Second Guessing

"Twins?" AJ said, sitting in the car in the hospital car park. The first word they'd spoken between each other since leaving the appointment.

"Two babies." Punk nodded to himself, placing his hands on the steering wheel, staring into the distance, still very much in shock.

"That's… two of everything. Two sets of clothes. Two cribs. Two carriers." AJ spoke robotically.

To say they were shocked was an understatement. They felt like they were finally starting to come to terms with the fact they were going to have a baby together, and now they couldn't believe they were having two.

"How far along did she say you were?" Punk asked.

"9 weeks." AJ said, "A year ago I didn't even have a boyfriend. I spent my night eating noodles and going to bed at 8pm. Now I'm going to have two kids." She shook her head, not believing any of it.

"They're healthy." Punk nodded to himself, turning to look at her at the same time she looked at him, "They're healthy, and you're healthy." He said.

"There's two of them, Phil." AJ said with panic, "I am one tiny person. How the hell am I going to grow two babies in here?" She pointed to her stomach as Punk looked at her.

"Your body will adapt." Punk nodded to her, "I think."

"God, the stretch marks." AJ placed her hands over her face, "I'm going to be saggy. Like Maple." She said, feeling tears welling up in her eyes.

"April." Punk sighed, watching her begin to sob, "Hey, don't do that." He said, taking her hand away from her face and squeezing it.

"I wasn't even sure I was going to be any good at having one baby." She admitted.

"April, you're going to be amazing." Punk shook his head as she looked at him, "We're in this together. I'll be right beside you, every step of the way. And these babies are going to be so lucky to have you as their mom. Even just the way you care for Shiv and Becca. The way you treat your customers… you have no reason to doubt yourself." He said as she sighed, drying her wet face.

"It's just really overwhelming." She sighed.

"I know." He nodded, "I don't think I can actually feel my legs." He said as she smiled a little, "But I bet when these babies are here, we're going to wonder what the hell we were stressing about. A year ago, I didn't even think about things like marriage and kids. I started thinking maybe that just wasn't for me. And then I met you, and suddenly all these things started crossing my mind." He said as she looked at him. All he could do was reassure her. He could see she was completely overwhelmed and in shock. His only reaction was to assure her and be there for her.

"I feel like I've trapped you." She looked down.

She had thought it since the moment she found out she was pregnant. Although she knew he loved her, that self-deprecating part of her brain, the part with all the doubt and shame she carried from her attack, told her that it was all too good to be true, and that a baby this soon would only make him resent her.

"Look at me." He told her fiercely, taking both her hands in his as she looked up at him, "You have not trapped me. I have never been happier than what I am with you. And now I get to love tiny versions of you, too." He said as she smiled, "I'm terrified, I won't lie to you. But that doesn't mean I'm not happy."

"You really mean that?" She asked. She wasn't sure if it was hormones or just how she was feeling, but she just felt so overwhelmed and doubtful about everything.

"Yes. I mean it." Punk nodded, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. We've just… sped things up a little."

"A little?" AJ scoffed.

"A lot." He smiled, "But you've got two healthy babies in there." He nodded, placing his hand over her stomach, "And we're gonna love the hell out of them." He said as she smiled and nodded, placing her hand over his which rested on her stomach.

"You're going to have to build us a bigger house now." AJ nodded as Punk chuckled.

"Yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing." He said as she smiled,

"I've never noticed until now but… Mister Eckles is crazy." Shiv nodded, sitting in the passenger seat as Daryl drove her home after they had dinner with Mister Eckles and his family.

"Yeah, I didn't know what to do with myself when he started taking the chicken wings off the cooked chicken and flapped about the table with them." Daryl shook his head, "Felt like I was on acid." He said as Shiv chuckled.

"It all makes sense why Becca loves it there. They're her kind of people." Shiv nodded.

"Yeah, she fits right in." Daryl nodded, "Has your dad gotten back from his work trip yet?" He asked her curiously.

