About three weeks later…

"Babe, you do realize that every single day since my brother left for Australia, your sister has been over here, right?"

Elizabeth smiled. "She misses him."

"Yes, but I miss having a Julie-free day once in awhile."

Jack slipped his PJ pants on and joined her in bed.

"I thought you liked my sister. You told her, and I quote, "You're welcome here anytime. You're family.""

"She is family, but we are trying to make a baby here, Beth."

"Did you lock the door?"

"Yes."

"Then I don't see a problem," she said as she started kissing his neck.

**KNOCK KNOCK**

"Yes, Julie?" Jack said, giving Elizabeth a pointed look.

"I just wanted to say goodnight."

"Goodnight, Julie."

"And thank you for letting me sleep over again. It's such a long drive home to my apartment and it's late now and…"

"Night Julie," Jack said, covering his head with his pillow.

"Night."

Elizabeth laughed and peeked under Jack's pillow. "I'll make sure she goes home tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"Why don't we light some candles and get in the jacuzzi?"

"Yes, please."

….

The next day, Jack sat on the edge of his desk and watched as his students took a pop quiz on the Vietnam war.

"David, eyes on your paper, sir." David immediately returned his gaze from the girl on his left to his paper. "Five minutes, guys."

The bell rang ten minutes later and the day was over.

He sat down and gathered his papers. He had an hour before Hunter's after school activity was finished so he hoped to get in touch with Elizabeth.

He sent her a text. "Hey, beautiful."

"Hi, love."

"I love u."

Elizabeth smiled at his three heart emojis that he put at the end of the sentence. "I love u 2."

"Want me 2 pick up pizza 4 dinner? Rocky's ham and pineapple is calling my name."

"Salad 4 me please."

"Really?"

"Yes. 2 much eating junk lately. I need 2 eat healthy and stay in shape."

"Salad it is." Anything to help her get pregnant.

"Thanks. I'll b home about 7."

"Ok. Love u, babe."

"Love u 2."

Just as he was about to leave, Mike Hickam showed up.

"Hey, bro. How are you?" Jack asked, shaking his hand.

"Good. Great actually."

"Excellent. What have you been up to?"

"You know, teaching, falling in love. That sort of thing."

"Falling in love? With Jane?"

"Yeah. She's great. And so is Mikey."

"But…"

"I guess…I don't know how to do this. Be in a relationship. I've had a girlfriend or two but never anything serious. And there's a kid involved. The last thing I want to do is screw it up."

"You won't screw it up. You are the nicest guy I know, Mike, even if you stink at basketball."

"Whatever, dude!"

"Did you tell her you love her?"

"No. Is it too soon?"

"How long has it been?"

"About three months. We talk everyday. I miss her when we don't."

"It's not too soon in my opinion but you're taking advice from someone who married his wife four months after meeting her."

"Good point. What was I thinking?"

"Ha ha."

….

After dinner, Hunter took Bruce out and then talked his parents into letting him watch the Incredibles before going to bed.

So Jack helped Elizabeth with the kitchen cleanup. "I was thinking. Maybe we should have Mike and Jane and Mikey over for dinner. We can barbecue before it gets too cold."

"Sure." Elizabeth yawned and smiled. "Jane is very sweet."

"Mike came to see me today. He told me he's in love with her but he's a bit hesitant. So having them over might help things along."

"How?" Elizabeth yawned again and dried her hands.

"Babe, you're exhausted. Why don't you head to bed? I'll get Hunter settled."

"I'm ok. How will them coming over help exactly?"

"They can see that we are happy and content. That we are making it after knowing each other only a short time and with a child in the mix."

She yawned again. "Ok, yeah. I'm going to bed. Night, Hunt!"

"Night, Mama."

She kissed Jack and wandered upstairs.

"Hunt, ten minutes and then its time for PJs and brushing teeth."

"Aaww man!"

"School tomorrow."

"I know. I wish I could stay up as late as I want like you."

"I still have a bedtime. I have school tomorrow too." Jack sat next to Hunter on the couch. "You got your homework done, right, bud?"

"Yep." He put his arm around Hunter's shoulders and kissed the top of his head.

"I love you, Hunt." He looked up at him and smiled.

"I love you too, Dad."

Jack again imagined that little girl he wanted with curls matching Beth and Hunter. For some reason, a girl was what his heart brought to mind most often and she would be beautiful just like her Mama.

