Chapter 26
"I can't believe you volunteered to keep Jake tonight," Luis laughed. "After his little stunt." "Luis," Sheridan smiled. "Who shoved cake in my mouth in the first place? Giving Jake his bright ideas? Come on. Be a man. Admit it," she teased. "Hey," Luis joked. "It wasn't MY fault. MJ did it first." "Blaming your own nephew," Sheridan scoffed. Settling in his lap and looping her arms loosely about his neck. "Luis.you should be ashamed of yourself."
"Ashamed? I helped clean up the mess, didn't I?" Her blue eyes twinkled at him. "Okay," she conceded. "You did HELP. Ali's party was a disaster, wasn't it?" she laughed.
"Yeah," he smirked. "But it was so much fun, Baby. Think of the pictures. I already know which one is my favorite," he said. Resting his arms around her waist comfortably. "Oh.and which one is that?" she asked curiously. "You and Ali. Huge happy smiles. Faces covered with chocolate cake. The only thing recognizable about both of you.the blond hair and sparkling baby blues. I can't wait to show it to all the guys at work," he said. Half seriously. Half teasingly. "Luis!" she laughed. Smacking him soundly. "You wouldn't?" "Wouldn't I?" he grinned. "I happen to think it's a very sexy look for you."
"I love you," she sighed. Laying her head on his shoulder and twining her fingers with his. Luis kissed the crown of her head. "It's too quiet, Luis. What are they doing in there?" she said. Shifting in his lap and making a move to get up. "Hey," he said. Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back in his lap. "Did you ever think they might be sleeping? It IS after their bedtime." "Luis," Sheridan said in disbelief. "If you think.when has Jake ever went straight to sleep? The kid is always into something. That's why I volunteered to keep him. He's wearing Gwen out. And the baby's not even here yet."
Luis chuckled and leaned up to give her a quick kiss on the lips. "I think he even has Hank beat. And Hank's the ultimate kid in a man's body. Relax," he said. Cupping her jaw in the palm of his hand. "Don't worry so much," he whispered. Feathering kisses over her brow. "But Lui.Mmm, Luis," she breathed. Returning his kiss and then some. "I knew that'd shut you up," he teased. Crushing his lips to hers again. Cutting off any weak protest she might have had. "Luis," she pouted. "You don't fight fair." "But you don't mind, do you?" he grinned. Slowly, one by one, unbuttoning the buttons on her shirt. He splayed his warm fingers across her flat stomach and leaned in for another kiss. This one gentle. Teasing. "Yes.No.I don't mind," she answered in a breathy voice as he trailed kisses down her neck. The feel of his breath in her ear making her shiver.
"Oh," she moaned softly. Her fingers in his black hair. Holding him to her. "Luis.what if.the kids." "What if the kids what?" he smirked. His dark eyes glittering with amusement at the helpless expression on her face. The smoky look in her blue eyes. "You were saying?" he whispered. Easing her shirt off her shoulder and kissing the newly exposed skin. "Damn you," she laughed softly. "You know I can't resist you when you're like this." "Only when I'm like this," Luis said in mock offense. Tickling her bare arms with his fingertips and pulling her closer. "I can't resist you at all," she said tenderly. Framing his face with her hands and giving him a lingering kiss on the lips. "Why do you think I love you so much?" Luis joked. "I got you eating out of the palm of my hand."
"Really?" Sheridan said. Arching a slender golden brow at his self- confidence. Well.he WAS right. But she wasn't going to come right out and tell him so. "It goes both ways, Buster." "Who's cocky now?" Luis laughed. Breathing in sharply when she gave him a challenging look and leaned in closer. Making the hair on the back of his neck stand up and his senses to go into overdrive when she started torturing him. "Sheridan," he groaned. Crushing her to him. His hand stroking the soft skin on the small at her back. "Come here," he growled. Kissing her fiercely. All thoughts of anything, anyone besides her wiped from his mind. Until."Yuck! Ali! Your mom just stuck her tongue down your dad's throat!" "Eww!!! Mommy?!?!" He rumbled with laughter. He didn't know it was possible for a human being to replicate that particular vibrant shade of red. But he shouldn't have been surprised. His wife was capable of ANYTHING. One of the reasons he loved her so much.
"Sleeping, huh? Luis.I am SO going to kill you."
Chapter 27
"Luis.I am SO going to kill you." Luis only laughed harder. This wasn't the first time this had happened. It seemed they could NEVER find a quiet moment to themselves. He should have known better than to try to seduce his wife with Hank's clone down the hall. And now their daughter was wearing an utterly repulsed expression on her adorable face. Sheridan's cheeks burned red as she hastily slipped button after button in place and scrambled off his lap.
"Ali.Jake.what exactly.what exactly did you see?" she stammered. Ducking her blond head down. Ali chewed on her bottom lip nervously while Jake grinned and gleefully responded, "EVERYTHING! My mom's got a black bra just like yours. It's Dad's favorite." "Oh god," Sheridan groaned. Covering her eyes with her hands. As much as she loved Jake.the kid had a BIG mouth. "Luis.help. Please," she sighed.
Luis grinned at the mischievous sparkle in Jake's brown eyes. He knew that look. Hank had the same look in his eyes the night they found Sam hot and heavy with a mysterious blond years ago. Bribery had kept his silence for a little while. He didn't think it would work with Jake. But he had to try something. Or Sheridan was going to.best not to think about that now. "Jake," he said in as stern a voice as he could muster. "You weren't supposed to see that," he said in a low voice. Ignoring Sheridan's glare.
"Duh," Jake said. Rolling his eyes. "You're not supposed to be in the living room either," he said. Crossing his arms over his chest. "Oh," Luis said with raised brows. "And where am I SUPPOSED to be?" "I dunno," he shrugged. "But you're supposed to lock the door," he supplied. "That's what my mom and dad always do when they get all lovey-dovey. And they make me watch cartoons. Lots of cartoons. I get to turn them up as loud as I want to," he grinned.
Sheridan's face flushed even brighter. If that were at all possible. And she burst into nervous laughter. NOTHING gets past this kid, she thought. Tugging Ali forward into her arms. "You missed a button, Mommy," Ali said in a quiet voice. "Thanks, Baby," she smiled sheepishly. Looking down at her haphazardly thrown on garment and its zigzag of buttons. Her mouth hung open when Jake said, "I know what you guys were doing. Having." Luis clamped his hand over Jake's mouth. "Don't say anything else," Luis ordered. "Okay?" Jake's brown eyes clouded with confusion. But he nodded his head slowly. He wasn't a dummy. Luis was never going to move his hand if he didn't agree.
"What's the big deal? Dylan says." "Forget about Dylan right now, Buddy," Luis said. The smile on his face faltering when he realized Jake was NOT going to let this drop. Not at all. "You saw something private, and I'd really appreciate it if you would not talk about it to anyone else." "Because it's bad?" Ali asked. Her blue eyes studying her mother's. "No, Baby," Sheridan whispered. Stroking Ali's blond locks affectionately. "It's not bad. You know your daddy and mommy love each other, right?" Ali's face lit up with a beautiful smile. "Well.we were." "Having sex," Jake piped in. Luis groaned. Dylan...no doubt. Thanking God the phone rang at that precise moment. He rushed to answer it while Sheridan's blue eyes flashed at him. "Mommy? What's Jake talking about? What's sex?"
