Christmas morning blew by so fast. Roland opened his gifts and was so excited when he popped opened the boxes and found the golden retriever puppies inside. Robin enjoyed watching Regina freak out at the thought of taking care of two young puppies. He promised to help and to put them in a training program early.

They'd spent the morning eating, listening to music, and opening gifts. Regina gave him a watch and told him she had another gift she wanted him to open later. He was intrigued but with the hustle and bustle of the day, he put it out of his mind.

The turkey and ham were being cooked at Maggie's house and they gathered up their things to head that way. Roland pouted. "Why can't we take the puppies?"

Rob crouched, "They're still too little, Ro. They've gotta have shots to protect them from the world. Look, we bought a crate just for them. You put blankets and they have plenty of food and water. They'll be just fine."

"But…"

"Ro, they'll be fine, and you'll be too busy ripping open gifts and stuffing your face to take care of them."

"Alright. Can I take my new Spiderman to show grandma?"

"Yea, that's alright. Come on, let's go see what your mom's doing."

Rob took his hand and they rounded the corner. Rob grinned to see Regina sitting on the floor with the puppies cradled in her arms. She looked so happy, he mused. That had been his goal. "Don't you look adorable?"

Her head snapped up and she blushed. "They're so sweet," she said looking back down. Her fingers softly brushed over one of their noses. "You never told me where you got them."

"Tuck has a cousin. They had an unexpected litter and needed homes. Maggie took one."

"Really? I'm guessing you had to convince her." Rob laughed. Yes, he did. Maggie wasn't a dog person, but he knew if she got one young, they'd change her mind.

"It didn't take much. You ready?"

Regina put the puppies in the crate and locked the door. "Yea." He stepped to her and took her hand to bring her to her feet. He kissed her gently and lingered.

Roland groaned behind them. "Yuck. Let's go."

They laughed and Rob led them out to his truck. The drive to the ranch was slow as he meandered down the snowy roads. Music played in the cab and he held Regina's hand. Roland sang Jingle Bells at the top of his lungs in the back.

Rob tugged on Regina's hand and she slid next to him. He put his arm around her and asked, "How are you feeling?"

With her head on his shoulder, she said, "I'm hungry but I'm scared to eat."

"You haven't thrown up in days," he commented. Morning sickness had to suck, he mused. It had been his least favorite thing to see her suddenly pale and get sick. In days, she'd looked better in color and she seemed to glow.

"I still get nauseous and I've been eating the same things, so we'll see what happens when I eat Donna's pies."

Rob's stomach growled. "I can't wait. I'm looking forward to the chocolate pecan."

Roland said, "I want the cherry one with ice cream. Yum!"

Regina chuckled. "You'll have plenty to eat. Maggie's doing a chocolate fountain with strawberries like she promised."

"Yes!"

Rob leaned over and kissed her temple. "Just take it slow and listen to your body."

The snow started to fall by the time they pulled up in front of Jack and Betty's house.

…

The house was chaotic, loud, full of laughter, and Jack sat at the piano and played the keys. Regina stood with Maggie and smiled. "This is better than last year."

Maggie laughed. "By a longshot. Remember when David burned the turkey?" They shared in the amusement. "The ham was dry, but he tried so hard. I'm glad it turned out better this year. I'd have killed him otherwise."

Regina pointed at Donna. "We've got pies too. I'm scared to eat them."

"It's Christmas. If you can't indulge during the holidays, they aren't fun." She paused. "You haven't look in green in a while. I'm thinking the sickness must've passed."

"Yea," she murmured. "Maggie, we need to talk." The sexy morning with Robin played in her head over and over like a real. A very good real, she mused. But talking it out with a friend would put her mind at ease.

"What's up?"

Glancing around, she said. "Alone."

Maggie's brows rose and she scanned her face. "Let's go upstairs."

Once settled in the bedroom, Regina paced. "Promise me you won't laugh at me."

"Why would I?"

Regina stopped and turned to face her friend. "Rob and I…" She was blushing and hated herself for not being able to get the words out.

"Oh, my god. Did you do the nasty?" Maggie looked delighted.

"Why do you have to say it like that?" Regina rolled her eyes.

"Did you? Because when you walked in today, I could've sworn I saw some major sparks flying. Not to mention the evidence."

Regina frowned. "Evidence?"

"Exhibit A," she began with a smirk. "When you walked in, you were holding hands."

"I hold his hand all the time," she argued sitting down.

"Exhibit B," she said sternly. "When you were eating dinner, his hand was on your thigh and I saw the looks you gave each other."

There was no arguing that, so she kept her silence. Maggie smiled satisfied. "Exhibit C is when I saw him feeling you up when we moved onto dessert. So, I knew something was up."

Regina's cheeks flamed. "It was good, Maggie. Really good and I didn't question it at the time."

"You are now?"

"I…" Wringing her hands together, she sighed. "I love him, but I'm still scared that he deserves better. Before you say something," she said seeing Maggie's mouth open to argue. "I know that's stupid and my therapist has told me that. I just have this weird feeling that when I'm so happy that everything is going to fall apart."

