Previously...

Abbygail and Magdelena find out that Isabelle and Leah will be staying with them.

Sean and Rick finally show up for dinner.

After bottling all of her emotions up, Abbygail breaks down in front of everyone.

It took a lot of effort, but I was able to sit up in the bed. Eventually I even managed to stand up. The sun was just beginning to set outside and I could smell Grandma's cooking wafting through the house. The babies were kicking up a storm and squirming all around. I eyed my stomach excitedly when I could clearly see certain parts bump up before moving to others. I struggled down the stairs to find everyone sitting in the living room, snacking before dinner.

"Did you have a good nap, dear?"

"Yeah, Grandma. I think I need to learn to stop bottling things up."

She smiled, nodding her head. "It's not good for you."

Sean looked up from his coversation with Dad. My eyebrows shot up in suprise, but they didn't give me a chance to ask as they moved apart and told me to sit down.

Victoire and Teddy came over from their spot on the floor. She rested her chin on my knees. "Abby, why's your belly moving?"

I tucked her long, blonde hair behind her ears. "That's the babies, Vic."

Her eyes widened. "The babies?" she repeated. She reached out and rested her hand where a baby was leaving a bump in my stomach. She giggled when it pressed even harder into her hand.

McKenzie, who was on the other side of Dad said, "Looks like it's nudging its butt against you."

Teddy laughed and poked my stomach gently where the other baby had it's fist. I felt my stomach tighten up sharply which had me gasping, reaching for anyone's hand I could find to squeeze.

Sean squeezed my hand back. "It's okay, Abby," he assured. He tucked my hair behind my ear as Bill came over to get Victoire and Teddy.

He sat them on the floor across the living room where Ginny started distracting them with their coloring books. McKenzie knealt in front of me. "What is it, Abby?"

"My stomach," I said, squirming as I tried to get comfortable.

She sent a round of questions my way which I answered as best as I could despite the pain that had suddenly started. "Alright. It's just a contraction." She checked the clock and then sat back on her heels. "We just have to wait and see when the next one comes."

I had just eased back into a normal position when the pain started again. I yanked on Sean's hand. "Up," I pleaded. McKenzie moved to the side as Sean helped me to my feet. He started to ask me where I wanted to go when I interrupted. "Anywhere. Just walk."

**********T***********

Dad gave me a hug when we returned an hour later. "How are you holding up?"

I grimaced. "I'm scared," I whispered to him. "If that's what fake contractions are like, I really don't want to have real contractions."

He rubbed my back. "It'll be okay. Besides, it looks like you'll have Sean to yell at the whole time." He glanced at Sean who was standing at my side. "Where'd you two go, anyway?"

"We walked up to the house, came down here, went over to the pond, walked around that a few dozen times, and then came back here."

I pulled out of his arms when I saw the food on the table. Molly was putting the final pot of stew on the table. "Is it dinnertime, Grandma?"

She grinned, ushering me over. "Sit, sit. Fill up your plate before the boys sit down." She turned her head, "Magdelena! Jessabelle! Leah!"

Sean smirked as I struggled to sit down. "Need help?" he teased.

I glared at him. "No. I can sit on my own." After another moment of pure struggling, my eyes met his. I held my hands out. "Please?"

He helped me down and then filled my bowl nearly to the brim with stew. Molly set a plateful of steamed vegetables down next to it. "There. All good?" Sean checked.

"All good." I nodded, patting the seat next to me.

A little while later, as everyone was enjoying the piles of dessert Molly had managed to make, I felt the babies kick and nudge me all over. I quietly took Sean's hand and pressed it where the kicking was the strongest.

He grinned when he felt them. "They must like the cake," he said, glancing at the chocolate, fudgy, delicious cake slice that was sitting on my plate. He stole a bite of it , causing me to take a sugar cookie from him. I took a giant bite, smirking at him. "They really like those cookies."

He chuckled, patting my belly. "I'm sure they do."

Thanks to...

Middy's.

Sunshine72

the-kermit-kid

...for all of the reviews!