I have a sinking feeling that this book is going to be over very soon, guys :( but it's been so fun writing this these past 4-5 months! It's become a huge part of my life, and I'll miss it. But we're gonna skip ahead a little now, just a little pre-warning there for you :D

*November 30th, 2005*

"Two very short months to go.." I mutter to myself, stroking my stomach gently. I'm currently in the living room, alone, on the sofa.

Dexter's out with friends, as is Ryder.

Electra went shopping with a girl from her class.

Michael is upstairs decorating the spare room for Alex and Alexa.

I really can't wait for them to come, now.

Seven months have dragged so far.

"But soon you'll be here," I continue, my words killing the silence in the room. "Soon you'll be in me and daddy's arms, and your older siblings will love you very much, too. You'll have Ryder, who's sixteen, Electra, who turned fourteen a couple months back, and Dexter, who's now twelve. So, they're very old and very mature. They'll know how to look after you, guys."

I lean my head back onto the sofa cushions, and close my eyes.

I can see it now.

Michael crying tears of joy as I give birth to them.

His pure excitement, as he squeals, "Baby, they're here! They're here!"

Him taking one of them, and handing me the other.

I stroke its cheek gently, and see its beautiful smile.

I look over at Michael, who can't control the tears any longer, and I see them falling down his cheeks.

"My babies," I'll say. "I'll never let a single thing hurt you, not ever. My precious gifts."

I've been through this before, but it's a whole new experience with twins.

And since we're having two children, my stomach is naturally bigger than average at the seven month stage.

I unlock my phone, and go through my pictures, my old pictures, full of old memories.

Me, my mum and my dad.

Me, Jack and Ryan.. all three of us siblings together.

Me and grandmother..

Me, mother and Ryan..

Me, father and grandmother.

Me, Ryan, Jack, mum and dad, along with grandmother, the night before mother and father passed away..

Then the photos change, because I left home and went to college.

Me and Emma.

Me, Emma and Mark.

Me and Mark, pulling faces.

Me, a load of selfies.

They change again, because I was forced to go to that university thing.

Me and Rachel.. when we were friends.

Me and a few girls from my maths class.

Me and Rachel again.

Most of them are me and Rachel..

Until the event that changed me.

Getting with Michael, just days after we started university.

Then the pictures change because of that.

Me and Michael smiling.

Me and Michael pulling faces.

Me and Michael goofing off.

Me and Michael hugging.

Me and Michael kissing.

Michael hugging me from behind, and kissing my cheek.

Then, it's the pictures of Ryder when he was born.

Me and Michael with Ryder in our arms, just minutes after he was born.

One of the most beautiful memories I've ever had.

Then, it's the selfies me and Emma took on my wedding day.

The ones Emma constantly complained about.

I'll never forget that day, not ever.

Then, it's the pictures of me and Michael's wedding day.

He looked so gorgeous in his white suit, with his matching white top hat.

He was, and still is, perfect.

Then, it's Electra's birth.

She was such a beautiful baby, her eyes were so bright.

Then Dexter.

My precious little boy.

Then me and Michael's anniversary photos.

Then the first couple of baby scans.

All these precious memories..

The funny thing is I can't even physically relive them.

All the photos of me and my family.. they aren't here to recreate the photos.

That hurts.. a lot.

All the photos of me and Rachel.. she's gone, and we parted enemies.

That feels strange.

All the photos of me and Michael's first memories.. they're 17 years in the past.

That's such a long time ago.

All the photos of my life.. are impossible to recreate.

That makes me realise how short life is, and that every experience can only be experienced once.

Once.

So, what am I going to do now?

I'm going to call Michael down, so we can spend time together.

Life's short, we might as well live it.

Together.

"Michael!" I call.

Nothing.

"Michael!" I call again.

Still nothing.

Is my voice really that quiet?

"Mich-"

I can't finish my sentence, as a harsh, piercing pain runs through my body.

I groan, and stand myself up, using the arm of the chair to support me.

I walk towards the stairs, but I can't even make it that far before I collapse to the floor in pain.

"Michael.." I mutter. I can barely speak.

Handy, all three of my kids are out of the house now!

"Michael, please.." I beg in a whisper.

He can't hear me, I know it.

I feel a sharp pain in my lower stomach, and I clutch it in agony.

I exhale loudly, and inhale through my nose, "Michael!"

I hear footsteps coming downstairs.

Michael appears in the doorway. "Hey, sweethea-"

"Michael!" I scream, before he can even finish.

"Baby, what's wrong?!" he asks, running to my side.

"Well, based on the fact that I'm pregnant, what do you think?" I hiss.

Is he that stupid?!

"Sorry, I panicked!" he explains, and helps stand me up. "We gotta get you to hospital, fast!"

"The kids!" I cry.

"I'll call them once we're at the hospital. Why is this happening? You've got two months to go yet!"

"How the hell do I know?!" I ask.

I get so violent when I'm in pain, jeesh!

"Ok, we've done this three times before, deep breaths, take it nice and slow.." Michael goes into full birthing-partner mode.

That's sweet of him.

"Ughn!" I groan, feeling weak at the knees as we slowly but surely get to the car.

Michael places my seatbelt around me, and then runs to the driver's side, and does his own seatbelt, before starting the ignition.

"Traffic better not be bad right now, otherwise I swear I'll.." I hear Michael muttering under his breath, but I don't hear the last part.

What would he do if the traffic's bad?

I'd like to know, too.

"Michael!" I squeal, leaning my head back on the car seat and clutching my stomach again.

I can't find a comfortable position!

"There's nothing I can do right now, sweetheart. I'm sorry!" Michael replies anxiously, his eyes on the road.

I feel a contraction and I exhale loudly, trying not to scream.

My major concern is that they're deciding to come two months early.

They're premature!

I know I said I wanted them now, but I didn't mean literally!

"We're almost there," Michael tells me, panic in his eyes. "Please, just try hold on!"

"What do you think I'm doing?" I ask, wincing from pain.

I feel the car come to a stop, and Michael helps me out the car.

"C'mon, let's get you inside," he says quietly, opening the door for me as he guides me through.

We arrive at the front desk, and Michael speaks with the receptionist quickly.

Soon, I find myself on a hospital bed, in one of those crappy hospital gowns, with Michael by my side, holding tightly to my hand.

I feel a major pain, and I strain my facial muscles to try reduce the pain.

"Michael!" I cry huskily, my voice strained.

"It's ok, sweetheart. You're gonna be ok," he assures me. "You know the drill with the hand-squeezing."

"Yeah," I whisper, feeling tired already.

Michael's eyes begin to fill with tears of excitement, and I feel my heart skip a beat.

By the end of this, we'll be parents of five children!

It's like an adrenaline rush, really.

Michael exhales loudly, trying to contain his feelings.

"You ready to bring our new gifts into the world?"

"I sure am," I reply, forgetting the pain, if just for a single moment.

Michael gives me a reassuring smile, and wriggles his fingers in my hand to prepare himself.

"Then let's do it."

Author's note: shorter chapter than usual.. makes a change, huh? :p but Alex and Alexa are gonna be here soon, yay! :D