Chapter 1
" I don't know if I can do this."
Cate stood by the door of Ed's apartment, looking worried. Ed had told her on the phone that he wanted to meet up with her; he had to tell her something. She hesitated, and rang the buzzer. They had been going out as a couple for nearly 2 years now, he loved her a lot, and cared enough to turn down that job he was offered in New York, just so he could be with her. The door opened, and Ed gave her a big hug. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and said, " What do you need to talk to me about, Ed?" Ed looked at her and said," Cate, sit down on the couch, and I'll tell you." Ed took Cate's hand and led her to the couch. They sat down. Ed then told her," Cate, I've had two wonderful years of getting to know you again…and I'd like to…" Ed got down on one knee." Cate Egan Hennessey, would you marry me?" She looked at him, with tears in her eyes, and whispered," Yes…I will." Ed slipped the ring on her finger, and the two embraced lovingly.
Meanwhile, Kerry and Bridget were peeking in on this whole scenario. They had followed their mother all the way to Ed's apartment complex, climbed the stairs, and hid in the bushes by his balcony. " I can't believe what I am hearing," whispered Kerry.
" Mom's marrying Gibb?" Bridget looked in using her binoculars. " I guess it's making Mom happy, I haven't seen her smile like that in a long time."
Kerry smiled," Yeah."
Bridget then said," I wonder what Grandpa, CJ and Rory are going to think…Grandpa hates Principal Gibb, so does CJ, and well, Rory seems okay with him." They slinked out of the bushes and headed down the stairs. When they got home, Kerry said," Now Bridget, I don't want one of us to let it slip that mom's marrying Gibb. I think Mom should tell them and us when she's ready. And I know it will be soon." In the meantime, Cate and Ed were talking. "Ed, I have something to tell you first. This was unexpected, but…" Cate took a deep breath. "Ed, I'm pregnant." Ed stood there, for a second, he looked shocked. Cate then said," I wasn't expecting it Ed, it must of happened." Ed then smiled, and asked," Then how are we going to get married? Are we going to do it before the baby comes?" Cate then looked at Ed, and said," I really don't know, Ed, I really don't know." Then he said," I guess we could just tell everyone we are marrying in December." Cate piped up and said," But I'll be 8 months pregnant!" Ed then said," Oh well, I guess maybe we can just tell everyone we'll marry in May or June. A summer wedding would be nice." He smiled and patted her stomach gently." When will we know if we have a boy or girl?" Cate smiled and said," I knew you'd ask. In about 8 weeks or so." Ed grinned. "Hopefully we'll have a boy…but a girl would be nice too." Cate laughed. Ed sat her down on the sofa, and they talked."Ed had a glass of soda, he didn't usually drink, unless at family gatherings, or holidays. And Cate had a glass of water. They talked and laughed for what seemed like hours. " Ed, I don't know how to tell the family about me being pregnant, and us marrying. They're leaving for camp tomorrow, and I really don't think I should tell them just yet." Ed touched her hand, and said," If you feel you shouldn't tell them yet, then wait. But don't hold off too long, they might get suspicious, especially since soon, you'll start to look like you're expecting." Cate playfully swatted him on the shoulder,"Oh, Ed!" Ed laughed, and said," Soon enough, you'll have those cravings, like maybe peanut butter and pickles, or something disgusting like that." Cate was giggling like a schoolgirl. "Eww, Ed!" Ed then said," Cate, I can't wait to experience this again." He gave her a big hug. She grinned and said," Soon enough we'll be able to feel this child." Ed hugged her close. They were excited. When Cate left to go home, she asked Ed to be with her on her first ultrasound appointment, so he could get the first glimpse at his child. He smiled, and said he'd be there. She gave him a kiss, and went to her car and headed home. When she got home, she felt a bit nauseous." Oh great, she thought, morning sickness." It was 10 am and she felt sick to her stomach. Kerry and Bridget were sitting at the table, and asked," You okay, Mom?" Cate looked at them and said,"Girls, I'm fine." They went back to their reading, and while they were reading, Bridget said," Something doesn't seem right with Mom." Kerry looked at her and said," Mom said she was fine, so let's not worry. We have camp to think about." Bridget smiled." Right." Meanwhile, Cate laid in bed stretched out over the covers. To her surprise, a knock came on her bedroom door. "Who is it?" Cate asked groggily. "Ed, sweetheart," was the voice from behind the door. "Come in," Cate said, managing to prop herself up. Ed came in, bringing flowers." Kerry called me and said you came home and weren't feeling well. What happened?" Cate said," Well, it was that damn morning sickness, it came to me now, and not when I got up this morning. Ed stroked her hair as she talked. "I'm actually feeling a bit better now." Ed smiled. Cate continued," At least I'm nearly three months along, so hopefully it will go away." Ed then said," Yeah, you're even beginning to get that cute little baby bump…" He patted it gently. "Aww…Ed, that was a nice thing to say," she said, as she kissed his cheek. "I know." Ed said as he patted it. He then put his head on the small bump. "I can hear a heartbeat!" he grinned. "We'll know next week, I got the call today on my cell phone," she said. Ed got up, and smiled," That's good. At least I'll know if it's a he or a she."
