Tsubaki didn't remember much after she successfully pushed her second baby out. She was so tired until it was hard to keep her eyes open. The intention to look at her babies before resting was unfulfilled as she fell asleep as soon as her second baby was held by the doctor.
By the time she woke up, she was back in the private ward where she resided since last night. Her initially sweaty body felt so clean, signaling that the nurses had taken care of her while she was sleeping.
As Tsubaki groggily opened her eyes, she was met with a pair of dark eyes. Deep concern was reflected in them, showing how uneasy the owner of the eyes was.
"...Darling," Tsubaki whispered. Her voice was hoarse as her throat felt so dry.
"Sweetheart, you're awake. Do you want water?" Ren brushed the back of his hand over her cheeks.
Her complexion was still pale but it was better than the time she was wheeled out of the labor room.
Tsubaki nodded listlessly. Ren helped to adjust the position of the bed, letting the upper part reclining using a button before he poured a glass of water for his wife. He brought the rim of the glass close to her lips, slowly helping her to drink the water.
"Where are our babies?" Tsubaki asked after moistening her parched throat.
"They are in the nursery," Ren sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his wife. He smiled softly, "You fell asleep so, I couldn't say it as soon as you got out of the labor room. Sweetheart, thank you. You've worked so hard. Take it easy from now, en?"
"Hehe, how could I take it easy when we have two brats?" Tsubaki laughed easily.
Even though the exhaustion hadn't diminished completely, she was happy to talk about the two fleshes that came out of her own body.
"Ah! I haven't asked you! Who wins?" Tsubaki suddenly recalled something.
Ren shot her a helpless look, "You've won. I lost."
"Hehe~ I did say it's a mother's intuition," said Tsubaki proudly.
Ren laughed softly. He gave her a head pat.
Although Tsubaki did routine check-ups as frequently as possible, both of them didn't inquire about the genders of their babies. They just knew their babies were fraternal twins. They wanted to keep it as a surprise.
Thus, Tsubaki randomly made a bet with Ren, saying that they would have a boy and a girl while Ren insisted they would have two girls.
It turned out, she won.
"Can't I see them now? I want to see them~ Pretty please, darling?"
It had been three hours after she came out of the labor room yet she hadn't seen the babies. Tsubaki wanted to go out of bed to visit the nursery but Ren refused. He said he would bring the babies here.
"Tsubaki! You've awake!"
Grandma, Aunt Kasumi and Satsuki entered the ward as soon as Ren left.
Tsubaki smiled at the sight of her favorite people.
"Grandma, it's already late yet, you're still here?"
Tsubaki was worried because it was already night but her old grandmother-in-law still didn't return to the old house.
"Grandma would go back later. I have to see you before going home," Grandma affectionately held her hands, "Thank goodness, you and the children are safe and sound. Rest well. Don't be anxious. All of us will help you and Ren to take care of the babies."
"Congratulations, Tsubaki," Aunt Kasumi wholeheartedly congratulated the new mother, "You're a mother now. Come to me if you need anything."
"Sister, my nephew and niece look like little monkeys! I can't believe the newborn babies I saw on TV are just a deception!" Satsuki went on to complain of his newfound knowledge.
He had always thought the babies that had just been born would have smooth skin, cute eyes and noses. He didn't expect he was deceived by the TV when in fact, most newly born babies' skins were wrinkly! Their faces also looked flat!
"You brat, Grandma has said that they would turn cute soon! Just you wait," Grandma frowned at the young man.
"Hehe, Grandma, don't be mad~ I just said it," Satsuki quickly appease the old grandmother.
"Humph! Let those brats pester you once they could crawl and walk!" Grandma snorted.
Although Satsuki rarely went to the old house since he was busy with his college, Grandma treated him like her own grandson. He was also closed to Takuma as both of them shared the same hobby in filming and photography.
After some time, Ren returned. Two nurses pushed two baby cribs inside the ward. They were issued by the hospital for the newborns.
"Sweetheart, our babies are here," He announced with affection brimming in his eyes.
Ren bent down, he carefully carried a baby from the blue crib and brought the baby to Tsubaki. Although his action appeared awkward and clumsy, it was clear he was being extremely careful when handling the little one.
"Hehe, is he the eldest?" Tsubaki took the baby and held him as the teacher in the pre-natal class had taught her.
Like Ren, she was a bit clumsy when holding the baby.
