* Love is a choice and loving someone is a choice you make everyday. *
****
   The smell of antiseptic assaulted his senses the second he stepped into the hospital room. 
But that wasn't his main concern, his main concern was on his little wife, the mother of his twin babies who was laying on the bed looking pale and almost lifeless.
   “ Wifey. ” He called out to her kneeling beside her bed.  “ Jose. ” Her voice was hoarse from all the screaming and shouting. 
    “ Are you okay? ” he touched her face, prompting her to open her eyes to look at him.  “ Um. ” She thought of lying to him, to prevent him from worrying, but recalling the promise they had made to each other years ago, she sighed.  “ In a bit of pain, yeah. But I'm okay. ” 
“ Okay. ” He became speechless all of a sudden, not knowing what to say. 
Realizing this, Mira reached out her hand to him, he held it in his and understood her message.  “ You did great, Mira. ” He laid a peck on her forehead.  
   “ All thanks to your prayers.  ” Her smile was weak.  “ Yeah. ”
“ Have you seen them? ” Mira's assumption was proven right when he shook his head. Though it was a simple act, it proved he loved her more than the kids. This was one thing that made her scared, she'd read dozens of articles about men, ghosting their wives, the second their child is born. 
She feared it would happen to her, but now? She'd realized that all her fears were useless after all. 
“ I had to check up on you first. Besides, we can see them together, can't we? ” Mira nodded. 
The door opened and two young nurses walked in. “ Mr and Mrs Winfrey. Your babies are here. ” 
 They handed one to Joseph and the other to Mira who sat up upon their entry.  Mira chuckled watching Joseph stare at the baby in hand with so much emotion.
He brought his gaze to the one in Mira's hands and smiled brightly. “ They are indeed Identical twins. ” 
“ Yeah. ” 
Mira tapped the side of the bed and Joseph smiled, joining her. 
He held her close to him with his free hand. “ What should we name them? ” 
“ Nuel and Nuella. ” The answer came almost immediately and his smile grew brighter. “ I was thinking the same too. ” 
   
   “ Let's pray. ” He held her hands as he led the prayer.  “ Father, we give you all the glory for the gift of your children. Accept our Thanks in the name of Jesus. Lord, we dedicate this day to you. We ask that you take over their life. Be with them, guide them, protect them, preserve them from this day forward to the end of time. In Jesus' name. ”
“ Amen. ” 
“ Welcome to the world, Nuel and Nuella. ” 
“ Mom and Dad love you both. ”
“ Don't you think they should have a second name, Jose? ” 
“ Um. Joseph and Josephine? ”
“ Perfect! ” Mira would have given him a round of applauses If she wasn't holding a baby in hand.  “ Yeah. ”
“ I believe you love your names, Babies. ” Mira grinned, poking their cheeks.
  “ She's got your nose, Mira. ” 
“ They've got your eyes, Jose. ” 
“ She's got your dimpled cheeks. ” 
“ He's got your neckline. ” 
The duo continued the resemblances competition as Nanny watched them from the windows.
She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but she couldn't help it.
Even though she might never have children of her own.
Watching the children she'd literally raised having theirs was more than enough for her.
Indeed... Love covers all and that's why it's often referred to as the most beautiful thing on earth.
****
Evie and Evans arrived later and were also shocked to know that the kids were identical.
Didn't science say that it's impossible for two different gendered twins to be identical. How did they get one?
   “ I bet Nuel will be super possessive of his sister. ” Evie said, staring at the duo with love in her eyes. 
“ Exactly. ” 
“ How have you been, Evelyn? ” Mira removed her gaze from her kids to stare at her Bestie.  “ I've been well. Just haven't been feeling well lately. ” 
“ Oh... ” Mira exchanged gazes with Joseph and she understood, she found it funny that mother hen didn't know she had conceived until now. Isn't it super hilarious?  “ Have you gotten yourself checked? ” 
“ I don't need to do that. I'm completely alright, Kay? ” Mira chuckled, hearing her defensive tone. “ Alright then. I won't worry. ” 
That night,
Joseph and Mira laid in bed unable to sleep, though they both had a super long and exhausting day, yet. They weren't able to catch some sleep as they were too overwhelmed. 
“ What do you think about Nuel and Nuella? ” Joseph finally asked the million dollar question that had been on his mind all day.  
  Mira cuddled closer to Joseph as she thought of her answer. “ I still feel overwhelmed knowing God had actually given us more than we'd asked for. ” 
“ Hm... ” Growing up, Joseph had grown with the mindset that one shouldn't expect too much so as not to be disappointed. 
    He recalled how he'd prayed continuously for his parent's marriage to be restored, but it wasn't as they later broke up.
But what if it's all part of the bigger picture? Because of one thing, if they hadn't broken up, Nanny wouldn't have come into his life and he probably wouldn't have reunited with Mira, his childhood friend, turned wife, then girlfriend, now wife and mother of his twin kids. 
   “ Jose. ” 
“ Um? ” 
“ Do you believe that every disappointment is a blessing, even though it might not seem like it right at the moment? ” 
“ I believe so. ” He caressed her hair gently.  “ I also believe that when a door closes, another door opens. ” 
“ Have you heard of the book, The Scarlet thread? ” 
“ By Franchine Rivers? ” Mira nodded.
“ I read the summary online. ” 
“ You know, the book reminded me of the fact that God always has a plan and purpose for everything, including the pain and disappointment we experience in life. ” 
“ Indeed. ” 
“ You know what, Mira? ”
“ What? ” 
“ I'm thankful for everything we've gone through, not because it was easy. But rather because it modeled us both into who we are now. ”
“ Indeed. ” 
“ I believe God created you for me, Miranda. ” He rarely called her by her full name, but whenever he did. It was to emphasize a point.
“ I believe the same too, Jose. ” 
“ Thank you for coming into my life, Mi amor. ” 
“ Thanks for being God's best gift to me, Jose. I love you. ” She placed her hand on his chest. 
“ I love you more, Miranda. ” He pulled her in a kiss and one thing led to another, and before they knew it they were connected.
“ I've missed you, Wifey. ” Mira couldn't help the blush that spread to her cheeks hearing his words. 
“ Same here. ” She hid her face in his chest, fully satiated. 
“ God is wonderful and excellent, Mira. ” 
She blushed red knowing what he was referring to.  “ Yeah. ” 
“ Indeed, You are the one I have and need. ” 
“ Just like you are the one I have and need, Joseph. ” 
“ I love you, Miranda. Thanks for being a part of me. ” 
“ Same here, Jose. Thanks for always reminding me of my creator's love for me. ”
.....
A/N : Wow! I'm feeling overwhelmed! What do you think, guys?