Epilogue

Eight Months Later:

I walked through to the kitchen, rubbing at my tired eyes as I opened the refrigerator door and picked up the milk. Yawning, I reached out and flicked on the kettle, longing for some caffeine to fuel myself for the day after another rough night, trying to sleep. My phone buzzed on the counter and Roxy's name flashed up on the screen. I hit the button to accept the call and put it on speaker, her voice ringing through the kitchen as I opened the cupboard in search of coffee.

"Hey, I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing?" She said just as Everly let out a shrill laugh in the background.

"I'm fine, aside from not being able to find the fucking coffee." I groaned, rifling through the shelves.

"But Kat-"

"Don't even go there Rox." I said cutting her off.

"Fine, don't say I didn't try." She sighed, "Anyway, I just wanted to ask if I left my work folder at yours the other night?"

"Pink and white stripy thing?" I asked, finally finding the coffee, and tearing it open.

"Yep, that's the one."

"Yeah, I found it under the sofa, let me know when you want to pick it up."

Sean's voice rang out on Roxy's end and she thanked me, and hurriedly said goodbye, explaining that she had to rush off.

I poured the boiled water into the mug, watching the thick creamy texture rise to the top as I stirred it, then lifted it to my lips.

"Don't you dare!"

I froze, the coffee lingering just a few millimeters from my mouth, the strong and fresh scent of the coffee beans making my mouth water.

Kat walked into the room, still in her favourite cream pyjamas, her hair tied back in a long braid, her arms crossed and a thunderous expression on her face.

"Please Kat, I-"

"You promised!" She argued, cutting me off mid sentence. "If I can't have caffeine, then you wouldn't either, remember."

I practically sobbed as I put the coffee back on the counter. Kat uncrossed her arms with an approving smile, then brushed her hand over her huge pregnant belly.

"Look at that, we have Daddy well trained already."

"You'll also have me homicidal if I don't get coffee soon. I'm exhausted." I said, walking forwards and laying my hand over her belly, pressing a kiss to her lips.

"You'll get no sympathy from me. You want to try the pregnancy part."

"Well, you make it look like a walk in the park, beautiful."

Her eyes narrowed as I gave her my winning smile. She rolled her eyes and muttered something that sounded very much like jackass under her breath then started to walk towards the table. I helped her lower into the chair, hearing her hiss out a breath as she sat down.

"How's your back this morning?" I asked, it having been the reason for the awful, restless night.

She'd been tossing and turning all night, unable to get comfortable and becoming increasingly more and more irritable as the hours went on.

"Still aches." She yawned, tracing her fingers over her stomach. "I'm sorry for being so cranky last night."

Cranky was an understatement, my eyes widened as I refrained from pointing out the moment that she threatened to smother me for breathing too loudly.

"Don't be silly, it's understandable." I said, trying to smooth over the moment.

She jolted round in her chair, glaring at me with dagger eyes.

"Understandable? You're supposed to say that I wasn't being cranky. That I've never been cranky." She snapped, "You're meant to tell me that you love me and that you're sorry you got in the bloody way of me being comfortable."

I swear pregnancy needs to come with a full instruction manual and escape plan for men! Geeeeeesh!

I bit my tongue to refrain from making the sarcastic comment that was dying to come out, and adopted the same blank and calm expression that I wore so often lately. Kat's mood swings had been a joy throughout her pregnancy. She'd go from sweet and happy to irritable and angry within a matter of seconds. Half the time I didn't know whether to hug her or run for cover.

"You're right. I'm sorry sweetheart." I said softly. "How about I take you out for lunch to make it up to you? We can go to that diner place you like so much."

"Oh my god, yes... I could murder some fries right now."

I laughed at the sudden dramatic mood change again and went to help her up, holding out my hands as she shuffled forwards. Once she was on her feet, I turned back to the counter to grab my car keys, tucking them into my jeans pocket along with my wallet.

"Er, Ev?"

"Yeah?"

When I looked back at Kat, my mouth fell open. She was leaning forward, her hands on her stomach, panting.

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiit!

