Bonus Scene: The Billionaire's Love Story

 

Savannah placed a hand over her swollen belly and let out a moan that was louder than she had intended.

“What is it?” Tobias’s face shot into view. He stood in front of her, his square shoulders blocking out the blue and white walls of the nursery. He looked panicked, and they weren’t even at the hospital yet.

Today was the day.

The twins were due, and Tobias’ usually cool temperament was coming apart before her very eyes. It was amusing to watch because this man had always been the epitome of calm and collected zen-dom.

She moved her hand over her belly. “They kicked, or one of them did. I can’t tell anymore.” Surely there was no space left inside her humungous stomach?

Tobias’s expression calmed, and his warm palm rested over her hand which she moved away, letting him run his wide flat palm over her bump. “I can’t feel a thing. Did they stop?” Disappointment echoed in his voice, but his hand still remained, warm and comforting.

“Yes, it seems like it.” They didn’t kick as much as they used to.

This man talked to the twins as if they were listening and digesting every word he said. He read books to her belly, kissed it, marvelled at it. Even now, eight months later, when he saw her each day, it was as if he was seeing her pregnant for the first time. He was more excited about this pregnancy than she had been.

Which wasn’t to say that she wasn’t excited. She was. She was beyond excited, because the thought of new babies, new life, Tobias’ children, made her go all warm and fuzzy inside. She couldn’t wait to see his face when they were born, couldn’t wait to see how he would be with them.

But she was tired, and today she was going to be induced to give birth. No caesarean section either. She wanted to give birth to them naturally, just like she had with Jacob. Only this time, things were so much different. 

“We should make a move whenever you’re ready,” whispered Tobias, his breath warm against her ear.  His hands slid up to her shoulders, and he dipped his head, pressing his forehead to hers. “What’s wrong?” he asked, tuning into her, reading her mind, sensing her emotions, knowing exactly how she was feeling. It was eerie and uncanny, this connection between them.

“Nothing, just hold me,” she pleaded.

He didn’t need to be told twice. His palms slid down to her lower back, his fingers gently massaging her through the fabric of her dress.

“What is it?” he asked, dropping a kiss against her earlobe. He was ever watchful, observing her every move, and he made sure she had everything she needed, and every little whim and wish was taken care of. Not that she was demanding, she wasn’t. She was determined not to change, to be the same Savannah she had always been, but it still took some getting used to in this new life of hers. For Tobias, too, it had been a period of adjustment. No longer was the brooding single man locked away in his office. Changes at his workplace had arisen with his PA Candace leaving, and his best friend, Matthias betraying him. That had been a hurt that had cut him deeply.

“I want to savor this for a moment.” A part of her was reluctant to leave for the hospital. There was something comforting and possessive about having her babies inside her, and after today everything would change the moment she gave birth. She would go from having one son, to three.

Tobias made to pull away, but she gripped him more tightly. “I don’t want things to change,” she murmured. She knew what was coming; the hard nights, two babies that needed feeding and diaper changes. Everything that these little bundles would need, she would give but she was afraid of not having any time left for Jacob and Tobias.

Tobias had told her they could have an au pair or a night nurse to help, especially in the initial months, but she didn’t want that. She wanted to do everything herself, and yet she felt an anxiety she couldn’t shift. She’d tried to push it away but now that they were leaving to go to the hospital, the worry niggled her like an itch that needed to be scratched.

“You’re not going to do this alone,” Tobias whispered, his lips brushing the side of her head. She stared up at him, needing the reassurance of his words.

“I’m going to be with you every day. I’ll be working from home for the first month. You’ll see so much of me you’ll get sick of me.”

“Not possible.” She shook her head. She would never tire of this man. Never. His fingers started to work magic on her. It was his way of easing her worries, and letting her know that everything was going to be okay.

And it would be okay. She had so much help, and no money worries, no Colt to stress about. It would never be as hard as it had been when she’d had Jacob. She was one of the luckiest women on the planet, and each day she woke up counting her blessings.

But her nervousness knotted into a lump in her throat. A worry about the birth and the babies gnawed away at her, even though Tobias assured her they had the best medical resources at hand.

She buried her face in his chest, which only made him hold her tighter. She was huge, so huge, and it amazed her that Tobias still found her sexy.

Even with her being as big as a whale, he still worshipped her body. Only now he was afraid of resting his weight on her, afraid of crushing the babies each time they made love. Because of that, things had spiced up a lot more in the bedroom, with Tobias wanting to try new positions and new things. Her libido had flourished.

