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Overexposed

Chp. 27 Comfort

by: Love Ink

Happy pulled up to the front of Chloe's house and sat in the driveway for a minute, staring at the front door. He recognized Juice's rental SUV parked at the curb with Nero's lowrider behind it. He figured they were all there for dinner or something. Angela had texted to invite him to eat with them, but he'd ignored it; it wasn't her place to invite him over. It was Chloe's. He sat with his bike idling, trying to figure out whether to knock or ring the doorbell or let himself in with the key he had. Once upon a time, he would've let himself in regardless of whether anyone was home or not. But that was before...

The front door opened, and he found himself holding his breath as Chloe stepped out. She walked to the end of the porch, her arms wrapped around herself. She didn't need crutches any more. Not unless she was tired. All the doctors said she'd healed at a remarkable rate through her own sheer stubbornness. She'd pushed herself constantly to the limit, and it'd gotten her exactly where she wanted to be. She was strong as hell, and it was that strength that had drawn him to her initially. It was everything else that had kept him coming back to her. He'd never admit it out loud, but he missed her. Missed her more than he ever thought he would.

She spotted him in the driveway, one eyebrow raising as she walked towards him. He turned off the motorcycle, nodding a greeting to her. She nodded back, head tilted to the side while she looked him over. "You going to come in anytime soon?"

"That an invitation?" he asked, taking off his helmet.

"Hap, your mom is staying with me. You don't need any invitation to see her," she replied, her voice a little sad. "Unless you're a vampire and need one to cross the threshold, then sure. You may come in, Dracula."

Happy smirked; he'd missed her random pop culture references. Usually, he only picked up on half of them, but this one he knew. He wished he could sink his teeth into her neck, drag his tongue over the mark like a vampire. She'd gasp and then sigh in the sweetest way. Probably make another stupid joke about Dracula, and they'd somehow end up in the bedroom. Thinking about it now was starting to turn him on a little. He had to think of something else before she noticed. He thought about his sick mom inside, of the reason why she was at Chloe's place to begin with. Hospice care. Sighing, he nodded slowly. "Thanks."

She shrugged a shoulder. "Not needed," she said, waving off his thanks as she turned back towards the house. "C'mon, Lowman. Your food's getting cold."

He followed after her, catching up with her easily. "Thought I missed dinner."

She scoffed at him, and though he didn't catch it, he knew she'd rolled her eyes. "As if your mom would ever let you go hungry," she said, opening the front door. "Look who I found outside."

Evie was the first to greet him, running up to him and wrapping her little arms around his legs. "Tio!" she exclaimed, tilting her head all the way back. "I missed you!" (Uncle)

It hadn't been all that long since he'd last seen her, but he loved hearing she missed him. He chuckled, swooping her off her feet and onto his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Her giggles filled the air, little feet kicking about for a moment before he moved her down into his arms, holding her on his hip. She kissed his cheek, moving her arms around his neck. "How you doin', brat?"

"Good! I helped Abuela with dinner! Its yummy!"

"Sure it is," he said, surprised to find a plate of food for him at the dinner table. His Ma, Graciela, and Nero were still sitting down talking as they had some flan. Chloe grabbed his plate and headed for the microwave. "Where's your parents?" he asked the little girl, setting her down in the chair with a booster seat.

"They go home. Mama sleepy," she said before gasping in surprise as Nero handed her what was left of his flan. "Neo, for me? Daddy say no more."

"Yeah, mijita. Thought you might like some extra," Nero replied, running a hand over her hair. "Don't tell your Pops, though."

Evie was already digging into it with her spoon with a fervor that made Happy chuckle. Elena smiled warmly at her before gesturing to the seat beside her. "Sit, mijo. How was your day?"

"Good, Ma." He leaned over to kiss her cheek before dropping down into the chair. For some reason, Angela and Juice's absence put him on edge. She should be there with her family. That was the whole reason they'd come to California. "Thanks," he said as Chloe set the plate in front of him. He glanced at Kenny, who was deep into a game of dominoes with Chloe, Graciela, and Nero. "Your Ma okay?"

