Disclaimer: This is a complete work of fiction, there's no resemlance to actual persons or events or places. If so, it is utterly not intended. We, my co-writer and I, do NOT own Bratz, MGA Entertainment or anything associated with it what so ever. Any character exposure in this story is completely non-profit and just for fun only! No copyright infringement intended! Thank you.

Summary:Her eyes never saw clearly before meeting him. Her heart hadn't started beating until he kissed her. She wasn't living before she met him. But "he" wasn't her current boyfriend, and that was the problem... Rated T - may change later. Co-written with CreativeWritingSoul. Enjoy!

Masquerade
XXXII

There was only a couple weeks of school left to the entire year. Most everyone around Penn and Brielle had received their acceptance letters into college, besides them. Gable had just gotten his a few days ago and surely theirs would be on its way – they had to be.

Penn didn't have the most exciting courses coming his way what so ever as he sent in an application for the accounting program for community college. The guidance counselor assured him that with all the hard work he'd put into the year and the previous ones, he'd be a shoe in easy. He wasn't feeling that sure of himself unfortunately.

His nerves were partly calmed when Brielle waddled into the living room. She was due to have the twins any day now. She had an appointment in a couple days time from now at the hospital to start her labor and delivery if it didn't happen sooner than that. "Hey, would you not wait at the door?" She chuckled, but leaned in to kiss his cheek, hugging him. Even that was getting quite awkward to do so because of her enlarged tummy.

"I know, I know. I just can't see the reason why it's so late." His eyes widened as his whole demeanor turned negative. "Unless I was rejected maybe?"

Brielle shook her head, lifting his chin with her finger as she kissed his nose reassuringly. "No, no – if any of us would be rejected, it'd be me. You're so smart babe, you got this. Just a little bit longer of a wait."

Before he could answer, he saw the mailman approaching his house – where Brielle was now moved in. Not without some mild drama from her mother, naturally of course but it smoothed over decently enough. "Hi!" he greeted the mailman right out on the front deck, who chuckled.

"Guess what I actually have today?" He asked teasingly, poor Penn nearly breaking out in sweat.

"My acceptance letter?" He inquired eagerly.

"Yes! Well, I don't know if it's acceptance or rejection – but best of luck to you and the little lady." He told them, handing over a professional envelop to each teenager. "Good day." He departed, giving them the privacy to open their letters discreetly.

Penn shifted his gaze slowly towards the love of his life, pregnant with his children as he could feel himself trembling slightly just holding on to it. On one hand, opening this letter would create new paths in his life, in their life.

If they were both accepted – they would only have the summer full time with their little ones before they attended community college. It wasn't like either one of them originally had plans to travel out of state prior to Brielle becoming pregnant so that wasn't a big deal. Plus they would be living here at home while going to school, there were even home day care services offered right near where they currently lived, should they ever need it.

Brielle despite maybe getting accepted, would stay home initially for the first year or so perhaps, and then go to college. She wasn't even sure of exactly what she wanted to major in anyway so she wasn't in a rush. But for Penn, this was a huge opportunity. "You go first baby," she suggested, much to her surprise he shook his head.

"No, you first." He insisted, so she shrugged her shoulders and opened her letter, reading only the necessary first line.

"Oh wow, I was accepted." She read aloud, rather stunned. If anything she was sort of expecting a rejection more than an acceptance.

Penn hugged her tightly, rubbing the babies in her tummy. "That's wonderful, I love you. And you two." He kissed her tummy, lightly putting his letter up to her tummy. "Okay guys, wish daddy luck." Taking a deep breath, he ripped the envelop open, taking the contents right out of the envelope and read the first line.

"You got it." Brielle noticed him still reading. "You... got it, didn't you baby?" She couldn't help but to feel ashamed if the result turned out he didn't.

He was the positive influence on her better grades and he was the sole one who convinced her to send out an application to colleges. He was the better choice, not her.