Just the feel of his hard body against her, caused her to react. Even at this late stage of her pregnancy, her desire for him never waned. He pulled her close to his chest, causing a fire to ignite low in her belly.

She wanted him again. She’d been horny throughout her pregnancy, having more sex than she’d ever had in her life. She called it the Tobias-effect. The last time, when she’d been pregnant with Jacob, she hadn’t wanted Colt anywhere near her.

“Don’t be scared, Savannah. I’m going to take good care of you.” His tone was soft, yet authoritative, banishing all doubt and worry. In the next moment his mouth claimed hers, gently at first, planting a soft and tender kiss on her lips, before it turned into a deep and intense duelling of tongues. A low growl came from his throat, a signal that he wanted her.

Her arms gripped around him even harder. He could get her hot and bothered just by hugging her. The blood in her veins pooled south as he hardened against her. He’d showered her with so many massages through her pregnancy, that she was instinctively wired for it. She wanted one now as she remembered how these things often ended. Tobias would start by tending to her lower back—because carrying those babies put more stress there.

Images of last night flashed before her. He’d stripped her naked, then massaged her in bed, his hands turning sensual as his fingers turned from rubbing to stroking motions all over her body.

After a long, languorous time, where she was on the edge of orgasm, he’d moved down her body, settling his face between her legs, his fingers rubbing her clit, teasing and tempting, not daring to go inside even though she begged for it. He was scared of hurting her he’d said, but he’d made her come.

Her cheeks flushed at the thought of her whale-like body still being attractive to him.

His fingers started to work faster and she could feel his desire building. She groaned, knowing they couldn’t take things further this time. “We can’t …” her voice wobbled, belying her true emotions.

She moved her hand lower and stroked him through his jeans. “You can’t be in the operating theatre with this.” Her voice was thick with lust.

“Don’t I know it.” He moved away, his eyes blazing with desire as he stared at her. “This is killing me, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

She nibbled her lip. “You have to stop hugging me.”

“You asked me to.” He grinned, before taking her face in his hands. “You’ve made me insatiable, Savannah.”

“And you’ve turned me into a nymphomaniac.” That made him chuckle.

She sighed, putting a hand against her face in shame. “I can’t believe we’re talking about sex and I’m due to be induced today.”

“I can’t stop wanting you, Savannah. I’ll never stop being crazy about you. I need you.”

Before she had a chance to reply he kissed her again, ratcheting up her heated feelings. His mouth was familiar, warm and sweet, yet sexy and scorching at the same time. She moaned, melting into him as she linked her fingers behind his head, not wanting to let go.

The pull between them had grown, even when she thought it could get no deeper, no more intense. These feelings of love were new, paling everything else she’d ever known about that emotion to insignificance, to the point where she wondered if she’d ever been in love before.

He finally pulled away, leaving her breathless, heated, and unfinished. “I wish I could take care of that for you,” she rasped, eyeing his hard on.

He swallowed, pressing his lips together as if he was in pain. “It can wait. We have all the time in the world. A lifetime together.” His eyes twinkled with promise, before his gaze fell to her breasts. “Damn. I’m going to miss those.” He tugged at his lower lip with his teeth, looking wistful.

And just like that her nipples hardened. The Tobias-effect. She took a step back, as if needing to distance herself in order to cool down. “They’re off limits to you for a while.”

Tobias’s expression turned to one of mock-disappointment. Then a huge smile appeared. “But I can watch you nurse.” He waggled his eyebrows mischeviously.

“You perv!”

His grin widened. “I’ll watch but not touch.”

“Perv!”

He moved towards her and reached for her hand, his thumb stroking her skin. “Like I told you, we have all the time in the world. I can make up for lost time. Right now, my boys will need you more.”

“Don’t remind me,” she groaned. Sleepless nights, aching breasts, no rest. She couldn’t get her head around the fact that she would need to nurse two babies.

How?

Maybe she would get used to it. She’d have to. Just like she’d gotten used to carrying two babies instead of one. Just like she’d gotten used to all the changes in her life. Changes which had begun the moment she’d met Tobias on that cold winter’s evening when she’d followed Jacob into the department story, unaware that a private event was taking place there.

