"Jasmine seems so sad and down." Camelia said to her mother, as the two of them sat in the backyard of their house.

When Jasmine first saw her, she had flung herself against Camelia and sobbed in such pain, Camelia herself broke down and cried too, sharing her pain and suffering. It was the first in her life she's ever witnessed the bright light in her sisters spirit dimmed. She wasn't accustomed to seeing this side of her. Jasmine was a resilient woman with a strong spirit but in place was a broken and lost woman.

She wasn't the same.

"Have faith, Camelia. All will work itself out in the end. It always does. One must first go through pain to really know the true value of joy. She's going through a very shocking time in her life. Trust me, she much stronger than she looks right now." Annie took her daughters hand and squeezed it.

Camelia's frown deepened.

Jasmine deserved a man who cherished the ground she walked on–just as her husband. It wasn't fair her older sister had her heart broken and have to raise a child alone, never really having experienced life with another naturally. She was suffering and Camelia hated seeing her this way.

"She weeps at night." Her mother admitted. "She eats for the baby's sake and not her own. To tell you the truth, I cannot bear it but I try to keep a strong front for her sake. She needs us to be strong for her. We must support her as much as we can and hope she'll get her happily ever after like you and I."

"Well, at least she's home, safe amongst people who really love her." Camelia added. "We'll help raise her baby as if it was our very own. She'll never be alone but its not the same, its not enough, and I'm afraid it never will be for her. There will be this big missing gap in her life."

"There's still hope." Annie reflected. "You of all people should know never give up hope. If there's a shred of love in Cristiano's heart for your sister, he'll show and amend all the wrongs and righten them."

"Mom, how can you say that after everything he said and did to her?" Camelia asked, appalled.

"Because deep down she loved him and if she loved him, she still does no matter how much she denies it. Jasmine wouldn't have given her love without being sure he loved her back in his own way. They bonded during the time they were together. Love is like a planted seed, with enough attention and care it flourishes. He must have been good to her, treated her kindly in his own way. He must have shown her, if he never said it out loud, and sometimes that's enough of an unspoken gesture of love. Besides, if he didn't love her he wouldn't have gone to the penthouse when he did, which saved her life, I might add. We all make mistakes. We all say and do things we regret. Unfortunately its a big thing called life. It thrusts us in situations we sometimes don't have control over. It makes us behave in ways we shouldn't. Life is a hardship for which we learn from."

"He intentionally brought her pain. He made her suffer. He abandoned her when she needed him the most." Camelia argued. "Just because he saved her life doesn't mean anything. There's more involved. He hasn't even tried."

"His mistake was a grave one, but we truly don't know what he was thinking and why he choose to leave her. I believe, if she had told him about being pregnant, he wouldn't have turned his back on her like she believes. Usually, when a man learns he is to become a father his natural instinct is to protect the mother of his child. It forges a bond neither would be able to ever break and I don't believe its born out of obligation. It changes them despite whatever he said to her about not wanting a wife or children from her. We all lie to veil our weaknesses." Annie responded.

"But telling him she was pregnant doesn't change the fact that he verbally hurt her." Camelia argued. "And saying sorry will not erase those kind of scars. I agree with her. If I were Jasmine, I wouldn't have told him. I would have wanted to test his efforts before knowing he had an obligation by her."

Annie nods. "That's also true. From what I've learned, he has some deep rooted issues. He raised his little sister all on his own. He went out of his way to protect her, although his method was wrong, he does feel, he's human whose made many mistakes in order to survive. Who we were in the past, who we are in the present and who we become in the future are three different people. It's difficult to overlook the hurt and pain. But forgiveness sets us free."

"If he ever dared to show his face, I hope she gives him a taste of hell." Camelia declared stubbornly, reaching for her cup of black tea from the table. "That's bound to teach him a hefty lesson about life."

Annie watched her daughter take a careful sip of the hot brew.

