Chapter 95

Kevin reached out his arm to wrap it around his fiancée, but instead of his hand touching her warm body he felt the cold sheets.

He sleepily opened his eyes, just to make sure she wasn't there. Once he finally realized he was the only one laying in bed, he sat up.

"Janel…" he called. "Pumpkin."

When nothing was heard he got up and slipped a pair of jeans on, then opened his door. As soon as he stepped into his hallway he heard the kids screaming and yelling. He couldn't tell if they were yelling cause they were mad or was it cause they were excited? Either way he knew that he wasn't used to this much noise in his house.

Kevin then made his way downstairs. Once there, he stopped to determine where the noise was coming from. When he noticed that the voices were slightly echoing, he knew that they were in the kitchen.

"Hi Uncle Kevin!" yelled the children, happily.

He smiled at them. "Morning guys!"

"And girls," Madison said.

"And girls," Kevin said as he hugged his two nephews and his niece.

"Morning bro.," Jerald said. "I take it that you came looking for Janel."

"Yep," Kevin replied. "Have you seen her?"

"I'm sorry, but your girlfriend has been kidnapped by our wives and Mom," Tim said.

"Correction, my fiancée," Kevin said proudly, as he smiled.

"When did this happen?" Tim asked.

"Last night," Kevin said.

"When you two disappeared from Brian and Ashley's reception?" Jerald asked.

"Yeah," Kevin said.

"So Janel is going to be our Auntie again?" Eric asked.

Kevin smiled as he messed up Eric's hair. "Yeah, Janel is going to be your Auntie again."

"Congratulations Kev," Jerald said. "It's about time."

"Thanks," Kevin said. "So where did my babies go?"

"They took her shopping," replied Tim.

"Again?" asked Kevin as he made himself a burrito and sat at the table with everyone.

"Yep," Jerald said. "Mom, Heather, and Lisa wanted to make sure she had everything that she needed or wanted."

"She does have everything," Kevin said. "She's gone shopping like every week. One day it's Lauren, then it's Ashley, and then it's Stacey. All of them have taken her shopping, at least once."

"Have you gone shopping with her, Kev?" Tim asked.

"Yeah, we bought another crib," Kevin said. "And other furniture for the babies room."

"So you guys are going with the teddy bear theme?" Jerald asked.

"Yeah," Kevin said as he smiled. "Janel loves teddy bears. Plus, teddy bears can be for boys and girls."

"Yeah, I noticed you guys had got a few of them," Jerald said.

"Yeah. While I was in New York with Janel I went to every store looking for all sorts of bears. Then I sent them here and surprised her when we got home," Kevin explained.

"Awww…how sweet," Tim said.

"I try," Kevin said, smiling.

"Uncle Kevin! Uncle Kevin!" exclaimed Eric. "Can we got outside and jump on the trampoline?"

"Sure, go ahead," Kevin said.

"Oh, no. Wait just one second kids," Jerald said. "You three need to go upstairs and brush your teeth, and make sure to wipe your faces off."

"No, but…" whined the children.

"Go upstairs and do that, and then you guys can jump on the trampoline," Jerald said.

"Oh, all right," they agreed reluctantly.

The girls

"Aww…look how cute this is," Lisa said as she held up to matching outfits, except for one had green teddy bears and the other had blue teddy bears.

I took the two outfits from her, smiling as I saw the teddy bears.

Then all of a sudden she grabbed my hand.

"What's this?" she asked.

I beamed with happiness. "My engagement ring."

"Since when?" asked Heather.

"Since last night," I said.

"Congratulations," Lisa said as she hugged me.

Then both Ann and Heather did the same.

"It's about time you and my son get married," Ann said.

"Yeah, I know," I said, smiling.

"So when do you think you guys will have your wedding?" Heather asked.

"It'll definitely be sometime after the twins are born," I said. "There's no way I'm going to get married when I'm this far into my pregnancy."