Back then she’d been blissfully ignorant about who he was. Desperate to find work, she’d dragged Jacob around the streets of New York with her as she had scouted the recruitment agencies. Walking into the toy store which had been closed off to the public—and where Tobias hosted a Christmas party for children from the city’s adoption agencies—had been a mistake, but a beautiful mistake which had given her a fairy tale happily-ever-after.

She had been catapulted from being a nobody to being a person of interest as soon as news had spread that she was with Tobias. Their wedding and the subsequent news of her pregnancy soon after had escalated the media’s hunger about Tobias and his new family.

Her life had changed so much it was barely recognizable. As well as having to get used to the bodyguards, the media intrusion, and the abnormal interest in her, she now also lived in a multi-million-dollar home, had a chauffeur, and had recently employed two people dear to her.

Adjusting to her new life as Tobias Stone’s wife took some getting used to, but she had focussed on to the things that mattered the most; Jacob, Tobias and the new lives she was carrying. Twins meant double of everything: the hormones, the tiredness, the hunger.

Being careful not to neglect Jacob, she involved him in everything as much as she could. She’d told him that he was in charge of the toys for the twins’ nursery, because Jacob was an expert when it came to toys.

In charge of the toys for the twins’ nursery.

To think that there had been a time once when she couldn’t even walk into a toy shop because she didn’t want her son to see the toys she could not afford.

Life-changing.

That’s what meeting Tobias Stone had been for her.

Moving to their new home—a place so big that it had an elevator—had been a breeze. It had been easier than moving into Kay’s apartment when she’d first arrived in New York.

For this recent move she’d had a team of people taking care of everything. These days she had people at her disposal whenever she needed. There was comfort in knowing that no more did she have to struggle alone. Her days as a single mom, deep in debt, were over.

But she put her foot down when it came to the matter of how she would raise her babies.

She didn’t want a live-in nanny. She wanted to do it all herself, but she had hired two people close to her heart to help her out. She’d taken on Arnold to work as a handyman taking on odd jobs around the house. The lovely concierge from the apartment block where she had first lived. The friendly, gappy-toothed man had been one of her first friends in the city when everything had seemed so new and daunting in those lean, dark days when she had tried to find work.

He had leapt at her offer of work and in return she made sure he was generously compensated.

Rosalee, her cousin Kay’s cleaning lady, a lovely woman whom Savannah had come to love and trust with her son, now also worked for them, cooking and taking care of the laundry.

Tobias had joked and asked Savannah if she also wanted Luke and Kay to move in, and while they were at it, why not offer Xavier and Izzy a couple of rooms in one wing of the new house?

They could have done so, because her darling husband had gone overboard when he’d been looking at houses, and they’d ended up buying one big enough to accommodate an army.

For now, Xavier and Izzy were happy in Xavier’s Tribeca apartment and there was no way Kay, the independent and working woman, would ever move in completely with someone without him putting a ring on her finger first. There was no question of that, Kay told her when they’d last met. She and Luke were happy running their businesses and being in a relationship.

She stared around at the quiet nursery, giving it one last look. “We should go now. I don’t want to be late.”

Tobias stared at her. “Late? Don’t worry about being late.” He chuckled to himself then reached for her, his big, warm hand resting against her lower back. Arnold had already taken her overnight bag downstairs and loaded it into the SUV where their chauffeur, Morris, was no doubt waiting patiently.

Tobias stared at her for a moment. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

She nodded. “Let’s go and tell Jacob.”

He tugged at her hand just as she set a foot forward. “Now I need a moment.” Like her, he stared around the empty nursery, and inhaled a long breath. “I’m the luckiest man on the planet,” he said finally. She knew what thoughts he had dredged up, what sorrow he had touched upon. She leaned into him, resting her head against his chest and listening to his heartbeat.

“I’m lucky to have you.” She kissed him through his shirt and they stood like that, arms locked together, before he lifted her chin up to him and kissed her again.

It was in these types of moments—where the boundaries of his body, his mouth, melded with hers and she forgot where he ended and she began. This was one such moment. It had nothing to do with making love. She could sit with Tobias Stone, reading a book, and one kiss from him would transport her to someplace else. She’d lose herself in him completely.

Like now, as she responded to his kiss, her heart fluttering and heat snaking upwards from her belly. She was so lost in his kiss, that it was only the sound of running footsteps followed by a shriek that startled them.

“Ewwww!” Jacob cried. He’d run into the room and giggled when they turned and stared at him.

Tobias winked at him. “I love your Mommy.  I can’t help it!” 

Jacob giggled some more.  