"Camelia." Annie admonished with a slight shake of her head. "When you reach my age you see the world with different eyes. You're understanding becomes broader. I've felt every emotion on earth, as you know. I've been through much in my life to know good and bad experiences change people. But it must never allow hope to diminish. Where there's a will there is always a way. If Jasmine and Cristiano are meant to be, fate will bring them together. We cannot influence the outcome, and no force will be able to stop it."

Annie takes the tea pot and replenishes her cup of tea and Camelia's, setting it back on the tray. She pushes a plate of desserts between them and begins nibbling on a scone, staring out into the distance at Jasmine taking a slow stroll on the grounds, her head low, seeming deep in thought.

Jasmine routinely took walks on her own. It was more to think than exercise, Annie assumed. However since she'd come back home a week ago, the smile missing from her face slowly resurfaced day by day. The color in her cheeks was slowly coming back. But the one thing they could not help was her spirit. It was tired, broken and lost. It hurt to see. Annie knew she was missing a big gap in her life, yearned for more for her future for something to change to give her hope. All they could do was live one day at a time until something big happened.

Perhaps once she gave birth, her view will change. Perhaps she'll feel alive again. They could only hope.

"Mom, what are you saying? That Jasmine should forgive him for everything he did to her?" Camelia asked in disbelief.

Annie shook her head. "It's not for me to say. It's her decision and hers alone. People aren't born cruel, we're not born with hatred. Sometimes outstanding circumstances makes us so. I don't know him at all except from what your sister described. His parents passed away when he was a child which deprived him of a real childhood. He grew up too fast and the only way he knew how. No one showed him the way, he made the way with his own rules and experiences. What I'm saying is, perhaps Cristiano became the man he is because of the circumstances thrust upon him and he didn't know any better."

Camelia reached for a scone too, mulling over her mothers words.

"Do you believe he loved her?" She heard herself ask.

Annie smiles.

"Jasmine is not hard to love. The energy she emits is very welcoming. She's very loyal, smart, independent, cares for others before taking care of herself. He must have seen all of that and yes, I believe he fell in love with her. And he proved it when he came back and saved her from that awful man who attacked her. I doubt it was a coincidence for him to appear at the hotel at the same moment Humphrey attacked your sister. He protected her. He saved her."

Camelia shudders.

Having been through hell and back herself, she knew how hard it was and she was not half as strong as Jasmine was. But she had Stefan to lean on. He was by her side every step of the way. She was never battling her demons alone. Whereas Jasmine was struggling with a broken heart to mend and a big responsibility growing in her womb, all alone. But she was stronger, much stronger than most heroines in the hundred of books she'd ever read, and for that, Camelia could not help but put her on a high pedestal.

Jasmine had always been everybody's rock. The one who went out of there way to make someone comfortable. She was incredibly smart, independent and a ray of light. Camelia was proud of her sister in more ways than she could ever put into words. It was just so sad to see her broken and lost. She could not imagine the burdens weighing her. But if there was one person on earth that could overcome anything, it was Jasmine.

She was a fighter.

A warrior princess with a heart of gold.

"I still cannot believe Jasmine almost died and she never told a soul." Camelia declared, another shudder running through her.

"I'm not surprised." Annie says with a sigh and slight shake of her head. "Disappointed and frustrated, but not surprised. She'd rather struggle than burden us with her problems. Plus, she pleaded with your brother Zayn to keep it a secret. That's your stubborn, proud sister. She likes fighting her battles all on her own."

"Yes, but who is going to protect her now?" Camelia asked, sadly.

*******

Jasmine shopped for baby clothes. For two babies. Twins. One girl and one boy. Double the responsibility. It was hard to process for a couple days. She was scared but at the same time once she adjusted she felt a sense of peace and clarity washing over her.

She visited her mothers doctor, Dr. Tris Barrett. The very one who delivered her, Zayn and Camelia nearly three decades ago. When the doctor revealed the news she was rendered speechless.

