Notes: Thanks for the reviews on the previous chapter. This is definitely the longest chapter of the series, about twice the length that I normally post, but there was no decent place to cut this. Kadi219 gets a shoutout for talking some of this stuff through with me. My binge of Call the Midwife probably is responsible for the length. I hope you enjoy!

Andy grunts as he feels an ice cube hit him in the face, his head twitching to the side as his brow furrows. He yawns as he opens his eyes while shoving up onto his elbow. He finds Sharon sitting up in her bed with a cup resting on top of her stomach and her hand poised to throw another ice cube at him. The room in the light was low, only the small lamp on her bedside table lighting the room. There were a couple missed shots lying on the floor and melting.

"Can I help you?" He asks with a sleep laden voice.

"My water broke," Sharon says as she drops the ice cube in her hand back into the cup before taking a sip of the water. Andy swings his legs down off of the couch and stuffs his feet back into his shoes before standing and walking over to the bed.

"Did you buzz the nurse?" He asks as he sits on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in his. He glances at his watch to check the time surprised to find that he'd only fallen asleep a couple hours before and it was barely after midnight. They were going on day five in the hospital. Sharon had been given the doses of steroids the twins needed and when she started having regular contractions the day before they felt no need to stop anything. He'd stayed up late with her until she'd managed to convince him to get some sleep and she was going to try and doze a bit herself.

"Not yet," She shakes her head and curls her fingers around his, "I just wanted a couple minutes with you."

"Everything okay?" He inquires as he tilts his head to the side, worried that something was wrong.

"Yeah. Just…" Sharon rolls her eyes and laughs softly, "It's just nerves."

"You've done this before, you are going to do great," Andy says softly in a reassuring tone, a smile replacing his furrowed frown as his thumb strokes over her knuckles taking care not to disturb her IV.

"It's been nine and a half years," Sharon replies.

"Your body will know what to do," Andy's smile eases into a grin, "Just like riding a bike."

"Hardly. None of the mechanics are the same," Sharon laughs and rolls her eyes. Andy leans down and presses a kiss to her forehead, nose, and then her lips.

"I love you. And you're going to do great."

"I love you too," Sharon smiles at him before reaching out and pressing the call button. Both of them wince when the nurses come in, turning on the overhead lights. Andy gets up from the bed to give them room to examine her and change the bedding.

"We'll call your doctor, let her know what's going on," One of the nurses comments as she changes Sharon's IV bag, "The shift doctor will be in in a moment to see how far along you are."

"Sure," Sharon nods, smiling at Andy as he takes her hand again after the nurses leave.

"Do you want me to call home?"

"No," Sharon shakes her head as she takes a deep breath, shifting uncomfortably as she feels a contraction roll through her midsection. She lets it out slowly before continuing her response, "We can call later once they're up. Gavin can bring them by on the way to school for a quick visit."

"You know your daughter will kick up a storm at being sent to school once she finds out they're actually going to be here."

"Well, I'm hardly going to be in the mood for any attitude," Sharon rolls her eyes. Andy smiles and drops a kiss to her temple before grabbing her water cup for her as she reaches out to it. She thanks him as she takes a sip of the cool water, her forehead already covered in a light sheen of sweat. The doctor steps in a moment later as Andy puts the cup back onto her tray.

"How are you feeling, Sharon?" The doctor asks as he picks up her chart and begins to look it over. While they waited for Sharon's doctor to arrive at the hospital the on-call obstetrician was continuing to look in on them. Doctor Gilbert had been overnight doctor the past two evenings and was a younger man that was quite attentive and knowledgable, and not hard to look at if Sharon's blushes were anything to go by.

"I've been better," Sharon replies with a quick smile that comes out more as a grimace.

"Nurse says contractions are about four minutes apart?"

"Mmhm."

"Alright, let's see what the situation is," The doctor says as he hangs the chart up before pulling down a pair of gloves to put on. He examines Sharon as Andy continues to hold onto her hand. He winces as her fingers curl tightly and her nails dig into his skin, "I'd say you're about five centimeters, which is good."

"Good is relative," Sharon says with a slight groan.

"I suppose it is," Doctor Gilbert smiles as he snaps off his gloves before pulling the ultrasound machine closer. He adjusts the bands strapped across her stomach and squirts a generous amount of gel on before starting the machine, "From the looks of things...baby A is still head down. He's dropped a bit...the only thing I'm worried about is B going transverse instead of continuing to move down."

