Humming gently to herself, Rosalie continued making dinner. She had just started cutting out the biscuits when she heard the front door open and her two rambunctious boys come through. Smiling she turned to watch them come into the kitchen.
"Did you boys have a good day?" She asked as they came to each give her a kiss.
"Better now that we get to see you with that flour on your nose." Murphy said reaching out to wipe it off for her.
"Aye Rosie don't ye look as cute as a button." Connor said pinching her cheek.
Rosie laughed pulling away. "Biscuits are tricky. Besides at least I didn't pour a whole bag out into the floor and roll around in it like the two of you!"
"That's why we leave the cookin to ye Rosie, less accidents happen that way." Connor replied grinning.
"No ye leave it ta me because you two could burn water!" Rosie quipped.
This caused the boys to grab her and start tickling. She laughed trying to break free. She finally managed to jump away from them, still giggling.
"Alright away with ye now. I've got to finish this so ya don't starve."
Connor and Murphy complied giving her very devilish winks that still to this day made her heart flutter. She heard the TV come on and knew that would at least keep them occupied for another thirty minutes or so. Setting the biscuits on the pan she popped them in the oven and began cleaning up the kitchen. After the quick clean up she started setting the table for three, but then called out, "Your Da won't be dropping in will he?"
Connor yelled back, "No luv, he's eating at Ma's tonight! She finally let him back in the house."
"Well that's good but I will miss watching her throw the entire contents of the kitchen at him while he tried to explain." Rosie said smiling.
"Yea us as well." Murphy called back.
She continued making the table putting two beers down before making herself some tea and then finally pulling the biscuits out. "Dinners done, the both of ye get in here."
She heard a slight scuffle which meant they were fighting to see who could make into the kitchen before the other. Rosie yelled out, "You boys scuff up my carpet and I'll beat the both of ye with my broom!"
The fight broke up immediately and just as quick they were sitting down to eat. Rosie served out their bowls giving them both the majority of the stew she made and the bigger biscuits. She settled for a small bowl and a biscuit. Connor noticed immediately.
"Something wrong Rosie? Ye barely have anything to eat there. Ye aren't feeling sick are ye?"
Murphy began inspecting her close as well. She just smiled and said. "Just a wee bit of a headache boys, nothing to worry about. I've already taken something, just waiting for it to kick in."
They both nodded, but then Murphy said with a grin, "I know a cure for headaches."
Connor snorted into his stew and Rosie laughed. "That's your cure for everything Murphy MacManus."
Murphy grinned cheekily. "Aye but it works for almost everything."
Rosie just smiled and went back to her stew. She let the boys run the conversation, them telling her about their day out working the sheep with their Da and she laughed at their pranks on one another. Pretty soon the bowls were scraped clean and Rosie was filling the sink with hot water and soap.
"Rosie I do believe you're trying to make us fat ol men, cooking like that." Connor said patting his stomach.
"I'm just glad-" Rosie cut off when a sharp pain went through her head causing she double over. She felt a wave of nausea hit her.
As quick as lightening both Connor and Murphy were both holding her steady.
"Rosie luv what's wrong? Conn she's mighty pale."
"I'm fine really. Headaches just worse than I thought." Rosie tried to assure them.
"Lets get ye into bed lass. Murph make her some tea." Connor said picking Rosie up off the ground despite her protests. He took her into their bedroom and lay her down.
"Connor I'm fine really. I still have the kitchen to clean."
"Don't you worry about that kitchen luv, me and Murphy will do it. Right now you worry about getting some rest and feeling better." Connor gave her a kiss and walked out.
Murphy brought her a cup of tea and sat on the side of the bed, chewing on his thumb looking worried. Rosie felt bad now for worrying them. "Murphy honestly I'm alright, just felt sick for a minute. Stop chewing your thumb off." She held her arms out for him, which he gladly leaned into. She would never say it aloud but Murphy was the more sensitive of the two which had led her to believe that Connor was the oldest. She would never voice this aloud because she knew the argument it would inevitably cause between the two.
"I don't like ya ta be sick Rosie." He said shifting them so that he held her.
"And I'm not sick I promise. Tomorrow I'll be as right as rain." She told him firmly.
"You'd better be. Me and Connor would be lost without ye."