He wiped away a tear from his eye finally as he nodded, "Yeah, yeah I got it. It's just... so surreal I can't believe it. Accepted into college... my family in the making... it's coming together so quickly and it's really... real." But Penn went from letting it sink in, to it finally doing so on its own. "YESSS! I AM COLLEGE MATERIAL!"

"Yes!" Brielle clapped excitedly, but then clenched her legs together. She came to the realization which she either pissed an entire river... losing half her body mass – or her water had just broken. But it felt uncomfortable as hell.

"I- Bri, you okay? What's going on? Speak to me!" He inquired, almost tossing his acceptance letter on the porch.

"I think... my water may have broken." She revealed with a weakened smile as she was holding her legs crossed, as it felt really gross and seemed embarrassing for anyone to see this.

"Oh shit, uh... uh, hospital!" He almost went into direct panic mode until Brielle shushed him, calming him down momentarily. "Get ma and pops to take me... I'll text you where my luggage is for the hospital and I'll see you soon." She kissed him and waited for it all to sink into his frazzled mind.

"Right!" He rushed back into the house, barely being able to get into the house he had fumbled with the doorknob greatly.

It didn't take long before a rush of their loved ones gathered with Brielle. Keegan was at work, but luckily Carissa hadn't left yet so she and Kirana got Brielle carefully and successfully in the van while they took off to bring her to the hospital while Penn stood there in pretty much complete shock.

He shook his head to lightly snap out of it as he scrolled through his phone contacts and stopped on a more recent addition, pressing the appropriate button to phone out. "Hey, what's up?" A familiar voice came through the phone.

"Ray... Brielle's water just broke, she's gonna have my babies and I'm so in shock I don't think I can move honestly." He heard a lot of shuffling around in the background before hearing from Raymond again.

"Okay, stay cool. You still live at the same place since like, first grade?"

Penn chuckled, "Yep, haven't moved."

"I'll be there with the guys in a few minutes. You need some moral support. Don't move asshole we'll be right there!"

Hanging up his phone, Penn took in some deep breaths while he waited for the guys. Which he wasn't waiting long, a half hour had passed at the most before they showed up to the house, Penn still outside taking this all in.

The initial shock had semi – worn off, but he just didn't know what to really do next. "Okay, we're here. Well, Brennan was out with his mom or some shit but Gerald, Raymond and I came as quickly as possible. What's going on now? Start from the beginning." Omari coaxed Penn calmly, trying to keep the other male relaxed.

"I was waiting for the mailman, because I hadn't gotten my acceptance letter yet when everyone else did. And so Brielle waddles out here with me, the mail dude comes, hands us both our letters and leaves. Brielle prompts me to open first, I asked her to. She did, she got accepted. I didn't get a chance to really congratulate her before she wanted me to open mine. I opened mine, got accepted -"

"Right on, bro!" Gerald gave a successful nod, "But go on."

"So she and I celebrate when then she has this look of like, fear and embarrassment on her face. I asked her what was wrong right away and she told me that she either peed everywhere or her water broke. So she asked for my parents to take her, while I get her shit and bring it to the hospital. Which was a good call as she probably saw the shock on my face." He breathed, trying to stay calm. But it was seriously hard when he knew she was in the hospital, now in the process of labor and getting ready to have their children. "She's gonna text me what she needs, I think."

Omari nodded, "May I take your phone when you get that text? We have a more clear mind than you do, since you're a dad and all – will be, pardon me."

Penn gave a quick nod, handing the phone over directly to Omari that moment. As if on cue, a text came through from Brielle. "She says... hi baby, I'm fine no need to worry. We're here and they have me in a delivery room but my water broke so they're on their way. I gotta put up with the dilating pains and stuff a bit longer before they'll give me an epidural. They're treating it like a normal birth since one twin is head down so they said. Take your time; everything and anything I'll need is in my luggage – except you... heart. That's downstairs in the twins' room by the dresser. Tucked in beside it, sorta out of the way. Love you, x-o-x-o."

Penn thought about that for a minute, "Okay, I'll run and grab the suitcase; I know where that is now. Would it, be okay if I caught a ride with you guys? I'm a little too scatter brained to drive."

