"Seriously?" Elizabeth said, not believing what the ultrasound tech just told them.
"Yes. Here and here. Two heartbeats. Two heads. Four arms, four legs."
"Oh my goodness. Luke?"
He smirked and stood to bend over her and give her a kiss. "Twins. Amazing."
"We just grew out of our house in one day, babe," she laughed.
"We have enough room. The twins can share the guest room."
"Wow. I can't believe it. Rosie is going to go nuts." Now she couldn't wait for their weekend so they could talk about it. That was next weekend though.
"You could call her," Lucas suggested, knowing his wife's mind.
"I think I want to wait."
"But we can tell everyone else now, right? I really think Gran needs to know this news."
"Sure. Let's go see Gran. Take advantage of Mattie having a sitter right now."
"I'd like to take you out to lunch."
"Like a date?"
"Absolutely."
"Deal."
They drove over to Emma's large home and knocked on the door before walking in. "Gran?" Lucas shouted. "Its me and Beth."
"In the kitchen."
They could hear only silence. It was only last year that she as an 89 year old was still dancing around the kitchen to overly loud Backstreet Boys songs and N'Sync, because she wasn't picky. Now, no noise. Just Gran sitting at the table in their kitchen.
Lucas bent down and kissed her cheek. "Hi, dears," she said, accepting his kiss. Elizabeth kissed her too and they both sat down on either side of her.
"We have news, Gran," Elizabeth said, squeezing her weathered hand gently.
"First, we have a bear claw from the coffee shop. I know how much you love those. I'm going to warm it up for you. You still like butter on them, right?"
"Oh, no thank you, Lucas. You can eat it for me."
"You love them, Gran."
"It was mostly your grandfather. I just ate them when he did."
"Gran…"
"Lucas, love. I don't want it, alright?"
It was the strongest Elizabeth had ever heard Emma Bouchard's tone in the 5 years she had known the woman. It just had a tinge of no-nonsense, even though she didn't raise her voice.
"Yes, ma'am."
Lucas put the pastry on the counter and sat back down, taking his Gran's hand.
"You have news?" Emma said, looking at Elizabeth and then him.
"We had an ultrasound today," Elizabeth mentioned.
"And the baby is healthy?"
"Babies. Gran, we are having twins."
"Of course you are, dear. Are the babies healthy?"
"Yes. Strong heartbeats. Two arms and legs for each."
"What do you mean, 'of course you are'? Did you think it was twins?" Elizabeth asked.
"I had a hunch."
"We find out February 14th what the genders are. Would you come with us to the appointment?"
"Oh, you don't need me there."
"Yes, we do, Gran. We want you to be a part of this."
"I'll just wait and be surprised."
A bit later, Elizabeth and Lucas drove to lunch. "She's different," Lucas acknowledged. "I know she misses him a lot but this is a different Gran."
"She's grieving, sweetheart. Everyone grieves differently. I can't imagine losing you after over 60 years of marriage. I would be a complete mess."
Lucas intertwined their fingers and kissed the back of her hand. "Me too, love."
Elizabeth gasped and pressed her hand to her bump. "I felt them move, Luke. Holy moly."
"You did?"
"Yeah." She pressed his hand to her tummy but it was still a bit early for him to feel it. "I love that feeling. I feel so important. Keeping them safe, feeding them, loving them."
"They are so blessed. So am I."
…..
Lucas put Elizabeth's suitcase in the back of the SUV and buckled Mattie in. "You comin', Daddy?"
"No, baby," he told her again. She was confused why they were going on a trip without him. "I need to work. You are going to go see Auntie Rosie and Zane and Zach and Baby Betsy."
"I want you!" she yelled, crossing her arms. "You come too."
"I can't. I'm sorry, honey." He kissed her twice and shut the door, climbing in the front seat while Elizabeth joined him in the passenger seat.
"Who's ready to fly on a big airplane?" Elizabeth asked, looking back at Mattie. "Why are you being grumpy, Matea Alise?"
"Daddy not comin'."
"I know but we won't be gone long and then we will come back home."
"I stay with Daddy."
She wasn't going to go back and forth with Mattie. She would just throw a fit and that was the last thing they needed.
"I stay with Daddy!" she yelled again.
"Matea. Shhhh."
"No!"
"Hey, Mattie. No fits," Lucas told her, tapping her foot. "Got it?"
She burst into tears and sniffled the rest of the way to the airport.
"And you think we can handle twins?" Elizabeth teased, giving Lucas a big hug before getting out of the SUV.
"We handled Mattie just fine and we have another five months before we have to worry about anything else."
"I'll miss you," she whispered, giving him a soft kiss. "Love you so much."
"I love you too. Call me when you land, alright?"
Lucas gave her another hug and then he got out to grab the suitcase while Elizabeth helped Mattie out of her car seat.
"No, Mommy. Daddy come," she mumbled, half asleep.
It would be so much easier if she wasn't going to have to carry Mattie and pull a suitcase.
"I wish I could help you."
