Mary opened the door to Lucy's room and peeked in at her.
"I'm awake." Lucy looked at her.
"Well, I have someone out here who is dying to see you and the twins." Opening the door wider, Mary allowed Lucy to see Victor and Serena. Kevin was right behind them and he crossed the room to take Lucy's hand.
"I wasn't going to tell them what we named them until we were all together."
"The suspense is killing me!" Victor approached the bed and hugged Lucy gently.
"Well, your timing is excellent. They're bringing them in a few minutes, and we can have a formal introduction." Lucy smiled at him. "That means waiting a few more minutes."
"MOM!" Serena whined.
"You get up here and give me a real hug."
Climbing on the bed, Serena hugged Lucy.
"Where's your father?"
"He's outside."
"Would somebody get him? I want him to hear this, too."
Turning, Mary went to the hallway to get Scott.
"Can you give me a hint? Please?" Serena batted her eyes at Lucy, who shook her head.
"Nope! It's a surprise."
Entering the room with the twins, Karen smiled at Lucy. "I hear that you're about to fill out a birth certificate."
"Yep." Crossing the room, Kevin checked the bracelet on one of them.
"DOC!"
"Sorry!" He shrugged. "Just checking." Taking the baby from Karen, he took her to Victor and handed her to his father. "I think I can tell them apart, but I have to be sure."
The sight of Victor holding his granddaughter for the first time brought tears to everyone's eyes. "She's absolutely beautiful." His voice was soft, and he touched her hands gently.
"Okay, I'm here!" Scott's voice was soft. "Let's hear them. Moon beam, Harvest, Sunshine,..." His voice trailed off when he saw them.
"Well?" Lucy looked at him.
Crossing the room to her, Scott grabbed her nose playfully. "You did good, Pal."
"You want to hold her?" Lucy gestured to the baby in Karen's arms.
Gently, Scott took the baby and held her. "You got lucky, kid. You look like your mother."
After everyone laughed for a moment, Kevin moved closer to Victor. "We wanted you all here to meet our daughters. Victor, meet Victoria Lynn Collins."
It sunk into Victor, and tears came to his eyes. "Are you sure about this?"
Lucy and Kevin nodded. "More then sure."
"Well, his hands are full, but mine aren't." Mary moved to Kevin and hugged him. After releasing him, Lucy was next and Mary hugged her tightly. "You know what this means to him, don't you."
Both women started to cry as Lucy nodded. "It means the world to us, too."
"What about this one?" Scott's voice interrupted them.
Lucy smiled at him. "Scott, you're holding Marissa Dominique Collins."
Stopping, Scott stared at Lucy, and for a moment she was afraid he was going to object. Finally, he smiled. "She'd love it, Luce."
"You named her after Mommy?" Serena looked at Lucy.
"We sure did."
"I can't wait till nighttime to tell her star!" As Serena jumped to hug Lucy, she winced as the girl crushed her chest.
Seeing the agony on Lucy's face, Kevin moved to them. "Hey, I named her, too." He pulled Serena gently away from Lucy to hug her. His eyes met Lucy's, and she mouthed the word "Thanks" to him.
Marissa started to fuss in Scott's arms.
"She's already learning." Lucy laughed as Scott handed her over.
"You mean she's already starting to complain like her mother when she's hungry." Scott turned to Kevin. "I guess the best revenge would be to hope they turn out just like their mother." But he was smiling.
"Scott Baldwin, you bite your tongue!" Lucy was laughing.
Sitting next to Lucy on the bed, Kevin shrugged. "Gee, having two girls that are as beautiful, smart, and strong as their mother. I could think of worse things."
"You forgot hyper, bossy, and a total pain in the-"
"Scott!" Her tone was threatening, but she was still laughing.
"Mom is NOT a pain in the butt!" Serena put her hands on her hips.
"Sure she is. That's what friends are for. To REMIND them what a pain they are."
Turning to Lucy, Serena leaned over the baby. "Hello, Marissa Dominique. I'm your big sister."
Lucy's throat tightened, but she smiled at Serena.
Seeing her reaction, Kevin put his arm around her shoulders. "That's right. You're their big sister. That's a lot of responsibility. You have to teach them all about the cool video games, the best movies," He glanced at Lucy questioningly. "the Dixie Chicks?"
"She-Daisy this week." Lucy smiled at him.
"Yeah, and I'll teach you all about boys." Serena grinned.
NO!" Kevin, Lucy, and Scott answered at once.
"They can wait a while before they learn that one." Kevin shrugged. "Like maybe 20 years?"
"You BETTER not be able to teach them about boys for another 20 years yourself." Scott ruffled Serena's hair gently. "Let's get out of here and let Lucy feed them before they start screaming louder then she does." Reaching out, Scott shook Kevin's hand. "Congratulations."
"Thanks, Scott."
Leaning down, Scott kissed Lucy's forehead and hugged her. "They're beautiful, Lucy."
"Thanks."
Kissing Marissa on her forehead, Serena leaned over carefully to hug Lucy. Jumping down, she ran to Victor and kissed Victoria. Then she went to Kevin's side of the bed and he hugged her. As Scott followed her out the door, Lucy called him softly.
When Scott turned, Lucy kept her voice low. "We'll be calling you probably in the next couple of days. We're probably going to be needing your help. Legally."
"I heard what happened. I'm already on it."
"Thanks, pal. We're going to have to tell Serena, aren't we."
"It would probably be a good idea." Kevin answered. "There's a good chance it's going to hit the papers, and it's better she hears it from one of the two of you."
"I'll take care of it." Scott nodded. "She'll probably ask you questions, though."
"It's okay. Thanks again."
After Scott was gone, Victor moved closer. "I don't know what to say."
Taking the baby from Victor's arms, Kevin smiled at his father. "There isn't much to say."
"But there is plenty to do." Mary's voice interrupted them. "I know for a fact that there is only half a nursery at the house, and it needs to be finished in the next day or so."
Shaking her head, Lucy glanced at Kevin before continuing. "I'm not going to finish that one just yet."
"What?" Mary stared at her for a moment.