Kenny grimaced. "Dunno. Said she was exhausted, so I drove them home a while ago. Thought I'd stay here with Evie to give them some quiet time."

Happy didn't like the sound of that or the worried look on Kenny's face. "She all right?"

Chloe frowned, staring at her dominoes for a second. "She's been under a lot of stress, and it's taking its toll. She just needs to be off her feet for awhile."

"She should be on bed rest," Graciela said, clucking her tongue in disapproval. "Pero no one listens to me."

Again, Happy glanced at Chloe, studying her face. She sighed softly. "Wouldn't hurt, but she'd never do it," she said, placing her domino down. "We all know that."

"Could tie her down to the bed," Happy suggested, only half-joking. If his little cousin was in danger of hurting herself, he'd do anything to prevent it. "That'll help her."

Nero laughed, nodding his head. "Might have something at Redwoody we could use."

Happy chuckled; he'd never liked Nero more than he did at that moment, especially since Graciela let out a soft gasp and swatted at his arm as if she was personally offended. "I'll ask Chibs," Happy replied as if he was actually considering it.

"Gross," Chloe muttered, shaking her head in disapproval.

"How's the bed workin' out, Ma?" Happy asked, knowing the subject had to be changed before Graciela and his Ma freaked out.

Elena smiled. "I like it a lot. Much better than the hospital. Y I love this house. So warm and welcoming. And the dog! I love that dog!"

Chloe grinned, reaching down to scratch Hades behind the ear. "Hades loves our new roommate."

Happy smirked, knowing that the pitbull was about as docile as they came no matter how scary he looked. He loved that dog. Loved coming to Chloe's house after a long day, playing with the dog, and eating whatever Chloe either cooked or brought home with her. He missed those nights a lot. He just didn't know how to fix what had been broken between them. He caught her glance from across the table, and to his surprise, she smiled at him. Not a big smile, but the kind of secretive small smile they used to share all the time. It was a small gesture, but a promising one. Maybe his Ma's grand scheme of getting them back together by forcing them to spend time together would work after all. He wasn't opposed to it. Not one bit.

Juice sat beside Angela on the big comfy bed in the house they were staying at. Her hand was running over her large belly as her eyelids started to droop. He'd never seen her so tired before. She emanated such a strong exterior that seeing her giving into weakness like this was a little worrying. "How you feelin', baby?" he asked, leaning over to kiss her temple.

"I'm okay," she replied around a yawn. "Tired. Growin' two people is exhausting."

He smiled, proud as hell of his pregnant wife. Nodding, he tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Can I do anything for you?"

"Maybe some tea?" she asked, smiling as she pressed at her belly. "One of these bugs has the hiccups. Drivin' me crazy."

Juice moved his hand to where hers was, and she covered it with hers. He felt a small spasm in her stomach and grinned; that was one of his kids in there. "Boy or girl?"

It was something they'd been theorizing over since they'd found out she was pregnant. They didn't know for sure what they were having, but they both had a feeling it was one of each. "Probably girl," Angela replied, wincing a little. "Kicking and hiccupping. She's gonna be trouble."

"Just like her Mama, huh?"

Angela scowled at him, though he could tell she was trying not to smile. "I wasn't that bad. Don't believe the hype."

Juice got up from the bed, kissing her temple again. "I know, baby. I'll get started on the tea. Tell the hiccuppin' bug to hold her breath or somethin'. They're lungs are formin' right?"

She smiled, her eyes closing as she nodded. "Daddy's been reading the baby books again, buggos."

He had been reading articles and books about multiple pregnancies since they found out she was having twins. He was trying to learn what he could so he could help her better this time around than he had the last. He wasn't going to miss a damn thing this time. "Just want to take care of you, Mama."

"Mmm, you always do," she murmured sleepily.

"Still want that tea or you want me to let you sleep?"

"Tea, please. Tryin' to stay up to say g'night to Eves," she replied, yawning again. "Don't want her to feel like I'm ignorin' her because of the bugs."