The little one was so small and so soft. Tsubaki was afraid she would accidentally hurt him if she put the slightest pressure on the little one.
"He's the big brother," Ren chuckled softly, "And, this is our little princess."
Ren carried the baby from the pink crib and sat on the edge of the bed.
Both of the babies were sleeping soundly when they were brought inside but, as if they sensed their mother, both of them slowly opened their eyes and stared at Tsubaki and Ren.
Two pairs of eyes were looking at the new parents. Even though their eyes were still puffy, Tsubaki saw their eyes opened from the thin slits on the small faces.
"They are so cute~ Mommy's treasures," Tsubaki felt like her heart melted into a puddle with just a look from the two buns.
As if the newly born twins reached a consensus, both of them babbled and giggled, showing a happy and silly expression.
With the twins' gurgles filled the room, all of them were happily looking at the babies in Ren and Tsubaki's arms.
Tsubaki and Ren looked at one another. Both of them had tenderness in their eyes and smiles.
Tsubaki stayed in the hospital for three days. Many people came to visit her.
Kanako came with Hajime, Hibiki brought Yoshie while the others of Camellia Sweet's came as well. Uncle Kiyonaga and Aunt Touko especially made a trip to the city to visit her and the babies. Aunt Shiori rushed here from her seaside villa, wanting to see the newborns.
Granny Sumiko was allowed to leave the sanatorium to meet her great-grandchildren. Takuma was a bit jealous when he saw his cousin got twins while he was drowning in the huge workload.
Nagao Yuuto brought Kouichi and Aunt Ume as well. Kouichi was so happy to meet his little cousins. Tsubaki asked him to come to play with the twins every time he could. The little guy solemnly swore that he would take good care of them, making everyone in the room laugh good-naturedly.
Everyone was happy with the arrival of the twins.
After three days, Tsubaki and the twins were brought to the old house. Grandma wouldn't be at ease if they returned to Spring Garden. Ren agreed with his grandmother as he found the old house was the proper place for his wife during the confinement period.
"Don't carry him like that! You'd squeeze him!"
"Ah, tilt the bottle a bit... Yes, that's the right way."
"It's alright if their hands feel cold, it's only natural. Wearing mittens in a long run might slow their development."
The new parents learned a lot as they were in the old house. Grandma and Aunt Kasumi had a lot of advice to them.
Even though there were two nannies taking care of the babies especially during the night, both Tsubaki and Ren were actively involved in handling the little buns. While Tsubaki was told to rest more and only focused on breastfeeding the babies, Ren took the task of changing the diapers and everything else.
Ren was extremely grateful that he was able to have the privilege of focusing on his wife and children all day long.
One day, Tsubaki woke up from her afternoon nap. She looked at the left and right, searching for the babies that were supposed to lie beside her on the vast bed. Then, her eyes were trained on her husband's back as he was standing while facing the closed windows.
His voice sounded so gentle in the room.
"...winter ends, spring is here... En? Hehe, Daddy and Mommy would bring you two out, okay? Be good, don't make trouble ah..."
He was holding both of the babies in his arms, letting them nestled on his chest. Their little princess was babbling while her elder brother just quietly lied in their father's arm.
Such a scene would never fail to make her smile in joy.
Tsubaki gathered the cardigan draped on her shoulders before she slowly got out of the bed. She was able to walk as usual although Grandma would always remind her to not overdo it.
"Darling~"
Ren's ears perked up. He swiftly turned around with the babies in his arms.
"Sweetheart, have a good nap?" He leaned in and kissed her cheeks.
"Hehe, yes~" Tsubaki stretched out her hands and took the elder brother from Ren, "Hurm, are Mommy's babies behaved well with Daddy today?"
"Ah goo... Boo... Aboo..." The little princess babbled with her small fists went up and down.
"Hahaha, stay with Daddy, ah. Let Mommy carry your elder brother first," Tsubaki teased their little princess.
The family of four stood facing the windows, watching the scenery outside.
It was early spring.
"Darling, I've thought of their names," Tsubaki looked up at her husband.
They still hadn't named their little munchkins as both of them couldn't think of suitable names.
"You got inspirations from your dreams?" Ren laughed softly.
Tsubaki chuckled. Her eyes bent into crescents.
"Kenichi and Fumiko. How about that?"
Ren's eyes flickered softly.
"They are great."
A wise one and an intellectual one.