"Hank! Nice timing. Your kid is really something, Friend. What? She is? I'll tell Sheridan. Yeah. We're on our way!" he said. Hurriedly replacing the phone on the hook. "The birds and the bees talk is going to have to wait," he grinned. "Jake.that was you dad. Your mom's in labor. Looks like you're going to meet your little sister tonight." Jake's mouth hung open. "Mom's having the baby? Now?" "Yes.now," Luis laughed. "Come on. We have to get you guys dressed so we can get to the hospital," Sheridan smiled. Taking Jake's hand in one of hers while Ali led the way.
"Sheridan.Mom won't have the baby without me, will she?" Jake asked. Looking all of his six years. A fleeting moment. The next instant his brown eyes shone devilishly. "I can't wait to boss her around. She's going to do everything I tell her to. Not like Ali. Ali doesn't listen to me at all. I can't fool her. But the new baby.she's going to be so easy," he grinned. Racing off to Ali's room to get his clothes. Sheridan sighed. "I think you're in for a big surprise, Jake. You're going to be the one wrapped around HER little finger. You'll see," she smiled. Squealing when Luis grabbed her from behind and threw her over his shoulder as he hurried the rest of the way to their bedroom. "Luis!"
Chapter 28
"Uncle Sam!" Jake yelled. Racing down the hospital's halls and skidding to a stop just inches from his uncle. "Where's my mom? Did she have the baby yet? Is it really a baby and not an alien? Uncle Sam." Sam grabbed Jake's little shoulders calmly with a grin on his face. "Breathe," he ordered. "I can only answer one question at a time, Jake," he chuckled. "Relax.your mom didn't have the baby without you. And I'm sure your little sister is NOT an alien." Jake remained unconvinced. "Mommy," Ali whispered sleepily. Twisting a strand of Sheridan's blond hair around her pinkie. "Will the baby be slimy?" she asked. Her tiny nose wrinkled at the thought. "And green?" she yawned.
Sheridan laughed. "No, Sweetie. The baby won't be green." "Good," Ali smiled. Closing her eyes and snuggling closer. "Jake said she'd be green like Kermit. Kermit's not very cute, Mommy," she mumbled. Jake rolled his brown eyes and crossed his arms. "You wanna bet?" Luis tousled Jake's mop of brown hair affectionately and played along. "Sure. Twenty bucks." Jake's eyes widened comically. Twenty bucks! He couldn't wait! Whoa! He could do a lot with that kind of money. "Uncle Sam," he whined. "You never did tell me where my mom was."
"BENNETT! YOU DID THIS TO ME! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Jake's face lit up into a grin. "Mom!" The hospital door a few feet down the hall opened, and Hank shot out like a bullet. His hands held protectively over his head. "Jake," Sam laughed. "I thought you wanted to see your mom." Jake peeked around Grace's legs and shook his head. "Um.maybe later." Kay giggled. "Come on, Jake. I'll take you to see her." "N-o-o-o," he shook his head again. "No," he cried. Sam couldn't stop laughing as he watched his daughter drag his nephew down the hall. The little guy had a look of horror on his face.
Hank rubbed his head gingerly. "Man.this is worse than last time. What do you think, Luis? Do I need stitches?" Luis smirked at his best friend as he inspected his wound. "Nope," he said. Giving him a brotherly slap on the back. "It's just a little red," Sheridan said softly. Unable to wipe the smile from her face. Ali sighed in her sleep, and Grace smiled. Stroking her blond hair back from her forehead. "Here," she offered. "I'll take her. Why don't you go see Gwen? I think Jake will feel safer with you in there."
"Jake.come closer," Gwen pleaded. A grimace on her face as the next contraction knocked the breath out of her lungs. Jake stayed where he was. At the foot of the bed. Only Kay's firm grasp on his shoulders kept him from bolting. "Hi," Sheridan smiled. Pushing the door open gently and stepping inside. She picked up the damp cloth Hank had abandoned in his flight and dabbed Gwen's brow. "I think you're doing good."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right," she muttered. "Is Hank okay? I really didn't mean to hurt him." Sheridan's blue eyes sparkled with humor. "Well.his head's a little sore. But he doesn't need stitches," she laughed. "Sheridan.what's wrong with me?" Gwen groaned guiltily. "One minute all I want is him holding my hand. Helping me through this. The next minute.the next minute I absolutely HATE to see his grinning face. And everything he says gets on my last nerve."
Jake snickered. "Jake," Gwen warned. "Jake.please come here." Jake took baby steps to his mother's side. "Oh, Jake," Gwen sniffled. "I love you so much." "Mom," Jake whined. "You're getting all mushy." "She can't help it," Sheridan said. Kay laughed. Sheridan's word was golden with Jake. "I need a kiss. For good luck." Jake's brown eyes darted around the room self- consciously. Then he leaned over to whisper in Gwen's ear. "I can't do it with them watching." Sheridan bit her lip to keep from laughing, but Kay didn't even try. So Jake stuck his tongue out at her.
"Okay. Okay. Yes, Drill Sergeant," she cracked. Saluting her six-year-old cousin and turning around. "No peeking!" Of course they didn't listen. "Aww. How cute," Kay smiled as she watched Jake kiss Gwen sweetly on the cheek. It was a chorus of aww's when Jake leaned down and kissed Gwen's swollen belly. "Hurry up, will you? 'Cause I have so much good stuff to tell on Ali's Mom and Dad." "And the Kodak moment is over. Bye. Tell your dad I want to see him." "Not so fast," a voice said. "Tell him the grandfather would like to spend some quality time alone with his daughter."
"Daddy," Gwen sniffled. "I'm so glad you're here," she said. Burying her face in his shoulder and breathing in his comforting scent. "Where's Mother?" Jonathan's blue eyes twinkled. "Outside driving all your friends crazy," he chuckled. "She told me to tell you she loves you. But this whole deal brings back traumatic memories for her." Gwen snorted in laughter. "That's original. I'm beginning to think Jake didn't get ALL his tall tale skills from his father. Ow.Daddy.it hurts." Jonathan squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'll go get Hank." Gwen smiled at her father in thanks. Or at least tried to.
"How much longer?" Hank asked Eve as she examined his wife. "Not much," Eve smiled. "In fact.we're going to take you down to delivery right now. Hank.are you sure you're going to be okay?" Hank gritted his teeth and said, "Just dandy. Let's get this show on the road." "Hank.I'm so sorry." Hank stroked his wife's damp hair back from her forehead. "Don't worry about it, Babe. I'm fine. That's one hell of a grip you got there." Gwen looked at his bandaged hand and burst into tearful laughter. "You really should go have that hand X-rayed." "And miss out on my baby girl's grand entrance. Are you crazy, Babe? The hand can wait. This is more important." "I love you," Gwen whispered. And Hank leaned down to kiss her lips. Smirking when she started moaning in pain. "Who knew?" he joked.
"HANK BENNETT! YOU'RE NEVER TOUCHING ME AGAIN!" she screamed later as she pushed with all her might. "Eve," she panted. "Dr. Sorenson. Hank. Appointment. Tomorrow." Eve's smile grew wider. "Babe.no. Not that," Hank whined. "You really don't want to put me under the knife, do you?" "She's crowning. I can see the head." "Hear that, Babe? Push. Push. O-W-W!!!" Hank screamed as she squeezed his bandaged hand. A nurse rushed by his side. Dabbing HIS brow. "Mr. Bennett? Are you okay?" she asked. Her voice muffled behind her mask. "F-f-f-ine," he stammered. "Just fine." "Sir.are you sure?" Hank glowered at her. "We're kinda busy here."
