Chapter 6

SIX WEEKS LATER (A/N--Jo is 20 weeks; 5 months along)------BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY------

Jo is sitting at the kitchen table with her head buried in her arms. Sam walks down the stairs, "Honey, are you okay?"

"Pounding. Headache," she groans. Sam starts massaging her head, neck and shoulders. "Mmm, that feels nice," she purrs.

"The construction crew should be finished today."

"Oh good. I don't think I could take another day. Why did we agree to this?"

"To keep peace in the family."

"How?"

"If we didn't give Lizzie a new room, we would have to move Matt into her room, and you know what happened the last time they roomed together?"

"How could I ever forget?" Jo laughs.

"Why don't you go get in bed and take a nap?"

"I don't want to spend the entire pregnancy in bed. I'm not tired."

"You don't need to tire yourself out. You're having twi..."

Jo cuts him off, "And don't give me the 'You're having twins' stuff. I know I'm having twins. I'm as big as a house, you know." She stands up and starts to walk off.

Sam stops her. "No you're not."

She tears up. "Yes, I am. I'm fat," she states between sobs.

"Jo, you are NOT fat. You're beautiful."

"How can you say that?"

"I've always thought you were beautiful, pregnant or not. Plus, you're carrying my children. I find that very attractive and sexy." Sam puts his arms around her waist and kisses her on the lips.

"You think I'm sexy?"

"Absolutely! We could go upstairs and..." He whispers into her ear.

Jo giggles, "Oh Sam!"

Sam grins, "And then we could..."

"Is it hot in here, or is it just me?" Sam nibbles on her ear. Her eyes widen. "Have I told you how much I love you?" She lays her head on his shoulder.

"I love you too." He kisses the top of her head.

Matt walks in the door. "Ewww! Can you stop for even one minute? No wonder you're pregnant. Get a room, puleeze!"

"Matt!" Jo yells.

"Matthew James McGuire, you're so out of line," Sam scolds. "Now, go to your room." Matt runs upstairs. "Jo, just relax. I'll handle this." Sam goes upstairs to Matt's room. "Matt, you were so out of line. What were you thinking?" Matt does not respond. "I don't know if you thought that was cute, but it wasn't. Tomorrow after school, you and I are painting in your sister's suite."

"Dad, that's not fair! It's not even my suite."

"It is fair, and I want you to apologize to your mother."

Matt looks troubled. "It's just, it's just..."

"What, son?"

"Oh, nothing."

"No, it's just, what?"

"Oh, you won't understand. You'll just take Lizzie's side."

"Try me."

"It's just, with the babies coming and Lizzie going to Rome, starting high school, and getting a new room, I just feel..."

A moment of clarity spreads across Sam's face, "You feel left out, don't you?"

"Yeah. Something like that. Lizzie gets everything cool and now the twins are coming. Where do I fit in?"

"You fit in exactly where you are," Jo replies from the door. "You're my baby boy and I love you very much."

"I love you too, mom."

"I know you do, and I know you sometimes don't mean what you say."

"I didn't."

"But you still hurt me, Matt."

"I'm sorry."

Jo walks in the room and sits on the bed with Matt and Sam, "Your words turned me into just an object, like I'm just a baby making machine. I'm more than that. Yes, I'm a wife and a mother, but I'm also a real person with likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams."

"Mom, I'm really sorry."

"I know you are."

"Son," Sam adds, "if you feel left out, tell us. You know, I've got vacation coming up. Why don't you and I go to Universal Studios?"

"Just you and me?" Matt asks. "What about mom?"

"I think you and your dad need to spend some time alone together. Plus, I can't go on any of the rides."

"No, I meant, can you leave mom? Is that okay?"

"Sure it is," Jo replies, absently caressing her abdomen, "I'm fine and the babies are healthy. Besides, Lizzie will be here to help me out."

"What do you say, son?" Sam asks.

"That sounds good." He smiles. "Do I still have to paint tomorrow?"

"YES!" Sam and Jo reply in unison.

"Rats!" Jo starts laughing. "What is it, mom?"

"The babies are kicking! Matt, wanna feel?"

Matt looks weirded out, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, it's okay. They're your younger sisters or brothers."

Jo places Matt's hand on her abdomen. "Whoa. There are really a couple babies in there."

"There sure are." Jo smiles.

Sam puts a hand on her abdomen as well. "These kids are strong."

"Did me or Lizzie kick this much?"

"Well, it's different with two in here. There's not as much room, but you both kicked a lot. You kicked so much that I thought you would take up kick boxing."

"Hmm, there's an idea. There is a kick boxing team at school."

Lizzie walks by the room and sees Matt with their parents. "Hey, what's up?"

"Lizzie, ya gotta come feel. Mom says the babies are kicking. It's so cool!"

Lizzie walks in the room. "Can I, mom?"

"Sure!" Jo places Lizzie's hand.

"Mom, that's amazing! I can't wait to have a baby."

Jo begins coughing, "Uh, I hope you do, honey. You're not ready to be a mom, and we're not ready to be grandparents."

"No, I mean, I want to have one someday."

"Nice save."

Sam stands up. "I need to go check on the construction crew. It sounds like they're finished."

"Ah, finally, some peace and quiet," Jo expresses a sigh of relief.