Hunter wandered in to his parent's bathroom and heard the sound again. Then he saw her sitting on the floor by the bathtub, her head in her hands.

"Mama?"

Elizabeth lifted her head and tried to smile but she couldn't quite do it. "Hi, love."

"Mama, are you sick?"

"A little."

"You don't look so good."

"I know, but I'll be ok, I promise." He stared at her for a minute until he heard Jack call him from downstairs. "Its ok, baby. It's time for school."

"What about you?"

"I'm going to work later. Come give me a hug."

He walked over slowly and hugged her neck. "I love you."

"I love you too, Hunt." This time her mouth curved into a smile. "Have a good day, ok?"

"Ok."

Jack walked in then. "Hunt, can you put Bruce in his cage? I'll be down in one minute."

Hunter nodded and headed down the stairs.

Jack knelt down by Elizabeth. "How are you?"

"A little better. Hunter knows I'm sick. He is going to figure it out."

"Two more weeks and it will be Christmas and he will know."

She nodded. "Um Jack," she said covering her mouth. She waved him out as she threw up again. He stayed, however.

He ran a washcloth under the cool water in the sink and handed it to her. "Maybe you should stay home."

"I called the chief and I'm going in at noon. That gives me four hours to start feeling better."

"You need to rest."

"Love, you and Hunt are going to be late. As soon as I can get off the floor, I will go sleep."

"Promise?"

"Yes. Now go." He kissed the top of her head and left her.

After sitting on the cold floor for another ten minutes, she slowly stood up and walked into the bedroom. She crawled under the covers and set her phone alarm for two hours later, praying she would feel much better by the time she woke up.

…..

Before she left for work, she grabbed a package of saltines and a bottle of water. As she drove she nibbled on the saltines, praying it would stay down and not force her to pull over on the side of the road.

"Be nice to Mama, babies," she said, touching her belly which now appeared not quite as flat and more like she had gained a bit of weight. She could hardly believe that because she had been sick for the last week and a half. It wasn't enough that anyone else would notice and currently her uniform still fit so that was a blessing.

When she pulled into the parking lot of the station, she grabbed her purse, her saltines and her water and headed in. She knew that it might raise some eyebrows that she had saltines, but she planned on sticking them in her drawer the moment she sat down.

The room was empty when she walked in, but she could hear voices in the break room so she quickly stuffed her things in her desk and logged into her computer.

"Sargent, good afternoon," the Chief greeted as he walked in the room.

"Hello, sir." A wave of nausea hit her then, making her sweat and glance toward the bathroom. "Excuse me a moment." She walked quickly to the bathroom and took a deep breath in through her mouth and let it out through her nose as she locked the door. Now she was second guessing her decision to come in to work.

She put cold water on her face and patted it with a dry paper towel and then she heard a knock on the door.

"Occupied," she said as loud as she could muster.

"You ok, Beth?" Lee asked.

"I will be out soon." She heard him walk away thankfully, because the saltines she had just eaten didn't stay down as she had hoped.

Another ten minutes later, her stomach had quieted and she walked out, expecting a lot of eyes on her, but instead, only Lee was around.

"Hey," he said, looking up at her.

"Hi."

"Chief told me to send you home."

"I'm ok now."

"Beth, you really need to rest."

"Lee, please don't take this job from me. I can sit here and type up reports and answer the phone. I'm not an invalid, I am pregnant." She could feel the hormones causing her tears and she fought hard to keep her composure.

"I understand where you are coming from, Beth, but there isn't anything wrong with calling in once in a while."

"I need to be here. If I am not a police officer, what am I?" She wiped a tear from her face.

"You are a strong, independent, stubborn, wonderful, best friend and partner. You are an amazing wife to Jack and an even more amazing mother to Hunter. Those babies are so blessed to have you as their mom but taking care of them and yourself is what you should be doing."

"I feel useless, Lee. I know what you said, but I can't be out there doing all the things that I worked my butt off to do for years. I am a Sargent but I am confined to this desk."

"You will not be confined to the desk forever. Just until the babies are born and you come back from leave."

She sighed and touched her tummy. "I love them, Lee. How is that possible?"

"Because you are their mother. Of course you do. They are living inside of you and you are giving them nourishment and keeping them safe. Rosie glows when she talks about ours. You should see her."

"I'm sure I will glow more when I'm not so sick."

"Beth, she is making it very difficult not to tell her. She suspects, I think, because she knows you haven't been working with me the last few weeks."

"Lee."

"I know. I didn't tell her. In fact, I kinda fibbed a little and I am feeling super guilty about it."

"Lee, just tell her. I don't want to be the reason you lied to your wife and we were planning on telling everyone at Christmas anyway. But please tell her to keep it quiet. The most important person not to tell is Hunter, because if we did and then something happened, he would be heartbroken."

"Nothing will happen but you need to rest to make sure of that."

"Ok, ok! Good grief Doctor Coulter! I am leaving now." She smiled and grabbed her purse, her saltines which now sickened her and stood to leave. "Remember, tell Rosie not to say anything."

