Three years later

I've been pretty much incapacitated for a month now, laid out on the couch most days, or as Veda sweetly described, beached. If I'm being honest with you, I was also frequently found hand deep in a chip bag. Wren thinks calling the baby, chip, or potato, is at this point probably a pretty accurate description, for a baby fuelled and grown by them. I prefer Idaho, the birthplace of the spud, but our chosen names would do, Alba for a girl, and Theodore for a boy. There was also a couple of gender neutral names in our back pockets, depending which way this swayed.

There would be no ghoulish gender reveal, we didn't like the concept, not of accidentally blowing ourselves up, or chocking on smoke bombs with a blue or pink theme, nor the idea that it mattered what the gender was. Our baby was healthy, and that's all that mattered, created in June on our second frozen embryo transfer. The first egg transfer yielded a negative result, and a couple of deflated hearts. This second transfer though, it was our time. I keep saying baby, it's a habit, because most people have the one, but there are two in my belly... hence why I'm beached.

Twins.

I was currently surrounded by five fluffy tabby's, the three ginger wingers from Normans Illicit encounters, Muffin who was here on her holidays whilst Kate was vacationing, and Norman himself. Apparently getting pregnant makes you a cat magnet. If you've ever seen home alone, imagine the pigeon lady, but with cats. That's a pretty accurate visual representation of how I looked on this couch right now. Homeless, unkempt (to my Mothers horror) and a little scary on first glance.

My cell rang. I paused Days on the TV, and hunted for the cell down the side of me on the couch, my ginormous stomach getting in my way. Éxi, Októ, Éna, Norman, and Muffin scattered to the wind with their contempt at being uprooted written all over their pointy nosed, whiskered faces.

I found the cell, and clicked to answer "Babe" Came Wrens voice down the line "you okay" she asked a little worried.

I rolled back to my side "I feel like I've carried these babies long enough, it's your turn"

Wrens voice softened to my whining, a smile obvious in her tone "Mills... you've got two weeks left. You've got this my love"

"Two weeks in the third trimester of a twin pregnancy, is two years Wren. Come home and take them for like a week. We can split it" I whined pathetically.

"I wish I could" Wren replied lovingly "I'll go next I promise"

I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the babies squishing my organs as I did so. "I know... I'm sorry. I'm a little Whiney today"

"And you've earned every second of that. Now is my Mom there?! She said her and LaLa were heading over to do some chores for us to get the reno work a little tidier for when we bring the babies home"

I tried to sit up, failed, and pushed myself up a second time, enough that I could see Willa and Teddy in the back, finishing installing the island in our kitchen. "Yep, they came an hour or so ago. Allie too, she's gone out to get groceries so that she can make me lunch. She said that she would prefer her first great grandchildren not come out as seasoned potato chips'

"Huh" Wren teased "why not. I love Potatoes"

I smiled, she had finally lifted the gloom I was in "I miss you"

"I miss you too. I can't believe preseason is almost done. We look strong for this next one. Ol Reign were a little shaky in their last game"

"I was thinking" I Interject "I'd love to come watch this one last game... before I'm too big to leave the house"

Wrens excitement was evident "I'd love that... ooh please come. You know I play better when I know you are there. Coach pulled me aside this morning too, to tell me that Paul is here to see me today"

"Whose Paul" I asked, none the wiser.

"He's a pretty important part of the management and coaching staff , for the national team. He wants to speak to me after the game. Coach said they've been talking back and forth, and my management brought this up a few days ago too, that they are interested for the year ahead. This would be it babe. All that hard work paid off finally, they have been back and forth for so long with me about this. I had lost a little hope that they would ever offer me this spot"

"A lot of the team just retired off the back of the World Cup" I reminded her "we had an idea they would be looking for fresh blood. They missed out on you last time, but I know they regretted it. Wren you are phenomenal. Your record on that field speaks for itself. You've not had a game pass by without marking your score sheet. The last season was the one you've been waiting on baby. This is it"

"I hope so. With the Olympics only a year away... and qualifiers coming up...I'm desperate to get in. It's everything Mills"

"What's Clark saying" I ask.