She reached up and kissed Lucas one more time. "We will be fine. I'll call you when we land."
"I love you."
Lucas fought his tears. He wasn't sure what was happening. He cried on Christmas when Gran basically said goodbye to him. Now he was crying when his girls were heading to Florida for two days. What was happening? Mostly it was just that his heart loved his family fiercely. He didn't want to lose anyone because his heart would break.
45 minutes later
Elizabeth sighed as she sat down finally. She had carried Mattie through baggage check in, through security and to the gate. Now she could rest.
"Mama," Mattie mumbled. "Potty?"
She looked around to see where the bathroom was located. She had to use it too so this was actually pretty good timing.
Elizabeth put Mattie down and she immediately started whimpering.
"Sweets, Mommy can't carry you anymore. You're heavy. Let's find the potty."
After the bathroom break, Elizabeth treated herself and Mattie to a treat at the Starbucks near their gate. Then she called Lucas so Mattie could talk to him.
"Daddy! Hi!"
"Hi, baby."
"Daddy? You come?"
"Hey, love, what did Mommy buy you at Starbucks?" He decided to deflect and distract.
"Cookie! Yum!"
"What kind?"
"Peanut butter!"
"Yum."
Elizabeth felt her babies moving and smiled, moving her hand over her tummy.
"You're beautiful," Lucas said, catching a glimpse of her smile.
"I love you, Luke."
"I love you."
"Love you Daddy!"
"Love you too, baby. Have fun riding in the big airplane."
"Kay!"
Mattie was in a good mood from that point on. She walked, thankfully, and watched with interest out the window as they flew.
Elizabeth dozed a bit as Mattie watched a video on Elizabeth's IPAD. By the time they landed, both had to use the bathroom again, so they found one as soon as they stepped off the plane.
"Elizabeth!" Rosemary squealed, jumping up and down near the baggage claim.
"Auntie Rosie!" Mattie squealed back, running to her.
"Hi, sweet pea! I missed you so so much."
"I miss you too."
Elizabeth rushed over and hugged Rosie. "I missed you, friend," she whispered, trying to hide her tears.
"Beth, are those happy tears?"
"Yes, of course. I just missed you and I'm pregnant and I'm exhausted." And she missed Lucas.
"Well, why don't we go right home and you can rest?"
"Where are the kiddos?"
"They are at the neighbors house. She has kids their age so she takes them sometimes. It gives me a break."
"I would love a nap but I think Mattie and I need to eat dinner soon."
"Nuggies, Mommy!"
"We have nuggets at home," Rosie told her, propping her on her hip like the professional mom she was.
"And fries too?"
"Of course!"
"You awesome, Auntie Rosie!"
"Thanks!"
……
Late that evening, after a bedtime story and call to Daddy, Mattie was sleeping and so were the Coulter kids so Elizabeth and Rosie sat on the couch with tea to catch up.
"So, how's the pregnancy going?" Rosie asked, reaching to touch Elizabeth's bump.
"Good."
"What? Your face tells me you have news! Is it twins??? Tell me it's twins!"
"Its twins!"
"Oh! Wow! I want twins."
"Rosie, you are nutso."
"That's why you love me."
"True." She felt the kicks and flutters within, her hand resting on her tummy. "I'm nervous. I'm wondering if I'm up for it."
"You're not alone, Beth."
"No, of course not. Just two at once seems overwhelming."
"Well, by the time they are born, Mattie will be four so she can help you by getting you diapers or wipes or just watching the babies sleep so you can go to the bathroom or shower. My guess is Lucas will always be close by and if not, he will make sure someone is."
Rosie was right. She had a support system. She may be going from one kiddo to three, but she was innovative. She could figure out how to do it.
Elizabeth nudged Rosie with her toes and smiled. "I'm glad I'm here. I missed you. Tell me about Lee and how things are going."
….
Back in Charlotte, Lucas and Elizabeth's house
Lucas sighed as he sat on the couch. It just felt wrong to be alone in the house. It was way too quiet.
He picked up his phone to text Beth. "Babe? U awake?"
"Hi!"
"Hey. I miss u."
"I miss u too."
"Its so hard without you and Mattie here. So quiet."
"I know. I'm sitting in bed on my side and your side is so empty."
"My arms are empty," he mentioned. "You fit there, Beth. Like my matching puzzle piece. Nothing else fits."
"I love you, Lucas."
"I love you too. Can we maybe talk until I get tired?"
"Sure." She slid down under the covers and they chatted. She imagined his long, strong, warm body right next to her. What she didn't know was he was imagining her warm, now more soft and curvy body right next to him.
"I have an idea for the twins' nursery. We can do it together. How does that sound?" he asked.
"Perfect. I'll share my Pinterest Board with you."
"Let's wait until next month when we find out the genders though. Then we can pick colors and patterns."
"Alright. That sounds good." They stayed quiet for a moment. "Luke, if one is a girl, I have an idea for a name."
"That's good. I picked one for a boy."