Jack stood across the room, staring at the ultrasound photo in his hands.
"Honey, come to bed." Elizabeth held out one hand toward him, patting the bed with her other hand. "It's late."
"I just can't stop looking at them."
"You can bring the picture with you. Plus, they're right here." She lifted her shirt a bit, pointing at her stomach. "Come talk to them."
He set the picture on his nightstand and slipped into the bed beside her. "What should I say?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "Whatever you want. They won't be able to really understand you until they're born, anyway. Just get them used to your voice."
With his hands on either side of her stomach, he leaned in close. "Hi, babies." He chuckled. "That's still crazy to say. We just found out there are two of you in there today, and we're still getting used to the idea. Anyway, I'm your daddy. Obviously you know your mama already, since you're growing inside of her and everything. We can't wait to meet you both. You're going to be born into a fun family, but sometimes it can get loud when everyone's together, so I hope you take these next seven months to prepare yourselves. You two have a big brother named Micah, and we have a dog named Luna. Then you have lots of aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents. I won't list them all now, but you'll meet them all eventually. They're all going to love you two."
"Speaking of aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents, we need to tell them sometime."
"When?" Jack looked up at her, tracing his fingers across her stomach.
"Soon. I'm not going to be able to hide it much longer since there are two of them in there." She placed her hand beside his. "I was about this far along when I told everyone about Micah."
"How about we call our parents and your sisters tomorrow? We can tell Lee and Rosie in person when we see them tomorrow evening, and then we can tell Tom and Sarah the next time we see them."
"Should we call Leland and Marie, too?"
"I think we should. They should find out from us and not from someone else."
"Okay." She took his hand. "I was thinking, what if we keep the twin thing just between us for a little while longer? Just tell everyone I'm pregnant, but not mention there are two babies."
"That's fine with me." He leaned back down toward her stomach. "Okay, babies. It's bedtime now. You behave in there and let your mama get some sleep."
Elizabeth chuckled. "They aren't quite big enough to keep me up at night yet."
"Well, it's not too soon for them to learn." He scooted back up in the bed and kissed her softly. "I love you."
"I love you, too. Good night."
...
Jack sat down on the sofa, his phone in his hand. "Who are we calling first? Your parents or my mom?"
"Hang on." She clenched her teeth and hurried off to the bathroom.
Jack sighed and picked up Micah, heading to the kitchen to grab some crackers and ginger ale for her. Elizabeth's morning sickness seemed to get worse each day, and he hated seeing how miserable it made her.
"Poor mama." Jack set Micah back on the living room floor with his toys. "She's not feeling well, huh?"
"Mama sick."
"That's right, little man. We'll hope she feels better soon."
She returned to the living room after a few minutes, sinking down onto the sofa. "Thank you," she said when he handed her the crackers and ginger ale.
"Are you sure it's normal for you to be getting sick this much?"
"It's not abnormal. I read that symptoms can be exaggerated with twins."
"I just hate seeing you feel so bad."
She shrugged, taking a sip of the soda. "I'll talk to my doctor about it at my next appointment, but it won't last forever. Besides, anything is worth it as long as our babies stay safe and healthy in there a while longer."
He put his arm around her, kissing her temple. "Thank you for carrying them. You're amazing, Elizabeth."
"I'm not anything special."
"You're special to me."
She wiped a tear from her cheek. "You can't say things like that to me when I'm all hormonal. Now I'm all weepy and our parents are going to think something is up."
He laughed softly and kissed her. "Sorry, but it's the truth."
She sniffled and wiped her eyes, trying to compose herself. "Anyway. My parents first?"
"Sure. Oh wait, just one second." He disappeared into their bedroom for a moment, emerging shortly after with an ultrasound photo in his hand. "So we can show them a picture."
"But all the ultrasound pictures have both babies in them, and I thought we were keeping the twin thing a secret for now."
"Don't worry, I thought about that. It's an easy fix. I just cover up one baby when I hold it up." He strategically placed his fingers over one of the babies and held it up. "See? And suddenly, there's only one. Besides," he continued, "how well are they going to be able to see this on a tiny phone screen?"
"Okay, you have a point. Do I look okay now? Can you tell I was just crying?"
"You look beautiful." He kissed her softly.
"Ready?"
Jack nodded, and Elizabeth pulled up her mother's contact information on her phone. A few seconds later, Grace's face appeared on the screen.
"Hello, sweetheart."
"Hi, mom. Is dad there?"
"Yes, he is."
"Could you get him, please?"
"Of course." She turned away from the screen and called him over.
"Hi, Elizabeth. We didn't expect to hear from you today. Is everything okay?" William looked concerned.
"Everything's fine. Jack and I just have some news to share." She turned to him and nodded.
He held up the ultrasound photo but said nothing.
Grace gasped. "You're pregnant?!"
Elizabeth grinned and nodded. "Yes. Due in April."
"Sweetheart, that's wonderful!"
"Congratulations, you two."
"Thank you."
"I guess that means this Christmas, we need to figure out where to move all the stockings so they fit."