"That they are in desperate need of another striker" Wren confirms "and of course that she's sleeping with someone she shouldn't be"

"Her and Olympia both" I muse.

"Ugh" Wren groans "I almost passed out with the stress at Moms New Year's party when they were both in the same room at the same time, and not one other person other than you and I knew that they had a thing. It made me feel icky, that I know and my Moms don't. If my Mom knew that her old team mate was sleeping with her daughter"

"Teddy would kill her" I said out loud, much too loudly.

I almost had the babies on the spot when Teddy looked down at me from behind the couch and asked "Who would I kill and why"

"Shit" Wren cursed, hearing from the other end of the line.

"Indeed" I agreed.

"Millie" Teddy asked curiously. "What's going on"

"Nothing" I lied, faking a smile.

I tapped the loudspeaker on the cell, and threw Wren under the bus instantly "Your daughter's on the phone... here Wren... explain"

Silence.

Teddy looked to the phone, awaiting Wrens voice, and I started to panic that she was about to hit us with the dead tone of a cut call.

Finally, as Willa appeared and stood hand on hips too, Wren broke the silence with one name I hadn't expected to hear...

"Daisy" she announced.

We all screwed our faces up the same way as we repeated "Daisy" a little confused.

"Sorry Mom" she apologised "gotta go. Daisy just appeared in front of me"

"Little bit, I know a lie when I hear one... don't you fob me off"

Wren could be heard in the background speaking with someone "I know this is weird, but could you just confirm to my Mom that you are actually here and not a fabrication"

There was movement and then a familiar voice came on the line.

"Hey Mrs's Nomikos" Daisy greeted "How are you?"

Teddy leant on the back of the couch on her elbows and smiled with the familiarity of the voice "Daisy, I don't believe it. Wow. Yes we are great thank you. You? Your Dad told me you were studying journalism at the O"

"Yes ma'am. I'm still there. I'm almost done, just at an internship at the moment. In fact that's why I'm about to interview your daughter" she revealed.

"Ooh, what's your specialty" Teddy asked "don't tell me it's Sports"

"Mmhmm" Daisy confirmed "I'm currently working for the University's paper, covering the recent graduates who went professional. Wrens top of my list"

"Congrats Daisy" Willa offered from behind Teddy "that's a wonderful career"

"Willa" Daisy greeted "Wow hi. How are you and Allie?"

"You mean, how are the vagabonds" Teddy teased, at their constant travels.

Willa flicked her ear from behind, causing a curse to fly out of Teddys mouth. Willa covered Teddy's mouth before it was heard fully, causing them to bicker slightly, teasingly.

"Retired and thriving" Willa replied to the question.

"Still sounds the same over there" Daisy laughed, hearing the commotion.

Teddy made a face, sticking her tongue out at Willa before she returned her attentions to the phone, she leant down and stroked her hand over my belly "No no, we are calmer now I promise. We only have Bash at home nowadays, it's far too quiet. I'm starting to forget what my girls bickering sounds like... I miss it"

"Josephine went to college" Daisy asked.

"Yes" Teddy confirmed "she left this past fall, but she's loving pre med, and of course... then there's Olympia" Teddy added, a little more hesitantly, realising this maybe a little awkward "she's just completed her last College season"

"I know" Daisy confirmed "I have to keep up with these things... it's kinda about to be my job"

"Of course" Teddy replied.

We all knew Daisy would most probably have known this either way, it's something you can't miss. Olympia's move to the WNBA was hitting the press long before it was confirmed. Teddy was now managing her, and all Winter break the talk in the house had been on basketball. Wren and I had been relieved that it was our Christmas with Moira and Avery instead this past year.

