Author's Note: Thank you to all of you readers for the positive feedback. It lets me know that you are reading and enjoying what I'm able to come up with. I'm truly appreciative of all the kind words and encouragement you have all given. Thank you!

I'm able to hold Ciara in my arms for a couple of hours. It then takes me another hour to muster the strength to leave her. It's the last thing I want to do, but I don't want to risk being caught. It would only cause chaos in our already overly messy lives. Her head is currently resting on my left arm and my right arm is wrapped around her holding her close to me; my hand resting just below hers against her abdomen. I don't want to remove my hand from where it is so close to our babies. Ciara's not showing any evidence yet of being pregnant, other than being queasy and easily tired, but I sense the two lives that are growing inside of her. I'm still thinking girl but now it's two of them. Two identical twin girls. They are beautiful, spirited balls of energy just like their momma and I want to do everything right for them in this world. There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do to keep them safe. And right now, that means leaving this room and heading back to the gatehouse.

I can't take the risk and stay all night even though that is truly what I want, but I can't get caught. I can only imagine the blowback that would occur. Ciara and I, we never discussed what we would do if we were caught together before this whole mess was fixed and thinking about it now, I really don't have any solution to that. I can only pretend to keep on trying to win her back, but how long will I be able to sell that charade and have people continue to buy it. I take a few more minutes to savor the feeling of having Ciara in my arms. I gently stroke my thumb over her hand and over her tummy.

I slowly pull my hand away, but it is quickly pulled back by the force that is my woman, "Don't go. Not yet. I just need you to hold me a few more minutes. Please," she desperately whispers.

I can hear the pleading in her voice, and it breaks my heart to hear it. I hate that this situation is so difficult for her. It's difficult for me too.

"Of course, a few more minutes, but then I need to go back. We can't be seen together," I whisper.

She nods her head in understanding and I clutch her even more tightly to my frame with both of my arms wrapping around her. I relish the last few moments I hold her and then ease up on my embrace. I unwrap my arms from around her. I prop myself up on one arm and take my hand to pull her over to lay completely on her back. I look at her through the shadows that cloak the room and lay my head down low on her abdomen. I take my left hand and bring it back to where our babies are growing and rest it there.

"Daddy has to leave for now, even though he really doesn't want to. Don't make too much trouble for your momma okay," I kiss her flesh there, "I love the two of you so much."

I force myself to pull away from Ciara and stand up by the bed. I grab her hand to pull her toward me and she slides across the bed to then stand in front of me.

I pull her into my arms one more time and she eagerly steps into my embrace. "I don't understand how you choose to love me, but I thank God that you do," I say while stroking her cheek.

"Ben, it's not a choice that I love you. I just do. It's instinct because you are the other half of my soul."

"I love you," I firmly whisper before brushing my lips over hers. I kiss her cheek and then press my lips to her forehead. My lips linger there a moment before I whisper against her forehead, "Make sure to lock the window after I leave. I need to know that all three of my girls are safe."

"Girls? So, you think we're having two girls?"

"I do. I think they are identical and are going to look just like you."

I place one last kiss on her forehead and take in a deep breath to inhale her scent. It will have to last me until we can next see each other, hopefully, next Friday. She's still holding my hand when I climb out the window.

"I love you, Ciara." I take her hand to my lips and kiss the back.

"I love you too, Ben."

I let go of her hand and watch as she closes and locks the window behind me. It's so difficult to look away from her but I do and begin to climb down to the ground. Once my feet hit the ground I don't look back because I don't think I will have the strength to keep walking away.

I stick to the shadows to make my way back to the tunnels and manage to not run into anyone while I make my way there. The fact that it is 3 in the morning also helps. I always get an ominous feeling when I'm walking through here. I hate that when Ciara has to come see me, she has to do it through here, and I can't wait for the day when things return to what we know as normal and don't have to sneak around.

When I enter the living room Stefan is sitting at his chess table sipping a drink, "Ben you're getting back here awful late."

"Yeah, sorry."

"Is something wrong?"

"Other than the usual? No."

Stefan points to the seat opposite of him, "Pour yourself a drink and join me for a game."

"Thanks, but I'm not drinking right now, not while Ciara is pregnant."

"You never cease to amaze me with the sacrifices you are willing to make for Miss Ciara."

"I don't view it as a sacrifice. Ciara shouldn't have alcohol while she's pregnant, so I'm choosing to support her and do the same."

"Well, still have a seat. We'll play a round of chess, and you can tell me what's going on. Maybe I can help in some way."

I take the seat he has offered across from him.

"I heard Claire say something in the loft that leads me to think that she really is working with Eve to frame me. I heard no one else in the loft during that time so I think they are texting back and forth. Ciara tried to get a look at Claire's phone yesterday and almost got caught. She had a plan to try again today while Claire was in the shower with Tripp guarding the door, but Claire had her phone with her in the bathroom. Ciara is frustrated and I'm frustrated not to mention worried about the amount of stress this is putting on her. It's not good for her or the babies."

"I see."

"The next time Tripp is free to help her snoop is next Friday. I just couldn't wait that long to go and see her."

"That is a long time to be forced to wait and stay away from the woman you love and who is carrying your children."

"Honestly, it's torture. All I want to do is be able to spoil her and show her just how much she means to me and we can barely see one another right now. I want to be with her, but we can't be seen with one another right now, and the more we do it the more likely we are going to get caught. Then what the hell will I do?"

"Well if you're open to it, I have a way to distract you and keep you busy and away from Ciara."

"I don't know, I…"

Stefan raises his hand, "Hear me out, Ben. You said yourself that you and Ciara need to stay away from one another. I acquired a new property on the outskirts of Chicago. I need the security to be upgraded there. It will keep you occupied during the day and away from Ciara, but not too far away."

"I don't know, Stefan."

"Ben, even if you're working around here it would take you just as long to get to her loft as it would if you were at this new property. You need a distraction and I think this will make the time pass faster for you because of the amount of work this place will need, next Friday will be here before you know it."

"It's really the same distance?"

"Yes, and when you're finished with this upgrade and you've cleared yourself of this fire business you and Ciara are welcome to spend a weekend up there. It's along the lake and very peaceful."

"Alright. I'll do it."

"This is going to help I promise. You will be so busy making these upgrades you won't have time to think about how far away next Friday is. You'll see."

"Thanks, Stefan. I hope you're right."

"I am you'll see."

"Well, I'm going to head to the gatehouse and get some sleep. Leave me the address and I'll head out to this new property after I let Ciara know where I'll be."

"Goodnight, Ben."

"Goodnight."

I head out of the mansion and walk over to the gatehouse. I open the door and I recall what Ciara and I were talking about tonight. A nursery. I look around my home and I quickly come to this conclusion, how the hell are Ciara and I along with two babies going to live here?

When it was just Ciara and me living here it was cozy, but when we add two babies along with all of the endless supplies they are going to need; there is no way we will be able to survive in such cramped quarters. Even if I worked on decluttering this place, even more, space will be tight.

As much as I have loved living here with Ciara, I quickly realize that we are going to have to find a new home before the babies are born. I can feel my stress level increase even more. Where are we going to live?