And Baby Makes Four

[Jane Prewett]

January 15, 1877

Only a few hours after the birth of her twin daughters, and some much needed sleep (she had been in labor for nearly a day after all) Jane was propped up in her bed with her arms wrapped tightly around the younger of the twins. The blond one-Jane wasn't sure if she should be the one to name them or if her husband would like that honor-was sleeping peacefully in her cradle, having been recently fed.

What was she supposed to do with twins? One babe she had been prepared for. That was what anyone ever told her could happen...but twins? Twins? How was she supposed to take care of twins when her husband was gone all the time? (Not that she expected him to do anything, but she was still adamant about feeding them herself)

Jane summoned the nurse back over to the bedside, preparing to give the baby back to be placed in the cradle, when the chamber door began to slowly open...

  

[Faustus Prewett]

Finally Faustus was being allowed in to see his wife. He had wanted to simply burst in several times during the process, especially when he'd heard Jane scream. Then, finally, he had heard the babe cry -- and then another. All the time he was told nothing except that he just had to wait and that he should sit down so that he was out of the way.

Twins. That he knew, and one of the women who had been bustling around had taken enough pity on him to tell him that he had two hale and healthy daughters. He felt as though he was in shock; he had expected one babe, not a pair. Two girls -- was he ready to be a father to two daughters?

More importantly, how was Jane? The answer whenever he had asked had consisted of the same word over and over -- resting. She was resting, exhausted from giving him two daughters. He couldn't bare to lose her, and in fact he was feeling some strange twistings of emotion that he ha not recognized before.

He recognized them now. He loved Jane. Finally, more than a year after she had first told him she loved him, Faustus knew he felt the same way. All it had taken was feeling as though he might lose her.

"Jane?" he asked quietly from just inside the door. "How are you? And the girls?"

  

[Jane Prewett]

If she was being honest, Jane would have to admit that it hurt that he didn't any care in the world for her. They were married for well over a year, she told him she was expecting on their one year anniversary, and still he hadn't said the three words back to her. In fact, Jane had stopped saying them herself. He knew, why did she have to tell him every chance she got? It was stupid, she was stupid for even believing in the notion.

So when he came into the room to 'check up on her', she just wanted him to go away. She was exhausted, and still in pain. She wasn't up for the company her husband was looking to provide for her, she just wanted to sleep some more.

However, she did love him, that much was true. And she could never deny him, not ever. "Faustus," she replied somewhat coolly, but mostly tiredly, "We're all fine. They're sleeping currently."

  

[Faustus Prewett]

Faustus stayed where he was, feeling awkward. How did he handle this? He had gotten quite used to things being as they had been with Jane. She had been his bed mate, even his friend at times, but that was it.

And now ... now he loved her. He loved her, and ... and she had not said those words to him in some time. It was almost as though she had given up on him.

"I suppose we will name one of them after each of our mothers -- Sarah and Harriet?" They were good, strong names, if quite common ones. He had not even looked at his daughters yet; all his attention was on Jane.

  

[Jane Prewett]

"You suppose?" She replied, testing the words on her tongue. She loved her mother, Sarah gave her a very enjoyable childhood and an even better marriage, but Jane was not about to name her daughter that. Not only would her mother's ego swell up to an unattainable level, but she had no desire to write 'Dear Mother, guess what? My daughter is named Sarah, just like you. Congrats.' That was simply never going to happen.

Ever.

"Perhaps we could use those for their middle names?" She questioned him, still not speaking with the warmth in her voice that she usually possessed.

Trying, and failing, to sit up more in her position (as this half up, half down situation wasn't working out very well) Jane motioned for Faustus to come closer. He was acting like a timid little bird, truly it was beginning to become disturbing. She was supposed to be the hummingbird, and he was supposed to be the hawk. "Perhaps we could name them after flowers?"

  

[Faustus Prewett]

"Flowers?" he asked, stepping closer not to his wife but rather to his babes. He looked down at the twins, sleeping peacefully. They looked quite similar, and very much like other babes, although one had a shock of red hair and the other wispy blond locks. "They could be very lovely little flowers ..."

How did he say this? How had she said it? He could barely even look at her; he was afraid she'd somehow see it and have fallen out of love with him while she waited. He was not used to the idea of bearing himself to the world. "Sarah for the blonde's middle name, and Harriet for the redhead? That hair obviously comes from my side of the family."

  

[Jane Prewett]

For the first time since her intense labor began, Jane laughed softly. Yes, the red hair ertainly came from his side of the family (especially since Jane herself was blonde and wood never be anything other than that) She, however, did not expect the subtle movement of her body to hurt so badly, so she swiftly stopped.

He didn't want to be near her, and Jane wasn't sure why. Sure, she didn't particularly want him next to her, but it seemed odd that he was skirting the edges of her room and staying close to the cradles. "Wjat about Jessamine for the red head? I've always loved that flower." She thought carefully, and tried once more to shift her position. Jane only wanted to sleep, why couldn't her daft husband see that?

