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The NICU had become in second home over the past week. We’d devamped a routine wake up of six, quick breakfast, drive to the hospital by seven.
Athena would do skin–to–skin with both babies while I watched, then we’d switch. We’d spend hours just sitting between their isolettes, talking to them, reading to them, making sure they knew we were there.
it…`
Today was different though. Today we were officially announcing the names to the family.
“Are you sure about the names? Athena asked for the hundredth times we scrubbed in outside the NICU. “I mean, I love them, but what
“Athena.” I turned to face her, taking her hands. “We’ve been over this The names are perfect. They honor everyone we love. Stop second- guessing yourself.”
She took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m just nervous.”
“I know.” I kissed her forehead. “But everyone’s going to love them. How could they not?”
Inside the NICU, Sarah and Orion were already waiting with Lily and Liam. Lily was practically bouncing on her toes with excitement, while Liam clung to Sarah’s leg, looking uncertain about all the beeping machines and sterile environment.
“Can we see them now?” Lily asked immediately. “Please?”
“Of course,” Athena said, leading them to the isolettes. “But remember, you have to be quiet and gentle. They’re still very small.
Lily nodded seriously, approaching the first isolette where our son lay sleeping. “He’s getting bigger,” she observed. “His cheeks are fatter
than last time.”
“He is getting bigger,” I confirmed, feeling that swell of pride I got every time someone noticed their progress. “Both of them are. The nurses say they’re doing really well.”
Liam finally let go of Sarah’s leg and toddled over, his eyes wide. “Babies?” he said, pointing.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Sarah said, lifting him up so he could see better. “These are your new cousins. Aunt Athena and Uncle Tristan’s babies.”
“Tiny,” Liam observed, his finger pressed against the isolette glass.
“Very tiny,” Orion agreed, coming to stand beside me at our daughter’s isolette. “But getting stronger every day.”
“So, Sarah said, turning to us with barely contained excitement. “Are you going to tell us their names or make us keep calling them Baby
Boy and Baby Girl?”
Athena and I exchanged a look. We’d spent days choosing these names making sure they were perfect, making sure they honored everyone who mattered to us.
*We wanted their names to mean something,” Athena started, her voice soft. “To represent family. Both the family we lost and the fami,
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pay youthimna hion siness and
on for Hd after was right to honne th
dont knw what to tay, tulon managed, his votre thick. That’s… mk you. Both of you.”
Sarah was crying fro, dating at her eyes with a tissue. ‘It’s perfect. Adrian Hayes, it’s absolutely perfect.
“What about baby girt? Lily asked, looking at our daughter’s Isolette What’s her name?
Athena moved to stand beside me, her hand joining mine on the isolette. Her name is Arianna.
“Anannay Sarah asked, “That’s lovely.”
“It was our mother’s middle name,” Athena explained, and I watched as understanding dawned on Orion’s face. “Mary Arianna. We wanted to honor Mom too. And it connects them–Adrian and Arianna. They’re twins, they should have names that tie them together.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
