Aspen looked back and forth between Savannah and Denver, waiting for them to speak their piece.
With a squeeze to Aspen’s hand, Denver cleared his throat and said, “Well. That’s not what I expected you to say. I don’t think what you and Mahari did was right, but I do know I’d much rather him be the twins’ father than Lance. Have y’all gotten a DNA test done?”
“We were going to at my next appointment. Since he’s here, I want to get it done. I’ve been far too anxious wondering.”
Finally, Savannah walked over to Aspen, kissed her forehead, and rubbed her hair. “Is this why Lance put his hands on you?”
Dropping her head, Aspen recalled the events that led her to be in the hospital. “Yes.”
“So, I gotta beat his ass again.”
All three of their heads shot toward the door to see Mahari standing there with Lavender and Justin right behind him. Aspen’s and Mahari’s eyes met, and she instantly burst into tears. The last time she saw him, their conversation didn’t end well. He’d been distant since, but one thing never changed with Mahari. Unlike Lance, he was consistent, and showing up for Aspen was something he never failed to do.
Savannah and Denver stepped back to allow Aspen and Mahari to have their moment. Just his presence was more than enough for Aspen. With their foreheads pressed together, Mahari gently swiped Aspen’s tears away before pecking her lips.
“You don’t know how scared I was on the way here,” Mahari admitted and kissed Aspen again. “We didn’t have any information, so my mind was thinking the worst. I’m just happy you and my girls are good.”
Aspen giggled. “Your girls?”
“Hell yeah. I don’t care what anyone says or thinks. They’re mine.”
“But what if they are Lance’s biologically? I mean, I’m worried if I’m being honest. The way he attacked me . . .” Aspenpaused and swallowed. “I’ve never seen him like that. I feel like he’ll try to be spiteful.”
“And like I said, he can get his ass beat again if he wants to try anything. Family or not.” Mahari lifted his forehead and went to poke Aspen. Remembering she had a C-section, he nudged her chin and winked. “I got you, Bunny. Don’t worry about him. You know you’re safe with me.”
Never in Aspen’s life had she doubted Mahari on that either. Time and time again, he’d shown he could put action behind everything he said.
Everyone talked until the nurse came in to check on Aspen and asked if she wanted to see the girls. Only two people could go at a time, so she and Mahari went. The nurse wheeled her back while Mahari trailed beside them, holding Aspen’s hand. When they got to the NICU, Mahari’s hand moistened. He gently squeezed Aspen’s as he peered into the room.
“I was in the room with you when they were born,” he spoke, and Aspen didn’t miss the cracking in his voice.
Aspen gasped. “You were?”
Mahari bobbed his head, smiling. “I made it here just in time. Your parents weren’t here, and I wasn’t about to let you go back by yourself. Plus, I wouldn’t have missed their birth for anything in the world.”
Knowing Mahari was there to witness the girls’ birth comforted Aspen. She’d secretly been worrying no one had been there with her, but of course, the man who never failed her was present.
“They’re so small,” Aspen said, feeling a bout of sadness washing over her.
“For now,” the nurse stated. “They’re already strong girls. I have full faith they will pass all their tests and be out of here in no time. Mom, Dad, let’s get washed up and go inside.”
Hearing the nurse refer to Mahari as ‘dad’ warmed Aspen’s heart. The nurse took them inside to the sink where they washed their hands and went to the girls’ incubator. They were placed inside together, and Aspen choked up seeing them hold hands. She glanced up at Mahari who had tears rolling down into his beard.
The nurse questioned, “What are their names?”
Since she’d found out the twins were girls, Aspen had been going back and forth on their names. She had a few ideas in mind, but she wanted Mahari to have a say as well.
“What are you thinking, Mahari?” Aspen reached her hand in to gently caress baby A. “I’m thinking she will be Brooklyn.”
Mahari chuckled. “I see you’re keeping a trend in the family.”
“It’s a must. If it was up to me, baby B would be Montana, but I’ll let you choose.”
Closely, Aspen watched Mahari walk over to the other side, reach in, and touch baby B. The way his eyes brightened made Aspen smile. From the looks of it, she could tell they would have him wrapped around their tiny fingers.
“Mayvin. May May for short.”
“Brookie and May May. I love it.”
