Family Forever (Book 5 in Nemi Forever series)

Chapter 1

Author's Note: This is the 5th book in a series, so if you haven't read the previous books, you may want to check them out. "Maybe Forever" book 1, "You for me, Forever" book 2, "Heart & Soul Forever" book 3, "Happily Forever After" book 4. Enjoy! Thanks for reading!!

Demi

I don't remember many details of my labor & that's probably a good thing. I was in a lot of pain, I remember that much. The only vivid memories I have is how wonderful Nick was during the whole thing & seeing my babies for the first time. My son, Jered Asher, was amazing to look at with his dark blue eyes surrounded by long eyelashes & his dark hair making him look exactly like Nick. I know it was hard to really tell this early, but I had a feeling he'd look like his daddy as he got older. I knew his eyes would change eventually to the same soft brown as Nick's. My daughter, Mercedes Faith, was positively breathtaking. She also had dark hair, but hers was a little longer & thicker than Jered's. Her blue eyes were the same shape as mine & she also got Nick's long lashes, thankfully. Both of them had a fuller bottom lip, just like me & Nick. Our moms were right, we had similar features. Jered's lips looked exactly like Nick's & I think Mercy's mouth looked like mine. Both Jered & Mercy had long fingers, which delighted both me & Nick. They were destined to play music.

The day after they were born, Nick & I laid our beautiful miracles on the bed in front of us & we explored every inch of them, together. We couldn't get enough of them & were delighted with every dimple, every crevice & every detail we discovered on their bodies. I watched Nick hold our son & the smile that took over his face was enough to make even a heartless person melt. He was a proud father for sure & I could see the twinkle in Nick's eye as he imagined all the things he would teach our son. My heart leaped when I saw Nick hold our daughter, just as I knew it would. His expression was soft & thoughtful, much like Mercy's. I watched them together, her forehead covered with tiny wrinkles & I already thought she was going to have Nick's personality. She had a gentle look about her, but when her eyes were open, she had a deep intensity. She was going to do everything with enthusiasm, I could already tell. She would finish everything she started, I just knew it. And another thing I knew for a fact, she was going to love her daddy. She watched him, already, as if he was the most important person in the world to her.

The first week at home with the babies was a whirlwind. We had tons of visitors, but I was grateful to everyone who came & offered their assistance. It made easier, than being alone with our children. Our moms offered to spend the night for the first few weeks & I was incredibly thankful. I loved learning from my mom & Denise, both, taking in everything they said. Our moms even offered to get up with the babies, so Nick & I could get sleep. Most of the time, I got up with them as well as my mom & Denise. I never woke Nick to get up with them. There was no point. Nick was a little over our moms being there after the first few days, but he knew I was nervous about being alone with them. We had a small argument about it one night, when the babies were a day shy of being one week old. With so many people being in the house & both of us being so exhausted, Nick & I hadn't had a lot of alone time, therefore we hadn't had many meaningful conversations.

Nick was lying in bed when I came in from the bathroom, after brushing my teeth. It was the first time we'd both be awake in bed at the same time since we got home from the hospital. The babies were a week old the next day & we'd been home from the hospital for five days now. We had a baby monitor in our room, so we could hear when they woke up, which was still every few hours. I would usually get up & go to the babies & try feeding them on the breast. It was hard breastfeeding two babies, but they took to their bottles just as easy, thank God. I was pumping all the time it seemed, but it was worth it. I loved breastfeeding them & cherished each feeding with them both. I usually breastfed whoever woke first, then I would try to take turns & give them equal amount of mommy time. I hadn't breastfed both at the same time yet, because of how overwhelming it seemed.