"I can't do it anymore, Eve," Gwen gasped. "I'm so tired." "Gwen," Eve scolded. "Just a few more pushes, and you'll see that beautiful daughter of yours." "She's right. Come on, Babe. You can do it," he encouraged. Supporting her back. Wincing as she screamed in pain. "That's it. Push. You're doing great. One more. Just one more." "Hear that? She's almost here," he said with a shaky smile. He forgot all about the pain.all about anything else as Gwen pushed one last time. "AAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Tears rolled down his cheeks as he heard his baby daughter cry. "Our little girl," Gwen sniffled. Her smile lighting up the room. "Ready to cut the cord, Dad?" Eve smiled. "Yeah. Uh.need a little help here. With my injured hand and all." The nurse steadied his hand as he snipped the cord, and blue eyes blinked up at him.
"She's so beautiful. Looks just like her mother." Gwen's smile was brilliant as the tiny infant grasped her pinkie with her little hand. "We haven't even decided on a name yet." "Don't worry about it," Hank chuckled. "Remember how long it took Sheridan and Luis to name Cristian?" "Just a few more minutes, and we're going to have to clean her up," the nurse said softly. "Wait.Eve.can I?" Eve nodded her head. "But don't take long. I really shouldn't be doing this." "Thank you," Hank grinned. Kissing his wife's cheek. "I'm going to take her to meet the gang, Babe. And introduce Jake to his baby sister. Prove she's not an alien." Gwen rolled her eyes and laughed. "Your son."
"Hank," Sheridan cried. Jumping from the stiff hospital chair. Everyone else joined her. Crowding around Hank and the pink bundle. "Aww. She's so beautiful," Grace cooed. "Jake? Little Buddy. Come here. Meet your little sister." "Go on, Jake," Rebecca urged. Shoving him forward. "She won't bite. She doesn't have teeth," Jonathan teased. Jake peeked at the moving little mass in his dad's arms, and his brown eyes blinked. "She's not green. She's all red and wrinkly," he said. Confused as heck. "See?" Hank laughed. "Told you she wasn't an alien," Luis smirked. "Where's that twenty bucks, Little Man?" Jake scoffed at Luis's outstretched hand. "She is too. She's a Martian." A chorus of laughter rang out in the hushed hospital lobby, and Nurse Cratchet scowled at the group. "Mr. Bennett," the nurse poked her head out the delivery room door. "You're needed back in here." The smile on Hank's face fell as he ran back into the room. Handing the baby over to the nurse. "Oh my god!"
Chapter 29
"Uncle Sam.Luis." Jake panicked. "Is something wrong with my mom? Let me go see. No, Grandpa! I have to see my mom!" Jake yelled. Darting down the hall. His little hand was just inches from the door when a new voice startled him. "Dios Mio! Jacob Henry Bennett! You cannot go in there!" Jake bowed his head in humiliation. Leave it Ali's grandma. She used his full name. He knew what that meant. "Am I in trouble?" he mumbled. Martin handed Cristian to Sheridan and scooped the youngster up into his arms. "Trouble? You?" he chuckled. MJ's brown eyes lit up at the sight of his cousin. "J.J.J."
"No.you're NOT in trouble," Kay said. Taking her squirming son from Pilar's arms. "At least not this time," she smirked. "But don't do that again. Little kids aren't allowed in there," she said. Nodding her head toward the delivery room. "Hey," Jake scoffed. Crossing his arms defiantly. "I'm not little." Sam ran a tired hand over his features. Modern science couldn't have made a better clone of his brother if it had tried. He seemed to remember that particular phrase rolling off Hank's lips quite a lot.
Jake huffed in annoyance. "Why won't anyone tell me?" "Tell you what?" Pilar soothed. Wiping a smudge off of Jake's cheek and straightening the collar of his shirt. Rebecca rolled her eyes. These Lopez-Fitzgeralds and the domestic routine. Pee-lar was hardly a domestic goddess. Pee-lar wasn't any kind of goddess. "About my mom," Jake whined. Rubbing his eyes with his fists sleepily. "Your mom is fine," Jonathan smiled. "You'll see. Dr. Russell and all the nurses are taking care of her." "Mijo." Pilar whispered. "What is he talking about? Gwen?" "No.no, Mama. I'm sure everything is fine. Jake's probably worried 'cause Hank seemed a little scared." "Hank? Scared? Are you sure nothing's wrong, Mijo?"
"Everything's fine," Eve smiled. A bit sheepishly, Sheridan thought. What was going on here? "Dr. Russell.how's my daughter?" Jonathan asked. "Like I said, Mr. Hotchkiss. She's fine. A bit tired, but fine nonetheless." Grace studied her best friend suspiciously. "Dr. Russell?" the nurse said. Again peeking around the door. "He's still out cold. Do you want us to put him in the room with his wife?" Sam could swear the young woman's green eyes were laughing. "What?" he sputtered. "Oh my god!" Kay laughed. "What? What is it?" Jake asked in a puzzled voice. "The weenie passed out," Kay grinned. "Kay Bennett." "Sorry, Mom.Jake, your dad passed out in the delivery room," she said gleefully.
"No, he didn't," Jake challenged. "My dad isn't a wuss." Luis couldn't stop himself. He cracked up. "Mommy," Ali tugged on the tail of her mother's shirt. Her blue eyes bleary from sleep. "What's so funny? Does the baby look like Miss Piggy?" Rebecca's cheeks flamed red. Miss Piggy! Ugh! As soon as the man regained consciousness.she was going to throttle him. Jonathan chuckled. It was an innocent question.well, a rather odd question. But Ali didn't know the meaning behind the name. His grandson, however.Jake's brown eyes narrowed. "Grandma? The baby looks like Grandma?" "I'm going to kill him. That's it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to rid the world of that."
"Something wrong, Mrs. Hotchkiss?" Miguel said cluelessly. Rebecca threw her arms up in the air and stomped off. "Well," Sheridan said. Golden brows raised. "Forget her anti-psychotics this morning?" Kay queried. And Sheridan nearly choked on her own tongue. "Kay!" "Come on, Dad. I only speak the truth." Sam hung his head. "Come to think of it," Jonathan said slowly. "I think she did," he grinned goodnaturedly. "Eve.what about Gwen? And the baby? Everything check out okay? You never did.what happened?" Grace asked in confusion. Eve smiled at them all. Things were quieting down a bit. Until.
"Jake.you like surprises, right?" Jake nodded his head. "I love surprises," Ali whispered. Resting her blond head against her mother's leg. "So." "Let's just say your dad got a really big surprise. That's why he passed out. And for the record," she smiled. "I don't think your dad's a wuss. He was just.he was just overwhelmed." Sheridan's mouth formed an 'O', and she laughed. "What?" he glowered. "No.you're not saying.she didn't have.oh my god," Kay whooped. "Twins," Luis grinned. Jake's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Two! My mom had two babies?" Sam's cheeks hurt from smiling when Eve delivered the news they had been waiting for. "Twin girls. I don't know how I missed it. Jake.you have two little sisters." "NO! TWO!" he yelled in disgust. "Take it back! Put one back in! Two sisters! Too many girls! YUCK!" Luis died laughing. This was too much. Hank. Finally.more women than he could ask for.
Chapter 29
3 months later.
