Epilogue 1
Months later—Babies’ Delivery Day
“The first one is almost ready to come out,” the doctor informs us with a smile, and I honestly wish I knew what this idiot finds so amusing. Can’t he see my wife is in agony?
Olívia grips my hand tightly, glaring at the obstetrician as if she wants to kill him, and I’m right there with her. If I didn’t need him so much to bring our girls into the world, I wouldn’t mind getting rid of the guy.
“We’re almost there, love,” I say, trying to comfort her.
“God, I’m exhausted.”
I’m in agony too, even if I’m pretending to be calm.
Damn, she’s so strong! She’s been in labor for hours, and although I know she’s in pain, she’s held on until just recently.
“I know, my love,” I tell her. “I’ll take care of you when it’s all over. You’ll be so spoiled that you’ll get tired of me.”
“You bet. I swear to God you’ll be my slave once these babies are born.”
“Your sex slave?” I joke, half-serious.
“That too. Ohhhhh!”
“Now, Olívia. Come on, mommy. Your girls are eager to make their debut.”
I’m as anxious as ever. Layla didn’t let me be with her during Nina’s birth, so this is my first time.
Olívia grits her teeth and pushes one, two, three times, her face soaked in sweat. When the doctor finally lifts our first daughter, I feel a bit dizzy with emotion.
I’m a father again.
Gabriella’s strong cry—we decided the first to be born would have that name—proudly announces to the world that she’s a Caldwell-Oviedo. I look at the tiny, bloody creature and have no doubt I’m the luckiest man on the planet.
I bend down to kiss my wife. “She’s perfect, thank you.”
“Easy, there’s still one more to go, remember?”
Oops, I’m so nervous I actually forgot.
“What do I need to do now, doctor?” she asks, sounding aggressive, and I kind of like this feisty side of her.
“More pushing, Olívia,” the doctor instructs.
“Don’t talk to me like that!” she retorts, despite having asked for instructions.
“Focus, mommy. You know the drill. This will be a piece of cake.”
“Because you’re not the one pushing.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” he retorts, smiling.
Worst time for jokes, buddy.
During the pregnancy, she had some moments of irritation, and I knew exactly when not to provoke her. This obstetrician seems to be suicidal.
“Tell him not to talk to me, Guillermo.”
The doctor hears her and laughs. They’ve become friends over the course of the consultations, and I guess the guy doesn’t take death threats personally.
“That’s right, Olívia,” he says. “Use that anger to push our lazy little girl out.”
“Don’t call my daughter lazy,” she practically snarls at the doctor, and despite the bizarre situation, I smile. “And you, go check on our first baby,” she orders me, even as her hand holding mine firmly contradicts her request.
“Soon, my love. First, I’ll help you bring Alejandra to us.”
I still can’t believe we’re having two babies at once. Three girls. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since we found out they would be twin girls. If they come with Valentina’s temperament, I’m doomed.
Before my always-racing mind starts elaborating on how to handle all the responsibilities, she screams, “Ohhhh God!”
“The second one is on the way, folks. I can already see the head. One more push, mommy.”
I’m focused on her face. Her narrowed eyes match my racing heart.
“You can do it, my love.”
And then, when I see her relax, I know it’s over. Olívia has brought our second miracle into the world.
I finally allow myself to breathe again, and this time, before looking at the baby, I hold the face of my beautiful girl, pressing our foreheads together. “We are five now.” My voice is hoarse from emotion, but she’s smiling.
“So, how did I do?” she asks, wiping the sweat from her forehead with her characteristic energy already back.
“You were amazing, even though at times you said you’d divorce me if I said one more thing.”
“And let my delicious CEO roam free on the market? No way.”
“Here they are. Gabriella and Alejandra want to meet their parents.”
Two nurses approach with our bundles, and Olívia’s eyes shine brightly. Christ, they’re so tiny. Unlike Olívia and her sister, Gabriella and Alejandra are identical, and I think it’ll take me a while to tell them apart.
“Hey, sweethearts.”
At their mother’s call, both whimper.
One of the assistants places them in my wife’s arms, and if Nina were here right now, my world would be complete.
She stayed at my mom’s place and seemed very excited when we left, repeating ‘babies’ about thirty times.
I think she’s starting to understand we’ll have more kids at home when we return.
“A photo with the four of us?” I ask, and my wife nods. “Thank you for being mine. I’ll honor our love every day, I promise.”
“You bet. Don’t think I forgot our agreement about you being my sex slave.”