She looked up at him and smiled. "No I'd be lost without the both of you."
Murphy tilted her head up and kissed her. His hand played with her hair and she sighed mentally. She really loved little moments like this. Some people didn't understand the relationship she had with the brothers. People had asked her how she could be with both, love both of them and she would reply that her heart was big enough for the two of them. She still remembered the night they both confessed their love for her. She had been trying to leave them. She had realized she loved them both and couldn't choose when they had told her that they both loved her and that they wanted her to be with the both of them. She still thanked God everyday for her boys.
Murphy finally pulled away. "I'd better go help Connor before he breaks all the dishes. Rest luv."
He walked out of the room, and she fell asleep letting the memories of when she first met them pepper her dreams.
Meanwhile downstairs Murphy and Connor were drying dishes. "Do ye think she's really alright Conn?"
"I don't know, she's been distracted for days, like something's bugging her."
Murphy grinned. "Ye think we should sic Ma on her?"
Connor smiled. "I think we might have to. Ye know how Rosie is about being sick, she'd rather die than let us know. Give Ma a ring and see if she can come over tomorrow."
"Ok then ye can finish the dishes." Murphy said throwing his towel at his brother.
Connor swatted it away laughing. "Away with ye ya arse." Murphy left laughing.
Connor finished up the dishes and left the kitchen to check on Gracie. He passed his brother still on the phone with their mother. When he entered the bedroom he smiled. She was laying in his spot, hugging his brothers pillow. He thanked God everyday she came into their lives. That she had the capacity to love both he and his brother. He moved further into the room grabbing his sleep clothes and headed into the bathroom for a quick shower. Five minutes later he was back out, crawling into bed after moving Rosie over and wrapping an arm around her. Murphy shot into the bathroom and took a quick shower as well. He crawled into bed soon after and after he wrestled his pillow back from Rosie wrapping an arm around her as well. They room was quiet and the boys were just starting to drift off when Rosie started talking in her sleep. This snapped them straight awake. It was always funny to hear what she would say.
"No." "Damnit I said put it down." "Connor MacManus if you don't put that dish down I'll hit ye so hard I'll kill Murphy!" Her face was scrunched up in frustration and the boys had to stifle their laughter.
"Why is it always me she yells at?" Connor asked his brother.
"She yells at you but I'm the one who always gets killed in the scuffle." Murphy said laughing quietly.
"Thas it to the both of ye, I'm telling your Ma!" She yelled out finally quieting down afterward.
"I wonder what we did to warrant the wrath of Ma?"
"I don't think I want to know, besides she never remembers any of these dreams anyway so its not like we can ask her."
The boys dropped off after that and morning came quicker than Rosie would've liked. She felt so nauseous. She managed to detangle herself from them and shot to the bathroom where she puked her guts out. A few minutes later she felt better and she was glad the boys were such hard sleepers. The last thing she needed was them confining her to bed.
She showered in record time and was downstairs fixing breakfast when the boys finally came down. Connor spun her around and gave her a kiss. "Morning lass, how ye feeling today?"
She smiled. "I'm fine, headaches all gone like I said."
"Well good. You had us right worried."
"I'm fine. Now eat your breakfast and go bother your Da for a while. I have to go into town and get the grocery shopping done before I start weeding the garden."
Murphy sat her in his lap and gave her a kiss. "Now luv we was only worried. No need to get snippy."
"Yea, yea, yea, now eat before it gets cold." She sat down to her toast and juice.
"Now Rosie you barely ate last night, ye gotta eat something more than toast."
"I had an egg when I got up." She assured him.
The boys finally seemed to let the issue drop and they left soon after finishing breakfast. Rosie left right behind them getting the grocery shopping done. She had just got done putting the food away when she heard a knock at the door. Rosie was surprised to find Ma standing there.
"Ma! What a surprise, come on in. Ye know ye hardly have to knock."
"The boys said something about grocery shopping so I wanted to make sure ye were home." She replied stepping through the door.
"I just got in myself. Would you like some tea?" Rosie asked putting the kettle on.
"That would be nice thank ye."
Rosie fixed them both some tea and sat down before saying, "So what brings down this way? The boys said you finally let Da back into the house."