Juice's heart warmed as it usually did when she talked about their children. He knew it wasn't good for her to force herself to stay awake just to tuck their youngest in, but he wasn't about to tell her that. Not when she was doing it for such a loving reason. "Okay, baby. I'll make you some tea."

"Thank you. You're the best," she replied on a soft, happy sigh.

He nodded before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him. Heading to the kitchen, he knew she'd probably be dozing by the time he finished making the tea, but he went through the motions of filling the electric tea kettle with water and starting it up. As he watched the bubbles start, he grabbed his phone and dialed his sister's number.

"Hey Wonka," Jo answered cheerily. "How you doin', baby bro?"

"I'm...all right," he said on a sigh, raking his hand through his hair. "How are you?"

"Oh boy. That was quite a sigh. What's goin' on?"

Juice smiled to himself, leaning his back against the counter. How he had gone so many years without talking to his big sister was beyond him. He should've reached out to her long ago. Maybe then he wouldn't have gone through so much shit. "Nothin'. I'm just...worried about my wife. She's...been acting so out of it lately, and I'm scared there's somethin' bigger goin' on that I'm gonna miss. I mean, you had twins, were you tired like...all the time?"

"Exhausted. That's normal in any pregnancy."

"Yeah, but she wasn't like this with Evie. She was working at full force with her. No signs of stopping. Always on her feet from what I remember."

Jo was quiet for a moment which meant she was trying to figure out a kind way to say something he wasn't going to like. "I'm gonna be real straight with you for a sec...from what you guys said, you weren't around a whole lot for her when she was pregnant with Evie. Sounded like there was a shit ton going on in your head during that time. Heard about lots of fighting between the two of you. Did you really have time to focus on where she was at?"

Guilt turned Juice's stomach; she was right. Angela was pregnant with Evie in the middle of the club's turmoil. He'd missed almost all of her appointments, she'd been abducted, shot, and stabbed, he'd sided with Clay over her, cheated on her, blamed her for Clay's death, tried to take his own life, and then he'd left her to go on a stupid run while she was in her third trimester. Hell, Bones and Kenny knew more about her pregnancy with Evie than he did. "No," he said on a breath as he sat down heavily in one of the kitchen chairs. "No, you're right. Don't know shit about how she was feelin' other than mad at me."

"Uh-huh," Jo said, ice clinking in whatever she was drinking. "This is nothin', bro. She's growing two babies, and its exhausting. Add that too all the stress she's been going through with her aunt, and no wonder she's wiped. Can you blame her?"

"That's a whole other mess, Jo. We moved Lena to Chloe's house, which has been great, but fuckin' Chibs keeps wanting to come visit to be there for Happy, and Hap's puttin' it off because he knows Ang'll go ballistic, and I just...I just want her to be okay. Something in my gut tells me something's off, and I just...what can I do?"

"Breathe, Juan," Jo replied, her voice soft, soothing like it was when she soothed her sons. "Angela is fine. She's pregnant with twins, and its rough on the human body. Hell, I spent days in bed with everything hurting, and I had an almost ideal situation. Angela's always go-go-go. You can't keep that speed when you have two parasites growing inside of you. She's finally got it all resolved, so everything she's pushed through is catching up with her. I wouldn't be surprised if she sleeps for the next few weeks."

Juice sighed in relief, knowing she was right. "Hope so. You guys still comin' up?"

Jo chuckled softly. "Yeah, baby bro. We'll be heading up probably just before the babies come. How's the new space looking?"

"Good, good," he replied, thankful for the subject change. They bullshitted about the company and about what was going on in Jo's life. Just talking to his sister centered him a bit, cleared his head. By the end of the conversation, he felt like a weight had been taken off his shoulders. "I gotta go, Jojo. My wife's tea is gonna get cold."

"Glad to hear she's drinking tea," Jo said on a laugh. She was quiet again before she cleared her throat. "I'm...um...I'm really glad you called me, Wonka. Think its healthy for you to...share what you're goin' through with someone who isn't Angie."

Juice stuck the tea bag into the cup of hot water, plunging it in and out with the string. "Yeah, I think so too. Thanks for listenin'."