"Not one but two?" She asked, clutching her mother's fingers in a death grip. She stood beside the bed while the doctor was doing the ultrasound.

Jasmine's body tensed. Her muscles locked into place, every nerve in her body on high alert, listening to doctor confirm the outcome of the pictures.

"I have two heartbeats. Two fetuses growing. I double checked and took the necessary measurements and I can confirm you are having a healthy baby boy and girl." Dr. Barrett says with a smile. "Congratulations Jasmine."

She pats her hand affectionally and smiles at Annie.

"That's incredible news Dr. Barrett. Thank you for squeezing us in your tight schedule. I wouldn't have any other doctor care for her other than you." Annie says with a sincere smile.

"Of course, its my pleasure. It's not everyday when the very same baby I delivered twenty-four years ago has her very own and delivering the second round of a new generation."

"Two babies?" Jasmine whispers between them, staring straight above her at the ceiling, stunned with the realization.

Dr. Barrett lays a reassuring hand on her bump. "Jasmine, I know its a lot to take in and mentally prepare yourself for. You need to take it easy. Eat well. Exercise. Don't stress yourself. Anything you're feeling, your babies can feel now. They can also hear since their ears have developed. The beat of your heart is what gives them reassurance."

It took a couple of days to accustom to the news. But the help of her family and the excitement they shared at the surprising revelation, it took Jasmine no time at all to accept what fate set out for her. For the first time in a long time she felt at peace and somewhat anxious for the arrival of her children.

And as soon as they found out, they started shopping for the new arrivals.

Jasmine, Camelia, and Annie helped pick out onesies in white, pink and blue. Baby clothes were so tiny, she realized holding out outfits away from her to inspect the sizes. She laid some of the pieces over her large womb and imagined her little girl and little boy wearing the things she picked out. She choose stuffed animals to decorate the nursery, bought bed sheets and little pillows. They filled their carts with newborn diapers and baby powder, shampoo, combs, nail clippers and burping bibs–all the necessities babies required.

It felt so surreal as clerks helped them fill their car with the bags and bags of things they'd purchased.

Annie was driving as they made their way back home. Jasmine was seated in the passenger seat while Camelia took the back seats.

"I still need to buy cribs and a changing table." Jasmine said. "Maybe we can shop for those tomorrow or the day after."

She and her mother decided to redecorate one of the largest guest bedrooms for the babies. The carpet was being ripped out and replaced. The walls were covered with a beautiful wallpaper. A small play area was being built for the babies where they can safely lay and watch the little mobiles twirl over their heads and later learn to crawl on once they got older.

So much was changing for her in such a short time.

But for the first time in months she felt better. Safe, at peace. For the first time in a while she had hope for a better future. Jasmine had wished she had come home sooner. Managing her life on her own for months all alone was unhealthy and very stressful. Sometimes she was proud of her stubborn nature and other times like these, she wished she wasn't so stubborn. It cost her a lot and would have saved her so much trouble.

"We need to throw you a baby shower, Jasmine!" Camelia announced, giddy with excitement.

Jasmine grimaced and shifted uncomfortably. "I'd rather not."

She wasn't ready to show off her news quite yet with the rest of the world. She had just begun accepting her condition and impending motherhood. The last thing she needed was people asking intrusive questions and most improbably asking who the father was.

"Oh come on! Sammy and I could do all the planning and invite all our friends and relatives. This is an exciting time in your life. You definitely need one! Besides, since you and Sammy have been back, he's been helping me redecorate the mansion. He's been non-stop like an energizer bunny. To be honest, I could use a break from him "fabulizing" my house, as he says. He does an amazing job planning parties and with me guiding him and keeping him in check, it'll be a baby shower nobody will ever forget!"

Jasmine groaned, placing her hands over her babies. She felt a punch or kick as they shifted or pushed against the small bubble of space they had to share.

