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Chapter fifty six: Life is beautiful

Evan's head rested on my stomach as he began to talk nonsense, his lips continually crinkling into a smile as he rubbed circles and poked to get them kicking. "Daddy cannot wait to meet you both. Remember to say daddy first and eat your greens"

I scoffed at him "we have a long time until we have to feed them food and no, they will say mommy first"

Evan shook his head with a smirk "did you hear that? Mommy just said to please say daddy first"

I rolled my eyes and stroked his hair lovingly "we find out their genders today. Are you excited ?"

Evan kissed my belly "I cannot wait. No matter what these two little babies are"

We had our twenty week scan a few days ago but we kept it hidden in an envelope so we could share the news as a family. I had decided to order takeout, buy a movie and surprise Ember with the genders of her two growing siblings.

"I am going to guess two girls purely because then you would be drowning in estrogen. Imagine all four of us together.. that would be funny" I pondered on with a tedious smirk

Evan shook his head "okay I take that back. I do care. Please let there be one boy in there" he chuckled whilst continuing to poke and prod.

"You're going to piss them off  if you keep doing that" I deadpanned which made him frown and do it more. "They better get used to it. I love it when they kick my face"

"Gosh Evan you're a total wind up" I breathed with amusement floating off my tongue. I couldn't be irritated by him for long as he had such a fun, loving charisma to him that was impossible to dislike.

Ember was asleep next to me with her head resting on my chest, my free hand that wasn't stroking Evan's was combing Ember's locks. The cuddle was peaceful and comforting, I never wanted to leave this moment so I cherished it full heartedly.

**

Popcorn laid out on the coffee table with three Chinese takeout boxes, I had gotten Ember some fizzy which was an off occasion and Evan had his cans of ciders which irked me. I missed the taste of alcohol.

"Mommy why are you doing all this?" Ember asked as we sat down on the couch with the film 'inside out' playing aimlessly in the background. Ember had wanted to see this the moment it had come out in theatre and so she was in her own little world. A happy child meant happy parents so this made me blissfully enjoy the moment.

"I have an envelope here and you get to read it first sweetheart. You'll get to know if you're having brothers or sisters, or both" I told her which made Ember feel honoured, her little hand clasped on her mouth.

"Are you sure I get to see first?" She asked politely in which Evan tickled under her arms, making her buckle over laughing. "Yes you get to silly now open the envelope" He then passed it across to her with his own anticipation devouring him.

Gingerly she opened it and as soon as she read it her eyes widened. "Mommy! Daddy!" She exclaimed

I clasped my hands together "tell us. What does it say?"

"That's my secret" she said tediously "you don't get to find out but I know"

Evan frowned "don't do this to your poor ol dad. My curiosity is quite literally eating me up"

Ember pursed her lips together and puffed out her cheeks "how badly do you want to know?

I chuckled "we want to know so much"

"What is it worth?" Ember stated whilst wiggling her eyebrows. Groaning inwardly I sighed and stared at Evan "what is it worth dad?"

Evan pointed a finger to his chest and stared at me with a gaped mouth "why do I have to choose the bargaining chip ?"

"Because... I feel you could come up with something" I shrugged lazily which made Evan sigh and ruffle his hair; instantly messing it up.

"Fine what do you want Ember" he asked with piqued interest.

Ember pondered "how about a pony?-

"Absolutely not" Evan stated flatly. "I am not looking after a goddamn horse you've got to be crazy Em. Something realistic ?"

She lowered her gaze and kicked her feet "I want a promise in return"

Evan nodded and grabbed her shoulders "what is the promise you'd like me to make ?"

"Both of you are never allowed to ever split up" she stated firmly with stern eyes running through us and burning holes.

Slouching into my chair I laughed to myself with a hand wrapped round my mouth "baby girl we are never leaving one another. Don't you worry"

Ember smiled triumphantly to herself "okay in that case... I have a baby brother and baby sister"

Gasping I looked to Evan with loving eyes, he took the envelope from Ember to make sure and to our delight she was correct. "This feels like a dream" he admitted with a chiselled grin.

"We will have our hands full.." I trailed off "but I cannot wait to complete our family. Isn't that right Ember ?"

Ember nodded "the most perfect family. But if they wake me up in the night I will not be happy"

Rolling my eyes I sighed "darling. They are babies. They will cry, poop and vomit. I cannot promise you'll not be woken up"

Evan snickered "how about you go on nappy duty ? I'm sure we would be happy to teach you"

Ember furrowed her eyebrows and made a gagging face "dad- you don't even know how to change a nappy so how are you going to teach me? Next joke"

Widening my eyes I couldn't believe her mouth, my now eight year old daughter was undeniably my carbon copy. She was so incredibly sassy.

Evan scratched the back of his neck "you got me there. Daddy hasn't got a comeback"

Ember clasped her hands together "in that case I win, you lose. Ha.ha" she then stuck out her tongue and sat back down on the couch cuddled into Evan who instantly opened his arms for her.

"You're a little shit but you're my little shit Ember" he grumbled with a mouthful of popcorn.

{A/N it's like 2am why do I keep doing this 😀 but there we go. Just as a little insider to me I am in the UK so if my American lingo isn't to speed I apologise}