"I don't know what I'm going to do" - he was about to cry. His wife was in awful pain, and he couldn't do anything to stop it. Early that day, Skyler got an urgent call from his mother-in-law saying that his wife had gone into early labor and things were getting worse every minute.
There was another huge problem - Skyler was on a completely different continent, and there was no chance he would be there for his wife. Every second mattered, so he had to come up with the decision before it was too late...
An All-American Family
Skyler and Cydney Cooper seemed like an all-American family. They had everything from the beautiful house, the promising careers, and the amazing children.
They were a young family, and both Syler and Cydney were looking forward to spending most of their years together. Then a few months later, something unexpected happened that would send the couple into pure familial bliss.
Raising Their Children Together
Their children were out of their toddler phase, so they could enjoy each other’s company more. Although, one night, Cydney was feeling a bit nauseous, which led her to take an at-home pregnancy test.
It turns out that she was, indeed, expecting – they couldn’t believe their luck, and they couldn’t wait for the newest addition to their family. However, an unexpected announcement would soon thwart the young couple’s happiness.
Getting Deployed Abroad
A few weeks later, Skyler received a call from his officers that he would soon be deployed. It wasn’t just this deployment that Cydney feared, and it was also the fact that Skyler would be sent to a completely different continent while she was expecting twins.
On the day Skyler left for his deployment, Cydney hugged him goodbye and told him that she would be waiting for his return. This was something that she did with a hopeful heart, but so much bad luck had been plaguing their family that she couldn’t keep up…
Some Bad News
While she was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, Cydney fell seriously ill. She had felt so alone because she was in such a fragile state with her husband so far away from her.
So when the news broke that she would have to deliver her twins prematurely, it was as if the skies had fallen on her. “I need Skyler to be here,” she told her doctors before she fell into a deep sleep.
Life in the Military
Before leaving for his deployment, he assured his wife that everything would be alright. “Our family is going to take care of you, and you’ll have everything you need,” he told her.
Those who have family members in the military can safely say that carrying a child while your significant other is abroad can be quite stressful. Cydney was a testament to this, but at the same time, she was also proud of her husband’s sacrifice.
A Proud American
Skyler and Cydney were both proud Americans, and so Cydney continually encouraged her husband until the day that he had to leave. She knew that handling their children alongside her pregnancy alone would be a challenge, but she was up for it.
“We’re going to be fine; you don’t have to worry about a single thing,” she assured Skyler. In return, her husband gave her a massive hug as they both thought about their bright future together.
Enlisting in the Army
When Skyler was growing up, he never really had any fascination with the military. So it was quite a surprise for those around him when he ended up enlisting in the army.
Though it was quite a surprise, his family couldn’t be more proud of him and the sacrifice that he was about to make. They knew that life in the military would be hard, so everybody tried to make Skyler as comfortable as possible.
The Kansas City National Guard
Skyler was already serving with the Kansas City National Guard even before he met his wife-to-be. He loved this role, and it was safe to say that he thrived in the service.
One day, he minded his own business when he saw the most beautiful girl from across the street. He knew that he had to meet her, so he introduced himself, “Hello ma’am, I’m Skyler, and I would really like to buy you a drink.”
Meeting the Love of His Life
Little did he know that this encounter would change both their lives forever. That day, Cydney realized that she was meeting someone special, but she didn’t tell him just yet.
They went on a little date and got to know each other better. The thing that attracted Cydney to Skyler all the more was the fact that he was in the service and that he was willing to sacrifice his life for his country.
A Whirlwind Romance
Since their first meeting, both Skyler and Cydney have gone out for a few months, and they started getting to know each other a little better. Their love story was a whirlwind romance, and they were one of the few lucky ones who knew right then and there.
Fast forward to a few years later, the young couple is now married and living their best life together. They also have two beautiful boys, Leighton and Corbett, who make their lives so much more fun – though something else was about to come, and it was going to change their lives forever…
The Newest Addition to Their Family
A few years into their marriage, Skyler and Cydney enjoyed being a family of four. Although, one night, Cydney ran into the bathroom because she was nauseous. Naturally, this made her husband worried, “Are you okay?”