"I'd like to see how you're going to control him. I barely did." Jasmine muttered under her breath.

"That actually sounds like a good idea to me." Their mother voiced her approval. "These are the first babies to come into the family in a little over two decades. I think we could all use the distraction and a little fun. We'll keep the party small and invite only the closets people we know to help celebrate you and your babies. This is a time in your life where you should experience all the joys this experience brings while you can. Before you know it, we will be throwing their first birthdays. When you look back at pictures at these special moments, they will be captured forever. You will go back and reflect, flipping through the albums you will never regret it."

Camelia clapped in glee behind her.

"Pretty pease, Jasmine!" Camelia begged. "It's going to be so much fun! As soon as I notify Sammy, he'll being over the moon. Please say you'll agree?"

Jasmine rested her head on the head rest and closed her eyes, breathing deeply through her nose. Was she ready to face the world? Was she ready to celebrate a time she wanted to keep close to her heart with all the time she wasted denying herself the reality of that had become her life? She'd need to come up with a back story as to when and how it all started.

The idea wasn't that disagreeable. The last time she had any real fun was at Camelia's bridal shower. Thinking back on that entire and the last surprise of the evening that Sammy orchestrated had her giggling.

If anyone could throw a party and still having her laughing, it was Sammy. One part of the evening she couldn't get out of her head is the stack of bills he rained on the party crashes. It was, and will always be, one of the funnest days she'd ever been part of.

"Ok. But make sure he doesn't do anything crazy. I don't think my heart can take it. The last thing we need are strippers crashing a baby shower."

Annie, Camelia and Jasmine burst into a fit of giggles.

Camelia quickly texted Sammy while they were still driving home.

Hey Sammy, want to throw Jasmine a baby shower party? 🍼🎀🤰🏻🎉

He doesn't hesitate in responding which garners a smile from Camelia.

Sounds like a Fabulous idea!

I'm dying for an excuse to dance and party! 💁🏽‍♂️🍸

Camelia smiles and texts him back immediately.

We need to start planning.

I had to promise her you wouldn't do anything crazy 😜.

Remember this is a baby shower, not a bridal shower,

So no STRIPPERS.

Naughty until proven guilty. ✌🏾

Honey, I ain't making any promises. 🥳

Camelia muffled her laughter and failed miserably.

Jasmine shifted in her seat to glance back at her little sister. Camelia still had that newlywed glow in her rosy cheeks. She appeared so carefree and happy. It made Jasmine wonder if she'd ever have that same glow of happiness one day.

These days, unlike the months that had passed, where she had rarely thought of Cristiano, he was in her thoughts regularly since she'd been back.

She owed him a debt of gratitude, if she was honest with herself. No matter the reason, If he hadn't shown up when he did, she wouldn't have been alive and sitting in the company of her family, readying her life for her new babies.

She felt badly at the way she behaved. No matter his intentions, he saved her life. That had to mean something. But it couldn't erase and it would never erase how he treated her. People made choices. They had chances to change–to make better decisions. If he had only been honest with her it would have saved them all a lot of grief and regret.

Jasmine hadn't heard anything from him since she dismissed him from the penthouse that awful night. After the paramedics arrived they took her vitals, checked her neck, and insisted she needed to go to the hospital once they saw her condition. The compression of the neck by strangling reduces the airway and interferes with the flow of blood in the neck leading to fatal life-threatening injuries, they had informed her. Although her symptoms did not appear fatal, sudden death may occur, hours, days or weeks because symptoms may progress over time. They insisted it was fatal and any internal injuries cannot be detected unless she was checked by a physician.

Luckily, when they delivered her to the hospital, they ran tests, did all the necessary checks and even did an ultrasound and found her pregnancy was not affected by her attack. She was surprised they never referred to her baby as babies at the time. All she was told is she was deemed well enough to be discharged and all she cared about was getting home as soon as she could.