#unless you want them often... hmmm... conundrum...

Caroline was cuddling on the couch with her boys, a large bowl of popcorn on the coffee table in front of them. A romance movie was on TV. Such a genre wasn’t Caroline’s cup of tea. She despised how sappy they typically were with everything magically working out in the end but it wasn’t her turn to pick what they were watching.

She made the best of it. Both twins were leaning against her. Max had an arm around her shoulders and Min had a hand on her leg that would likely wind up creeping higher as the night went on. The welcome company and happiness from it would outweigh any boredom from a film she had no interest in.

It got even worse for Caroline when a war was involved. Rather than focus on the fighting that might have killing and explosions to keep her entertained the woman whose lover was away was focused on instead. It dealt with her conflicted feelings of pining for her boyfriend but also being lured in by the charms of a man in her town that was interested in her.

In Caroline’s opinion if someone was truly in love they wouldn’t even consider leaving their partner, no matter how lonely they were. Convenience was a lousy excuse. Caroline got sad too whenever not all of them could avoid being arrested during a heist but the most she’d needed was a good hug from Jervis when missing the twins became too painful.

…Although, now that she thought about it, with how Min and Max were it would probably be a good idea never to mention how much she visited Jervis when they were gone. Caroline’s ears drooped. Just great. Now this movie had her feeling guilty.

It seemed like Caroline would hate the movie all the way through until the man’s love letters caught her interest. Day after day the woman started receiving them. Even in the fierceness of combat he couldn’t stop thinking of her. Some letters were lengthier than others but even when he didn’t have much to say he wanted to make sure that she knew how much he loved her.

“She better not choose that other man after this,” Caroline huffed as she crossed her arms. She was paying so little attention she didn’t even know the characters names.

It was the first time Caroline had said anything since the movie started. The twins looked at her and saw she was staring intensely at the screen now, waiting for the resolution. The twins had been developing their own opinions, surprised that this was what made Caroline start to be invested.

“Because of the love letters?” Max asked. Was that all?

Caroline nodded. “The other fellow is just throwing his money around and making these grand displays because she’s pretty. He’s not pouring out his soul and telling her how she makes him feel. He seems shallow to me and trying to take advantage of her situation. I hope she doesn’t fall for it.” Her cheeks filled slightly with pink. “It’s so old fashioned but I think I would send you boys letters from time to time if we didn’t live together. I feel like it’s a gesture that’s becoming out of style and it’s a real shame.”

The twins smiled at one another for a moment before looking back to Caroline. For such a blunt and matter-of-factly woman she sure was sentimental. So she liked the concept of love letters…? The wheels in both their heads began turning.

Near the end the woman’s choice was made for her. Her boyfriend died in the war and she married her new suitor. They lived happily and she was treated very well. In the final shot the woman burst into tears upon receiving one last love letter from her past boyfriend that had been lost in the mail.

My thoughts of you are all that keep my spirits up. I love you more than any man has ever loved a woman. When I return, lets get married.

It was too much for Caroline. She got up off the couch and hurried out of the room, tears of her own running down her face. She thought that she had wanted a more realistic ending for romance movies… Never again would she scoff at happy endings.

The twins were on their feet, leaving the TV on as the credits rolled to hurry after Caroline. They caught her in the hallway trying to collect herself, wiping away the lingering tears on her face. It didn’t matter that she could be completely vulnerable in front of the twins; she still hated anyone witnessing her crying.

“I’m so sorry, Honey Bunny!” Max felt terrible, pulling her into a tight hug. “I didn’t know the movie was going to be like that! The reviews were all positive for it… I wanted to see it in theaters when it came out but Min and I were in jail!”

“There’s nothing wrong with a movie making you feel something,” Caroline replied. “I’m just embarrassed is all.”

That was only part of it. Despite all Caroline had been through she was a hopeless romantic. Her idealization of having only one true love had already been shaken up upon the relationship she had with the twins. Now seeing a movie where it was so simple to move on from one man to another and still be so happy… It wouldn’t do for a young woman to be miserable for the rest of her life but she hated how easy it was for her to find love again. She didn’t like thinking of people being so easy to replace. Not one bit.  

“I’ll love you boys and only you boys for all eternity,” Caroline promised. “No matter what happens.”

“We’ll only love you!” both twins promised, although they were a tad confused by her sudden declaration. They were completely unable to connect the dots, Caroline’s way of thinking being rather perplexing to them at times.