Deep inside, Cydney knew that something was wrong, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. So she decided to wait for a few more days and see if she would get better – but she didn’t.
Uncle Sam Called
Cydney realized what was happening, so she decided to take an at-home pregnancy test. Her fears were realized, but it was soon overcome with happiness, and she couldn’t wait to tell her husband the good news.
She waited for Skyler to come home from work so she could tell him that they were both expecting again. However, he had a glum expression on his face as soon as he walked in the door. He simply said, “I’m being deployed.”
He Had to Go Abroad
Skyler’s deployment made Cydney emotional – of course, she wanted to be a supportive wife, but how would she get through her pregnancy alone? She had told Skyler the good news, but there was nothing they could do.
In a few weeks, Skyler would have to go to Kuwait and serve with his fellow officers. So Cydney realized that she had to be strong because she didn’t want her husband to worry from the other side of the world.
A Long Distance Relationship
Before leaving, Cydney assured Skyler, “It’s going to be okay, and we’ll get through this.” He smiled at her, but he was hurting because he didn’t want to leave her in such a fragile state.
Once he landed in Kuwait, they had a long-distance relationship with online messages and calls to rely on. The young couple made it work because they knew that they would be reunited in no time at all.
Raising Their Children Alone
While her husband was in Kuwait, Cydney raised their boys, Leighton and Corbett. Life was good for them, but every once in a while, the boys would ask about their father, who was absent from their lives.
“Daddy is in another country, but he’ll be home soon,” she said to her boys. She also put up a photo of Skyler on the boys’ bedside so they wouldn’t forget what he looked like.
The Struggles of Parenthood
Even though Cydney was so great at handling being both the mom and dad simultaneously, she knew deep within that she needed Skyler. During one of their video calls, she told him, “I miss you so much, and I can’t wait for you to come home.”
On the other side of the world, Skyler longed to come back home to his family. He loved serving in the army, but he loved being with his family all the more. Little did he know, some great news was about to head his way…
They Were Expecting Twins
During one of Cydney’s regular check-ups, her doctor told her she was expecting twins. This wasn’t something that Cydney was expecting at all, but it was a happy announcement that she couldn’t wait to tell Skyler.
“No, you’re kidding me! I’m so excited to see our precious girls when I get home,” Skyler told Cydney as soon as he heard the news. He was trying to get some time off so he could go home just in time for Cydney’s delivery.
Life Was Good
Albeit their distance, nothing had changed for Skyler and Cydney. They were still so in love with each other, and their growing family was a testament to that love.
Everything was going great, and life was good – Cydney couldn’t ask for anything else. However, something would happen a few days later that would leave her in such a vulnerable state.
An Unexpected Downfall
One afternoon, Cydney had to pick up her sons from school – it was just a regular day, but there was a torrential downpour currently happening in their location. Instead of letting her boys ride the school bus in the rain, she decided to fetch them herself.
That afternoon, she didn’t realize that she had been rained on so badly that she would feel so bad that very night. Cydney called her mother on the phone, “Ma, can you come here? I don’t feel so good, and the boys haven’t eaten yet.” That was all she could muster.
Cydney Fell Ill
When she called her mother for help, Cydney had no idea that this was the thing that was going to save her life. Her mother found her unconscious in her bed, so they called 9-1-1.
Apparently, Cydney had caught the dangerous flu that same afternoon because of the rain. Unfortunately, her misfortunes wouldn’t stop there…
She Was 33-Weeks Early
The doctors said that Cydney’s condition was growing worse by the minute, so they had to do something drastic. They would have to deliver Cydney’s babies at only 33-weeks.
“Her husband isn’t even here yet, and she’s going to be so upset,” her mother told the doctor when Cydney was too weak to speak. Then the doctor said, “Unfortunately, this is our only option if we want to save her life.”
Skyler Was Devastated
When his mother-in-law called, Skyler became suspicious that something might be wrong. “Skyler, it’s Cydney – she’s in critical condition,” she told him during that same video call.
