Page 102 of Sins of the Flesh

"Eyes up here, Mr.Abbot-Nichols," Caleb teases, catching me ogling him again.

I grin unrepentantly."Can't help it if my Husband's the hottest man in Kansas."He leans in for a kiss, but just as our lips are about to meet, his phone buzzes loudly on the counter.

Caleb groans, resting his forehead against mine for a moment before reaching for his phone.His eyes widen as he reads the message."It's Ashley," he says, his voice tight with excitement."She's in labor.The twins are coming!"My heart leaps into my throat.

"Now?But she's not due for another two weeks!"Caleb is already moving, turning off the stove and grabbing his keys.

"Babies have their own schedules, Angel.We need to go.Now."We rush out of the house, barely remembering to lock the door behind us.

We pull into the hospital parking lot, the waiting room is already crowded with family - Ally and John are pacing nervously, while Josh is slumped in a chair, his leg bouncing anxiously.Ken emerges from the delivery room, his face pale but a smile tugging at his lips.

"They're here," he announces, his voice trembling with emotion."Both of them.A boy and a girl."A collective sigh of relief ripples through the room.Caleb grips my hand tightly, tears shimmering in his eyes.

"How's Ashley?"Ally asks, voicing the concern we're all feeling.Ken runs a hand through his disheveled hair."She's exhausted, but she's okay.The doctors are monitoring her closely, but so far everything looks good."

"And the babies?"Caleb's voice is barely above a whisper.

"They're small," Ken admits."But they're fighters.The boy...he's got a set of lungs on him that could wake the dead.And the girl, she's quiet but fierce - already gripping the nurse's finger like she never wants to let go."

Caleb's eyes well up with tears, and I wrap my arm around his waist, "When can we see them?"He asks, his voice thick with emotion.

"The nurses are cleaning them up now," Ken says."Ashley's asking for you both.She wants you to meet your grandchildren."

Caleb and I exchange a look of pure joy and nervousness.We follow Ken down the hospital corridor, our hearts pounding in anticipation.As we enter the room, we see Ashley propped up in bed, looking exhausted but radiant.She's cradling two tiny bundles in her arms.

"Dad," Ashley says softly as we enter, her eyes shining with tears.Caleb approaches the bed slowly, as if in a trance.I follow close behind, my hand on the small of his back.As we draw near, Ashley carefully shifts the bundles in her arms."This is Caleb," she says, nodding to the baby on her left."And this is Hope."

Caleb's breath catches in his throat as he gazes down at his namesake."They're perfect," he whispers, reaching out to stroke baby Caleb's cheek with a trembling finger."Absolutely perfect."

Ashley gestures for Caleb to take his Grandson.He hesitates for a moment, his hands trembling slightly as he reaches for the tiny bundle.The infant settles in his arms, nestling into his chest.

"Why hello, Grandson."His eyes are brimming with tears as he gazes down at his Grandson.I wrap an arm around Caleb's waist, laying my head on his shoulder.

“I guess you're not justmyhero anymore,” I whisper.

The End