Wrapping his free arm around Lucy's shoulders, Kevin smiled. "Actually, whatever Lucy picked out is going to be just fine. Just not at the cottage. If the two of you could oversee it, Victor's old room at the lighthouse is going to be a nursery."
Victor and Mary grinned at them. "I guess we better get on it." Hugging both of them quickly, Mary turned toward the door. "I'll call the workers and give them the address, then I'll get the furniture moved, and then I'll call you back and get more details."
"Thank you." Lucy smiled at her.
"You just take care of them, and let us take care of the rest." Waiting for Victor to hug Lucy and Kevin, she led him out of the room.
After they were gone, Kevin slid his legs up on the bed, gently pushing Lucy's legs out of his way.
"What are you doing?"
"Move over. You think I'm going home to THAT?"
Laughing, Lucy moved over to give him room next to her.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Alan pushed the door open with his back and entered Lucy's room carrying the twins.
"Since when does the Chief of Staff do baby duty?" Lucy grinned when she saw him.
"Since the favorite ex wife of the Chief of Staff is a new mother." Smiling, Alan handed one of the girls to Lucy and held the other in his arms. "They're beautiful, Lucy."
"Thank you. I think they are." They both laughed. "And thank you for the flowers."
"How can you tell which ones are from me?" He glanced around at the seemingly endless supply of flowers that literally walled the entire room.
"I never knew I had that many friends. But I appreciate all of you."
Sitting on the edge of her bed, Alan sighed. "There's also another reason I'm here. The legal department contacted me this morning."
Not answering, Lucy stared at him.
"I'll help you any way I can, Lucy. But I can't jeopardize the hospital."
"What did the legal department tell you?"
"We received a Declaration of Paternity, requesting that the name Chamberlain be on the birth certificates."
Unconsciously, Lucy held the baby tighter and stared at Alan. "They're name is already Collins."
"I understand that. And I've already had the legal department draw up an identical one for Kevin. The birth certificate isn't enough." Reaching for her hand, Alan stared in her eyes. "And it will be dated yesterday. The same time the birth certificates were signed."
Lucy closed her eyes and sighed. "Alan, I-"
"Don't tell me. I don't want to know what happened. I can't, Lucy. Do you understand that?"
Nodding, she began to cry.
"Hey," Alan's voice was soft and he pulled her and the baby into a hug. "I don't need to know what happened to know this isn't how you wanted it to be. I'm going to help you every way I can. Kevin's a good man, and I hope for all of your sake's you two can work it out this time."
"We will." Kevin's voice interrupted them, but he immediately knew something was wrong. "Something's happened."
"They got a Declaration of Paternity from Ryan."
Moving to sit on the other side of her, Kevin touched her face. "We knew he was going to make a move on them."
"He's really alive." Alan whispered. "I can't believe it."
"Believe it." Kevin stared at him. "And he wants them." Gesturing to the girls, he sighed. "We'll get a hold of Scott and find out what he can and can't do."
"You need to sign a Declaration yourself, Kevin." Alan looked at him. "There isn't much more I can do. But I can file the document with the birth certificates."
"Thanks, Alan." Kevin nodded and turned to Lucy. "I'll do it right now."
"I want to go home." Lucy looked at them.
"Lucy," Kevin wasn't sure she was physically up to it.
"Don't. You're a doctor, and Mary is a nurse. Don't tell me that we can't make sure they're fine in their home." She looked at Alan. "Unless there is something wrong with them that no one has told me."
"No." Alan shook his head. "They're fine. They're lungs are a little underdeveloped, but that won't be a problem after a few weeks."
"What does that mean?" Lucy looked scared.
"All it means is that they need to be monitored. Their oxygen levels. That's the only reason they're not in the room with you. They've been steady." Alan's voice was calm. "I'm just not sure they're ready to go home yet, Lucy. It's safer for them to be here for another couple of days."
"Dr. Newman said I can go home tomorrow. You mean you're going to send me home without them?" She shook her head. "I can't leave them here, Alan. I can't."
The baby in her arms reacted to her and began to squirm in her arms. Taking a deep breath, Lucy patted her gently.
"I'll talk to the doctors and see what we can do." Kevin put his hand on her back and rubbed gently. "She's right, Alan. Between me, Mary, and a few others that we would be more then willing to pay she should be fine to take them home."
"I'll talk to the nurses and see if there are any volunteers." Smiling, Alan stood. "And I'm sure we can get a list of what you might need if there is a problem."
"Really?" Lucy looked at them.
"Really." Taking the baby from Alan, Kevin sat on the side of the bed again with her. "I'll give Mary a call and see how the nursery is coming along."
The babies started to fuss, and Alan smiled. "Sounds to me like they're hungry. I'll get started on getting you out of here."
After Alan left, Kevin looked at Lucy while she fed the baby. After a moment of silence, the baby in his arms started to cry. Shifting, Kevin started to rock her. It didn't work. She only cried louder and Kevin looked at Lucy.
"You're on your own, Doc. I can only feed one at a time." She laughed at the completely lost look on his face as he tried to quiet his daughter.
"We can start alternating them on bottles soon." Lucy tried to give him some hope. "Then we can feed them both at the same time."
"How soon?"
Lucy laughed harder.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
"Glad to see you up." Victor went to Mary, who had just crawled out from under the blanket on the sofa.
"I'm sorry, Victor."
"No, you were exhausted." Mary had fallen asleep in the sofa while waiting for the painters to finish in the nursery. "Come look." Grinning, Victor pulled her to the door.
Stepping to the doorway, Mary smiled. "Victor, it's perfect. Kevin and Lucy are going to love this."
The room was a light shade of pink with a top border of families of ducks. The bed had been done with a deep burgundy bedding, and the cribs had white bedding with ducks on them to match the border. A small, fully stocked white changing table and a big white rocker at the window completed the bedroom.
"Now we need to go get car seats before we go back to the hospital." Mary smiled at Victor. "They're coming home, Victor."
"I know. And between you and me, I don't think Lucy's going to be able to keep Monk at a distance once she's back home where she belongs."
"Victor!" Mary shook her head. "And my sons accuse me of meddling!"
"What do you think?" Victor smiled at Mary slyly.
Dropping her voice to a conspiratory whisper, she grinned. "I think you're right."