"I hear she's about to do big things too" Daisy asked "and it would be a huge deal if you'd give me the scoop on her thoughts on her WNBA debut"

Teddy laughed "nice try kid"

"Gotta try" Daisy returned warmly.

Teddy took the phone so Willa could help me to stand, the bathroom was calling me.

"Listen Daisy, if you ever want an interview from an old timer, or any of my colleagues, please call me" Teddy told her affectionately "I would be happy to give you a leg up, any time. You have been missed"

Daisy sounded like she was happily surprised "That would be amazing. Thank you. I will absolutely call that favour in"

"Anytime" Teddy confirmed "and I know Olympia would do that for you too"

There was a silence on the line, before she answered finally "I'm not so sure about that. But I'm glad to see she's doing great things. I'm happy for her, and I'm happy to hear you are all well"

Teddy watched me get to my feet, and she smiled contently "We are, and we are about to be grandparents, Harper and I, In our forties no less...life is wonderful"

"Ah, of course" Daisy said to Wren, on the other end of the line "Congrats to you and Millie. I saw the announcement online"

"Thank you" I called over the living area.

"We better let you go interview Wren" Teddy suggested, "See you soon I hope"

"Sounds good. See you soon Mrs's Nomikos"

Teddy clicked off, and she Willa and I exchanged a look.

"They were such a sweet couple" Teddy mused of the past.

"She is a great kid" Willa nodded.

"Hopefully they can be friends one day" I suggested "they were friends first weren't they" I questioned.

"Hard to be friends with someone you've kissed before" Allie announced, coming in from the front door, brown bags in hand, filled to the top with fresh food produce.

"She speaks from experience" Willa nods.

The urge to pee intensified as a baby jabbed at my bladder. "I'm gonna pee my pants" I warned, crossing my legs and trying to walk in the direction of the bathroom.

"I got you" Teddy told me, taking my arm and leading the way. "But if you pee, you pee, nothing to be ashamed of. I got stuck in a bath once or twice at this size"

"And I did pee my pants" Allie remembered, unpacking the produce onto the newly installed kitchen island. "In church if I remember rightly. Harper was a big baby... and she took my pelvic floor and used it as a hammock"

***

"Millicent" My Mother greeted, standing from her well loved seat in the family and friends section of the stands at the Thorns stadium. My Mothers hands rested either side of the belly that proceeded me, and she smiled, her red lips lifting to a delightful smile, nobody but my unborn children could pull that smile outta her so quickly. "And you" she whispered to the belly "in awe of these little lives way before she had even met them. "I do hope you two aren't being too much of a little devil to your Mommy... but if she's only feeding you carbohydrates and processed food then I understand the contempt"

"Mother" I chastised, rolling my eyes.

She looked up, pleased with herself "well it's true. Feed my grandchildren well, brain food Millicent. It's important"

"She is" Allie says, coming from nowhere and to my defence "Hi Moira"

"Hi Allie" My Mother smiled "are you feeding her again" she asked.

"You know I love it" Allie smiled back "and with half of my grandchildren at college... I don't mind one bit. I've sent both Veda, and Josephine separate food parcels only this past week"

"Thank you" Moira told her with a quick embrace "I appreciate that. Veda is finding it expensive to be Vegan now that she's on her own"

"Hardly on her own Mother" I disagreed "I send her money all the time" I reminded her, taking my seat.

"The East coast is far away" My Mother reminds me "I just mean it's not like she can pop in and eat with any of us"

"No" I agree "but she has Charlie. She's loving being back there with he and Daniel"

"True" My Mother says, taking the seat beside me, with Allie and Willa beside her.

Teddy and Harper arrive a few minutes later, after parking the car. It's pretty cold out, and everyone is wearing large winter jackets, well, everyone but me, I don't fit in anything.

Like she's reading my mind, my Mother glanced over me, and tutted to herself "I told you I'd buy you a jacket that fit. Why don't you let me do these things for you"

"I'm fine" I protested, my belly sticking out of a normal size jacket that wouldn't have zipped up four months ago, let alone now.

