Chapter Seventy: Naming the Twins

The nursery was bathed in soft moonlight as Alister and Amelia sat side by side, cradling their newborn twins in their arms. The babies slept peacefully, their tiny chests rising and falling in rhythmic harmony as they dreamt sweet dreams.

Amelia gazed down at her children, her heart swelling with love and pride. "They're so beautiful," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "I can't believe they're ours."

Alister nodded, his eyes shining with emotion as he looked at his wife and children. "They're perfect," he said, his voice filled with wonder. "Just like you."

Ethan stood nearby, a proud smile on his face as he watched the scene unfold. "Have you thought of names yet?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Amelia nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "We have a few ideas," she admitted, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "But we wanted to wait until they were born to decide for sure."

Alister reached out and gently brushed his fingers against the baby girl's cheek. "What about Isabella?" he suggested, his voice soft with affection. "It means 'devoted to God,' and she already has a special place in my heart."

Amelia nodded, her heart swelling with love at the suggestion. "Isabella," she repeated, testing the name on her lips. "I love it."

Ethan turned his attention to the baby boy in his arms, his brow furrowed in thought. "And what about him?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Alister glanced down at his son, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "How about Alexander?" he suggested, his voice filled with pride. "It means 'defender of the people,' and I can already see him growing up to be a strong and noble leader."

Amelia's eyes lit up at the suggestion, her heart swelling with pride. "Alexander," she repeated, the name rolling off her tongue like music. "It's perfect."

With their names chosen, Alister and Amelia leaned in close, pressing gentle kisses to their children's foreheads. "Welcome to the world, Isabella and Alexander," Alister whispered, his voice soft with love.

As they sat in the quiet of the nursery, surrounded by the soft sounds of their sleeping children, a sense of peace washed over them. They had weathered the storm together, and now, as they looked down at their precious twins, they knew that their family was complete.

But little did they know, their happiness was about to be shattered by an unexpected visitor. As they sat in the darkness, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility, a loud knock sounded at the door, jolting them from their reverie.

Alister's heart skipped a beat as he glanced at Amelia, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. Who could possibly be knocking at their door at this hour? And what could they want?

With a sinking feeling in his chest, Alister rose from his seat and made his way to the door, his senses on high alert. As he reached out to open it, a sense of foreboding washed over him, leaving him trembling with fear.