About thirty minutes and two stories later, Jack flipped off Hunter's light and headed to his own bedroom.

He walked in, locked the door, and headed into the bathroom to brush his teeth and then change. Elizabeth seemed to be completely out.

When he slipped into bed, he was very careful not to disturb her. If she was pregnant and they didn't know it yet, she needed her rest.

"Jack?" she mumbled, rolling toward him. She put her head on his chest and exhaled, falling back asleep quickly.

"Love you, Beth," he whispered.

"Mmm. Hunter asleep?"

"Yeah."

"Good." She kissed his chin and then relaxed again.

….

Her exhaustion didn't leave the next day, even after a full eight hours of sleep. She made herself a protein shake, like most mornings, and headed down to run a few miles on the treadmill. After three miles, she called it a good try and walked back up the stairs to shower.

"Hi, Mama," Hunter said from the couch.

"Hi, sweetie. I'll take a shower and then I'll make you some breakfast."

"Daddy did. There's eggs for you."

"Ok, thank you, bud." The eggs didn't remotely smell appetizing but she needed protein to boost her energy she so would try.

Elizabeth grabbed her robe and walked into the bathroom.

"Morning, Beth," Jack said as he shaved.

"Morning, love." She reached in the shower and turned on the hot water.

"You ok?" He caught her eye in the mirror.

"Yeah. Just tired."

"Didn't sleep well?"

"No, I did. I just need more I guess. My head hurts too. I might be coming down with something."

She stepped in the shower and let the hot water soothe her muscles.

"I made you eggs. I know you don't normally have more than your protein shake but it might be good."

"Thanks, Jack."

She wandered down in her uniform about thirty minutes later, knowing she needed to leave in exactly ten minutes to make it to work on time. The boys had left so she was alone with her thoughts. And eggs. She looked down at them and decided against eating them. Besides the fact they were cold, she didn't eat in the mornings and her head was bothering her. She threw them in the garbage disposal and grabbed her keys.

"Morning, Sarge," Lee said with a wink as she sat at her desk, trying to act more awake than she felt.

"Morning, Lee."

"Running late this morning. That's not like you."

"Yeah. I'm fine and I made it so that's what's important."

"True." Lee watched her get ready for their day. Something was off. "Beth, let's go get coffee before we head out on patrol."

"I need to get this report done from Saturday."

"Thirty minutes, Beth. Chief wants his latte."

Lee stood and put his hat on his head and then they walked out together.

"What's on your mind, Beth?"

"Nothing, why?"

"Because I know you."

"I'm just tired and I have a headache. I'm probably just catching a cold."

"So, Rosie told me something Hunter had let slip the other day."

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

"He asked her if her family was "apanding". When she didn't get it right away, he told her it means getting bigger and that you and Jack wanted to do it too."

Elizabeth blushed. "I see."

"Rosie was exhausted too at the beginning."

"Lee, this is a weird conversation and a bit awkward to be having with you. You're like my brother!"

Lee laughed. "Yeah. I get that. I won't ask anything embarrassing. Just think about it. You could be pregnant."

"Maybe. In that case, I'll just get decaf coffee." She held the door open to the coffee shop. "Please keep this conversation between us until there's something to tell."

"Of course." She of course knew he would tell Rosie and that meant either a visit or a phone call from the nutty woman she called friend.

Elizabeth got a second wind until about three o'clock when she was an hour from time to go home. Then all she wanted was a nap. "I'm going to go home, Lee," she told him with a yawn.

"Want me to drive you?"

"No. I'm perfectly capable of driving myself. Thank you though."

Her phone rang as she pulled in the driveway. Rosie's photo popped up on her screen. The funny part was, she was walking across the lawn as she was calling, her cell phone to her ear.

"Elizabeth Thornton! Do you have anything you want to tell me?"

Elizabeth got out of the car and sighed. "Not really."

"Oh? So my husband asking me to let him know when you got home safely because you were exhausted and most likely pregnant isn't something you wanted to divulge?"

"I don't need to. You already know. However, there is nothing to talk about. Yes, I'm tired but that could be nothing. We just started trying so it's probably too soon anyway."

"You never know. You are a whole year younger than me. That could make a difference." Rosie slipped her arm through Elizabeth's. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were pregnant together? I can see it now. My little boy and your little girl, best friends! Oh, Elizabeth, this is going to be so great!"

….

When Elizabeth woke up from her nap, it was seven o'clock and quiet in the house. She put a Philly PD sweatshirt on and headed downstairs.