Ma grinned at that. "Ah well there's only so many times you can throw a kettle at someone before ye have to forgive them. Murphy called me last night. Said they'd noticed that ye've been feeling poorly and that ye wouldn't tell them what was wrong."
Rosie sighed in frustration. "I had a headache, I told them it was nothing."
"They said you've been distracted lately, like you were far off somewhere else. Have you been feeling sick to yer stomach lass?"
It seemed that Ma was going somewhere with this. But her last comment made Rosie pause. "I was sick this morning why?"
Ma smiled. "Rosie lass when was yer last cycle? Are ye late?"
Rosie looked over at her calendar and gasped. "I'm two weeks late! I guess I haven't noticed because I've been so busy with the garden."
"Do ye think ye might be pregnant lass?"
"Oh Ma I hadn't even thought of it, but it would explain things!" Rosie felt herself go pale.
"I think maybe we might want to go visit the doc up the road lass and check. Get ye tested so we know."
"Oh Ma what if I am? How do I explain to Connor and Murphy? We never talked about having kids." Rosie wrung her hands.
"Lets worry about that lass if and when we come to it. For now lets just get to the doctor." Ma said getting up putting their cups in the sink.
Rosie took a deep breath and exhaled. "You're right Ma. Lets get this done quick; I still have my garden to weed after all."
Ma laughed. "There's a lass! Lets get to it then!"
Twenty minutes later Rosie found herself sitting at the Doctor's office waiting on her results. Ma had to leave on account of Sibeal needing help down at the Anvil. So now Rosie sat alone nervously tapping her feet. The door opened making Rosie jump and Doctor O'Reilly walked in.
"Well Rosie all your results are ready, are you?" He asked smiling.
"No, but I hardly think that will matter either way. Lay it on me Doc." Rosie said putting on her brave face.
"Ok then, Rosie you're pregnant."
Rosie put her head between her knees. She felt him put his hand on her back in comfort. She sat back up a minute later. "I'm fine really, just surprised. How far along am I?"
"Well I pin you to be about six weeks along. Would you like to hear the heartbeat?" He asked.
Rosie was surprised. "This early?"
"The heartbeat begins eighteen days after conception." He explained.
"Oh. Well okay then lets go ahead and do that then."
She lay down and lifted her shirt and Doc put some gel on her stomach, making her jump from the cold. He then placed the monitor on her stomach and began moving it around until he found the heartbeat. He made a face and moved the monitor a bit.
Rosie panicked. "There's nothing wrong is there?"
Doc laughed. "Oh no there's nothing wrong. I just discovered that there's more than one little one in there. Congratulations Rosie you're having twins!"
"Twins?"
Yes I'm hearing two very healthy heartbeats."
After that Rosie's mind went on autopilot. She set up her next appointment and got her vitamins. When she left she didn't head home. Instead she went the opposite way towards the beach. She walked up and down the shore until the night was upon her and the air was cool. Then she headed home. When she got there she saw Murphy flying out of the house only to stop dead when he saw her.
"Rosie thank God! Connor! She's home!" He yelled back into the house.
Sensing something was wrong with her he picked her up and rushed into the house where he set her down on the couch, before rushing to the kitchen. Connor was on the phone, but when he saw her he said, "Nevermind Ma she's back, I'll call ye later!" He hung up and ran to Rosie hugging her before checking her over.
"Rosie what's wrong? We've been worried sick about ye! Ma said you went to the doctors today. What happened?"
Murphy came back in with a cup of tea and handed it to her which she gratefully took a sip to warm her skin.
"Doc ran some tests for me today." She said taking another sip.
"And? Don't leave us in suspense luv, what happened?" Murphy asked worried and impatient.
"He said I was pregnant. With twins." She took another sip waiting for whatever they would throw at her.
The room was silent for a moment. Then Connor and Murphy grinned.
"Ah Rosie is that all?" Connor asked elated.
"We thought maybe it was something serious." Murphy put in.
Rosie was shocked for a minute before saying angrily.
"Is that all? You make it sound like I went out and bought a shirt! I tell you we're having not one but two babies and you say is that all, that's not serious! We've never even talked about having kids and you're making jokes!" She removed herself from between the two and stormed into the bedroom locking the door behind her. The boys were stunned for a moment, but then began to realize their blunder.