"Transverse?" Andy asks.

"When the fetus is sitting side ways," The doctor gestures across Sharon's stomach, "Instead of up and down. Sometimes they can be turned but other times it ends up requiring a c-section."

"I've talked to my doctor about it," Sharon tells him with a small smile as he puts the wand of the ultrasound away before adjusting the heart rate monitors, "B's been sitting that way for a while, breech at least."

"Doctor Dillen is very good with breech births," Doctor Gilbert comments as he washes his hands, "I scrubbed in on a couple with her during my residency over at USC. You'll be in good hands."

"How old are you exactly?" Andy asks, his brow furrowing as he looks at the doctor.

"32," The doctor answers with a smile as he puts his hands into his pocket, "Fully licensed and vetted. Doctor Dillen should be here soon, but the nurses and I will stop by for checkups while we wait."

"Thank you, Doctor," Sharon says, thwacking her hand against Andy's abs after the doctor leaves.

"Ow!"

"Stop being rude," She tells him.

"I'm not being rude," Andy says, "He's practically a teenager."

"He's seven years younger than you and spent a lot more time in school," Sharon reminds him before a gasp escapes her lips. Her arm flails out reaching for his hand, latching onto it once he catches her palm in his grip. After the contraction passes she relaxes her grip before letting go completely. She runs her fingers through her hair and sighs as she shifts her hips with a wince.

"Why don't we walk around a bit?" Andy suggests. She'd been on bedrest for the most part since she had been admitted, only permitted short walks to the bathroom, "I figure you could use a chance to stretch your legs."

"That actually sounds nice," Sharon says as she swings her legs over the side of the bed. Andy helps her up before rolling her IV stand over and helping her with the provided robe, "Back all covered?"

"Back all covered," Andy smiles before wrapping his arm around hers and walking out into the hall with her. They slowly make laps around the quiet floor for a little while, stopping when they get back to the room and find Doctor Dillen waiting for them.

"Looks like you're in quite capable hands," The doctor smiles and holds the door open for them as they walk into the room.

"So far so good," Sharon smiles tiredly, glancing at the clock as she makes her way to the bed. It was close to 130 and she was already exhausted.

"Capable teenager hands," Andy mumbles under his breath.

"Oh yes, I see that Doctor Gilbert is on duty tonight," The doctor comments as she reads Sharon's chart, "He's a good doctor. I've been trying to get him into private practice for the last year. He won't budge though."

"He's been on the past couple nights," Sharon says as Andy rolls his eyes, "He's nice."

"He is," Doctor Dillen agrees before putting the chart back and giving Sharon a full examination, "Well it looks like…"

"Shit Sharon," Andy says as she cries out. She clutches down on his hand and her other hand flings out, gripping his forearm with her nails digging in. Her grip loosens after a moment before dropping her head back against the pillows. He shakes out his arm with a grimace on his face.

"As I was saying, it looks like you're progressing well, six centimeters. I'm guessing the contractions are getting worse?"

"Yeah," Sharon nods, her eyes slipping closed as she breathes deep and rubs her hand along the side of her stomach in a slow, soothing gesture, "That was a bad one."

"Well, like I'm sure Doctor Gilbert told you, we'll be in and out as you continue to progress. Press the call button if you need anything."

"Thanks, doc," Andy says, offering the doctor a smile before she leaves the room.

Over the next few hours he walks the halls with Sharon, stopping when she needs to and keeping her cup filled with ice and water. He bites his tongue as she claws and grips at him. Her pain was worse than anything she was inflicting on him. Eventually they end up sequestered to the room, her legs no longer able to walk her through the hall and bring any relief. Andy sways his wife back and forth, humming quietly as she leans her weight into him. His hands move over her back and massage gently, trying to take some of her discomfort away.

"What are you humming?" Sharon murmurs quietly with her face tucked against his neck.

"Dean Martin," Andy replies before starting to sing quietly, "Watch the sunrise on a tropic isle, see the pyramids along the Nile…"

"I love you," Sharon sighs as she listens to him carry on with the tune in a quiet tone.

Andy takes a break around 5 during one of Sharon's examinations to call Gavin and ask if he would bring the kids by before school. He turns his head as he hears the doctor's gloves snap off, listening to her relay the update to Sharon.