Raymond twirled the keys to his silver car in the driveway, in his left hand. "Yep, got'cha covered bro. Get that suitcase!" Penn took off further into the house at almost top speed.

"He's doing way better than I would be," Gerald admitted, running a hand through his blond hair, smoothing it back. "I'd be fucking losing it. So nervous."

Ray nodded, "I think he's losing it a bit more than he's letting on, but he is doing great. Omari, if you wanna chill here and wait for Penn, we'll go get the car started."

Omari agreed and no later Penn turned right into that room already, suitcase rolling on the floor. "Okay, let's go."

"You have basic shit like your own ID and wallet and what not?" Omari asked on the spot, figuring it'd be a good idea to grab any of that if Penn didn't have it.

"Yeah in my pocket, I got it."

Gerald picked up the suitcase and rushed out the door with Raymond, leaving Omari and Penn to catch up, Penn locking the house securely on his way out since no one was left at home. "Okay, now relax. You're perfectly okay, we have everything Brielle needs... all she needs now is you."

Penn exhaled deeply, sharply exhaling. "You're right, we gotta get there and fast guys, please."

"You don't have to ask me twice!" Raymond smirked as he turned the key over in the ignition, after the rolling suitcase was put into the trunk and both the two remaining males got into the vehicle, fastening their seatbelts – it was time to get this show on the road!

"DAMN IT! WHAT THE HELL?!" Raymond cursed out loud, even though the other cars couldn't hear him. Penn had just started to drift off to sleep – being in a moving vehicle did that to him every time – and they were now stuck in the middle of morning traffic that was going painfully slow. "I was so hoping this wouldn't happen to us. Penn, I'm so sorry."

Penn took a peaceful breath, he was on the verge of sleep but it seemed that he had to wake himself up to answer Raymond. "Hmm?" He groggily opened his eyes.

"We're stuck in traffic." He relayed to Penn, who sleepily gave a nod.

"It's okay, nothing we can do about it – we're trying and we rushed our asses off and I really, really appreciate this, guys. I can't thank you enough right now." He meant every single word of it, "But let me call Brielle to let her know though."

He reached for his cellular phone and no sooner than he had it in his hands, a call came through and he answered. "Yeah?"

"Okay, so here's the sitch," it was clearly Kirana on the other end of the phone. "They popped your wife with the epidural... figuring she was close enough and they're trying to get her to push now. Since her water broke, pretty much the sac with the fluid that they were in drained, that's the water spilling out... and so it's kinda hard for them to breathe in that sac with no water. So they've rushed her in to try and get her to push now 'cause one of the babies is in the right position." While Kirana was talking, luckily the traffic had broken up and a bit of progression was made, but not a whole lot of it. "Ah shit, you're stuck in morning traffic aren't you?"

Penn let out a sigh, "Yeah. I'm trying. Let Brielle know I'm on my way and stuck in traffic. I'll be there as soon as I can be."

"Of course, see ya soon. Love you, bye."

The three guys in the vehicle besides Penn looked to be almost heartbroken. "Hey, what's up?" He asked them casually, wondering what the update was.

"You may miss the birth of your children, Penn." Omari's eyes even had this dampened, dull gleam to them.

"Guys, I would be way farther behind than this if it weren't for you. Brielle knows I'm trying and she'll be thankful that you guys ran to my rescue here and we'll be there as soon as possible. That's the best we can really do." He said rationally, what could they do – rush and get all worked up, over what?

Something they couldn't control.

"Thanks for remaining so chill, but honestly – this bitch is gonna fly as soon as I take the next exit." Raymond notified them, gripping the steering wheel as he waited for the traffic to flow faster than it was.

Several minutes later, another call came in through Penn's cell phone. He answered it right away, taking note of the fact Raymond was cheering to himself about the next exit being clear. "I'm on my way, I'll be there shortly now! What's going on?"

"She's doing okay, but you're going to have to pay for the pain meds I'm gonna need by the time she's done with my hand, holy fuck I think it's broken." Kirana giggled, "She's doing alright – but I know she'd prefer you to be sitting here instead of me. So hurry your ass up boy and you'll get to see your kids soon!"

