In the first week of May, spring finally arrived with a relentless rain that turned the snow to slush and the ranch to mud. Cat's time grew short, she became argumentative. It had been a terrible morning and now she was screaming at Adam! She knew she was wrong even as the hot words poured from her runaway mouth.

She had awakened with her bladder so full and aching that she moaned in pain. She knew if she tried to struggle out of her nest of pillows she would wet herself. Adam had lifted her with a chuckle and carried her to the chair with a cut out seat over a covered jar that he had arranged when she became too unwieldy to squat over the chamber pot. Even after she relieved herself, she had needed his help to rise. She felt totally helpless, and that fueled her frustrations. Dressing was an ordeal that took forever. Adam had tried to persuade her to put on only her warm woolen dressing gown and soft slippers. He would bring her breakfast into their room.

Foolishly she insisted on stuffing herself into the heavy corset, an ugly brown flowered maternity gown, stockings and shoes. Her hair had proved impossible. Every dark red curl was going in a different direction. Sick of being bed bound, she was determined to eat with the family at the table. At least the table wasn't very far from her room. Constantly starving, she ate far more than her compressed stomach could comfortably accommodate and then felt bloated and miserable.

Mid morning, Adam and his father discussed a meeting they had scheduled for later that day with a very particular timber buyer. He wanted straight, cleanly trimmed poles of a specific height for use in building telegraph lines. They planned to take him to the Mill Canyon stand so he could see for himself the quality of the trees. If they won the contract, he would pay top dollar. She interrupted their discussion to ask why they didn't make the cut in the lower and much more accessible Indian Hill forest. Adam simply patted her hand and said he would explain later. Hoss and Joe had already gone out to work, and Ben was anxious to get away.

"I'll see Cat comfortably settled and then join you later," Adam told his father. If anyone understood the needs and whims of a pregnant woman, it was Ben Cartwright. Like Adam, Cat's tremendous size and increasing difficulties worried him. The two men exchanged a glance, and Ben nodded.

"Take your time, son." He could see Cat growing red in the face and expected Adam would need it. He dropped a quick kiss on her unruly hair and hurried out the door.

As soon as his footsteps left the porch, Cat whirled on Adam.

"How dare you treat me like your pet!" she screamed. "A pat and a push aside! I'm not a ninny you know! When I ask a question, I expect a civil answer!"

"Pa was in a hurry," Adam said calmly. "The reason we are proposing the Mill Canyon stand is that the timber there is more dense, tougher and less likely to crack or split. We feel Mr. Jeffers will be better satisfied with their quality."

"I don't see how it can possibly make that much difference," she argued. "Indian Hill is just as good and much nearer. You can just change your plans and cut there." It came out as an order. Her conscience insisted, be honest; tell him you feel ready to burst any moment and don't want him half a day's ride away, but the words wouldn't come out of her mouth.

"Cat, be careful," he said quietly. "I have every respect for your intelligence, and you know the cattle business as well or better than any man I've ever met, but you are just learning about timber operations. You are not ready yet to instruct me on how the Ponderosa should conduct its affairs in that area."

She knew he was right, but raging hormones fueled her temper and she attacked again. "You just want to get free of me and out with a bunch of lumberjacks so that you can live rough and not be bothered with a pregnant wife. Well, Mr. High-and-Mighty, think again. I'm stuck here and so are you. You'd better talk dear Mr. Jeffers into liking timber off of Indian Hill!"

As she ranted into his faintly amused face, she shifted her weight awkwardly. He looked down at her poor, swollen ankles and up at her bulky body in its dowdy dress and suddenly understood the real problem.

"Cat," his voice was warm and tender. Unable to stop, she continued scolding him. "Cat," his voice as no louder but carried an unmistakable note of command. She shut her mouth at last, appalled at what she had been saying.

"I love you," he said gently. "You are my precious, beautiful, very pregnant girl, and I adore you."

Her mind swapped ends as quickly as a startled jack rabbit, and she rushed clumsily into his welcoming arms. She longed to press herself close along his whole warm, powerful body, but her swollen stomach intruded. "You can't possibly love me."

She's still arguing, he thought with an internal chuckle, as he stroked her wildly disordered hair into a smooth fall of auburn curls.

"I'm a fat, frumpy, bad tempered witch."