Arm and arm, Mary led Victor to the car.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
"Hey, Darlin'." Luke stuck his head in the door and smiled at her.
"Hey!" Lucy grinned when she saw him. "Come on in."
"I already checked out the nursery. They're gorgeous." Moving to the bed, Luke hugged her and sat next to her.
"Thanks. You see their names?"
"Yep. Marissa and Victoria Collins." Luke stared at her and shrugged. "Could have been Spencer, but no. You've got a thing for doctors, and I just can't compete with that."
"Just one doctor." Lucy smiled at him. "I can't begin to thank you. For everything."
"For what? The guys screwed up, Luce. He got close to you."
"It wasn't their fault, Luke. I don't think they really understood what they were up against. He showed them Kevin's ID and they thought they did their job. Do I need to remind you that he fooled me, too?"
"No. Don't remind yourself." Luke took her hand. "What's going on there?"
"He's filed a Declaration of Paternity. He turned himself in to fight for them, Luke." She was near tears. "I guess it's better then waiting for him to try to grab them...." Her voice trailed off and she shrugged. "Not much better, but I'm not jumping at every sound."
"I wish there was something I could do." Luke shook his head. "If I'd been there...."
"I'd be here, but you'd probably be in jail." She sighed. "What am I supposed to say? He delivered one, and he saved both of their lives, Luke."
"No." His voice was soft, but he was stressing a point. "I don't care what he did, Luce. You still know what he is."
"I know. I do. Really. But I saw his face when he held them. He doesn't want to hurt them."
"He just wants to be their Daddy. That's all, right?" Luke stared at her.
"I know. He's dangerous. I know that."
"But...."
"No but." Taking a deep breath, she looked at Luke. "You wouldn't happen to know how to switch a paternity test, would you?"
Luke started laughing. "I have many talents, some of which you'll never even HEAR about. But that's a new one for me."
"I know. It was worth a shot, though."
They were still laughing when Kevin entered the room with a wheelchair. "I miss something?"
"We were just discussing....." Lucy looked at Luke.
"Talents." They both began to laugh again.
"Should I be glad I missed it?" Kevin stared at them strangely.
"Yep." Lucy smiled at him. "Does that chair mean what I think it means?"
"It means we're going home." Moving the chair to the side of her bed, he handed her a bag. "I had a feeling you'd want something new to go home in."
Luke laughed. "I thought she ALWAYS wanted something new."
"Yep." Agreeing with Luke, Lucy looked in the bag.
"I guess that's my clue to get going. I'll come by in a few days to see how you're doing." Kissing Lucy's forehead, Luke moved to the door, shaking Kevin's hand on the way.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Victor and Mary met them at the driveway to the lighthouse. Reaching into the back of Kevin's car, they each took one of the babies. Opening the Lucy's door, Kevin waited for her to stand up.
As she stood, Lucy winced.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Just sore. I think that's normal, Doc." Taking his hand, she walked to the door slowly. "Okay, REALLY sore."
"I wasn't sure you were ready for this."
"I'm ready to be home! I'm just not ready to walk the mall yet." She inhaled sharply. "Give me another two days for that."
"I'll hold you to that." Kevin smiled and moved her across the living room. "You ready?"
Victor and Mary were waiting for her to see the nursery.
"I'm ready." When she reached the doorway, she stopped. "It's...." Tears came and she couldn't talk for a moment.
"You want to put them in their cribs?" Mary looked at Lucy and moved closer.
Still crying, Lucy nodded. Taking Victoria from Mary, Lucy moved slowly to the crib. "Don't just stand there, Doc. Marissa needs to be put down, too."
Smiling, Kevin took Marissa from Victor and put her in her crib as Lucy tucked the blanket around Victoria. When he turned to Lucy, he realized she was hanging on the crib to stay on her feet. "You need to lay down, too."
"I'm fine." She sighed. "I just love to look at them."
Putting his arm around her shoulders, Kevin whispered to her. "They're beautiful." Gently, he pulled her towards the bed. "Come on. Getting you home was on the condition that you rested."
"Okay." She pretended to pout at him.
"None of that, young lady." Mary's voice took on a cross between a stern nurse and a scolding mother. "You're right where you want to be, so you just do what you're supposed to do."
Laughing, Lucy allowed Kevin to help her to the bed and tenderly sat on it.
He kneeled in front of her and smiled. "I guess it's time for me to show you the rest of what we got you."
"Another surprise?" Her eyes lit up as they met his. "You know how much I love surprises."
"Yes, I do." Laughing, Kevin reached under the bed and pulled out a box.
She took the box and pulled it open. Inside were four matching sets of satin pajamas, with color coordinated cotton baby blankets, underwear, and nursing bras.
"Where did you find these? I thought they only came in white." She touched the bras.
"Mary dyed them for you." Kevin was stunned at her reaction.
Lucy stopped when she realized how much time and love had gone into it for her.
Unable to see her face, Mary moved closer. "It's not really healthy, you'll have to make sure you keep the pads..." Her voice died out when she realized Lucy's shoulders were shaking. "Honey, what's wrong?"
Lucy was crying so hard she could barely speak. "I... I've never had.... I can't believe you'd all do this for me."
Sitting next to her, Mary put her arm around her shoulders. "Why are you still so surprised? After all this time you still don't believe we all love you?"
"Well..." Lucy took a deep breath. "I knew everybody wanted to help with the twins. I mean, this was all for them." She waved around the room. "But this.... This is just for me."
Sighing, Mary looked at Kevin. "Lucy, this wasn't all just for them. You're part of the family, and I for one am very glad you are."
Unable to speak, Lucy nodded at Mary. Finally she took a deep breath and whispered. "Me, too." Wincing, Lucy shifted and Mary stood.
"NO arguments out of you. You get into one of those nightgowns and get into bed."
Laughing at the tone of Mary's voice, Lucy nodded. "Okay, okay. I will."
"Gentlemen?" Mary gestured towards the door.