"No. So I probably won't see him until Thanksgiving now." Shiv said calmly.

"His daughter gets attacked on the street and he doesn't come to check on her?" Daryl asked as Shiv just shrugged.

"Mom probably told him I was ok." Shiv reasoned, "You know what my parents are like." She said quietly.

"It must hurt you." Daryl said, "They're so… uninvolved."

"It used to hurt me but… I don't know, feel like I'm kinda over it now." Shiv said, "Why do you think I always hung out with you at your house? Your mom and dad were the best."

"They loved you." Daryl nodded, "Mom still asks for you all the time. And Sadie." He rolled his eyes, "She never shuts up about you."

"She's sweet." Shiv smiled, "How have things been in the house since your dad passed?" She asked him. It wasn't something they had often talked about. Mostly because she never wanted to upset him, and Daryl never wanted to talk about it.

"It's fine." Daryl said, "For the first couple of years I was always just wrapped up in my own grief. But now I pay more attention to my mom and… I worry that she's lonely." He said, "I think that's why she started going to AJ's book club and started doing more with Sadie's Parent Teacher Council." He said, "It's like she doesn't know what to do with herself."

"I don't blame her." Shiv said, "Unlike most couples, your parents actually enjoyed each other's company. It was always so obvious to see."

"Yeah, they were best friends." Daryl nodded, "It makes her happy to see me doing better. Getting the job and getting out of the rut I was in."

"I bet." Shiv nodded, "I'm sure all she wants is for you to be happy."

"I'm working on it." Daryl said as Shiv smiled, "So what are your classes like at college? Difficult?"

"Some." Shiv nodded, "I think I know what's going on about 80 percent of the time. There are some people who barely even show up. Don't they worry they'll miss something?"

"Not everyone is as high strung as you." Daryl said.

"Hey." Shiv said, "What does that mean?" She laughed a little, "What's the point in going to college if you don't go to the classes?"

"Some people are just there for the experience. The parties and the socialising." Daryl shrugged.

"It's not all its hyped up to be. You just end up losing days because you're hungover." She shook her head, "When I'm hungover all I want to do is eat McDonald's and lay in bed all day. And that's not productive." She said.

"Sounds perfect to me." Daryl said as Shiv rolled her eyes.

"How are things with you and Finn at the coffee shop?" She asked curiously.

"They're good." Daryl nodded, "I think we even consider each other as friends now. He's actually pretty cool. And he's a pretty good chef and baker."

"So I was the problem?" Shiv turned to him.

"No." Daryl scoffed, turning to her for a second and then turning back to the road, "I mean… I just didn't think you guys were a good match."

"Because you know me so well?" Shiv questioned.

"Yeah." Daryl nodded confidently.

"We never even had sex." Shiv said as Daryl nodded slowly, staring at the road ahead whilst gripping the steering wheel, "We just… fooled around. Hung out."

"And what's the situation at college? You met anyone?" He asked her calmly.

"No. Just some drunken kisses." Shiv said.

"Probably why you ended up sick." Daryl pointed out.

"No, that was the vodka. I'm telling you, it's definitely some black-market brand." She shook her head as Daryl chuckled.

"Or you're just not used to drinking so much of it." Daryl said, turning into the dirt road which led up to Shiv's house.

"I really don't want to go in and pack." Shiv huffed, "I could have stayed at Mister Eckles farm all night. It was like private entertainment."

"I know, right?" Daryl smiled, "Maybe he could invite us to his thanksgiving dinner."

"Would sure beat dinner at my place." Shiv nodded, looking on at her house as Daryl stopped the car and cut the engine.

"It's a shame you can't stay for the Halloween party at the town hall." Daryl said, "I know it's one of your favourites."

"I know. I wish I could. I got a class tomorrow afternoon." Shiv said, "Is AJ catering for it? Or are you and Phil?"