"I know," he grinned to take the sting from his words. "But I wouldn't trade you for a dozen sweet-tempered saints." Her belly felt hard and distended against his loins as she leaned on him heavily. This confinement was proving very difficult for her, and he was deeply concerned about her health. Dr. Martin assured him she was fine, but he worried that her womb was filling so rapidly that her body couldn't adjust. He was sure she was much larger than Inger had been, and Hoss had been a big baby. Love and pity moved him so strongly it was a physical stirring in his gut.

"Tell you what. It's a cold, miserable day, and I think it may snow again soon. Why don't I take you back to bed? I'll ask Hop Sing to bring in a pot of herb tea for your stomach and something to eat."

"And what does that mean regards the timber?"

Adam smiled, knowing what she needed. "If it puts you at ease, Pa's in charge of the job and Joe is going as site boss. I'm just helping put together the deal."

"So, you won't be up there?"

Adam slung his arm around her back and guided her towards the bedroom, a smirk on his face. "I never had any intentions of being up there. Do you really think I'd take on a job like that and leave you on your own now?"

"Well, I . . . I." She blushed, obviously embarrassed that she'd accused him of not being attentive.

"You've only got four weeks or five weeks left. I'm not letting you out of my sight. Like it or not."

"Forgive me?" Her face was forlorn.

"I'll think about it." He kissed her slowly and tenderly as they shut the door to the bedroom.

Her emerald eyes were radiant with love. "You are the dearest, kindest, most patient man in the world, Adam Cartwright."

"Thinking of our first branding day together are you, Mrs. Cartwright?" he teased.

Two days later Cat staring out the window of her bedroom. It was raining heavily and the constant drumming on the roof was driving her insane. In the last weeks of pregnancy, she sympathized with every other female animal on the earth. Having a baby was one of the hardest things there was, she was sure of that. And, she hadn't even had it yet!

Sighing, she retreated from the window and waddled back to the bed. She was waiting for Adam to return home from a short ride to the branding paddock. She'd antagonized him for some insignificant reason that morning, and ended up yelling at him again. She hoped he understood she was just frustrated and scared. He'd promised to return before lunch, but the heavy rain would almost certainly delay him.

Joe and Ben were at the logging site and would be away all week. Margie had fallen down the stairs just after Adam left and hit her head. A nasty bump had formed so Hoss thought it best to take her with Mrs O'Leary to the doctor in Virginia City. Cat had been fine then so it didn't seem like a problem. Hop Sing had gone out to tend the chuck wagon for the men's lunch. Therefore, Cat found herself alone with her thoughts.

She was getting to the point where she couldn't even walk effectively, let alone fend for herself, as much as she hated to admit it. She daydreamed about being out on the range again riding Rebel, as she sat waiting for Adam to return.

Cat picked up a book from the bedside table and attempted to read. There was very little in the house she hadn't read twice. Every time Adam went to town, he tried to bring back a new book or newspaper for her to devour. The journal she'd been keeping was full to the brim and not even that kept her interest anymore.

It was close to lunch time when the first pain hit her. Cat was in the kitchen, eating as she very often was. It was sharp, intense and caused her to double over. It passed quickly, but it left her concerned. It couldn't be, could it? She couldn't be that unlucky to start into labor while home alone. She walked out to the living room and paced silently, watching the clock. She knew the contractions had to be as close as ten minutes apart before you really had to worry. When the next one hit, it had been barely fifteen.

When able, Cat went back into the bedroom and sat uncomfortably. The next contraction came quickly and with it, her water broke. This was it! She tried not to panic and recalled all the information Mrs O'Leary and the Doctor had told her. It would still be quite a while yet. Plenty of time for Adam to come home. She'd better try and prepare to keep busy and stop the rising alarm inside her. She gathered some old linen and rekindled the fire in the kitchen so there would be hot water when needed. It would still be a while yet, she kept telling herself. Adam was bound to be home soon.

An hour later, she was really worried. No longer able to walk around much, the pains had her trapped. Determined to get help, she waited for the break in contractions, then made her way to the front door. On opening it, she saw the sheets of water teeming down from the heavens. The yard was awash with mud and the bunkhouse looked deserted. It would be no use to go looking in her condition. She remembered the day she'd got stuck only a short distance from the house.

Cat resigned herself to the possibility of having to give birth on her own. It terrified her, but it also brought out the fight in her. She'd never backed down from a difficult challenge and this would be no different. She calmed her mind and took a deep breath.

Cat steadied herself for the worst. As the next pain hit, she slumped on the door jamb to her room, trying to keep it under control.

"Come on, Cat. Animals go through this every day alone. You can do it." She stumbled back to the bed and collapsed onto it, liberally cursing her husband for playing a part in her condition. The contractions eased again, and she took a moment to do some deep breathing. She lay quietly on the bed and concentrated on the sound of the raindrops.

