The tears that welled up in his eyes cascaded down his cheeks before he realized it. Callan had been gazing at Orla for five minutes, and he had yet to decide on what to do.
Her radiant smile, the soft cries of their newborn twins—one embraced by the doctor, the other nestled protectively in Orla's grip, like she didn't want to ever let go—softened his heart.
Orla looked at him, her smile inciting him to come forward, and without hesitation, he stepped closer.
"Congratulations, Mr. Barlowe," the doctor beamed, passing the baby into his waiting arms. "He looks so much like you, and the girl too."
"They are so cute, but it's so sad they look exactly like you after ten months of carrying them," Orla remarked, her gaze fixed on her baby girl. "She's so cute."
Callan sat next to her, his baby in his hand. "They are so beautiful. So beautiful I don't know what to say now."
Orla noticed tears welling in his eyes for the second time that day. She had shed her tears upon seeing their twins for the first time, and now, Callan’s tears stirred a multitude of emotions within her, yet she fought to contain them.
“Callan,” she whispered.
“Thank you, Orla.” He wiped away his tears, his voice choked with emotion. “I’m overwhelmed, but I promise to love you endlessly. And to our beautiful babies, I’ll be the best father.” He glanced at their daughter, his heart brimming with love.
Their daughter yawned, tiny fingers rubbing her eyes. She was so little compared to her brother, but she also looked so much like him. The twins were so identical except for the gender differences between them.
"What names should we give them?" Orla giggled.
"I haven't thought of any names. Have you?" He asked, a wide smile gracing his face.
"I guess this is fate, Callan. Now that you see them, doesn't something ring a bell? The names are easy already." There was a twinkle in her eyes.
He squinted his brows, struggling to understand what she meant. Looking around for an aid, he returned his eyes to her. "What do you mean?"
"Ever since the doctor told us that we will be having twins, I have been praying a lot that they will be of the same gender, and here they are, different genders. Our daughter represents my late sister, and our son is the reincarnation of your brother. We will name our babies after them. Do you understand it now?" She asked, smiling.
"That's thoughtful of you, Orla." He kissed her cheek, staring at his baby. "She's Isla, and he's Leor."
"Yes," She nodded, her smile never being brighter.
"Thank you so much, Orla "
"Callan, we did this together. You don't have to thank me for this." She looked at him, reminiscing back to their first meeting.
They had come so far. Orla Marvelled at how much Callan had transformed since they first met over a year ago. He had touched her life and heart in ways she never imagined. Gazing at their babies, both bearing Callan’s likeness, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of unfairness.
"It's unfair that they resemble you so much."
Callan chuckled, attempting to console her. "They will take your looks as they grow older. This is our first time meeting them, and maybe that's why they look so much like me." He carefully wrapped his son in his arms, staring deeply into his little eyes. Watching as he scratched his eyes with his tiny fingers, he had never seen a little creature more beautiful.
"And you don't have to get mad. We have eight more babies to make, they will look like you." He teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Callan, are you serious about that? We have eight more babies to make?" She asked, concern evident in her eyes.
"I want as many beautiful kids with you as possible," he affirmed, his smirk softening into a tender smile. When Orla didn't respond, he took her hand and said, "I will take what you give. I will only want what you want, Orla. And if you want to stop just at two, I will be satisfied with whatever decision that you make. I love you, Orla. I love you so much."
She smiled, "I love you too, Callan. Thanks for never leaving my side, and making me realize what it means to love and be loved. It's so beautiful with you here, I don't want it any other way."
"And we won't have it any other way, but this way Orla."
The nurses entered the room and demanded the babies. They explained to Callan and Orla that they had to do some checkups on them and get them ready. Orla and Callan entrusted the babies to them, believing the doctor's words.
When they were gone, Callan sat on the bed and carefully placed Orla on the bed. "How do you feel? Are you hurting anywhere? Any discomfort?" He asked, touching every part of her body to make sure that she was fine.
Orla smiled sillily, still surprised that she was a mother of two adorable babies. She was slightly scared, but with Callan by her side, she knew her world was going to get better, and that she would be a great mother to her children.
"I am fine, Callan. Their birth was easier than I expected. It only hurt before they came out. The pain ceased Immediately I heard their tiny cries." Groaning, she held Callan for support.
"Sorry about that," he pressed a long kiss to her cheek. "Who came out first?"
"Isla did. Leor came out after a minute," she smiled, already proud to be a mother.
"She's older by a minute," he smiled, matching her energy. "Are you hungry? You should eat."
"I am not hungry, Callan. I am happy, I am filled. Having you and the twins is enough for me."
"I know, but you just pushed out two babies, you need to regain your strength. You should eat." Callan persisted.
She smiled, "I don't even know if it's safe to eat now. The doctors haven't said anything about eating, Callan."
"When they come back in here, we will ask them." He assured her, and she nodded in acceptance.
"How's everyone? Have you told them about our babies?"