Victor and Kevin stood. "We can take a hint." Kevin laughed and moved towards the door.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
"Hello?" Holding the phone to her ear, Lucy tried to will herself awake. The phone ringing had actually startled her for a moment. There was no one on the other end, and she sighed before she heard another ring. It actually took her a moment to realize that the ringing was coming from her purse on the nightstand. Reaching for it, she pulled her cell out and answered it. "Hello?"
"Lucy?"
Instantly, Lucy's eyes flew open and she started to sit up. "Ow." Taking a deep breath, she laid back down.
"You okay? What happened?" Ryan's voice sounded concerned on the other end.
"I sat up too fast." She took a few deep breaths. "What do you want?"
"Do I have to guess where you are?" Ryan's laughter was soft. "I'm guessing that Kevin isn't going to let them out of his sight. The big bad twin might tell the world who their father really is."
"Kevin is their father." Lucy tried to sound convincing.
"A piece of paper with his name on it does NOT make him their father, Lucy!" Shouting for a moment, Ryan sighed. "I didn't call to argue with you."
Lucy waited for him to speak.
"How are they, Lucy?"
"They're fine."
"DON'T DO THAT!" Ryan screamed again. "I was there, remember? They were premature. How are they?"
"They're fine, Ryan. Really. We have monitors for their oxygen levels because their lungs aren't fully developed yet. But other then that, they really are fine."
As if they knew Lucy was talking about them, Victoria began to cry.
The sound of the baby's cries over the phone brought tears to Ryan's eyes and his voice was shaking. "That's one of them. She sounds strong."
"I have to go. She's hungry."
"Wait! I want to hear her for a little bit longer. Lucy, please."
The sound of him begging surprised her, and she continued to hold the phone as she slid to the side of the bed. As she sat up, the bedroom door opened and Kevin entered.
"She okay?" Kevin looked at Lucy, and the expression on her face told him something was wrong.
"Tell him to go away, Lucy! I want to hear MY daughter!" Ryan began to shout and Lucy put her finger to her lips in a sign to Kevin to be quiet.
"Okay. He's gone. But I need to go. She's crying, Ryan. You can hear her. I need to go take care of her."
"You go do that. Just remember, Lucy. They're mine and I'm going to fight for them."
The line went dead and Lucy put the phone on the nightstand as Kevin handed her the baby. "What are we going to do, Doc? We're not going to convince him that they're not his."
"We call Scott and get his phone privileges cut."
Feeding Victoria, Lucy kept her voice quiet. "I'm not sure that's the way to go."
"WHAT?!" Seeing her jump, Kevin lowered his voice. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking that pissing him off might not be the smart way to handle him." Lucy sighed. "He's not out of control at the moment. Do we really want to set him off?"
When Kevin continued to stare at her, she sighed. "We both know what he's capable of. But he didn't. He could have killed me and taken them. He didn't. Whatever he's planning, we'll be able to see it coming this way. He told me that he was going to claim them. That he was going to be a responsible parent."
"And you think that means....." Kevin was waiting to see what she had on her mind.
"I don't know what that means. But I do know that as long as he's rational and genuinely worried about them he's not going to try to hurt them. Which is why I'm just saying that until we can get a clue of what he's planning, taking the offensive isn't the best way to handle him."
"So now you're an expert on Ryan?" Kevin's voice was sarcastic.
""Well, gee, I don't know, Doc. I spent three days with him and I lived to tell about it. He could have killed me and dumped me on your doorstep. But he didn't. I gave him every opportunity to do anything he wanted to do to me, and he didn't."
"No, he just wanted to have sex with you. That's all. No big deal, right?" He shouted, but the look on her face made Kevin instantly regret his words. "I'm sorry."
Before Lucy could answer him, Marissa began to cry.
Sighing, Kevin picked Marissa up out of her crib and sat on the bed next to Lucy. Her eyes were still glued to Victoria. "I'm really sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about. You're right. As usual."
Her voice betrayed how much he'd hurt her feelings. "Lucy, I wasn't trying to be right."
"But you are. I gave him what he wanted. Ryan played me, and I believed every word he said to me."
Now Kevin's eyes dropped, and he really didn't want to hear her say it.
"Let me tell you something, Doc. What ever I had to go through, the lies, being with Ryan, thinking he was you, all of it. I have them." She gestured to Victoria and Marissa. "And I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. I'm sorry he's their father for their sakes, but as far as I'm concerned, you're right. Having sex with him in order to have them?" She shrugged. "No big deal."
He knew what she was saying, but it still sent a wave of rage through him to think of Ryan touching her. "It IS a big deal!" He struggled to keep his voice low. "I want you to promise me that you will NEVER say he's their father again."
Finally looking at his face, Lucy knew how much her words had bothered him. But it was true. "Kevin, to us this is what's best for them. I want to know what it is to him. We need to trade."
Not saying anything, Kevin handed Marissa to her and took Victoria and burped her gently. Finally he spoke quietly. "What do you think it is to him?"
"I don't know. That's what I'm trying to tell you. Is this about them? Or you? Or me?" Lucy sighed. "That's what we need to know before we go poking him with a stick. Is this really about Ryan wanting to claim the twins, or is this about him just wanting to hurt either of us."
Suddenly, Kevin realized what she was saying, and he couldn't answer the question. "How do you propose to find out?"
"I have to go see him."
"NO!" He shouted again, and Victoria began to cry.
"You really need to stop that." Lucy smiled at him.
"I'm trying. But you are NOT going to see Ryan."
"He's in Ferncliff. He can't hurt me."
"I don't care. I don't want you anywhere near him."
"Well, I can't get any nearer to him then I've already been." She sighed. "That came out wrong, but you know what I mean. He's not going to hurt me."
"You're a lot more sure of that then I am."
"Face it, Doc. IF Ryan wanted to kill me, I'd be in a grave somewhere. You know that. He would have strangled me and dumped my body somewhere out on the island in some unmarked grave where you would have never found me. Or maybe even-"
"Lucy!" Kevin winced. "Can we NOT follow this train of thought?"
"It is kind of creepy." She agreed with him. "But he didn't do it. Even if he wanted to now, he wouldn't get the chance. I need to see him."
"No." This time he kept his voice soft, but he was still insistent.
"This has nothing to do with you."