"We're both doing some stuff." Daryl nodded, "And Alessio's is bringing the pizza."

"What is Sadie dressing up as?" Shiv asked curiously as he turned to her with a smile.

"Some Disney princess. I have no idea." Daryl said, "The one with the long hair. She's got a wig. And a costume with a frog on her shoulder."

"Tangled?" Shiv smiled, "That's cute."

"Yeah." Daryl rolled his eyes, tapping his hand on the steering wheel, wondering what to say next so she didn't have to leave just yet.

"About earlier." Shiv said, "I was just… still shaken up from the attack. I… I wasn't coming onto you or anything."

"I'm pretty sure you were." Daryl smiled a little as she scowled at him.

"I was just feeling a little lonely." Shiv said, "I'm sorry if it… weirded you out or whatever."

"It didn't." Daryl said, "I just… wouldn't want you to regret anything or… make anything weird between us."

"I know." Shiv nodded, "I just… when that guy attacked me… I just wanted you to walk around the corner." She admitted, "I was so scared. I thought he was going to kidnap me or…" She shook her head, feeling like she was starting to relive it all again.

"I wish I had walked around the corner." Daryl nodded seriously, "I'm sorry I didn't." He said as she looked at him and nodded.

"I should go." She said, "I'll… see you in a few weeks I guess."

"Yeah, I'll text you. To see how that eye is doing." He said as she smiled, opening up the car door and getting out before heading towards her house.

Daryl rested his forehead on the steering wheel and sighed.

"I wonder if it's boys or girls." AJ whispered, lying in bed later that night, placing her hand on her stomach under the sheets as Punk lay on his side facing her.

"Could be one of each." Punk said, "She said they'd be unidentical. Because they're in two sacs."

"Oh, yeah." AJ said, "I guess when you think of twins you just think of identical ones."

"How's the nausea?" He asked her, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Not as bad." AJ said, "It's like it's their way of telling me they're in there." She smiled a little.

"You know the girls are going to freak out when they find out." He said as AJ nodded.

"I'm not ready for the squealing." AJ scoffed, "And my aunt… she's going to be so shocked."

"I'm sure she'll be happy for you. Hopefully she likes me in person." He said nervously.

"She'll love you. I'm not worried about that." AJ assured him, "I just feel like this past week has been a complete whirl wind." She said, placing her hand on her forehead.

"Yeah, no kidding." He nodded.

"Do you think they'll catch the guy that attacked Shiv?" She turned her head to look at him.

"If they've got a name and a face, they should." Punk nodded.

"Do you still have a feeling it's connected to your brother?" She asked.

"I suppose it's just a feeling." Punk shrugged, "I just thought it was strange."

"I always trust my feelings." She said quietly, "Would you go visit him?"

"I don't want to." Punk said, "I just… I can't help feeling like it's all been posed as some threat towards me. The paint of my shop, Shiv getting attacked… I feel like someone is trying to get my attention." He said.

"Hopefully the police do their job and find the guy. Then maybe we'll get some answers. If there's an APB out on him then he'll be lying low somewhere I'd imagine." AJ said.

"Hopefully not low enough for him not to be found." Punk sighed stressfully, "All I've been thinking about these past few days is past clients I might have pissed off. Or people I might have had a run in with in my younger days." He said, "But there's nothing I can think of."

"It is possible that it's just some strange dude hanging around the town and messing with people." AJ said, "And even if it was someone from your past, it wouldn't be your fault."

"Yes, it would." Punk said, "I've brought nothing but chaos to this place. This wholesome little town where everybody loves everybody." He said.

"That's not true." AJ said, turning around on her side to face him, shuffling closer to him and looking into his eyes, "I'm so glad you came here. And so are a lot of other people. This town is lucky to have you." She said, cupping his cheek softly.

"I hope you know I'll do everything I can to make you happy. To make you feel safe and loved every day." He nodded as she smiled.

"I know." AJ whispered, leaning forward and kissing him softly.