Ali twirled a strand of her long blond hair around her pinkie nervously. And chewed on her bottom lip from her post as the lookout. Her big blue eyes darted back and forth from Jake to the hallway. Across the nursery, Emily cooed happily in her crib. Her brown eyes twinkling at her older brother. Sara's little face was scrunched up and red as a beet. Sara was a screamer, and she was all set to go off in."All set," Jake proclaimed. "Jake.what if your mommy and daddy never figure out which one's which again?" Ali asked seriously. "What if." "Scaredy cat!" Jake teased. Sticking his tongue out at her. "Am not!" Ali hollered back. "Are too," Jake grinned. "Not!" Sara chose that exact moment for yet another practice session for her amazing set of pipes. Jake snatched his loot from atop the changing table. "Come on, Ali. Hurry up before my mom comes in here and tries to teach me how to change a diaper again. Emily has the worst poopy diapers." Ali paled considerably. She hated poopy diapers!
"Hey! Jake.little buddy. Ali. Where you two going so fast?" Hank asked. Rubbing the sleep from his brown eyes. Twins. He loved them to death. Almost literally. A man couldn't survive on only 4 hours of sleep a day the rest of his life. He pushed the door to the nursery open with a smile. His little darlings. Emily was a perpetual Pollyanna. Hmm. Wonder if Grace and his lovely wife were somehow related? Yeah right. And the moon was made of green cheese. But.maybe his moniker for her was wrong. Really, really wrong. BOTH of them were screaming. Sheesh! He'd place bets the Pope could hear them. Damn. What now? He never should have agreed to sit for four children while Gwen and Sheridan went out shopping. At least they took Cristian with them. Small blessings.
Ali's tiny chest heaved, and she laid a shaky hand over her heart. "We're going to get in so much trouble." Jake's brown eyes sparkled deviously as he snickered. "Dad will never figure out who's who." He stuffed the pastel socks in his pockets. Then changed his mind. The best didn't get caught red- handed. "Here," he said. Throwing the balled up socks at Ali. "Hold 'em." "No.Jake," Ali whined. "Jake Bennett! Are you terrorizing poor Ali again?" Jake froze in place. Ali's heart stopped beating altogether. "Mom," Jake stammered. Uh oh! Oh well, he thought. He wasn't going to be the one busted. "Hi kids," Sheridan said cheerily. Cristian on her hip. "Would you mind helping me out?" That was it. Jake was silly putty in Sheridan's hands. Gwen rolled her eyes. "Too bad you're already married to Luis, Sheridan. Jake's your own little slave in training."
"Hi baby," Sheridan smiled. Ali smiled back at her mother. She couldn't help it. Her mommy always made her smile. No matter what. Her mommy was going to be so mad at her. She just knew it. "Hi Mommy," she whispered. Holding the front door open for her. "Thank you." "Ali? Are the twins up yet?" Ali swallowed hard and nodded her blond head. "Uh huh." Sara's ear- splitting cries echoed off the house's walls. Or were they Emily's? Ali was afraid they'd never know again. And that thought was enough to make her cry. "Ali? What is it?" her mommy asked kindly. Her chin quivered, and the first tear fell. She was devastated. Her mommy was never going to smile at her again. "Oh," Sheridan sighed. Settling Cristian down in front of a gigantic mound of toys. "What's the matter? You can tell me. You know you can tell me anything." "Uh.I accidentally stomped on her foot, and it's still stinging," Jake piped up. Sheridan raised a brow at his explanation. How did someone accidentally 'stomp' on a foot? Was it even possible? "Is that it, Ali? Does your foot hurt?" Ali's shoulders quaked with her sobs. "It hurts real bad."
Jake rolled his eyes behind Sheridan's back and mouthed 'big baby.' Ali only cried harder. Guilt-ridden. "Oh my god! It's a miracle," Hank teased. Strolling into the living room with one of his beautiful daughter's in his arms. Fresh tear streaks down her pudgy cheeks. "I didn't have to alert Harmony's finest and file a missing person's report. Hey.what's wrong with our Miss Ali?" "Jake accidentally stomped on her foot." "What the.Jake! How do you accidentally do something like that?" Hank said. Twisting Jake's ear. "Ow! Mom! Help! Dad's going to pull my ear off!" Gwen laughed. "Kids.no more fighting." She plopped down on the sofa with a sigh. Sheridan slumped beside her. Ali curled up in her embrace. An eye kept on Cristian. Her son was turning into quite the sneaky little devil. Thanks to Jake and MJ, no doubt. Ah.such wonderful influences. "Hi there," she said. Tickling the baby's feet and making her giggle. "Sa.Em.you sure are ticklish, aren't you?" "Sheridan! They're three months old. Don't tell me you don't know who's Sara and who's Emily yet."
Hank paused his masterful demonstration of the 25 goofiest faces ever to Cristian. "And what's so bad about that? They're my kids, Babe. I can't even tell them apart without the damn so.I can't tell them apart," he finished. Shooting a panicked look Jake's way. Jake was quite the little actor. He shrugged his shoulders in feigned ignorance. "All they do is eat, sleep, and poop," he said. "That's all. Why bother naming them?" "Jake," Sheridan said in disbelief. A smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Anyway," she said teasingly. "I thought you got to name Sara." "He did," Gwen laughed. "He wanted to name her Sher." "Mom!" Jake was blushing furiously. Sheridan had never seen anything cuter in her entire life. "He wanted to name her something else. But it was a little too confusing." Sheridan smiled knowingly.
"Jake.little buddy," Hank hissed. "You got to help me out here. I can't tell the twins apart. Their socks are gone." "They're gone!" Gwen and Sheridan's heads snapped around at his raised voice. "That's it. What's going on here?" "Mommy," Ali sobbed. Clutching Sheridan's shirt in fistfuls. "Ali.do you know anything about this? Ali? Look at Mommy." "Don't do it!" Jake shouted. "It's all my fault," Hank interrupted. "We got the twins mixed up," he said shamefully. If it was this bad now.God help him in their teenage years. They'd be able to get away with anything. "Mommy.it's so terrible," Ali pouted. Jake huffed. Gwen knew her angelic son was to blame. Might as well let him stew a little. But not Ali. Goodness knows Ali didn't need it. She was almost to the point of needing therapy here and now.
Jake cocked his head to the side curiously as he watched his mom whisper something in Ali's ear. Ali buried her face in her mother's neck. Uh oh! Maybe they shouldn't have done it. "Jake.do you know what you've done?" his mom said gravely. This was serious. "I'm so upset with you," she said in a trembling voice. "How can I ever forgive you? You switched your sisters, and none of us knows them without their socks. Sara could grow up with Emily's name. Think of how awful that would be." Jake's brown hair fell forward. Into his eyes as he bowed his head. That would be pretty bad. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "There's only thing to do," his father said. Was it his imagination or did his dad think this was funny? And why? He'd mixed the twins up, too. "You have to go live with Grandma. That's a fitting punishment for this crime, don't you think?" Jake gulped. Not Grandma. "MOM! NOT GRANDMA! NO! PLEASE! I DIDN'T MEAN TO MIX THEM UP. I SWEAR. PLEASE! NOT GRANDMA." Gwen couldn't hold it back any longer. She shook with laughter. And Ali's peals of laughter made Cristian cackle with delight. "Calm down, Buddy. Can't you take a joke?" Jake threw himself into the mound of pillows beside Cristian. "THANK THE LORD!"