"Ah luv we didn't mean it that way!" Connor said trying to open the door.
"Well that's how it came out!" she yelled throwing a boot at the door. "The both of ye can rot for all I care!"
Murphy turned to Connor shoving his brother. "Way to go genius, now shes mad at the both of us!"
Connor shoved back. "Ah fuck ye Murph you said something too!"
The two heard Rosie yell through the door talking to herself. "I suppose that when the kids ask what their Das thought about them I'll just have to tell them that they said they were no big deal at all!"
Before either could reply a knock was heard at the door and Connor went to answer while Murphy tried to get Rosie to unlock the door. Connor could have wept with relief when he saw his Ma and Da on the other side.
"Oh thank God Ma you're here! Rosie's locked herself in the bedroom and she won't come out!"
"What did ya do Connor?"
"We was worried it was something serious like a cancer or whatnot so when she said she was pregnant with twins I said is that all cause I was relieved. Then she yelled at us and locked the door."
Ma rolled her eyes. "Move. Apparently I raised a pair of asses."
She went to the door, shoving Murphy out of the way. "Rosie lass, its Ma."
The door opened and Ma walked in, locking the door behind her. "She opened the door for Ma?" Murphy was confused.
His Da laughed. "Boys ye've got to understand it's a woman thing. Now that she's pregnant it's a hormonal woman thing. Ye've just entered the long march of walking on eggshells."
Murphy pointed a finger at Connor. "It was his fault Da! He's the one who said it!"
"Ah shut yer trap!"
"You shut it! You've gotten us into enough trouble as it is!"
The boys started to fight rolling in the floor. It was when they hit the coffee table that the bedroom door opened again and Rosie stuck her head out. "If ye break one thing in this house with your fighting, I'll feed your balls to Sibeal's pig!"
They stopped instantly standing up and Ma's laughter rang out. "That's my girl!"
Connor and Murphy both rushed to Rosie apologies spewing out their mouths. She stood there with her arms crossed glaring at them, but then her eyes teared up. "I'm scared and you laughed at me."
Ma silently shoved their Da out the door, she had done her job and now it was time to go. They could congratulate them all tomorrow.
Connor hugged her. "Ah luv we weren't laughing at you. We were just relieved."
"And as for having babies, we wanted to, but we didn't want to rush you into anything." Murphy added playing with her hand.
Rosie gave a relieved laugh. "Oh good because I don't know what I'd have done if you both had freaked out!"
"How could we not love a part of you Rosie?" Murphy said pulling her into a hug.
Rosie let herself snuggle into the hug for a minute before asking, "Are you boys hungry?"
"We'll just make some sandwiches luv, don't worry about it." Connor told her, but Rosie shook her head. "Nonsense I can reheat that pot roast I made the night before last."
"Are you sure ya feel up to it?" Murphy asked.
"Of course I am, I feel fine. Besides I need something to do since I never got around to weeding my garden today. Seems as though two someones decided to sic their mother on me." She said narrowing her eyes.
Murphy's cheeks went pink, but Connor shrugged. "We do what we've got to Rosie to make sure you're okay." Murphy nodded his head in agreement.
Rosie scoffed, walking into the kitchen. "This coming from the men afraid of the dentist!"
"That's different!" They shouted back.
Rosie laughed. "Whatever helps you sleep at night!"
Soon they heard her bustling around the kitchen. They sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. Connor won the battle for the remote so some kind of detective show was on. They sat watching it for a few minutes before Murphy turned to his brother grinning. "Conn, we're going to be Das'."
Connor returned the grin. "I know. Scary isn't it?"
"Twins is what's scary. Imagine two more like us! We gave Ma hell and she always said there'd be payback."
Connor shuddered. "Lets just hope there enough Rosie in them to balance it out."
"Imagine two little girls like Rosie!" Murphy said excitedly.
Connor shook his head. "That's a no go too. We'd have to unbury our guns again to chase off the boys."
"What about a boy and a girl?" Murphy asked.
"Then we'd have to build onto the house when they got older."
"What do you think Rosie wants?" Murphy wondered aloud.
"Lets ask her." Connor said and they made their way into the kitchen.