Giving her two lovers grateful kisses was all Caroline needed to finish calming down. She wondered if it was the rabbit in her that got her emotions so intense at times or if this is how she’d be normally. The twins knew she was like this and didn’t mind; it only presented them with more reasons to cuddle her.

Caroline’s strong reaction to love letters stuck out in Max’s mind especially. He debated about writing her one and leaving it in the mailbox but Min typically got the mail for them. He may as well just hand the letter to Caroline himself if his twin would wind up doing so. That ruined the surprise and romance of it.

Did it necessarily have to be letters in an envelope, though…? The wheels in Max’s head seemed to have jammed. He wasn’t that clever of a man but he should be able to think of something! Maybe if Min helped him as well…

“I was thinking about that too!” Min replied when Max brought it up. “We’ve gotta do somethin’ like that!”

“But what?” Max asked. That was the conundrum. Living with one another really did defeat the purpose of sending letters. There had to be an alternative… They told Caroline they loved her all the time but she appreciated the gesture of sharing those feelings in text.

Both twins let out a “Hmmm….” as they pondered.

“Hey!” Min said, Max almost able to see the light bulb that went off in his twin’s head. “What if we use sticky notes?”

“‘Sticky notes’?” Max repeated in confusion.

“We couldn’t write anything too long but we could leave them up where Caroline’s sure to find to them!”

Excitement lit up Max’s face. “That’s a GREAT idea!” he praised, making Min grin broadly. “I think Caroline’s still napping! I’ll go buy some; you stay here in case she wakes up!

Min chuckled. “You know our bunny… She’ll be out for awhile still.”

The twins were certainly allowed to come and go as they pleased. They simply didn’t like leaving Caroline alone unless she asked to be by herself. One of them wanted to be nearby in case she needed it. Even before becoming her lovers they’d promised to protect her and they’d never forgotten it.

While Max ran his errand Min stayed alert should Caroline wake and call for him. He was also careful to stay quiet so as not to disturb her in case she didn’t put earplugs in. Caroline had one of her bad nights where nightmares affected her sleep. It resulted in her needing to catch up during the day. These times were slowly becoming fewer and fewer now that they slept beside her but nothing would be able to change her becoming a bunny and deep trauma it left behind.

Sure enough Max was gone and back without a peep from Caroline. He and Min sat down at the kitchen table with the packs of pink, red, and white sticky notes Max had brought home. Pens in hand, they thought to themselves over what to write. Min was biting the back of his when he saw Max starting to write something.

“Don’t look!” Max scolded as he covered his note when Min leaned over to see. “I can’t write with you watching me!”

Min laughed. “After everything else I’ve watched you do to Caroline?” This was really the point where Max needed him to look away?

Max’s face turned a deep red. Knowing Min was looking over his shoulder broke his concentration but he didn’t want to say that and open himself up for another comment. He just frowned back at Min, refusing to move his hand.

“Alright, alright.” Min backed off. Besides, he needed to hurry and decide what to write himself!

They each came up with something, not letting the other see, but hoping that Caroline would like it. They opened the door to the room they shared with her to see Caroline still sleeping soundly in their bed. They slowly crept forward, relieved to see she not only had earplugs in but a mask over her eyes as well.

Without any worry of waking her up they pressed the sticky notes to the mirror of the bureau and left the room. Now they were impatient for Caroline to wake up. They knew how long she’d usually stay asleep for but had hopes she might happy to awaken early.

To pass the time they filled out even more of the sticky notes, intending to randomly leave them in the places Caroline frequented most often in the house.

Caroline slept just as long as usual. Not thinking anything of it she took her time getting out of bed when she finally opened her eyes. The twins knew her too well; her next stop before leaving the room would be to check her hair, she instantly spotting the two sticky notes on the mirror.

“What’s this?” Caroline wondered aloud as she grabbed the pink one that was closest to her and read it.

My Dearest Caroline, I still dream about you being mine when I sleep; I can’t believe that it’s become a reality. Thank you for making my dreams come true. Love, Max

Caroline felt like she was smiling from ear to ear as she held the note against her chest. Her darling Max… This message was so like him that she could practically hear him saying it to her.

She reached for the red stick note and plucked it off the mirror.

Caroline, I’m glad we’re not in a museum because I’m not allowed to touch the masterpieces there. You’re a work of art. -Min

Caroline giggled. And this one couldn’t have come from anyone but Min! Their handwriting was nearly identical but they really didn’t need to have bothered signing her names. She knew her boys!