"I can't believe you volunteered to keep Jake tonight," Luis laughed. "After his little stunt." "Luis," Sheridan smiled. "Who shoved cake in my mouth in the first place? Giving Jake his bright ideas? Come on. Be a man. Admit it," she teased. "Hey," Luis joked. "It wasn't MY fault. MJ did it first." "Blaming your own nephew," Sheridan scoffed. Settling in his lap and looping her arms loosely about his neck. "Luis.you should be ashamed of yourself."
"Ashamed? I helped clean up the mess, didn't I?" Her blue eyes twinkled at him. "Okay," she conceded. "You did HELP. Ali's party was a disaster, wasn't it?" she laughed.
"Yeah," he smirked. "But it was so much fun, Baby. Think of the pictures. I already know which one is my favorite," he said. Resting his arms around her waist comfortably. "Oh.and which one is that?" she asked curiously. "You and Ali. Huge happy smiles. Faces covered with chocolate cake. The only thing recognizable about both of you.the blond hair and sparkling baby blues. I can't wait to show it to all the guys at work," he said. Half seriously. Half teasingly. "Luis!" she laughed. Smacking him soundly. "You wouldn't?" "Wouldn't I?" he grinned. "I happen to think it's a very sexy look for you."
"I love you," she sighed. Laying her head on his shoulder and twining her fingers with his. Luis kissed the crown of her head. "It's too quiet, Luis. What are they doing in there?" she said. Shifting in his lap and making a move to get up. "Hey," he said. Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back in his lap. "Did you ever think they might be sleeping? It IS after their bedtime." "Luis," Sheridan said in disbelief. "If you think.when has Jake ever went straight to sleep? The kid is always into something. That's why I volunteered to keep him. He's wearing Gwen out. And the baby's not even here yet."
Luis chuckled and leaned up to give her a quick kiss on the lips. "I think he even has Hank beat. And Hank's the ultimate kid in a man's body. Relax," he said. Cupping her jaw in the palm of his hand. "Don't worry so much," he whispered. Feathering kisses over her brow. "But Lui.Mmm, Luis," she breathed. Returning his kiss and then some. "I knew that'd shut you up," he teased. Crushing his lips to hers again. Cutting off any weak protest she might have had. "Luis," she pouted. "You don't fight fair." "But you don't mind, do you?" he grinned. Slowly, one by one, unbuttoning the buttons on her shirt. He splayed his warm fingers across her flat stomach and leaned in for another kiss. This one gentle. Teasing. "Yes.No.I don't mind," she answered in a breathy voice as he trailed kisses down her neck. The feel of his breath in her ear making her shiver.
"Oh," she moaned softly. Her fingers in his black hair. Holding him to her. "Luis.what if.the kids." "What if the kids what?" he smirked. His dark eyes glittering with amusement at the helpless expression on her face. The smoky look in her blue eyes. "You were saying?" he whispered. Easing her shirt off her shoulder and kissing the newly exposed skin. "Damn you," she laughed softly. "You know I can't resist you when you're like this." "Only when I'm like this," Luis said in mock offense. Tickling her bare arms with his fingertips and pulling her closer. "I can't resist you at all," she said tenderly. Framing his face with her hands and giving him a lingering kiss on the lips. "Why do you think I love you so much?" Luis joked. "I got you eating out of the palm of my hand."
"Really?" Sheridan said. Arching a slender golden brow at his self- confidence. Well.he WAS right. But she wasn't going to come right out and tell him so. "It goes both ways, Buster." "Who's cocky now?" Luis laughed. Breathing in sharply when she gave him a challenging look and leaned in closer. Making the hair on the back of his neck stand up and his senses to go into overdrive when she started torturing him. "Sheridan," he groaned. Crushing her to him. His hand stroking the soft skin on the small at her back. "Come here," he growled. Kissing her fiercely. All thoughts of anything, anyone besides her wiped from his mind. Until."Yuck! Ali! Your mom just stuck her tongue down your dad's throat!" "Eww!!! Mommy?!?!" He rumbled with laughter. He didn't know it was possible for a human being to replicate that particular vibrant shade of red. But he shouldn't have been surprised. His wife was capable of ANYTHING. One of the reasons he loved her so much.
"Sleeping, huh? Luis.I am SO going to kill you."
Chapter 27
"Luis.I am SO going to kill you." Luis only laughed harder. This wasn't the first time this had happened. It seemed they could NEVER find a quiet moment to themselves. He should have known better than to try to seduce his wife with Hank's clone down the hall. And now their daughter was wearing an utterly repulsed expression on her adorable face. Sheridan's cheeks burned red as she hastily slipped button after button in place and scrambled off his lap.
"Ali.Jake.what exactly.what exactly did you see?" she stammered. Ducking her blond head down. Ali chewed on her bottom lip nervously while Jake grinned and gleefully responded, "EVERYTHING! My mom's got a black bra just like yours. It's Dad's favorite." "Oh god," Sheridan groaned. Covering her eyes with her hands. As much as she loved Jake.the kid had a BIG mouth. "Luis.help. Please," she sighed.
Luis grinned at the mischievous sparkle in Jake's brown eyes. He knew that look. Hank had the same look in his eyes the night they found Sam hot and heavy with a mysterious blond years ago. Bribery had kept his silence for a little while. He didn't think it would work with Jake. But he had to try something. Or Sheridan was going to.best not to think about that now. "Jake," he said in as stern a voice as he could muster. "You weren't supposed to see that," he said in a low voice. Ignoring Sheridan's glare.
"Duh," Jake said. Rolling his eyes. "You're not supposed to be in the living room either," he said. Crossing his arms over his chest. "Oh," Luis said with raised brows. "And where am I SUPPOSED to be?" "I dunno," he shrugged. "But you're supposed to lock the door," he supplied. "That's what my mom and dad always do when they get all lovey-dovey. And they make me watch cartoons. Lots of cartoons. I get to turn them up as loud as I want to," he grinned.
Sheridan's face flushed even brighter. If that were at all possible. And she burst into nervous laughter. NOTHING gets past this kid, she thought. Tugging Ali forward into her arms. "You missed a button, Mommy," Ali said in a quiet voice. "Thanks, Baby," she smiled sheepishly. Looking down at her haphazardly thrown on garment and its zigzag of buttons. Her mouth hung open when Jake said, "I know what you guys were doing. Having." Luis clamped his hand over Jake's mouth. "Don't say anything else," Luis ordered. "Okay?" Jake's brown eyes clouded with confusion. But he nodded his head slowly. He wasn't a dummy. Luis was never going to move his hand if he didn't agree.
"What's the big deal? Dylan says." "Forget about Dylan right now, Buddy," Luis said. The smile on his face faltering when he realized Jake was NOT going to let this drop. Not at all. "You saw something private, and I'd really appreciate it if you would not talk about it to anyone else." "Because it's bad?" Ali asked. Her blue eyes studying her mother's. "No, Baby," Sheridan whispered. Stroking Ali's blond locks affectionately. "It's not bad. You know your daddy and mommy love each other, right?" Ali's face lit up with a beautiful smile. "Well.we were." "Having sex," Jake piped in. Luis groaned. Dylan...no doubt. Thanking God the phone rang at that precise moment. He rushed to answer it while Sheridan's blue eyes flashed at him. "Mommy? What's Jake talking about? What's sex?"
