You Stayed With Us

What I Never Expected

Jennie's POV

The house was finally quiet.

After all the cheers, fireworks, and Lisa literally running in circles like she just won the Olympics, it felt strange—peaceful, even—as I closed the door behind us. Lisa carried Ella upstairs while I moved a few of the pink-and-blue goodie bags off the couch and into the kitchen. I could still smell the sugar from the cake, the hint of fireworks in Lisa's clothes, and the lingering warmth of everyone's congratulations.

I padded upstairs, barefoot, rubbing the side of my belly with both hands. My heart was still racing, and not just from the excitement of the day—but from how real it all was now.

We're having boys. Two boys.

I peeked into Ella's room. Her form was curled under her cloud blanket, cheeks slightly red from earlier, one hand loosely wrapped around her unicorn plushie. Dada and Mommy's little girl. Soon to be big sister.

Lisa had already kissed her forehead and tucked her in tight. I just leaned on the doorframe for a moment, soaking her in. Then I tiptoed back to our bedroom.

Lisa was lying on her side of the bed, already in her pajamas—a loose white shirt and PJ pants, her hair slightly messy from how much she'd run around earlier. She looked up at me with that post-party sparkle still in her eyes, like she was still riding the high.

"Come here, Mommy of two baby boys," she grinned and patted the bed.

I chuckled softly, making my way over and crawling in beside her. She reached for my belly instantly, one hand resting gently over it.

"They're still in there," I teased.

"They better be," she murmured, eyes soft. "Because I'm not ready to share them with the world just yet."

Lisa's palm moved in slow, tender circles, and I could feel the warmth of her touch through the fabric of my tank top. "Hey, you two," she said, leaning down and planting a soft kiss just below my belly button. "Your Dada is officially the happiest person on earth. You've been making Mommy eat weird stuff and cry at dog food commercials, but it's okay. We love you. So much."

I laughed, not even bothering to deny the dog food commercial thing. It had happened last week. And I cried for a good ten minutes.

Lisa looked up at me with a proud grin. "Can you believe it's two boys?"

"No," I admitted, reaching out and brushing her hair behind her ear. "I really thought... there'd be at least one girl. I don't know why. Maybe because Ella's such a girly girl."

"Maybe," Lisa said, settling beside me again, her hand still resting protectively over my bump. "But now she's gonna be the queen of the house. Two baby brothers to boss around."

"Oh no," I laughed. "We're in trouble."

Lisa wiggled her brows. "We're in double trouble. And you know what this means..."

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"We'll have to try again next time. For a girl."

I snorted. "Next time?"

"Next time," she said confidently, as if we weren't already about to raise three kids. "We'll plan better. Maybe do a full moon dance. Reverse the universe."

"You're not helping your case," I said through a grin. "Also, you're the one who said you didn't mind how many kids we have, as long as I'm healthy."

"I still don't," she whispered. "But I like the idea of a little mini-you. A bossy little CEO who crosses her arms when she doesn't get her way."

"I already have one of those," I joked, nodding toward Ella's room.

We both laughed quietly, the room wrapped in a soft calm that made everything feel more intimate. The air conditioner hummed gently above us, and the night outside was painted in moonlight and leftover sparks from earlier fireworks.

Lisa turned to me, her eyes a little more serious now. "Are you okay though? Like really okay?"

I blinked at her, then slowly nodded. "Yeah. I am. I mean, I'm still in shock. But... it's the good kind of shock. Like... happy dizzy. I don't know how to explain it."

She pulled me close, pressing her forehead to mine. "That makes sense. You don't have to explain it."

For a while, we just lay like that, tangled up together. I could feel the occasional movement in my belly, soft nudges like tiny reminders that they were in there, listening. Existing.

I let out a long sigh. "You think we'll be good at this?"

Lisa opened one eye. "What, raising two boys?"

"Yeah. Handling... that much chaos?"

Lisa shrugged. "We already survived Ella's 'why phase' and her glitter slime obsession. I think we'll be okay."

"Yeah, until one of them eats sand and the other sticks a spoon in the outlet."

Lisa snorted, laughing into my shoulder. "Don't give them ideas."

We both giggled until our laughs faded into silence again. I shifted closer, resting my head on her chest. Her heartbeat was steady and warm, like home.

"I love you," I murmured.

"I love you more," she replied, tracing slow circles on my back.

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"We're not doing this again," I yawned into her shirt, eyes already fluttering closed.

Lisa chuckled and kissed the top of my head. "Fine. You win."

I smiled in victory, too tired to say anything else. I felt her hand gently move over my belly one last time, then settle there like it belonged.

And just like that, wrapped in love and the quiet wonder of what was to come, we both drifted off to sleep.