AbbigailMelanie just confessed her love for me. The last person she said it to was her husband and daughter almost six years ago before she left for Iraq. I let out a calming breath and tilt my face upward to hers. I brush my lips against hers and our breaths hitch. I hear her whimper, wanting me. Tears roll down my cheeks and I lay a gentle kiss on her lips. "I love you too," I choke in a whisper. "I just need to focus on Shawn waking up before I step forward with our relationship. Please give me time."I hear her sigh in relief and chokes in a whisper, "I understand completely. I'm just glad you feel the same."I lay my head on her chest and she scrunches my hair. I hear someone enter the room and tighten my hold on Melanie. "Shh, its okay," Melanie says in a soothing tone. "It's Joyce and Beth. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you.""I don't want to jump every time the door opens. I want to go home, but not after Beth got that threatening letter and not without Shawn," I choke in
ShawnIt's been two days since I woke from my coma and I was able to return home. The accomplice was dead and it was safe to return home. Melanie and I both informed our captain we wanted to go back to patrolling and as partners. We were granted permission and could return in a couple of weeks.He knows what we mean to Abbigail and that she needs us right now. I was going to use this time to reinforce our security system and draw up plans for a panic room in the basement. Or even turn the basement into a family sized panic room. I know Melanie will agree with me and help me set it up with military grade standard security. "Shawn," Melanie says in a soothing whisper, holding my face in her hands. I meet her eyes, realizing that we were home. "You okay?""Yeah, just thinking about upping our security system and making the basement a panic room," I say quietly and she nods in agreement. "I want it built like Fort Knox and hopefully before the twins are born.""I'll make some calls, but r
AbbigailAfter talking with Shawn last night about saving my life before the twins and I knew how much I meant to her. I know she loves the twins, but she's right. She and I could always try again should anything happen. We were asleep in our room when I heard the door open. Joyce's perfume filled my nose as I felt hair being tucked from my face. I let out a relaxed sigh and nuzzle my cheek against Shawn's chest. I feel Shawn's arms tighten around me and let out a sleepy sigh. "Mom," Shawn asks in a tired whisper. "Everything okay?""I'm sorry I woke you," Joyce says quietly. "I just wanted to check on the mothers of my grandchildren. I've been keeping an eye on them for weeks and don't think I can break the habit.""Thank you for that," Shawn chokes quietly. "You're welcome sweetie," Joyce says quietly and I feel as she kisses my forehead. "Good night."I grab for Joyce and she gives me her hand. "We can talk over some of that tea you normally make me. I'm having a hard time fallin
AbbigailIt was late and I couldn't sleep after what happened in the church today. I was sitting in a bath with Shawn and she lightly trailed her fingers up and down my arms. I was finding it both relaxing and distracting. The occasional kiss on my neck was calming and I relax a little more.I take Shawn's arms and wrap them around me. She kisses my temple and I let out a sigh. I rest my head back against the front of her shoulder and caresses my stomach. The twins kick hard at her hands twice before calming down. I groan with relief from the immediate calming from the kicking and relax against Shawn. "How long have they been kicking like that," she asks with concern. "All day," I say in a relieved sigh. "They're fine when you're caressing or rubbing my stomach. It started when Shelby was growling in the church.""Want me to make you warm milk with honey? That helped last time right," she asks softly. "Yes please, thank you," I say in a calming whisper. "Just five more minutes in th
ShawnAfter hugging my mother this morning I felt as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. She didn't fight when I pulled away after a few minutes when I started to feel overwhelmed with emotions. She wiped my eyes and I let her kiss my forehead. I met eyes with Annie and she was relieved to see me opening up. I could tell she was hurting a little that I wasn't ready to hug her yet.I pull her aside and she looks at me confused. "Will you be my best woman," I ask with a smile. She goes to give me a hug and stops mid motion. A mix of emotions crosses over her face as tears fill her eyes and I hold my arms open for her. She doesn't hesitate, comes in my arms and lets out relieved sobs. I rub her back in comfort and she holds onto me. "I know you're alive, but it felt like you died back in Iraq and an empty shell came home," she chokes in a sobbed whisper. "I missed my sister.""I'm sorry," I choke quietly as our mother walks in the den. "I never meant to hurt anyone. I thought
AbbigailAfter hearing Shawn talk about her feelings and I knew she was terrified of becoming a parent in her condition. She was afraid they would get bullied just having her as a parent in her condition. They didn't have to have her condition, just her as a parent scared her. Joyce and I tried our best to calm her down, but we weren't enough. I went looking for Beth and Melanie. I had a feeling that maybe the two of them could help her calm down. I find them in the living room, talking with my parents about their relationship. I smell the orchid perfume before I feel Melanie's arms around me, trying to calm me down. "Hey, it's okay. Take a deep breath and tell us what's wrong, one more time," Melanie says in a soothing tone, rubbing my back comfortly. I take in a deep breath and let it out. "Can you talk to Shawn, please? You and Beth? Joyce and I can't get her to calm down," I choke in broken sobs. "Please Melanie."She gives my forehead a kiss, wipes my eyes and says in a soothin
ShawnHearing Abbigail say it out loud that she wanted to adopt these babies put a smile on my face. I had to leave the room so I could cry and not wake those precious little girls. I slid down the wall as the man and woman came out to see what was going on. They sat on either side of me as I cried out in mixed emotions. I was torn between the loss of my own twins only to be blessed with a stranger's twins.Minutes later, as I was calming down, Melanie came out and let me know she got Abbigail calmed down and asleep. I thank her, the couple and go back in the room. The twins were still asleep and Abbigail looked peaceful. I climb in with Abbigail and she lets out a content sigh. I kiss her forehead and tuck hair away from her sleeping face.I woke to a baby crying and to my surprise, Abbigail was sitting in a chair in the room already nursing with a baby. I notice that there's a bottle on the table next to her and pick up the remaining baby. I take the chair next to Abbigail and begin
ShawnI head back out to the others, leaving Abbigail to continue learn the layout of the nursery. Shelby was getting attention from Kelly and to my surprise she was accepting it. Our mothers were talking with Kelly's parents and our fathers were talking to the girls. I walk up to Beth and bring her to the kitchen for some privacy. I caress her stomach and feel as the baby kicks moments later. Tears fill my eyes and she takes me in her arms. Soft sobs are muffled into her shoulder and she rubs my back in comfort. I hear someone walk in the kitchen and break away from Beth. I turn to see Melanie and she looks at me in sympathy. "I just needed to know he was okay. I need to know if it's me, if I'm not able to produce...," I choke in broken sobs and Melanie takes me in her arms. "They're nine weeks apart. What if the same thing happens to Beth?""Shawn," Abbigail chokes quietly from behind me. I turn to her and she had tears in her eyes. I shutter a calming breath and took her in my ar