She was having just tiny contractions she slept through, Leo also didn't sleep deeply until midnight.
The Moretti estate got unusually quiet by the time it was morning.
Aria had been awake since 5 a.m., sitting in the massive cream couch of their bedroom, one hand resting under her belly while the other rubbed slow circles over the side where one of the twins kept pressing outward.
Her stomach was huge now. Twin huge.
A sudden sharp tightening wrapped around her belly.
She froze.
"...Leo."
No response.
He was still asleep beside her.
Another contraction hit.
Stronger.
"Leo."
She shook his arm.
Leo's eyes snapped open instantly.
"What's wrong?"
Aria grabbed his wrist and placed his hand on her stomach just as another contraction started building.
His face changed immediately.
"Aria... is that-"
She exhaled sharply.
"I think so."
Leo shot out of bed like the house was on fire.
"Okay. Okay. Okay."
He was suddenly pacing the room.
Aria stared at him.
"Leo..."
"Yes?"
"You're panicking."
"I'm not panicking."
He was absolutely panicking.
Another contraction hit her.
This one made her bend forward.
Leo rushed back to her immediately.
"Hey hey hey... breathe. Breathe for me."
She gripped his shirt.
"These babies are coming today."
His eyes widened.
"Today today?"
Aria gave him a look.
"When do you think labor means, Leo?"
He ran a hand through his hair.
"Right. Right. Hospital."
Downstairs, the Moretti mansion suddenly turned into controlled chaos.
Security called the driver.
House staff were rushing everywhere.
Leo was trying to keep Aria calm while also barking instructions into his phone.
"Car ready. Now."
Another contraction hit.
Aria grabbed the marble kitchen counter.
"Oh God-"
Leo rushed to her again, holding her waist.
"Easy. Easy."
She glared at him.
"Easy for who?!"
He winced.
"Okay not easy. Definitely not easy."
Hospital
The private VIP maternity wing was already prepared.
The Moretti name had made sure of that.
Doctors.
Specialists.
Two neonatal teams for the twins.
Everything ready.
Aria was wheeled into the labor suite while Leo walked beside the bed gripping her hand like his life depended on it.
"Stay with me," she said through a contraction.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Another wave hit.
Harder.
Aria squeezed his hand so tight he almost lost circulation.
Leo didn't even flinch.
Hours Later
Labor with twins was intense.
Aria was exhausted.
Sweating.
Breathing hard.
Leo stayed right beside her the entire time.
Holding her.
Wiping her forehead.
Encouraging her.
"You're doing amazing."
She glared weakly.
"I hate you."
He nodded.
"Understandable."
Another contraction.
"Leo!"
"I'm here."
The doctor looked up.
"Alright. Aria, we're close. First baby is ready."
Leo froze.
"First?"
The doctor smiled.
"You have two babies, Mr. Moretti."
Right.
Twins.
Leo looked like he might pass out.
Aria laughed breathlessly.
"You better not faint."
"I'm fine."
He was not fine.
The Push
"Push, Aria!"
She screamed through the effort.
Leo held her shoulders.
"You've got this!"
Another push.
Another cry.
Then-
A sharp newborn cry filled the room.
The doctor lifted the tiny baby.
"A girl!"
Leo's eyes immediately filled with tears.
Aria collapsed back against the pillows in relief.
"Is she okay?"
"Perfect."
But the doctor spoke again.
"Alright Aria... one more."
Leo blinked.
"Oh right. There's another baby."
Twenty minutes later...
Aria pushed again with everything she had left.
Leo kissed her forehead.
"One more. Just one more."
And then-
Another cry.
Louder.
Stronger.
The doctor smiled.
"Second baby girl."
Leo completely broke.
Tears.
Actual tears.
Aria laughed weakly.
"Leo... you're crying."
"I have daughters."
He looked like he couldn't believe it.
Two tiny babies were placed on Aria's chest.
One on each side.
The twins.
Small.
Perfect.
Sleeping against their mother.
Leo sat beside the bed, staring at them like they were the most fragile things in the world.
Aria looked at him.
"You're a dad now."
He kissed her hand softly.
"You made me one."
Outside the room, their families were already waiting.
The Moretti twins had officially arrived.
And the entire Moretti empire had just gotten two new princesses.
