Eric walked into his house to the sounds of laughter on the porch. He
looked out and saw Jen and Taylor laughing hysterically and decided to see
what was going on. As soon as he was in the doorway, both girls stopped
laughing as the looked at him. They looked back at each other and burst out
again. Eric crossed his arms.
"What's so funny?"
Taylor wiped the tears from her eyes and looked him straight in the eye. "Tarzan?" she asked before she and Jen both were laughing hysterically again. Eric looked to Jen.
"You didn't," he said.
"Eric I HAD to. She is your wife after all," she said standing. He grinned at her.
"Whatever you say. At least that was in another dimension. I wasn't the one dressed like a nerd. . . " Jen shot him a look but just smiled as she took her leave. As soon as she was out of sight Taylor walked over to him and kissed his cheek.
"Awe, what's wrong honey," she said sweetly, nuzzling up to him. Eric put his arms around her waist and kissing her forehead. Any anger or embarrassment he felt instantly melted away as he looked into her eyes.
"You're turning me into Wes," he said finally finding her lips. Taylor pulled away.
"Now we wouldn't want that to happen. I want the sarcastic," she kissed him, "Hot headed (kiss), arrogant (kiss), wise ass I married," she said finishing her sentence.
"You flatter me," he said pulling her tightly to him and kissing her hard. Taylor pulled away and saw a different look in his eyes than she had seen in the past. "What did you think about Jen?"
Taylor smiled, but suddenly got a sinking feeling in her stomach. "I, um, I think it's great for her and Wes," she said getting out of his grasp and going into the house. Eric thought something like this might happen. Neither one of them had talked about having kids, but with all the talk about babies from Wes and Jen and Alyssa and Cole, he had thought about it.
Taylor went to the living room and sat on the couch. Eric stopped and looked at the counter- she hadn't seen the flowers he had brought home. He took them in his hand and went out to see her.
He knelt in front of her on the floor and handed her the bouquet of flowers. She smiled and smelled them, before setting them on the table and grabbing him a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Eric."
"Don't be," he said sitting next to her. "We never had talked about. . . well, you know," he said. Taylor grinned and knew what he meant.
"I know we haven't, but Eric, we just got married-"
"We've BEEN married for almost a year Taylor," he reminded her. Taylor instantly let her head fall. Regretting the way he said that, he pulled her in for another hug and felt her shake a little.
"I haven't been a very good wife have I?" Eric was shocked at her question.
"You're the best wife I could have ever asked for." He brought her face to meet his. "You had a responsibility and you fulfilled it. I think I love you even more for that." He kissed her temple and she leaned into him. "I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you..." he trailed off, thinking to the phone call he had received.
Taylor felt him pull her tighter and sighed. "It'll take a little more than that to get rid of me," she said. She gathered up her courage and decided to change the subject. "Do you want kids?" she asked quietly. Eric smiled.
"You want the truth?" Taylor nodded her head. "Yes and no. Yes, because I want a family, but no because I'm afraid. . ." he stopped mid sentence. Taylor knew what he was thinking.
"Because you're afraid you'll leave them like your parents did to you." Eric leaned his head down to rest atop of hers. "I feel the same way."
Their lives had been very similar- both their mother's had died, and their father's had walked out on them. Eric however didn't have any other family- no brothers or sisters like Taylor had.
"I want a family Eric," Taylor said after a few moments of silence. She turned her face up to his. "with you." She kissed his lips sweetly and felt him sigh. "We'll just see what happens. . . take it one step at a time."
Eric couldn't belief that this woman in his arms was real. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Taylor smirked. "Yeah. I know." Eric gave her a wicked grin and grabbed her in his arms again. Throwing her over his shoulder, he brought her upstairs. "What are you doing?" she asked laughing.
"Well, we need to practice don't we?"
(((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Seven months passed in Silver Hills. Jen and Wes welcomed a baby boy, that they named Xander Eric Collins, into their family, and Taylor and Eric were named his Godparents. They celebrated their first anniversary, Taylor was given a job with the Guardians, and everything was great.
Well, everything until Taylor got sick. For the past week she had been hit with a touch of the stomach flu, and had been asked (or ordered as she thought it) by her husband to go home and rest. She was lying in bed when she took a glance at the calendar near the door.
Her eyes bugged out of her head when she saw the day's date. 'Oh my god,' she thought. 'I'm late. . .'
((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))
Eric came home that night and went to check on Taylor. He found her sitting in the bathtub, immersed in bubbles. "You have no idea how good you look right now," he said. Taylor almost jumped when she heard him.
She looked very nervous. He bent down to her and touched her face. She seemed to tremble at his touch. "How you feeling?" he said kissing her forehead lightly.
"I'm actually feeling a little better than I was this morning... but the nausea's still there," she said. Eric smiled and stroked her hair. He got up and removed his clothes.
