Rhea's eyes opened slowly, and though her gaze was still unfocused and her vision blurry as she slowly regained consciousness, as her senses sharpened, she became aware of the dull ache in her abdomen, a reminder of the life she had just brought into the world. A weak smile graced her lips. "Elijah, are the babies okay?"
Happiness and relief filled his eyes as he held her hand tightly. "Yes, Rhea. They're perfect. And you're going to be okay too."
As the midwife gently placed the newborn twin girls in Rhea's arms, a mixture of joy and exhaustion washed over her. She looked down at their tiny faces, their eyes closed in peaceful slumber. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but it quickly faded as a wave of dizziness washed over her.
Rhea's grip on the babies weakened, and her eyel
