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Her mama wiped the sweat off her forehead "He will be here"

"I’ain I hate sex!"

Carina bit her lip and turned away Her mother nodded "I don’t blah the rooie, look at oing to tell you a story"

"I hate fairy tales"

"This isto tell you about the first tiie looked a bit interested He settled himself in the chair near the bed and leaned over The monitor beeped and Max talked "Our ether One day they took us to the playground and there was thisI think ere six at the tiet to the top first Michael was a bit smaller than me, but he was quicker, so it was sort of an evento kick the other one off in a crazy gaot there at the same exact time" Max shook his head at the memory "I remember that moment e looked at each other As if we both realized we’d be best friends and do everything together Then we tried to shove the other one off"

Maggie fought for breath "Are you kidding me? Were you both psychos? What happened?"

"Michael and I both took a fall and broke our arust "I was speaking with Max’s mama for only a le in the dirt, blood everywhere I think I al but laughing at the sa i casts and called ourselves ‘bone brothers’ "

Carina rolled her eyes "Oh, I get it Instead of blood brothers, you were bone brothers Personally, I think you both were always a couple of boneheads"

Tears slid down Maggie’s cheeks Carina’s heart broke for her sister-in-law, and she ached toto azed at Maggie Fierce blue eyes coie I’m here for you Lean on me, and think that Michael is et these babies born I will not leave your side"

The nurse walked in and examined her "Let’s see, honey, are we ready to push?"

Maggie sniffed Slowly, she reached out and took Max’s hand "Don’t let go, okay?"

"Never"

"Yes, I think I’m ready now"

Carina and her mother stood on one side, and Max on the other Tiain She pushed and grunted and cursed Each one ie lay back on the pillows, exhausted Face red froasped for air "I can’t No more"

"Yes, ainst her lips as her brother strolled into the roo and confident, he took Max’s place and held his wife’s hands Pressing kisses to her cheeks and forehead, he ain And pushed

"The head’s co one Bear down and push!" A wail lit the air and Carina watched the wrinkly newborn slide into the world Slippery and red, the baby twisted in crankiness and let out another roar "It’s a boy" She lay the baby on Maggie’s stoie sobbed and touched her son

"He’s so beautiful Oh, my God"

"You’re not done, love," the nurse chirped "Here coie"

With a roar, Maggie gritted her teeth

Baby two popped out "Another boy! Congratulations, Mama and Papa You have two beautiful sons"

Carina watched in awe as her brother touched the babies in wonder, eyes wet froht The roohed,knit caps As they worked on patching Maggie up, Michael cooed to his sons and lifted them up

"Meet Luke and Ethan"

Herin Italian Carina pressed a kiss to her sister-in-law’s cheek "You did so good, Maggie," she whispered "I’m sorry Alexa couldn’t be here with you I know you ie slad it was you You were ht I loved you the moment we met, and watched you blossom into a beautiful woodmother"

Joy exploded inside of her until there was nothing left but pure emotion She nodded, too choked up to talk Her mother walked over and slid the blanket-covered bundle into her outstretched arodson Luke"

She stared down at the crinkly, wrinkled skin The perfect mouth scrunched up in a tiny O Dark hair peeked froers shook as she cooed and stroked his silky skin He was a living, breathing miracle, proof of what can bloom from two people who love each other

She blinked back a sheen of tears and looked up

Max stared back His blue eyes darkened with a raw need that reached across the space and ripped at her heart She sucked in her breath