Identical Differences

CALLUM

The twins only stayed in the hospital for twelve more days. Atticus had a bit of a struggle latching on, likely due to his premature birth and initial tube feeding. But he soon got the hang of it, put on some weight, and was ready to come home.

Violet and Asher were allowed to stay with him in the hospital, and of course, Ella stayed too.

We’re dealing with the same co-sleeping issues we had when Ella was a newborn. Violet is adamant about it, and honestly, Asher is too.

That kid has the loudest cry I’ve ever heard from a baby, even louder than Tilly’s, and that’s really saying something.

On the flip side, Atticus is usually quiet, only whimpering a bit when he’s hungry, just like his sister.

We’re already seeing differences between the boys.

They look identical, except for Asher’s birthmark under his right armpit, a small red semi-circle.

It’s only visible when he raises his arms and is undressed, but it’s there.

The doctors assured us it’s nothing to worry about, and it doesn’t seem to bother Asher at all. But it does help Zach and me tell them apart on those days when we’re struggling.

A quick peek under an armpit confirms which baby we’re holding.

Atticus is alert and not as cuddly. He enjoys breastfeeding but also likes to lie in his bed or on a cushion and look around.

Asher, on the other hand, is a mama’s boy through and through. If he’s not with Violet, we’re all in trouble.

Tilly is absolutely smitten with the twins.

Ella, however, is taking a bit longer to warm up.

She’s okay with Atticus, but she’s not a fan of Asher, probably because he demands so much attention.

Right now, Violet is dealing with Ella constantly nursing, as well as Asher.

The doctors say it’s because Ella isn’t weaned yet, and Violet won’t even entertain the idea of weaning her.

I personally think it’s time.

She’s walking, and the twins are much younger and need the milk more, but Violet disagrees. And I’m hopeless when it comes to arguing with Violet.

Tyler won’t give his opinion, and Zach is siding with Violet this time. Not that he has any room to talk—I’ve caught him nursing from her too.

I’ve tried to resist, to give her a break, but I’ve given in and done the same when the boys are asleep and Ella’s distracted or sleeping. Especially since I know she enjoys it.

Violet never complains, so I guess she’s okay with it.

Then there’s the issue of Violet’s postpartum blues.

This time around, she’s been more moody and down on herself. Her body bounced back perfectly, but she’s upset about some stretch marks on her lower belly.

They’re barely noticeable, and they’re a testament to the amazing thing her body did for us, but she can’t see past the fact that she feels unattractive because of them.

The doctors have increased her medication, and we’re hoping that will help with the depression she’s showing. We’ve also scheduled extra appointments with her psychiatrist.

Dr. Carmen isn’t surprised by Violet’s state, given the complications during her pregnancy and the traumatic birth.

She’s even said she doesn’t know if she wants another child, which has Zach and me worried.

Carla assures us she’ll be fine in a few months and will change her mind. But if not, one of us won’t be a biological father, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.

If the twins aren’t mine, I might feel jealous and left out, but we’ll find out soon enough whose they are. Then I can deal with that issue when it comes.

The doctors have the results of the DNA test. Dr. Atticus is bringing them over today.

We could have gone to his office, but I think he wants to see Violet. They’ve become closer than any of us realized, so he reached out to her, and she was more than happy to invite him over. Violet insisted we cook him dinner.

That’s what we’re doing now, the four of us preparing dinner under Catherine’s guidance.

Violet wanted us all to learn how to cook, and none of us is man enough to say no to her, so here we are.

I’m chopping broccoli while Zach works on green beans, and Tyler is peeling potatoes.

Violet is handling the steaks.

Out of all of us, she’s the best cook. I’m not sure where she learned, but she could manage without Catherine’s help if necessary.

I can make simple meals, but nothing as fancy as what we’re used to because of Catherine. I guess living a bachelor’s life taught me some useful skills.

Tyler and Zach are spoiled. They’ve never had to cook and pay Catherine specifically to do that for them, so they don’t have to.

Zach yelps, sucking on his finger and swearing up a storm, and I can’t help but smirk.

“Do I really have to learn how to cook? Look, this is the second cut of the night,” he complains, sucking on his bloody finger.

The cut is a tiny nick at most, nothing serious. But he’s whining like a baby. He wouldn’t have cut himself if he’d just focus on his task.

“You’re literally just cutting off the ends of the beans, Zach. I don’t understand how you’re struggling with such a simple task,” Violet teases him with a smirk.

He finishes his task gingerly and then bails, picking up both boys from their dock-a-tot to join Tilly and Ella on the sofa, where they’re building towers with blocks.

“Baby,” Tilly says, opening and closing her fist for one of the boys. It’s her favorite thing to do right now. She loves cuddling with them.

Zach pulls a cushion from the couch, placing it between her legs to lay one of the boys down on, and I watch Tilly play with his full head of hair that’s almost black compared to her dark brown.

Then Ella moves closer to Zach, resting her head on his chest. The four of them stay like that as I finish rinsing the broccoli and put it in one of the steamer containers.

