Woman Loses Brother and Dad Within 3 Years of Each Other. Then She Welcomes Identical Twin Boys (Exclusive)

Yahoo

09-07-2025

Nikki's family was devastated to lose two family members in just three years
Nikki was in the middle of IVF at the time of her dad's death and weeks later, she'd learn she was pregnant
The birth of twin boys felt like a full-circle moment for the tight-knit family, she tells PEOPLEAfter two painful losses in her family, one woman experienced a twist of fate she never could have expected.
Nikki's family of five was tight-knit growing up. enjoying a childhood full of "fun memories" in a Maryland suburb. Nikki's father, in the military, served in Iraq before coming home in 2008.
"He had a lot of trauma. He had PTSD from the war. So it was kind of a different dad when he came back, but he adjusted the best he could," she tells PEOPLE.
The family experienced heartbreak in 2021 when Nikki's younger brother, Brian, died unexpectedly. The loss, which took place on Memorial Day, put the family in a difficult place.
"He was only 28. It was a lot," she says, noting her family tried to lean on each other to press forward. The loss weighed on everyone, including Nikki's dad.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"My dad had different ailments and issues from his time in the military," she continues. "He ended up passing away in his sleep on Mother's Day 2024."
Nikki's father sadly didn't live to fulfill one of his greatest desires — to be a grandfather.
"I was doing IVF. I only had one embryo left. My dad used to ask, 'When am I going to be a pop-pop?' " she says.
He was supportive after the first transfer didn't result in a pregnancy. "I remember he said, 'Don't worry, Nik. Next time is going to be the champ.' He told me that right before he passed," she shares.
"I did a transfer on May 31, which was the [anniversary of the] day my brother passed. We did a pregnancy test on June 10, which was the day we had buried my brother."
Nikki and her family were overwhelmed to learn the test was positive.
"To find out that we had life coming the day that we buried him ... and it was just a month after my dad had passed, it was emotional. I have always wanted to be a mother, as much as I wanted to breathe. It wasn't just that it was happening, but that the one embryo brought me two boys," she says.
The mom-to-be had always wanted twins, but was also "scared" to receive the news.
"I don't know if I've been as happy as I was that day actually. Scared to death, but very happy. In my heart, I knew it was going to be boys," she says. "I did want girls, but I knew it was going to be boys because of my dad and my brother."
Sharing the news with her family was "so beautiful" for the expectant mom, who decided on a surprise. In celebration of her late dad's birthday, she invited everyone for a barbecue, one of his favorites.
"When they showed up, it was a 'babycue.' Then, they realized it was for me. We were able to capture it on camera and to witness their excitement, especially because my family doesn't have twins, it was just so special," she shares. "It was a lot for them to take in that I'm even pregnant, and there were two babies coming. They were so happy about it."
After a tricky pregnancy that required diligence on Nikki's part, she welcomed her boys, whose names, Hendrix and Jaxson, were inspired by each of the men she'd lost.
"My brother, Brian, was a man of much character — funny, charming and very stylish. His personality was one for the books. My dad, Leon, was a noble man — a husband, father, incredible chef and American soldier with many ribbons and accolades who was 'just doing his job.' While the twins will never replace them, we find solace and a calming peace knowing that they have so many traces of their personalities that further allow their memories to forever live on," Nikki shares.
"They act like who they're named after," she adds with a laugh. "Hendrix acts like my dad and Jaxson acts like my brother. It was funny because everyone thought they'd send me signs through them. But it's more than that, down to the little facial expressions. It is the most beautiful, full-circle moment."
A photographer herself, Nikki marked an early moment with the babies with a family photo of herself, her mom and surviving brother with the babies. In another version of the photo, her father and brother are digitally added to show the complete family.
"We all just cried. We're very, very blessed. We didn't and couldn't have replaced them, but to have gotten two more family members back into our house, it's so special," she shares. "It's the beauty in the ashes. We have been through so much and to have so much life come in after death, it has been a beautiful experience."
Read the original article on People