"Don't thank me. Just keep me posted. I love you, Wonka. Call me if you need me, all right? I can move up the date if you want me there earlier."

"I appreciate it, but I'm good, thanks," he said on a sigh. "Love you too, Jojo. Give big hugs to the twins from us. Tell Dino I'll catch up with him later."

"Oh! Back rubs! Give her a back rub. Do some research 'cause there's some spots you shouldn't touch, but some light pressure on her lower back and she'll love you forever!" Jo exclaimed.

Juice laughed, making a mental note to do just that. He said his goodbyes before pulling out his phone and doing the research before he headed back down to the master bedroom. Angela was scrolling through something on her phone when he walked in. He put her tea on a coaster on the nightstand before nudging her gently. "Roll over. I want to try somethin'," he told her, smirking at her confused look.

Holding onto her large belly, she rolled onto her side slowly so her back was to him. "Whatever it is, it better be good, 'cause I was comfy and that is so fuckin' hard with this big ass belly."

He grimaced, hoping it was worth it to her; he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. "Just trust," he said, moving her shirt up her back. Slowly, with just a little pressure, he ran his hands over her back, his phone on mute with an instructional video just out of her sightline. She moaned at the feel of it. A good moan. One he was very familiar with from their many intimate moments. He smiled triumphantly, leaning forward to drop a kiss to her shoulder. "Good?"

"So good, baby," she murmured, on a happy sigh. "Where'd this idea come from?"

"My sister," he answered, enjoying the feeling of her soft skin under his hands. "Said it'd make you love me forever."

He could see the smallest smirk on her face. "As if I didn't already."

Juice dropped another kiss to her shoulder. The conversation he had with Jo was still weighing heavily on his mind. It'd been a while since he'd thought back about what happened in Charming. He'd found out she was pregnant just after he'd tried to end his own life. Then he'd cheated on her with Carla and had almost lost her because of that mistake. If it hadn't been for Opie's death, he was sure she'd have walked away that night. She didn't, though. She stood strong and helped him through it all. And then, he'd almost destroyed their relationship again by blaming her for Clay's death like an idiot. He'd left her to go on that stupid run with Bobby while she was hugely pregnant. To top it off, he'd been at a whorehouse when she was giving birth. And then he'd died. Skipped out on her and left her alone to deal with Evie and Ken and Rigs and the club all on her own. And yet, her love for him never wavered. She stuck beside him, and he knew she would stick beside him, 'til death do them part.

"You're too quiet, goofy. What's going on between those two tats?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at him.

Despite the way his head tattoos had been hidden for almost three years now, Angela still asked him that question. He smiled down at her, letting his fingers trace over the tribal lines on her upper back. His tattoos. Sometimes he missed seeing them on his own head. He'd always liked the look of them. "Just thinking about when you were pregnant with Eves. How different it was back then. I missed so much, and I treated you so badly. 'm sorry for that. Was real shitty of me."

"Mmm," she moaned, her brows drawn together for a moment. She didn't deny what he said, which didn't make him feel any better. They rarely talked about the past very much since usually it triggered a fight or a panic attack followed by nightmares. She had nightmares more than he did. While she was awake, it was easy to build up a wall and be strong, but when she was asleep, all of her fears snuck back and haunted her. " 's okay. I still love you. Never stopped. Never will stop."

Juice's heart warmed at her words. After all these years, he still couldn't believe she loved him as much as she did. They'd been through so much together, and she'd never wavered from his side. She'd stood strong beside him at his lowest lows. He didn't know why she loved him like she did. Why she hadn't left him yet. "Love you too, beautiful," he murmured, leaning in to press his lips to her cheek, his hand sliding over her big belly.

The sound of the front door opening and little footsteps heading their way made him grin, his lips still against Angela's skin. He could feel her face move into a smile. "Help me sit up," she murmured, slowly shifting to her back. Juice helped her slowly, holding onto her hands as she sat up. He moved around her and placed several pillows behind her.

"Mama!" Evie shouted as she burst into the room, Kenny close behind her. She scrambled up onto the bed, a big smile on her face as she threw herself at her mother. "Hi Mama!"

