Nobody's Listening Pt. 2

When he woke, it was about 4 in the afternoon. He got up, messy-haired, from the bed and walked into the living room. Jade was sitting on the couch, the TV on to some music channel. She was propped back on a pillow, with what looked like a book with Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger on the front cover. She seemed to be trying her hardest to write something with her right hand. Mike chuckled and sat down next to her. She smiled at him.

"What're you writing?" he asked. She sighed.

"Well, I'm TRYING to start our baby's book," she smiled. Mike grinned and took the book from her. With her off-dominant hand, the only thing that she'd managed to write was her name, as the "mother." Mike smiled at her, taking the pen from her. She sighed and sat up, watching him fill in blanks on the page. He read everything aloud as he went.

"Mother?" he muttered, "Jade Jewell. Father? Michael Shinoda." She laughed, watching him. "When were my mommy and daddy born? Mommy was born on September 13, 1986 and Daddy was born on February 11, 1977." Jade chuckled. He looked at her.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"Nothing," she grinned. He smiled and went back to writing.

"What do mommy and daddy do?" he laughed, "Oh God. Mommy and daddy are famous singers." Jade laughed.

"Our baby is going to have such a complex," she said. Mike chortled. He looked at the next few lines.

"If I am a boy, mommy wants to name me..." he paused and looked at Jade. She thought for a moment.

"Uhm-" she said, "Jacob Michael." Mike nodded and wrote it down.

"But daddy wants to name me..." he thought, "Drake Alexander." He wrote it down. "Now, girls names," he looked at Jade. She thought for a little while.

"Hmm-" she thought, "Mailie Anstice, I guess." Mike nodded and write the name down.

"And Bailey Isabelle for me," he grinned. The phone rang.

"That's probably your mom," Jade said, "She told me she'd call me back after she called the florist." Mike grabbed the phone.

"Hello?" he answered it.

"Hi Mike!" his mom's voice rang, "Can I talk to Jade?" Mike laughed and handed Jade the phone.

"Hi Kim," Jade laughed.

"Hi," Kim smiled, "Okay, so here's what's up."

"Okay," Jade said.

"They are all for doing the flowers for your wedding," Kim said, "There only had one problem."

"What's that?" Jade asked.

"They only have pnk roses for Valentine's Day," Kim said, "Obviously, red is a very popular color for that day."

"Oh Lord," Jade laughed, "I don't mind. Pink is fine." Kim chuckled.

"Okay, I just wanted o make sure," she said, "I guess I'd better call and confirm it then. When would you like to go look at dresses?"

"Oh," Jade muttered, "Tomorrow is fine with me."

"Okay," Kim said, "Is 2 okay then?"

"Yeah," Jade grinned, "2 is fine."

"Okay, see you then," Kim said.

"Yup," Jade smiled, "Bye." She hung up. Mike looked at her.

"Where you going at 2 tomorrow?" he asked. Jade smiled at him.

"No where imporant," she grinned. Mike chuckled.

"I guess I'll find out in time," he smiled. Jade grinned and kissed him. They spent the rest of the night eating dinner, filling out more of the baby book, and falling asleep to a movie on the couch.

~*~

They'd found the perfect dress. They'd found the perfect music, the perfect flowers, the perfect place, perfect everything. So, when Valentine's Day rolled around, most of the people who helped plan the wedding were confident and happy. Mike and Jade, on the other hand, were a different story. Jade sat in her make-up chair, having everything professionally done. There was a photographer snapping pictures of her every now and then. She sighed, looking down at her engagement ring. She was so happy, but so nervous. In Mike's room, however, nothing was quiet. Nothing was calm or collected. Mike was fixing his crimson tie for the thousanth time. He'd chosen and odd color of tuxedo, but it was gorgeous. The jacket, pants, and button-up shirt were all a deep black liquorice color. His vest and tie were a dark crimson. The only way he know it matched Jade's dress was rom the crimson sash it bore. Kim had DEMANDED the crimson on Mike after picking out Jade's dress. He finally sat down and tied his shoes, threw on his jacket, and walked with the precessional to the fron of the church. When the wedding march started tp play, Mike locked his eyes on the door at the back of the church. She rounded the corner and he was amazed. Even with the paper-white cast, covered slightly by crimson gloves, that now held her left hand, she was still stunning. Her hair was in a tight, complex updo (http://www.bridalinsider.com/PhotoSwap/Wedding%20Updo.jpg). The dress was a strapless, white, flowy dress with a satin, crimson colored sash, and drug the aisle (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd260/PPSignHead/JnMWedding.jpg). She smiled at him. He wanted to cry. She was walking so slowly. He wanted to run down the aisle and pull her to him. He smiled down the aisle at her. This was truly the moment of truth in his life. He knew more certain than he'd ever thought that he was with Anna, that this was the woman he would be spending the rest of his life with. And right then, face-to-face, with all his fears pushed aside, he was ready to spend the rest of his life with her.

