Chapter two

Abbigail's POV 

After calming Shawn down, I pulled Melanie aside. I'm the only one she opens up to and the only one who can really read her. Beth still tries to figure out how I do it. She thinks I read her facial expressions, but I don't. Being blind for so long my other senses adapted. I haven't been able to turn it off since my sight was restored. 

I'm still able to hear people's emotions in the voices. It's how I've been able to tell when Melanie is upset. I sat her down on the living room couch and give her a knowing look. She lets out a sigh and tears fill her eyes. "I hate that you read me so well," she chokes quietly as I take her hands. 

"You've mastered the poker face, but your voice still gives you away," I say softly as the tears fall from her eyes. "You're scared about something."

"Both of you are pregnant and Shawn and I have come close to death in the last few years. Who will be there for you, Beth and the kids if something happens to us," she asks in a scared whisper.

"You two are strong and have made it through the brink of death, more than once. I don't doubt for a minute that anything will happen to either of you," I say softly and give her a kiss. "Beth wanted to have this baby for you, to make you happy."

"I am happy," she chokes with a smile. "I'm happy for both of you."

"I know you are, but you wish you could be pregnant again too. I know you Melanie," I say softly and she breaks into uncontrolled sobs, coming in my arms.Tears roll down my cheeks and choke quietly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to get upset."

"I'm carrying her baby," Beth chokes quietly as she and Shawn walk in. She sits next to Melanie who turns to look at her. "I asked them to save your eggs when they had to save your life. 

"When Shawn and I went shopping for our anniversaries, we made a stop and she gave a sperm sample to fertilize your eggs," Beth chokes in broken sobs and Melanie takes her in her arms. 

Melanie's POV 

I was at a loss for words after Beth's confession. I was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn't find the right words to put together about how I felt. I wanted to show Beth how I appreciated what she did for me so I took her in a passionate kiss. She lets out a relieved sob and plays her fingers in my hair. 

She breaks from the kiss and comes back in my arms. "I was going to wait until I got passed then first trimester before I told you, but Shawn said you should know now," she chokes in a calming breath. 

"You have no idea what this means to me Beth, thank you," I choke in a whisper. 

"When they told me they had to take everything to save your life, I knew you would be devastated. I had to try this for you," Beth chokes quietly. 

I caress her stomach with my child in her womb and kiss the top of her head. "Shawn, I think I might work from again," I choke quietly and meet her eyes. 

"I thought you'd say that," she says with understanding and I let out a relieved breath. "Someone needs to be here and protect three pregnant women and six children. Think of Daisy as your partner at home."

"Thank you for understanding," I say quietly and I hear Beth and Abbigail let out relieved breaths. "Maybe when you're not out looking for suspects or talking to victim's families, you could work from home too."

"Of course," she says softly kissing both Beth and Abbigail's heads. "We won't take as many dangerous cases. I'll call the captain and let her know that the girls are pregnant and we'll be working simple cases."

She leaves the room and the kids all join us after finishing their breakfast. "Are mommy and Aunt Abbigail having a baby," Michael asks curious. 

"Yes, I'll be working from home for awhile and Daddy will be home more, but still working," I say softly. "What would you kids like to do on this beautiful Sunday?"

"Can we go play in the snow," Alex asks with a smile. 

"Not in your pajamas," I say with a smile and she giggles. "Go get changed, I'll make some hot chocolate for when you're finished playing."

"Thank you," Abbigail says softly as the kids all go change.

"Why don't you both go take a relaxing bath and I'll watch the kids for a while," I say softly. 

"Will you nap with me later," Beth asks in a choked whisper. 

"Of course," I say softly and kiss her forehead. "Kids will come in for lunch, they'll want to nap or I can ask Jordan and Aubrey to watch them."

Abbigail shakes her head and says, "My parents have been wanting to see the kids. They'll be here after lunch to take them for the week. I hope that was okay?"

"Thank you," Beth chokes quietly. "It will give Melanie and I time alone."

Beth's POV 

I waited for the kids to leave so I could take a bath with Melanie. I sat in front of her, laying back against her chest. She had her hands caressing my stomach and occasionally kisses my temple. 