Taylor felt him slide into the tub behind her. "Excuse me, but did I invite you in here?" she asked sweetly as she leaned back into him.
"Well fine, if you want me out-"he started to leave, but felt her pull him back to her. He kissed her neckline and felt her relax as his hands began to massage her shoulders and back. "Better?"
"Much. . . um, I have something I need to tell you," she said carefully. Eric didn't stop his gentle touching.
"Okay," he said resting his hands on her hips. Taylor took his hands and rested them on her stomach. His eyes got wide.
"I'm pregnant." They were both silent. Taylor felt his hands slowly begin to run over her abdomen and then his lips on her neck. She turned and faced him. His face was priceless- a combination of shock and pure joy. "There's more. . . like more than one." Eric's face was now of pure shock.
"H- how many?" he asked.
"Twins- well at least that's what the doc said when I went over there this afternoon. . . I'm about seven weeks." Eric still hadn't said anything. "My grandmother on my mum's side was a twin...I guess that means I was next in line...well?" she asked. His face broke out into the biggest smile she had ever seen.
He kissed her hard and held her to him, continuing to place kisses all over her. "This is the greatest thing I could have ever hoped for." He kissed her again and felt her head rest on his shoulder. "Thank you Taylor. Thank you for giving me this." Taylor leaned up and kissed him deeply.
"We did this together," she said as she turned herself around and leaned back into him. His hands went to her stomach and he began to run his fingers lightly over where his children were. Taylor sighed contently and placed her hands on his and together they held their children.
((((((((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))))))))))
"You have names yet?" Jen asked as she bounced Xander on her knee. Taylor was sitting on her couch with her hands on her, now, very large stomach. Six and a half months had passed and she was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her children.
"We have a few, but nothing permanent. He's so sure that there are two boys in here, but if you ask me, I think there's one of each."
"Well, what if they're girls?" Jen asked smiling.
"If they're girls, Eric said he's not letting them out of the house until they're 30." Both women laughed lightly. Over the course of time, they had developed a great friendship and were glad to have it. "Did you hear anything about snow today?" she said as she looked out the window.
Jen looked. "it looks like it's really coming down out there," she said. Snow had begun to fall and accumulate quickly- it was January after all. "I should probably get going. You going to be alright until Eric gets home?" Taylor had been ordered to strict bed rest- the twins could come early, so she didn't want to chance anything.
"yeah. I'll be fine. He should be home soon anyway." Jen went over and hugged her. Taylor kissed Xander on the cheek and watched as they left. She sighed as she felt one of the babies kick. Smiling, she placed her hand over the spot and felt another small hand or foot touch her fingers through her skin.
She never thought she could be so happy. Any fear about becoming a mother was gone and all she could concentrate on was loving them. She and Eric were nervous, but not afraid. They had everything ready for them... they turned one of their guest rooms (they had two) into a nursery with clouds painted all around the walls- something that Taylor had nearly demanded.
The front door opened and she smiled as she saw Eric dusting snow off his jacket. "Well it's good to see the abominable snowman has decided to grace me with his presence," she said smirking. Eric took his coat off.
"Funny," he said simply as he went to the window. Taylor grew concerned as she saw the hint of fear in his eyes.
"Eric? What's going on?" she asked. He turned back to her.
"This storm is only supposed to get worse- ice, snow, you name it. The city's in a state of emergency. Nothing's open and there's a rumor that the power in the city's going to go out soon."
He walked over to her and sat with her feet propped up on his lap. "You're worried aren't you?" she asked.
"Of course I am. I mean Wes and I are supposed to protect the city and we have no control over this...I'm nervous for us too," he said placing a hand on her stomach. He was amazed to feel a strong kick meet his hand. "have they been like that all day?" he asked smiling.
"Yeah- really active. I don't think they've stopped moving since last night. I'm so tired," she said as she sunk back into the pillows she had brought from her bedroom. Eric smiled and leaned up to kiss her forehead.
"You rest then and I'll make dinner." She closed her eyes and felt herself drift off. A little while later she opened her eyes and saw Eric sitting next to her in the dark room.
"The power went out," he said. She looked around and saw a few candles lit and a fire was lit in their newly put in fireplace. A few more blankets covered her now and she saw the Eric was wearing a sweatshirt. "It's going to get pretty cold so I covered you up."
Taylor smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you," she said sleepily. "How long ago did it happen?"
"About an hour ago...I didn't want to wake you." He handed her a cup of soup and she drank it happily and ate a few rolls he had brought her. Eric was sitting next to her and suddenly felt something wet on his leg. Thinking he spilled his soup he stood up only to see that the liquid was gathered around Taylor.
