“Most definitely.”
I carried Vivian to the kitchen and set her down in the nearest chair. “Tea? Water? Something to eat?”
She giggled. “I’m fine, Jesse.”
“Do you want to lie down and take a nap?”
“Trust me, I think I’ve gotten more than enough sleep.”
“How about a—”
“Jesse.”
“Yes, angel?”
Vivian stretched her arms out toward me. “Come here.”
I went to her without question, kneeling before her feet so I could hug her, pressing my ear to her stomach. I knew the babies were still too small to kick, but I could sense them. It was almost crazy how much I loved them already and they weren’t even here yet.
Vivian combed her fingers through my hair, nails gently scraping against my scalp. “I think we should plan.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, now that we know the babies are doing okay, I think we should sort out the logistical side of things. Am I going to stay here with you? What am I going to do with my apartment?”
“I’d love it if you moved in here with me. I can turn the home office into a nursery. I’m in contact with a number of contractors. We can do it up any way you’d like. And if living in the city isn’t what you want, I’d happily buy you a house out in the suburbs.”
“Awholehouse?”
“No, half,” I replied dryly. “Of course a whole house. We can have a backyard for them to run around in and a big driveway where we can teach them to ride their bikes.”
“I like the sound of that,” she mused. “What about finishing school? I’m so close to finishing my degree.”
“We’ll make it work,” I promised. “I’m sure we can discuss remote learning options. Or we can wait until after you’ve had the babies, you can go back to school, and I’ll watch over them.”
“How are you going to juggle work and taking care of the twins?”
“I’ll take a step back from the firm, be a little more hands-off. I’m sure I can appoint someone to be in charge. Maybe Devin. Probably not, but he’s an option.”
“You’d really be willing to do that?”
I nodded. “I wasn’t around enough for Melissa and Wally. I won’t make the same mistake. I’ll do everything I can to spend as much time as possible with the three of you. Whenever you need me, I’m there. You’ve made me the happiest man alive, so it’s the least I can do.”
“You’re going to be an amazing father to them.”
I peered up at her, transfixed by her lovely, soft eyes. “You know, it’s going to get crazy around here once the babies are born. I should warn you, it means a lot of late nights and stinky diapers.”
“And constant crying?”
“Constant,” I agreed.
“I wonder if we’ll ever get a moment to ourselves.”
“Eventually. When they’re a little older and more independent.”
“Maybe we should take advantage of the time we have alone together now.”
I grinned. “Can I take you to the bedroom?”