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I couldn’t wait to bring Emilia and Theo home.
Our sanctuary was coming together. The kangaroos from Austin were settled in, and I tried to keep busy by caring for them, even through recovery. We had adopted a second emu, and he was a lot sweeter than Birdtha. We had a couple capybaras, and we were making a name for ourselves in the industry already. We would eventually open to the public, allowing people to come see the animals, and in the case of the goats, feed them. My dreams were finally becoming a reality, right there in Sunville. Who could have imagined?
Goaty had fully healed and was doing a lot better.
Life was good. I had everything I could ever want; I was just missing my babies.
The day they were released from the hospital was one of the happiest days of my life. Our entire family and friends were at the house waiting for us. Emily bought her daughter, Rosie, and all my nieces and nephews were there too. It was a lot, but my heart was full.
Between Irene, Grace, and Emily, I hardly had a chance to hold my own babies, but it was fine. They were home now, and I’d have all the time in the world with them.
Levi was by my side, beaming proudly and playing with Nicholas and Madeline while our sisters fought over our adorable, perfect twins. He was so good with them, and I knew he was going to be the perfect father for our munchkins.
My parents, mostly my mom, were fighting alongside our sisters to see the twins. Everyone agreed we would have to set up a schedule to allow people to come over and help us.
As the day went on, and the babies - and Levi and I - were getting sleepy, we kicked everyone out. My mom was the last to leave, always super stubborn and wanting to help, but eventually, it was just my little family.
I put Emilia to sleep while Levi handled Theo and seeing them in their cribs in their perfect little nursery filled my heart with such joy. We stood there and watched them in silence for what felt like an eternity, until Levi suggested, “We should probably get some sleep. They’ll be up for feeding time in a matter of hours.”
With two, it meant even less sleep. Taking shifts was harder. Levi was right.
Knowing my babies were safe and sound in the nursery connected to our bedroom made it a bit easier, but I didn’t want to leave them. I never wanted to leave them.
Levi nudged me into our bedroom and helped me dress in nightclothes. My eyes were so heavy, I barely made it into bed.
Levi snuggled close to me, and I rested my head against his chest.
“Did you ever expect life to turn out this way?” I asked him sleepily.
“No, never. Had you told me a year ago that I’d be settling down to bed with my fiancé with my children in the next room, I would have laughed you right out of the room.”
“But you’re happy, right?” I looked at him, seeking reassurance due to the damned pregnancy hormones causing me to feel all kinds of weird emotions.
“Of course,” he said with a serious look. “I could never have planned any of this, even if I had tried, but Anna… this is exactly where I’m meant to be, and I have no doubt about it. I was lonely before. I just never admitted it to anyone. But now I have you and our babies… and I have never been happier.”
“Good,” I said, dotting a kiss on his bare chest as I settled against him. “Because I never imagined life this way either, but my heart has never been fuller.”
Levi stroked my hair softly. “And would you say your dreams have come true, as far as your career goes?”
“Absolutely,” I said. “Owning my own reserve is far better than working for anyone else, and I get to be right here with you and my family, something I never thought possible while pursuing my dreams.”
My eyes soon grew too heavy to keep open, and reality now seemed better than any dream I could ever have, but I allowed myself to slip off to sleep. I needed the rest. We had a very busy life with twins and the reserve and a wedding to plan.
But I meant it when I said I couldn’t be happier.
Sometimes even the best laid plans were no comparison for what life had in store for you, and in my case, I certainly found that to be true.
EpilogueI
ANNA
One Year Later
“Seeing the goats walk down the aisle almost killed me,” Irene said with a snort. “I mean, you guys told me the goats were going to be your ring bearer and flower girl, but I really didn’t believe you.”
Levi was grinning and laughing along with his sister with Emilia in his arms. Theo was sitting on the dance floor with Rosie and Madeline, wiggling along to the music.
“Your wedding was one of the most beautiful I’ve been to,” Emily said. “Second to my own, of course.” She smiled playfully.