The phone call ended abruptly after that and the car was pulling up to the nearest entrance in the hospital. "Don't worry about the luggage Penn, we'll bring it up. Go, go, go!" Gerald rushed him, reaching over to pull the lever and pop the He ran into the hospital and through it, being careful of other patients, doctors and nurses. Luckily he already knew where to go, as Kirana sent him a text with the room number and location of the wing they currently resided in.

Very out of breath, he finally reached the hospital room where he heard the fresh cries of an infant. He ventured further into the room and saw Kirana and Brielle there. "It's a boy!" The wailing on the infant had to be one of the most blessed sounds to hear at this point. Meaning that the little guy was alive and Penn glanced in at the action, there... was another one, wasn't there?

Where was the other baby? He swallowed hard and stepped in more, taking Brielle's hand and kissing her forehead. "I'm here Bri, I'm right here."

"Penn, I love you so much." Her hair was all a mess, she was sweaty and her breathing in a total haphazard manner – but she couldn't have looked more beautiful in his eyes.

"I love you too darling, you've got this. You can do it and I'm right here with you now." A curtain was put up in front of them and between, all Brielle could feel was pressure and the very eerie feeling of things inside her, being moved around. "What the fuck..." she breathed. But now she remembered the doctor telling her about a possibility of having to take a cesarean section route to take one of, or both babies out safely. She didn't care of course, whatever would help them both into this world she was more than ready to do.

After a few minutes, a shrill infant cry filled the air and somewhat silence that it was before. Penn leaned his forehead against Brielle's, who had calmed her breathing down to a steadier pace. "We did it. They're here." She whispered, barely even believing this had happened. Just a couple hours ago she was pregnant. Now... she wasn't anymore?

"Congratulations mom and dad, a little girl! Oh my - a boy and a girl in one shot, you're very lucky!" The friendly nurse told the young couple.

"Thank you."

"We're just going to do some routine things to make sure they're both completely healthy. In the meantime," she gave a smile as she saw their hands still intertwined in each other's. "let's get you into recovery hon while your new son and daughter get all cleaned up and ready for you. Unless you'd like to hold them right away now?"

Brielle couldn't care less if they were covered in blood; she had just birthed the both of them and wanted to see them for a little bit first before anything else. "Yes please, just for a few minutes, then you can take them."

The nurse picked up the boy, setting him on Brielle's chest for her to hug him skin to skin. "Oh hi there." She greeted him nonchalantly before starting to shed tears. "You're so beautiful."

"And so are you!" Penn greeted their daughter with open arms, bloody and all. The two infants being completely at ease in both their parents' arms.

"This... is crazy. I'm so overwhelmed with... love. I can't even explain it."

Brielle nodded, sniffling. "I know, aren't they just... amazing? I'm so in love, with all of us. Our family."

The older nurse smiled warmly, "Sometimes the greatest things in life just cannot be explained." With how they felt at the moment those words described it entirely, just perfect.

The best day of their lives happened just a couple months ago, when Sorya Alexa Hudson – Carson and her brother Colin Jonas Hudson – Carson were born. Now it was time for Penn to prepare himself for college and Brielle had decided to take all of her classes, except for one online. So she didn't have to do as much traveling back and forth. She could be home with everyone and her new children. This, just like everything else had worked itself out beautifully.

Neither Brielle Elise or Penn Damon had any idea what so ever that over a year ago, when they first started seeing one another that they would have such a wonderful family and most importantly – love each other as strongly as they did. The love that they had for one another was stronger than ever before. With her almost completely healed after having both a vaginal and c – section birth, she couldn't wait to witness the next chapters of the life she and Penn now shared forever. Their own eternal journey was about to unravel.

THE END

Written-Anonymously: I want to thank everyone for reading and reviewing this story and sticking with it until the very end. I know I had a great time working on this story with my dear friend. I know this is not the end of us writing together, so keep your eyes open. Until next time.