Angela hugged her back, kissing her cheek. "Hi baby girl! Did you have fun at Abuela's house?"

"Yeah! Tio Neo gave me his flan!" she exclaimed, her light brown eyes blazing with excitement.

"She's on a bit of a sugar high right now," Kenny explained on a chuckle from where he was leaning in the door way. "Hasn't shut up since we left Chlo's. Longest ten minute drive ever."

Juice smirked; he'd had a feeling when they left that telling Evie she couldn't have more flan was not going to stand with her multitude of grandparents who loved to spoil her. Evie had settled into her mother's side, her little hand smacking against Angela's large belly. "Hi bugs!" she shouted, her mouth pressed into the fabric of Angela's shirt.

"Gentle, Monk," Juice reminded her, moving a hand over Evie's hair.

Angela smiled warmly, catching Evie's hand before she could smack her again. "Here, baby," she said moving her little hand to a certain spot. "Feel that?"

Evie's eyes grew wide as she tore her hand back. "What that?"

"One of the bugs is kicking. Saying 'hello'," Angela explained.

Juice watched as his daughter leaned in again, her hand tentatively pressing against the same spot. He chuckled as she wrinkled he nose at the feel of the baby kicking against her palm. "Feels weird, huh, Monk?"

"So weird," she agreed, staring warily at her mother's stomach. "It hurt, Mama?"

"No, baby," she lied, though Juice noticed the way she'd clenched her jaw in pain. "They're just moving around in there. Getting cozy and comfy and ready for bed. Like you should be."

Evie giggled as Angela poked her nose. "You tuck me in, Mama?"

Juice grimaced, leaning in to pick Evie up under her shoulders and set her on her feet. "How 'bout we tuck Mama in? Then I'll tuck you in."

" 'kay!" Evie said bouncing on the bed a bit. Angela laughed as they pulled the covers over her and Evie got to work tucking them in all around her, her brows furrowed together in concentration, an expression she'd inherited from her mother. "Done!"

"Thank you." Angela smiled, hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead. "Goodnight, mi vida. Te quiero mucho. Sleep tight." (my life...I love you very much)

"Goodnight! Te quiero muuuucho, Mama," she exclaimed, smacking a kiss to her cheek before kissing her stomach. "Night bugs!"

Juice chuckled, grabbing Evie around her stomach and "flying" her towards Kenny, so she could say goodnight to him before carrying her to the bathroom, taking pleasure in her sweet little giggles that filled the air. Slowly, he landed her on her feet on the little stool in front of the sink watching her as she brushed her teeth and washed her face. Evie was vigilant about brushing her teeth and washing her face every night. She was fastidious about hygiene and cleanliness, something he blamed on himself a little. "You have fun at Auntie Coco's?" he asked her, watching her from the doorway.

"Uh-huh," she said, as she finished and held her arms up to him. "Fly me to bed, Daddy!"

With a laugh he lifted her up so she was face down with her stomach across his outstretched arms. He made airplane sounds while he swerved this way and that down the hallway. "Coming in for a crash landing!" he exclaimed, crashing her onto the bed. She bounced up to her feet, squealing with glee. He grabbed her pajamas and helped her into them before pulling back the covers for her to get in bed.

"Hair, daddy," she said, pulling on the end of her braids.

Juice reached over and undid her braids, scratching his fingertips over her scalp. She leaned into him, closing her eyes for a moment. "Lay down, Monk. Time for bed," he murmured, throwing the covers over her when she lay back. "Tell me somethin' good that happened today."

"I colored with Tio Happy," she replied around a yawn. "And Nana Lena comed home, and 'Buela Graci made flan."

His heart warmed at the mention of the night filled with family she was describing. Uncles, aunts, and grandparents galore. This was how he wanted her to grow up. Sure, in Austin they had his sister, and her family but that was four people compared to the dozens she had in California. The longer they stayed, the more he loved the idea of staying in California. "That's real good," he said, tucking her into bed. "What do you think about living here, Monk?"

Her eyes widened. "Forever?"