"You look like you're cold" my Mother observed, reaching down and taking a neatly folded blanket from her tote bag and throwing it over me.

I looked down at the gazebo that was now my body "you've just turned me into a circus tent"

"Please" My Mother protested, tucking it in to make it more appealing to look at "it's barely even covering you... I think an unzipped double sleeping bag would have been a better option"

"Body shaming a pregnant woman" I tutted back at her "nice one Mother"

She rolled her eyes like I was being dramatic "I love you... but this hormonal Millicent ... she's very touchy. I would never body shame you"

"They are coming on" Harper told us, as she returned to her seat from peeking down at the stadium tunnel.

It never got old, to see Wren come out on the pitch with her team mates. A professional career playing soccer was once a dream, and now here she was in her second year with the Thorns, walking out to the cheers of the crowd.

The game was long in the first half, with not one goal, but so many attempts it was painful. Wren had been kept surrounded by the opposing teams chosen formation, they clearly didn't want her having any shot at that goal. She had looked stressed, her team a little antsy and frustrated as they walked off, but her little smile as she looked up at us, and the wave, it made me feel calm. She had this.

My Mother got me a hot dog whilst we waited for the second half, and Avery had joined us after work. They were snuggled up together under the blanket she had offered me, but for now I was a hot furnace of hormones and too many baby's, and I didn't need it. They were deep in conversation with Teddy and Harper about a family vacation next year that they wanted to try and organise, when the Twins would be a year old.

A Grandparents meeting is what I like to call it now, both my Mother, and Wrens Moms, they were more than excited to be grandparents. My Mother couldn't believe her first grandchildren would be twins, just like she had been, it felt like a gift to her. My Mother had already told me that she and Avery would like to help out with childcare and be active in these, already spoilt, babies lives. It came at a good time for them, they were now living together, and Avery had slowed my Mother down, and shown her that life wasn't all about your career, it was for living, and being with those that you loved.

My Mothers career was at a perfect place for her now, and she didn't need to focus on it so much, so I think she adapted better to the change of pace than she thought she would. I knew Avery was still talking about perhaps adopting, and my Mother had warmed to the idea before she had found out that we were having a baby, and now she seemed content to be just that, a grandparent. My Mother was moving into a different time in her life, and so I don't know if it was going to be a problem or not, but they seemed happy right now. I hoped not.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I took it out to see a message from Kate, she was at Disney with her entire family, Kai and his kids too. It was a cute picture, followed by her usual "Look after my little cupcakes... Aunty Kate will be right back. P.s I hope Muffin is behaving!"

The Nomikos sibling group chat was also busy. Cameron and Josie were both commenting as I was opining it up. Olympia had sent a picture of the Eiffel Tower from a hotel room balcony. She was currently on a European vacation of luxurious standards, judging by the pictures we received. She had been to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the UK, and was now in France.

Her parents said she was travelling before she embarked on her professional career, but they didn't bank roll this trip, and I'm pretty sure they figured she was backpacking like a normal twenty year old, not staying in luxury hotels. Wren and I knew it was gifted by the sugar momma, whether Olympia admitted it or not, we knew she wasn't alone on this trip. They should really be careful, it only took one pap to find her, and then they would be in big trouble if her parents caught on, not to mention her college.

Olympia was playing with fire. Talking of fire...

"Ouch" I squeaked.

Everyone swivelled to look at me. I looked down between my legs at where the pain had radiated from. I looked back up, making eye contact with Allie first "Something just fell out of me" I announced with horror.

"Like human size or..." Avery asked, wincing at the thought.

My Mother swatted Averys arm, her leather gloves being removed urgently as she reached down to inspect me "Of course it's not"

Teddy and Harper were up to their feet as they came along the row to see what was occurring,

"Mucus plug" Allie suggested.

"Waters" Harper asked.

"Pee" Willa added.