"Oh, I don't know, Lucy. My twin brother, who is supposed to be dead, shows up and impersonates me to get the woman I love pregnant? I don't know, I may not be as much of an expert as I think I am. I tend to think that has EVERYTHING to do with me."
"That did. But this doesn't." Lucy shook her head. "He didn't know I was going to get pregnant. And I was just as shocked that it happened. But once he found out, I honestly believe it became about Victoria and Marissa."
"And what do you plan to say to him? IF I let you go see him."
"IF you LET me?" Shaking her head, Lucy took a breath to calm down. "To tell you the truth, I'm beginning to wonder what this is about where YOU'RE concerned."
"What does that mean?"
"It means are you just being overprotective of me? Or are you letting your testosterone run away with you and being territorial?"
"This has NOTHING to do with testosterone, Lucy. This has to do with the fact that my brother KILLS WOMEN FOR FUN."
"He didn't kill me! And he won't, unless I do something stupid and piss him off before I find out what he's really after."
Kevin realized that he wasn't going to be able to talk her out of seeing Ryan. But he also knew that he had a few weeks before she'd be physically up to it and it gave him time to talk to her. "Okay. Let's stop this for today."
"It's not over."
"I know that. But for today, it is, okay?"
Finally, Lucy smiled. "For today." Marissa finished eating and Lucy moved her up to burp her. "There is something we need to do today."
"And what is that?" Kevin returned her smile, but he was wary.
"Don't look so paranoid. We get to give them their first real baths today."
This time when Kevin smiled, it was broad and relaxed. "That sounds like a great plan."
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
"They moved quicker. He's the legal father." Stan continued before Ryan could interrupt. "It just means that the judge has to issue an order to change the birth certificates. We'll get it done. But it's going to take a few days to push the order for the DNA test. I've done some homework on the RFLP test. It's very involved, and it takes longer. We're going to start with the standard DNA test. Once the results come back that there's a 99 chance that you're the father, the mother will have a few choices."
"Which are?"
"Well, she can let the judge order the change."
In spite of the circumstances, Ryan laughed. "You have no idea who the mother is, do you. Lucy Coe will NEVER give up that easily. What are her other choices?"
"She could press charges against you. A whole slew of things that they'll start out with that I can get bumped to a few misdemeanors. Or your brother will get his lawyer to demand a DNA test that will prove 99 accuracy for him as well. Judge will order the RFLP test you were talking about."
"And if Lucy refuses?"
"Contempt of court charges."
"She goes to jail?" Ryan sat up straighter and stared at him.
"She could. You really think she'd go that far?"
Sighing, Ryan nodded. "She thinks I'm the worst thing that ever happened to her. Well, I might be. But she also believes she's doing what's best for them, and if it meant she'd go to jail, I think she'd do it." He shook his head. "I don't want her to go to jail."
Stan was surprised. "You still care about her?"
Ryan wasn't about to admit it to Stan, but he really didn't want her in jail because she thought she was protecting her babies. "Keep in mind, what happens to them if she's in jail? KEVIN gets them all to himself."
Stan looked at Ryan for a moment. "There is one big thing we haven't discussed. I mean, getting you named as the father if you are isn't going to be a big problem. It's going to take time, but if you're right it won't be that hard. But what comes next? I mean, it's not like I have a snowball's chance in hell of getting you out of here. At least not anytime soon. So what's next after you prove their yours?"
Ryan stared at Stan, and the lawyer realized that Ryan really hadn't planned past being named the father.
"As long as I am part of their lives, I'll do whatever I have to do to be there for them."
Standing, Stan nodded. "I'll get started on this. You do need to remember one thing. I'm not saying this to get on your bad side, but it's a fact. I can get the birth certificates changed. I can force the mother to bring them here to see you. I can get you parental rights. But I can't change the fact that you're in here and your brother is out there. With them. I can take any parental rights he may think he has, but I can't block him from their lives completely. Especially if everything you've told me is right and he'll end up being their stepfather eventually. I can't stop the mother from marrying him."
Leaving Ryan to his thoughts, Stan knocked on the door and left the room.
Alone, Ryan stared at the walls. His mind was going a million miles a minute, and he couldn't begin to put together two of the thoughts running through it. Kevin was out there. Kevin was with Lucy. Kevin was being a father to his twins. His mind tried to picture what the girls looked like, but it had been several days, and he was sure they'd changed so much that anything his imagination could produce wouldn't be close to the truth. But he could picture what Lucy looked like. He remembered every inch of her. She was at the lighthouse giving his babies to Kevin. Giving herself to Kevin. An image of Lucy making love to Kevin went through his head.
"DAMN HIM!" The rage coursed through his veins and he jerked his arms towards the table. Even with the chains holding him, he managed to knock the table over, and suddenly his mind went white with pain. He didn't know if he heard or only felt the sharp crack that accompanied the bone in his wrist breaking, and he didn't care. The pain was sharp, and it cleared his head.
The door opened and two guards rushed inside. "What the hell happened?" They both stared at Ryan, who only shrugged.
"Nothing that you would understand." His wrist was already beginning to swell around the chains. "Well, I think you can understand there's a chance my wrist is broken."
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Lucy opened her eyes and rolled over. The sight of both cribs being empty sent a moment of panic through her, and she sat up quickly. Ignoring the protests from her muscles, she got to her feet and left the bedroom.
"I was beginning to think you were going to sleep all day." Kevin's voice was soft, and Lucy realized that he and Colleen were standing next to the bassinets and playing with the girls.
"I think I already slept through enough of it." She moved to them and smiled at Colleen. "How have you been?"
"I've been fine. I came by to see how you were." Victoria started to fuss a bit and Colleen waved the stuffed duck in front of her. "I checked them out, their oxygen levels are perfect, and I think by the time you take them for a checkup, you'll be able to get rid of some of the equipment."
"Thank you. I really appreciate you all coming here to check on them." Lucy watched Victoria grab at the toy in Colleen's hand.
"Are you kidding? Lucy, you have done so much for the entire nursing staff at General Hospital, I actually had to argue to get my turn." She laughed. "I love this. Checking them out is a lot more fun when they're healthy. Then I get to play with them."
"But home care isn't exactly in your job descriptions."