The rain also managed to drown out the sound of the front door as Adam opened it and hurried inside. He was soaked through and his oilskin jacket only kept him dry for a short time. It had been slow going in the driving rain and muddied paddocks. Anxious to get home to Cat, he'd pushed on regardless.

He stood for a moment listening. He breathed a sigh of relief. The house was quiet and Cat was obviously asleep. He wondered casually where Hoss was. Removing his clothes as he walked, he went straight into the wash room through the kitchen to dry off. Ten minutes later, towel wrapped around his waist, he walked back through the house and into their room to get some dry clothes. He was greeted at the door by a scream of pain unlike any he had heard before.

"Cat!" Adam turned white. The sight of his wife obviously in early labor greeted him.

"Adam, thank God. Get over here, I need help!" All her bravery flew out the window after realizing Adam was now with her.

"Cat! How long has it been? Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not and it's all your fault!" She was beside herself, then the next contraction struck.

"Where's Hoss and Mrs O'Leary?"

"They . . . had to go to . . . town," she managed as she puffed.

"I told Hoss to watch you!"

"Margie . . .hurt herself. Had to go to the doctor."

He came over to the bed and felt her forhead. "Hold on, I'll get some water." Adam, usually so calm in a tight situation, now tried hard not to panic himself.

"It's on the fire already. And I got some sheets." Cat breathed deeply, during a break from the agonizing cramps.

Adam went into the kitchen and saw that she had been preparing to tackle it herself and he felt proud. He got the water and returned. "Looks like you don't really need me." Smiling, he turned back to her and sat on the side of the bed. Dipping a cloth into the water, he sponged down her face and loosened the clothing from her body.

Cat relaxed a little with his soothing strokes. "Rest assured, you aren't going anywhere Mr. Cartwright." Cat turned her eyes up to his. "Adam, what are you doing like that?" Even in her state, she still didn't miss the fact that he was bare chested and clad only in a large white fluffy towel.

"Oh, I er, never mind. I'll get dressed in a moment." Adam, who had totally forgotten about his state of undress, continued to make her comfortable before going over to the wardrobe to grab some fresh clothes.

"I thought you were being innovative, giving me something else to think about while I wallow in pain." Cat, her sense of humor still hanging on, watched him dress, as she rested between contractions.

"You'll have plenty to think about soon." Adam returned to her and prepared her for the birth.

"I don't think I like you anymore, Mr. Cartwright. Not if liaisons with you leaves me in this condition."

Adam heard the sarcasm in her voice and tried to keep a straight face. How could any woman joke in this situation? He didn't know, but it was good that she was still seeing the funny side. "Well, Mrs. Cartwright, if you weren't so irresistible, you wouldn't be in this position."

"Irresistible, like this? Please." Cat smiled then her face contorted with another sharp pain. It was the strongest one yet.

Adam had never helped with a human birth before. Mostly midwives or the doctor were around. He'd assisted with the birth of hundreds of calves and foals, which in the end couldn't be too different from a human birth.

Even so, he silently cursed the bad luck about Hoss and Mrs O'Leary having to take Margie into the Doctor, and for not staying here with Cat himself. If he'd been home this morning he would've had time to go bring Paul back. As it was, by the feel of her, he believed she would give birth very soon. She was starting to bear down, pushing strongly. Worryingly, she was at least four weeks early even with their conservative estimation.

"Good girl, Cat. Come on, I want to see that pretty little daughter of mine." He reached his hand up to hers for a moment and squeezed reassuringly. Adam hoped to God that she was as strong as he thought she was. Dr. Martin had predicted that she would have a relatively easy birth because of her build and strength. Adam now prayed that would be true, as he couldn't leave her to get help.

She yelled again, the pains coming thick and fast.

"That's it Cat, push, darlin'. You're doing fine." Adam watched in awe as his child was soon born. A small baby boy came into the world with a sharp bellowing yell. Adam, tears of relief and happiness steaming from his eyes, cut him free, washed him and wrapped him with great care. Cat, exhausted, lifted her head to see the son she knew she would have.

"How is he, Adam?" Her voice was almost hoarse from her ordeal.

"He's perfect, Cat, just perfect." Adam walked around to her and showed her the baby, laying him beside her on the bed. They both laughed and cried, sharing in the unique and unsurpassable experience.

"Do you think he's kind of small?" Cat asked, a little worried.