"I will."

She got in her car and texted Jack to let him know she was going back home and then she headed home.

….

For the next few days, Hunter heard his mom get sick every morning. She went to work but then she came home earlier than normal. She didn't eat much that he saw and she had dark circles under her eyes and she slept a lot. He was worried.

He tried to watch his cartoon that Saturday morning, but he couldn't stop thinking that something was terribly wrong with his Mom.

"Hey, Hunt," Julie said, plopping down on the couch next to him.

"Hi, Aunt Julie."

"You seem a little sad today."

He shrugged.

"Wanna tell me about it? I'm a good listener." Bruce hopped up next to him on the couch and laid his head on Hunter's leg, sensing he was sad too.

"I think Mama is really sick!" he told her with a look of fear on his adorable face.

"What? Why?"

"She throws up every day! And she doesn't eat very much and she looks so bad. She sleeps a lot too!"

Julie put her arm around him and thought about the past few weeks. She had a sneaking suspicion that Beth was pregnant after what Hunter was saying and since she didn't really look pregnant yet, it was early, which meant Hunter shouldn't know yet. "You know what, bud? I bet you that she is just fine."

"Fine? She throws up! When I throw up I am not fine."

"There are different reasons that people get sick, hon. I don't think she has the flu."

"I don't like it, Aunt Julie. She has big dark circles under her eyes."

"Make sure you tell her that you love her and do things for her. That will help her feel better."

"Like what?"

"We could make her some toast."

"Yum! With butter and jam?"

"Nope. If her tummy doesn't feel good, it better just be dry toast."

"Oh. Ok. Let's make it."

About five minutes later, she sent him upstairs and told him to knock on their door.

** Knock Knock**

Jack opened the door. "Hi, Hunt," he whispered. "Whatcha got there?"

"Toast for Mom. She doesn't feel good so I wanted to make her something."

"She's asleep now, but why don't you put it next to the bed on the table?"

He tiptoed in and put it on the table. Then he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Mama."

She opened her eyes and smiled. "Hi, sweetie."

"I brought you toast."

She sat up slowly and yawned. "You know what I need right now?"

"What? I'll get it for you."

"I need you." She picked him up and held him close, feeling so much love for the little man that captured her heart. "Hunter James, you are a wonderful boy."

…..

The next day, Jack walked down the halls of the high school towards Rosie's classroom. She'd sent him a text to come by when he could. So during his lunch break, he went to check in.

"Hey, you." Jack stepped into the empty class. "No students?"

"Nope. All at lunch." She pushed back from her desk, her little belly showing. "Come here! Lee told me the amazing news!"

Jack beamed. "I'm impressed he kept it a secret as long as he did!"

"I knew something was up! Little rascal!" They laughed. "I'm so excited for you, Jack. Another child, but this time you get to be there for all of it."

"Yeah. Just think how great Hunt will be as a big brother."

"When will you tell him?"

"Christmas with everyone else. Elizabeth wanted to make sure we were in the clear more before we did. Heaven forbid anything should happen…"

"Right. Well, you can trust me. My lips are sealed."

"I appreciate that." Jack leaned against the chalkboard.

"What's on your mind?"

"Just thinking about the future. Elizabeth's job, my job."

"Ah. Will she be leaving the force after, you think?"

Jack shook his head. "Not my Beth. It's a part of who she is."

"Goodness, that's got to be unnerving. Knowing you'll have to watch the mother of your children go off like that each day."

"I imagine it's the same as you'll feel about Lee. At least, similar."

"Very true. Lord knows I can't prevent Lee from continuing. Even if I could, I know I shouldn't. It's his calling."

"Beth's as well." Jack moved to sit in one of the desks in the front row. "I have a thought plan, I just need to bring it up to Elizabeth. You want to hear it?"

"Yes!"

….

Elizabeth picked up Hunter at the end of the day. With her not patrolling the streets for the time being, her hours could be more flexible. It was perfect with Jack's high school coaching job in full swing. Once they got home, she had Hunter let out the dog while she made the two of them a snack.

She loved this time with him. They'd sit at the kitchen counter enjoying a snack, today's was peanut butter and apples, as she'd listen all about his day. After their snack however, it was time to get to work.

Hunter sat on the couch enjoying his 20 minutes of Mario Kart while Elizabeth did what she could to catch up on the mounds of laundry that had been accumulating.

"Hunt, can you go…" She stopped mid sentence as a bout of "morning" sickness washed over her. "Can you go see if you have any more dirty laundry in your room?"

Putting the controller down, he nodded and rushed up the stairs. With him out of sight, Elizabeth sat on the arm of the couch taking deep breaths.

"Come on, babies. Cut Mama a break, okay?"

"Mom!" Hunter yelled from the top of the stairs. "Do you want my socks and underwear?"

"Yes, love."

"Pants too?"

She laughed. "If it's dirty, honey, then yes."

"Oh boy. Give me a sec."

"I'll be here." She shook her head at her little man. He'd been such a big help to her lately. She hated the look of worry she'd seen in his eyes on occasion, but she wasn't ready to tell him yet. Christmas would be here before they knew it and then all would be revealed.