"I offered to pay them." Kevin interrupted Lucy. "None of them would take a dime from us." Marissa began to fuss and he reached down and played with her hands.
"There isn't one nurse on staff that hasn't benefited in some way from something you've done for GH." Colleen shrugged. "So when Alan came to us and asked for volunteers to come by and check on them, Mary had to start making a list." She laughed. "Victor threatened her with something that he called a....." She searched for the word. "A yarn chart."
Lucy and Kevin both laughed.
"I didn't get it, but Mary looked like she was about to panic."
"You had to be there." Lucy and Kevin answered at the same time.
"But this is the best part of the job for me. Whether they're in the hospital or at home." Victoria seemed content with Colleen's attention, but Kevin was beginning to lose the battle with Marissa and she started to actually cry. Lifting her, Kevin turned to Lucy. "I think she's hungry. Victoria took her bottle fine, but Marissa just fussed."
"She wants her mommy." Colleen gently grabbed her feet while Kevin held her. "I'd say that Marissa is definitely going to be a mommy's girl."
"She wouldn't take a bottle last night either." Lucy took her from Kevin and bounced her gently in her arms.
"Victoria was just fine." Kevin shrugged. "But this little girl is already developing Lucy's temperament." They all laughed.
"She wants the real thing when she wants it." Colleen laughed. "Sounds like you're already teaching her right to me."
Lucy and Colleen laughed, while Kevin tried to share in their amusement, but didn't quite get it.
"It's a woman thing." Colleen tried to explain to Kevin.
"Oh. I thought it was just a Lucy thing."
Lucy glared at Kevin, but she was smiling.
Having everyone's attention diverted from her did not make Victoria happy and she began to fuss again. Colleen laughed and moved the stuffed duck in front of her again. "I love this part of it. Even at a two weeks old, their personalities are different."
As Colleen continued to play with Victoria, she completely missed the effect her words had on Kevin and Lucy. As both of their minds went to Ryan, their eyes met and Lucy replied. "They're two completely different people."
"Yep." Lifting Victoria into her arms, Colleen continued. "You wouldn't believe how many people expect twins to be the same because they look..." Her words trailed off and she looked at Kevin. "You would, wouldn't you. I'm sorry, Kevin, I didn't think about it."
"Don't worry about it. You're right. I had people I'd never laid eyes on before screaming at me. A few actually took a swing at me because of Ryan."
"It's good, though." Colleen shrugged. "I mean, you don't have those kinds of expectations of them. You won't compare them to each other the way most parents of twins do." Sitting down, she placed Victoria on her lap and played with her hands.
As she nursed Marissa, Lucy thought about Colleen's words. "In a way we already are, aren't we." It wasn't a question, and Kevin stared at her. "I mean, you just said that Victoria took her bottle, but Marissa wouldn't. I don't want them to feel like they have to compete with each other, Doc."
"I didn't mean it that way. I meant that Victoria ate, and you had to nurse Marissa. Just like when you tried to feed them in the middle of the night, Victoria didn't want to nurse. She wanted her bottle."
"Well, that's normal-"Lucy began, but Kevin cut her off laughing.
"You didn't think that last night. You were convinced that Victoria didn't love you."
"I'm hormonal." Lucy whined at looked at Colleen. "At 4AM things take on a really different meaning. I was upset because Victoria wanted her bottle, not me."
"Upset." Kevin looked at her, them turned to Colleen. "How about 'she's only a week old and she already knows what a horrible mother I am'. It took almost an hour to feed Victoria because I had to keep trying to convince Lucy that Victoria wanting a bottle didn't mean she didn't love her."
Smiling sweetly, Lucy turned to Colleen. "Would you burp Marissa while I beat her Daddy?"
Colleen started to laugh, but thought better of it when she realized how close she was sitting to Lucy. "Sorry. But it is normal for a baby to be fussy about going back and forth between nursing and a bottle. That wives tale about switching back and forth easily is just that. A wives tale." Then she turned to Kevin. "But, it's also normal to be overemotional when it comes to being a new mother. She is hormonal. YOU should know that, DOCTOR."
"Actually, no more then normal. For Lucy, that is." He grinned wickedly at Lucy, then looked at Colleen. "I figure I have a couple more weeks before I'll have to actually run from her."
"And god help you if she catches you." Laughing, Colleen shook her head. "I have a feeling you will pay for all of it at once."
Marissa finished nursing, and Lucy transferred her to her shoulder. "I just realized that we do tend to compare them. And we need to stop. NOW. Before they begin to understand what we're saying."
Before Kevin could answer, someone knocked at the door. Going to it, Kevin found a man he'd never seen before standing there.
"I'm looking for Lucy Coe."
"Can I help you?" Kevin's voice took on an edge, and he stepped into the doorway to block his view of the living room.
"I'm supposed to deliver this to Ms. Coe. Can you accept it for her?"
"Yes." Warily, Kevin took the envelope and the man turned away before Kevin could ask any questions. Shutting the door, he held up the envelope for her to see.
"What is it?"
"I don't know. He just handed it to me and...." Kevin thought about it for a moment before literally tearing the envelope open. His eyes scanned the paper inside and he sighed.
"I'm not going to like this, am I." Lucy shook her head. "Don't tell me. I don't want to know."
Going to the coffee table, Kevin sat on it and looked at Lucy. "Court order. For a DNA test."
Colleen suddenly felt like she was intruding. "I'll get going if you-"
"No." Lucy shook her head. "Most of the story has already hit the papers. It's not like I can keep it secret anymore." She sighed. "Ryan thinks he's their father and he wants a DNA test."
"I heard that he delivered them. I don't want to pry, but I did wonder how that happened. He... he really could be their father?"
Lucy bit her lip.
"I'm sorry. Nevermind. It's none of my business."
"It's not that." Lucy looked at Kevin for a moment before saying more. "It's possible. Physically. But it's just as possible that Kevin is their father. That's what I choose to believe and that's what I want them to grow up knowing."
"It doesn't make sense." Kevin and Lucy both stared at Colleen for a moment. "No, I didn't mean it... that wasn't what I was saying. I'm saying that what does he hope to accomplish? I mean he's never going to be free, right?"
