"Why did it take us so long to get here?" Thomas murmurs. He rolled us over so he's now lying on his back and I'm lazily sprawled on top of him.

"I thought you wanted to be just friends in the beginning?" My lips find his and I pull him into a kiss.

"Maybe because you friend-zoned me right from the beginning?" He speaks over my mouth, making me giggle.

"So, are you saying you wanted to get into my pants since day one?" I pinch his side playfully and he bursts out laughing.

"I'm saying..." He rolls us over again, so he's hovering now over me now. "We could be doing this since day one."

"I see..." I murmur, biting my lips when he rolls his hips, letting me know me he's getting ready for another round.

The grin that leaves his lips goes straight to my heart. He's looking at me with so much longing and adoration that my heart feels like bursting out of my chest. His face is soft and relaxed, his eyes shining and affectionate.

Being with a guy has never felt this natural and effortless. It's like everything led us here, and our relationship changed without us even realizing it.

I want to treasure this moment forever, so when he nuzzles my nose, I close my eyes, surrendering to his touch. He kisses me softly and unhurriedly, savoring my mouth in long sinful licks.

His phone chooses this moment to ring, though, and he lets out an annoyed groan. "Ignore it."

Grinning, I squeeze his butt, rocking my hip against his hard-on. But then his phone chimes in again, and as much as I try to ignore it, I can't. "It could be important," I whisper.

Sighing, Thomas walks to his discharged jeans on the floor, digging his phone from his pocket. "Hey..." he answers, his eyes narrowing. "Okay! I'm driving there right now... I know... Good... I'll be there in less than thirty minutes... I understand, but you need to calm down, Paige... I know... I'll be there soon." He hangs up, his eyes closing for a second.

"What happened?" I ask.

"My sister is having a baby and her fucking husband is not home." He sighs, and I sit up startled.

"I'm going with you," I say, and he lets out a small smile.

"Thank you."

*****

The trip to Paige's place is a blur. Thomas is a mess and pissed as I've never seen him before. He quickly tells me about Hudson, his sister's husband, explaining he's a sales representative who is always traveling and he couldn't care less about his wife.

According to Thomas, she met him around three years ago but he has never liked the guy. There's something about him that doesn't sit right with Thomas. He suspects the guy is involved with some illegal activities, but he could never prove anything.

I don't miss the irony that the guy is always away, but I choose not to say anything. Thomas has always been upfront about his work and trips, but it doesn't mean it won't be an issue if we decide to stay together for good.

We find Paige sobbing in the living room a while later, and my heart breaks for her. Her face is swollen and her eyes big with tears as she rocks back and forth on her couch. I suspect she's having an anxiety attack, and she hasn't really called an ambulance or anything.

"Shit!" Thomas looks around, noticing the mess in her house. "You told me he had hired a maid to help you with the chores, Paige. You shouldn't be living like this."

"I'm..." She starts sobbing harder, and I rush to her side. The house is indeed cluttered with scattered dirty dishes, piles of clothes, and boxes of baby stuff everywhere, but we need to focus here. She said she was bleeding when she called Thomas. So, we need to hurry.

"Hey..." I crouch in front of her. "Did you call your doctor?"

"Yeah..." She nods helplessly, her eyes big and searching. "But I'm so scared."

Thomas seems to finally snap out of his angry state and sits by her side. "Let's get to the hospital, sis." He kisses the top of her head. "I got you."

*****

Thankfully Paige leaves a couple of blocks away from the hospital, and soon she's being admitted. It is devastating to watch her hear she needs an emergency C-section due to some hemorrhage complications. And really heartbreaking to witness how scared and lonely she feels. 

No woman should experience this. I feel my heart squeezing in my chest.

She grips Thomas's hands tightly right before they rush her into the surgery room, and they both seem to have a silent conversation. He told me once he didn't know if a twins' bond really exists, but I'm just seeing with my own eyes how real it is.

She gets the strength she needs to face all of this from Thomas, and he gives it to her freely; assuring her with one look that things will be okay and he will always be there for her. And as weird as it may seem, the realization that Thomas is really not like every other guy is cemented in my heart. 

We follow Paige through the halls until they tell us to find somewhere else to wait for her. It takes me about five minutes to get Thomas to move from where a set of double doors closed on our faces.

"You should probably call your parents," I say, guiding him to a quiet corner of the hospital.

"Fuck." He meets my gaze, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "What if... What if something happens to them?"

Reaching out for his hands, I pull him into a hug. "Hey, let's not go there or it will drive us crazy. The doctors know what they're doing. We can't lose hope." I pull away, cupping his face.

"God." One of his hands curves around my nape while the other lands possessively on my lower back. "Thank you so much for being here with me."

"Of course." I push on my toes, kissing his jaw softly. "Now, let's call your parents."

