#calvin twining

[insecuresimming]

Mell's spirits rose as spring became summer. On her daily walk, she got to know and befriend Mrs. Ida Lacey, the local schoolmistress.

Ida was an incredibly intelligent woman, and found that she more than tolerated, but respected Mell's audaciousness. She found it very modern. On her end, Mell just liked to ask Ida about various bugs around the garden.

Mell also picked up a guitar made of reclaimed wood from the local store, and began to re-teach herself guitar. Between this and her diaries, Mell found that she didn't have to lose herself or her interests in being a mother.

She also made peace with her children, although she still had her doubts. This was in no small part due to Walter being much more active a parent than her father was to her, cementing their commitment further.

Indeed, it seemed that Mell had come to terms with, even embraced motherhood. Which is good. Because she immediately got pregnant again.

[insecuresimming]

Those early days with the twins were chaotic, and both were up at the oddest hours of the night. Though both were apprehensive, it was Walter who got over his fears and was able to bond with his children first. It didn't hurt that they both looked exactly like him.

Mell, however, still felt her resentments and doubts. She loved her children, but she knew that--as supportive as Walter was--she would be their primary caregiver. Mell feared she lacked the patience, and didn't feel ready to lose herself in motherhood.

To cope with her stress, Mell became an avid diarist, venting her frustrations and feelings about the world around her. She did this in the privacy of their new upstairs bedroom.

[insecuresimming]

In the day, Calvin and Alice followed Mell around like shadows. But they mostly babbled and played amongst themselves, and Mell remembered the bright side to multiples: you always have a friend to distract you from bothering mama.

As a result, Mell was able to focus a lot more on her chores, which she had begun to actually enjoy.

[insecuresimming]

Time passed, and the babies were able to pick themselves up and amble around. Calvin became a sweet, angelic little boy, whereas Alice was more on the inquisitive side.

With more babies on the way, Walter and Mell converted the other big upstairs room into a nursery. They spent many a hot summer day sheltered from the heat up here, listening to a show from their mama.