A/N – Thanks for the comments! Oh, my goodness, I totally forgot to post yesterday, forgive me.

Chapter 71

The next day, Elizabeth said goodbye to her friends. While they wanted to stay, they have their own lives and Liz didn't want to be a big burden.

Jason shifted nervously as he spotted a car approaching.

"Who's that?"

"Well, I kind of did something that I know you won't be happy about."

Her eyes narrowed. "What?"

"You're going to grow faster with this pregnancy and have to watch your blood pressure. I would feel better if someone were here to help you around the house or for whatever you need."

"Jason…"

"I know you're not an invalid, but your safety means everything to me. Whether you want to admit it or not, this is a more dangerous pregnancy, and I don't want you worrying about doing everything. It should be as stress-free as possible."

She sighed heavily. While she truly gets what he is saying, she has always done everything herself. Letting go of the reigns will be difficult for her.

"There is a bedroom downstairs. She'll stay there for the next year and a half. That will get you through the pregnancy and she can help after the twins come home. After that, you can decide what you want to do. By then, we'll have a greater grasp on how things will run with the winery, so we'll know if we'll need someone full-time. She's young but wants to do this and maybe go teach after she's done here. It's flexible hours, except for when you're closer to delivering. Once we get the winery going, I do plan on stepping back. I still want to travel with you, we'll just have the babies with us."

She smiled. "I would like that."

"Then you'll agree?"

"I guess. What if I don't like her?"

"Then we'll find someone else."

The car got closer.

"How old is she?"

"She's twenty-three. She'll help with the cleaning and cooking. Believe it or not, she loves cooking."

"She'll have to fight Aidan."

Jason chuckled. "True."

A woman emerged from the car as Liz observes. She has shorter brown hair, brown eyes, and is petite. A smile widens on her face as she spotted Liz. They are a beautiful couple.

"Ciao!"

"Ciao," Elizabeth said.

"I'm Carina."

Liz is glad she speaks very good English.

"I'm Elizabeth, but you can call me Liz."

"Molto bello," she said making Liz blush.

Jason made a motion for them to come into the house where Liz showed her where she'd be staying. After retrieving some cold water, they go onto the porch to get to know each other.

"So, what do you like to do in your spare time?" Liz asked.

"I love the water and painting watercolors."

"I used to paint a lot. I plan on picking that back up. I want to paint the nursery." She explained some of her options and can tell Carina is excited about it.

"Do you have any concerns?"

"A few."

"Please, I prefer that you be honest." Carina had lost one other job because the wife was very jealous. She wasn't given a chance due to her age.

"I'm not a jealous person, but—"

"Your husband is very handsome, and you don't know me or my intentions?"

"Yes. You wouldn't believe some of the women he attracts."

Carina chuckled due to Liz's expression. "Well, he is handsome, but I don't date older men and I like girls."

"Oh."

"Is that a problem?"

"Not at all. All I ask is that if you use the pool or lay out, since I do have a younger teenage son in the house, that you watch what you're wearing. His name is Aidan."

"I will dress appropriately." She's not one for being showy anyway.

"Thank you."

"Jason said you're used to handling everything, so this will be hard on you."

"Yes. We weren't expecting multiple births. I have three boys already, but this is my first experience with twins."

"Well, I will help whenever possible. Let me take care of the general cleaning and if something is out of bounds, like your bedroom, that's fine with me. I can still clean your bathroom though."

Liz nodded. "Tell me why you want this job."

"I went to school for teaching and eventually, I want to do that, but just wasn't ready for it. Jason said the job is flexible hours and that I'd have free time. The money is great, and I love kids, so I figured it's a perfect scenario for me. I can take the break I want and still have some free time."

"We have two older sons, Jake and Cam. They'll be living here as well."

"Okay, so I'll be cooking for six?"

"Well, there are a few other people like Jason's twin brother and his kids that may join us."

She smiled. "I don't mind cooking big."

"I have to warn you, Aidan is an aspiring chef, so he likes cooking as well."

"We can work together and maybe teach other things. I'm okay with that. My mother is an accomplished chef. I learned a lot from her. We have a family restaurant."

"Nice. Maybe we can all go."

"She would love that."

"Welcome to the family."

Carina smiled. "Thank you. You won't be disappointed."

"Are you sure you're okay with living here?"

"Yes! It was either that or I was getting my own apartment. I love my mom, but she is always trying to set me up with someone. She's driving me crazy."

Liz laughed.

Jason watched them.

"She seems nice," Johnny said.

"Yeah. I thought they'd get along."

"She's young."

"Yes. She's also a lesbian which doesn't matter to me, but at least I don't have to worry about crushes with the boys."