I noticed her whole demeanor change when I revealed that I was pregnant with her child. She seemed happier and her eyes held joy again. Knowing I was the cause of this made me feel like I did the right thing. I turn my head back to look at her and the passion that burned from her eyes had returned. 

I reach back, caressing her face and kiss her passionately. "What was that for," Melanie asks in a breathy whisper as I break from the kiss. 

"A new life shines in your eyes, like you've been reborn within yourself," I choke with a smile. "The dullness is gone and the light in them has returned."

She kisses my forehead and hugs her arms gently around my waist. "I'm sorry if I made you feel like I didn't care about you or love you," she says quietly and tears fill my eyes. Her voice cracks as she says, "Hearing them tell me I couldn't have more children felt like someone ripped my heart out and stomped on it in front of me."

"They were wrong Melanie," I choke quietly and bring her hands to my stomach. "You may not be able to carry, but I can and I'm giving you a chance to have another child. 

"Every time you think otherwise, remember this," I choke quietly and kiss her cheek. "This baby is yours Melanie and I'm carrying it for you."

She starts kissing my neck and I let out a low moan, tilting my head to the side. She caresses my breasts, massaging them gently. It's the first she's touched me this way in awhile and it felt good. One of her hands trails down my stomach until it reaches my groin. 

My breaths hitch as one of her fingers slowly slips inside me and glides over my sensitive spots. Her lips brush against my ear and asks seductively, "Shall I take you here or in bed?"

"Bedroom," I moan in a whisper. "I want to see you."

We climb out of the tub, dry off and she carries me to our room. My breaths hitch as she lifts me in her arms and I meet her eyes. I could see pure passion in her eyes and tears fill my eyes.

She lays me in bed and retrieves the strap on. She applies some lubricant and gently enters me. I caress her face as the tears roll down my cheeks and she gently rolls her hips against me. I let out a low moan and kiss her passionately. 

Shawn's POV 

After the kids left, I took Abbigail up for a bath. I'm sure Beth and Melanie were doing the same. It's been awhile since the adults had time alone. I think it was when I had my car accident when Abbigail found out she was pregnant with Shawn junior. 

I had Abbigail relaxed against my chest and rubbed gently at her stomach. Her breaths shutter with relief from nausea and I kiss her temple. "Thank you," she says in a breathy whisper. 

"You're welcome," I say softly. 

She looks back at me with tears in her eyes and chokes in a whisper, "I meant thank you for what you and Beth are doing for Melanie. I wish you were able to tell someone's emotions by their voice, than you'd understand."

"What you have is a gift Abbigail, I wish I could read someone like you. It sure would make interrogating people much easier," I say softly and kiss her forehead. 

She hums in response and nestles her face in my neck. Her breaths calm as she breathes in my lingering vanilla and lavender scent. She hugs my arms around her waist and turns her face from my neck. "You have your own gift Shawn, the ability to know when someone is lying," she says quietly. 

I let out a laugh and say, "The kids, but not really grownups."

"Grownups are kids at heart, the grownups you deal with are bullies who've taken it too far," she says quietly and turn her head to meet my eyes. "Use that to your best ability."

"I'll keep that in mind," I say softly giving her a kiss. 

"I could fall asleep right here," Abbigail says in a tired whisper. 

"Let's get you to bed," I say softly and help her up, out of the tub.

As soon as she's dressed and in bed, she was out. I lay facing her and tuck hair from her sleeping face. She lets out a content sigh and I kiss her forehead. My phone rings and I answer it quickly. "Hello," I say in a quiet whisper. 

"Shawn," Annie chokes quietly and I knew something was wrong just by the tone of her voice. 

"What happened," I ask softly, but I really wanted to freak out.

My sister never calls me crying, but one time and that was when she found our mother dead in bed. "Ashlee and I were just in an accident. She's not responding to the paramedics," she chokes in broken sobs. 

"Are you okay, physically," I ask with concern. 