"Rosie luv, what do you want? Two boys, two girls, or one of each?"
Rosie smiled. "I just wan them to be healthy, but I read somewhere that girls are easier to potty train." She said as she fixed their plates.
Dinner was spent debating which gender was easier to raise. Connor and Murphy were both elated which in turn made Rosie made happy. She secretly hoped for two little boys just like their Das'. Ma had shown her their baby pictures much to the embarrassment of the boys and she had never seen prettier or messier babies. Her favorite one was when they were two, wearing nothing but nappies hugging and grinning at the camera, She smiled at the memory.
"What's got you smiling love?" Connor questioned smiling at her, that twinkle in his eye.
"I was just thinking about my favorite baby picture of you two. Makes me want two little boys of my own."
Connor groaned. "Ma hasn't been breaking out the baby books again has she?"
Rosie giggled. "No but she's bringing them over tomorrow!"
The boys both groaned, "Rosie!" It only made her giggle harder. "She promised to tell me stories of when you were babies and said she'd even tell me who was older if I wanted to know."
"Will you tell us?" Murphy asked.
Rosie shook her head. "I refuse to have that knowledge. You two would bug me to my grave." Rosie yawned. "Well I'm off to shower and then bed. I feel sticky from the salt air."
Murphy punched his brother in the shoulder. "I told ya that's where she'd be!"
Connor just shook his head. "You and that water."
Rosie shrugged her shoulders, that's where she went to think. "Can you handle the dishes?"
"Of course love." He replied kissing her cheek.
She was in the shower; the water just a little hotter than usual to remove the rest of the chill from her bones. She had just got done washing her hair when she felt a body behind her. She smiled automatically and looked back to see Connor hugging her to his body.
"Have I told you that I loved you today?" He asked, nibbling on her neck.
She sighed leaning her head back against his shoulder. "Not today no."
"Ah well let me remedy that then." He turned her head up to meet his in fiery kiss. One arm wrapped around her middle and she hugged it to her. His other hand stroked her cheek. They pulled apart from a lack of oxygen, both breathing hard. Connor with gentle hands washed the rest of her body before quickly washing himself. He toweled them both off and led her into the bedroom where he lay her down on the bed and began kissing her anew. Rosie lost herself to the sensation of his mouth and hands seemingly everywhere. She was hardly aware of the little noises she was making. Then she felt the bed dip and soon there more hands, more kisses all over her body. More delicious sensations building the heat inside her higher and higher. And when they both were inside her, moving almost as one she saw stars. Their moans mixed with hers in a symphony until finally she cried out, Connor and Murphy right behind her. Then they were all laying down together, all three still breathing hard.
Minutes later, she felt sleep begin to claim her and she said, "Love you both." The last thing she heard was them both saying, "Love ye too Rosie."
The next morning Rosie found herself hugging the toilet again, only this time she'd woke the boys with the sounds she made. Murphy held her hair and Connor rubbed her back. Afterwards they helped her clean up and put her back to bed with a cup of tea despite her protests that she felt fine. They knew she wouldn't stay down after they left so they made her promise that she'd try to sleep for at least another hour before getting up. She grudgingly complied and two hours later found herself waking again; thankfully not sick.
She got dressed in her gardening clothes and left the bedroom headed for the kitchen to eat a breakfast of biscuits and jam.
When she was finally weeding her garden and deciding on what else to plant did Rosie start to think about the boys and their babies. She wondered if they would ever want to know who was the biological father between the two of them, before quickly dismissing the thought. They were both the Das' in her mind and she figured it was the same for the boys. After an hour of weeding Rosie decided to call it a day and went inside to shower, before Ma got there.
She was pulling out the cookies from the oven and fixing the tea when she heard Ma call out coming into the house.
"I've got the books Rosie and I spent all night remembering the most embarrassing baby stories to tell ye!"
Rosie laughed. "Good! I've got some cookies made and the tea's ready!" She brought it all out to sit on the coffee table.
"Perfect!" Ma said sitting down. "Now which first the pictures or the stories?"
Rosie grinned. "Oh definitely the stories."
A/N: This is my first Boondock Saints fic so please be gentle! Remember reviews are love! Next chapter: Ma tells all!
I own nothing!