She reached him and he smiled, taking her hand. She sighed, holding his shaking hands and looked toward the preacher with him. The preacher smiled down at them. They both heaved a heavy sigh of relief.

"Dearly beloved," the preacher started, "we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the presence of this company, to unite Jade Dawn Jewell and Michael Kenji Shinoda in holy matrimony. Marriage was ordained by God in Eden and confirmed in Cana of Galilee by the presence of the Lord Himself, and is declared by the inspired Apostle Paul to be honorable among all men. It is therefore, not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, soberly and in the fear of God. It is fitting, therefore, that we should on this occasion, begin by asking God's blessing on this marriage service. Let us pray." The bowed their heads while the preacher said a quick prayer. He continued.

"Have you chosen your vows?" the preacher asked. They both nodded. The preached looked to Jade. Mike sighed and looked at her. She took a deep breath.

"Mike," she muttered, "Michael Shinoda," she laughed, "I never thought, 2 years ago, that I'd be standing here, but here I am. Here WE are. I've finally found the person that I'm going to spend the rest of my life with. And there's no one I'd rather have," she smiled, starting to tear up, "I'm starting a family with you already, and I am SO happy. I can't wait to start my life with you. I love you." She smiled. Mike grinned at her.

"I have something for you," he muttered. He dropped her hand and turned to walk toward a big, black grand piano. He sat down, taking a deep breath. He started to play. Jade smiled at him and he starte to sing.

"Standing alone with no direction," he grinned, "How did I fall so far behind? Why am I searching for perfection, knowing it something I won't find?" He watched her, watching him sing to her and smiled.

"In my fear and flaws, I let myself down again. All because I run 'til the silence splits me open. I run 'til it puts me underground. 'Til I have no breath, and no roads left but one." He looked at her and smiled. She grinned.

"When did I lose my sense of purpose? Can I regain what's lost inside? Why do I feel like I deserve this? Why does my pain look like my pride?" he sighed, "Oh, In my fear and flaws, I let myself down again. All because--I let myself down--in my fear and flaws--I run and the silence splits me open. I run and it puts me underground. But there's no regret, and no roads left to run." He finished on the piano, sighd, and stood up to stand beside her again. He smiled. The preacher nodded and looked at Jade. She smiled at him.

"Jade Dawn Jewell," the preacher started, "Do you take this man, Michael Kenji Shinoda, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for all of your days, as long as you both shall live?" Jade sighed and smiled, looking at Mike.

"I do," she muttered. The preacher nodded looked at Mike.

"And do you, Michael Kenji Shinoda, take this woman, Jade Dawn Jewell, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for all of your days, as long as you both shall live?" Mike grinned.

"I do," he smirked at Jade. The preacher smiled.

"Do you have your rings?" he asked. Mike and Jade turned to Chester and Jade's close friend, Emily, and took their rings (http://www.danforthdiamond.com/images/gs_index_top.jpg). The preacher nodded.

"Jade, repeat after me, placing the ring on Michael's finger," he said. She nodded and repeated his words.

"I give you this ring as a symbol of our undying and unconditional love. The presence of it on your finger represents our life-long bond," she said, sliding the ring onto Mike's left ring finger. Mike did the same, placing the most beautiful diamond encrusted band she'd ever seen on her finger. They smiled at each other. The preacher grinned.

"Then by the power given to me by God and the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife," he smiled, "You may kiss your bride." Jade grinned and Mike kissed her like he'd never done before. People behind them clapped. They smiled and walked, hand-in-hand, to the enormous reception hall inside the hotel where they'd had the wedding. The first sing they danced to as husband and wife was "You," by Evanescence (http://www.lyricsandsongs.com/song/106264.html). Jade cried on Mike's shoulder. And then they cut the cake, threw the boquet and garter belt, danced some more, laughed, cried, and ended the night. They lay down that night, exhausted. Mike wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.

"I have an appointment for an ultrasound tomorrow before we leave on our honeymoon," Jade told him. He sighed.