"Actually Gavin, why don't you just plan on bringing them here for the day? It sounds like it's going to be soon. I'm going to call the school after I get off the phone with you."

"Sure, I'll see you soon. Give Shar my best," Gavin says before hanging up. Andy calls the school, telling them that Emily and Ricky weren't going to be in that day. After he drops the phone back into the cradle he grabs the damp washcloth off of Sharon's bed tray and dabs it gently over her forehead.

"Gavin sends his regards. He'll bring the kids over soon," He tells her in a quiet voice as she squirms in pain and her hand grabs at his leg.

"I hate you!" She tells him with a pain filled voice.

"I know," Andy murmurs. Gavin was there with the kids by 630, knocking quietly on the door before stepping in.

"Hey you two," He says in a whisper as the kids make their way quickly over to the bed to say hello to their mother. Sharon offers him a pained smile from the bed before putting on a stronger face and greeting the kids

"Hey," Andy replies as he steps away from the bed to greet Gavin, "I hope they haven't been too much trouble?"

"Not at all. They've been great. And they perked right up this morning when I told them we were coming over and the babies were going to be here soon."

"We really appreciate it. We managed to talk our parents down about rushing out," Andy rolls his eyes, already hearing his mothers voice ringing in his ears again, "They put up a fight, but Shar doesn't want to be inundated with house guests while trying to settle in with two."

"Understandable. When do your ex and the kids get back?"

"Couple days," Andy says. Vicky and the kids had been swept out of town right before Sharon had ended up in the hospital when Vicky's grandmother unexpectedly passed away, "I've been keeping them updated. They'll come over once they get home."

"That will be nice," Gavin smiles.

"It'll be a houseful," Andy admits before looking back at the kids and Sharon with a soft smile, "Worth it though."

"I am going to go set up out in the waiting room. Feel free to send the kids out when they're ready."

"I will," Andy nods, "Thanks for bringing them."

"No problem," Gavin assures him before stepping out of the hospital room and making his way to the waiting area. Andy steps back over to the bed and smiles as he finds the kids telling Sharon about what had gone on the evening before after they had visited. Emily looks up as she feels Andy's hand on her head and smiles at him.

"Morning Daddy."

"Morning monkey," Andy replies, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead before he does the same to Ricky.

"Daddy, can we come watch the babies come out?" Emily asks

"That's going to be a negative," Andy replies as he sits on the edge of Sharon's bed. He rests his hand on her thigh and runs his hand up and down slowly, "Kids aren't allowed and it's going to be gross."

"But Daddy…"

"Emily," Andy says in a firm tone, "Not right now."

"Okay," Emily grumbles. Sharon smiles and reaches out to tuck her daughter's long hair behind her ear, stroking her cheek gently.

"Don't worry, you two will be the first to see them. Promise," Sharon assures her. Emily smiles at her mother and leans into her hand.

"Knock, knock," The doctor says as she pokes her head in, "Time for a quick exam?"

"Mmhm," Sharon nods as she rolls off of her side before groaning softly in pain. Ricky frowns and looks at his dad.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing bud," Andy says, pulling him closer as the doctor takes a moment to examine Sharon discreetly, "The babies are just getting ready to come out and that can hurt for Mom."

"I don't want them to hurt her," Ricky says as his frown deepens.

"Me either bud, but it's what happens," Andy educates, "She went through the same thing with your sister and in a way with you."

"Oh," Ricky replies softly before shaking his head, "We shouldn't do this again."

"Don't worry Bub," Andy laughs, "I think we're all in agreement on that one."

"Alright Sharon, we're going to get you moved down to the delivery room."

"Already?" Sharon says even though she had been begging for it to be over for a while.

"We're at that point," The doctor says as she snaps her gloves off, "I'll have the nurses come get you."

"Alright guys," Andy tells them as he stands up, "Mom's going to a different room, so why don't you give her a kiss good luck, hmm?"

Both of the kids give Sharon kisses and hugs before Andy trades places with the nurses who quickly begin breaking down the setup to move, "You two are going to go wait with Gavin in the waiting room."

"But I want to meet the babies," Emily says as Andy herds her and Ricky out of the room in front of the nurses pushing Sharon's bed.

