After everybody left the nurse brought in the two boys. Jarod picked them up and held them tight in his arms.
"They are perfect. 10 tiny toes and fingers."
Parker never said a word. She stared out the window as if something out there caught her attention.
"Would you like to hold one?"
"No." She replied as she leaned her head against the pillow.
"We have to come up with names."
"I know."
"I was thinking...we could name them after our fathers. What do you think?" He looked back down at the sleeping pair.
"Fine."
"Are you going to tell me what is bothering you?"
"Nothing is bothering me."
Jarod stood and carefully laid one baby down in his nursery crib. He walked over to his wife's bed.
"Then look at him."
"I don't want to." She kept her head turned toward the window.
With his free hand he touched her face. Running his fingers down her jaw line, he turned her face so that she would have to look at him.
"Tell me what is wrong."
"Nothing."
He laid the baby in her lap so where she would have to hold onto him.
"Jarod...."
"I don't want to hear it. Hold your son, Parker."
Her eyes cut to his. "What did you say?!"
"You heard me."
"I thought we agreed that you wouldn't call me that again."
"Then I suggest you quit acting like...."
"Like what, Jarod. My father!"
"You said it."
"You brought it up."
He took a deep breath. "I don't want to fight. I just want you to tell me what is bothering you."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because it sounds stupid."
The baby began to move, kicking his arms and legs into the air. His face turned red and a loud cry came out. They stared at each other, waiting for the other to pick him up.
"Aren't you...?"
"No." Jarod walked back to the chair he was sitting in.
Parker couldn't take it anymore so she picked him and placed him over her shoulder. It seemed to calm him for a few seconds.
Jarod handed her a bottle. "Try this."
It wasn't long until the crying stopped. She watched as her new son held onto her pinky finger as she held the bottle. He made sucking noises as he drank the milk. Parker glanced over at her husband who was watching very patiently.
"It hurts to look at them especially her."
"Why?"
"Because I feel like it is my fault."
"What is?"
"Them being so tiny."
Jarod walked over to her and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"It's not your fault."
"I feel like it is."
"How can you?"
"If I would have stayed in bed like I was suppose to they might have...."
"You can't blame yourself."
She lifted the baby to her shoulder. She rubbed her hand over his back, kissing his head. "She would have been stronger."
"We didn't even know she was there. I would say she is already strong. Besides, if you want to blame someone blame me."
"Why?" She laughed softly.
"I'm the one that wanted more children. If I would have listened to you we wouldn't be going through this right now."
"It's too late. We can't blame anyone but ourselves. Both of us." She placed the tiny bundle next to her chest. "Charles Benjamin."
"Uh?"
"I think we should name him Charles Benjamin."
"Okay. What about him?" Jarod reached over and picked up the other one.
Parker looked him over. "You pick."
"Jacob. We already have a Sydney."
"Jacob what?"
"I'm thinking."
"Alexander?"
"Jacob Alexander Russell. I like it." He smoothed the baby's hair down. "We have one more to name."
"I know. We should name her after your mother since we named our first after mine."
"Margaret?"
"How about something meaning the same but different?"
Jarod looked confused.
"Like Megan, Meg....Margaret seems so old fashion."
"I like Meg but we have still have a middle name to go."
"Faith."
He glanced over at her. "Megan Faith. Meg Faith." He repeated both until he liked the sound of them. "Margaret Faith. Megan Faith it is. What are we going to call them?"
"Benjamin, Jacob, and Faith. What do you think?"
"I think we have finally decided on something." He smiled.
******
They pulled into the driveway.
"We're home." He smiled over at her.
"Not all of us."
He took her hand. "It won't be long until we are a family again."
"I know." She hung her head as Jarod got the door. He went around to let her out and get his new sons.
Parker held her arms out as he picked one up carefully.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Hand him here. His family is waiting."
Jarod took the other one in his arms and followed his wife to the door. They were greeted at the door by Charles and Margaret.
"Welcome home."
"We're glad to be here."
"Let me see my grandsons." The Major took the baby from Parker's arms. He went to the couch where he was flooded with four kids.
Parker took a seat in the chair. Jarod handed the other one to his mom. He bent down to his wife. "Do you want to rest? I can help you upstairs."
"Maybe later."
Margaret took a seat by Charles. "I was thinking, if it is okay with both of you, I might stay a few days to help you out." Margaret glanced up at the Pretender and Parker.
"Fine with me." Parker agreed.
"Sure."
"Mommy, where is our sister?" Kyle asked.
"She had to stay in the hospital a little longer."
"Why?"
"Because she wasn't strong enough to come home yet." Jarod answered.
"I'm glad you are home." He went to his mom's side and gave her a hug.
"Be careful with her. She is still not feeling well." Jarod replied.
"I will." He sat down next to her.