AN: I'm back, time to climb the ranking. GIMME those stones.
[NOTE: Since there are too many characters, I tried my best to fit them all in this chapter. So, everyone will get a small cameo.]
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[2009] [March] [Hospital]
Max gripped Alex's hand with enough force to make the bones in his fingers complain, although his expression stayed calm beside her bed. Sweat dampened the hair near her temples, her breathing came in sharp waves, and every contraction pulled another curse from somewhere deep inside her.
"You did this to me, Moneybags," Max said through clenched teeth as another contraction tightened across her stomach. "I want that entered into the medical record, signed by witnesses, and framed above your bed forever."
Alex leaned closer while rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. "I'll accept full responsibility after you stop trying to crush my hand into powder."
The doctor checked the monitor, exchanged a brief look with the nurse, and told Max that it was time.
They shifted Max to another room.
The nurses adjusted the bed, checked the equipment while the doctor settled into position. Alex remained beside Max with his hand locked around hers, letting her pull against him whenever another contraction tightened through her body.
Max followed the doctor's instructions. She pushed hard, her body trembling with the effort. Alex brushed the damp hair from her forehead and kept close as she fought through each wave.
After several exhausting pushes, the first baby arrived.
A sharp cry filled the room as the nurse lifted a tiny girl into view. Max collapsed against the pillows, crying with relief while Alex stared at their daughter with tears in his eyes.
The second baby followed soon after. Max pushed through one final contraction, and another cry joined the first as their son was born.
The doctor handed Alex the scissors. His hands shook as he cut both cords, then watched the nurses do the quick drying and checking for fluids before placing them against Max's chest.
Max looked down at them through tears and finally found her voice. "They're really here, Alex. We actually made them." She gave a little exhausted laugh. "I'm a mom. Can you believe it... Me? A mommy? Look at them..." Her heart was so full of emotion that she promised to be the best mom in the world and never let them go through what she went through as a child. She would love them and give them all the happiness in the world. And she planned to be the cool mommy and make Alex become the strict daddy.
Alex bent over the bed and kissed her forehead, lingering there while he tried to steady himself. "They are beautiful. Thank you."
Max looked up at him through tears. "Asher and Trixie now have a little brother and sister."
Alex whispered. "They have a whole family waiting for them."
Max closed her eyes for a moment while the babies settled against her chest.
...
[Private Room] [That Noon]
The private recovery room had finally settled into a peaceful rhythm after the noise and urgency of the delivery. The lights had been lowered, the curtains were half closed, and the steady sounds from the medical equipment blended with the soft breathing of the newborn twins.
The nurses had cleaned both babies after their skin-to-skin contact, completed every necessary examination, and wrapped them in soft blankets.
Both babies were healthy.
Their heart rates were strong, their breathing was normal, and neither child showed any sign of complications. The doctors had explained everything twice, probably because Alex kept listening with the concentration of a man receiving national security information.
Once the examinations were finished, the nurses tried to place the babies inside the bassinets beside Max's bed.
Max refused immediately.
She lay against the raised pillows with one baby tucked against each side of her chest, holding them with exhausted determination. Her arms trembled slightly from the strain of labor, yet she wouldn't loosen them for more than a second.
"I carried them for months, pushed them out, and survived enough pain to qualify as a war veteran," Max whispered while looking down at their sleeping faces. "Nobody's putting them across the room where I can't see them."
The nurse adjusted the blankets around the twins and gave Alex a knowing smile. "They can stay with her as long as she remains awake and you help support them."
Alex sat close beside the bed with one arm resting behind Max's shoulders, keeping her steady while his other hand remained beneath their son's blanket. "I'm staying right here, and I'll make sure she doesn't fall asleep while holding them."
Max looked toward him with heavy eyes and a faint smile. "I'm never sleeping again because I've got two babies to watch now."
Alex gently brushed his fingers over their daughter's tiny cheek. 'So cute. Hehe.'
The nurse laughed softly before checking Max's IV and blood pressure again. "You're recovering well, although your body has been through a lot. You need food, fluids, and rest whenever the babies settle."
Max looked down at the twins as if the suggestion were unreasonable. "They just arrived, and I'm supposed to sleep through the opening ceremony?"
The nurse finished writing on the chart and stepped toward the door. "You'll change your mind after the first few nights."
Once the nurse left, Max's expression softened as she studied the two small faces resting against her. Their daughter's lips moved faintly in her sleep, while their son had one tiny fist pressed beneath his chin.
Max lowered her voice until the words were almost private. "Hey there, little buddies. Rest well; your mommy and daddy are right here. And for the record, I'm the cool mom." Her eyes filled again, though she tried to hide it. Too many thoughts and emotions rushed through her mind and heart. "I'm scared, Alex. I'm scared of messing up. You think I can be a good mom?"
Alex shifted closer and supported her arms while studying the fear beneath her exhausted smile. "You're already a good mother, Max. You worried about them before they were born, changed your whole life for them, and fought through today without giving up once."
Max swallowed hard as their daughter curled her fingers around the edge of the blanket. "That doesn't mean I'll know what I'm doing when they start crying at three in the morning."
"C'mon, you already take care of Asher. Besides, I'll always be there with you and so are the others," Alex said as he gently touched their son's tiny fist. "We're going to lose sleep, panic over fevers, and argue about which one of us spoiled them first. They'll still grow up knowing they're loved every single day."