Putting the hamper down on the ground, Elizabeth let herself fall back on the couch. As exhausted as she was, she wouldn't have been surprised if Jack found her lying there 2 hours later when he finally got home.

"Hello?" Julie's melodic voice sang through from the front door. "Hey, sister!"

"Julie! What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked without lifting her head from the plushy throw pillow.

"I'm at your service!"

"You're what?"

"I don't have any classes until tomorrow at 3:30 so I thought I'd come help you around the house and with Hunter. Maybe take him to the park or something."

"That's wonderful, he'd love it but… why?"

"Well…" she giggled. "You don't have to say anything but I think I know what's going on with you." Elizabeth stared at her younger sister. "You know, why you're tired, throwing up often. Also, you, my dear sister, are as fit as an Olympian. That tiny cute poof under your shirt there is not the product of too many cupcakes. Though… maybe a lot of "dessert" time with your hunky husband!" She laughed, thoroughly amused with herself.

"Julie Marie!"

"Sorry, I had to tease. Look, I won't say a word. Just let me help."

Hunter thundered down the stairs. A huge pile of clothes in his arms. "I got it all, Mom! Now what?"

"Toss it all in this basket here then grab your shoes. Aunt Julie's taking you and Bruce to the park."

"Really? Awesome!"

"Yes!" Julie clapped her hands together. "While he's doing that let me toss this load in for you."

"You don't have to," Elizabeth protested.

"I want to. After we leave, go lay down."

There was no use arguing, so after Julie and Hunter left, she did what she was told. When she woke up 2 hours later, she realized she was no longer alone in bed. Rolling over she found Jack at her side, his back to the headboard, reading a book.

"Hi," he smiled down at her. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah actually." She stretched and sat up, resting her head on his shoulder. "Did I miss dinner?"

"Nope. I brought take out from Abbie's. It's staying warm in the oven."

"What'd you get?"

"Two orders of Shepard's pie and a whole pecan pie."

"A whole pie?" she laughed.

"Why not?" he grinned.

"Where's Hunter and Julie?"

"They're still out at Abbie's enjoying dinner. Hunter told me he thinks Julie is sad with Uncle Tom gone so he wanted to take her out on a date."

"Oh my goodness, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard!"

"I know, right? He made her cry!" They laughed. "I have a picture of the two of them in a booth. I'll send it to Tom and let him know if he doesn't hurry back, he'll be replaced."

She took his phone and sighed. "I think Hunt's worried about me."

"I know. He'll be okay, though. We've talked to him and did our best to help him understand." She nodded and handed him back the phone. He placed it on the nightstand. Turning back towards her, he took her in his arms and laid her down on the pillows. "I love you, Beth."

"I love you too."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything, love." He took a deep breath. "Are you nervous?"

"A little."

"Jack… what's going on?"

"I've been doing some thinking. After the babies are born you're going to want to go back to work, right?"

"That's my plan, yes." He nodded silently. "Is that okay with you?"

"I want you happy."

"But will you be happy?"

"You know I'll always worry about you, Beth. But yes, if you're happy I will be too. I know how important your job is to you."

"Okay. Was there something else you wanted to say?"

"Yeah." He sat up leaning on his elbow and gazed down at her. "I'd like to stay home with the kids."

"You… what?"

"I've been looking into it, and two babies in daycare is going to cost us a pretty penny."

"True. I've actually been a little worried about that myself."

"So here's my plan, the University of Pennsylvania is looking to hire a new teacher for next year. General history and history of photography 1 and 2."

"Jack! You'd be perfect for that!"

"I know! I reached out to them and since I'm an alum, they were willing to meet with me next week."

"Oh my goodness!"

"Now here's the thing, we could try and work out our schedules so we can each do both. My classes could be at night or during the day on a day you set aside with Gowan to be your day off. Photo History 1 in the fall and 2 in the spring. So it's just 2 classes a semester."

She nodded along, taking it all in.

"This would make it so you can pursue your career and I can stay home with the kids but still bring in some money."

"But is this what you want? To stay home? I don't want you to give up the school you love for me."

"Yes. I really do. I don't see it as giving something up. It's a new chapter in our lives. Besides, my current boss is willing to let me remain the hockey coach as long as I'd like. So I'm not losing the relationships with the kids just yet. Obviously if it doesn't work with our schedules you and our kids come first."

"I know." She sat up more. "Jack, this is wonderful. I'm so happy for you!"

"For us, hon. This is for all of us."

***AUTHORS NOTE***

HEY EVERYONE. JUST A HEADS UP, WE WILL NOT BE POSTING EVERY MONDAY FROM THIS POINT FORWARD AS WE HAVE BEEN. AS WE HAVE TIME TO WRITE, WE PROMISE WE'LL SHARE WHAT WE HAVE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING. LIFE HAPPENS AND FAMILY COMES FIRST. YOU WILL HEAR FROM US SOON, TRUST US! HUGS!