The Cooper house had always been full of noise, but lately, it felt like everyone was holding their breath.
With Mary only days away from giving birth, George Sr. was constantly on edge, Meemaw had been calling every few hours to "check in" (read: boss him around over the phone), and Charlie had promised to visit as soon as he could.
Meanwhile, John stayed focused.
The hydroponics business was steadily growing, and his latest shipment of leafy greens and fresh basil was already reserved for the next farmer's market. He was also scouting potential land for expansion.
And yet, no matter how much progress he made, the biggest event of the year wasn't his business.
It was the twins.
It was a lazy afternoon when the sound of an old truck rumbled into the driveway.
John, sitting on the porch, didn't look up right away. Instead, he finished jotting down a note in his journal.
"Who's that?" Georgie asked, his face sticky with popsicle juice.
John adjusted his glasses. "Meemaw."
Sure enough, the car door swung open, and Connie Tucker—better known as Meemaw—stepped out like she owned the place.
"Well, well, well," she called, hands on her hips. "Looks like I made it just in time."
Before either twin could run to her, another door creaked open.
A tall, older man with silver hair and a kind but tired face stepped out slowly.
John blinked. "Pop-pop?"
Georgie's face lit up instantly. "POPOP!"
Without hesitation, Georgie launched himself forward, nearly knocking his grandfather over.
Charlie chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Hey there, sport."
John walked up more calmly, studying his grandfather with quiet curiosity.
Charlie wasn't around as much as Meemaw, but when he was, he always had a quiet warmth to him—especially when it came to Sheldon.
Charlie smiled down at John. "And there's the young entrepreneur."
Meemaw smirked. "You mean little tycoon."
John simply nodded. "Welcome back."
Meemaw, wasting no time, marched inside. "MARY, I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU FROM THESE HEATHENS!"
From the couch, Mary groaned. "Thank God."
Charlie followed her inside, stopping briefly to clasp George Sr.'s hand in a firm shake.
"George."
"Charlie."
Their conversations were always short but full of meaning.
Meemaw settled in like she owned the place, while Charlie moved more slowly, his body showing signs of wear. But his smile never faded, especially when Mary let him rest his hand on her belly, feeling the twins kick.
"Feisty little things," he murmured. "They'll take after their mom."
George Sr. scoffed. "Or their grandma."
Meemaw grinned. "You wish you were that lucky."
Two nights later, it happened.
"GEORGE!" Mary gasped, gripping her stomach.
George Sr. bolted up from his chair. "Oh, hell—"
Before chaos could break loose, Meemaw took charge.
"Boys, get your things! Charlie, grab her bag! George, get your slow self in gear!"
John was already dressed. Georgie, however, was spinning in circles.
"WHAT DO WE DO? WHAT DO WE DO? BABIES ARE COMING!"
Meemaw grabbed him by the collar. "We get in the damn truck!"
Charlie, moving slower but steadily, placed a hand on Mary's back. "You're alright, darlin'. Just breathe."
Mary nodded through the pain. "You always were the calm one."
Charlie smiled. "One of us has to be."
Within minutes, they were speeding toward the hospital.
Hours later, the newest Coopers arrived.
First came Missy, screaming her lungs out, arms flailing as the nurse wrapped her in a pink blanket.
Then came Sheldon, tiny and silent, his only sound a small, unimpressed squeak.
Meemaw, the first to hold them, let out a soft laugh. "Well, would you look at that… two brand-new troublemakers."
Charlie, standing beside her, gently touched Sheldon's tiny hand.
The baby's fingers barely curled around his.
For a long moment, Charlie just stared.
John, sitting nearby, watched his grandfather's face with curiosity.
Charlie's usual relaxed, easy-going demeanor had shifted into something more thoughtful.
Finally, he spoke.
"He's gonna be something special."
Mary touched his hand. "You always did have a feeling about things."
Charlie just nodded, still watching the tiny baby.
John took note.
Two days later, John and Georgie officially turned five.
But this year? The birthday wasn't just theirs.
The twins were still tiny, but Mary insisted that they all celebrate together.
The house buzzed with laughter, presents, and the smell of birthday cake.
Georgie, already on his second slice, talked a mile a minute.
"Best. Birthday. Ever. I got cake, I got a new toy truck, I got TWO baby siblings—I mean, sure, they're tiny and squishy, but they're cool. John, isn't this awesome?"
John, sitting with a cupcake in front of him, simply nodded.
But something felt… different.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't the youngest anymore.
He glanced over at Sheldon, asleep in Charlie's arms.
A thought formed in his mind—one he hadn't expected.
I'm a big brother now.
And somehow… that mattered.
Meemaw, rocking Missy in her arms, raised her sweet tea.
"To my grandbabies—the old ones and the new ones."
George Sr. smirked. "You just called our five-year-olds old."
Meemaw shrugged. "Compared to them? They're ancient."
Georgie grinned. "I am a man of experience."
John glanced at his notebook. He had spent the last year focused on business, success, and proving himself.
But now?
Now, he had someone to look out for.
Maybe more than just one someone.