"I think we might need to take a detour to the hospital." She squeaked.

"Yeah, it might be more helpful than fries." I said sarcastically, diving out of the doorway and running upstairs.

Flying through the doors of our bedroom, I grabbed the hospital bag that had been prepared for the last few weeks, then ran back down the stairs and into the kitchen, taking hold of Kat's hand and squeezing it reassuringly, before guiding her to the door, and out to the car.

"Can you tell Sean?" She asked, through deep calming breaths as I helped her into the passenger side.

"Yeah, I'll do it now."

Once she was strapped in, I threw the bag into the back seat and pulled out my phone tapping out a text to Roxy:

Kat's in labor, meet us at the hospital. On the way now! X

Hitting send, I jumped in the car and headed off on the way to the hospital, unable to fully believe that I was about to be a father.

When we arrived, we hurried through to the maternity ward, Kat's mood swings causing her to snap at the nurses, and me, on more than one occasion before bursting into tears and apologising profusely. Once they'd settled her into a room, a nurse came to check her over. The contractions began to get closer and closer and soon enough the time came for her to push. I stayed at her side throughout, torn between my joy at the approaching moment of us becoming parents, and the guilt at seeing her in so much pain. Every second stretched on longer than usual, but it was all worth it, and as the sound of crying filled the room, I felt my heart melt.

Once we'd been settled back into our room, I sat next to Kat on the bed, my tiny little daughter swaddled up in a pink blanket in my arms. She felt so tiny and fragile, but so heavy and real at the same time. It was unbelievable to know that she was a part of me, and that she was here.

"She's perfect." I whispered, looking down at her tiny features, and holding my index finger out, smiling even more as she wrapped a delicate hand around it. "They both are." I said, my eyes skipping to the other little pink bundle in Kat's arms.

Kat was beaming down at our other daughter, then looked up at me, happy tears shining in her eyes.

"They are beyond perfect." She breathed, tracing her finger over our daughter's face, and pulling her closer to her chest. "Sorry you didn't get a boy." She added teasingly.

I laughed and kissed her lips. We'd decided to keep the babies' genders a secret. It had been a debate over what we were having since the shocking announcement of us having twins.

"I'm not. I wouldn't change anything."

A quiet knock sounded on the door, and Roxy popped her head around.

"Can we come in?" She asked excitedly, her eyes falling on the babies.

We nodded, then her and Sean, carrying Everly, Jamie and Kat's parents all flocked inside in a swarm of 'awww's' and 'ahhh's'.

"I knew it would be girls!" Roxy said, rushing to my side and kissing my cheek, brushing her finger over the little pink cheek of my tiny princess.

"Looks like I owe you a fiver." Sean laughed, hugging Kat. "Are you prepared for the boyfriends?" He teased, earning a laugh from the rest of the crowd, and a scowl from me.

"No boyfriends... ever." I said firmly.

Roxy chuckled and swatted me on the arm.

"And I thought Sean was bad about Evie, I dread to think how you'll be." She mocked.

"Congratulations guys." Jamie smiled, coming to stand behind Rox and looking at the babies.

Sean and Kat's parents stood behind their son, Julian's arms wrapped around his wife who's emotions had gotten the better of her, causing her to dissolve into tears of joy.

"Have you decided on names?" He asked, speaking over his wife's head as she clung to him, her eyes flicking up to us in anticipation.

Kat and I exchanged glances.

"Yes." We answered together.

"We'd like you to meet Astra Florence Daniels." Kat smiled down at our daughter, cradled lovingly in her arms.

"And this little darling?" Roxy whispered over my shoulder.

"Aurora Calista Daniels." I answered, rocking her lightly.

As everyone crowded closer and gazed adoringly at our identical twin daughters, I felt the overwhelming love in the room. I looked at Kat, and saw the happiness in her eyes.

"I love you." I mouthed.

"I love you too." She whispered back.

It had been a hectic few months, but every step had been worth it and I wouldn't have changed a single second, because it got me here in the end. It got me my family and as I looked around the room, and then down to my daughters, I felt complete and couldn't wait for our future together.