"Hi, boys," she said, walking into the living room.

"Mama! You slept through dinner."

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that."

"That's ok. Dad says you needed your rest."

"I did." She kissed the top of Hunter's curls. "Mm, sweetie, time for a bath."

"In your bathtub?"

"Yes, but no submarine. I don't feel like mopping tonight."

"Ok." He ran upstairs and a moment later they heard the water running.

Elizabeth sat next to Jack and snuggled into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Hi, Jack."

"Hey. How's your head?"

"Good." She closed her eyes and slipped her fingers between his.

"You hungry?"

"Not really."

"I made sandwiches but I can make you anything."

"I think maybe some ice cream, with chocolate sauce and whipped cream and a cherry sounds good."

"Bath is ready!" Hunter called from upstairs a few minutes later.

Jack kissed her temple and stood up. "I'll tackle bath time. You just relax."

So she laid down, grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch, and closed her eyes, taking her husband's advice.

…..

The next weekend, the weekend before Thanksgiving, Mike drove from his city apartment to Jane's suburb home. They were heading to the Thornton's for dinner that night. Mike drummed on the steering wheel as he pulled into the housing development. He was excited for an evening with his friends and the two people that he couldn't get enough of.

As Mike stepped out of the car, he noticed Mikey waiting for him on the front steps, both his little knees bouncing.

"Hey, squirt." Mike smiled

"Hi!" Mikey waved. "Mom's just getting ready. She said I could wait for you but only on the porch."

"Looks like you listened. Good job."

"Yeah. I didn't want to lose my Wii again. That was not fun!"

"Yikes. How'd that happen?"

The boy shrugged. "I went down the street to play with Max without asking. She thought I was in the backyard. She was NOT happy."

"Mikey, you probably scared her half to death. You can't do that."

"I know that now!" Mikey sighed.

Mike sat down next to the boy, wrapping his arm around him. "Good. Cause I know I'd be a wreck if anything happened to you."

"Yeah?" He looked up at him and smiled. All Mikey wanted right now was to have a family like Hunter. He already had a great mom. He just needed the dad part. As far as he was concerned, he'd found it in Mike Hickam.

Jane came out a couple minutes later to find them shooting hoops in the driveway.

"I could get use to this," she whispered to herself. She was so grateful for the Thornton's invitation tonight. She felt desperate to talk to Elizabeth.

"Hey!" Mike jogged over when he noticed her standing on the porch. Standing on the bottom step he kissed her. "You look beautiful."

She blushed. "It's just a simple knit dress and sweater, Mike."

"The dress and sweater might be simple, but you make it look amazing." He kissed her rosy cheek. "Ready to head out?"

"Sure. Mikey, lets go!" She headed over to her car to grab her son's booster out of the back.

"Don't worry about it." Mike called over. "I got one."

"You have a booster?"

"Yeah. Jack helped me pick it out. I got the one with the back because Mikey's not too tall yet, but when he's ready we can take that off."

"When he's ready… we…" Mike was planning for the long hall, not passing through. The thought sent butterflies fluttering up a storm in her stomach.

"Wow! Mom, look at this! It's blue and grey, so cool!"

"Thank Mr. Mike, sweetie."

"Thanks!" He gave Mike a high-five as he climbed in and buckled his seatbelt.

…..

At the Thornton's, Elizabeth hurried around the kitchen putting together the sides for dinner. She wrapped the potatoes for baking and placed them on the rack in the oven, placing the mac and cheese pan in on the other side.

"Ribs are on." Jack walked in from the deck. As he came up behind his wife he wrapped his arms around her middle, kissing her neck.

"Jack, we have company coming over soon," she warned, though she loved everything he was doing.

"I know. That's why I'm doing this now before they get here." She giggled as he continued.

"Hey, Dad!" Hunter ran in.

"And the moment's over..." Jack sighed. "What's up, bud?"

"They're here!"

"Well, go welcome them, sweetie," Elizabeth urged.

"Okay!"

As the little boy ran off, she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck, kissing him slowly.

"There, maybe that will tide you over."

"Maybe," Jack laughed. "Or maybe you just got me really anxious to call it a night."

"Oops," she giggled. "You'll just have to be patient, I guess."

"I'll do my best." He went to find their guests but turned around at the door. "Hey Beth, how are you feeling today?"