"Hank! Nice timing. Your kid is really something, Friend. What? She is? I'll tell Sheridan. Yeah. We're on our way!" he said. Hurriedly replacing the phone on the hook. "The birds and the bees talk is going to have to wait," he grinned. "Jake.that was you dad. Your mom's in labor. Looks like you're going to meet your little sister tonight." Jake's mouth hung open. "Mom's having the baby? Now?" "Yes.now," Luis laughed. "Come on. We have to get you guys dressed so we can get to the hospital," Sheridan smiled. Taking Jake's hand in one of hers while Ali led the way.
"Sheridan.Mom won't have the baby without me, will she?" Jake asked. Looking all of his six years. A fleeting moment. The next instant his brown eyes shone devilishly. "I can't wait to boss her around. She's going to do everything I tell her to. Not like Ali. Ali doesn't listen to me at all. I can't fool her. But the new baby.she's going to be so easy," he grinned. Racing off to Ali's room to get his clothes. Sheridan sighed. "I think you're in for a big surprise, Jake. You're going to be the one wrapped around HER little finger. You'll see," she smiled. Squealing when Luis grabbed her from behind and threw her over his shoulder as he hurried the rest of the way to their bedroom. "Luis!"
Chapter 28
"Uncle Sam!" Jake yelled. Racing down the hospital's halls and skidding to a stop just inches from his uncle. "Where's my mom? Did she have the baby yet? Is it really a baby and not an alien? Uncle Sam." Sam grabbed Jake's little shoulders calmly with a grin on his face. "Breathe," he ordered. "I can only answer one question at a time, Jake," he chuckled. "Relax.your mom didn't have the baby without you. And I'm sure your little sister is NOT an alien." Jake remained unconvinced. "Mommy," Ali whispered sleepily. Twisting a strand of Sheridan's blond hair around her pinkie. "Will the baby be slimy?" she asked. Her tiny nose wrinkled at the thought. "And green?" she yawned.
Sheridan laughed. "No, Sweetie. The baby won't be green." "Good," Ali smiled. Closing her eyes and snuggling closer. "Jake said she'd be green like Kermit. Kermit's not very cute, Mommy," she mumbled. Jake rolled his brown eyes and crossed his arms. "You wanna bet?" Luis tousled Jake's mop of brown hair affectionately and played along. "Sure. Twenty bucks." Jake's eyes widened comically. Twenty bucks! He couldn't wait! Whoa! He could do a lot with that kind of money. "Uncle Sam," he whined. "You never did tell me where my mom was."
"BENNETT! YOU DID THIS TO ME! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Jake's face lit up into a grin. "Mom!" The hospital door a few feet down the hall opened, and Hank shot out like a bullet. His hands held protectively over his head. "Jake," Sam laughed. "I thought you wanted to see your mom." Jake peeked around Grace's legs and shook his head. "Um.maybe later." Kay giggled. "Come on, Jake. I'll take you to see her." "N-o-o-o," he shook his head again. "No," he cried. Sam couldn't stop laughing as he watched his daughter drag his nephew down the hall. The little guy had a look of horror on his face.
Hank rubbed his head gingerly. "Man.this is worse than last time. What do you think, Luis? Do I need stitches?" Luis smirked at his best friend as he inspected his wound. "Nope," he said. Giving him a brotherly slap on the back. "It's just a little red," Sheridan said softly. Unable to wipe the smile from her face. Ali sighed in her sleep, and Grace smiled. Stroking her blond hair back from her forehead. "Here," she offered. "I'll take her. Why don't you go see Gwen? I think Jake will feel safer with you in there."
"Jake.come closer," Gwen pleaded. A grimace on her face as the next contraction knocked the breath out of her lungs. Jake stayed where he was. At the foot of the bed. Only Kay's firm grasp on his shoulders kept him from bolting. "Hi," Sheridan smiled. Pushing the door open gently and stepping inside. She picked up the damp cloth Hank had abandoned in his flight and dabbed Gwen's brow. "I think you're doing good."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right," she muttered. "Is Hank okay? I really didn't mean to hurt him." Sheridan's blue eyes sparkled with humor. "Well.his head's a little sore. But he doesn't need stitches," she laughed. "Sheridan.what's wrong with me?" Gwen groaned guiltily. "One minute all I want is him holding my hand. Helping me through this. The next minute.the next minute I absolutely HATE to see his grinning face. And everything he says gets on my last nerve."
Jake snickered. "Jake," Gwen warned. "Jake.please come here." Jake took baby steps to his mother's side. "Oh, Jake," Gwen sniffled. "I love you so much." "Mom," Jake whined. "You're getting all mushy." "She can't help it," Sheridan said. Kay laughed. Sheridan's word was golden with Jake. "I need a kiss. For good luck." Jake's brown eyes darted around the room self- consciously. Then he leaned over to whisper in Gwen's ear. "I can't do it with them watching." Sheridan bit her lip to keep from laughing, but Kay didn't even try. So Jake stuck his tongue out at her.
"Okay. Okay. Yes, Drill Sergeant," she cracked. Saluting her six-year-old cousin and turning around. "No peeking!" Of course they didn't listen. "Aww. How cute," Kay smiled as she watched Jake kiss Gwen sweetly on the cheek. It was a chorus of aww's when Jake leaned down and kissed Gwen's swollen belly. "Hurry up, will you? 'Cause I have so much good stuff to tell on Ali's Mom and Dad." "And the Kodak moment is over. Bye. Tell your dad I want to see him." "Not so fast," a voice said. "Tell him the grandfather would like to spend some quality time alone with his daughter."
"Daddy," Gwen sniffled. "I'm so glad you're here," she said. Burying her face in his shoulder and breathing in his comforting scent. "Where's Mother?" Jonathan's blue eyes twinkled. "Outside driving all your friends crazy," he chuckled. "She told me to tell you she loves you. But this whole deal brings back traumatic memories for her." Gwen snorted in laughter. "That's original. I'm beginning to think Jake didn't get ALL his tall tale skills from his father. Ow.Daddy.it hurts." Jonathan squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'll go get Hank." Gwen smiled at her father in thanks. Or at least tried to.
"How much longer?" Hank asked Eve as she examined his wife. "Not much," Eve smiled. "In fact.we're going to take you down to delivery right now. Hank.are you sure you're going to be okay?" Hank gritted his teeth and said, "Just dandy. Let's get this show on the road." "Hank.I'm so sorry." Hank stroked his wife's damp hair back from her forehead. "Don't worry about it, Babe. I'm fine. That's one hell of a grip you got there." Gwen looked at his bandaged hand and burst into tearful laughter. "You really should go have that hand X-rayed." "And miss out on my baby girl's grand entrance. Are you crazy, Babe? The hand can wait. This is more important." "I love you," Gwen whispered. And Hank leaned down to kiss her lips. Smirking when she started moaning in pain. "Who knew?" he joked.
"HANK BENNETT! YOU'RE NEVER TOUCHING ME AGAIN!" she screamed later as she pushed with all her might. "Eve," she panted. "Dr. Sorenson. Hank. Appointment. Tomorrow." Eve's smile grew wider. "Babe.no. Not that," Hank whined. "You really don't want to put me under the knife, do you?" "She's crowning. I can see the head." "Hear that, Babe? Push. Push. O-W-W!!!" Hank screamed as she squeezed his bandaged hand. A nurse rushed by his side. Dabbing HIS brow. "Mr. Bennett? Are you okay?" she asked. Her voice muffled behind her mask. "F-f-f-ine," he stammered. "Just fine." "Sir.are you sure?" Hank glowered at her. "We're kinda busy here."
