Just a quick, short update to see how our little family is progressing and how Charles is healing. More adventures to come with these lovelies, especially getting into Elsie's pregnancy and the like. Thanks for those who have stuck with this story and continue to ask for more. You guys are the best!

After a few days with a lot of rest, Charles was moved from the ICU to the regular recovery floor. He was making great progress, and his doctors were extremely happy with the rate that he was healing which, they noted, was due to his excellent physical condition. Being in the new unit, he was able to have more than one visitor at a time, and Robert took full advantage of the fact that one, Charles was making great progress, and two, he, Elsie and Charles were all in the same room at the same time.

He wasted no time after getting there that morning to ask them the question that had been burning in his mind since the night Charles was shot. He stood at the end of Charles' bed, while Elsie sat in the chair right next to it, holding Charles' hand. They both knew what was coming, and Charles squeezed Elsie's hand in preparation for it.

"So," Robert began, placing his hand over his mouth for a minute to gather his thoughts and figure out how he was going to ask the question. Finally, he put both hands on his hips and simply said, "When, where, and why? Well, nevermind that," he said, putting his hand up. "I know why, because clearly the two of you are more in love than anyone I've ever seen, but why so soon? Ah-scratch that," he said, shaking his head and trying to come up with the best words for what he was trying to say. It wasn't coming out the way he originally planned. "I know it has been years and it should have happened a long time ago. Not so soon, but why not wait for everyone to be there? Particularly me, your BEST FRIEND!" he said, exasperated towards the end of his speech. "I mean, I had to find out when you were on your deathbed, for goodness sake!"

When they realized he was done, Charles and Elsie looked at each other, and Charles simply nodded to Elsie, signaling that he would answer Robert's questions.

"Well," Charles began, "the true and simple reason is that we simply could not wait. Not a second went by that I didn't think about Elsie becoming my wife, and when her sister, Becky, was visiting for the weekend, she simply asked why we couldn't do it then." Charles took a break for a moment, looking towards Elsie, who continued their explanation.

"My sister is a simple soul, Robert. I'm sure you've heard," Elsie paused, seeing Robert nod his head. "When we were discussing it, she said she wanted Charles to become her brother as soon as possible and to be honest, I felt the same. I wanted to be married to him right then, as he did me. I'd pushed him away for far too long, and I didn't want another day to go by that I wasn't connected to him in the closest way I possibly could be, forever." Elsie squeezed Charles' hand and looked lovingly into his eyes. Charles pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed it gently.

"So," Charles continued, "we did it the next day, in the back yard, with her sister present. We had planned on still having a proper ceremony when you were healthy and fit to do so, with a party and all. This was just for us, to let each other know that nothing would ever stand in the way of us being together again. That we are fully committed to each other. So that's it, I guess. I understand that you are upset and feel left out, but truth be told, it was a blessing in disguise that we did it that way because if we hadn't, Elsie wouldn't have been privy to any of the information about me when I was injured, had she not been my wife," Charles said.

There was a moment of silence once Charles finished, and Robert clearly had a moment of recognition as it was written all over his face. He took a deep breath before responding. "I understand," he said. "I do. I just always thought I would be there for this most memorable and significant moment in your life. However, having my own perfect mate, I realize the importance of wanting to be bound together, forever." Robert took a deep breath, smiling a bit. "However, you must promise me that if there is ever any other big news that happens in your life, I get to be the first to know."

At that comment, Elsie and Charles looked at each other, having a silent conversation between them about whether or not to share the news with Robert about their pregnancy. The only other person, besides Dr. Clarkson, who knew, was Anna. They were going to wait to tell everyone once Elsie hit her first trimester, but at this point, two things were important. The first, was that they needed as many blessings for the babies as possible, and the second was that they didn't want to upset Robert any further, and including him in their little secret would definitely appease him and make up for their previous secret. Elsie nodded to Charles, again having that silent conversation they were so good at.

"All right," Charles began. "You need to sit down for this one," he said to his friend. Robert was clearly surprised. When he gave his little speech, he wasn't expecting to be rewarded with something immediately. He looked a bit skeptical as he took the chair on the other side of Charles' bed. Once Robert was settled, Charles looked over to Elsie, imploring her to tell Robert. But Elsie shook her head, wanting Charles to share their joy with his best friend.

"Well, mate," he said, looking directly at Robert. "Turns out, you're going to be an uncle." Charles waited for Robert's reaction, which wasn't forthcoming immediately. It seemed as if he didn't understand what Charles was saying. He shook his head a bit, trying to make sense of what he heard. "I said you're going to be an uncle, Robert, which means Elsie is pregnant," he said.

Robert immediately stood up. "That's what I thought you meant, but I wasn't sure and didn't want to pry!" he said excitedly. "Wow! This is marvelous. Absolutely marvelous," he exclaimed, walking around the bed to hug Elsie tightly.