"Okay," he smiled. She grinned.

"I love you," she sighed. He smiled.

"I love you, too," he said, and they fell asleep.

~*~

The doctor's appointment the net day left them both pleasantly surprised and heartily worried as they left for their honeymoon. He'd taken an ultrasound and, actually taken off her cast. The ultrasound was the turning point. The doctor had listened and heard something odd. He realized what it was after looking at the picture and smiled at the two, blurting out, "You're going to have twins." It was a blow. It didn't upset them, but they had only expected ONE baby. It would be a lot to handle, but they knew they would make it.

~*~

News reports flew across the TV and articles were printed all over magazines. She was having twins with Mike Shinoda. Months flew by so quickly. They hadn't planned to inform the media when they found out the sexes of the babies, but like it always does, the news leaked. Jade and Mike Shinoda were having a boy and a girl. At that point, they only had 3 months left. They'd gotten a puppy. A Bernese Mountain Dog named Braiden, whom they'd adopted from an animal shelter. He was 7 months old and already a horse. And he was so gentle and timid, but playful. He would be perfect fr children. Hade watched on, laughing as Mike, Chester, and Takbir attempted to build a nursery. She watched them throw paint an each other, nail shelves up only to have them fall on Mike's head, chase Chester around with a sander, and glue Tak's shoes to the floor with wallpaper glue. Once it was finished, however, it was beautiful. The wall were a gentle, sleepy time blue, with a teddy bear border. The carpet was a soft, fluffy navy with white flecks. There were two white cribs in separate corners of the room, divided by a tall changing table. A shelf of books and stuffed-animals stood on a wall and a brown rocking chair sat near it on top of a Winnie-the-Pooh throw rug. A closet full of little boy and girl clothes finished it off. Jade was so happy when she stood inside. She sighed, smiling and felt Mike walk up behind her. He wrapped his ars around her, resting his palms on her now wide stomach, and his chin on her shoulder. She smiled and kissed his cheek. This room was her favorite place in the house. She loved to come in and sit in the rocking chair. And she did it eery night for 3 months until that fateful night in September when she laid in bed while Mike was sleeping, and her stomach heaved. She gasped and her hand instinctively flew to Mike's shoulder. Mike, who had been snoring loudly moments before, jumped awake.

"Hmm--wha?" he asked tiredly. He rolled his head toward her.

"Mike, I think my water broke," she said. Mike mumbled something, clearly not awake yet.

"Mike?" she said, "It broke!"

"Hmm? Yeah," he muttered, "We'll get you a new one..." Jade groaned.

"MIKE!" she screamed, "I'M HAVING THE BABIES!" That caught Mike's attention. He jumped awake.

"Okay," he said, still tiredly, but actually awake. "Okay, let's get going." Jade got up from the bed, her pants soaked. He threw her a new pair. She changed and threw some clothes for the babies into a bag. They were on their way after that. It was 3 am.

It was a big event. It was hard. Kim had met them there around 5 am. Jade started her work at 7. And she hard a very hard time. Mike felt so horrible. He would never want her to hurt. But this is what had to happen for him to see his beautiful children. And that was the first word that came to his mind when he watched his daughter enter the world. He couldn't speak; he only watched her get handed off to a nurse, screaming. And then his son came into view, shrieking equally as loud. He was so overwhelmed. His mother placed a hand on his shoulder and he started to cry. He hugged Kim and she was smiling. Mike sighed, pulling away from her, wiping tears away. She grinned at him, listening to her grandchildren cry and whimper. The nurse smiled, walking Mike's little boy to him. She placed him gently into Mike's arms. The baby immediately calmed. Mike smiled down at him. He looked over at Jade, whos was now holding their daughter. She smiled at him, exhausted. He walked over to his girls, planting a kiss on his wife's, then his daughter's foreheads. She smiled at him. The doctor came in with a clipboard, smiling.

"Well, are we going to name these babies?" he smiled. Mike grinned, looking down at his song.

"This is Jacob Michael," he said. Jade grinned.

"And this is Bailey Isabelle," she smiled. The doctor nodded and walked away. Mike looked at Jade, grinning. She sighed, and he handed Jacob to her. She held their children in her arms, tears coming to her eyes. She couldn't hold back any longer. She started to sob. She sniffed, looking up at Mike.

"How can you love someone you just met so much?" she asked. Mike smiled, and kissed her. He looked back down at Jacob and Bailey, his children. His life was truly complete.