“It’s time for me to go to the hospital, honey.” Savannah observed her son’s face carefully. She was always watchful, eager to read his moods, needing to know how he was adjusting to this new life. All she wanted was for him to be happy. He, too, had undergone a sea change in lifestyle, and while she was going to do her best to keep things as normal as possible, it didn’t always work out that way. Not when Tobias flew them to his private island for a short break. Things like that weren’t normal.

Still, she was going to make it her mission to ensure that he and the twins were brought up with good values and manners, and not as spoiled trust fund babies.

“I wanna come!” Jacob cried.

“Izzy is coming over,” she said, brightly “And Xavier has all the latest games on the Xbox.”

“But I don’t wanna play games today.”

She had already explained to him how things would be today. “It won’t be fun, waiting around in the hospital for hours. You’ll get bored, honey.”

“Awww.” Jacob looked at them both, his eyes widening as he realized she wasn’t going to relent. Yet something inside her blossomed. An overwhelming tide of love swept over her, seeing the disappointment in her son’s face. Jacob didn’t want to be left behind and her insides churned at the idea that he might think she was already leaving him out.

Tobias gave her a pained look, before turning to Jacob. “There’s been a change of plan. Xavier and Izzy can’t come over today. Something’s come up.”

“What’s come up?” she whispered. She didn’t want to leave her son at home by himself, even if Arnold was around and Rosalee was due to arrive soon. Jacob needed something to keep him occupied.

“I’ll explain later,” he said, under his breath. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’ve arranged for Lenny to come over for a few hours.”

“You did?” she and Jacob asked in unison. Since when had he taken care of this? Tobias crouched down so that his face was level with Jacob’s. “Have some fun with Lenny, and I promise I will make sure you’re at the hospital as soon as your brothers arrive. I just need to get your mom all settled in first. That’s the most important thing, isn’t it?”

Jacob nodded.

She ran a hand through his hair, her fingers remaining there, as if she couldn’t bear to part. “Once the babies are born you can stay with us for the rest of the day.”

“The whole day?” Jacob’s eyes lit up. It was so easy to dangle a carrot in front of a child and deflect their attention.

“You’re having a sleepover there,” Tobias told him. “I’ve got you and Rosalee a room there.”

“A sleepover?” Jacob cried excitedly.

“You did?” she asked, at the same time. Since when had he made these plans? And when had he cleared things with Rosalee?

“It’s fine. Rosalee is happy to help,” Tobias answered, straightening up and reassuring her.

She still didn’t understand. “But you got them rooms? We’re going to a hospital, Tobias, not a hotel.”

His lips curved up into a smile. “This is no ordinary hospital …” It was his signature line, what he said each time he introduced her to something in his billionaire world; something she would experience and then get used to.

These were the little things she had to adjust to. This was what life with a billionaire was like, and this little matter about getting extra rooms, at a hospital, must have been one of those things.

Kay had phoned her up immediately as soon as she’d found out where Savannah was having the babies. She herself hadn’t had much time to worry about the where, as there were a million other things to think about, but Kay had rambled on about how Savannah would have a team of physicians taking care of her, and how Tobias had booked a suite of rooms at the hospital and how there were round-the-clock visiting times, and that she could have mani-pedis and afternoon tea, and there’d be a boutique where she could get her hair done.

What planet was Kay on?

As if Savannah would have time to worry about her hair or want a manicure.

“Call me the minute Tobias cuts the umbilical cords!” Kay had said to her this morning. “I’ve packed my bag, and I’m on standby.”

 “Make sure you pack your overnight bag, buddy.” Tobias’ voice pulled her back to the present. She hadn’t had a chance to tell him that Kay wanted to come and stay with them for a few weeks and ‘be here for her.’ Tobias took that role seriously, and she knew he wouldn’t want anyone in the way.

Jacob’s tiny mouth curved into a big smile which made her feel better. “I want to be the first to see them. Can I hold them, Mommy?”

“I promise you’ll be the first person after Daddy to see them,” she told him, “and yes, of course you can hold them.”

Daddy. The word fit so naturally, as if Tobias really was Jacob’s father, as if he had always been. He’d loved Jacob like his own, more than Colt ever had.

While Jacob punched the air in extreme joy, she raised her eyebrow at her husband who was texting on his phone. She tilted her head, hoping that it wasn’t anything serious at work which might pull him back to the office. He was no longer the workaholic, and in these last few months, while their new home was being refurbished, and her pregnancy became more difficult, he’d worked from home more.

