How was it possible that an entire year had passed by? It seemed like just yesterday that Bella had found out she was pregnant, let alone given birth to Mya and her surprise twin Eryn. So much had changed since then. Their lives had morphed from one completely occupied by Ithemba and their furry babies, to one filled with baby babbles, excited squeals, dirty nappies and cranky moments. Their nights had become sleepless, dominated by feedings, lullabies and nappy changes. Despite all of this, the girls brought so much joy into their lives.
They were absolutely beautiful with dark hair like their father’s, light eyes like both of their parents, and a complexion that complimented both sides of the family. Bella still wondered what more years would bring. Would their complexions change? Would their hair become more wild like hers or tame like Nathan’s? Would they be adventurous? Quiet? Confident? Shy? Bella watched, contemplatively, while the girls sat by the window in the dresses and flower headbands that had been sent by their grandmother. They looked so adorable, admittedly, in their birthday outfits, each of them trying to feed each other remaining bits of frosting from their fingers. They’d enjoyed every moment of their very first cake. One cake out of many more to come, gods willing. Once upon a time, Bella carried the two princesses just beneath her heart. Now they were starting to outgrow her lap - the two of them together at least. It was incredible how things changed. Bella closed her eyes and sent up a silent wish to the powers above: may the girls have many, many more wonderful birthdays
0 Comments
Who needed a rooster when Eryn marked the crack of dawn with her piercing cry? An announcement that she was awake, and a signal for Mya to join in on her siren. Bella groaned and rolled over in bed, her arm draping around Nathan. His eyes opened groggily to stare at the ceiling for a brief moment before meeting Bella’s gaze. “Well… we made it through the night at least,” said Nathan.
Bella smiled sleepily. “We did. Finally.” It had been a struggle getting the twins used to being in their nursery. Together, Nathan and Bella had managed to put together the room that the twins would share for as long as they could tolerate being in each other’s space. They had outgrown their hanging bassinet. In just a few months, they would turn one year old. It was unbelievable. For Bella, it was bittersweet watching her babies sprout so rapidly. If time could slow down just a tad. A string of disgruntled baby babbles emitted from the monitor. Eryn was complaining. She was the more verbal one, but Mya was so full of personality even in her silence. At times she reminded Bella so much of herself, at other times so much like her daddy. Now it was Mya’s turn to yell something. “Okay, okay,” said Bella, sitting up. “Mummy’s coming.” “No, I’ll go,” said Nathan, putting a hand on Bella’s arm just as she was about to get up. He leaned over her and pressed a kiss against her cheek. He’d expressed to her how much he appreciated her taking on this maternal role and still being there for Ithemba. He felt he wasn’t doing enough, but Bella knew how demanding running a wildlife rescue was. They both did their best to balance family life and their business. So far it seemed to be working well. While Nathan went to start the twins’ morning routine, Bella got started on breakfast. As always, it would be a long day, but they’d already accomplished something major: their twins slept through the night in their nursery. Major success. Sleep wasn’t quite coming for Bella on Christmas night. But rather than stay awake, tossing and turning in misery, she scrolled through the many photographs they’d taken of their twins for their very first Christmas. They were absolutely adorable if she did say so herself. She was still amazed. She and Nathan created these two beautiful human beings. They were so full of life and they certainly brought joy and laughter to the Dwyer household.
Now that Christmas was over, however, the morning after brought the start of Nathan’s birthday. Bella hadn’t found the time to come up with a special plan for her hubby’s birthday, but as she’d been awake, she used the time to quickly think something up. Miraculous, the girls slept for most of the night. Perhaps it was all the excitement of Christmas. It gave Bella the opportunity to bake and decorate a cake, slice and containerize various fruits, and pack a picnic basket filled with bread, fruits, juice and of course some baby-friendly snacks for the girls. She asked Belie to cover for her and Nathan for just a few hours, and as usual Belie was more than happy to do so. Returning to bed, Bella crawled close and pressed a soft kiss against Nathan’s lip. She knew before long, the twins would announce that it was time to wake up, so she figured she’d beat them too it. “Morning, birthday boy,” she whispered. “I’m sorry to wake you this early and this might be lame but… I hope you’re up for a breakfast picnic?” She smiled at him. His sleepy gaze was so adorable. “As soon as the girls wake.” Nathan’s response was intercepted by a loud wail from Eryn. Bella chuckled. “Seems like someone wants to say happy birthday too.” Another kiss was gifted before Bella got up to get the twins from their cradle. She was determined to make this a great day for Nathan. Somehow. It'd just have to fit into the schedule. Somehow Bella couldn’t shake the bizarre restless feeling in her body. It made her uneasy as it reminded her on the days when she teetered dangerously between depression and mania. She’d expected her body to rebel after she’d given birth to the twins - after all, she was off her mood stabilisers - but instead, she’d felt even more stable than she ever had. No baby blues or anything. Until now... whatever this was. Perhaps her hormones were still changing, regulating. She’d been breastfeeding less, slowly weaning the twins, seeing them a little less during the day, working more with Nathan, the staff at Ithemba and the animals. In perspective, today she felt rather odd. She couldn’t place exactly what felt strange, but it was as if she were in some strange dream world that she couldn’t quite fit into. She stared at the cloth nappies hanging on the clothes line. Had she ever imagined she would be washing and hanging nappies between work? Had she imagined that Eryn and Mya’s sudden shrieks would set her running like a mama cheetah, right back to their sides? Belie was there, looking after the twins, and they were simply fighting over a piece of fruit. Lately, they wanted whatever the other had, even if one of them had her own.
Belie took one look at Bella and said, “Whoa! They’re alright!” Glancing at her sister, Bella relaxed. Sort of. She lifted Mya and kissed her cheeks, making her squirm to return to the fruit. Bella couldn’t imagine feeling this on edge in a while, but she figured it was something she should tell Nathan. She couldn’t keep it from him like she’d done in the past. Things were different now. They had two other beings to worry about. "Are YOU alright?" Belie asked. Bella rubbed her forehead. "I don't know," she said, honestly. "Uhm... you can take my place with the animals. I think I'll stay here for the rest of the day." |
Isabella Kaylee DwyerWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2017
Categories |