*****

Thomas and I have been sitting side by side in the waiting room for a few hours now. The doctors came in about two hours ago to say a sweet boy had come out into the world, but because he was born prematurely, he needed to go to the NICU. They told us both Paige and the baby were stable, and that we would be able to see her soon.

"I can't believe that son of bitch said he won't be able to come here until tomorrow..." Thomas murmurs, remembering Paige's husband's call from an hour ago.

"But he said there were no flights..." I start, but my words get lost when Carmen and Drew come rushing in our direction. They look like they grew ten years older; worry and apprehension marking their features.

"Thomas?" She pulls him into a hug. "How are they?"

"The doctors said they're stable, mom." Thomas puts on a mask of confidence I know he's not feeling and his mother nods seeing right through him.

"Did they say when we can see her and the baby?" Drew asks, his eyes darting between me and Thomas.

A nurse who stopped by earlier chooses this moment to approach us. "Thomas?"

"Yes?" he says, his chest expanding on a deep breath.

"Paige is in her room." She gives us a warm smile. "You can see her now for a quick visit."

"What about the baby?" Carmen asks.

"He's fine. You all will be able to visit him tomorrow," the nurse explains, and Thomas gasps by my side.

"Tomorrow?" he says, and the nurse chuckles.

"One would think you're the father, Thomas," she says, her eyes warm with understanding.

"Can we just look at him so we know he's okay? Thomas pleads.

"I'll see what I can do." She nods.

*****

It's almost one in the morning, and my eyes are having a hard time staying open. They were all able to visit both Paige and baby Owen and we are now heading back to the waiting room.

Both the new mom and baby are doing well, but Carmen still looks apprehensive. She kept asking the doctors and nurses if Paige and Owen would be okay until Drew told them that the medical team knew what they were doing.

Their relationship is something beautiful to see. They have an almost palpable connection – something difficult to put into words, but undeniable when you see them together. There's a natural affinity and so much love shared between them that it doesn't go unnoticed.

Drew is so attuned to his wife, that he almost anticipates her next move. Carmen understands his husband's words even when he doesn't say them.

I never really believed in the concept of soul mates, but that's the term that would better represent their relationship.

When Thomas first mentioned how in love their parents were, I didn't quite understand. The closest thing I have to a functional relationship is Alexia and Lucas, and it took them a while to get there. But then, I got to meet Thomas's parents at the shelter and was sure their love and respect for each other were clear.

But that was a happy day for everyone. They were all doing what they loved most in the world and a sense of satisfaction was clear among all of them.

Today, things are different, though. There's this gigantic cloud of fear hanging above us. Emotions are all over the place. Tiredness and awareness are fighting to see who is in charge. However, not even that could break Carmer and Drew's strong bond. 

It makes sense why Thomas said he was tired of looking for the kind of love his parents had when we first met. 

Love like theirs doesn't come in batches. 

It doesn't mean we all don't want to experience it, though. 

But for Thomas, after so many years of trying to find something similar, it's understandable to think love like theirs is too rare.

I get it now.

Looking at Thomas now trying to convince his mom to go to a hotel and come back tomorrow makes me smile. He definitely got this protective side from his dad. "Mom, there's nothing more you can do here today," Thomas pleads.

"But what if they need me and...?" She starts, but Drew cuts her off.

"I think you should take Lisa home, son." He finds my eyes, and I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "I'm sure she needs to wake up early for work tomorrow."

"Shit!" Thomas's eyes widen, but I quickly wave him off.

"I'm fine, really." I clear my throat, a little embarrassed at Drew's perceptiveness. I need to wake in less than four hours, but I do want to be here for Thomas.

"Your father is right." Her mother smiles, her hand finding mine. "Thanks for being here for all of us today, Lisa."

"Of course." I nod, feeling my cheeks getting warm. "I live in a very small apartment above the shop, otherwise I'd invite you guys to stay with me."

"You already have Thomas to deal with." She smiles and Thomas lets out a snort by my side.

"Thanks, mom." His hand finds my waist and pulls me to his side. "And here I was worried about you two."

"We can take care of ourselves," his father says. "Go home with Lisa and try to rest a bit. I'll call you tomorrow."

Home.

Home with Thomas.

The thought fills my heart way too fast, and I blink fast trying to process it. 

God, could we make it work? Is it in the cards for us? A home?

"Well." Thomas nods, his lips finding the top of my head for a quick kiss. "I'll see you guys tomorrow, then."

Smiling, I say my goodbyes and soon I'm going home with Thomas. There is no doubt on his part that he will be spending the night with me. 

I just wish we had the same certainty about our relationship. 

_____

A/N: A home together, huh? Would it ever be possible for them?

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XOXO

Celeste