It was dark in the hospital room where Rose lay. She had been lucky to get one to herself, which had been a massive blessing, because she was so tired after the birth. She had heard horror stories of people sharing rooms and having to deal with an influx of noisy visitors, or babies that would cry non-stop.

She looked over to where her’s lay sleeping peacefully. She had just finished feeding them and now she could relax a little before it all started again. Last time she had given birth at the maternity unit near her home. But because of the risks associated with having twins, she was at the hospital this time.

She much preferred the unit. Hospitals were so noisy and busy. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard another buzzer. It didn’t bother the babies one bit, but she was definitely getting over it. The sooner she could return home, the better. 

Eventually, she fell asleep. It only felt like a few minutes, but when she woke again, the sun was out and Ethan was looking out the window, holding one of their brand new daughters. 

“Where’s Hazel?” Rose asked. Ethan turned and smiled.

“Good morning, beautiful. She’s at Nan and Pop’s. How did last night go?”

“Good, noisy. Are you here to take me home?”

Ethan laughed. “You just gave birth twelve hours ago. Are you sure you want to leave just yet? Will they even let you leave?”

Rose rolled her eyes. “Of course I can leave. The girls are feeding well and my stitches will dissolve in a few days. It’s all good.”

Ethan grimaced at the mention of stitches. “Well then, if you’re sure you’re ready, then I can ask your parents to look after Hazel for a few more hours. Although, I don’t want to leave her with your mum for too long, she’s a terrible influence.” 

“Hey, she raised me and I turned out fine!”

“Did you though?” He said, smiling. 

“You’re lucky you’re holding a baby, is all I have to say.” 

Rose eased out of bed and went over to the other bassinet. She looked down at her perfect little girl, still fast asleep. 

“Have you thought anymore about my suggestion of calling them Lizzy and Jane?” She asked, looking up at her husband. 

“Yes, and it’s still a terrible idea.”

“Oh, come on. I think it’s cute. We did meet on the set of Pride and Prejudice.”

“Exactly. I do not want to tell our kids the story of why we named them after Jane Austen characters. If you recall, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight.”

“How could I forget my husband getting it on with Lizzy Bennett? Actually, now that you mention it, it does sound like a bad idea.”

Ethan screwed up his face. “Please don’t remind me. Victoria was the worst, although she was—“

“If you finish that sentence, you’ll be sleeping on the couch tonight.”

“I was going to say a talented actress, I swear,” he said, holding one hand in the air, while still cradling their daughter. 

“Sure you were,” she said, narrowing her eyes at him.

He walked over to her and kissed her. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?” 

“Can’t remember, might have you say it again. With another kiss too.”

Ethan placed twin number one back in her bassinet and turned to his wife. “I love you so much it hurts. You’re amazing. The girls and I are lucky to have you.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb and then lent in for a passionate kiss.

The next thing they knew, someone was clearing their throat from the doorway. They reluctantly pulled away from each other. The midwife walked into the room and smiled. 

“How did you go with feeding last night?” She asked Rose.

“Great, the nurse on night shift was brilliant as well.” Rose sat back on the bed. “I even had them both going at once a couple of times.”

“I’m glad to hear it. They tell me you’re keen to get home today?”

“Yes... it’s so hard to relax here and the food is awful. No offence.”

“Oh, none taken, honey. I wouldn’t touch that food with a barge pole.” She laughed, then turned serious. “I will need to check your stitches though, before you go.”

Rose lay on the bed as the midwife gently checked to make sure the stitches were still intact and looking okay. Ethan stood very far away, refusing to even look in their direction while the examination took place.

“Everything looks fine. I can’t see why you can’t go home this afternoon,” the midwife said.

A few hours later they were all loaded in their trusty seven seater. It was a beautiful spring day as they drove through the Auckland traffic.

“Tilly rang to say congrats,” said Ethan.

“Oh, cool. How is she feeling? They find out any day now, don’t they?”

“Daniel said she’s been okay. She’s trying not to get her hopes up too much after last time.”

Rose nodded. She wished she could be there for her friend. Unfortunately, the twins had other ideas. Tilly had started IVF a few months back after they had tried unsuccessfully for a couple of years. They only had two fertilised embryos the first round, but neither stuck.

This time they had five, all implanted at the same time. The family were all crossing their fingers and toes for at least one to take. It was heartbreaking watching them go through that.

“I was thinking, maybe we should go a month earlier this year? Then, if she is pregnant, she’ll have you near for support,” Ethan suggested. 

“That’s a great idea. We should definitely do that.”

“Cool, I’ll let Noah know we’ll be in London by February then.”

For the last two years, they had split their time between Auckland and London. Both disliked LA immensely, so it was arranged that Ethan would manage the London part of their business and Noah and Jakob would run the LA branch. Jakob had split from his fiancee and had met a kiwi girl at a wedding in Rarotonga a few months back. 

As a result, he had been spending a lot of time in Melbourne, where the mystery girl lived. Perhaps an Australian branch was on the horizon?

“I’ve been thinking too and I might take a longer break from work this time.”

“Oh, yeah, how long?”

“Well, as much as I love nursing, I think I’d rather hang out with these rug rats for a bit. They’ll only be this age once and I always regretted missing the big milestones with Hazel. It’s not right that the daycare teachers should be the first to document them instead of me.”

Ethan grabbed Rose’s hand and brought it up to his lips as he kept his eyes on the road.

“Told you so!” He turned, giving her a smug look.

“I knew you were going to say that, you egg.” She let go of his hand and smacked him on the arm. 

He pretended it hurt and rubbed his arm, looking upset.

Rose had gone back to work when Hazel was six months old. She didn’t have to, financially they were pretty well off. But she got it into her head, she had to do everything. Be a mum, work, help Ethan with his business, travel to different locations on the rare occasion Ethan was filming, permanently live in two different countries. It was exhausting. 

So when she received the news that she was pregnant again, she decided it was time to reassess. She couldn’t do it all and she really didn’t want to either. At this stage in her life, she had three amazing young girls, and she was going to bloody well enjoy them.

Nursing could wait.

They pulled up out front of their home, and Ethan turned off the engine and looked at Rose.

“Maybe we should call the girls Victoria and Gretchen?” Rose rolled her eyes, as if that was ever going to happen. “In all seriousness, Daniel and Tilly have been on my mind a lot lately, with everything they’re going through and I thought they might like it if we named the girls after Meg and Tilly’s mother.” 

Rose smiled at her husband. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Tilly would absolutely love that. I knew there was a reason I loved you so much.”

“And here I thought it was only my looks you were interested in?”

“Well, that too. And don’t forget you’re a good shag.” Rose winked.

“Hey, hey, not in front of the kids.”

“You know you love it!” She said, laughing.

“Maybe?” He replied, winking back.

“Come on then, let’s get Megan and Phoebe settled into their new home,” Rose said, smiling at the twins in the back seat. 

After years of ups and downs, Rose was finally in her happy place. Surrounded by family and living for the moment. You're never assured of tomorrow, so she lived each day more thankful than the last. 

The End