"Back to Forever" by Lissie

The next few days involved Murphy, Connor, and I trying to adjust to the timezone change. It doesn't get any easier the more that I do this. In fact, it seems to get harder the older that I am. I was also starting to get very nauseous in the mornings. But today we were going to tell the kids that I was pregnant-and that we'd be getting married at some point. I didn't really expect them to have any issues with this. Kelly and Declan have taken to Murphy and his family pretty quickly. But they're good kids.

"You ready?" I asked Murphy as he pulled his shirt over his head. He glanced back at me but said nothing. I kissed his cheek. "I don't think they'll put up a fuss at all. They might even be excited."

"That means mom wants to talk to us," Declan said from the doorway. Kelly was at his side, her head tilted curiously.

"What'd you do?" Kelly finally asked, narrowing her eyes. Murphy couldn't help himself and started laughing, elbowing me in the side.

"Wonder who she gets that from?" he asked, teasing me. I rolled my eyes, biting back my own laughter.

"Alright, alright," I started herding everyone downstairs. "Living room."

Declan and Kelly went out into the living room, throwing themselves onto the couch and startling Tyler, who had been reading a newspaper.

"Sorry, Uncle Ty," the twins said in unison. Tyler composed himself and laughed before going back to his newspaper.

"So," I started, trying to think of what to say. "You guys are fine with your dad being around permanently, right?"

Kelly and Declan exchanged looks that clearly read that they thought I was crazy. They didn't dignify it with an answer, looking back to me to see if I was joking.

"That's a yes, right? Humor me."

"Yes, mom," they sighed. Tyler was pretending not to listen but was very clearly enjoying the kids making me squirm. He knows I'm not great at talks like these. I'm much happier just letting the kids be in their own little happy bubble most of the time.

"Well, that's good. We'll be getting married."

They got really excited at that, perking up.

"Really? Oh, there's going to be a wedding!" Kelly tapped Declan excitedly.

"Yes, Kel, I heard. I'm right here," he rolled his eyes but grinned.

"Those are good reactions," Murphy laughed, relaxing a bit and leaning back on the couch. Now the surprise.

"You'll also be getting some new siblings," I said. Tyler hid his face, trying to hide his laughter. I threw a pillow at him.

"Twins, like us?" Declan questioned.

"Triplets," I replied as if it were a question itself. Kelly and Declan turned away from us, talking in hushed tones as if this was some kind of negotiation for them to win.

"That's acceptable but we demand the bigger bedroom," Kelly crossed her legs.

"We're going to build a house on grandda's land so ye'll have your own rooms," Murphy interjected helpfully. He had surprised me with that one the other night. I loved that he wanted to stay near his family-and that he took the initiative to clear it with Noah. They were going to go file all of the necessary paperwork to section off a plot of land with its own address and everything. It was nice to have someone to do the not so fun work with me. He's a good partner.

They exchanged looks, whispered again, and nodded. "We accept those terms."

"You've been hanging around Adrienne too much," I laughed. The twins shrugged.

"Can we go play with Erik?"

"Yes, yes, go bother Uncle Connor while you're at it."

"Yes!" the twins said excitedly while taking off while they could. Tyler finally put down the newspaper, giggling to himself.

"You can wrangle grown men with guns, no problem, but you get bowled over by a pair of eight year olds every time." I threw the other pillow at him, which he caught effortlessly.

"Shut up," I grumbled. I didn't really have a good rebuttal for that simply because it was true.

"Can I get ye anything?" Murphy asked quietly, rubbing my back. I was currently stationed in the upstairs bathroom with terrible morning sickness. We've been back a few days now. But instead of enjoying being back, I was dealing with terrible morning sickness.

I groaned in response. The twins hadn't been this bad. Slowly I laid down next to the toilet, hugging my legs to my chest. He wasn't deterred by my groan and kept rubbing my back helpfully.

"You okay, Cecilia?" Tyler asked from the doorway. I was supposed to be starting back at work today.

More nausea. Murphy quickly grabbed my hair as I sat up and threw up into the toilet again.

"I'll take that as a 'no.'"

"I think she's gonna need a minute," Murphy said, readjusting his grip on my hair. Tyler must have nodded and gone to work because he was gone when I sat up. Murphy kissed my head and stood before helping me up. He assisted me with undressing and then got me into the shower before going to make us some coffee and toast.

I showered until I felt less gross, brushed my teeth, and then went downstairs where Murphy was finishing with our toast.

"Ye look like ye got hit by a bus," Connor grinned helpfully. I glared but said nothing, sitting at the table and practically chugging my coffee. This pregnancy is going to be rough.

"Toast?" Murphy asked before handing it to me.

"Thanks."

"Whoa, mom what happened?" Kelly asked as she walked in with Declan, both looking very concerned.

"I just feel a little sick this morning," I smiled.

"Oh, from the babies?" Declan questioned.

"Ye're smart kids," Connor noted. "Ye get that from yer mum." Murphy threw a chunk of butter at Connor in response. "Ye're also nice like yer mum."

I surprised Connor by picking the butter up off of the table and tossing it at him again.

"That's just rude."

"A habit I've picked up from you," I yawned with a stretch as I stood up. I had managed to eat half of the toast. I kissed Murphy and put the uneaten piece of toast on Connor's head as I walked out the door and down to the dig site.

Adrienne was waiting in her office tent for me. She pulled me into a tight hug when she saw me. "I thought you'd never come back to us!" she smiled, hugging me again immediately. "It's been so quiet here without you. Now, sit, tell me all about your trip."

Ha. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't believe me if I told her half of what had happened. Most people wouldn't. It's pretty wild to actually stop and think about it. So, I told her some of what happened, leaving out all of the 'gratuitous violence' as Murphy called it. Naturally it ended with showing her the ring and pointing to my rapidly expanding midsection.

"Yeah, I didn't really expect you to come back pregnant again. So I have a bottle of whiskey for you. But I'm sure your fiancé will enjoy it instead, yes?"

"Of course, he's Irish," I laughed. "I appreciate it. I'm sure Murphy will as well."

"Now, we want to throw you a big dinner. All of you. I assume that Murphy and the other one talk more than their dad?"

I couldn't help but laugh. Connor would be so hurt by being referred to as 'the other one.' "The other one is Connor. And, yes, they both talk a lot more than Noah. He doesn't really say much to anyone but the kids. And Mom. But you know she'll make anyone talk to her."

"Either from a genuinely pleasant conversation or nagging them into it."

"Exactly."

"Well you just let me know what everyone likes and we'll put something together."

"Speaking from experience, Connor and Murphy will eat just about anything. You know what Kelly and Declan like. I'm not entirely sure about Noah but he hasn't complained about anything Mom has served him. So I can't imagine he's that picky either." I mean, he was in prison for a long time, so I'm sure almost anything is better than what he was served there. But that was an entirely different can of worms Adrienne would probably never know.

"Paul and Eunice?"

"That I'm not sure and I can find out."

Adrienne nodded and then gave me my tasks for the day. Mostly administrative stuff. "Oh, and one more thing," she said as I was leaving. "I'm just going to permanently move your shift start back an hour. Just tell me if you need more time. And by tell me, I mean use Tyler as a messenger."

"I heard that!" Tyler yelled from outside. Adrienne and I laughed. It felt good to be home again.