Allie looked to Willa and shook her head "Pee doesn't fall out of you Willa... it drips" and she looked back to me, her eyes a little more worried "is it dripping Millie or did it fall"

Harper bent down on her heels and helped my Mother to peel back my sweater and inspect my pants for signs of waters breaking.

"Stop it" I argued, trying to stand up "I'm fine... I'm sure I'm fine" I protested, knowing very well, that the pain that was starting to make me want to bite down on my lip, it wasn't nothing.

Wren was coming back on, and I knew she would look up to us as she did, and so I shooed them back to their seats "please... I'm fine... sit down. They are coming back out"

"Millicent" my Mother protested.

"Mother" I returned "I'm fine"

Everyone begrudgingly took their seats, but they all glanced to me periodically as the second half progressed. My Mother, I noted, hadn't put back on her leather gloves, and her hands were tightly balled into fists. She was poised and ready to jump when I failed to hide that I was indeed progressing just like the game.

Fuck.

Silly really, ignoring the contractions that began to come every ten minutes or so, but this was an important moment for Wren, and I had to let it finish with her playing at her best. Wrens team had come out playing in a 4,4,3 formation. They needed a goal, and they were intent on getting one. The change of formation threw off the game play of Ol Reign, and it worked to a perfect advantage for Wren to finally get the space to find the back of the net.

In the final ten minutes of the game, Wren had scored two goals, two of her team mates also finding the net, and the Thorns were winning now 4-1.

It was in those final minutes though, that these babies decided to try and make their own debuts... and as I clutched the metal bar in front of me, and breathed and panted with my eyes closed... the sharp pain made me cry out.

You've never seen such commotion, as the family came to my aid, reaching to assist, helping me to stand, checking me over... and all the while Wren had been none the wiser... not until the crowd chanted "Nomikos Nomikos babys on the way"

She caught on to the chant and turned with such a swift motion that she almost lost her balance. Her red hair was sweaty against her forehead, her pale blue eyes searching the stands, and the panicked look on her face as she saw me being carried away ... uff, that's one I won't forget.

She took off running, they subbed her, and about five minutes later she finally found me, in the back of Teddy's SUV about to be hauled off to the hospital.

"It's time?" she asked me, clambering into the car, where Harper had just vacated.

"I'm sorry" I apologised. Breathing through the pressure and pain.

"It's okay" she whispered, her hand held my belly lovingly and she wiped my brow with the other. "I'm just sorry I look like this" she apologised, gesturing to the muddy and sweaty kit she was wearing. "I'll clean up when we get there" she promised.

Teddy started the SUV, and my Mother waved us off  as she rushed off to get in her own car and follow after us. Harper shut her door, and looked back to us "we ready to go meet these babies"

"Where did Willa and Allie go" I asked, not seeing them.

"Bastion" Harper explained "he's at his friends for dinner, but he needed picking up. They are going to take him home for us and await news"

I leant my head back on the seat, and winced again as the pressure intensified down below.

That car ride felt like a life sentence.

***
March 20th

9:03pm

Alberta "Alba" Nomikos

6lbs 2oz

Little girl arriving first, naturally, followed five sweet minutes later by her little Brother...

9:08pm

Theodore "Theo" Nomikos (Harper took a minute to get on board with that one) 😉

6lbs even.

And you guessed it....

The slogan is unchanged ... because red heads...remain... everywhere.

***

Millie was fast asleep finally. A four hour labour had produced our two little bundles of joy, and she deserved to close those pretty eyes and take her rest now, albeit begrudgingly. She hadn't wanted to take her eyes from them, neither had Moira, however they were safely tucked up now, Alba in uncle Cameron's arms in the armchair across the hospital suite, and Theodore with his namesake, My Mom.

My Mom brushed the light strawberry blonde hair on his head, and she sighed with complete peace "He's perfect Wren" and she looked over to Cameron with Alba "as is my granddaughter"

"They are a chip off the old block ... that's for sure" Cam observed, smiling down at a peaceful Alba in her white blanket, a little striped hospital hat on her head.