"Good. Whatever that bug was is behind me, I guess." There was a hint of disappointment in her tone. They'd both been hoping her tiredness was an early sign of pregnancy.

"We'll have our time, hon. Trust me. I mean hey, we've done a lot of practicing since our wedding night." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, making her laugh loudly. He was so good at that. Making her smile and relax even when things weren't going how she'd hoped. She loved him for that.

Mike joined Jack out by the grill while the boys played in the yard and Jane and Elizabeth chatted in the kitchen.

"How's Hunter liking Ms. Yost's class this year?" Jane asked, sipping her tea.

"He loves it. Apparently she's really nice and brings in homemade snacks sometimes. He said Mr. Hickam never did that!" They both laughed.

"Well, from what Mike tells me about his baking skills, Hunter should consider himself lucky. I have to be honest. I got a little jealous of Ms. Yost…"

"What for?" Elizabeth looked at her confused.

"I knew she worked with Mike, so when I found out our boys had her, I asked what he knew about her."

"Oh," Elizabeth laughed.

"Yeah. He said she was a great educator. Apparently she was the year behind him in college."

"That's right. Jack mentioned that too."

"Well, it was clear Mike thought a lot of her and I just… I don't know."

"I'm sure he meant nothing more as a colleague. From what Jack's said, Mike has never been much of a dater. He's been waiting for the right woman to come along."

"Mike's said that too." She blushed, thinking about Mike and all the little ways he'd showed his care for her over the past few months.

She looked out the window to see Mike and Jack running around the back yard with the boys playing soccer. When her son scored a goal, Mike picked him up on his shoulder and spun around cheering "GOAL!" loudly. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her son that happy.

Elizabeth followed her friend's gaze.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. Things between you and Mike seem to be going very well."

"They are." She giggled softly. "He's so wonderful, Elizabeth. Such a kind romantic with me and a…" she paused as she stared down at her tea cup. "A tender hearted father figure for Mikey."

"That's awesome! You deserve that. Both of you."

"I guess so." Jane picked up the spoon from the counter and fidgeting with it as she stirred more honey into her cup.

"Something wrong?"

"I don't know. I love Mike."

"But…"

"I'm not sure I'm ready. You know, to share my life again. I lost Mikey's dad so long ago now. It's been just the two of us for years. I'm not sure I know how to do this."

"If it's right, you'll figure it out as you go." Jane nodded. "Is there something about how Mike's acting that's making you nervous?"

"Gosh no. I can't imagine a better man coming into our lives."

"I get it. I do. It's not the same but I had a hard time opening up to Jack when we first met. I had lost Trevor and we had such plans for our life together. Then he was gone."

"How'd you get past it?"

Elizabeth looked out the window toward the cotton ball clouds then down at her husband and son. "We don't know why God allows the things He does. I couldn't understand why I was here and he wasn't. But through all that, He gave me Jack and that amazing boy. I found a new purpose for my life. I found love. A deeper, stronger love than I ever imagined I could have again."

Jane listened intently.

"Most importantly, I realized that I deserved to be happy. I deserved to live my life and not in the past. Maybe that's what you need to do."

"I think… I know I love him. I want to tell him."

"Then I say do it!" They laughed. "As soon as you can!"

"What's so funny in here?" Jack said, grinning.

"Just girl talk," Jane smiled.

He opened the garbage to toss out some paper towels.

"Oh gross!" Elizabeth cringed. "What's in there?"

"Huh?" Jack narrowed his gaze.

"Can't you smell it? When was the last time we took that out?"

"This morning. I think it's just pieces of meat I trimmed off, coffee grinds, paper… maybe that old garlic pasta."

"Whatever it is, can you please take it out?"

"Of course." Jack took out the bag and looked into the white trash can. "I'll take this out too. Maybe it needs a wipe down."

"Good idea." She kissed his cheek as he walked back outside.

"So…" Jane smirked "Not to pry, but are you and Rosie both… expecting?" She whispered the last word.

"What? Me? No… I mean, I wish, but no."

"Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure. I thought I might have been. I was so tired and there was how much I detested eggs but that's been better this week."

"Hmm, if you were how far along might you be?"

"If, and that's a big if I think, it would be early."

"Well, I know some women can have a few symptoms right away, but then they fade then get worse as time goes on. Some even have what looks like a normal or shorter period at first. The implantation or something."

"Really?" Her last period was only 3 days long.

"Yup. That's how I was with Mikey. I was tired from the get go. Not sure that part ever went away." They laughed. "Then slowly different smells made me terribly ill."

