fated love

Chapter forty

Abbigail

I woke up in the middle of the night to Shawn singing quietly, but she wasn't in the room. I climb out of bed and go looking for her. I follow her voice to Michael's room and she was gently rocking him back to sleep. Beth was asleep in the bay window, like she'd been sleeping with Michael.

Melanie joins me in the hall, admiring both Shawn and Beth. She signals Shawn, who nods while continuing to sing to Michael. Melanie takes my hand and leads me to her and Beth's room. She helps me in their bed and motions for me to lay on her chest.

I lay on her chest and she rubs my stomach. I let out a content sigh and she kisses the top of my head. "How are you feeling," she asks quietly.

"I'm okay, just woke up to her singing," I say in a yawn and snuggle closer to her.

"You just seemed like something was bothering you when I walked up to you in the hallway," she says with concern.

"Just picturing her singing to the twins when they're born," I say in a tired whisper. "I know Shawn and I will get through this pregnancy. We have a family supporting us and a daughter who has kept me pretty distracted from everything. Having her in my life has given me hope."

"Have you decided on names," she asks softly.

"No, I don't want to jinx anything. I had names for the other set of twins and I lost them. I'll decide on names when they're born," I choke quietly, tears in my eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," she says in sympathy.

"You didn't, it's just a sensitive subject," I say in a choked whisper.

I woke to a mix of orchids and vanilla and lavender scents. I open my eyes and I'm still on Melanie's chest and she's still asleep. I look behind me and Shawn was in the doorway with a tray of breakfast. "I've wanted to do this for awhile and was waiting for you to be able to see again," she says quietly with a smile. Tears fill her eyes and she says, "My grandmother used to make this for me and Annie when we slept over her house as kids. Now I want to share it with you and our family."

Tears fill my eyes at what she's said about her grandmother. She doesn't often talk about her, but when she does she gets choked up. Now that she wants to continue something her grandmother did when she was a kid, I can see how much it means to her.

"Babe, it smells delicious," I choke with a smile.

"These are better than the pancakes I normally make you. This is for you and Melanie. Beth and Jordan are already eating theirs."

I wake Melanie and she goes into panic mode. "The twins okay? Did I..."

I laugh and say, "Relax, they're okay. Shawn brought us some breakfast."

She lets out an calming breath and rubs at my stomach. Tears fill her eyes and says in a choked whisper, "Until Jordan told me she loved me, I haven't thought about having my own child again. I already consider Jordan as my daughter, Michael as my son and the twins I'll consider mine, but deep down I know they're not. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

Shawn comes over to take her in her arms and says in a soothing tone, "I haven't forgotten about you. You'll get your turn. I gave Beth her second chance, I'll give you yours."

She breaks into uncontrolled sobs and Shawn rubs her back in comfort. "Thank you," she chokes in a sobbed whisper.

I make eye contact with Shawn and knew she meant her word to Melanie. "We'll wait for Michael and the twins to need less full time attention and I'll help you have your child," Shawn says softly kissing Melanie's forehead.