By helping to raise them

The nurse softly pokes your shoulder waking you, "you can go in now."

You jerk and blink rapidly looking around and up at the nurse, "what was that?"

She smiles, "you can go in now."

You jump to your feet leaving the small sofa and waiting room behind and run down the hall. It is not far and you knock on the large door.

"Come in," comes Jessica's voice from the other side.

You enter. Nicoline lays in bed covered with a thin white sheet. Her eyes have dark circles under them but despite her gaunt face she gives you a broad smile. She had gone into labor hours ago and had been up all night but had been rewarded by her efforts with the sleeping infant in her arms. Jessica sits beside her with similar circles under her eyes and the same joy in her smile as she cradles the other infant.

You step closer to see your daughter and son. You cannot tell which is which when you look at their scrunched up little faces but it does not matter. They are beautiful.

The last few months had been hell. After moving out with Jessica and Niki there had been so much to deal with and none of you had been ready for it. When you look at the two tiny infants though, it makes it all worth it.