Tobias slipped his phone away and walked up to her, his hands going easily, and instinctively around her waist.

“What’s up with Xavier and Izzy?” she asked again, when Jacob disappeared, presumably back to his room.

“My mother.”

Her shoulders sagged. Millicent had been calling every day. She and Tobias had been especially vague about the day of Savannah’s induction, but she’d seen Millicent’s ruse of calling daily as a sneaky way to gauge their birthing plan.

“Xavier and Izzy are keeping her at bay. They’re keeping her busy. Taking her to an art exhibition, then lunch and dinner.”

“Spending the entire day with her?” Savannah asked, in shock. Poor Izzy and Xavier, but especially Izzy. Millicent wasn’t even her own blood.

“Dad can’t do it alone. He said to send in the reinforcements.”

Savannah wiped a hand across her brow, feeling guilty. “She’s your mother, Tobias. She should be able to come and see the babies once they’re born.”

“It wouldn’t be a problem if it were only that. She’ll want to be there to cut the cord if she could.”

“Oh, Jesus.” She gazed into her husband’s gun-metal blue eyes. “You’re not even joking are you?”

“This is my mother we’re talking about. What do you think?”

As much as she wanted to give her mother-in-law the benefit of the doubt, she didn’t put it past her to do something like this. Even in her Chanel suit and wearing pearls.

“I want it to just be us for today.” He pressed his lips against hers. “Tomorrow we’ll let everyone come and see the twins, but I just want one night for us.”

She understood. The constant flash of cameras and frenzied paparazzi following them around wherever they went told her how much more rabid they would become in wanting to get a first glimpse of the babies, and her and Tobias.

She winced. “I told Kay we were going to the hospital this morning. She wants me to call her as soon as they’re born.”

His lips twisted. “You won’t be calling her. I will, and I don’t plan on making many phone calls today. You’ll need to rest as much as you can.”

She relaxed, liking the idea of it being just the five of them together. One happy family. “Kay wants to stay with us for a few weeks.”

“For a few weeks?” he wailed. “Should I let my mother stay?”

This was a shock to her system. “She’s asked?” The look in his eyes gave her the answer. A knot twisted in her neck at the idea of Kay and Millicent, and her parents who were going to come at the weekend, all being in the same house at the same time. Thank goodness they lived in a mansion big enough for her to disappear into.

“I’ll tell Kay she can’t come yet.”

Tobias shook his head. “Let Kay come but from tomorrow onwards. Leave me to deal with my mother.”

“Your mother should be allowed to see her grandchildren soon, Tobias. I’m sure your dad wants to.” Ellery Stone was a lovely man, and Savannah doted on him.

“She will get to see them, but right now, I don’t want you to worry about my mother.” He ran his hand over her bump. “We need to be someplace.”

They smiled at one another and made their way to Jacob’s room. Inside, Jacob was going through his closet, and there was a litter of clothes on his bed. A week’s worth of them.

“Honey!” she laughed, “You just need pyjamas and your toothbrush. It’s only one night. Come and give me a hug. We’re leaving for the hospital now.”

Jacob came dashing over. “’Bye Mommy.” He gave her a hug, his tiny arms barely encircling her waist as he hugged her gently, as if he was too afraid of squashing the babies.

Tobias placed a hand on his shoulder. “See you soon, buddy. It won’t be too long, so make sure you’re ready.”

Jacob blinked, then gasped. “I forgot to get their room ready.”

“Ready?” Savannah had no idea what he was talking about. The nursery had been ready for months. The enormous room had been designed by a top interior decorator, the blue and white walls signaling that it was a boys’ room. One white wall had intricately painted pictures of Marvel characters. Her parent’s eyes had popped out of their heads when they’d walked into the new home, but it was the nursery that had her their jaws hanging open.

“Ruby Red … this is your nursery?” Her father hadn’t been able to talk for a while after seeing that.

“What do you have to do to get it ready?” Tobias asked.

“The new toys,” Jacob whispered loudly.

This was news to her. “New toys?”

“I ordered some more,” Tobias explained, clearing his throat. “Jacob and I didn’t think the boys had enough.”

Savannah choked in surprise. “We have a million toys already. You’ve ordered more?”

“Yes.” Tobias looked uncomfortable. The man could buy anything he wanted, and he often did, and for someone like her who was used to a frugal lifestyle, this was something else she was still getting used to.