"When is your due date?" asked Ann.

"September 4th," I replied.

"Is Kevin excited?" Lisa asked.

I smiled. "Yeah, he's always singing lullabies to the babies. It's adorable."

"Oh how cute," Heather said.

The boys

After Kevin had taken his shower, he walked outside and sat next to Jerald.

"Looks like Tim is having more fun on that trampoline than the kids are," Kevin said.

Jerald chuckled. "Over grown kid."

"I know," Kevin said smiling.

The two of them watched as Tim wrestled with his two sons on the trampoline and Madison practiced her flips.

"Jerald," Kevin said.

"Yeah bro?" Jerald asked.

"When you and Lisa had Madison, were you scared?" Kevin asked.

"Why?" Jerald asked, curiously.

Kevin sighed. "I don't know, I guess I'm kind of scared. I mean don't get me wrong I'm happy that I'm going to be a dad. I'm thrilled actually, but…"

"What are you scared of, Kev?" Jerald asked.

"That I'm not going to be a good enough dad," Kevin said.

"What? Why do you say that?" asked Jerald.

"Because what if once the twins are born, I'm not a good dad," Kevin said. "I mean look at Jerry. He and Joy loved each other so much, but he was a terrible father."

"No," Jerald said. "Don't ever compare yourself to Jerry. There's nothing similar between you and Jerry."

"I just don't want to disappoint Janel and my babies," Kevin said.

"Kev, you could never disappoint Janel, just as long as you love your children," Jerald said.

"But what if I don't know how to take care of them?" Kevin asked.

"Bro, you'll know how to take care of them," Jerald said. "It just comes naturally."

"What if it doesn't?" Kevin asked.

Jerald laughed. "It will. Besides you're great with kids. The kids always love you. And Madison practically worships the ground you walk on."

Kevin smiled. "She does, doesn't she?"

"Yep. To her you're the Great Uncle Kevin," Jerald said. "She says that because you're so good with her."

"Yeah, I guess," Kevin said. "But I'm still scared."

"It's natural," Jerald said. "But did you ever think that Janel is also scared?"

"No, not really. We've never talked about it," Kevin said.

"I'm sure she's feeling the same way you are," Jerald said.

The girls

Once the girls decided they had bought everything cute, we left the store.

I made sure they didn't see anything else cute on their way out, or else we would be stuck in the store forever.

"You know you guys didn't have to buy all that stuff," I said.

"Of course, I did," Ann said. "I'm going to be a grandma, so it's my job to spoil you."

"Plus, you're having twins so of course we have to buy more stuff," Heather said.

"Well thank you, you guys. I really appreciate you taking care of me," I said.

"It's no problem sweetie," Lisa said. "Plus soon we'll be sister-in-laws."

"That's right. Then I'll finally be apart of the Richardson family," I said, happily. "Speaking of the Richardsons, I guess we better get back to them and make sure they're okay."

"I'm sure they're letting the kids do whatever they want," Heather said. "Tim lets my boys get away with everything."

"Yeah," Lisa agreed. "So hopefully your house will still be intact."

I smiled. "It probably will be. You know Kevin, Mr. Neat."

"Yep, that's my son," agreed Ann. "He'll probably let the kids have one room to destroy, and then the rest of the house will be perfect."

I laughed. "Yep, sounds like my Boo. But that's going to have to change once our babies are born."

"Oh, it will," Heather said. "Once you have kids everything changes. Nothing else seems important compared to them."

I smiled. "Yeah, our kids are going to be our whole world. Both Kevin and I are going to be completely devoted to them."

The boys

Kevin sat down on his couch next to his brother, Tim, who was watching TV.

"Will you quit pouting," Tim said.

"I can't help it," Kevin said. "I haven't seen my babies all day long."

"Boy am I glad that I wasn't stuck with you on tour," Tim said. "I'm sure you were a pain in the ass. And the poor guys had to listen to your complaining."