Johnny smiled. "I think Jake and Cam are pretty taken right now. Aidan is just kind of getting into girls. I think he likes blondes." At least that is who he seemed to be hanging with in Palermo.

"Got a minute?"

"Yeah, what's on your mind. Let's take a walk."

They went out back and moved towards the vines.

"Tess thinks I need to let out how I'm feeling. Can you handle it?"

"I'm all ears." For Jason to seek out a heavy conversion is rare, so Johnny is at full attention.

"I can't shake the feeling that this pregnancy could hurt her. As much as I wanted to have another child, I didn't want it at Elizabeth's expense."

"We'll all watch out for her."

"I know."

"Is that partly why you felt the need to hire Carina?"

"Yes. I wanted to take some of the stress off Elizabeth. She always thinks she has to do everything herself."

"It will be easier for you too. We have a lot of learning to do. The next year will be a bit hectic. Knowing someone is around her will keep you calm."

"Yeah."

"Just don't go into full protector mode. She needs you to see things from her point of view. From what I've read, her body will change faster, so sometimes they get insecure about how they look."

It pleased Jason that Johnny would go out of his way to understand the situation. "She'll always be beautiful to me."

"Don't let her forget it. Just be how you usually are and let her know how you feel. You can't tell her what to do all the time either."

"Fine."

Johnny smirked. "You can be heavy-handed."

Jason rolled his eyes. "I'm just trying to protect her."

"She needs you to love and trust her."

"I do."

"Then don't forget to act like it. She knows her body and limits."

"If only this situation were reversed, and you had knocked up Brenda. I seriously doubt that you'd be hands-off."

Johnny laughed. "I met Alex."

"And?"

"We're cool. He's the same age as Jake."

"I still can't believe you're with her."

"Me either, but I'm crazy about her. It hasn't been that long, but I think I want to marry her."

Jason froze.

"I know you have this past that's complicated but can you just forget the sarcasm and answer me straight?"

"Yes. What do you want to know?"

"Just—tell me what you really think of her."

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. "Brenda used to be opinionated, emotional, passionate, obstinate, illogical, selfish, and a pain in my ass because she never wanted to listen. I'll admit, I don't know who she is today, so it's harder for me to be objective. On the flip side, she can be loyal, and even though for a while she hated me, she still cared. Sonny did a number on her. She lashed a lot of her fury out on me because I was there, but I could take it. For a long time, it was volatile between us, but we came to an understanding. In a way, I was a constant in her life even though it was never under the best circumstances."

"Do you hate her?"

"No. She just knows how to push my buttons. I think Brenda just always wanted to be thoroughly loved and not discarded. Just, don't hurt her. She is tough but can be very fragile. She loves with her whole heart and too many people have stomped all over it."

Johnny nodded. "Admit it, you love her."

Jason groaned making his friend laugh.

"Thank you for saying that even if it killed you."

Jason sighed. Brenda had always made it hard to totally feel bad for her because she was so mean and furious all the time. Their warm and fuzzy interactions were few and far between.

"She told me that even though you drive her crazy, she loves you. According to her, Elizabeth is a miracle worker."

"Are you trying to make me like her or hate her?"

A grin lit up Johnny's face. "I was hoping you'd admit that you love her."

"Whatever…"

"I'll take that as a yes. She will be thrilled."

"I'm done with you."

Johnny laughed. "Come on, let's get back to our girl."

Jason grumbled the whole way back.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

A month later, everything was in order. Some of Drew's things had been delivered and Liz and Carina got them unpacked. Liz wasn't allowed to lift anything heavy, but she is good at organizing. Hopefully, Drew will be okay with her choices.

Today, Cam is in Rome with Emma, and Carina took off for the day, so Liz sat on the porch and is pleased to find her husband waiting. He looks so handsome with his skin kissed by the sun.

"Hey."

She smiled. "How's it going out there?"

"It's a lot of work. We're just trying to get our bearings."

"Are you hungry?"

"I could eat."

"Where are Francis and Johnny?"

"They needed to run into town so, they'll eat there. Drew is taking Alana to the park."

She stood, naughty things going through her mind.

He eyed her stomach. "How are my babies?"

"They are good. Come on, I need to feed them."

They ventured to the kitchen and she made two different sandwiches.

His brow rose. "Peanut butter, pickles, and bananas?"

"Yeah. I thought about hot sauce, but I couldn't find it."

His stomach rolled making him put his sandwich down.

She grinned. "I know it's odd, but it tastes so good."

"I'll take your word for it."

She hummed as she ate, making him grin. Once the sandwiches were devoured, she took a peach out of the fridge and cut it in quarters. Dipping one into her mouth, she groaned before pushing one into his.

"Sweet," he said as he gulped it down.

