(Author's Note: Wow guys. It's been a while. I'm so sorry this took so long, but I've been going through a lot recently and I just haven't been inspired to write much. I can't promise how often I'll get new chapters up for a little bit, bit I'll try. I really will. I don't know how good this is, but it's something.

That being said, I'm going to attempt to maybe get a short one-shot I've been working on up later tonight as well. I hope it makes up for making you all wait so long.

Standard disclaimers apply. I own nothing but my own imagination.)

Jack couldn't stop staring. From his pale, sleeping wife, to his two, not one, but two beautiful children, he was almost going into shock. For the first time since the doctors had let him in the room, he left Katherine's side-as there was nothing more he could do for her until she woke up-and moved cautiously towards the two tiny children, Rose Elizabeth and Michael James. He and Katherine had decided on those names months before, but never had they imagined that they might have to use both of them. Jack supposed that was why Katherine got so sick. The doctors said that carrying a child would be very difficult for someone so small, twins must have been near impossible. It scared Jack to think about how close he came to losing her...

"Twins, Jack." He turned around. Katherine had gotten up from her bed and was standing unsteadily in the middle of the room, a placid smile on her face. He instinctively bolted over to her and immediately pulled his wife into his arms, burying his face in her hair. He couldn't bear to think of what he would have done without her.

"You're okay, Ace," he murmured softly, "And they're okay." The two of them peered over the edge of the little bassinet at their children, who were sleeping quietly, the sound of their tiny breaths filling the air with something that could only be described as peaceful. Jack kept an arm around Katherine's waist, so as to make sure she didn't fall or anything. He knew he was being overprotective, and probably a little overbearing, but she didn't seem to mind too much. That or she knew how much he needed to be close to her right now. God, she was so wonderful. He wasn't going to let anything happen to her, not now, not after everything they went through.

"Jack!" She'd screamed, sending him bolting for the bedroom, but when he got there, the look of pain and half-conscious distress that usually accompanied her shouts was replaced by one of pure panic.

"Katherine what's wrong?"

"Jack, it's now. I mean, right now." After a split second of confusion, Jack understood, and he started to panic too.

"Well, what do I do?" His mind was racing and his heart was pounding out of his chest.

"I don't know! I've never had a baby before!" Oh. Right.

"Should I call for the doctor?"

"Yeah, maybe you should!" She snapped. He got halfway out the door before she called out, "Oh, and Jack, call Davey too-" she inhaled sharply "-Somebody damn well better calm you down."

He made the appropriate phone calls, and then, well, Jack wasn't sure what to do. Should he go help Katherine? He was afraid he'd just be in the way. No, he decided he should stay in the living room.

He was going to be a father. This was really truly happening to him. Jack Kelly was going to be a father.

Thank goodness the doctor had arrived quickly, and Davey followed soon behind, because Jack had been starting to drive himself crazy. He silently thanked Katherine for making him call Davey in the first place, because he's not sure either of them would have made it this long without him, and to be frank, the thought of Davey trying his best to help be calm and collected, when inside he was almost as jumpy and nervous as Jack, was one he wasn't going to forget any time soon.

Katherine leaned her head on Jack's shoulder gently, breaking his train of thought.

"I am so tired," she articulated, emphasizing every word. He could tell too. He had to support her weight a little more, and she seemed unsteady on her feet still.

"You did just give birth. Twice." Jack pointed out, and she glared at him sarcastically.

"You're never going to learn when to shut up, are you?"

"Nope," he told her, and kissed her gently on the forehead. "You go rest, okay? I think they'll be okay for a while."

"Are you sure?" A worried look crossed her face, glancing nervously at Rose and Michael.

"Yes, I'm sure." She still didn't move. "Ace, I'll stay right here, and I'll wake you if anything happens. I promise." That seemed to convince her to at least lie down, though she insisted she could walk on her own and refused to let him help.

Jack studied the twins for a long time. It was strange to imagine that these were his kids, not orphans he took in at the lodging house, not some distant relatives, but his own children.

"I'm gonna take good care of you," he whispered, "I ain't gonna let anything happen to you." And, at least for right then, everything was okay.

(Thanks for being so patient with me guys, I really appreciate it. I could really use some reviews or prompts or anything right now.

Much love,
PrettyLittleMonster Xxx)