Taylor too felt the liquid, and then felt something inside of her release. She set the cup down and looked up to see the complete look of fear in her husband's eyes. "Holy shit," she said. "I- I think my water just broke."
"What's so funny?"
Taylor wiped the tears from her eyes and looked him straight in the eye. "Tarzan?" she asked before she and Jen both were laughing hysterically again. Eric looked to Jen.
"You didn't," he said.
"Eric I HAD to. She is your wife after all," she said standing. He grinned at her.
"Whatever you say. At least that was in another dimension. I wasn't the one dressed like a nerd. . . " Jen shot him a look but just smiled as she took her leave. As soon as she was out of sight Taylor walked over to him and kissed his cheek.
"Awe, what's wrong honey," she said sweetly, nuzzling up to him. Eric put his arms around her waist and kissing her forehead. Any anger or embarrassment he felt instantly melted away as he looked into her eyes.
"You're turning me into Wes," he said finally finding her lips. Taylor pulled away.
"Now we wouldn't want that to happen. I want the sarcastic," she kissed him, "Hot headed (kiss), arrogant (kiss), wise ass I married," she said finishing her sentence.
"You flatter me," he said pulling her tightly to him and kissing her hard. Taylor pulled away and saw a different look in his eyes than she had seen in the past. "What did you think about Jen?"
Taylor smiled, but suddenly got a sinking feeling in her stomach. "I, um, I think it's great for her and Wes," she said getting out of his grasp and going into the house. Eric thought something like this might happen. Neither one of them had talked about having kids, but with all the talk about babies from Wes and Jen and Alyssa and Cole, he had thought about it.
Taylor went to the living room and sat on the couch. Eric stopped and looked at the counter- she hadn't seen the flowers he had brought home. He took them in his hand and went out to see her.
He knelt in front of her on the floor and handed her the bouquet of flowers. She smiled and smelled them, before setting them on the table and grabbing him a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Eric."
"Don't be," he said sitting next to her. "We never had talked about. . . well, you know," he said. Taylor grinned and knew what he meant.
"I know we haven't, but Eric, we just got married-"
"We've BEEN married for almost a year Taylor," he reminded her. Taylor instantly let her head fall. Regretting the way he said that, he pulled her in for another hug and felt her shake a little.
"I haven't been a very good wife have I?" Eric was shocked at her question.
"You're the best wife I could have ever asked for." He brought her face to meet his. "You had a responsibility and you fulfilled it. I think I love you even more for that." He kissed her temple and she leaned into him. "I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you..." he trailed off, thinking to the phone call he had received.
Taylor felt him pull her tighter and sighed. "It'll take a little more than that to get rid of me," she said. She gathered up her courage and decided to change the subject. "Do you want kids?" she asked quietly. Eric smiled.
"You want the truth?" Taylor nodded her head. "Yes and no. Yes, because I want a family, but no because I'm afraid. . ." he stopped mid sentence. Taylor knew what he was thinking.
"Because you're afraid you'll leave them like your parents did to you." Eric leaned his head down to rest atop of hers. "I feel the same way."
Their lives had been very similar- both their mother's had died, and their father's had walked out on them. Eric however didn't have any other family- no brothers or sisters like Taylor had.
"I want a family Eric," Taylor said after a few moments of silence. She turned her face up to his. "with you." She kissed his lips sweetly and felt him sigh. "We'll just see what happens. . . take it one step at a time."
Eric couldn't belief that this woman in his arms was real. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Taylor smirked. "Yeah. I know." Eric gave her a wicked grin and grabbed her in his arms again. Throwing her over his shoulder, he brought her upstairs. "What are you doing?" she asked laughing.
"Well, we need to practice don't we?"
(((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Seven months passed in Silver Hills. Jen and Wes welcomed a baby boy, that they named Xander Eric Collins, into their family, and Taylor and Eric were named his Godparents. They celebrated their first anniversary, Taylor was given a job with the Guardians, and everything was great.
Well, everything until Taylor got sick. For the past week she had been hit with a touch of the stomach flu, and had been asked (or ordered as she thought it) by her husband to go home and rest. She was lying in bed when she took a glance at the calendar near the door.
Her eyes bugged out of her head when she saw the day's date. 'Oh my god,' she thought. 'I'm late. . .'
((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))
Eric came home that night and went to check on Taylor. He found her sitting in the bathtub, immersed in bubbles. "You have no idea how good you look right now," he said. Taylor almost jumped when she heard him.
She looked very nervous. He bent down to her and touched her face. She seemed to tremble at his touch. "How you feeling?" he said kissing her forehead lightly.
"I'm actually feeling a little better than I was this morning... but the nausea's still there," she said. Eric smiled and stroked her hair. He got up and removed his clothes.
Taylor felt him slide into the tub behind her. "Excuse me, but did I invite you in here?" she asked sweetly as she leaned back into him.