"You are happy, and you deserve it, Regina. If anyone deserves happiness, it's you and Rob. He loves you and you love him. Don't question it. You're having a baby and I know that you'll make each other happy." Glancing down at her hand, she said. "Exhibit D, you're wearing a diamond ring on a very important finger."

She smiled. "He said he wasn't proposing but that he was promising all the things that come along with it when I'm ready."

Maggie sighed. "He's the perfect man and you better not let him go."

"I need your help with something."

"Oh?"

Regina took a deep breath. "I bought something for Robin, and I need to know how to present it to him."

"I'll see what I can do," she smiled. "But I have some news myself."

"What news?"

Maggie grinned with tears in her eyes. "David and I are pregnant."

…

While gifts were exchanged and more dessert was passed around, Rob watched Regina. Sitting with Donna, she was enjoying herself. Roland was around with Jodi and Donna's little boy. Regina laughed and he couldn't help but stare.

The morning they shared together wasn't what he'd planned, but he'd enjoyed it. More than enjoyed it, he recalled feeling heat pool into his gut. He hadn't meant to touch her, but when she'd clung to him like a vine, he let himself sink.

Since he'd touched her, his mind and eyes stayed on her. It was hard not to look, he mused. She was glowing and her eyes were so bright. The longer she talked with a therapist and worked on opening her practice, the happier she was.

As he smiled to himself, someone elbowed him. "Are you gonna stare at your woman all night?" David looked annoyed.

"I'm not staring."

"What gives?"

"What do you mean?" Rob turned to see him still scowling.

"You jumped her already, right?" David's brows raised. "It's written all over you.

Rob averted his eyes. "I'm going to dignify that with an answer. What if I asked degrading and intrusive questions about Maggie?"

"I'd deck you," he admitted. "And it's not degrading when you lay with a woman you love."

Rob grinned wickedly. "I'm a better man than that. I'll keep my fist to myself. She's…" He couldn't think of the word for it. "Softening," he decided.

David was silent a moment. "She'll get there. I see you put a ring on it. That has to say something."

"I didn't propose, to my mother's horror," he grimaced. "When she's ready, she'll tell me. Until then, the ring stays put as a promise."

"You're so sappy now," David complained. "I liked it better when you were broody."

Robin met his eyes. "Shut up, you're just as sappy about Mags."

David scratched the back of his neck. "I'll get sappier as time goes on; Maggie's pregnant."

"What?" Rob turned.

"We haven't told anyone. I think she told Regina earlier."

He gave him a backslapping hug, "Congrats man. I'm happy for you."

David grinned. "I'm scares shitless."

They laughed. "I am too. I've never seen Regina like that. She did it all alone before. I'm not missing a thing."

"Good. Come on, I think we should celebrate."

…

When the night dwindled down, Rob found Regina in the kitchen helping with the cleanup. Walking up behind her, he pressed his lips to the back of her neck. She'd tied her hair up. "Hi."

He loved seeing her lips curve and her eyes darken. "Hi." She turned and despite the audience pulled him into a kiss. His head spun at the gentleness; her scent wafted around him. Surrounded him. He pressed a hand to her back when she tried to pull away and brought her back in for a real kiss.

A throat cleared. "While I think it's adorable, you're getting along, do that out of my kitchen," Betty scolded.

Rob laughed as he released Regina and turned to his mother. "I seem to recall you and dad doing plenty in the kitchen." He was rewarded when her pinks stained red.

"Robby, you shame me."

"I do not," he argued and kissed her cheek. "You were a good example." He winked.

She slapped playfully at his chest. "Get out of here and take her with you. She needs to sit down and rest."

Rob turned and scanned Regina's face. She looked a little tired. He brushed his thumb under her eye where a dark circle was beginning to take residence. "Yes, ma'am." To Regina's surprise, he bent and lifted her up into his arms like a child.

"Rob put me down." She looked around embarrassed.

"My mama said you need to sit down, I'm gonna make sure you do. Maggie, darlin' would you get the door?"

"Sure thing." She grinned as he passed out the door and carried her to the cabin.

As they walked through the snow, Regina snuggled closer. "It's freezing."

"Don't worry, it's only for a minute." When he reached the cabin door, he kicked open the door. The fire he'd set earlier was already blazing. He set her on her feet and guided her down to the couch. "Sit down, honey. You look tired."

Sitting, she slipped off her heels. "It's been a long day." When he saw her stretching out her feet, he saw beside her. He took her feet into his lap and began to soothe the ache. As he rubbed her feet, he said, "David told me Maggie's pregnant."

"I know, she told me. I'm thrilled for them. They've been trying for a while."

"Two babies," he mused. "We'll have two babies running around soon enough. It's crazy."

"Are you happy?" He turned because he didn't like the sound of her voice. She looked a little hesitant and wary.

Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her. "I'm happy, darlin'. Don't you worry your pretty little head. We may not have planned it, but I couldn't be happier. David grumbled that we didn't try and managed it," he laughed.

"We weren't exactly careful," she admitted. Her back arched when his thumb dug into her instep and she groaned. "Ow."

"That hurt?" He eased off and massaged it gently. "Better?"

She sank into the sofa pillows and closed her eyes. "Much." He continued to move his hands along her feet. Rob smiled when he saw her hand go to her belly and absently stroke. He wondered what it felt like.

"What does it feel like?"

"What?" She was starting to doze.

"Being pregnant," he said lightly.

"Mmm. Well, other than feeling sick all the time?" She smiled and snuggled deeper into the pillow. "At first, it doesn't feel that different. Then, I start getting hungry and cranky. With Roland, I craved wings all the time. Anywhere I went, I had to have chicken wings."

He laughed. "That's why he likes chicken so much."

"Yes, he does." She continued. "I couldn't smell eggs or meat without wanting to throw up unless it was seasoned. When my belly gets bigger, I feel pressure in my chest."

"Why?"

"The organs move out of the way and the baby takes up all the space. When he kicked, it was like flutters. Then, heavy feet that danced on my bladder," she recalled. "I had to pee every hour on the hour sometimes more." A smile spread across her face and a scowl replaced it. "Then, when it was near time, he kicked me straight in the ribs once and stole my breath."

"Ouch."

"That's an understatement," she said. "Mostly, it's amazing. I can't describe it."

Because he'd opened the box, he asked, "How was the birth?"

"I was stubborn," she admitted. "They asked if I wanted an epidural, but I didn't want him coming out all drugged up. So, I opted out. Boy, did I regret it."

He looked at her in amazement. "You did natural and no drugs?"

Opening her eyes, she lifted her chin. "Yes, I did. It hurt like nothing else, but when he was in my arms…" A tear slid down her cheek. "The pain of thirty-six hours was forgotten."

"Thirty-six hours?" His heart dropped. "I wish I'd have been there to help soothe you."

Guilt fluttered across her features and he released her foot and climbed over her. Resting to his side, he held her close. "Stop feeling guilty. It was just a comment." She relaxed and he asked. "What did he look like when he was born?"

He toyed with her hair and watched the joy come into her eyes. "They put him on my chest, and he was messy," she said. He laughed imagining it wasn't pretty. But when he looked into my eyes, he was perfect." Her eyes misted over. He caught a tear with his fingertip. "The second he was born; I saw you in him."

"Really?" He kissed her cheek. "How so?" His heart clutched to finally hear the most intimate and special moments he missed out on.

"After they cleaned him off and put him in this onesie, he screamed to high heaven," she laughed. "When he screamed, these little dimples," she said tracing the ones on his face. "They popped out and it reminded me of you. He had your smile, which he rewarded me with for the first time when he was seven days old."

Rob grinned. "I love his smile." Tracing her face, he said, "He's got your eyes and my dad's ears."

"He looks like Jack," she agreed. "He has my father's hands," she whispered.

"You miss him." He kissed her fingers. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there when you lost him. I know how much he meant to you."

"You didn't know."

"Yes, I did. I had a lot going on and I wasn't ready to see you after we parted. I thought if I saw you, it would be too painful. I regret that decision. If I'd gone to the funeral, I would've known about Roland."

"It would've been more painful," she said.

"Maybe, but I don't think looking back and wishing is good for anyone." Kissing the ring on her finger, he said, "We can only go forward." Draping his hand over her belly, he stroked gently. "I'm gonna be here this time and I'm gonna make you happy."

She didn't say anything. "I don't want to mess around here, Regina. I love you. I want us to move forward after the new year and I want to move into the house."

Her breath caught. "I…"

"I've been patient," he said wrapping her close. "I promise to give you the independence and the space you need. But sleeping without you by my side is driving me insane." To prove it, he cupped her face and sunk into a long deep kiss. "I want to go to sleep with you by my side." He kissed her again.

"I want to wake up to your pretty face and I want to help you more than I've been able to. Especially with those puppies we've got in the kitchen." Tears were flowing freely down her face. "What is it, darlin'?" He wiped the tears away with his fingers and lips.

"I was going to wait until I could give you my gift," she said sniffling.

"What gift?"

Taking a deep breath, she said, "I was going to surprise you."

"Oh? What's the surprise?"

She smiled. "Well," she began hugging him closer. "It may shock you."

He nuzzled closer and said, "Nothing will shock me."

"No?" She lifted her head to meet his eyes. "Not even if I tell you I went to the doctor the other day because I wasn't feeling well?"

"What?" Suddenly concerned, he moved his hands over her to check for injury or harm. "Why didn't you tell me. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she said. "I figured out why I'm so sick all the time."

"Why?"

Surprising him, she wrapped her arms around him and brought his lips to hers. They shared a long lingering kiss and when she released him, she hugged him to her chest. In his ear, she indeed shocked him. "We're having twins. Merry Christmas."