“What are we doing, Tobias, opening a toy shop?”

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea.” Tobias grinned and raised his hand and Jacob high-fived it. “That’s the pile of boxes in the hallway,” he confessed.

So, he had lied to her? “You said those were Xavier’s!”

“I didn’t want to raise your blood pressure.” He stroked her face, hoping to deflect her attention.  

Jacob waded into the debate. “We’re having two babies, not one, Mommy. We need more toys.”

She opened her mouth, incredulous, her gaze going from Tobias’s face to Jacob’s. Unable to work her mouth, she held a hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe those boxes are full of toys.”

Tobias looked at Jacob. “You should have opened those boxes and put the toys out, buddy.”

The smile slid off Jacob’s face, tugging at her heart strings. “Are you angry with me, Mommy?”

She shook her head. “No.” How could she be angry at him? Jacob was excited, and it was good that he was thinking about what his new brothers could play with. It meant that he wasn’t jealous or feeling neglected.

Tobias and Jacob, between them, had been obsessed with getting the twins’ nursery ready. She’d left it to them, because she hadn’t been prepared for the level of tiredness which had hit her this time around. After moving into this new home, getting settled in had sapped her energy.

There was also another reason for her wanting to let Tobias lead the way with the nursery. She wanted him to do as he pleased because she was all too aware of his personal heartache and of what he had lost in the past. From the moment he’d told her, she’d made it her priority to heal the hole in his heart.

And she had, she liked to think, because every day he told her not only how much he loved her, but how much she had changed his life.

Imagine that, Savannah Page, a woman fleeing an abusive ex-husband, in search for a better life, had changed the life of a billionaire.

Sometimes in the morning when her eyes opened for the first time, she thought about everything life had given her, the bad things and the good. The priceless things, that no one could put a value on.

“I don’t know if they will like Marvel.” Jacob’s brow creased and he tapped a finger against his lips, deep in thought. “We got a lot of cool Marvel toys for them.”

Savannah’s eyes widened. More figurines? Jacob’s bedroom was already full of every Marvel and DC toy that could be bought and they didn’t need any more of them in the house. Besides, those toys wouldn’t be suitable for the newborns. “Plastic toys will be hard, honey. The babies will be too young to—”

“I know, Mommy, but I got plushies. I checked, and Daddy made sure we only got toys for babies.”

At least he’d thought of that.

“Should I open the boxes and set the toys up now?” Jacob asked Tobias. She choked, stroking her belly, listening to the two most important men in her life discussing the ratio of toys to floor space for the nursery. Soon, she would be surrounded by Tobias and her three little men.

Her heart started to beat, with love, and anxiety, and excitement. A heady, thrilling concoction heralding the next chapter of her life.

“It’s a plan,” said Tobias, ruffling Jacob’s head. “Now come and see us out, buddy.”

She slowly climbed down the stairs, refusing to take the elevator. Where she could, she did the things that were normal, and out of the billionaire world.

They walked out, Tobias’ hand grazing her lower back, while Jacob held her hand. She was surrounded by love as she headed towards the SUV where Morris and Arnold were standing around talking.

“Miss Savannah.” Arnold’s eyes brightened the moment he saw her. “It’s time, is it?”

“It is, Arnold.”

He beamed at her, his eyes dropping to her stomach for a quick second before levelling to her eyes again. Morris opened the door for her, and she nodded in acknowledgment.

“Wishing you the best of luck, Miss Savannah. Don’t you worry about this little fella.” He patted Jacob on the head.

“Thank you, Arnold. I won’t worry. I know Jacob’s in good hands.”

“All set?” Tobias asked as she shuffled into her seat. He started to walk around to the other side when Rosalee came rushing into view. “Savannah!” she cried, putting her hand across her mouth. “I almost missed you!”

She felt more at ease seeing her old friend. Rosalee poked her head inside the car and attempted a brief hug. She kissed Savannah on the cheek. “I will pray for you, my dear. I will pray that everything is easy and you have no pain.”

“No pain?” Savannah was dubious.

“I will pray for your speedy recovery.” Rosalee grabbed a hold of Jacob’s hand. “And I will take care of Jacob. Don’t you worry.”

Jacob rushed forward, burying his head on her lap and putting his hand on her belly. “’Bye Mommy.”

“See you soon, my darling.”

