Epilogue
"Jamie!" Eddie called from the recliner in the living room. "Faith! Rachel! Who's here?" Eddie had been napping in the recliner, the one chair that was comfortable for her just two weeks shy of her due date.
Jamie walked in from the kitchen wiping his hands, "What's wrong, honey?"
"I have to pee, and I'm stuck..." Eddie grouched.
Smiling, Jamie went over helping Eddie to her feet. "I got you honey." Jamie eased her out of the chair and slid an arm around her back to brace her as they walked slowly to the bathroom.
"This is getting really old...are you still working today?" she wanted him home, but he was a very important man, the Sheriff. He had been really quiet the last few days and she wanted to get to the bottom of that. "Jamie what's bothering you?' she asked point blank.
"What do you mean?" Jamie asked walking with her to the bathroom wanting to help as much as he could. He didn't' want to transfer his stress to her.
"You're very quiet lately and I see you staring at me...with a look..."
Jamie sighed. "It's just...we have a lot to lose honey, are you sure you don't want to reconsider having the babies in the hospital."
Eddie wanted this Amish midwife, Mrs. Fleischer to come out for the delivery, she wanted to have her baby in the community of her their friends, but as the days got closer, Jamie was anxious about it.
"No, I trust the midwife Jamie she's good. She's delivered almost every baby in the community, if I had any doubts trust me I would change my mind." Eddie leaned up on her tip toes and kissed his lips gently.
Jamie nodded, this was her body, she had to handle herself with his support. "Okay, but a squad will be outside in case for my peace of mind."
Eddie gave a smile, "I wouldn't expect anything less Sheriff now I really have to pee."
Jamie gave Eddie a kiss as she felt a pop and a gush of water.
"Jamie oooh," Eddie groaned holding onto him taking in a deep breath.
"Uh oh...okay..." Jamie soothed. 'Okay. Let's get you to bed and I'll have Faith go for the midwife." Eddie insisted on the Amish midwife and their community of friends to surround her.
Wrapping an arm around her waist he helped Eddie to bed calling for Faith.
Jamie got Eddie into bed and ran next door to Faith. "It's baby time," he smiled.
Faith jumped up with a smile, following him. "Thanks Faith," Jamie smiled going right back to Eddie's side, excited and nervous.
"This isn't going to be like Bella's birth," she replied. "They are coming steady..."
Jamie kissed her head, "I love you Eddie I'm right here with you."
Eddie rubbed her belly, taking a deep breath and focusing on Jamie's hand in hers. "Look at me Eddie focus on me honey. Nice deep breaths," Jamie encouraged.
Eddie inhaled and relaxed her jaw, she was an old hand at this by now. "There...can you break up some ice cubes for me?"
"Of course," Jamie reached for the cup breaking up the ice.
"Hello," Faith called. "It's Faith, Rachel and Mrs. Fleischer."
"Hey come on in," Jamie looked up as the two women came in smiling at them.
"Amos and Levi will be over soon, Rachel smiled. "Rebecca is here to take the girls."
Jamie smiled, he was so glad he and Eddie had talked to the girls about what would happen earlier, so they wouldn't be scared. Mary's separation anxiety had eased so much the last few months so that she would go off to play without tears and upset. She would be settled for the duration, however long it took for Eddie to deliver the twins. Jamie would be there the entire time, just as he was three times before. The birth of their children was always a deep and personal connection.
"It feels easier this time around," Eddie replied. "But I need you here, I need your hand, your voice...I need you here."
"I'm right here Eddie and I'm staying right here," Jamie kissed her forehead then lips.
And he did.
Their eyes met, and Jamie's hand clamped down over Eddie's. There were no words, they didn't need them, Eddie's body knew what to do and Jamie knew how to coach her. After five pushes, they heard the musical sound of the baby's cry.
"Congratulations you have one very healthy baby." Jamie smiled looking over to see his new baby
Faith took the tiny baby to get it cleaned up while Eddie focused on delivering their second one. "Come on, honey, you can do it!"
Eddie groaned squeezing his hand focusing on her breathing until they heard another cry
"There you go," the midwife smiled. "You did it eddie," Jamie praised. 'You did it..." Eddie pushed up and was reaching for her babies, she had to know now what she had delivered.
Both babies were wrapped in blue blankets, their eyes closed. "Boys, both boys," Jamie whispered.
"Oh, Jamie, they are perfect, so perfect," she gushed and held both their sons while Jamie held her. "We'll give the new parents some time," Rachel smiled stepping out of the room with the other ladies
"They sure are Eddie, I'm proud of you honey," Jamie kissed her head gently
"I'm proud of us," Eddie replied. "They need names, though...do you still want to use the names we picked out?"
"Yeah, I do I think they're perfect," Jamie nodded smiling.
"Welcome to the world Vincent Joseph and Anthony Joseph..." Eddie whispered. "They are perfect names, memorializing your partner and TO, and of couse our Joey and your brother...go and call your father...they family needs to come and see..."
Jamie and Eddie laid quietly with their boys for a half hour then the door slowly opened and Faith walked in with Mary and Bella. "Mommy, Daddy we couldn't see you for a long time," Mary walked in holding her sister's hand.
"Hi," Eddie smiled. "Come up on the bed here. Your new brothers are here."
Faith helped the girls up smiling as they looked at the sleeping babies.
Mary smiled, "You will like having brothers, I did." Mary reached into her pocket and took out a single unlit candle. "We need to wish and blow, Mommy."
"Yes we do honey." Jamie sat down with his family, arm around Eddie. They blew out the imaginary flame, and admired the twins once more. Eddie shut her eyes and felt a soft puff of air across her face...she knew in her heart that was her Joey, blowing out that candle with his family once again.
Jamie carried Mary then Bella to their beds and tucked them in kissing each one softly. He returned to the bedroom and gently moved each of the twins to his arms. "Come on guys, let's let Mommy sleep a little."
Eddie gave a tired smile, eyes closing quickly, "Love you Jamie."
Jamie carried the boys and sat down in the rocker. "Oh my guys..." He sighed. ,"Do you know how much we love you."
The boys gave quiet coos both fast asleep in his arms.
"Daddy is going to be there for you two, and teach you how to grow up ready to be family men or whatever kind of men you want to be. I promise I'll protect you, I promise I'll do a better job than I did for Joe."
Eddie leaned against the doorway wondering what was taking Jamie, stopping to listen.
"I did mess up and I won't forgive myself..." Jamie sighed. "I won't make the same mistake with you...I love you so much...you two are our blessings.
Eddie sighed quietly stepping in, "They are our blessings and you are a great father Jamie."
They had come through a terrible storm, a lot of good, a lot of bad, but one thing was for sure, anything they did or had to do they would do together...And then there were six.