The wife of a motorcyclist who tragically died in a collision has welcomed their twin boys into the world, three months after his passing.
Aaron Morris died on his wife Samantha's 28th birthday, just weeks after the couple found out they were expecting twins. The 31-year-old had been so excited about their arrival that he booked an early scan to find out the gender of the babies, but he sadly died before the appointment which took place a week after his funeral.
A gender reveal held at the site of the collision in Esh Winning, where Samantha and Aaron spent their final moments together, revealed that Samantha was expecting the twin boys Aaron had dreamed of. And on Monday she welcomed them into the world with a framed photo of their dad by her bedside.
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Although earlier than expected, both Samantha and the boys, Aaron-Junior John Robson Morris and Ambrose-Ayren Morris, are said to be doing well.
Samantha said: "Aaron-Junior John Robson Morris was born at 7.55am and like his dad was 100 mile an hour. Little Aaron came into the world very, very fast - so fast the neonatal team just got through the door as he arrived.
"He also came at staff handover time so he had double the amount of staff, so double the attention. Like his dad all eyes on him! Unlike his dad he is very small at only 1 pound 12 but he is the stronger of the two and for all he's small he's doing unbelievably well already.
"Ambrose-Ayren Morris was born by emergency C-section at 9.01am weighing 2 pound 12.
"Ambrose was happy to stay in until he was due so the doctors had to fight a bit to get him out, but he came into the world very loud for such a small baby letting us all know he was here. Loud and proud like his dad and also had to make a dramatic entrance into the world."
Samantha's official due date was January 11, 2023 but she was admitted to hospital a few weeks ago due to high risk preterm labour at 24 plus 6 days. Due to following level 3 neonatal cots, she has had to be transferred between a number of hospitals, including University Hospital of North Durham, James Cook University Hospital, Royal Preston Hospital, and Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.
However, Samantha has praised the staff at all hospitals for the care they have provided for her and her sons. She said staff at James Cook University Hospital always made sure her photo of Aaron was in view and made sure it was brought to theatre with her when she had to undergo a C-section. Staff even made sure they got the boys' photos taken with their dad's photo.
The staff on the neonatal unit were aware of Aaron's passing and have put "beautiful" poems in the boys' diaries. They have also put Aaron's name on the boys' name board with a purple heart next to it to show he's no longer with us.
Samantha said she is "lucky" that Aaron created lots of videos for TikTok after racking up a huge following on the platform. She said the videos mean she will be able to play Aaron's voice to the boys.
She also owns a teddy bear which contains a voice recording of Aaron saying "I love you so much" which is activated by squeezing the teddy. She said: "At least he can still tell them he loves them."
Samantha added: "My birth was always going to be hard but them coming at 27 weeks gestation has just added trauma. But Aaron always told me I was the strongest person he ever met and when things get hard I just remember him saying that and that's how I get through the really hard days.
"I think their dad sent them early because I've been really struggling. I think Aaron knew I needed something to focus on so he gave me our boys to focus on.
"All babies are special and precious but these twins are very precious little angels - not one, but two gifts from heaven. The boys will know how much they were wanted and how much me and their dad loved each other and that they are a symbol of that love."
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