The door closed and the car started to move away. Jacob waved. Arnold’s eyes were shining, and Rosalee looked on like a proud mother, holding onto Jacob’s hand. These lives inside her wouldn’t know any of the struggle and hardship she and Jacob had suffered. She’d mostly forgotten about it but moments like this, with the car pulling away, and seeing Jacob with Arnold and Rosalee, reminded her of just how far she had come.

She stared at them for as long as she could, until they disappeared out of sight, and when Tobias slipped his hand into hers again, she knew it was time to think of the future and the good things which lay ahead. 

***

“They’re healthy, beautiful boys.” A nurse beamed at him as she handed him a bundle swaddled in a white blanket.

Tobias gazed down at his son, every cell in his body vibrating with love and joy, mixed up in emotions which brought tears to his eyes.

Another nurse had handed Savannah the other twin. Tobias would have gladly held a baby in each arm, but he was scared of dropping one. This was all so new to him, and these babies were precious.

Delicate.

Fragile.

He would make sure they were showered with love and taken care of. He would do everything in his power to keep them safe. Just like he would their mother. Just like he would with his oldest son, Jacob.

“Look what we made.” His voice was hoarse as he leaned over slightly, showing Savannah his bundle.

Tiredness seeped from her eyes, the only sign that she’d exerted herself physically, because other than that, she was glowing. Her skin was luminescent.

“Aren’t they beautiful?” she murmured, pulling down the blanket and tucking it gently under her baby’s chin.

“They’re perfect. Just perfect.” He cradled his baby close to his chest, loving the new clean cotton scent of him.

Both babies had light brown hair, and only one had opened his eyes, the son Savannah was holding. He stared up at her and she cooed to him, making baby noises, her voice turning to gibberish.

“Let me hold him, too,” she pleaded, glancing at Tobias.

“Are you sure you can hold them both?” A part of him didn’t want to let go, and another protective part of him worried that she might drop one.

She nodded. “Just for a while.”

He leaned over and placed his bundle carefully into her arm.

“Oh, Tobias. Look at what we have.” She stared down at each of the boys in turn. The emotion in her voice mirrored the warm, syrupy feeling in his heart. It bubbled up just then, turning into a white hot light, sparkly, luminous, iridescent. It almost turned him dizzy.

Tobias Stone had his own family. A whole family, all his, and nothing and no one would ever hurt them.

It was surreal.

Bittersweet sensations balled in his throat. When he didn’t say anything, trying to hold it together, Savannah looked at him, and read his mood in an instant.

“Tobias …” she whispered; her tone raspy. He could tell she wanted to reach out, wanted to hold and hug him. She nodded, because she had an inkling of what he was going through, and it was sweet mercy that he didn’t have to explain a thing.

He swallowed as he fought to control himself, overwhelmed by a tsunami of emotions. “I’m happy,” he blurted, his lips twisting, and he tried not to lose it.

She looked around and was about to summon a nurse. She wanted to throw her arms around him and make everything better, but her arms were full with her babies. Their babies. He whipped out his cell phone and snapped some photos, wanting to capture this timeless moment.

“Jacob …” she said.

“He’s coming. I asked the nurse to call Rosalee as soon as I’d cut the cord. They’re on their way.” He bent down, his face mere inches away from hers, looking down at the new lives they had created. “I should have waited before taking the picture.”

“It’s okay. We’ll be taking a truckload of photos from here on in.” She hugged her boys closer to her chest.  

“We should name them as soon as Jacob gets here,” he suggested. One of the boys had a small red mark above his eyebrow. The nurse said it would vanish after a day or so.

“That’s a great idea. We will. You look like you want one of them back.” Savannah lifted her other arm, gesturing for him to take the twin he hadn’t yet held.

But before he could reach for the boy, there was a knock at the door. He went to answer it, only to have Jacob run in as if he were in a race, followed more sedately by Rosalee. She congratulated him and looked as proud as could be.

“She looks so happy,” she gushed, walking over to Savannah. “What a beautiful sight.” She kissed Savannah carefully on her cheek. Jacob couldn’t keep still. His body shaking as if he was about to burst with joy.

“Mommy!” he squealed, reaching out with his little hands to touch the babies, but withdrawing his hands just as quickly.

“You can touch them,” Savannah said, gently. Tobias pulled out his cell phone again and took pictures of Savannah and Jacob looking down at the twins, their faces full of adoration.

“You get in, too,” Rosalee ordered. “We need a family picture.”