"He's fine, Cat. He's strong." Adam smiled in wonder as a tiny hand gripped his finger.

They both sat, lovingly staring at the new addition to their family. Cat was torn between excitement and plain outright fear. She didn't know a thing about babies. She also felt unease in her body. Something was happening and it didn't feel right.

"Adam, I think, I think there's something wrong." Cat minutes later, felt another knife-like contraction.

"What is it?" Adam looked at his wife in shock. All of a sudden, she was experiencing more pain.

Cat yelled again, and Adam rushed to see if she was in trouble. To his amazement, another baby was appearing to his view.

"Cat, just keep pushing. Good girl, keep going. That's it."

"I can't any more." She struggled to bear down, exhausted.

"Just a little more, Cat. You can do it."

Adam, stunned by the event, delivered a second baby. She was an exquisite little girl, with a shock of dark red hair and a pair of lungs that produced a loud cry.

"Don't tell me." Cat's weak voice drifted over to him.

"Okay, I won't." Adam, emotionally drained, looked after the baby's needs and again settled down beside her and presented their second child.

"Twins." Cat looked at them both. "I should have thought, when I was getting so big. It runs in our family." She looked up at Adam, her eyes shining with tears.

"Well, looks like we both win the bet." He smiled with wonder and leaned down to kiss his wife.

"See, I told you I could do it." Cat exhausted but exhilarated, brushed her hand against her husband's cheek, then took in the formidable knowledge that instead of just one baby, she now had two to try to look after.

"I'm gonna need help." She was almost asleep much later, as they had sat for a long time, holding their children and each other, contemplating the future.

"You'll get it, my love. Don't worry." Adam, his fatherly instincts kicking strongly, took the babies from Cat's side and placed them safely in the cot that had been ready for months. They were going to need two of everything, in a hurry.

Turning back to Cat, he took care of her needs and made her comfortable. Worn out, she closed her eyes as he covered her with fresh bedding.

"Go to sleep, Cat. As soon as the others get home, I'll fetch the Doctor. I want to make sure you're all right.

"I'm fine, Adam." She turned tired eyes to him and smiled.

"I love you." Adam whispered the simple phrase that meant so much and kissed his wife gently on the lips.

Adam was relieved when he saw Hoss and Mrs. O'Leary return shortly after, with Margie in tow. Careful not to wake Cat or the babies, who were sleeping soundly, he tiptoed out of the room and rushed to his brother.

"Howdy, Adam. Good to see you're back. I was real worried about going into town, but poor little Margie gave herself a good blow to the head. Boy, that rainstorm was a humdinger. We got caught at the stream down below 'cause it was too swollen to cross. We were lucky to get back. Fortunately, we missed the worst 'cause it kind of went round us." Hoss turned to his brother, who had the most enormous grin on his face.

"Never mind about that, come inside. I've got something to show you both."

Hoss shrugged to Mrs. O'Leary and followed Adam back into the house.

"Hoss, come on in, but be very quiet." Adam stole quietly into his room and Hoss followed, also gingerly. He noted Cat was asleep and was looking very pale and drawn.

"Is she all right, Adam?" Hoss pointed and Adam nodded.

"Come here, Hoss. Take a look." Adam walked to the crib and stopped, his face beaming with pride.

Hoss looked in and saw the two tiny babies. He gasped with surprise and delight. "Adam, she done had the baby. Two babies?" Hoss looked at his brother, wide eyed, then Adam replied.

"I know, hard to believe. I'm still getting used to the idea.

"Ain't they just the cutest things you ever saw." Hoss put a gentle finger in the crib and touched the baby girl on the cheek.

"How did she manage? Who helped her?" Hoss looked worried for a moment, until Adam replied.

"Just Cat and I. We managed all on our own."

"How is she? Is she all right?" Hoss, always concerned for his sister-in-law turned back to her in the bed.

"I think she's fine. She got through it very well. I'll get Mrs. O'Leary to look her over and I'll go for the Doctor now you're home."

"No Adam, I'll go. You stay here with Cat. I know where the river is passable, but it may take a little while to get back. I'll just watch these two little cuties for 'ye while you get Mrs. O'Leary." Hoss turned his gaze back to the babies. "Twins, I just cain't believe it."

"Not only that, a boy and a girl. They don't look much alike though." Adam concentrated momentarily on their little features.

"This is cause for a double big celebration. You can be sure of that. Pa'll be jumpin' out of his skin when he gets home."

Adam smiled and Hoss hugged him affectionately around the shoulder.

