Page 125 of Aaron's Patience

“I’m not having anymore of your twins!” I insisted and then inhaled deeply, readying myself for the next push.

“If you say so.” He pressed a kiss to my sweaty forehead.

“Push, Patience. One…two…” The doctor continued counting as I pushed, bearing down with everything I could. “The head’s out. One more…come on.”

Seconds later, loud wailing pierced the air as our baby boy was born. I barely had time to welcome him with a kiss to his little reddened face before his identical twin made it clear he was ready to make his entrance into the world as well.

Aaron quickly passed the baby to one of the nurses, and grabbed my hand again, his free hand massaging my shoulder as he and the doctor encouraged me to push. I put everything out of my mind and just listened to the sound of Aaron’s voice. It was the beacon of light through the pain.

Eight minutes after his brother was born, our third son entered the world. His cries were even louder than his twin’s. It wasn’t lost on me that both babies’ crying ceased as soon as they were placed into their father’s arms. I knew then our two boys had fallen as hopelessly in love with their father as their mama had. My only regret in that moment was that Kyle and Kennedy couldn’t be in the room.

It took a while to clean me up as I’d had some tearing during the birth and needed to be stitched up. Afterwards, both babies were placed on my breasts so they could begin latching. Aiden, the oldest, latched immediately, while his younger brother, Evan, struggled a little but eventually caught on.

I noticed how aggressively both twins began sucking, taking in all the colostrum they could. I glanced up to a frowning Aaron.

“What’s that look?” I grinned, already knowing what he was thinking.

“They’re sucking on what belongs to me.” His frown deepened.

I didn’t even bother looking up toward the nurse who gasped at his words.

“Jealous of your own sons?”

His shining eyes rose to meet mine. “Maybe a little.” He bent down, pressing a kiss to my lips before sitting down at the side of the bed. His large hand went to stroke one baby then to the next one.

“I’m sorry I missed this the first time around.”

“You’re here now.”

He nodded. “And I’ll be here for our next two…or three births.”

“Three?” I gave him a glare. “You said you wanted three more kids. We just had two. How does that equate to two orthreemore births??”

The left side of his face kicked up. “I lied.”

Shaking my head, I mumbled an expletive under my breath. “I’m not having any more.”

Aaron leaned over and kissed my lips before kissing the tops of the babies’ heads. “I bet I can get you to change your mind.” He had the audacity to fucking wink at me.

I went to give him my retort but his next words blew me away.

“Marry me.”

I wrinkled my forehead. “I just delivered two children, but you’re the one who’s delirious? We’re already married.”

The gleam in his eyes grew as he nodded. “Marry me again. This time on a white sand beach while the sun sets as we say our vows.”

My eyes were blurry before he’d even finished this last sentence. “You remembered?” I whispered. I’d once told him during a late night conversation all those years ago that while I never imagined a big wedding, I had wanted one on the beach, at sunset.

“Every word you’ve ever said to me.” He bent low, his face just inches from mine. “Marry me again.” He removed a box from his pocket, opening it, showing off my diamond ring. The ring I hadn’t worn in months due to the swelling from my pregnancy. Pulling it out, he turned the ring so I could read the inscription on the inside of the white gold band.

I smiled widely. “Aaron’s Patience,” I read the words.

“Forever. Even if these two haven’t gotten the memo yet.” He gestured to the two newborns in my arms who were nestled against my chest, still suckling away.

I giggled and then nodded, tears running down my cheeks. He cupped the back of my head, fusing our lips together.

I was his and he was mine. Always had been. Always will be.

The End