"Well fine, if you want me out-"he started to leave, but felt her pull him back to her. He kissed her neckline and felt her relax as his hands began to massage her shoulders and back. "Better?"
"Much. . . um, I have something I need to tell you," she said carefully. Eric didn't stop his gentle touching.
"Okay," he said resting his hands on her hips. Taylor took his hands and rested them on her stomach. His eyes got wide.
"I'm pregnant." They were both silent. Taylor felt his hands slowly begin to run over her abdomen and then his lips on her neck. She turned and faced him. His face was priceless- a combination of shock and pure joy. "There's more. . . like more than one." Eric's face was now of pure shock.
"H- how many?" he asked.
"Twins- well at least that's what the doc said when I went over there this afternoon. . . I'm about seven weeks." Eric still hadn't said anything. "My grandmother on my mum's side was a twin...I guess that means I was next in line...well?" she asked. His face broke out into the biggest smile she had ever seen.
He kissed her hard and held her to him, continuing to place kisses all over her. "This is the greatest thing I could have ever hoped for." He kissed her again and felt her head rest on his shoulder. "Thank you Taylor. Thank you for giving me this." Taylor leaned up and kissed him deeply.
"We did this together," she said as she turned herself around and leaned back into him. His hands went to her stomach and he began to run his fingers lightly over where his children were. Taylor sighed contently and placed her hands on his and together they held their children.
((((((((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))))))))))
"You have names yet?" Jen asked as she bounced Xander on her knee. Taylor was sitting on her couch with her hands on her, now, very large stomach. Six and a half months had passed and she was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her children.
"We have a few, but nothing permanent. He's so sure that there are two boys in here, but if you ask me, I think there's one of each."
"Well, what if they're girls?" Jen asked smiling.
"If they're girls, Eric said he's not letting them out of the house until they're 30." Both women laughed lightly. Over the course of time, they had developed a great friendship and were glad to have it. "Did you hear anything about snow today?" she said as she looked out the window.
Jen looked. "it looks like it's really coming down out there," she said. Snow had begun to fall and accumulate quickly- it was January after all. "I should probably get going. You going to be alright until Eric gets home?" Taylor had been ordered to strict bed rest- the twins could come early, so she didn't want to chance anything.
"yeah. I'll be fine. He should be home soon anyway." Jen went over and hugged her. Taylor kissed Xander on the cheek and watched as they left. She sighed as she felt one of the babies kick. Smiling, she placed her hand over the spot and felt another small hand or foot touch her fingers through her skin.
She never thought she could be so happy. Any fear about becoming a mother was gone and all she could concentrate on was loving them. She and Eric were nervous, but not afraid. They had everything ready for them... they turned one of their guest rooms (they had two) into a nursery with clouds painted all around the walls- something that Taylor had nearly demanded.
The front door opened and she smiled as she saw Eric dusting snow off his jacket. "Well it's good to see the abominable snowman has decided to grace me with his presence," she said smirking. Eric took his coat off.
"Funny," he said simply as he went to the window. Taylor grew concerned as she saw the hint of fear in his eyes.
"Eric? What's going on?" she asked. He turned back to her.
"This storm is only supposed to get worse- ice, snow, you name it. The city's in a state of emergency. Nothing's open and there's a rumor that the power in the city's going to go out soon."
He walked over to her and sat with her feet propped up on his lap. "You're worried aren't you?" she asked.
"Of course I am. I mean Wes and I are supposed to protect the city and we have no control over this...I'm nervous for us too," he said placing a hand on her stomach. He was amazed to feel a strong kick meet his hand. "have they been like that all day?" he asked smiling.
"Yeah- really active. I don't think they've stopped moving since last night. I'm so tired," she said as she sunk back into the pillows she had brought from her bedroom. Eric smiled and leaned up to kiss her forehead.
"You rest then and I'll make dinner." She closed her eyes and felt herself drift off. A little while later she opened her eyes and saw Eric sitting next to her in the dark room.
"The power went out," he said. She looked around and saw a few candles lit and a fire was lit in their newly put in fireplace. A few more blankets covered her now and she saw the Eric was wearing a sweatshirt. "It's going to get pretty cold so I covered you up."
Taylor smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you," she said sleepily. "How long ago did it happen?"
"About an hour ago...I didn't want to wake you." He handed her a cup of soup and she drank it happily and ate a few rolls he had brought her. Eric was sitting next to her and suddenly felt something wet on his leg. Thinking he spilled his soup he stood up only to see that the liquid was gathered around Taylor.
Taylor too felt the liquid, and then felt something inside of her release. She set the cup down and looked up to see the complete look of fear in her husband's eyes. "Holy shit," she said. "I- I think my water just broke."