He left him then to bring in Mrs. O'Leary, who had just put down Margie for her afternoon nap. She checked Cat and made sure there was no ongoing bleeding and that she was comfortable. Everything seemed fine. She then checked the babies and after everyone was satisfied, they all left them to sleep.

"She should get as much rest as possible now, because those little babies aren't going to give you two much peace over the coming months." Mrs. O'Leary gave Adam a cheery smile.

"I thought birthin' took much longer than just a few hours. She was fine this morning." Hoss was feeling guilty that he had gone into town leaving her alone.

"It usually does, but, my Cat, she's not known for doing things by the book." Adam laughed and slapped Hoss on the back, showing his unspoken forgiveness.

"I'd better git going."

"Wait, Hoss. Let's drink a toast first." Adam beamed and turned to the brandy.

"Sure thing brother. This doesn't happen every day."

The three of them filled their glasses and drank to the children and to Cat. Then, Hoss proposed a cheeky toast to Adam, for his new profession as midwife. In reality, they all knew how lucky they had been with the easy birth. The situation could have easily been disastrous. Hoss left shortly after. Fortunately, by that time, the rain had stopped. Adam returned to his family, anxious to watch over them. Mrs. O'Leary also checked in on the new arrivals.

It was late evening before Hoss and Doc Martin arrived. He was pleased with Cat's condition and also with the health of the babies. Adam's mind was eased with the knowledge.

"She's come through remarkably Adam. She should stay in bed for a few days, but I don't see any problems. My guess is she'll be up and around and fighting fit within a week or two."

"I wouldn't even give it that long, Paul. You know what she's like."

"Even so, Adam, I'm relying on you to make sure she doesn't do too much too quickly. It's a big shock to the system. I'll come out every week for a while to check their progress."

"Thanks, Paul." Adam shook his hand and looked forward to his new role.

"Say, Paul?" Adam called to him, as the Doctor was preparing to leave.

"Yes, Adam."

"Did you know she was going to have twins?'

Doc Martin gave Adam a guilty glance and put his bag down in the buggy. "Well, Adam, I have to say yes, but Cat was so skittish about the birth, it thought it best not to worry her unnecessarily. And, I figured I would be here for the event!" Paul was gently scolding Adam for leaving her for the length of time he had.

"I know, but you could have told me!" Adam raised hurt eyes to the family doctor he'd thought of for a long time as kin.

"You've been just as nervous as Cat. I didn't know which one of you was worse. Nope. It was best this way. Don't worry, Adam. The worst is over." Doc Martin slapped him on the back and smugly drove away. Adam had a feeling he would be laughing all the way back to town.

Later that night, when he went to bed, he took Cat into his arms and held her close. They had just completed the ordeal of the first feeding and feeling pleased, they were content to lie back together and contemplate the future.

"Happy, Adam?" Cat drawled sleepily.

"I've never felt so happy, darlin'. You?"

"Yes. Funny, now I have the babies, I don't feel quite so scared anymore. They are perfect, aren't they?"

"They sure are."

"What are we going to call them? I never even thought." Cat, suddenly horrified that she hadn't even begun to think of names, looked up at Adam in the pale lamplight.

"Well, as I was hoping you'd have a girl, I spent some time thinkin' about it. I kinda like Cassandra or Cassie for short. Then, I thought you might consider Elizabeth as a middle name. After my mother."

"That's a good choice, Adam. Cassandra Elizabeth Cartwright. Sounds very ladylike." Cat smiled and shifted closer to him, her stomach still annoyingly in the way.

"How about our son? You should choose for him." Adam touched his cheek to hers, feeling her soft cool skin against him.

"I've always liked the name Ryan. Then, I think I would like to give him the second name of Benjamin. Your father has been so kind to me. It will go with Elizabeth."

"Ryan Benjamin Cartwright. So it will be." Adam kissed her cheek and settled down to sleep. They both needed rest for the coming days and weeks.

The remainder of the week flew past. For Cat, it was an endless cycle of feeding babies, changing babies, nursing babies and trying to sleep in between. For Hoss and Adam, it meant trips to town to get extra supplies for the babies and running the ranch on the side.

Cat stood up to motherhood as best she could. Adam got very good at lulling the babies to sleep, while Hoss was chief fetch and carrier. Hop Sing ran from kitchen to bedroom checking that everyone was fed. Mrs. O'Leary kept a watch over all of them. Even little Margie seemed to be quiet when the babies were asleep, which helped enormously. They all had a pretty good system going by the end of the week, when Ben and Joe returned from the logging.