"When you come back the babies will be here," Andy assures her, nudging both of them off towards the waiting room. Emily sighs and starts walking down the hall with her brother. She throws a glance over her shoulder, not surprised to find her father's attention already on her laboring mother. She waits for a few more steps before turning around.

"Emmy, where are you going?" Ricky asks when his sister lets go of his hand.

"I'm going to see those babies," Emily says, determination set in her brow, "You can come with."

"Nuh uh," Ricky shakes his head, "Daddy said it was going to be gross. And we're not allowed."

"Dad exaggerates," Emily says. Ricky shrugs and walks in the original direction. He makes his way into the waiting room and climbs into a chair next to Gavin. Andrea had joined him while the kids were in with Sharon and brought breakfast with her.

"Hey buddy," Gavin says as the boy climbs up in the chair next to him, "Where's your sister?"

"With Momma," Ricky says simply, "Do you have any snacks?"

"Andrea brought some bagels with her, are you hungry?"

"Yeah," Ricky nods. Andrea turns and grabs the box she had brought with, holding it out to Ricky after prying the top open. He reaches in and points at a cinnamon raisin bagel, "Does that have raisins in it?"

"It does," Andrea nods after taking a look.

"I don't want that then…" Ricky says before grabbing a blueberry one, "Can you put the stuff on please?"

"Sure," Andrea smiles, getting out a tub of cream cheese to top the bagel for the boy.

Emily makes her way down the hall at an unhurried pace, staying far enough back from her parents that they wouldn't see her but close enough that she didn't lose them in the hall. The floor was still quiet in the early morning. She follows behind as the group moving the bed turns into a bustling room. She lingers outside the door for a few moments before slipping inside when someone steps out. She does a quick survey of the room before finding the perfect hiding spot, slipping in between the two layers of sliding screen. Her brown eyes peek around the edge, watching the room in curiosity.

"I still have a right to maim you until the last one's out," Sharon reminds Andy with a breathless laugh.

"You have a right to maim me for the next eighteen years," Andy says as he presses a kiss to her sweaty forehead. The doctor and nurses begin to take over, getting Sharon prepped to deliver the twins. He keeps her hand in his as she gets ready to push, encouraging her to continue squeezing whenever she needed.

Only a few minutes after starting to push, Andy rubs his hand up and down Sharon's back as she clutches onto his hand. She lets out a long cry, her teeth grinding together as she bears down.

"Keep going, Sharon…" The doctor coaches.

"You're doing great," Andy murmurs quietly into her ear as he presses a kiss to her head.

"Alright, stop pushing, just breathe…breathe…" Sharon's grip on Andy's hand relaxes slightly and she whimpers as she drops her head against his shoulder, her eyes closing for a moment.

"It hurts so bad," She admits.

"I know," Andy rubs her back, "I know."

"I don't think you do," Sharon bites before the doctor asks for a big push. Andy's knees almost buckle as she grips his hand again, yelling as she pushes. He straightens to his full height and peers over the sheet bunched at his wife's waist watching as the doctor gently pulls their baby into waiting hands.

"It's a girl!" The doctor declares as she hands the crying baby up to lay on the pile of receiving blankets on Sharon's chest. The nurse standing next to Sharon's bed reaches out and grabs the first blanket starting to help clean her off.

"Yes!" Emily exclaims and jumps up from her hiding spot as her arms shoot into the air. Andy's head whips around in the direction of the exclamation, his eyes narrowing as he notices his daughter.

"Emily Eileen!"

"Oops," Emily mumbles as her arms drop down to her side. Andy sighs and lets go of Sharon's hand for a moment before walking over to the girl and grabbing her by the shoulder. He ushers her out of the room and stands her next to the door.

"Stand here, do not move," Andy tells her with a low voice, "Got it?"

"Yes, sir," Emily nods. Andy quickly moves back into the room and back to Sharon's side. The baby had been wrapped up a bit more and was resting in her mother's arms still wailing away. Sharon looks up at him and gives him a brilliant smile, her eyes already drooping in exhaustion.

"She's perfect."

"Course she is," Andy agrees.

"Dad, do you want to cut the cord?" The doctor offers, holding a pair of scissors out to Andy. He nods and reaches forward, snipping the cord where the doctor had indicated. He hands the scissors back as his attention diverts to look at the baby. She had fair skin underneath the bright pink tone that was taking it over and the hair on her head was a soft strawberry blonde. He reaches out and brushes his knuckle over her tiny fingers as her arms flail while she carries on wailing, "Looks like her mom, sounds like her dad."

