Denial is the Way

Ender and Nevan went to a park with a track to get some simple exercise done. 

 

They walked around the track as Nevan enjoyed the sun, and Ender complained about it. "Why did the sun have to be so bright today?" Ender groaned, shaking his top to give himself some air. 

 

There was even sweat dripping down his forehead. 

 

"We can stop if you want," Nevan spoke before taking a sip from the water bottle in his hand. Once he finished, he handed it to Ender. 

 

Ender took the water bottle, taking a gulp but making sure not to drink it all. It made him feel better, but he still hated the sun. And his sweat didn't bother him as much as the weight his stomach is carrying. 

 

"A few more minutes, then we can go. I am trying to still keep up with exercising even though I rather lay in bed all day. Maybe become a couch potato." Ender handed the water bottle back to Nevan. 

 

Nevan closed the bottle, "Okay. Your mother is coming over, by the way. She wants to see the twins' room." 

 

"Why is my mother talking and telling you more things than she does with me? I swear, are you dating her or me?" 

 

"You. But I enjoy talking with your mother." 

 

Ender rolled his eyes but did not say anything about it. He changed the subject instead. "We should buy the rugs for the room before going home. Also, is the house babyproof enough?" 

 

Nevan thought for a while, picturing the home, even thinking about what he had done to babyproof the place. "Most of it. I still need to get some things done." 

 

"Okay." 

 

They continued walking the track for a few minutes. Ender's legs felt like jelly, so he quickly rushed to the car. Nevan followed him, unlocking the car doors so that Ender could promptly get in. 

 

Once Ender sat in the passenger seat, he relaxed, shaking his shirt a few times. Nevan turned on the car, making sure the air was high enough for Ender. 

 

Ender took the water bottle, drinking it as Nevan started driving to the store. 

 

"So, I was waiting for you to say something, but knowing you, it would take time. And time is already moving too fast, so I will ask instead. Do you want me to move in?" Nevan asked. 

 

Ender paused in what he was doing, growing a bit nervous, "I do, but that is if you want to move in with me." 

 

"I want to. I can give my home to my little sister so she could have something once she graduates from high school."

 

"Aw, such a sweet brother. And, If you tell your best friend that you want to move in with me, she will force my siblings to help you pack and bring it over to my house." 

 

"I can hear the jealousy on the 'best friend' part." 

 

Ender rolled his eyes. I am not jealous of my mother and Nevan's friendship. "Believe what you want." 

 

Nevan chuckled, "You are so cute." 

 

---

They returned home with two grey and white rugs. When they entered the home, Ender's mother was sitting on the couch, watching TV. 

 

"I forgot you have a key to my house, mom," Ender spoke, jumping when he first saw her. He had one of the rugs in his hand, almost dropping it.  

 

"I have the key to all my kids' houses. If anything happens, a locked door cannot keep me apart." His mother responded. 

 

"Smart," Nevan commented. He brought in the other rug, closing the door behind him. "I didn't see your car outside." 

 

"I had my driver drop me off." Ender's mother stood up, walking towards Ender as she took the rug from him. "Now, let me see my grandbabies' room." 

 

They walked to the twins' room. The door laid closed as there was a blank chalkboard hanging on it. "We are going to put their names on it when they are born," Ender mentioned. 

 

Ender opened the door, showing the room to his mother. 

 

The room was not a big one and only had two doors. One was the door to open and close the room, while the other door led to the closet. 

 

There were two convertible grey cribs pushed to the right side of the wall, sitting side by side. The cribs had blankets in them. 

 

On the other side was a white six-drawer dresser with four stuffed animals on it. Near the dresser were a comfortable grey rocking chair and a long white lamp. 

 

There is only one window in the room, in which Ender and Nevan put a thick white curtain over it. The room had bare beige walls, as Ender and Nevan wanted to wait until the babies are born to put something up. 

 

The floor is hardwood, so Ender and Nevan bought fluffy rugs to put in front of and a bit under the crib. 

 

"The room is simple and nice. I like it." The mother commented. 

 

"Thank you." Nevan and Ender simultaneously spoke. 

 

Nevan moved in front of one of the cribs, putting the rug on the floor as he started opening it. "Can you get the other one?" He asked the mother. 

 

She went in front of the other crib, doing the same. Ender sat on the rocking chair, grabbing one of the stuffed animals along the way, watching them. 

 

Once Nevan and Ender's mother got the rub open, throwing the trash to the side. They straightened it out as the rugs were not that big. 

 

Nevan lifted the crib he was in front of, putting a bit of the rub under it before setting it back down. The mother did the same. Once they finished, they both stayed on the floor, sitting on the rugs as they (the rugs) were comfortable. 

 

"Are you two ready to be parents?" The mother asked them. 

 

"I am freaking out." Ender quickly answered, rocking the chair as he rubbed his stomach. 

 

"I believe I'm prepared to be a parent," Nevan responded. 

 

"For first-time parents, there will be difficult moments of taking care of a child, especially two at the same time. But do know, I am always be here to help and give you any advice you need. I do want to say that your sleeping schedule will change." The mother chuckled at the end.

 

Ender groaned, rubbing his hand down his face. "I got this." Ender tried to psych himself up. 

 

"We got this," Nevan spoke. 

 

Although, they both could not help the anxiety eating away at them as they got closer and closer to the babies coming.