He stood on the other side to Jacob, and they all stared at Rosalee, waiting patiently as she turned the cell phone to portrait and landscape, and fiddled around with the buttons. “I’m adding some filters,” she told them, surprising him with her tech-saviness.

“Would you like to hold one of your brothers, honey?” Savannah asked. Jacob nodded and sat on the chair, waiting as Tobias lifted one of the twins from Savannah’s arms and placed them in Jacob’s.

The little boy’s expression turned from sunny and smiling, to serious, and then his lower lip started to wobble. Ssomething churned in Savannah’s gut to see him so emotional, and she couldn’t work out why. Was he jealous? Afraid of being pushed down her list? Scared that she wouldn’t have time for him? That would never happen. Tobias and Savannah stared at one another in horror. Tears rolled down Jacob’s cheeks.

“Honey,” Savannah handed the baby she was holding to Rosalee, and tried to sit forward, to reach Jacob. “What’s wrong?”

He sniffled. “I’ve got a brother, Mommy. I’ve got two little brothers …”

“Do you … do you like them?” Savannah asked, holding her breath. Jacob looked up, surprised, his shoulders slumping, which made Tobias shoot to his side for fear of him dropping the baby.

“I love them so much.”

He saw the relief on Savannah’s face as she slumped back against the pillows. “That’s good, honey. They love you, too.”

“Do you feel left out, Mommy?”

“Left out?”

“You’re the only girl.”

She chuckled. “I’ll get used to it, honey.”

“Maybe we can have a girl next time.” Jacob looked at her with the innocence of a young child. Tobias tilted his head, this new idea seeding and taking root. He raised an eyebrow, shooting Savannah an ‘I-like-this-idea’ look.

“Let me catch my breath, honey. Two boys are a handful and as much as I can handle right now.”

“We’re going to have so much fun, little buddy,” Jacob said to his sleeping brother.

“Yes, you are.” Tobias hovered around, mindful of Jacob’s hold. “Who is this? Samuel or Lewis?”

Jacob’s mouth turned into a round circle.

“You can name them, buddy.”

“You decide,” Savannah agreed.

Jacob

’s brow furrowed, and a concentrated expression swept over his face. “This is Samuel,” he said, finally.

“Are you sure?” Savannah asked.

Jacob nodded. “I’m sure.”

Tobias rubbed his hands together. “Samuel it is, which makes him …” Tobias pointed at the baby in Rosalee’s arm. “Lewis.”

“Lewis,” Savannah echoed softly.

“Come and sit down here, Rosalee. Make yourself comfortable.” Tobias led Rosalee over to the couch in the corner, then carried Samuel over, waiting for Jacob to get settled on the couch next to her. He handed the baby back to him.

“Would you keep an eye on him for a moment?” he asked Rosalee. “Mommy needs to rest for a while,” he told Jacob,

He sat by Savannah’s side again, holding her hand. “I’m starting to feel tired.”

“You should rest while you can, before they start demanding milk.” He smiled, thinking back to Jacob’s suggestion about having a sister. He liked that idea very much, and if Savannah was up for it in the future, hopefully they could try for another baby, or three.

Savannah sank her head further into the pillow. “What are you grinning about?”

He opened his mouth, then thought better than to say what was on the tip of his tongue. Making another baby would be the last thing on her mind. Watching Savannah push out the babies, screaming in agony as she gripped his hand so hard he thought she’d pull it off, he’d been astonished, and proud, and shocked, in equal measure, to witness the strength women had in order to give birth.

It was mind-boggling. And not something that men would be able to do, of that he was sure.

“I love you.” He kissed her hand. This time, those three simple words were weighted with so much sentiment. His love for her could not be adequately expressed in words, or measured, or quantified. It was a thing, as much a part of him as skin, bone and blood. He told her daily that he loved her, but this time it felt different. Heavy. The words sinking into time and space, becoming a declaration to the cosmos of what he and Savannah were to one another, of what they meant to one another. “I love you so much.”

“Come here.” She tugged at his hand. “I. Love. You,” she whispered when he moved closer. “You changed my life, Tobias.”

“No.” He disagreed. She had changed his. “It’s the other way around. You led me back to the light.”

For a man who had believed, not so long ago, that there was nothing to do but drink whiskey and work, his life had transformed completely.

One cold winter’s night, a little boy had peered through the windows of a toy store, and slowly and hesitantly, with his mother, had walked into Tobias’ life.

Savannah and Jacob had saved him.

They made his life complete.