Sharon laughs softly and swallows as one of the nurses takes her away. She groans as she sinks further back against the pillows of the bed, watching as the doctor feels her stomach to check the position of the other baby.

"Good?"

"Not yet," The doctor says as she pulls the ultrasound over, "Without their sister in there they are going a bit sideways instead of moving down. I just want to take a look."

"Is that going to be a problem?" Andy asks as the doctor starts the ultrasound, quickly checking the position of the other baby visually.

"We'll try to turn them," The doctor says as she pushes the machine away, "But if we can't get them vertical, we'll have to do a c-section. You doing okay, Sharon?"

"Mmhm," Sharon nods. Doctor Dillen gets up from her stool and feels her way across Sharon's stomach again before starting to press on the baby, trying to get them to move position. Sharon curls her fingers around Andy's arm, holding on with a light grip as she looks up at the ceiling in discomfort.

"Stubborn one," The doctor comments as she leans a little more weight into her efforts before giving up as Sharon cries out in pain, a contraction tightening the muscles of her abdomen. The doctor lets go and drops back down to her stool. She notices Sharon bleeding a bit more heavily and feels her stomach again, looking up at Andy, "I don't think we're going to have time to call for the anesthetist and do a c-section. Sharon, this is going to hurt, but we need to get them out. I'm going to have to go in and physically grab the baby."

"Okay," Sharon nods, bracing herself for the pain.

"Do not push until I tell you to okay?" The doctor tells her as Andy blanches while watching her hand disappear.

In the hallway, Emily's eyes widen as she hears Sharon scream in pain. The sound echoes through the otherwise quiet hallway until it's interrupted by the cry of a baby. She leans her ear closer to the door, listening for the doctor.

"It's a boy!" The doctor exclaims, laying the boy out much the same way she had his sister. Sharon lets out a sob in relief, tears trickling down her cheeks as she looks at the boy on her chest. He shared the same features as his sister, strawberry blonde hair and pale skin, hands waving in the air. She pulls him closer after Andy cuts the cord and cuddles him close for a few more moments. She shushes him quietly as Andy presses a kiss to her forehead and tucks her hair behind her ear.

"You did such a good job," He whispers in her ear. Sharon smiles tiredly at him before letting the baby go to one of the nurses. The doctor finishes up the rest of the delivery before Sharon's tucked into her bed with a pile of blankets to keep her warm as she shivers.

"Can Emily come in?" Sharon asks as they wait for the nurses to finish up with the babies, "I know it's not really in line with the rules…"

"Which is saying something for her," Andy jokes.

"I don't see why not," Doctor Dillen agrees with a smile, "We've only got a couple more minutes here before we wheel you back. And I'm sure she saw far worse earlier."

"I'll grab her," Andy says, kissing Sharon's head once more before going out into the hall. Emily was sitting on the floor, playing with the hem of her shirt. She hops up and looks up at her father with an apprehensive look, "Don't think you're not in trouble cause you are."

"I'm sorry," Emily apologizes. Andy sighs and wraps his arm around her shoulders.

"Come on, your mom wants to see you," He tells her before bringing her into the room. The now much quieter twins were being brought over to the bed, Sharon cradling both of them in her arms.

"Hi honey," Sharon smiles as her daughter quickly steps over to the bed. Andy puts his hands on Emily's shoulders as the nurse relays their birth information to them. Baby Girl Flynn was born at 7:12 am at a rousing five and a half pounds, her brother coming only three minutes later weighing in five ounces lighter than her. Both of them were twenty-one inches long and doing extremely well considering their early arrival. Emily stands on her toes, leaning over the side bar of the bed to get a better look at her sister who was decked out in a yellow hat, opposite her brother's white one.

"She's perfect," Emily says, unknowingly repeating her mother's earlier sentiment. She looks across at her brother, surprised to find his eyes open and seemingly staring right at her, their blue irises light and bright, "They're cute. I think we can keep them."

"Well, I'm glad we have your approval," Andy grins.

"Do they have names?" The nurse asks as she fills out the name cards for their cradles.

"Elizabeth Mae and Andrew Ian."

[TBC]