When she leaned forward, he met her halfway and they kissed, each relishing the sweetness of the other.

"I want you," she said before kissing him again.

The chair flew backward as he stood and then sat her on the counter.

"Where is Cam?"

"He'll be gone for a few hours. He left twenty minutes ago."

"Good, because I can't make it upstairs." They rarely have time alone like this.

He quickly slipped off her underwear and pushed up her sundress. Next, his pants were dropped and then he feasted at her core for several minutes until she was begging him to fuck her.

When he slammed forward, her back arched and he sucked her nipple through the dress.

"Jason, harder."

He grunted as his hips moved faster and she gripped him like a glove as she chanted his name. Her body is vibrating with his thrusts and she is so close.

Sensing the tension, he kissed her wildly as his thumb found her clit and Elizabeth let out a keening sound as ecstasy slammed through her body. A few thrusts later, Jason poured his essence into her as her body quaked.

She sighed as she wrapped her arms around him. "So good…"

"Always…"

He pulled out and smiled at the flush on her face.

"What?"

"You're so beautiful, Elizabeth. Sometimes I look at you and wonder how in the world you were attracted to someone like me."

She blinked a few times. "Jason, you're gorgeous."

"You know what I mean."

"To me, everything about you is poetry in motion. I love you, and I dare anyone to talk bad about my man."

He smiled. "Thanks for having my back."

"Always…"

He gently placed her feet on the floor and gave her the panties.

"Come on, let's go get cleaned up."

After pulling up his pants, he followed her upstairs. The shower led to round number two and after that, Liz was out for the count, so Jason went back to work.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth was so happy when Jake and Aidan walked through the door.

They froze when they saw her belly and she pouted.

"I know I'm fat."

"Mom! You're pregnant, not fat," Jake said.

Wow, you look great," Aidan said before hugging her.

"I missed you. Did you grow more?"

Aidan grinned. "A little bit…"

Jake patiently waited to be inspected. His mother eyed him from head to toe before tugging him against her.

"Did I pass the test?"

"I think so."

He smiled. "You look beautiful, mom. I can't wait to meet them."

"Me too."

Jason joined them. "Hey."

Hugs are exchanged and the boys start rambling about a new game and then they headed into the den to set it up.

"They have one-track minds," Liz said.

Jason kissed her languidly before retreating. "I'm going to go help."

She laughed. He had missed them too.

A squeal filled the air stopping Jason in his tracks.

"Unca," Alana said bouncing in her father's arms.

"Hey, beautiful," Jason said before grabbing her. She dove against him and Jason savored it. "You're getting bigger."

She held up three fingers, something she had just learned since her birthday was recent.

"Wow, that's right."

Liz tried to sneak up to them.

"Auntie," Alana said before Liz pulled her against her and warmly embraced her.

"Hello, Alana. I missed you."

"Miss you."

Liz's eyes pricked with tears. "She's growing so fast."

Drew smiled.

Alana followed Jason into the other room.

"You look great."

Liz smiled. "I'm getting bigger by the second, but I do feel blessed."

"Are they moving around yet?"

"It's a little early for that, but I'm getting an ultrasound tomorrow. We should find out what we're having."

Drew smiled. "That's great. Do you have any premonitions?"

"I think they are girls, but maybe that is wishful thinking."

"Jason with two girls. He's gonna be whipped."

She chuckled. "I know, but it will be so cute." She held out her hand and he grabbed it. "Come on, let's see what everyone is up to."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason tightly gripped Elizabeth's hand as he watched the doctor swipe the wand over Liz's belly. The sound of heartbeats fills the room and it's beautiful.

The doctor smiled. "Okay, this twin is slightly bigger and it's a girl."

The Morgans grinned.

"This one is a little stubborn but wait, I think I got it. It's another girl."

Liz is so happy. Two pictures are printed.

Jason is overcome. He looks down as the doctor leaves and then leans his head on the bed as Liz strokes his hair.

"Talk to me," she whispered.

Slowly, he raises his head and her heart leaped when she spotted tears.

"I just—I'm going to be a dad again and I'm so thankful. I don't know what the heck I'm going to do with two girls, but I'll learn."

She smiled. "You'll be fine. I have a feeling I'll be the disciplinarian though." Their daughters already have him wrapped. The look of love in his eyes is amazing.

He wiped his face. "We need two names."

"I want Lila Audrey for one." Audrey is going to visit closer to the due date.

"Lila would have loved that."

"You think Skye will mind?"

"Are we ever going to see her?" Jason said.

Liz chuckled. "Aright, you get to pick the other one."

"I'll start making some lists."

"Were you thinking of using Emily's name?"

"I don't know. I'll see how it works out."

She got dressed and then they went home to share the good news.