Chapter 98: Chapter 12

MASON

A smile tugs at my lips and I nod in response to the sudden eruption of flash bangs, followed by a chorus of screams and shouts. The sound of gunfire sends us all into high alert. We glance at the chief, who merely shrugs, awaiting an update on the breach.

Soon, the words “Scene is secure with one deceased” echo around us.

We approach cautiously, spotting a few handcuffed individuals sitting on the ground. As we pass by, it’s clear they’re under the influence of something. Inside, the wailing of infants fills the air, while bystanders look on.

My dad and grandpa immediately start searching for information, but all I can hear are the cries. I block out everything else, following the sound to a back bedroom. There, I find two officers in tactical gear, changing the babies, tears streaming down their faces.

“How can people have kids and then not take care of them? Fucking soaked diapers and clothes!” one of the officers exclaims.

They notice me and blanch, but I just smile.

“It’s okay, I didn’t hear anything. I can’t imagine what you guys see every day,” I say.

“They need to go to the hospital for a check-up,” the other officer states.

I shout to my dad that I’m going with the men, and he waves me off. I trail behind them as they exit the house, heading toward the ambulance. Suddenly, my dad grabs me.

“We’re finding what we need. Go with the babies! Have Sasha meet you there!” he orders.

I nod, pulling out my phone as I sprint to catch up with the officers. I instruct Sasha to get two infant car seats and meet us at the hospital. I’m about to climb into the back of the ambulance when I’m stopped and pushed back.

“I’m sorry, sir, but family only,” the paramedic says.

Before I can protest, Andy rushes up, showing the man her phone.

“He’s the adoptive father of those two! I got it pushed through with Chris’ help since their mom is now deceased,” she explains.

I nod in gratitude, jumping into the ambulance just as the doors close.

“Sir, could you sit on the gurney and hold the babies? It might calm them down so I can take their vitals,” the paramedic requests.

I nod, quickly taking a seat. The babies are placed against my chest, and they quiet down a bit. The woman radios the hospital, then turns to me with a smile.

“What made you decide to adopt them?” she asks.

“Well, it’s kind of a family tradition.”

“Oh my gosh! You’re a Maxwell? You guys are amazing! I didn’t recognize you. I’m sorry about earlier, we’re so used to random people trying to get in, we sometimes go on autopilot.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’re just doing your job.”

She smiles, and I close my eyes, savoring the feeling of these little ones against me. The joy I feel, even though they’re not my blood, is intoxicating. I’ve only just met them, but I’m already hooked.

I feel a tap on my arm and open my eyes to see we’ve arrived at the hospital. They unload the gurney with me on it, and soon we’re wheeled into a room where a few doctors are waiting. I watch as they take the boys to do their assessments, then move over to the hospital bed.

A nurse enters with some bottles, shaking them quickly. She hands the babies back to me to feed, and I look at her, wide-eyed. She giggles and helps me sit cross-legged, placing a baby in each knee crook so I can feed them simultaneously.

They eat eagerly, finishing the entire bottle. The nurse looks at the empty bottles and sighs.

“I hope you can afford to feed these little guys. Four weeks old and already downing six ounces? They’re going to be big boys!”

I smile, carefully picking them up and placing them against my chest. I burp each one, then let them sleep on me.

“Skin-to-skin contact is best. It helps with bonding.”

I quickly remove my shirt and let them sleep on me. The nurse leaves, and I gaze down at these boys. They have darker skin than me, the curliest hair I’ve ever seen, and I’m completely smitten.

I lie there, lost in a cloud of happiness, until I hear the door slowly open. Sasha and her parents walk in, and Sasha immediately covers her mouth, sobbing into her hands.

I beckon her over, and she climbs onto the bed, lying at my side, looking at the boys with love in her eyes. Her parents approach and lean over, watching the boys sleep.

Matt asks if he can hold one, and I nod.

He carefully lifts one up, cradling him, and sits down with Sasha’s mom on his lap. There’s a knock on the door, and the nurse walks in, smiling, with some papers.

“So, we have their names. Let me see this one’s leg really quick. Okay, yes, Mason, you’re holding Jaylen, and they’re holding Caylen. Jaylen has a birthmark on his leg, that’s how we can tell them apart.”

As she speaks, they start to stir again. She hands us diapers and wipes, then rushes out for more bottles. We change their diapers quickly, and she returns, shaking the bottles and laughing.

“I seriously hope you have enough food at home. They’re going to eat everything as they grow!”

We all laugh, knowing she has no idea about the voracious eaters we already have at home. The kitchen staff gets groceries delivered almost every other day. Dad even upgraded the main house with a walk-in pantry and fridges.

After changing Jaylen’s diaper, I hand him to Sasha to feed, while Anika feeds Caylen. We all relax, enjoying the moment, when we hear a commotion outside the door. A crowd of people is peering in, eager to meet the newest Maxwells.

At the front of the crowd are my grandparents. They motion, asking if they can come in, and I nod. The room fills with family members, each taking a turn holding the babies. I feel Sasha lean into my ear, so I dip my head to hear her whisper.

“I could never imagine anything sexier than you holding our children in your arms. No shirt on made it even sexier.”

I burst out laughing, pulling her into my arms and kissing her. I can’t imagine a better mother for my kids. Some people are mingling, while others have stepped out. We lie back, soaking in the moment, when we hear screaming and yelling from outside the room.

Dad jumps up and runs out, returning slowly, his head hung low.

“Dad, what is it? What happened?”

“It’s your grandpa! He collapsed in the hallway.”