Elizabeth chuckled. "That mantle was very crowded last Christmas."
Grace sighed wistfully. "I love that you girls keep giving us grandbabies. I absolutely love being a grandma, so please keep them coming!"
They spoke with Elizabeth's parents for a few more minutes—letting Micah speak to them for a bit, too—before calling Charlotte. She was just as ecstatic as Grace and William. Leland and Marie were glad to hear the news directly from Elizabeth and Jack, and they were happy to be nana and papa Coulter to any of Micah's siblings.
Jack set the phone down. "Well, that all went well."
Elizabeth nodded and yawned. "But I'm exhausted now."
"Calling our parents made you tired?"
"No, growing two of your children is making me tired."
He chuckled. "So they're mine when they're causing trouble?"
"Obviously. It's the Thornton genes in them that make them ornery."
Jack rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah. Well," he rubbed her back, "why don't you go take a nap? We can wait to call your sisters later."
She nodded. "Okay."
"Mama seep?"
"Here, little bug." Elizabeth scooped him up. "You want to take a nap, too? You can lay in the big bed with me."
He nodded, leaning his head against her shoulder.
Jack gave them each a kiss on the cheek. "Enjoy your nap."
Once he was sure they were asleep, Jack got in his car and headed across town. The sun was high in the sky over the gravestones as he walked around the cemetery.
"Hey, Patrick." He stepped up to the grave. "It's been a while, huh? I don't know how often Elizabeth comes to talk to you, but a lot has happened for us lately, and I thought you should know. We got married six months ago, and she's two months pregnant now—with twins—which was a bit of a shock to both of us." He stuck his hands in his pockets. "Anyway, that means Micah's going to be a big brother. I'm sure he'll be a great one. He just turned two a few weeks ago, which is crazy. He's growing up way too fast. He's so much like you, Patrick. He still looks like a clone of you, and he's a stubborn little guy. He's so smart and loving and confident. You would be so proud of him." He shook his head. "I can't believe you've been gone for two and a half years now. We all still miss you, Pat."
He stayed by the grave a while longer, pulling up the weeds that had grown around the stone and straightening the bouquet of flowers that sat there.
...
Elizabeth passed Micah to Rosemary. "Thank you again for offering to watch him."
"Of course. Now you just go and have a wonderful evening with Jack."
She smiled. "I will." She returned to the car, where Jack was waiting. "Okay, let's go."
Instead of pulling out of the driveway, he just stared at her, a smile playing on his lips.
"What's that look for?"
"You look so beautiful, Elizabeth."
"Thank you." She blushed and tugged on her dress. "Now, I don't mean to be demanding, but I am carrying two of your babies, and they need to eat."
He chuckled. "Fine. I'll admire you later."
They pulled up in front of the little Italian restaurant, and Elizabeth smiled. "Are you recreating our first date?"
"Maybe."
"Well, then I guess it's a good thing I wore the same outfit I wore that evening." She motioned toward the burgundy dress and brown boots.
"I guess it is."
"Do I have to order the same thing I had then?"
"No."
"Good, because I'm craving something spicy."
"Well then," he stepped around the car and held out his hand for her, "shall we?"
"We shall."
He kissed her softly before leading her into the restaurant.
...
"I'm too full to go get him," Elizabeth groaned.
"You have to come with me."
"But why?"
"Do you really want me to be the one to break the news to them about the babies?"
She sighed. "Fine, I'll go, too. Only because I'm worried you'll mention it's twins."
"I love you." He leaned across the center console to kiss her.
Jack knocked on the door, slowly dragging his fingers along Elizabeth's stomach.
"You're really starting to show."
"Don't get too excited. That's mostly pasta."
Jack dropped his hand when the door opened.
"Hey, guys. Come on in. Rosie's just getting the last of his things together."
They followed Lee into the house.
"Auntie Lizbeth!" Lorelei ran over and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth's legs.
"Hi, sweetheart. Did you help your mama take care of Micah tonight?"
"Yes." She nodded emphatically. "We played with blocks. I helped him build a big tower!"
"That's great."
"Mama!" Micah squealed when Rosemary carried him into the room. "Daddy!"
Jack took him from Rosemary, settling him on his shoulders.
"Was he good?"
"He was a little angel, as always." She handed the diaper bag to Elizabeth.
"Thanks for watching him, you guys."
"You know he's welcome here anytime."
"So, um, before we go, we do have some news." Elizabeth lifted the bag onto her shoulder. "Micah is going to be a big brother."
"You're having a baby?!"
"Mhmm." Elizabeth nodded, smoothing her hand over the little swell of her belly. "Due the second week of April."
"That's wonderful!"
...
"Little man is asleep."
"Did he go down fine?"
"Yeah. They must've really worn him out over at the Coulter house." Jack approached her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Gosh, you're beautiful."
"You've already said that tonight. Multiple times."
"And it's still true." He brushed his lips across her neck. "I can't believe it's been six months since we got married."
"Me neither." She turned to face him, kissing him soundly.
"May I have this dance?" He held out his hand.