Juice knew it was a stupid thing to ask her at such a young age, but he was curious. "Yeah," he said, sitting at the edge of her bed and tucking her hair behind her ear. "You can be with Abuela Graci and Tio Happy and Auntie Coco."

"And Uncle Bobo and Auntie El? Uncle Tiggy? Tio Neo and Tommy too?"

"Uh-huh. All of 'em."

"I like that, Daddy. Mama be happy. You be happy?"

Juice nodded. "I'm happy as long as I'm with you guys," he told her, leaning into kiss her cheek. "I love you, my little sea monkey."

"I love you!" Evie replied with a big smile. "Daddy, sing me my song."

He grimaced. Evie either requested a story or the damn Disney song from Princess and the Frog she was named after before bed depending on how sleepy she was. He'd been hoping she'd want a story; he could do all the voices while he read as much as she wanted, but he wasn't big on singing. Half the time, he got the words wrong, and she told him to do it again. "Oh you don't want me to do that. I'm not as good as Mama. I don't know all the words. I can put it on my phone if you want."

"No, no, you sing, Daddy! Pleeeeease," she insisted, holding her trusty stuffed bull dog close.

How could he resist a request like that? Sighing, he hung his head for a moment and cleared his throat, "Look how you light up the sky. Ma belle, Evangeline. So far above me, yet I know your heart belongs to only me. Only me and Mama, right, Monk?"

Evie's eyelids were growing heavy as she nodded, a sleepy smile on her face. "Keep goin', Da-da."

He chuckled and continued, skipping the part that was in French because he didn't really know how to say it, "That someone as beautiful as you. Could love someone like me. Love always finds a way, its true, and I love you, Evangeline."

Juice smiled when he noticed she was sound asleep. Leaning in, he kissed her forehead once more before heading out of the room. He walked back to his bedroom, not all that surprised to hear Kenny and Angela talking softly to each other. He peeked inside and his heart warmed at the sight of his son and his wife laying on the big bed. Kenny's large hand was on her belly, her smaller one guiding it to certain spots, no doubt where the twins were kicking. Kenny was smiling, something he hadn't been doing much of lately. Being in Charming had really been messing with Ken, and it was good to see him smiling.

They both noticed him at the same time. Kenny leaned over and kissed Angela's cheek. "Think that's my cue to go. Night, Mama. Love you."

"Love you too, kiddo," she replied, squeezing his hand.

Kenny was still smiling a bit as he walked out of the room. "Night, Dad," he said, hugging Juice.

Juice couldn't help but smile every time Kenny called him 'Dad'. He hugged him back tightly. "Night, Ken. Love you," he replied. He knew a lot of fathers didn't tell their sons how much they loved them because of some macho bullshit, but he never bought into that. He never wanted Kenny to ever doubt how much he was loved.

"Love you, too," he answered before heading down the hallway to his room.

Juice walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind him with a tired sigh. "She go to sleep all right?" Angela asked, wincing at a particularly hard kick.

He nodded, changing out of his clothes and pulling on a pair of basketball shorts. "Sugar crash. Made me sing."

"Lucky girl gets to hear you singin'," she commented on a warm smile as he climbed into bed beside her. She waited for him to lie down before scooting closer to him, angling herself so she could put her head on his chest. Her fingers drew lazy circles over his stomach. "Think the last time you sang to me was when you were in prison, and you sang me a Christmas carol."

He laughed, tangling his hand into her hair and scratching at her scalp like he'd done with their daughter. She'd told him Tara had banned several Christmas songs at the annual SAMCRO Christmas party to keep from crying, and he'd insisted Angela sing one to him. She'd initially refused, so he'd sung her one of the Elvis ones to make her laugh. "Bobby said I ruined it."

"I loved it," she murmured sleepily.

"This you asking me to sing to you?"

"Mmm...not tonight. Too tired to enjoy it. Just keep with the head scratches. Feels so good," she murmured, turning her head to kiss his chest. He chuckled, knowing his arm was going to fall asleep eventually but not really caring. After a moment, she sighed. "I love this, but I gotta roll over. I need that stupid pillow to support my big ass belly."

