“I was thinking,” I start to say, folding some nappies and lower my voice when I see how quick the twins are falling to sleep during their feed.
“Hmmm?” James asks softly, still giving me that look.
I ham it up a little, even rubbing my belly and making it like my back hurts, watching his eyes come to life with that look I’ve seen at least twice so far.
“Maybe we could go dress shopping sometime? I know it’s boring, but you could take the kids and do something while I try stuff on.
“Sure,” James smiles, almost purring as he eyes me up and down.
“Just want a change, or…?” he starts to say but I can’t keep a straight face.
I can’t do it.
“I’m not pregnant, silly! I’m just blowing your horn,” I laugh, a little too loudly. Snorting which always makes James laugh too, and in a second the twins are wide awake, screaming.
We take one each and start to do our little ‘shoosh baby’ dance, with Zoe zooming in to join us after her laps of the hallway.
Zoe scoots in between mommy and daddy’s feet. Looking up at us both as we hum a little tune for her, then a little more for the twins.
She lifts her arms up and James bends down, lifting her out of her walker and kissing her as he rests her in his spare arm, Zak on the other.
“We can go dress shopping,” he says after a while, totally unfazed.
“You don’t mind if I’m not full of babies?” I ask, raising a brow myself.
He shrugs with that smile again. “Not yet you’re not.”
“Seriously though, James. Do you want me barefoot and pregnant for the rest of our lives?” I ask him, not meaning to sound like I don’t enjoy it. Just wondering if I’ll ever be the size I was in college ever again.
He frowns and signals me over with a movement of his head.
Leaning in close enough so I can hear all our babies breathing, the smell of their milk, James’ cologne, and what I suspect is someone’s diaper, he reminds me.
“Krystal, I love you and our babies, no matter what. If we have a dozen more or if we stay just as we are, nothing will change how I feel about us. I love you… pregnant or not. I love all of us,” he says, kissing my lips gently and moving away once he realizes whose diaper’s full.
“Maybe we can go next week, Monday? Your dads gonna be in town,” James suggests.
“Dad?” I ask, almost surprised but not entirely, he and James have been pretty tight since dad took over the role for Mayor.
“Sure, he can mind the kids and I can help you try dresses on, how ‘bout it?” he asks with complete seriousness.
“Why’s Dad coming to town again?” I ask.
“Just meeting some friends of friends,” James says cryptically.
“You’re not filling his head with all that running for Governor stuff again, are you James?”
“Just think about those dresses baby, I’ll deal with your old man,” he whispers, leaning in to kiss me quick before making a face.
“And it’s your turn to change Zara,” he says quickly, darting from the room.
Laying Zara down on the changing table, I ask her what she thinks, “If grandpa becomes Governor, then who’ll be Mayor of Woods End?”
“Umma!” Zara squawks, “Umma!”
James comes sliding back in, both babies still in his arms.
“What did you say, honey?”
Maybe Momma will be Mayor someday, Zara. Who knows?
Extended Epilogue
Ten Years Later
James
“Daddy! Check it out,” Zak says, beaming with pride.
“Lookin’ good son. Lookin’ real good,” I remark honestly.
“How are you girls coming along? Nearly done?” I ask.
“Almost daddy,” They chime in unison, making me smile.
Like little angels, every one of them.
Checking the time and making a face, I say, “We’d better pack up now guys. Mommy will be home from work soon and we have to get dinner started yet.”
They all groan like kids do, starting high and only getting higher up, begging to keep working for just a little while longer.
“Okay,” I compromise, “We can keep going for ten minutes, but then we really have to go.”
Bob pokes his head around the door of the cabin, little baby Yasmin in a carrier on his front, a little circle of something white on his suit lapel.
He shakes his head, bouncing in time to his own sleeping baby rhythm as he comes in.
“Safe to come in yet?” he asks me.
“Sure,” I tell him. “All finished sanding, these guys have done a great job, haven’t they Pop?” I ask, raising my voice so they can all hear.
“They sure have,” he says in a low voice which catches a little.
“Y’know, James. I just can’t believe what you’ve done to this place. Restoring every single pane, nail, and slate on the roof even. Not to mention all the furniture and toys… it all looks just like the day it was made,” he says with pride.