Chapter 4

Joe stashed his gear bag in his locker and slipped on his quilted vest. After roll call, he walked out to the truck and turned on the PA system.

"Attention House 51. Taylor and Joe are gonna have twin boys!" he announced.

Otis came running as Joe was stepping down out of the truck. "For real, Dude?"

"For real. We went for the sonogram yesterday." He fished the sonogram picture out of his wallet and handed it to Otis.

Otis looked at it, not sure what he was supposed to be seeing. It looked like an alien space creature to him.

"See, here's the one baby, "Joe pointed out and ran his finger along some gray thing. "And behind him is the second baby."

Otis looked again. It still looked like a bunch of alien stuff to him. "That's awesome, Cruz," he said as he handed the picture back.

Joe walked back to the common room to be greeted with back slaps, and "Way to go, Cruz" comments. He thanked everyone. He poured coffee and realized that the babies were actually starting to be a real thing. When Taylor told him she was pregnant, he didn't think much about it because it seemed so far into the future. Now, all of a sudden, it was real. He started to panic. Babies needed so much stuff…. Cribs, bassinets, bottles, clothes, diapers, burp cloths. They needed at least two of everything. He sank down into a chair. "Holy shit," he mumbled.

"What's up, Cruz?" Mouch asked.

"Shit just got real. We're going to need two of everything."

"Well, yeah. That's usually what having twins means."

"Holy, shit. What the hell have we gotten ourselves into?"

"It's called Parenthood, Cruz. And it really is the best thing that will happen to you. You'll see," Hermann piped up.

"Easy for you to say, Hermann. Cindy had all single births."

"Yeah, but it was tough for us with the first one too. You're also forgetting that you two don't have to go through this by yourselves. Your families will help out. Cindy and I will help you out. It will be okay."

Taylor poured some hot water though a decaf tea bag. The tea tasted like crap, but she was determined that the boys were going to be born healthy. She grabbed the Tribune off of the coffee table and headed for her office. She sat back in her chair and started to read. By the time she got to the Metro section, she had had enough depressing news. She opened the living section, and started working the crossword.

"Knock Knock," Pagano said as he knocked on the door frame. "Hey, Mama. How's it going?"

"Good," she said. "What's up?"

"Mom wants to know if you want to have lunch tomorrow."

Taylor smiled. As much as she didn't care for Pagano, she adored his mother, Pearl. They had bonded a year earlier when Pagano had a very bad vehicle accident and wasn't expected to survive. She found Pearl charming, sweet, and totally dedicated to her son. Pearl knew that Pagano was in love with Taylor, and Taylor was in love with Joe, but she had accepted Taylor unconditionally as an almost daughter.

"Tell her yes."

"She'll be happy to hear that."

"I haven't seen her in forever. I miss her."

"She's busy knitting too. She can't wait till the baby gets here."

"Well, she has to wait till the 4th of July like everyone else."

"Five months."

"Seems like forever."

"It'll go fast," Pagano said.

"I have so much to do," she admitted. "Have to get all of the stuff, and I have to plan a wedding."

"Get cracking, girl. Time waits for no one."