A week later, they sat in the doctor's office waiting for their appointment. When the doctor called them in, they were led to a metal table covered with sheets. Cate was directed to sit on the table, and Ed took the chair. Moments later the doctor entered. He motioned for Cate to lie down on the ultrasound table. While he was preparing, Ed moved his chair closer, so he could see the screen, and he held her hand. During the procedure, the doctor moved the wand over different areas of her stomach, and on the screen was a baby…it looked like two babies, the tech explained to Cate and Ed. They looked at each other and grinned. After the procedure, the doctor talked to Cate and Ed. Ed asked him," So what's the verdict?" The doctor smiled, and said,"Cate, you are expecting twin girls. They are perfectly healthy." Cate and Ed looked at each other and hugged. Ed then asked," When will we feel the babies?" The doctor laughed, and said," I'd say pretty soon." They left the office in a good mood. Cate asked Ed as they walked," Do you want to come over? Dad and CJ are out for the afternoon, and the kids are at camp?" Ed grinned," I'd like that." They rode together in Cate's car, and went back to the house. When they got back, Cate sat on the couch, and Ed sat next to her. "Now I know I'm talking to 'two she's' and not its." Cate laughed. She knew when he was talking to her, or the babies. Ed had been doing that all the way home. At the moment, Ed talked to the babies." Cate dear," Ed asked," Is it just me, or did your cute little bump grow more?" That was Ed's favorite thing to call it, the 'cute little bump'. Cate smiled," I guess it did, but not much more, it's not that big yet." Ed smiled and continued to listen for a heartbeat. A few moments later, Ed then felt a flutter. He smiled."Cate, I felt them." The lock on the door was heard being unlocked. Cate looked at Ed," That must be CJ and Dad, stop right this minute." Ed patted her stomach gently, and said,"Ok then." They ran up to her room, which was the only private place to be alone. Ed stayed for a few more hours, and then he kissed Cate goodbye, and went home to his apartment. The remainder of the night, she thought how she was going to tell the family she was expecting. After all, the bump was going to be more noticeable by the time the girls and Rory come home. Plus, she didn't know when Ed was going to move in. He told her earlier that he was going to move in with her sometime soon, so they could live together before they married, and be there when the babies were born. She sat on her bed, and thought for a moment. They would marry in May, she hoped, and the twins would be a few months old. Bridget would be finished with her first year of college, and Kerry was graduating, with Rory starting his junior year the following year. Ed already said that he wanted a wedding, a beautiful wedding, with lots of flowers and pretty decorations. And all their friends and co-workers would be there. Cate smiled, and went to bed.
Next morning, she woke up. It was the first time in weeks she wasn't puking in the morning. She looked at herself in the mirror. Cate looked as beautiful as ever, she had a maternal glow, and she looked amazing. Ed must have come over because he knocked on her bedroom door. Cate let him in, and he came over to her with breakfast and he gave her a hug. He looked at her and smiled. " How are you,dear?" Cate hugged him, "Better." She ate heartily, and Ed talked to her as she ate. After she finished, she set the plate on her nightstand, and went to get dressed. Minutes later, she came out wearing a tank top, and capris. Ed smiled and said,"That tank top looks great on you." Cate smiled and said, "Thanks." Ed then said," What's on the agenda today?." Cate smiled and said, "Shopping." They went to an outdoor mall, and Cate walked into a maternity store. She selected a few tops, and Ed told her to try them on, he wanted to see how she looked. She laughed and went to try them on. The first top was a strapless terry tank top. Ed smiled and told Cate she looked amazing in it. The next top was a stretch shirt. Ed gave her the thumbs up. She went in again and tried on a few more tops. Ed told her she looked good in them all. Cate went browsing more, and picked up more outfits. Then she went and paid. Cate walked out with Ed, and they went to the car. When they got back, Cate put the clothes away, and put on one of her new tops. Ed smiled. "Cate, you look great!" She smiled, and sat down on the couch. Ed joined her, and said," Those tops are perfect." Cate smiled more." At least the outfits aren't too tight." Ed hugged her. "It's breathable terry cotton, Cate. You'll be just fine." She smiled,and curled up on the couch. Cate was exhausted. Totally exhausted.