Max looked down at both babies while tears rolled freely across her cheeks. "You'd better be the strict parent, because I'm already planning to give them cookies before dinner. And I don't know why my tears won't stop. Do something about it."
Alex smiled and tightened his arm around her shoulders. Max laughed softly and rested her head against him.
...
Visitor hours began shortly after noon, although the hospital staff made it clear that only 2 visitors are allowed at a time.
Evangeline and Caroline entered first, both slowing the moment they saw the twins resting against Max. Caroline pressed both hands over her mouth, while Evangeline's eyes filled so quickly that she stopped trying to hide it.
Evangeline moved carefully toward the bed and looked down at the baby girl. "She's so tiny, Max. They both look perfect."
Max smiled with tired pride while adjusting the blanket near her daughter's cheek. "They got the perfect part from me, obviously."
Caroline stepped beside Alex and stared at the baby boy sleeping in his arms. "I can't believe there are two more Wilsons now. This family is multiplying faster than Titan's business divisions."
Alex glanced down at his son and supported the baby's head carefully. "This division requires more diapers and gives fewer financial reports."
Caroline reached out with one finger, and the baby wrapped his tiny hand around it. Her teasing expression vanished as she watched him hold on. "He grabbed me. Max, he actually grabbed me."
Max studied Caroline's emotional face and smiled knowingly. "Congratulations, blonde. You're trapped now, and he'll probably demand expensive shoes before he learns to walk."
Evangeline leaned over and kissed Max's forehead before gently touching the edge of the baby's blanket. "You did something incredible, and I'm so proud of you."
Max blinked rapidly as another wave of emotion threatened her composure. "Everyone needs to stop being sweet before I start crying again. My face has already produced enough water to refill the hospital fountain."
Caroline bent down and hugged her carefully, keeping away from the babies and Max's sore body. "You can cry all you need, because nobody here is going anywhere."
After several minutes, Evangeline and Caroline reluctantly stepped out, both promising to return once Max had rested.
Angelina and Scarlett entered next, both moving more quietly than usual.
Angelina stood beside Max's bed and looked toward the bassinets with a warm smile. "They look peaceful after causing you all that trouble."
"They're saving their energy for when I bring them home," Max replied.
Scarlett watched their son stretch beneath his blanket. "He already looks like he's planning something."
"He's definitely planning something, alright," Max said, earning a quiet laugh from both women. "Probably thinking of how to keep us awake all night and then sleep without a care in the morning."
They left after talking for a bit.
Halle arrived with Asher, and Chloe came beside her carrying a small gift bag. They remained near the end of the bed while Asher stared curiously toward the bassinets.
"Those are your little brother and sister," Halle told him gently.
Asher made a soft sound and kicked his legs, which Max accepted as an official welcome.
Chloe placed two star-patterned blankets on the nearby table. "Trixie chose these herself."
Max smiled as she examined them. "They're perfect. Tell her she has excellent taste."
Halle asked how Max was feeling, and Max admitted that she was exhausted, sore, and happier than she knew how to explain.
"You don't have to explain it," Halle said. "We can already see it."
Rachel entered next with Trixie.
"Oh, my god. They are so cute," Trixie said with a large smile. She touched their hands. "And so soft. I can't believe I'm gonna be the big sister."
Rachel then looked toward Max and gave her a small, approving nod. "You did well."
Max blinked at her. "That was suspiciously sweet. Should I be worried?"
"The day is still young," Rachel replied.
They stayed for a few minutes before leaving.
The next visitors arrived with considerably less calm.
Earl and Sophie entered first, carrying flowers, balloons, and several gift bags. Sophie stopped beside the bassinets and pressed both hands against her chest.
"Hey everybody!" Sophie announced as she walked in. She walked over to Max and stopped for a moment, looking at the two little bundles of joy. "You made two beautiful babies at once," She said. "That is impressive." She then pointed at Alex. "And you, mister, better take care of my girl, or we're gonna have a problem."
"Don't worry, Sophie. I'll always take care of my family," Alex said with a serious expression.
Max looked toward the mountain of gifts. "Did you buy the entire baby section?"
"You've no idea how fast they burn through all the baby products once they start eating and pooping and crying. So, I bought baby diapers, small clothes, and stress balls for you two," Sophie replied, sounding completely serious.
Earl stood near Max's bed with a proud smile. "Those children are lucky to have you."
Max looked away before the emotion could overwhelm her again. "You're supposed to bring jokes, Earl."
"I brought those too," he said. "The truth needed to come first."
Han and Oleg entered after they left. Han carried two neatly wrapped packages, while Oleg brought enough flowers to block part of the window.
"I purchased parental guidance books for you, Max," Han said as he placed the boxes on the table. "And congratulations on the twins, you two. They're beautiful."
Oleg looked toward the sleeping twins and grinned. "Two babies at once. Alex works efficiently everywhere."
Max pointed toward the door. "You've been here thirty seconds, and I'm already considering security."
Alex rubbed his forehead while Han quietly informed Oleg that his comment had been inappropriate.
Luis entered last, carrying two small handmade cards. He stopped when he saw the twins and immediately became emotional.
"They're perfect," he said softly. "They already look loved."
After the visiting hours...
Max looked around at the gifts, flowers, and cards. Then she glanced toward Alex, who sat beside her with one hand resting over hers.
"They've got a strange family," Max murmured.
Alex smiled as he looked toward the sleeping twins. "They've got a family that showed up."
"Your parents gonna come?" Max asked.
"I did call them, so hopefully they'll show up at night."
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