"I can't do it anymore, Eve," Gwen gasped. "I'm so tired." "Gwen," Eve scolded. "Just a few more pushes, and you'll see that beautiful daughter of yours." "She's right. Come on, Babe. You can do it," he encouraged. Supporting her back. Wincing as she screamed in pain. "That's it. Push. You're doing great. One more. Just one more." "Hear that? She's almost here," he said with a shaky smile. He forgot all about the pain.all about anything else as Gwen pushed one last time. "AAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Tears rolled down his cheeks as he heard his baby daughter cry. "Our little girl," Gwen sniffled. Her smile lighting up the room. "Ready to cut the cord, Dad?" Eve smiled. "Yeah. Uh.need a little help here. With my injured hand and all." The nurse steadied his hand as he snipped the cord, and blue eyes blinked up at him.
"She's so beautiful. Looks just like her mother." Gwen's smile was brilliant as the tiny infant grasped her pinkie with her little hand. "We haven't even decided on a name yet." "Don't worry about it," Hank chuckled. "Remember how long it took Sheridan and Luis to name Cristian?" "Just a few more minutes, and we're going to have to clean her up," the nurse said softly. "Wait.Eve.can I?" Eve nodded her head. "But don't take long. I really shouldn't be doing this." "Thank you," Hank grinned. Kissing his wife's cheek. "I'm going to take her to meet the gang, Babe. And introduce Jake to his baby sister. Prove she's not an alien." Gwen rolled her eyes and laughed. "Your son."
"Hank," Sheridan cried. Jumping from the stiff hospital chair. Everyone else joined her. Crowding around Hank and the pink bundle. "Aww. She's so beautiful," Grace cooed. "Jake? Little Buddy. Come here. Meet your little sister." "Go on, Jake," Rebecca urged. Shoving him forward. "She won't bite. She doesn't have teeth," Jonathan teased. Jake peeked at the moving little mass in his dad's arms, and his brown eyes blinked. "She's not green. She's all red and wrinkly," he said. Confused as heck. "See?" Hank laughed. "Told you she wasn't an alien," Luis smirked. "Where's that twenty bucks, Little Man?" Jake scoffed at Luis's outstretched hand. "She is too. She's a Martian." A chorus of laughter rang out in the hushed hospital lobby, and Nurse Cratchet scowled at the group. "Mr. Bennett," the nurse poked her head out the delivery room door. "You're needed back in here." The smile on Hank's face fell as he ran back into the room. Handing the baby over to the nurse. "Oh my god!"
Chapter 29
"Uncle Sam.Luis." Jake panicked. "Is something wrong with my mom? Let me go see. No, Grandpa! I have to see my mom!" Jake yelled. Darting down the hall. His little hand was just inches from the door when a new voice startled him. "Dios Mio! Jacob Henry Bennett! You cannot go in there!" Jake bowed his head in humiliation. Leave it Ali's grandma. She used his full name. He knew what that meant. "Am I in trouble?" he mumbled. Martin handed Cristian to Sheridan and scooped the youngster up into his arms. "Trouble? You?" he chuckled. MJ's brown eyes lit up at the sight of his cousin. "J.J.J."
"No.you're NOT in trouble," Kay said. Taking her squirming son from Pilar's arms. "At least not this time," she smirked. "But don't do that again. Little kids aren't allowed in there," she said. Nodding her head toward the delivery room. "Hey," Jake scoffed. Crossing his arms defiantly. "I'm not little." Sam ran a tired hand over his features. Modern science couldn't have made a better clone of his brother if it had tried. He seemed to remember that particular phrase rolling off Hank's lips quite a lot.
Jake huffed in annoyance. "Why won't anyone tell me?" "Tell you what?" Pilar soothed. Wiping a smudge off of Jake's cheek and straightening the collar of his shirt. Rebecca rolled her eyes. These Lopez-Fitzgeralds and the domestic routine. Pee-lar was hardly a domestic goddess. Pee-lar wasn't any kind of goddess. "About my mom," Jake whined. Rubbing his eyes with his fists sleepily. "Your mom is fine," Jonathan smiled. "You'll see. Dr. Russell and all the nurses are taking care of her." "Mijo." Pilar whispered. "What is he talking about? Gwen?" "No.no, Mama. I'm sure everything is fine. Jake's probably worried 'cause Hank seemed a little scared." "Hank? Scared? Are you sure nothing's wrong, Mijo?"
"Everything's fine," Eve smiled. A bit sheepishly, Sheridan thought. What was going on here? "Dr. Russell.how's my daughter?" Jonathan asked. "Like I said, Mr. Hotchkiss. She's fine. A bit tired, but fine nonetheless." Grace studied her best friend suspiciously. "Dr. Russell?" the nurse said. Again peeking around the door. "He's still out cold. Do you want us to put him in the room with his wife?" Sam could swear the young woman's green eyes were laughing. "What?" he sputtered. "Oh my god!" Kay laughed. "What? What is it?" Jake asked in a puzzled voice. "The weenie passed out," Kay grinned. "Kay Bennett." "Sorry, Mom.Jake, your dad passed out in the delivery room," she said gleefully.
"No, he didn't," Jake challenged. "My dad isn't a wuss." Luis couldn't stop himself. He cracked up. "Mommy," Ali tugged on the tail of her mother's shirt. Her blue eyes bleary from sleep. "What's so funny? Does the baby look like Miss Piggy?" Rebecca's cheeks flamed red. Miss Piggy! Ugh! As soon as the man regained consciousness.she was going to throttle him. Jonathan chuckled. It was an innocent question.well, a rather odd question. But Ali didn't know the meaning behind the name. His grandson, however.Jake's brown eyes narrowed. "Grandma? The baby looks like Grandma?" "I'm going to kill him. That's it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to rid the world of that."
"Something wrong, Mrs. Hotchkiss?" Miguel said cluelessly. Rebecca threw her arms up in the air and stomped off. "Well," Sheridan said. Golden brows raised. "Forget her anti-psychotics this morning?" Kay queried. And Sheridan nearly choked on her own tongue. "Kay!" "Come on, Dad. I only speak the truth." Sam hung his head. "Come to think of it," Jonathan said slowly. "I think she did," he grinned goodnaturedly. "Eve.what about Gwen? And the baby? Everything check out okay? You never did.what happened?" Grace asked in confusion. Eve smiled at them all. Things were quieting down a bit. Until.
"Jake.you like surprises, right?" Jake nodded his head. "I love surprises," Ali whispered. Resting her blond head against her mother's leg. "So." "Let's just say your dad got a really big surprise. That's why he passed out. And for the record," she smiled. "I don't think your dad's a wuss. He was just.he was just overwhelmed." Sheridan's mouth formed an 'O', and she laughed. "What?" he glowered. "No.you're not saying.she didn't have.oh my god," Kay whooped. "Twins," Luis grinned. Jake's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Two! My mom had two babies?" Sam's cheeks hurt from smiling when Eve delivered the news they had been waiting for. "Twin girls. I don't know how I missed it. Jake.you have two little sisters." "NO! TWO!" he yelled in disgust. "Take it back! Put one back in! Two sisters! Too many girls! YUCK!" Luis died laughing. This was too much. Hank. Finally.more women than he could ask for.
Chapter 29
3 months later.
