ethan held their daughter, Ari's next contraction hit and the afterbirth was delivered swiftly and removed quickly.

"Okay, Ari," the midwife spoke, "You'll have a short breather but hopefully the next bub will want to be with it's sister quickly. You're doing so well, just a little bit longer now."

Meanwhile the nurse led Ethan over to the warming bed and cleared the mucous from the first baby's airways. Her cries rang in the air as she was rubbed down, measured and weighed before being bundled in a clean, warm blanket and handed back to Ethan.

Jon moved to stand beside Ethan showing Leesha and Lema their new granddaughter. "Ooh she got those kissable cheekies!" Leesha exclaimed, bouncing with excitement.

"Nice job, son," David said with a smile. "She's perfect."

"Ari," the midwife said before the next wave of pain, "Do you want to deliver your next baby?"

"I...can I do that?" she asked and when the midwife nodded she continued, "Yes, please!"

"Okay then! Just listen to what I tell you and you'll be holding baby number two very shortly."

Jon quickly moved to Julie's side as he filmed every moment.

Ari pushed when instructed and felt her body weakening from the pain. The midwife took Ari's hand and positioned it. She squealed when the baby's head plopped into her palm, pushing the shoulders out and the rest of the body slid out with little effort.

"Oh my god, oh my god," Ari cried and looked back at her mom and dad.

"Look like a healthy baby boy," the midwife called out.

Julie clasped her hand to her mouth in tearful happiness, her heart swelling with pride. She reached up to grasp Jon's hand on her shoulder as the midwives fussed around Ari and baby number two.

The obstetrician came in after Ari was helped from the bath, cleaned up and settled in bed. He had to make a couple of sutures but declared her a very strong and capable new mother. He congratulated the whole family before taking his leave, telling Ari he would check in on her in a few hours.

"I finally have a grandson?" David asked from the phone.

"We both do, fucker!" Jon laughed and shook his head as he helped Julie up from the floor. "Congratulations, you two. The kids did it!"

Michael Adam Bryan joined his twin sister, Morgan Jade, on the warming table. The twins reached out for each other and grasped hands as they were fully examined and cleaned. Jon took a few photos of them and Ethan watching over protectively.

Leesha and David cheered for their son and daughter-in-law. "We'll be by to visit them tomorrow! We're so proud of you two!" Leesha cried and blew kisses.

"Love you mom...love you Dad," Ethan replied.

Julie sat heavily into one of the chairs, emotions taking over finally.

"Mom?" Ari called, "Are you okay?"

Julie sent her a watery smile and nodded. "I'm so proud of you, honey!" She moved to sit on the side of Ari's bed, "You were amazing!"

"Thanks mama," Ari said.

"We have two very hungry babies here, mommy," the midwife brought Michael over to Ari, "Do you want to have a go at breastfeeding them together?"

Ari nodded and shifted awkwardly to sit up a little straighter. "It's not as intimidating as it looks," Julie offered. "I did it long ago when you and Ethan were babies. Your auntie and uncle were out of town."

"You did? Could you help me?" Ari asked her mom.

Julie nodded and helped to situate the nursing pillow at her daughter's waist. The midwife took Michael and Julie took Morgan, showing Ari the football hold. They waited as the babies nosed around before finding their respective nipple, latching on and holding hands as they fed.

Jon sniffled softly and fidgeted, memories of his own wife nursing and that night in the nursery. "I need to go out for some air...Jules, join me?"

Julie looked at her husband and nodded, "Aww Rockstar...of course." She took his hand and said to Ari, "We'll be back soon, sweetheart." They left the room, hand in hand, leaving Ethan and Ari alone for the intimate moment together.

Ethan watched the beautiful sight and cried quietly to himself. "You're an amazing woman." Ari didn't complain when he took a few photos of her and the babies, sharing this experience with their siblings. "And to think...I was a nervous wreck..."

"You had the easy part, baby," Ari grinned playfully at her husband.

"No, I don't. I have the job of protecting you and these tiny angels. I don't know what the hell I'm doing but I'll do it for you...them...my little family."

"I love you so much, Ethan Bryan. You're going to be an amazing daddy!" she said.

"I love you more, Arielle Bryan...ready to start working on pair number two when we get home?"

Ari just gave him a look before laughing, disturbing the babies. "I'm sorry," she cooed to her son and tried to get him to go back but he wouldn't settle again.

"Here I'll take him," Ethan said.

"Don't forget to burp him," Ari said.

Ethan did as he was told and walked around the room with his son as the nursing staff cleared the room and made notes on the babies charts, checking on Ari before leaving the small, new family to enjoy their time together.