"Shut up," Kevin said as he smacked his brother on the back of the head.

Tim laughed and then punched Kevin in the shoulder.

Kevin then grabbed Tim's head and put him into a headlock. Soon the two of them were in the middle of Kevin's living room, wrestling with each other.

The girls and I got down and grabbed as many bags as we could. Once we walked in, we could hear yelling.

"What's that?" I questioned.

"Probably my boys," Heather said.

"Or not," Lisa said as we walked into the living room to see Kevin and Tim.

"It's one of my boys," Heather said, smiling.

"And my fiancé, who seems to be acting like the 15 year old boy that I remember," I said.

Kevin looked up at me and smiled. Then he immediately quit wrestling with Tim and rushed over to me. He wrapped me in his arms as we began to kiss.

"How come you don't greet me like that?" Heather questioned.

"Uh…cause Kevin's younger," Tim said.

"So are you saying that you're old now?" Heather asked.

"Yeah…wait no," Tim answered.

Heather smiled. "I guess I'll just have to find a younger man, who will greet me like that."

"Oh no you don't," Tim said before he began kissing Heather.

Then the kids came running down the stairs.

"Eww! Mom and Dad are kissing, again," the boys cried.

Tim and Heather pulled away to look at their boys.

"Come here you little rugrats," Heather said.

Both Matthew and Eric came running towards her and wrapped themselves around their mom.

"So did you buy anything?" Kevin asked.

"Oh yeah," I replied. "Your mom and sister-in-laws almost bought out Babies R' Us."

"Just making sure that my grand kids have everything they need," Ann said.

"Thanks Mom," Kevin said.

"So what have you been doing all day?" I asked.

"Nothing really," Kevin said. "The guys and I just took the kids to the park."

"Yep, that's about it," Tim said. "Oh yeah, and Kevin over here kept whining that he hadn't seen his babies all day."

I smiled. "Did you miss me?"

"Of course," he said as he kissed my forehead.

"Yeah, next time you girls decide to take Janel shopping, make sure you take Kevin with you," Jerald said as he walked in from the backyard with Madison in his arms.

"I didn't complain that much," Kevin said.

Both of his brothers just looked at him skeptically.

"Oops," Kevin said, smiling.

"So are you guys hungry?" I questioned.

"Yeah!" cried the children.

"How about we go out to eat?" I suggested.

"Yeah, that sounds good," Jerald said.

"But first let's get you two boys washed up," Heather said.

"You too little girl," Lisa said as she took Madison into her arms.

The five of them went upstairs while the rest of us got the bags.

"Where do you want everything?" Tim asked.

"We can just put it in the twins' room for now. I'll put it away later," I said.

"Okay," he said.

Once we had finished putting the bags into their room, the kids were all cleaned up and ready to go.

Kevin, Jerald, Lisa, Madison, Ann, and I piled into the 4-Runner, while Tim, Heather, Matthew, and Eric rode in Kevin's car.

Once we arrived at the restaurant, we were seated. But after about 10 minutes Kevin's brothers began to play musical chairs so that the three children were separated from each other.

Then we spent the rest of the evening enjoying our meal as one big happy family.

On the way home, the children immediately fell asleep. So as soon as we walked into the house, Tim and Jerald put the kids to bed.

"Night you guys," I said.

"Night," they replied as they carried the children upstairs.

"I'm going to make sure everything's locked up," Kevin said. "So good night you guys."

"Good night my son," Ann said as she hugged Kevin.

Then Lisa, Heather, Ann, and I went upstairs. Lisa and Heather went to tuck their children in, while Ann went to her room.

I told them good night and then went to mine and Kevin's room. I changed into a pair of boxers and one of Kevin's old T-shirt. Afterwards, I decided to go into the twins' room.

Once Kevin had locked everything up, he shut all the lights off and headed upstairs. He walked into his room to find the sheets pulled back on his bed, but Janel wasn't in the room. He changed and then stepped out into the hall.

