The hospital was a flurry of activity as Sophie let out another scream that could probably shatter glass. The labor room echoed with her increasingly colorful commentary, and the waiting area outside was no less chaotic.
"Ethan D'Angelo!" Sophie bellowed from behind the labor room doors. "You're never touching me again!"
Ethan, pacing furiously in the hallway, froze mid-step and looked at Margaret, who was seated with a serene smile. "She doesn't mean that, right?"
Margaret shrugged. "Let's see if she does after she holds those babies. For now, you might want to stay out of arm's reach. You know, for safety."
---
The Waiting Room Frenzy
Ethan's mother, Martha, sat stiffly in the corner, clutching her rosary beads. "Pray for her, Ethan. Pray for the babies. And maybe for yourself."
"I am praying!" Ethan shot back, running a hand through his already-disheveled hair. He turned to Margaret. "Why did I agree to this again?"
Margaret smirked. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because Sophie is the best thing that ever happened to you?"
"She's the second best thing!" Grandma Vivian piped up from the vending machine. "I'll always be the first."
Martha rolled her eyes. "Vivian, could you not make this about you for five minutes?"
"I'm just saying," Vivian replied, tossing a bag of chips onto the table. "He wouldn't be a father if it weren't for my meddling. You're welcome, everyone."
---
Ethan's Panic
Another scream tore through the air, and Ethan nearly jumped out of his skin. "Oh God, I can't do this. What if I drop one of them? What if they don't like me? What if—"
"Ethan," Margaret interrupted, grabbing his arm. "Breathe. Sophie needs you in there, not having a meltdown out here."
Ethan gulped and nodded, though his legs felt like jelly.
"You'll be fine," Vivian added, patting his shoulder. "Just don't faint. We D'Angelos have a reputation to uphold."
Ethan glared at her. "You're not helping, Grandma."
"I wasn't trying to," she said cheerfully.
---
Inside the Labor Room
Inside, Sophie was gripping the bedrails like a vice, sweat plastering her hair to her forehead. A nurse dabbed her face with a cool cloth.
"Breathe, Mrs. D'Angelo," the nurse said soothingly.
"Breathe?" Sophie snapped. "You think I'm not breathing?! I'll show you breathing!"
Dr. Patel, who had clearly seen it all, merely smiled. "You're doing great, Sophie. Just a little longer."
"Define a little!" Sophie growled, squeezing the life out of the nurse's hand.
---
The Big Moment
Finally, the door burst open, and Ethan stumbled inside, looking pale but determined.
"Sophie!" he exclaimed, rushing to her side.
"Don't 'Sophie' me!" she shouted, grabbing his hand. "You did this to me, Ethan! You!"
Ethan winced as her nails dug into his skin. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! But you're doing amazing!"
"You're lucky I love you," Sophie gritted out as another contraction hit.
---
First Cries
Moments later, the room was filled with the first cries of a baby. Ethan's breath caught as the nurse held up a tiny, squirming bundle.
"It's a boy!" the nurse announced.
Sophie sobbed in relief, collapsing back against the pillows. Ethan, meanwhile, stared at his son like he'd just discovered the eighth wonder of the world.
"He's… he's perfect," Ethan whispered, his voice cracking.
"Don't get too comfortable," Dr. Patel said with a wry smile. "Baby number two is on the way."
---
Double Trouble
Another round of pushing, screaming, and frantic hand-squeezing later, Sophie let out a final cry as the second baby made her grand entrance.
"It's a girl!" the nurse declared, holding up the squalling newborn.
Sophie wept openly now, her exhaustion forgotten as the nurse placed the babies in her arms. "A boy and a girl," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "They're beautiful."
Ethan stared, tears streaming down his face. "You're incredible, Sophie."
---
Ethan Holds His Son
The nurse gently handed Ethan his son, and he froze, cradling the tiny bundle as though it were made of glass. "He's so small," Ethan whispered, his voice shaking.
"And loud," Vivian quipped from the doorway, having barged her way in despite hospital rules.
Ethan shot her a look but couldn't help smiling as his son's tiny hand wrapped around his finger. "Hi, buddy," he said softly. "I'm your dad."
Margaret and Martha peeked in from the hallway, both tearing up at the sight. "Look at him," Margaret whispered. "He's a natural."
"Don't tell him that," Martha replied. "His ego doesn't need the boost."
---
Sophie's Teasing
As Ethan sat beside Sophie, still marveling at their children, she smirked at him. "You were so scared, weren't you?"
"Terrified," Ethan admitted.
"You should've seen him pacing," Vivian said from the corner, munching on her chips. "I thought he was going to wear a hole in the floor."
"Grandma!" Ethan protested, but Sophie laughed, the sound light and happy.
---
The First Family Moment
The room settled into a peaceful quiet as Sophie and Ethan held their babies, their family gathered around them.
"They're perfect," Sophie whispered, looking at Ethan.
"They take after you," Ethan replied, his eyes full of love.
Vivian snorted. "Let's hope they take after Sophie. The world doesn't need two Ethans."
Everyone laughed, even Ethan, who couldn't tear his gaze away from his children.
For the first time in his life, Ethan D'Angelo felt truly complete.