"Right." Kevin answered.
"So what would he hope to accomplish by stirring this up?"
"He would accomplish taking them away from me." Kevin's tone grew angrier.
"Not really." Colleen reacted to Victoria's cooing by taking her hands and moving them gently. "They're here. With you. He can't change that."
Looking at Kevin, Lucy nodded. "That's what I want to get across to Ryan."
"We're not going to discuss you seeing him again, are we?" Kevin looked at her, and she shook her head.
"No. We're not."
After an awkward moment of silence, Colleen turned to Lucy. "We've been checking up on them, what about you?"
"Me? Oh, I'm fine." Lucy shrugged.
"You look pale."
"Tired. I think that was the longest I've slept since we came home." Lucy shrugged.
"You have circles under your eyes from being tired. But you look really pale, Lucy." Colleen thought about it for a moment. "How's the bleeding?"
"Getting better. But I know that's normal, too."
"What are you thinking?" Kevin stared at Colleen.
"I'm thinking maybe we should draw some of her blood and get an iron count. She's too pale, and she looks exhausted. I mean, most new mothers do, but with her normal energy level, I'd expect her to be a little more awake then she is."
Nodding, Kevin looked at Lucy, but directed his comments to Colleen. "I think you might be right. Can't hurt. And if her iron count is that low-"
"Hey, I'm right here. Can you both talk TO me instead of ABOUT me?" Lucy stared at them.
They both laughed, and Kevin reached for her knees. "Well, do I have to repeat everything, or were you eavesdropping?"
With her free hand, she smacked his hand. "I heard. You both think my iron count is low. Okay, what does that mean?"
"It just means you're tired." Colleen shrugged. "Nothing to really worry about. I'll draw some blood and let Dr. Newman get the results. Odds are she'll just order some iron pills for you. You'll be more awake. You still taking the prenatal vitamins?"
Lucy shook her head.
"You should probably continue to take them. Nursing twins is almost as taxing on your body as carrying them."
Nodding, Lucy looked at Kevin. "All I've really thought about is how sore I am."
"Talk to Mary. She's got this...." Colleen laughed for a minute. "It sounds funny, I know it does, but it really works. Cabbage leaves."
"What?" Lucy stared at her.
"I'm serious. Ask her. It's some old recipe that she knows about. And I've heard mothers that have tried it and would swear by it."
"Okay." Lucy didn't look sure, but Kevin stood.
"I'll call her and ask her."
As Kevin moved to the phone, Lucy sat Marissa on her lap and bounced her gently.
"I love to see them every few days at this stage. They change every day." Colleen lifted Victoria and they held the girls side by side.
Victoria turned towards the sound of Kevin's voice as he talked to Mary, while Marissa looked at Lucy and cooed at her.
"Yep. Definitely a mommy's girl." Colleen laughed.
"Yes she it." Lucy talked to her daughter and lifted her in the air. "She's a mommy's girl." As Lucy held Marissa against her, Colleen stood with Victoria.
"This little girl is in need of a fresh diaper."
"I'll do it. You can take her." Lucy offered to trade.
"It's okay. I'll be right back."
As Colleen took Victoria into the bedroom, Lucy stared down at Marissa. She was so intently watching the baby's tiny movements that when Kevin put his hand on her shoulder, she jumped.
"Sorry." He squeezed her shoulders gently.
Sighing, Lucy tilted her head back. "That feels good."
Smiling, Kevin dug his fingers into the muscles at the base of her neck.
"You have three days to stop that." Lucy sighed again, and they both laughed.
"Lucy?" Colleen reappeared with Victoria. "She's about to fall asleep. You want her in the bassinet out there or in the crib?"
"Crib is fine." Moving around Lucy, Kevin took Marissa out of her arms. "I think as soon as you finish with Lucy, she'll be asleep, too."
Lucy didn't argue, which told Kevin a lot. "I'm going to go put her down. Tell Nancy to call me as soon as she has the results of Lucy's blood work."
"Okay." Turning, Colleen headed back into the bedroom to put Victoria down in her crib.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Ryan looked at the soft cast on his wrist and shook his head. The doctor had offered him something for the pain, but Ryan welcomed it. It cleared his head and made him concentrate on what was important. The twins. Definitely NOT Lucy.
A thought occurred to him and he smiled. It was time to deal with another one of his demons. It took a few minutes for the guards to make the arrangements, but he soon had a phone in his hand.
It rang a few times before he heard the voice at the other end. "Hello?"
"Victor?"
"Monk?" Victor sounded happy to hear his voice. Ryan shook his head. Not his voice. Kevin's.
"Wrong again."
The other end was quiet for a moment. "Ryan."
"Second time's a charm." Smiling, he tried to stop the pounding in his head from the anger building.
"What do you want?"
"I just wanted to congratulate you, Grandpa. Twins. Aren't you proud?"
"Why do you want to hurt them, Ryan?" Victor was almost pleading with Ryan for the answer.
"HURT THEM!" His voice rose, but he realized that the guards would return and take the phone away if he continued. Grimacing, he slammed his freshly broken wrist on the wall. Instantly the pain shot through his arm and his head cleared. "I don't want to hurt them. I'm their father, and I'm NOT going to abandon them. I'm not you, Victor. I'm not going to just walk, no make that run, away from them."
"Is that what this is about? You want to prove you're a better father then I was?" Closing his eyes, Victor searched for the words to say to Ryan. "That wouldn't be hard, son."
"DON'T CALL ME THAT! I WAS NEVER YOUR SON. I WAS HER SON AND YOU KNOW IT!"
"That was my fault, Ryan. Not Kevin's, and certainly not the girl's fault."
The guards appeared and Ryan smiled at them. "Family squabbles. I'm sure you understand that." They didn't look convinced, but Ryan made sure to keep his voice down for the next exchange. "I'm not blaming MY daughters for anything. And you're right. It wouldn't be hard to be a better father then you ever were." He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You know, for years I thought you and Kevin were living the good life. But it seems that you screwed up with him almost as badly as she screwed up with me. The real difference is that I don't pretend to be anything I'm not. I live with what I am. What you and HER created. Kevin never quite learned to go with the flow." Laughing again, Ryan shifted the phone a bit and struggled to keep his voice low. "He'll never admit it, but you know it as well as I do. He likes to point at my face and call me the demon. But see, my face IS his. So I guess that he can't stand to take too long of a look in the mirror."