All the lights in the hall were off except for the babies' room. Kevin quietly walked down the hall. He smiled to himself as he stood in the doorway, watching Janel neatly fold each little outfit and put it into the chest of drawers.

"Kevin, are you just going to stand there and watch me?" I questioned.

Kevin chuckled as he walked over to Janel. "How did you know I was there?"

"Because I could feel your eyes watching me," I said as I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest.

"I'm always watching you," he said as he kissed my forehead. "Anyways, what were you doing?"

"Just putting away the kids clothes," I said, smiling up at him.

"You talk as though they were all ready here," Kevin said as he took my hand, pulling me towards the bed.

"I know it's because I can't wait until they're here. I just want to hold them in my arms," I said, as I stood in front of Kevin while he rested his head on my stomach and I ran my fingers through his hair, making it spiky.

"Neither can I," Kevin said, after he gently kissed my tummy.

Then Kevin pulled away so that he could unmake the twin-size bed we had in there.

"Come lay with me," he said as he patted the empty space next to him.

I smiled. "Do you think we'll both fit?"

"Of course," he said.

I laid down facing him, with our noses touching.

"Pumpkin, I know that you're so happy that we're having kids, but are you scared?" Kevin asked.

"Of what?" I asked.

"Of being a mom, and taking care of them," Kevin said. "Of just being a parent."

"Well of course I'm scared," I replied.

"You are?" Kevin asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I'm scared that I might not know what to do. Or that I won't be the perfect Mom," I said. "But I usually try not to worry about it too much because I know everything will be okay."

"How do you know that?" Kevin questioned.

I smiled and then kissed his nose. "Because when I look at you, I know that it'll be okay. I know that together you and I can handle anything that comes our way."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he said as he gently placed his hand on my stomach.

"And as long as we just love our children, things will be okay. We'll know how to take care of them, it'll come naturally," I said.

"Yeah, that's what Jerald told me," Kevin said.

"He did?" I asked.

"Yeah, I told him that I was kind of scared of being a dad," Kevin said quietly.

"You are?" I asked.

"Yeah. I just don't want to be a disappointment," Kevin said.

"Kevin, you could never disappoint me," I said. "Why didn't you tell me you felt this way earlier?"

"I don't know. You just seemed so happy, I didn't think you could be feeling the same thing that I was," he said.

"Yeah, that's because the excitement usually gets the best of me," I said, smiling. "But just remember that we're in this together. Okay?"

"Okay," Kevin said as he kissed me.

"Now close your eyes and go to sleep," I said as I buried my head into Kevin's chest.

Kevin smiled. "Night my Pumpkin."

After a while of gently rubbing Janel's back, he heard her soft steady breathing, knowing that she was now fast asleep.

He couldn't believe that he never thought of her being scared of being a parent. All he could seem to think about was if he would be able to handle two children, to be able to take care of them. He didn't know whether or not he could be a good dad to his children, like his father was to him and his brothers.

He felt such pressure to be the perfect dad, in order to make his father proud of him and to make sure that he wouldn't be a disappointment to Janel, but he had forgotten about what Janel might be feeling.

He never once thought that she was scared of being a mom, because he knew that she would be the best mom ever. He could see the joy in her eyes each time someone would mention the twins. And when he caught her talking to the children, he thought it was the most beautiful thing. She would whisper sweet words of love to them, telling them that they were all ready loved even though they hadn't arrived yet. But the more he thought about it, he realized that she had to be more scared than he was. She was the one who would be giving birth to two children. Yet here she was telling him that everything would be okay and acting as though there was nothing to worry about.

But the most important thing that he had forgotten was that all he had to do was love his children. Once he did that, everything else would fall into place. He was thinking too hard about how to be the perfect dad, when the answer was right in front of him. That's what Jerald had meant when he said that it came naturally. Loving your children would just come naturally.