Chapter Two- Twins?

A few months later, I found myself waking up feeling ill and then hunched over the toilet. Having been pregnant twice before, I knew the symptoms and bought a pregnancy test on the way home. I wasn't surprised when it came back positive. I smiled as I headed downstairs. I went to find my phone and I found Dan sat on the sofa.

He looked up as I walked in, "Hey!" he said, smiling.

I jumped, not expecting him to be there, "Hey!" I replied, smiling at him, "I wasn't expecting you home so soon."

He smiled, standing up to come and meet me, "Harry gave me the rest of the day off!"

"Why?" I asked, kissing him quickly.

"I told him you had been ill this morning…"

"How did you…"

"Ab, I've been married to you for nine years now, I know when you're not feeling yourself!"

I smiled, "It's not that I'm ill so much as I'm pregnant again!"

Dan stared for a moment as he takes in what I've said, "You're pregnant?" he asked.

I nodded, biting my lip.

"We're having another baby?"

I nodded again.

"How…"

I tiltled my head and laughed, "Really, Daniel Holmes? You need a biology lesson after two kids…"

Dan smiled, "No! But I thought we agreed on two?"

"Well, don't go away for a year and expect to make it up in one night!"

Dan smiled, "We're pregnant!" and this time he sounded happier.

"Yeah!" I smiled back.

Dan gasped, "Are you ok? Do you need to sit down?"

I laughed as he pulled me over to the sofa, "I'm fine, Dan. I promise."

He sat next to me and holds my hands, "What do we tell Anthony and Felicity?"

"What do you want to tell us?" asked Anthony, coming into the living room.

"Abi?" called Lestrade's voice.

"In the living room, Greg!" I called back.

The next thing I knew, Felicity, Phoebe, Rory and Emma came running into the room followed by Lestrade.

"Schools out!" chuckled Dan as Fliss ran into her Dad's arms.

"Thanks for bringing them home, Greg!" I smiled.

"No worries!"

"What did you want to tell us, Mum?" asked Anthony again.

"I'll tell you later, son." Said Dan, "I promised."

"I can go, if you need to be alone…" Greg said, smiling.

"No, it's ok. We might as well tell Greg!" I smiled, "I'm pregnant!"

Greg didn't say anything for a moment and then his face broke into the biggest smile, "Oh, Abi!" he came and gave me a hug, "That's great news! Congratulations!" and he shook Dan's hand.

"Thanks Greg!" I said, smiling.

"What's going on?" asked Fliss as she ran back into the room, followed by Phoebe and Emma. Rory was playing in the garden.

"How would you like it if you had a younger brother or sister?" I asked her.

Fliss thought and then smiled widely, "Yeah! I could play outside all the time with them and teach them how to play mummies and daddies or how to colour inside the lines because I'm very good at that now!" she babbled.

I smiled. "Good!"

"I'm going to be a big sister!" squealed Fliss to Phoebe.

"It's really easy but if you get a younger brother they can be quite annoying!" said Phoebe.

"I'm sure Rory finds you and Emma really annoying too!"

Phoebe shook her head defiantly, "He could never find me annoying. I'm the best big sister ever!"

Greg, Dan and I laughed and smiled. Phoebe joined in and soon everyone was laughing.

"Well, I'd best be off!" Greg said, extending his arm to Phoebe and she took his hand, "Where are my other two?" he asked, looking around.

"I think Rory is on the climbing frame and Emma is down here!" said Dan, pointing at Emma, who looked up and smiled.

"Do you want me to go and get Rory for you?" I asked, beginning to get up from the couch.

"No, you're alright Abi," Greg smiled, "I'll get him on my way out."

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's ok."

"Well, thanks for bringing the kids home anyway!" I smiled.

"No worries!" he smiled back, "And, er, congratulations!"

"Thanks Greg!" said Dan, getting up to see him out, "I'm sure we will see you over the weekend!"

And with that Lestrade left. It was weird, the news being out in the open like that. I had managed to keep my last two pregnancies a secret for a few months at least. But it was a nice weird. I stayed up that night, knowing I would get a phone call from Dad as Molly fed my new baby sister, Lily. And sure enough, there was a phone call. We sat and chatted for what seemed like hours. He made sure that I was ok, and that Dan was looking after me and then we said goodnight. I looked at the time and decided to phone Anthony and Karen in the morning. I headed up to bed and found Dan fast asleep. Silently, I changed and slipped into the bed next to him. He stirred and placed his arm over me, his hand resting on my abdomen. I smiled and fell asleep.

I made an appointment the next day for my three-month scan. This one would be different. Not only would we find out we were having twins, but Dan would be there. When we had Anthony, he had been away at the three month point and when I found out I was expecting Fliss, I had wanted to keep it a secret. But this time, Dan was coming with me.

We went for the scan and to my delight, the midwife performing the scan was Michaela, one of my friends from when I used to work. Everything was perfectly routine and looking fine until I saw her frown at the screen. Having been a midwife for a while, I knew something was up.

"What is it?" I asked, the panic clear in my voice.

Michaela smiled at me, "It's nothing to worry about Abi. It's just… well…"

"What is it?" asked Dan, taking my hands.

"I can see two babies on the screen!" she smiled, barely containing her excitement.

I stared at her.

"T-Twins?" Dan stuttered, hardly believing it.

Michaela nodded and moved the screen so that we could see. And sure enough, there were two babies moving around on the screen. I could feel the tears welling in my eyes and I felt Dan squeeze my hand.

"Twins?" I said, breathlessly, "We're actually having twins."

Michaela smiled, "I know it's a shock…"

Dan laughed, "A shock? We're going from two to four kids in one go!"

I rested my head on his shoulder, "We'll manage. We always have!"

He kissed the top of my head, "I know." I felt him smiled, "I'm definitely not going away for a year again!"

I laughed myself and took my phone out. I sent a quick text to Dad and Molly and Lestrade and Mycroft.

It read simply:

It's twins xx