She slipped her fingers into his. They turned slowly around the bedroom, her head leaning against his chest.
"I love you."
She took a step back and started undoing the buttons on his shirt. "Show me."
...
Jack put down his phone. "That was Tom. They're going to take Sarah back for an emergency C-section."
"Oh no. What happened?"
Jack shrugged. "I'm not sure. He didn't say anything else, just that he would call back when there's more news."
"Uncle Jack?" Opal wandered into the room. "Is my brother here yet?"
"Not yet, sweet pea." He lifted her to his shoulders. "How about we go get some ice cream while we wait?"
"Yes!"
He looked over at Elizabeth. "Are you feeling up to joining us?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, but Micah needs to be changed first, so give me a minute."
Half an hour later, they were all sitting in the ice cream shop. Micah was sitting in Jack's lap, giggling as he licked his ice cream cone.
"Looks like someone's going to need a good bath tonight." Elizabeth chuckled, noting that it seemed Micah had more ice cream on his face and hands than he was eating.
"How's your ice cream, sweet pea?"
Opal wiped her mouth with her hand. "It's delicious. How much longer before my brother is here?"
"I don't know, sweet pea. Your daddy is going to call and let me know."
"Is my mama okay?"
Elizabeth touched her cheek. "She'll be fine, sweetheart."
Jack's phone buzzed. "See, sweet pea. There's your daddy now." He wiped his fingers and answered the phone. "Hey, Tom. What's up?"
"Sarah's fine. The baby's fine. Can I talk to Opal? I promised her I'd tell her everything first."
"Sure." He held out the phone. "He wants to talk to you, sweet pea."
Opal put the phone up to her ear. "Daddy?"
Elizabeth looked up at Jack. "Everything okay?"
He nodded. "He said Sarah and the baby are both fine. He wouldn't tell me more, because apparently he promised Opal she'd get to find out everything else first."
"Based on how happy she looks, I'd say she was right about the baby being a brother."
"I think I agree with that." He chuckled.
"Bye, daddy." Opal handed the phone back to Jack.
"Tom?"
"If you guys want to go ahead and head up here and meet him, you can. I know Opal really wants to see him."
"Him? So Opal was right about getting a brother?"
He laughed. "Yes. Alec Thomas Thornton."
"Well, congrats, little brother. We'll be there soon."
...
Jack held Micah, standing off to the side of the room with Tom while Opal and Elizabeth moved toward the bed to see Sarah and the baby.
Jack shifted Micah on his hip. "So you have one of each now. That's fun."
Tom shook his head. "It's wild. For so long, it's been 'I have a daughter,' and now, I have a daughter and a son."
"So what exactly is it like watching your wife have your baby?"
"Terrifying. Beautiful. Amazing. A little gross. But mostly it's just completely unreal to see this tiny little person that you made together take their first breath and instinctively snuggle up with her because they know her already." He smiled as he looked over at his wife and newborn son. "Why do you ask? Are you and Elizabeth talking about having one?"
"Well, um, actually, we're passed the talking stage. I'm going to be in your shoes in about seven months."
"Really?"
Jack nodded.
"Congratulations, big brother. You two wasted no time, huh?"
Jack gave him a playful shove. "You can't even talk. Wasn't Opal a honeymoon baby?"
"Yeah yeah, and you waited what? Two whole months before getting Elizabeth pregnant?"
"Four months, actually."
"Didn't you mention to mom that you guys were waiting a year or two?"
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah. We didn't exactly plan for her to get pregnant this soon."
Tom chuckled, clapping him on the back. "It happens to the best of us, man."
"Hey, what's going on over there?" Sarah looked over at them.
"Jack was just telling me that Opal and Alec are getting another cousin soon."
Sarah turned toward Elizabeth. "Is he serious?"
"Mhmm." She put a hand on her stomach. "Due in April."
"Congratulations, you guys."
"I'm really going to get another cousin?" Opal's face lit up.
"Yeah, sweet pea."
"Is it a girl or a boy? It should be a girl, so I'm not the only one."
Jack laughed. "We don't know yet. We'll tell you as soon as we know for sure, but I think there's a girl in there."
...
"So, our family members all officially know now." Jack slipped his shirt over his head.
"And we were able to keep the twin thing a secret."
Jack settled on his side of the bed. "How long are we keeping that a secret, by the way?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "I don't know. I was thinking maybe until we find out what they are."
"Aren't they babies?"
"Ha ha." She rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean."
"Well, like I said earlier, one of them is a girl."
"Oh right, your magic powers."
"Hey," he nudged her. "I'm three for three now. I was right about Lorelei, Micah, and Leo."
"If you're so magic, then why don't you know what they both are?"
"Even I have my limits. I'm thinking the second one is also a girl, but I'm not as certain about that one."
"So twin girls." She put her hands on her stomach. "Is your daddy right? Are you both girls?"
"When will we find out that I'm right?"
"You might be wrong. But we'll have to wait another two months or so to find out."
"Two months is such a long time."
"Patience, professor. It'll be here before we know it."
He kissed her temple. "I love you, Beth."
"I love you."