“Emma, you are differing. Your plans for the ranch are great and all but would you please stick to the topic at hand?”
“Sure,” Emma said with a smile. “I’m just super excited at the possibilities that lies ahead. Okay, where was I? Right, Gramps will return to Texas with Maria in a few days, once I am out of the hospital. And a month from now, a couple days of before I’ll be traveling, Maria will come here so that I won’t have to fly to Texas alone with the twins.”
“Hmm… I think it is a solid plan.” Carrie nodded, “That means we have just a month of cooing at the twins. we’ve got to make the most of it. It won’t be the same when you leave. I know, I know, we’ll call, chat, do video calls even, I can even come over now and then but it won’t be the same as us both living in the same city.”
Emma covered her friend’s hand with hers and softly, she said, “I will miss you too, Carrie. Thank you so much for being my best friend and sister. I don’t know how well I would have gotten through the past nine months if I didn’t have you and your family by my side. I love you, my friend.”
“I love you too, Emma.”
When the friends finally broke their hug, Emma chuckled and she said, “Now, can I please sleep? I think I deserve it, don’t you agree?”
“Sure.” Carrie smiled. “Sleep, my friend, it’s been a long nine months.”
*
Emma looked out the window of the maroon pickup truck. A smile played on her lips as the vehicle went up the smooth dirt road that led to the gates of the ranch. Within moments, they were driving into the grounds and her smile widened as she leaned against the window. She let out a relaxed sigh as she took in the fresh air and the sights that dotted the landscape. Price Emerald Ranch was an absolutely stunning ranch which catered to everyone and had so much to offer. They lived on the ranch, a situation that made it easier to manage the business.
“You seem happy,” Maria said with a smile.
“I am happy, Maria. I think the last time I was this happy was when I had the twins. I feel so happy to be back here,” as she spoke, Emma looked back at the twins that were snug in their car seats. While Max was fast asleep, Mia was awake, her large green eyes shining. She had been awake since they deplaned. The baby was very curious and always excited whenever they stepped out, very much unlike her brother, Emma had noticed. Max was not as inquisitive as Mia.
Maria drove the truck through the ranch, giving Emma the opportunity to bask in the sights around her. She had not returned to Texas for almost two years. After a few more minutes, they were pulling up in front of the two-story ranch house. Emma jumped down and brushed back strands of hairthat had escaped her ponytail. She opened the back door and brought out Mia. Maria helped her with Max on the other side.
“I’m home,” Emma whispered.
She turned around to see her grandfather hurrying down the front steps. Maria handed Max over to him and a couple of ranch hands hurried to the truck to help with Emma’s luggage. As they went in, Maxwell chatted excitedly, going on about the welcome home festivities. She was tired all right but seeing the bright smile on her grandfather’s face, Emma could not tell him that all she craved right then was just a hot bath and a long sleep. So, she went along with it. She settled for a quick shower and headed down to the party.
The welcome festivities turned out to be not so bad. The party was made up of the workers on the ranch and some townspeople that Emma had known all her life. It was seven when the party was brought to a close and everyone left with filled stomachs and goody bags.
“You should not do that, Emma. You should get some rest,” Maria told Emma who was clearing dishes.
Emma waved off her protests and continued. She said, “The twins are with Gramps and I bet they will fall asleep soon. Let me keep you company. Besides, you should rest too. You’ve endured a four-hour flight twice in the past three days, Maria.”
Maria rolled her brown eyes. “You are just too stubborn, Emma.”
Emma grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Maria.”
When she finally retired into the house, Emma’s first stop was the nursery, which was the door next to her room. She hadbeen delighted when she saw it. Her grandfather had worked on it in the past month and though he had sent her pictures during the process, seeing the brightly painted room up close, with all its paraphernalia and furniture and seeing the love put into it, had caused tears to spring to her eyes.
As she stood over the two cribs that held her babies, she felt joy in her heart. They had not been the plan she had for her life but she was happy about the turn nonetheless.
“Welcome home, babies,” Emma whispered.
She shook her grandfather’s shoulder. He had slept off in the over-sized armchair, a smile playing on his lips.
“You should go sleep in your own bed, Gramps. You will have a crick in your neck tomorrow if you sleep here.”
“Are you sure you’ll be fine with the twins?”
“I’ve got this, Gramps. Besides, they are fast asleep and the baby monitor is set. I'll be here in an instant if they need anything.”
“Okay, good night, my girl.”
Maxwell kissed her forehead and headed to bed. Emma spent a few more minutes with the twins before heading to her room. Her eyes flitted around the almost empty shelves and the bare walls but for a framed photo of her. She had all but cleared out the room when she went to the university. Right now, all the boxes she had returned with were in the music room. She would start unpacking tomorrow but for now, she would just sleep.
So, she settled onto the bed that was covered with fresh sheets. She placed her phone on the bedside table and afterensuring that all was in order with the baby monitor, she let her eyes drift close.
The next couple of weeks was a flurry of activity. Emma was still adjusting to being back on the ranch, caring for the babies, putting all her things in order and with all this going on, she had become a co-manager of the ranch. Her grandfather was still very involved in the running of the ranch and was not ready to let go and she was grateful to have him by her side as well.
