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

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

ShawnA week passed since we lost the twins and Abbigail has days she's completely zoned out and I can't get through to her. On those days I hold her close and everyone leaves us alone. On days she's herself, she's happy, like we never lost the twins. On those days we make sweet, passionate love and the rest of the world is forgotten.As for today, today we're getting married. She stayed with Beth and Melanie and I stayed with my parents. I've yet to see her new dress, but I was warned I might get excited, if you know what I mean.I was sitting at my parents' kitchen table, pushing my eggs around on my plate. My mother places her hand on my arm, a concerned look her face. "Sweetheart, is everything okay? You've been unusually quiet this morning," she says with concern and worry in her tone."I'm worried about Abbigail. Yesterday she was the most distant since we lost the twins. She wouldn't let anyone near her, not even Shelby," I choke in a whisper as tears fill my eyes. "I hope today

AbbigailIt's Christmas Eve, the day before my due date for the twins. A lot has happened since Shawn and I got married. For instance, Tim and Tina were arrested for arson and two attempts of murder in the first degree. Kelly and her twins were put into foster care. Shawn sold our house for the same price she bought it for and we moved into her grandparents heavily guarded estate. It was left to her, but she was going to use it as a second home or holiday gatherings. Beth is carrying on well in her pregnancy and it's given Shawn and I hope to having our own child. Shawn and Melanie have been solving case after case and taking the next few days off for the holiday. This morning I woke up and my stomach felt uneasy. Shawn was already gone from bed and I go looking for her. My head started to spin as I stood up from the bed and use the walls for support. I make my way slowly towards the kitchen when the smell of orchids fills my nose. I let Melanie take my weight as I stumble from the w

AbbigailI woke to Shelby growling protectively. I sit up and feel Shawn move in front of me. "You need to knock when we have Shelby in here and Abbigail is napping," Shawn says in an annoyed tone, keeping my naked body covered from whomever was at the door."Sorry," Henry says embarrassed. "Your mother sent me to get you girls for dinner.""We'll be right down," Shawn says quietly and our door closes. "Sorry you had to get woken up this way.""I'm glad I had you to shield my body," I say with a smile and hug at her back. Tears fill my eyes remembering what happened before I fell asleep. "I'm sorry I left you like that. I was going to take a cold shower to cool off, but Melanie showed up. I'm not sure which I feel most sorry for, walking away from you the way I did or having sex with Melanie."I climb out of bed before she could say or do anything and head to our closet. I grab some fresh clothes and get dressed. Shawn takes me in her arms as I finish and says in a choked whisper, "I f