You Stayed With Us

Two for Two

Jennie's POV

Months has passed, the house had settled into a weirdly quiet routine during school hours. Ella, Noah, and Nathan were all at school, which meant Lisa and I were left with just Scarlett and Cooper for the day.

I was sitting cross-legged on the floor of Scarlett's room, surrounded by a small mountain of plushies, wooden blocks, and those pretend tea sets she insisted we "drink" from — except she always "forgot" to pour me any tea.

Lisa was lying on her stomach beside me, pretending to help build a block tower but mostly just keeping Scarlett from knocking it over every five seconds.

Cooper, our ever-patient dog, was sprawled on the carpet like he'd given up on life, while Scarlett climbed onto his back for the fifteenth time that morning.

"Giddy up, Coop!" Scarlett giggled, bouncing in her Minnie Mouse pajamas.

"Scarlett Manoban," Lisa groaned, trying not to laugh as she lifted her off the poor dog. "We talked about this. No horsey rides on Cooper."

"But he likes it," Scarlett insisted, patting Cooper's head. "See? He's smilin'."

I snorted. "Baby, that's called tolerance, not smiling."

Lisa looked over at me, and I swear her eyes softened the moment she took in Scarlett's little face. It was uncanny — the button nose, the sharp little eyes, the way her lips curled into that mischievous smirk. She was basically Lisa in miniature form, and Lisa knew it. She was so proud, she might as well have worn a shirt that said Made by Lisa.

"Admit it," Lisa said, smirking. "She's my twin."

"Mm," I teased, reaching over to boop Scarlett's nose. "Except her sass comes from me."

"No, I get it from me," Scarlett corrected with a grin, before running off to fetch her doll stroller.

And that's when I hear my phone ding.

I was still laughing when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen — and froze.

It's an email.

From Ms. Kelley. The twins' teacher.

Subject line: Parent-Teacher Conference Request.

Oh no.

I feel the color drain from my face instantly.

The last time we got an email from Ms. Kelley, it was because the twins had overheard me saying a certain... word. A bad one. A "do not repeat in polite company" word. Which, of course, they both decided to shout in unison during class like it was a group performance.

Lisa notices my expression and raises an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

I turn the phone so she can see.

Lisa's face lights up in amusement. "Ohhh, this is going to be good."

"Good?!" I snap, already spiraling. "What if they threw paint on the principal? Or climbed onto the tables? Or—or—"

She chuckles. "Honey, breathe. It's probably nothing."

I glare at her. "You're way too calm about this."

Lisa leans in, smug. "Because last time it was your fault."

I'm still glaring when we get dressed and load Scarlett into the car, who insists on bringing her stuffed bunny and a toy teacup for reasons unknown.

By the time we arrive at the school, my heart is doing double-time.

Ms. Kelley greets us at the door, smiling warmly. "Jennie, Lisa—thank you for coming."

Scarlett immediately decides the hallway is her personal playground. She's darting from wall to wall, tapping bulletin boards, and pointing at art projects like she's inspecting them for quality control.

"Scarlett, stay with Dada!" I called.

"She's your daughter, you get her," I told Lisa, who immediately looked like she'd been given an impossible mission.

"Scarlett!" Lisa chased her as Scarlett laughed, touching every poster, every desk, every paperclip like she was cataloging them for future reference.

I, on the other hand, am in full panic mode, following Ms. Kelley down the hall like she's leading me to a courtroom. "So... um... what exactly happened? Did the twins—"

Ms. Kelley just smiles cryptically. "We'll talk in the room."

Great. My heart rate spikes again.

When we finally sit down, Scarlett immediately starts touching the pens on Ms. Kelley's desk. Lisa tries to pull her back, but Scarlett's got the strength of a determined toddler and the charm of a mini-Lisa, so resistance is futile.

Ms. Kelley finally speaks. "I wanted to call you in because... as you know, graduation is coming up for the kindergartners."

Lisa and I exchange a quick glance.

"I wanted to let you know the twins will be receiving some awards."

My brain short-circuits for a second. "Wait... awards? Like... good ones?"

Ms. Kelley eyes twinkle. "Very good ones. Noah is getting the Eager Beaver Award for active participation, and the Sunshine Award for cheerfulness."

I blink at her. "...Are we talking about the same Noah who once tried to convince his classmates that glue sticks were candy?"

She laughs. "Yes, that Noah."

Lisa is grinning now, squeezing my hand.

"And Nathan," Ms. Kelley continues, "will be getting the Friendly Neighbor Award for friendliness, and the Cheerful Helper Award for helpfulness."

My jaw actually drops.

For a moment, Lisa and I just sat there staring at her.

"Are you... sure we're talking about our kids?" I asked slowly.

"They've both been such a joy in class," Ms. Kelley assured me. "They deserve it."

Scarlett clapped her hands. "Yay Noa! Yay Nayan!"

Lisa leans toward me, whispering, "See? Not troublemakers. Just... charming little machines."

I can't help but smile. "I'm... really proud of them."

Ms. Kelley nods warmly. "You should be. They've both grown so much this year."

After we said our thank-yous and stepped outside, we lingered near the front of the school, waiting for Ella and the twins to come out. Scarlett was now perched on Lisa's shoulders, pointing out every single bird, car, and cloud in the vicinity.

"You know," Lisa said quietly, "I always knew they'd surprise us."

I glanced at her. "Yeah... me too."

We both smiled, watching the classroom doors open.

And when Noah and Nathan came running toward us, their faces bright and their little arms open, I knew this was one of those moments I'd keep tucked away forever — the ones that make all of it worth it.