Meeting the Twins

Harriett found her feet glued to the ground as she stared at the angelic face of her ex mother-in-law.

Her plan was to attend Evan’s wedding and quietly return to Paris as she was not ready to face Damien’s family. But, with the couple now seated a few steps away from her, she knew that there was no way out of this.

“Mother?” Her voice came out in a low whisper. Stacy left her seat and rushed to Harriett, engulfing her in a tight hug. Harriett’s guilt made her unable to return the hug as she just stood like a robot, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

“My goodness, Harriett. You have no idea how much I have missed you.” Stacy pulled out of the hug and held Harriett’s face with her palm.

“You look… different.” Stacy confessed with a heavy heart. She couldn’t deny the fact that even with the unshed tears in her eyes, Harriett still looked happier than when she was married to Julian.

Even her body looked healthier.

It was obvious that she had been paying more attention to it unlike four years ago.

It hurt Stacy to admit to this because her son was responsible for Harriett’s unhappiness four years ago.

“I’m so happy to see you, Harriett. I know we should have come sooner but we tried looking for you everywhere. It was almost like you disappeared from the face of the earth. I’m so sorry for everything we made you go through, dear.” Stacy rushed her words, more tears flowing out of her eyes

“What are you talking about, Mother? If there’s any one who should be apologizing, it should be me. God, I’m too ashamed to even look at you.” Harriett said, lowering her head to the ground and Stacy shook her head.

“No, dear. You didn’t do anything wrong. It must’ve been so hard for you, dealing with Damien for all those years.” She cried and Thomas Daniels finally stood up and walked to the two women.

“She is right, dear. All of this is our fault. Everything that happened was because we forced you to get married to Damien. We thought he would grow to love you since you loved him genuinely. We were to blind and didn’t see that there was a witch by his side all those years which stopped him from even getting to be friends with you.” Thomas said, referring to Evelyn.

“We cannot undo the past, my dear. All we want is your forgiveness. You may not be married to our son anymore but you’ll always remain our daughter. I want you to know that.” Stacy said, holding her hands softly.

Harriett wiped the tears that were plastered to her face and looked at the both parents.

“I have nothing against you both. If anything, I was only able to cope in that marriage because of you guys. It is not your fault that Damien couldn’t trust, respect or love me during the years of our marriage.” Harriett said to the couple.

“You raised him to the best of your abilities. I am deeply sorry that I went away without even a word. I apologize, mother and father.” She said and Stacy smiled at her, caressing her hair softly.

“Come here.” She said and pulled Harriett in for another hug.

As Harriett leaned on Stacy, she wondered if it was the right time to tell them about the twins. Deciding to not push it any further, she pulled away from the hug and cleared her throat.

“I am so sorry this is coming really late but I’d like you to meet someone… two actually.” She chuckled awkwardly, looking to her parents for support. Her mother nodded, giving her a go ahead and when she turned to her father, he had the same look on his face so, she excused herself and went upstairs.

When she arrived at the twin’s room, she realized that Addison was half asleep while Adrian was still fully asleep. She scooped Adrian up first before lifting Addison, whose eyes were open but her mouth was still asleep.

There was a big smile on Harriett’s face as she walked down the stairs with her children. She finally appeared before Stacy and Thomas who had a confused look on their face as they saw her holding two children.

Harriett paused for a few seconds and just stared at them, smiling from ear to ear. It was then it finally became clear to the both of them.

Stacy’s hand flew to her mouth as a loud gasp left her lips, fresh tears brimming at her eyes.

“Are they?” She asked in a small voice and Harriett nodded with a bright smile.

“Oh My God!” Stacy screamed, causing Addison’s eyes to widen as she was now fully awaken by the sound.

“I’m so sorry.” Stacy apologized when she noticed that her voice caused Adrian to flinch in his sleep.

“What are their names?” She asked, her face filled with pure joy.

“She is Addison and he is Adrian.” Harriett revealed.

“Can I?” She held out her arms and Harriett immediately passed Addison to her who instantly obliged as though she already knew who Stacy was.

Harriett passed a sleeping Adrian to Thomas Daniels who was trying desperately to hold his own tears.

“Our grandchildren, Thomas.” Stacy cried, rubbing Addison’s hair. She suddenly turned to Harriett with a sad look on her face.

“This means.. you left when you were a few months in?” Stacy asked with a gloomy expression and Harriett nodded.

“Damien, that boy! Was he aware? How could he let you leave while you were carrying his child?” Stacy muttered angrily, getting ready to give Damien a piece of her mind the second she gets to his house.

“No, no. I didn’t get the chance to tell him. He also found out just yesterday.” She clarified.

“Oh, Dear. I’m so sorry you had to go through the pregnancy alone.” Stacy sighed, going over to her husband to get a good look at Adrian.

Harriett chuckled and shook her head. “I didn’t go through the pregnancy alone. I had Mum and Dad by my side throughout the entire nine months. Oh, I had Tony too.” She explained and Stacy’s brows curved, confusion spreading across her face upon hearing the name ‘ Tony ’.

“Oh, forgive me. This is Tony Martinez, my friend and personal Doctor. He helped me all through my journey too.” She introduced and Tony waved.

He had been standing behind Harriett the whole time but neither of them took notice if his presence as they had been fully engrossed with Harriett and the twins. Even when Harriett went upstairs to get the twins, he had been at a corner but they still didn’t notice his presence.

Stacy looked at him warily. She had only met him but she knew she didn’t like him. Maybe it was because he looked like he was about to replace her son in Harriett’s life and father her grandchildren.

She wasn’t comfortable with him in Harriett’s life.

Thirty minutes later, Addison went back to sleep and Harriett took the twins back to bed. The families said their goodbyes with the Daniels promising to visit frequently and hang out with their grandchildren.

As soon as Stacy entered the car, she turned to her husband. “I don’t know how Damien is going to do it but we are not letting that man father our grandchildren. Harriett has to come back to us.”