She thought some more, Edelweiss flowers were unique and different, much like she expected her first born to be. Perhaps Eddy would be acceptable for her other daughter. "And Edelweiss for the blonde? What do you think, Faustus dear?"

  

[Faustus Prewett]

"Edelweiss Sarah and Jessamine Harriet," he mused. He rather liked the sound, and turned to smile nervously at his wife. "They both sound beautiful, Jane. They will be beautiful, with you for a mother."

His chest constricted; would she see? Would she know? He was supposed to be a Gryffindor, and yet he found himself shrinking from the idea of telling his wife that he loved her. He had to do it. "Jane, I --"

He paused. Did she even want to hear? It had been more than a year since that night when she had told him, more than a year since he had responded by telling her he cared for her and pulling her into the bath with him.

  

[Jane Prewett]

Jane did not feel beautiful. She felt sweaty, and uncomfortable, and downright gross. If not for her husband's persistence in making sure she was okay (something she didn't understand considering all she was to him was someoone to have sex with) Janw would've preferred to sleep for another few hours. But he was adament about seeing her, and so it had to be done.

Ignoring his compliment all together, Jane mused over the names they had just chosen for their children. Her little seeds that would one day be beautiful flowers. Yes, Edelweiss and Jessamine were fine names.

"What?" She asked, not sure what he was holding back. He probably was going to tell her he had to go to work. It seemed like that was the only place he was lately.

  

[Faustus Prewett]

He had to do it. He couldn't back out now, not after he'd started. Turning, Faustus stared into the fireplace, trying to gather his thoughts. "I told you that I care for you -- quite deeply," he began, trusting that Jane wouldn't interrupt him. "It seems that time has induced that seed to grow, and now I find that my feelings are more than mere caring."

He turned to her then, gazing at her intently. He didn't see the sweat, barely noticed the exhaustion. All Faustus saw was his beautiful, patient wife. "You have stolen my heart, Jane. I can only hope that I have not waited too long to come to this realization."

  

[Jane Prewett]

He was being so confusing, speaking in code the way he was. Jane was far too tired for his riddles, and even worse than that-she had the feeling that he was trying to say something important that she just wasn't getting.

And then he said something that confused her even further. 'You have stolen my heart, Jane.' Was that-no. It couldn't be. He couldn't be trying to tell her he loved her now, not when she looked and felt the way she did. He couldn't, but he was.

Nodding, Jane was left utterly speechless by him. What-how? Why did he have to wait until now to say those three words everyone valued so much? "What?" She asked stupidly, "Faustus....are you saying--" she couldn't even form full sentences, and it was entirely his fault.

  

[Faustus Prewett]

Did he need to write it out for her? Faustus was not annoyed with Jane -- not really -- but he found it quite difficult to express his feelings. He felt as though she were torturing him, but he could not blame her for actually wanting to say the words.

Could he say it? Could he not? Clearing his throat, Faustus reached out to place his hand lightly on one of Jane's. "I love you, Jane. I think, perhaps, that I have for some time and only just now realized it."

  

[Jane Prewett]

He loved her. Her husband, after a year and a half of marriage, had finally decided that he cared for her as she cared for him. Her days were empty without him, her bed was cold without him, and she was nearly always miserable when he was gone.

Did he truly feel the same though? Or were his emotions playing a part now that he was suddenly a parent? Jane couldn't tell. He seemed genuine, and the touch of his skin felt right, but she didn't know. Would she ever know?

Squeezing his hand in return, Jane moved slowly on the bed, so that she could create room for him to lie next to her. "I love you too, Faustus Prewett." Jane murmured. "Lay down with me?"

  

[Faustus Prewett]

Again, Faustus hesitated. She looked so tired that he was afraid to touch her at all, even just to join her for companionship as she slept. "Are you certain that it is alright, Jane?" he asked anxiously, glancing again at the twins.

They really were beautiful girls. His wife had done an excellent job and given him two healthy children. They had a beautiful little family now. It was no longer just the two of them and never would be again.

  

[Jane Prewett]

Already feeling as though she was half asleep, Jane stiffed a yawn and nodded. She would love for her husband to lay beside her, to keep "his half" of the bed warm, and to protect her and her children as she slept. "Please?" She pleaded. "I just want to talk...and sleep. Mmm yes. I'd very much like to sleep, my love."

Yawning once more, Jane let his hand fall from her's and laid her head back on the pillow. She wanted to be up when the twins woke up again, but she doubted she would be if she didn't fall asleep soon.

  

[Faustus Prewett]

She was so very tired, and Faustus couldn't quite bear to deny her. Without saying a word, he leaned down to pull off his shoes and slipped into the bed next to his wife, otherwise still fully dressed.

"Sleep then, Jane," he said softly, slipping is arms around her. Just rest. He would let her rest, and he would be there for her. "I love you."