Juice smirked, throwing back the covers and going to get the long pregnancy pillow. He lay it down beside her, gently helping her roll onto her other side. "Comfy?"

She nodded, her eyes closing slowly. "Come cuddle."

"Your wish is my command, beautiful," he replied, getting back into bed behind her. He wrapped himself around her, setting his hand on her firm belly. He felt a strong kick to his hand and grinned, leaning in to kiss her shoulder. "These bugs ever stop moving?"

"No," she answered on a tired sigh. "When one sleeps, the other riots. It's real fun."

He rubbed his hand in gentle circles over the spot. "Go to sleep, buggo. Mama needs rest."

The baby stopped moving, and Angela sighed in relief. "Keep talking," she whispered. "They like your voice."

"Well, in that case," he said, clearing his throat. "I'm gonna tell you about one of the best days in my life, bugs. I went to your Mama's work place to drop off some...stuff," he started, encouraged by Angela's soft laugh. "And I turned and saw the most beautiful lady leaning against a hearse blow bubbles with her blue gum. It was your Mama, and she was stunning, buggos. I was hooked the moment I met her with her pretty smile. Love at first sight."

"Liar," Angela whispered. "Think it was lust at first sight."

He smirked, nipping at her shoulder. "Maybe," he conceded, though a part of him thought she was wrong. He didn't know what love was when he first met her. If he had, he would've recognized it. "But it grew from that. Your Mama became my best friend, bugs. Still is. And then a lot of shit happened, and we had your sister, and got your brother, and we built this beautiful life that you're gonna be a part of soon. We're livin' that happily ever after, bugs. Get excited."

"Mmm," Angela hummed contently, her hand covering his. "Don't hype 'em up. They just calmed down."

Juice smiled, moving his fingers through hers. He was excited. He'd always wanted a big family filled with love and laughter. He already had one, but he was happy they were going to be adding to it. He'd add ten more if it was feasible. "Are you excited? Our family's about to get bigger."

She was quiet for so long, he though she might've fallen asleep. "I'm scared," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

He felt his stomach sink at her admission, though he appreciated her opening up to him. "Why?" he asked, kissing her shoulder again.

"I dunno. There's so much happening with Chlo and Lena, and having Evie hurt so bad, and then I lost the baby, and we tried so hard for these bugs...and this is...its a high risk pregnancy...what if...what if something happens to them?" she asked, her words getting stuck in her throat.

Juice held her tighter, letting his lips linger on her skin. "Then we get through it together, baby. I'll be with you every step. Holding your hand. If somethin' happens, we'll figure it out."

She nodded slowly, squeezing his hand. "What if something happens to me?" she asked even quieter.

He had never ever considered that. Reading through the baby books, he'd learned about the worst case scenarios, about maternal mortality rates with multiples. It was higher than with single pregnancies, but it wasn't insanely high. Of course, she was on the older side, which didn't help things. No. He stopped that train of thought. He couldn't imagine life without her. Couldn't comprehend how he would survive. "Nothing is going to happen to you, Angel."

"You don't know that." She sniffled a little bit, and he sat up, surprised to see a tear fall down her cheek.

He wiped away her tears, dropping a kiss to her cheek. "I do," he insisted, though he knew better than anyone he couldn't. How many times had she been hurt while they were together? Abducted twice, run off the road; he hadn't been able to stop any of those moments. "I won't let anything happen to you. Promise you that. The twins are gonna come out easily, and we're gonna have beautiful, healthy babies, and everyone is going to be happy."

She sighed heavily. "Hope so."

He hated how that she still sounded worried and wished there was something he could do about it. Maybe the next time they talked to Chloe he'd bring it up. See what she thought. The nurse had to have some good insight or words of confidence for her. He kissed Angela again, moving his arms around her again. "I know so."

Disclaimer 2: I don't own "Ma Belle Evangeline"the song Juice sings to Evie. It's from the Disney movie the Princess and the Frog, which is amazing and the song is so pretty :)

Let me know what you think!

~Love Ink