"They are" Teddy smiled. "And I'm so in love with them I could cry"

"Don't cry Mom" I asked, walking over and curling around her and Theodore. I cuddled in to her as she wrapped an arm around me too "I love you" she whispered "so much... but if I don't let your Mama in to get a turn she's gonna divorce me"

I laughed a little "Okay, swap over" I suggested, leaning away and letting her slowly pass little Theodore over into my own arms.

Mom kissed me on the forehead "Congrats first born" she whispered "on not only becoming a Mama ... but for making the national team"

I smiled up at her as she kissed me. "Thanks Mom"

I had gotten a phone call two hours into the labour to tell me that I would be heading back into camp with the national team in the coming months. My dreams really had come to life this day, a day I would never forget.

My Mom left the room slowly, constantly looking back to take pictures of us all before she finally disappeared from the doorway, back to the waiting area where Mama and Moira had gone for a coffee. The hospital policy was two visitors at a time, and it hadn't gone down well with a protective Moira, who hadn't left Millie's side until now. It was sweet actually, how incredible she had been, and I knew that Millie had needed her in those moments and was glad that she had been there to see these babies into the world.

Cameron scooched over to sit beside me, the twins little heads side by side in our arms, and he let me lean into his embrace "You are a Mama, bird, a Mama" he sighed "I can't quite believe it"

"Me neither" I mused, looking from the babies to Millie "but I do know I've never been more in love with my wife... uff" I mused, looking over to her with tears in my eyes as she slept "she did that" I whisper, looking down to our children "and she made that look too easy" I say, impressed.

Cameron leant away slightly, his phone vibrating in his jacket pocket as he reached for it. He lifted it out and we both saw Olympias name.

"Finally" I observed "Aunty O finally shows up"

Cameron clicked the answer button and Olympia's worried voice came flying out instantly "what's happened ... are they here... is everyone okay"

Cam panned the camera down, and Olympia held her hand over her mouth in awe to see them side by side.

"What did I get" she asked "are we girls, boys, both..."

Cam panned the camera to Alba "we got little Alba..." and then he panned it to Theodore and me.

"And we got a little Theodore" I added with a grin.

"A Phew too" she said lovingly "this is awesome"

"The gang is all here" I whispered.

"Where is Millie... is she okay" Olympia asked.

"She finally went to sleep" I told her, taking the phone and panning it around to a sleeping Millie. "They arrived four hours ago, and she only just passed out"

"I'm sorry I missed it" Olympia apologised "I was sleeping"

"Not much you could have done from Europe" I reminded her.

"Did Jo call" she asked.

I nodded and smiled at the memory "she was on the video call when they were born, along with half of the family"

Olympia looked disappointed "ugh, I wish I had woken up to that call"

"It's fine" I promised "you have plenty of time to become favourite aunty... they haven't even really opened their eyes yet"

"Good" Olympia grinned "because that's exactly who I'm gonna be" and she pointed towards the babies "show me my babies again"

"My babies you mean" Cam teased "I have favourite uncle down"

"Pfft" Olympia protested "Well I guess that's okay... I'll let you"

Cam smiled, he enjoyed their back and forth.

Olympia leaned into the phone, and looked over Alba lovingly "You look just like your Mama. Albuquerque"

I widened my eyes and returned the phone to face me "what did you just call my daughter"

"Albuquerque" she confirmed with a delighted taunting smile. "She's named after a person and a place, so why should she not have her own name and place too"

"Olympia" I warned with a smile "don't you dare"

"I kinda like it" Cam agreed, and then as if preplanned, both he and Olympia started to sing "laalalaalalallalaaa Hot dog...Jumping frog ... Albuquerque"

I placed my head in my hand. This one was gonna stick. Millie and Moira might kill them.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

*That's gonna be stuck in my head all afternoon 🙈 happy 2024. See you next time 🫶🏻