Ali twirled a strand of her long blond hair around her pinkie nervously. And chewed on her bottom lip from her post as the lookout. Her big blue eyes darted back and forth from Jake to the hallway. Across the nursery, Emily cooed happily in her crib. Her brown eyes twinkling at her older brother. Sara's little face was scrunched up and red as a beet. Sara was a screamer, and she was all set to go off in."All set," Jake proclaimed. "Jake.what if your mommy and daddy never figure out which one's which again?" Ali asked seriously. "What if." "Scaredy cat!" Jake teased. Sticking his tongue out at her. "Am not!" Ali hollered back. "Are too," Jake grinned. "Not!" Sara chose that exact moment for yet another practice session for her amazing set of pipes. Jake snatched his loot from atop the changing table. "Come on, Ali. Hurry up before my mom comes in here and tries to teach me how to change a diaper again. Emily has the worst poopy diapers." Ali paled considerably. She hated poopy diapers!
"Hey! Jake.little buddy. Ali. Where you two going so fast?" Hank asked. Rubbing the sleep from his brown eyes. Twins. He loved them to death. Almost literally. A man couldn't survive on only 4 hours of sleep a day the rest of his life. He pushed the door to the nursery open with a smile. His little darlings. Emily was a perpetual Pollyanna. Hmm. Wonder if Grace and his lovely wife were somehow related? Yeah right. And the moon was made of green cheese. But.maybe his moniker for her was wrong. Really, really wrong. BOTH of them were screaming. Sheesh! He'd place bets the Pope could hear them. Damn. What now? He never should have agreed to sit for four children while Gwen and Sheridan went out shopping. At least they took Cristian with them. Small blessings.
Ali's tiny chest heaved, and she laid a shaky hand over her heart. "We're going to get in so much trouble." Jake's brown eyes sparkled deviously as he snickered. "Dad will never figure out who's who." He stuffed the pastel socks in his pockets. Then changed his mind. The best didn't get caught red- handed. "Here," he said. Throwing the balled up socks at Ali. "Hold 'em." "No.Jake," Ali whined. "Jake Bennett! Are you terrorizing poor Ali again?" Jake froze in place. Ali's heart stopped beating altogether. "Mom," Jake stammered. Uh oh! Oh well, he thought. He wasn't going to be the one busted. "Hi kids," Sheridan said cheerily. Cristian on her hip. "Would you mind helping me out?" That was it. Jake was silly putty in Sheridan's hands. Gwen rolled her eyes. "Too bad you're already married to Luis, Sheridan. Jake's your own little slave in training."
"Hi baby," Sheridan smiled. Ali smiled back at her mother. She couldn't help it. Her mommy always made her smile. No matter what. Her mommy was going to be so mad at her. She just knew it. "Hi Mommy," she whispered. Holding the front door open for her. "Thank you." "Ali? Are the twins up yet?" Ali swallowed hard and nodded her blond head. "Uh huh." Sara's ear- splitting cries echoed off the house's walls. Or were they Emily's? Ali was afraid they'd never know again. And that thought was enough to make her cry. "Ali? What is it?" her mommy asked kindly. Her chin quivered, and the first tear fell. She was devastated. Her mommy was never going to smile at her again. "Oh," Sheridan sighed. Settling Cristian down in front of a gigantic mound of toys. "What's the matter? You can tell me. You know you can tell me anything." "Uh.I accidentally stomped on her foot, and it's still stinging," Jake piped up. Sheridan raised a brow at his explanation. How did someone accidentally 'stomp' on a foot? Was it even possible? "Is that it, Ali? Does your foot hurt?" Ali's shoulders quaked with her sobs. "It hurts real bad."
Jake rolled his eyes behind Sheridan's back and mouthed 'big baby.' Ali only cried harder. Guilt-ridden. "Oh my god! It's a miracle," Hank teased. Strolling into the living room with one of his beautiful daughter's in his arms. Fresh tear streaks down her pudgy cheeks. "I didn't have to alert Harmony's finest and file a missing person's report. Hey.what's wrong with our Miss Ali?" "Jake accidentally stomped on her foot." "What the.Jake! How do you accidentally do something like that?" Hank said. Twisting Jake's ear. "Ow! Mom! Help! Dad's going to pull my ear off!" Gwen laughed. "Kids.no more fighting." She plopped down on the sofa with a sigh. Sheridan slumped beside her. Ali curled up in her embrace. An eye kept on Cristian. Her son was turning into quite the sneaky little devil. Thanks to Jake and MJ, no doubt. Ah.such wonderful influences. "Hi there," she said. Tickling the baby's feet and making her giggle. "Sa.Em.you sure are ticklish, aren't you?" "Sheridan! They're three months old. Don't tell me you don't know who's Sara and who's Emily yet."
Hank paused his masterful demonstration of the 25 goofiest faces ever to Cristian. "And what's so bad about that? They're my kids, Babe. I can't even tell them apart without the damn so.I can't tell them apart," he finished. Shooting a panicked look Jake's way. Jake was quite the little actor. He shrugged his shoulders in feigned ignorance. "All they do is eat, sleep, and poop," he said. "That's all. Why bother naming them?" "Jake," Sheridan said in disbelief. A smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Anyway," she said teasingly. "I thought you got to name Sara." "He did," Gwen laughed. "He wanted to name her Sher." "Mom!" Jake was blushing furiously. Sheridan had never seen anything cuter in her entire life. "He wanted to name her something else. But it was a little too confusing." Sheridan smiled knowingly.
"Jake.little buddy," Hank hissed. "You got to help me out here. I can't tell the twins apart. Their socks are gone." "They're gone!" Gwen and Sheridan's heads snapped around at his raised voice. "That's it. What's going on here?" "Mommy," Ali sobbed. Clutching Sheridan's shirt in fistfuls. "Ali.do you know anything about this? Ali? Look at Mommy." "Don't do it!" Jake shouted. "It's all my fault," Hank interrupted. "We got the twins mixed up," he said shamefully. If it was this bad now.God help him in their teenage years. They'd be able to get away with anything. "Mommy.it's so terrible," Ali pouted. Jake huffed. Gwen knew her angelic son was to blame. Might as well let him stew a little. But not Ali. Goodness knows Ali didn't need it. She was almost to the point of needing therapy here and now.
Jake cocked his head to the side curiously as he watched his mom whisper something in Ali's ear. Ali buried her face in her mother's neck. Uh oh! Maybe they shouldn't have done it. "Jake.do you know what you've done?" his mom said gravely. This was serious. "I'm so upset with you," she said in a trembling voice. "How can I ever forgive you? You switched your sisters, and none of us knows them without their socks. Sara could grow up with Emily's name. Think of how awful that would be." Jake's brown hair fell forward. Into his eyes as he bowed his head. That would be pretty bad. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "There's only thing to do," his father said. Was it his imagination or did his dad think this was funny? And why? He'd mixed the twins up, too. "You have to go live with Grandma. That's a fitting punishment for this crime, don't you think?" Jake gulped. Not Grandma. "MOM! NOT GRANDMA! NO! PLEASE! I DIDN'T MEAN TO MIX THEM UP. I SWEAR. PLEASE! NOT GRANDMA." Gwen couldn't hold it back any longer. She shook with laughter. And Ali's peals of laughter made Cristian cackle with delight. "Calm down, Buddy. Can't you take a joke?" Jake threw himself into the mound of pillows beside Cristian. "THANK THE LORD!"