Victor had no idea where Ryan was going with this, but he knew that the best chance Lucy had to free her children from him was to find out. "And what do you see when you look in the mirror?"
"Nothing you could ever imagine." Ryan whispered into the phone. "Not in your worst nightmare, Victor."
"What do you want with Lucy and the twins, Ryan."
"I want to be exactly what I am. Their father. I created them with her, and I'm NOT going to stand back while she gives them to him. I can't stop her from giving herself to him, but I can stop her from giving him MY daughters."
The tone of his voice when he talked about Lucy giving herself to Kevin confused Victor, but he didn't comment on it. Whatever his intentions were for Lucy, there was nothing he could do while he was in Ferncliff. But legally, he could do something to hurt her where the girls were concerned, and Victor had no intention of letting that happen.
"Ryan, I'm not sure what you want me to say. I can tell you that I was wrong. I know I was wrong."
"Doesn't really do me a lot of good, now." His voice was sarcastic. "I'm not really sure what I wanted you to say. I just knew that I had to say a few things. I know Lucy's got this idea in her head that you're the perfect grandfather, but I know you. The real you, Victor. The one that would walk away from them and never look back."
Victor stopped and thought about what he said. "Is this about you or them?"
"There is nothing between you and me, Victor. This is about them, and what I know you would do to them if push came to shove. Lucy really has no idea. I'm sure she's heard your side. Although, I am surprised, she heard Kevin's side, too, and she still allows you anywhere near them. We won't discuss the fact that one of them is actually named Victoria. That was all it took for me to realize just how snowed she is by you."
Speechless, Victor waited to see what Ryan was going to say next.
"But I'm not, Victor. Those little girls have no idea what kind of family they were born into. And I'll be damned if they're going to turn out as completely messed up as Kevin AND I are, thanks to you and HER. Something good is going to come out of this disaster we call a family, and I'm going to make sure it's them." Hanging up the phone, Ryan sighed and closed his eyes.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Lucy opened her eyes, and even before she rolled over, she knew Kevin was standing between the bed and the cribs. "Doc?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"You didn't." She stared at him for a moment, unable to see him, but she knew he was looking at her. "You don't need to watch over us. We're fine."
"I know. I just...." He shrugged.
"Just can't help yourself." Laughing softly, Lucy continued. "I know you've been prowling the halls instead of sleeping at night."
Again, she didn't need to see his face to know how surprised he was.
"You don't think I remember the signs? You need to sleep, Doc. We're warm and safe. You don't need to stand guard over us." He didn't answer and finally she patted the side of the bed. "Come here."
Softly, he sat on the side of the bed.
"No, I meant come HERE." Sliding over, she gave him room beside her. "I'm right here, they're right there, and maybe you can get some sleep."
Stretching out on his back beside, her, Kevin fought the urge to reach for her.
"You don't need to watch over us. I know you can't help yourself, and I love you for it, but you need to relax." Turning over on her side, she faced him. He didn't answer her, and she reached for his hand. When he returned her grip gently, she bit her lip.
"Stop fighting it." His tone was light and she knew he was smiling.
"Fighting what?"
"There's something on your mind just fighting to get out. What is it?"
"We need to plan the Christening."
"At 2AM?"
Laughing, she tugged on his hand. "I've been thinking about it."
"White."
"What?"
"They wear white."
"Stop!" They both laughed softly. "Really, Doc. I've been thinking about who we're going to ask to be their godparents."
"Mac and Felicia."
"Of course. But for Victoria or Marissa?"
"And who else do you have in mind?" His tone took on a higher pitch. "You say Luke or Sonny, and I'm going to prepare myself to never sleep again."
She laughed and squeezed his hand. "No. Luke and Sonny aren't exactly the godfather type."
"At least not in the way you're thinking at the moment."
"Stop!" She laughed harder. "Stop picking on them. To be honest, I'm thinking about someone that you might be just as unhappy with."
He tensed a bit and waited for her to say it.
"Scott?"
He thought about it for a moment, then relaxed. "I can live with that."
"Really?"
"Lucy, I have some issues where Scott is concerned. But I don't doubt for one minute that he loves you and he would be a good godfather for either one of them. And a godmother?"
"I don't know. I don't exactly have a selection of female friends." She thought about it for a moment. "What about Karen?"
He didn't answer.
At first Lucy thought he was trying to find the words to voice his objection, but he snored softly and she realized that he'd fallen asleep. Smiling to herself, she moved closer and put her face against his arm. His body was warm and strong against her, and she closed her eyes.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
"Victor?" Mary found him staring out the window. "Please give it a rest and come to bed. There's nothing you can do about Ryan tonight."
"He's right, you know. I failed them both miserably." Victor sounded so lost that Mary went to him and put her arms around him.
"You did the best you could, Victor. What happened to Ryan was so far beyond your control.... And Kevin doesn't blame you. Maybe it's time you forgive yourself."
"I wish it was that easy. Kevin would have never even looked at me again if it hadn't been for Lucy."
"But he did, and the two of you are closer now then you've ever been. And now you have two beautiful granddaughters. They named one of them after you. That should tell you something."
"It does. But I look at them, and I wonder if Ryan might be right."
"About what?" Mary stared at Victor.
"About the family they were born into. Mental illness, psychosis, the list is long and not very pretty." Victor turned to her. "I can't tell you how much I worry about them."
"Victor, please stop." Taking his face in her hands, she stared into his eyes. "Lucy is nothing like Melanie."
"And Kevin is nothing like me." Victor sighed. "Or is he? I mean, when things got tough for him before with Lucy, he walked away from her. He ran. You can argue the point all you want, but he did learn that from me."
"Victor, I have a feeling that you've both learned a lot about sticking around and working through it."
Smiling, Victor pulled her into his arms. "And if we forget, we're very fortunate to have you and Lucy to remind us."
As Mary moved into his arms, she didn't see the smile leave his face as he stared out the window over her shoulder.