Skyler was delirious because he knew that there was nothing he could do to comfort his wife. All he wanted was to be by his family’s side, but there was nothing he could do but pray for his wife and babies.
Leaving Their Children at the NICU
Fortunately, the delivery was successful, albeit being a premature birth – they were all resting safely in the hospital. However, the twin girls were so premature that they had to be taken to the NICU.
Cydney would pop by the NICU to take a glimpse at her little girls whenever she could. All she wanted was for her husband to be by her side during this truly difficult time in her life, but she knew that she had to wait.
A Slow Recovery
A few days had passed, and Cydney was getting stronger, which was all she ever wanted because she knew that her children would need their mother. She also had two little boys at home, so she couldn’t give up.
Both her sons finally saw their baby sisters for the first time, and it was such a miraculous moment. All that she ever wanted was for Skyler to be there so they could be a complete family again.
Juggling Four Children
Weeks after her sudden delivery, Cydney could finally go home – though there was one hold up. She couldn’t take her baby girls with her just yet because they still needed to be monitored in the NICU.
Instead, Cydney went home to her two sons, and whenever she could, she would swing by the hospital to visit her daughters. Life as a single mother of four proved to be more difficult than she hoped.
She Couldn’t Give Up
“I wish I could be there to support you,” Skyler told her during one of their video calls. “It’s okay, but I wish you could come home as soon as you can,” she told her husband.
Cydney knew that she couldn’t give up because her four children depended on her. Then one day, her husband sent her a text message that made her quite suspicious.
A Text from Her Husband
It was just an ordinary day, and she was looking after her twin daughters at the hospital when she suddenly received a text from Skyler. It was quite unusual since they rarely texted; instead, Skyler would usually call.
This caused a bit of anxiety for Cydney, but she didn’t let it get in the way of caring for her twin daughters. Then, something unexpected came her way…
The Best Surprise
A few minutes after the text, Skyler came into the room where Cydney and their daughters were. He was carrying a balloon with the American flag on it, and he planned to surprise his beautiful wife.
Naturally, this took Cydney by surprise, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She hugged her husband as long and as tight as she could because she missed him so much. Then, she introduced him to their little girls.
Catching Up with His Girls
After a long and tedious journey back home, Skyler was finally reunited with his family. Not only that, but he also got to meet his newborn daughters for the very first time – it was a moment that he was going to cherish for the rest of his life.
It was such a magical moment caught on camera, and everyone who will see that video will surely tear up. Then, it was finally time to surprise his boys at home…
Surprising His Boys
Still wearing his army uniform, Skyler went straight home to surprise both Leighton and Corbett. The boys weren’t expecting their father to be home, but they were glad that he was there to hold them after being away for such a long time.
They bonded over a lot of things, and they caught up with each other’s lives. It was a sight that Cydney longed to witness for a very long time, and it was finally here.
Getting Through Life Together
Skyler was able to stay for much longer since he was on break, and Cydney was thankful because it meant that she no longer had to do parenthood alone. When they said that they would be there for each other through sickness and in health, they meant it.
The couple knew that they would need to work together for it to work, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. They were going to get through life together, and that was the most beautiful part.
A Much-Needed Rest
Skyler told his wife that he would handle their children so she could recover smoothly. “You have no idea how much this means to me,” she told him as he held her hand.
Then finally, they were able to take their daughters home – they also named the girls Emma and Kyla. They were the apples of their eyes, and they were smitten over their beautiful children.
Together at Last
After being apart for months, Skyler and Cydney were finally reunited. Even though he couldn’t be there when she needed him the most, he tried to compensate by being the best husband and father he could be.
The time they spent apart wasn’t important – what’s important was that they were finally together again. Although, was Skyler going back to the army?
His Sacrifices Were Worth It
Nothing was said about Skyler going back to the army, but now that their children are much stabler, it’s still in the cards. Today, Skyler and Cydney, alongside their children, are still living at home – they wouldn’t want it any other way.
Their story shows that if your love is true, it will always stand the test of time. Now, both Skyler and Cydney can enjoy their domestic lives with the children they love the most.