"Some brusing from the seatbelts, cuts from glass and the paramedic said I broke my arm shielding my face from the airbag," she chokes quietly and starts sounding angry as she continues. "The son of a bitch ran a red light and hit her side of the car as we were in the middle of the intersection. He had to have been doing at least eighty."

"Shit," I say under my breath. Tears fill my eyes as I look at my sleeping wife. "Abbigail and Beth both found out that they're pregnant this morning. If I tell them, they'll be devastated."

"Beth was able to conceive Melanie's baby," Annie asks with relief to hear some good news.

"Yeah," I choke quietly. "Abbigail's parents took the kids an hour ago and I just got Abbigail to sleep. Let me go let Beth and Melanie know and I'll meet you at the hospital."

"No, stay with Abbigail. She's going to need you when she wakes up," Annie chokes quietly. "I'll call you if something changes or call me when Abbigail wakes up."

"I'll call Charlotte and Peter, you worry about your wife," I say in a soothing whisper. 

I leave the room to let Abbigail sleep and go to Beth and Melanie's room. I could hear moaning through the door and didn't want to interrupt their moment. I decide to let them have their moment and head down to call Charlotte and Peter. 

Charlotte answers on the third ring. "Hey Shawn, miss them already," she asks with a light laugh. 

"I wish that was why I was calling," I choke quietly as I sit at the kitchen table. "Annie just called me, she and Ashlee were in a car accident. Ashlee is unconscious and took the direct hit. She said she'd call with an update."

"Oh my God, do the girls know," Charlotte asks in a choked whisper. 

"Beth and Melanie are in the middle of their first intimate moment in awhile, I didn't want to ruin it and was going to wait. Abbigail just fell asleep before Annie called," I choke quietly. 

"Aside from the girls and the kids, Annie is the only family you have left, isn't it," Charlotte asks with sympathy. 

"Yes," I say in a choked whisper as tears roll down my cheeks. "Losing my parents is nothing compared to losing my sister. I don't know what I'll do."

"Shawn, everything okay," Melanie asks in sympathy as she and Beth walk in the kitchen. 

"Charlotte, I'll call you back when I get an update. Beth and Melanie just entered the kitchen," I choke quietly and wipe my eyes. 

"Thank you Shawn," she chokes quietly and hangs up. 

Beth and Melanie sit at the table with concern in their eyes. "Annie called a little while ago. I was going to knock on your door, but I didn't want to ruin your moment," I choke quietly.

"What happened," Beth asks in a choked whisper knowing something was wrong if I was upset with a call from Annie. The last time I cried after a call from Annie, my mom died. 

"She and Ashlee were in a car accident. Annie made out with bruises from her seatbelt, cuts from glass and a broken arm from blocking her airbag. Ashlee got the full impact and is currently unconscious. She's going to call when there's an update," I choke quietly as Beth breaks into uncontrolled sobs. 

Melanie takes her in her arms and together she and I do our best to calm her for the baby's sake. It wasn't long before she was and I could see relief in Melanie's eyes. My phone rings and I immediately answer it. "Annie, please tell me you have good news," I choke quietly. 

"Is this Shawn Andersen," a woman asks softly, speaking on my sister's phone. 

"Where's my sister," I ask in a choked whisper as tears roll down my cheeks. "She told me her worst injury was a broken arm and bruised ribs."

"Those were her wife's injuries and unconscious, she's going to be fine," the woman says softly. 

"I just talked with her on the phone," I choke in a panicked tone. 

"I'm sorry to say this, but she had lacerations from glass. She bled out on the way to the hospital. I just called the recent phone number she called," she says in sympathy. 

I let the phone slip from my hand and Melanie takes it before it crashes to the table. I walk away from the kitchen, needing to get away. I needed Abbigail, but she was sleeping.

I bump into her as I exit the kitchen and she looks at me confused at what was going on. I go in her arms as I break into uncontrolled sobs and she holds me. I felt Beth and Melanie hug at my sides and Melanie whispers in Abbigail's ear. 

"Shawn, I'm so sorry," Abbigail chokes with sympathy. 

"You guys and the kids are all I have left, I can't lose anyone else," I choke in broken sobs.