"Really?"

"Yup. Not trying to get your hopes up, but it never hurts to check!"

Elizabeth took a sip of her own tea, thinking about her friends words.

…..

At the end of wonderful night, Mike carried a sleeping Mikey into his room. He laid him on the bed, taking off his shoes and tucking him in.

"Mr. Mike?" he asked without opening his eyes.

"Yeah, squirt?"

"Can you stay with us forever?"

"You want me to stay?"

"Yeah, you fit here with us."

He smiled. "We can talk about that sometime. For right now, get some sleep."

"Okay."

Mike kissed the boy's head and walked out into the hallway with Jane, closing the door behind him.

"He should sleep good for you tonight. He's exhausted."

"He's not wrong you know." Jane took his hands and pulled him close. "I love you, Mike. I'm glad you're in our lives."

"I love you, Jane. I love Mikey too. I can't imagine my life without you in it anymore." He leaned down, kissing her repeatedly.

Yup, this was the life they both wanted.

…..

Elizabeth paced back and forth on the front porch waiting for Jack. She'd finished putting Hunter to bed while Jack ran out to the store. She checked the clock on her cell almost every 30 seconds until his black hatchback pulled into the drive and he jumped out.

"He's asleep?"

"Yeah, out like a light."

"Great! So I had no idea what I was looking for so I bought 5."

"5? Really? How many ways are there to pee on a stick?"

"How should I know?" Jack laughed. "Come on, let's get inside."

Elizabeth took the bag from Jack and hurried up the stairs to their room and into the master bath. She looked over each of the test carefully, trying to decide which would be the most accurate.

Waiting just outside the door, Jack paced in circles. He walked over and knocked on the door.

"How's it going in there? Need any help?"

"Seriously Jack," she laughed. "How could you possibly help me with this?"

"I don't know! I'm anxious out here! Can't you give me something to do?"

She walked out a couple moments later. "Yes, now you can wait with me." She showed him the timer on her phone and they went to sit on the edge of the bed.

"One more minute…" she whispered.

They said nothing, just sat and held each other hands.

*beep beep, beep beep*

Elizabeth shut off the timer.

4 days later….

Elizabeth pulled into the parking lot of the high school Jack taught at. Hunter was spending the night at Grammie and Pop's so they picked him up after school. Jack and Elizabeth would head over the next day for Thanksgiving.

Today however, Elizabeth had taken the afternoon off work to go to the doctor's. After taking 3 of the 5 pregnancy tests Jack had purchased, all coming out positive, she still needed to hear it from the doctor. Jack had wanted to go but the only appointment she could get just happened to be when he was doing a makeup exam for his senior history class. She insisted it would be fine and went ahead and made the appointment.

Reaching Jack's classroom, she peered through the doorway, seeing no one but him.

"Hey, babe! How'd it go?"

She walked in and closed the door. "Well…" There were tears in her eyes.

"Oh no, the tests were wrong? Beth, sweetie, it's okay. Our time will come, I just know it!"

"It's not that, Jack. Look." She handed him a small black and white sonogram picture.

He took it with both hands, studying it carefully.

"What am I looking at?"

"Our babies, Jack."

Jack felt all the air leave his lungs. "Our… what?"

"Babies."

He looked back down at the photo. "Tw… tw… twins?"

She nodded, shock still on her face.

"Wow."

"I know."

"Wow." Jack's face was hurting from his deep dimpled smile. He could feel the sting of happy tears in his green eyes.

Suddenly Elizabeth smacked Jack on the arm.

"Ow! What was that for?"

Bursting into laughter she shook her head. "Practice you said… you can never have too much practice…"

Jack started to laugh too.

"Look where all that practice got us!"

"I told you we were good. Apparently, we are very good!"

"Twins… good gravy, Jack!"

He stepped forward hugged her tightly to his body. "You are going to look so beautiful."

"I'm going to look like a house!"

"A beautiful house!"

She laughed as she wiped her eyes, attempting to dry them.

"Are you happy, Beth? I know this is a surprise, to both of us."

"I couldn't be happier. I have you, our sweet Hunter, and now these babies. What more could I ask for?"

"When should we tell Hunt and everyone?"

"Can we wait a bit? I just want to make sure everything's okay first. Especially for Hunt. He's suffered enough loss in his life."

"Good idea. Maybe at Christmas?"

"Yes! What a perfect Christmas present!"