Adam, rocking his baby daughter in his arms on the porch, saw them approaching slowly from the east. A smile broke out on his face as he thought of his family's reaction. He took Cassie back inside and returned to the yard to greet them.

"Welcome back." He smiled broadly as they reined their horses in and stiffly dismounted.

"Howdy, brother." Joe came over to him and shook his hand.

"Hi son." Ben grinned at him and came over with a warm handshake as well.

"How did the felling go? Any problems?" Adam saw that they both looked worn out.

"We sure did miss you and Hoss. But we got through it all right. Next one I'll stay home and rest and you can go cutting." Joe puffed a sigh of exhaustion and slapped Adam on the back.

"You couldn't exactly say I've been resting, younger brother." Adam let a smirk creep onto his face. "It's not easy delivering babies, you know."

Ben snapped his head up, seeing Adam's growing smile.

"She's had the baby!" It was a booming statement, his eyes wide with anticipation.

"Has she?" Joe chimed in, catching on.

"She sure has." Adam just got out of Ben's path as he rushed towards the house.

"Well, boy let me see my grandchild!"

Joe whooped a cry of excitement and followed his father. Adam was left to trail behind.

"Pa, I should tell you before you see them. We got a little more than we bargained for." Adam, enjoying the moment, watched his father's impatient gestures.

"What do you mean by that. They're all right aren't they?" Ben shot a worried look at his son.

"Oh, yeah, Pa, they're fine."

"What did she have Adam? A boy or a girl?" Joe asked, keen to find out who'd won the bet. He had ten dollars on with Hoss, and he backed Cat having a boy.

"Well . . . "

"Come on Adam, I know it was a boy. She had a boy, didn't she?"

"Yeah, yeah she did." Adam smiled at his youngest brother.

"A son, I have a grandson." Ben took in the information and marveled at it.

"Hoss was betting for a girl. I'll bet he's disappointed."

"Well, no, he was right, too." Adam, enjoying the moment, watched their puzzled faces.

"Now, come on Adam. It was either a boy or a girl. Tell us straight." Joe hung on his words.

"No, it was a boy and a girl."

"What?" Ben stared at Adam, totally bewildered.

"She had twins, Pa, a boy and a girl. You got two grandchildren. And you brother, don't win any money." Adam waited for their shock to dissipate.

"That's wonderful." Ben hugged his son with vigor.

"Can we see 'em?" Joe, disbelieving, followed a proud Adam into his room. Cat was nursing Ryan in the chair, while Cassie lay awake in the cot, waiting for her father to come and pick her up again.

Tears formed in Ben's eyes as Cat handed him his first grandson.

"This is what I've dreamed of. Holding a grandson in my arms, born on the Ponderosa." Ben said the words almost to himself as he cradled the small bundle in his arms.

"His name is Ryan Benjamin."

Ben's chest puffed up as he held his little namesake.

Adam went to the cot and gently picked up Cassie for Joe to hold.

"She's beautiful, Adam. She looks like Cat, fortunately." Joe touched her contented face with his finger.

"Her name is Cassie," Adam looked down dotingly.

"And just look at this little boy. You can see the determination and strength in his face. He's going to have dark eyes, like Adam's." Ben cooed and smiled down at the sleepy face.

"And yours, Pa."

Cat watched them both, happy and proud of her achievement. She was feeling more confident every day.

"How are you, Cat? Did the Doctor say you're all right?" Ben looked down at his daughter-in-law, concerned for her.

"I'm fine, Pa. Looking forward to my first outing and a ride."

"I'm glad. He handed Ryan to Adam and leaned down to give her a hug.

Later that evening they all had a family dinner and discussed the events of the past weeks. Adam told of his ordeal having to deliver the babies by himself and Cat chastised him, reminding him that she had done most of the work. He reluctantly agreed and kissed her hand, reveling in the warmth and closeness they shared.

"We'll arrange for the biggest and best christening ever. And we'll hold it here." Ben spoke excitedly, thinking of the plans as he went along. "We'll have a christening in the afternoon, then a party at night, to welcome Ryan and Cassie."

They all liked the idea and discussed it for the rest of the evening until Cat got called back to the babies and Joe and Ben wanted to turn in after their heavy workload. Hoss went up to sit with Margie for a while, making sure she was sleeping all right.

Adam, counting his blessings, went to his family. Watching his wife pick up Ryan and start to feed him, he got goose bumps. This was his destiny, his future. He finally knew where he was in the world, where he belonged.

They were completely his.