The next hour is a blur of learning to breastfeed twins—complicated, exhausting, but Emma handles it with her usual determination. The babies latch eventually, and Emma looks up at me with tired triumph.
"I have no idea what I'm doing."
"Neither do I."
"Guess we'll learn as we go."
She smiles, looking back down at our babies.
There's a knock at the door. Ryan and Brennen peek in tentatively.
"Is Emma—" Brennen stops, seeing the babies. His eyes fill with tears immediately.
"Come meet your niece and nephew," I say quietly.
They approach like they're in a church. Reverent. Awed.
"This is Graham," I nod to the baby Emma's holding on the left. "And Gracie." Right side.
"They're so small," Ryan whispers.
"They're beautiful," Brennen manages, wiping his eyes.
"Want to hold one?"
Brennen backs away. "I'll drop them."
"You won't drop them."
"I might. I'm very emotional right now."
The nurse helps transfer Gracie to Ryan's arms, and he cradles her like she's made of glass. "Hi Gracie. I'm your Uncle Ryan. I'm going to spoil you terribly."
"Not more than me," Brennen says, carefully taking Graham. "I'm Uncle Brennen. I've already started a wine vintage for your twenty-first birthday."
"You actually did that?" I ask.
"Started it last week. Murphy Twins 2026 Reserve."
"You're insane."
"I'm prepared."
Emma's watching her brothers hold our babies, smiling despite her exhaustion.
The door opens again and the Murphy family floods in—Candace, Joselyn, Sophie, Alex, Julie, Maggie. Everyone wanting to meet the newest additions.
Julie reaches us first, eyes already tearing up. "Emma. They're beautiful."
"Want to meet Gracie?" Emma asks.
"I would love nothing more."
Julie takes Gracie from Ryan with practiced ease, cooing softly.
Candace takes Graham from Brennen, rocking him gently. "He's beautiful, Miles. They both are."
Sophie's crying. Joselyn's taking pictures. Maggie's gripping Emma's hand and looking more emotional than I've ever seen her.
