"Just breathe with me. Get your breath back between the contractions." Ben commands calmly while I grip his hand so tightly he must be in agony. Thankfully, he doesn't show an ounce of pain, and keeps his expression neutral.

Throwing my head back against the pillow, I pant as I feel the sweat drip down my forehead. I've given up on looking to Sarah for support because apparently she should wait for Daniel in the corridor in case he can't find us. If I was in my right mind, I would find her fear of childbirth amusing... but, not today.

"He's not going to make it." I whine as I begin to feel another contraction overwhelm me completely like a tidal wave. I want to cry, but my body is too focused on our delivering our babies.

"Just a couple more pushes, and the first baby's head will be crowning. You're doing amazing, just try not to hold your breath for too long." The nurse, who I think said her name was Anna smiles encouragingly.

Gritting my teeth and clamping my eyes closed, I push with all the energy I have until the contraction begins to subside, and I am more alert to my surroundings. Feeling as though I'm in a dream I hear the door to the room fly open and crash loudly against the wall behind it. I open my eyes to see Daniel plough into the paediatrician standing closest to the door. His face is as red as a beetroot like he has been running for miles. He pats the doctor on the back quickly in apology before rushing to the bed. I watch him absorb each detail of the room as his eyes scan every inch. From the waiting doctors, to the midwives, to the machines that beep continually monitoring the babies, to Ben clutching my hand, to me... his eyes fill with tears as his stare studies my body. "I didn't miss it!" He mumbles, pushing his hair back. "Thank God!"

Ben releases my hand, allowing Daniel to take his place without pause. "I'll be right outside." He says softly, his tone full of relief.

"Thank you." Daniel says as his hand slips into mine. He kisses my forehead. "I'm so sorry, baby." He kisses me again.

"You're late." I manage to say before the next contraction dulls all other thoughts and senses.

"Push, push, push. That's it, Lizzie. I can see the top of the head. Come on. You can do it. You're brilliant!" Daniel says, his voice thick with emotion.

I slump back down onto the bed to catch my breath once it has passed.

"This next contraction is important, Lizzie. I need you to push with everything you have. The baby's head is about to crown, so keep on pushing all the way through the contraction." The nurse that I think is called Anna says happily.

Before I have chance to nod, I'm pushing again. I squeeze Daniel's hand as some prehistoric groan escapes my throat. Suddenly, I feel the burn of the baby's head pass through just as the contraction subsides.

"Lizzie, I can see the head. Holy shit." Daniel then kisses my hand that he is holding.

"Next contraction and this first baby is out. Everyone on standby." I don't even have to open my eyes to know that every doctor in the room is now poised to take action. The mood of the room has changed considerably. There is now a tangible edge to the room.

I grit my teeth and push. The most amazing sense of emotion ripples through me as our baby is born. I cry out with the rawest happiness and swell of pure love that I have ever felt in my life. The midwife places the baby immediately on my chest and I cradle it with every ounce of devotion. I gasp for breath in between my tears.

The baby let's out a small cry, but I can hear Daniel sobbing too. "We're parents." He gushes. "I love you."

"I love you too." I respond, but don't take my eyes from our perfect baby. The pink tone of its skin makes my heart burst. The baby has a small tight mass of dark curls on the top of its head. Our baby looks up at me with blue eyes as I gaze lovingly back.

"What do we have, Daddy?" The nurse asks.

Daniel leans towards me. "A girl!" He shouts triumphantly. "We have a little girl." He strokes her face while he beams at her. "Hello, my darling. Welcome to the world."

I look up at him, knowing I'm about to start pushing again. I also see that the doctor's are ready to check her over and see one poised to take her from me. "Grace?" I turn to Daniel, reflecting on our numerous conversations about names.

He nods. "Grace Holly." He says with a grin following on from our discussions about having babies a couple of weeks from Christmas.

The doctor picks up Grace. "Hello, Grace. My name is Alec. I'm going to make sure you're lovely and healthy."

As though my body knows it is time, another contraction builds up without warning. "Here we go again!" Daniel says as he reverts back to his position at my side.

This time it takes more pushes than with Grace, and I feel myself tiring as I continue to push. There is talk between the doctors of taking action if the baby isn't born soon as I will be too exhausted to continue. I am able to see the panic rise in Daniel's eyes.

"Right, Lizzie. The consultant has said we have ten minutes to try and push baby out naturally while they prepare for theatre. If we can't get baby out naturally we will get the baby out via a c-section. So come one, give it everything you have." The nurse gives me a firm pep talk.

"Come on, baby. Let's do this!" Daniel speaks with authority. "Push, push, push!" He shouts as the next contraction ripples through me.

Somehow I manage to do it and my body trembles with exhaustion when they place the baby on my chest. The same feeling as with Grace takes over me, and I hold the baby with everything I have. This time, the baby's eyes remain clamped shut as it snuggles into my chest. This baby has slightly less hair, but it is still dark and curly. For the first time in my life I feel complete.

Daniel kisses me, and then looks across to our second baby. "We have a little boy!" He exclaims with a sob. "Jack?" He asks.

"Jack." I repeat, remembering this was the name for a boy that we both agreed on as soon as we found out we were pregnant. "Jack Benjamin?" I ask, wanting to honour Ben for everything he has done for us.

"Perfect." He responds as the same doctor approaches me for Jack. "Hello, Jack. Welcome to the world little man." Daniel softly rubs his fingers across Jack's pink cheek.

Daniel finally leaves my side to walk over to where the doctors surround our babies. For what seems like forever, but is probably only a few minutes, I am alone. The doctor has stitched up where I had tore slightly, so asked me not to get off the bed for around thirty minutes as I won't be able to walk straight away.

Finally, Doctor Isaac approaches me with Daniel following him. "Both babies are in wonderful health considering they are still premature. Just like we talked about, we are going to take them down to neonatal for a little while, nothing to worry about though. We just want to watch them closely for a few hours and give them some oxygen." He must see my face crumble with concern because he reaches out to grip my hand. "They are fine, just a precaution we like to take with premature babies, especially with twins. You can come and sit with them as soon as you are on your feet."

"Thank you doctor." Daniel says, but I am unable to speak.

I watch as they wheel our babies away and I begin to cry. Daniel embraces me tightly while in tremble. "They are going to be fine. Lizzie, you are simply a warrior! I'm in awe of you. We have two perfect babies! Grace and Jack! Can you believe it?" He shakes his head in disbelief.

"Promise me they will be fine?" I ask unfairly, knowing he cannot do that.

But to my surprise, Daniel looks me straight in the eye. "We knew they would have to go to neonatal if they came out before thirty eight weeks. You heard doctor Isaac, they are wonderful. They just want to make sure everything is fine, just like they told us they would. Remember?"

I nod, trying to compose myself so I can go and see my babies as soon as I can get off the bed. "I love you. I'm so grateful you got here on time!"

One of the midwives enters the room. "The babies are doing fabulous. It really is just a precaution. You'll be ready to go and see then in around half an hour, so how about I get you a nice cup of tea and a piece of toast?" She asks with a sincere smile.

"Yes please." I return her smile, although mine is filled with relief that everyone seems so confident that our babies are going to be fine.

"Would you like a cup to tea too?" She turns to Daniel.

"That would be perfect." He responds gratefully.

- hey guys!

I hope you are all safe and well.

Please let me know what you think of this chapter!

Daniel just made it in time!!! I couldn't let him miss it!

A boy and a girl - what do you think of the names?

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I get quite emotion about this one!

Thank you all for your support! Love T x -