I’m about to go over and pick up Ella so she doesn’t feel left out, but she suddenly moves toward the boy Zach has against his chest.

I watch, fascinated, as she gently strokes his cheek with one finger before cupping his cheek the way she does with Violet.

Then she holds out her hand just like Tilly did, opening and closing her hand silently.

“What do you want, Ella?” Zach asks her, and she smiles.

Her perfectly straight teeth make her look much older than she is.

“Baby,” she says clearly.

Violet turns from her task with her mouth wide open.

“Say that again?” Zach asks, sounding doubtful.

“Baby,” she repeats. It’s the first time she’s shown any interest in interacting with either of the boys, and I think we’re all a bit shocked to hear her speak.

“Baby, baby, baby,” she repeats, holding out her hands before sitting on the floor and pointing between her open legs.

Zach laughs, pulling a cushion down to lay our boy between her legs. He stays there, supporting his head for Ella, stretching himself between the two boys to make sure neither of their heads rolls without support.

“Oh…my,” Violet says, tears streaming down her face as she washes her hands in the sink before leaving the kitchen and the steaks to sit next to Ella.

“Baby, mama,” Ella looks up at Violet with a huge smile.

“Yes, baby, Asher. Baby, Asher,” Violet says, kissing Ella’s head and stroking Asher’s. She always knows which boy is which. It must be a mother’s intuition or something.

“Well, fuck me sideways. Did she just say, mama?” Zach asks with a grin.

“I think she did,” Catherine says from behind me.

Tyler leaves the kitchen to sit down with Tilly and Atticus on the floor, letting Zach take his arm away as he supports Atticus.

“Go, I’ll finish up dinner,” she tells me.

I know Violet might get mad, but I want to sit with my little family on the floor and celebrate Ella’s first words, so that’s what I do.

Catherine is left to wrap up dinner preparations once again. Maybe we’ll have better luck tomorrow, but for tonight, we’re depending on her. As promised, she has dinner ready just as Atticus rings the doorbell. I’m the unlucky one who has to answer it while everyone else heads to the dining room.

“Jesus, Callum, how many bodyguards do you guys need?” he asks, glancing back at the staff outside. The Sense Security team is training together outside, a new team-building exercise suggested by Elizabeth.

“We own our own security company,” I say, nodding toward the people behind him. Most of them are there except for me and a few others who are out on jobs.

“Ah, because having that many security personnel in one place isn’t creepy at all. Do they carry guns?”

“Some,” I reply tersely. He grins at me, waiting for an invitation to enter. I don’t really want to invite him in, but I don’t have a choice. I can’t upset Violet by snubbing someone she now considers a friend, especially when she has so few.

“Dinner’s ready. Come in,” I tell him, turning toward the hallway.

“Nice house.”

“I guess,” I respond, heading straight for the open seat next to Violet in the dining room. There’s no way I’m leaving that seat open for Atticus Fellows, friend or not. I don’t trust his intentions toward her.

To my dismay, Violet gets up to greet him. “Sorry I missed your homecoming, mama bear.”

“Not a problem, you’re here now,” Violet replies, pulling away. The boys are both on the table in those weird pillow cushions my mother bought. He leans down to look at them.

“They’re good-looking kids.”

“The gene pool is high,” Zach jokes, patting him on the shoulder before sitting next to Tyler, who’s next to the girls.

“Well, they’re unlikely to be mine, so it’s their genes,” Tyler laughs, arranging Ella’s food on her tray.

She reaches for the steak, turning it over while Tilly’s mouth is full of potato gratin and green beans.

“So, how did you work that out?”

“Ella was mine, so I had to sit out or use protection,” Tyler shrugs.

“And next time?”

“Two of us will be sitting out or using protection,” Zach laughs.

“We’ll use protection for a while anyway. I’m getting the implant, remember?” Violet adds.

“Until you’re ready, then that thing will be out of your arm quicker than you can say boo,” Zach tells her.

She doesn’t reply, but I can sense she’s crafting a witty comeback, something along the lines of ~if she’s ever ready again~.

“So, do you want the good news before or after we dig into this delicious meal?” He flashes a smirk, his eyes sparkling as he glances at his steak.

“Just say it,” I mutter, shoveling food into my mouth to prevent myself from making a sarcastic remark about his arrogance. He grins at me, then turns to Zach with an apology.

“Sorry, Zach. Seems like you’ll be needing these for a while.” He tosses a white paper bag in his direction. Zach peeks inside to find a condom and some documents.

“Congrats, buddy,” Tyler beams at him. Damn it, that would mean I’m the only one who might not have a child. Out of the three of us, it’s logical that I’m the one left childless. I never desired a child in the first place, unlike Zach and Tyler who yearned for kids. But my perspective has shifted.

Now, I do want kids. I pray that Carla’s right and Violet will reconsider. But what if she decides against having another? I could never impose that on her.

“Of course, my super sperm would produce twins,” Zach chuckles, spinning a condom in his hand.

“God help us if either of them turns out like you,” Tyler responds with a nervous laugh.

“Imagine our luck, ending up with two mini versions of you?” I quip, slicing into my steak with my knife and fork.