"Careful there," Charles said. "Not too tight. Have to protect those babies of mine!" He waited for Robert's reaction to that comment. Robert kept his hands on Elsie's shoulders, stepping away from her a bit and looking into her eyes.

"Did he just say babies?" he asked, not blinking for fear of missing the answer.

Elsie smiled brilliantly. "He did," she said, nodding her head."

"Unbelievable!" Robert yelled. "I bloody come in here ready to tear you to pieces, and here I am, overly ecstatic for you." He walked over to Charles and shook his hand. "Congratulations, brother. No one deserves this happiness more than the two of you," he said. "Bloody twins," he whispered again, shaking his head.

As the trio celebrated, Anna came into the room. "What's all this ruckus?" she asked. "I thought we had a recovering heart patient in here and we aren't supposed to get too excited?" she asked.

"Hard not be be excited about twins," Robert spoke up.

"Ah, indeed," Anna said, surprised they had shared the news.

At that, Elsie spoke up, "We want to keep it private for a bit longer, but we wanted to tell you right away," she explained. "Please, feel free to tell Cora, but please give us some time before we share it with everyone else," she asked, almost pleadingly.

"You have my word," Robert said, and again he whispered, "twins. Wow."

That afternoon, Elsie had to check in at her office, and then head home to gather a few things. Charles would be coming home the next day and she wanted to make sure that everything was set and ready for him.

After meeting with Judge Travis and discussing her cases with him, assuring him that she would be back in a couple weeks and thanking him for filling in, she found herself at home, gathering clothes and necessities for her husband. She had barely been home over the past few days, hating to leave Charles' side. Today, he had insisted that he'd be okay, assuring her that John was going to stop in and that he would nap in the afternoon.

When she was in their room, she gathered clothes for Charles to wear home the next day. She was so excited to have her husband back home, sleeping next to her again, that she could barely contain it. She reflected on the past year and how much her life had changed. She looked around their room, noticing how easily and seamlessly she inserted herself into his home, now theirs, and how perfect it all was. How perfect they fit together. She couldn't help, over the last few days, to think about what would have happened if Charles didn't make it. She felt a sharp pain in her stomach when she thought about it. Every time the thought popped up, she had to push it down, not wanting to even consider that. Charles was alive, and we was progressing well. Within a few weeks, he should almost be back to normal, thankfully.

Because of the stress, she hadn't allowed herself to think about the excitement of the twins until that morning when they told Robert. As she walked into the hallway from their room, she stopped and looked around. Which room would they make the nursery, she wondered. A small smile crept onto her face as she thought about rocking her babies, she and Charles each holding one, cuddling them and loving them. She placed her right hand on her abdomen as she thought about them. She couldn't wait to be a mother, something she thought would never happen. "You just stay snug in there and I will do everything I can to keep you safe and comfortable, my little ones," Elsie whispered to her babies. She bent down to pick up the bag with Charles' things and made her way downstairs, ready to go back to the hospital.

Two days later…

"I'm telling you right now, sit down!" Elsie said, with a bit of force. "You know the doctor's orders, and I want you healthy and well," she explained.

Charles sat back down on the couch while Elsie put the dishes back on the lunch tray.

"But I'm bored," Charles said. "I can't stand sitting all the time. I want to move, do something," he said, frustrated.

Elsie walked over to him and took his hand. "I know, love, but you must rest until your wound is healed, and not put too much stress on your heart. Give it time." She leaned down to kiss him on the cheek, and Charles turned his head to surprise her and capture her lips instead. Elsie giggled a bit, and Charles pulled her onto his lap, cradling her in his arms.

"I'll tell you what I really want to do," he whispered in her ear, then placed soft kisses down her neck.

"Mmmmmmmm...:" Elsie moaned. She put her arms around his neck and touched his nose with hers. "You know there is nothing more I'd rather do," she said. "But until the doctor clears you, I'm afraid it's nothing more than a sweet cuddle on the couch and perhaps a few kisses for you," she said, kissing him again chastely and then standing up. "Now, rest!" she said as she gathered the tray and made her way into the kitchen.

"Spoilsport!" Charles yelled after her, terribly frustrated with his current situation. The doctor had said two weeks, and it was going to be two very long, very boring weeks for him. He couldn't help but think about Green, the man who put him in his current situation, but as he did so, he also thought about all of the previous victims and realized he was lucky to still be alive. He needed to keep thinking about that, to have a positive perspective, and abide the doctor's orders so that he could get better, be a good husband to his wife, and prepare to be a father.

At the thought of being a father, a huge smile adorned Charles' face. That was the bright light in all of this. He was over the moon excited about the news that Elsie gave to him the other day. He never thought he'd have the opportunity to be a father, and now that it was going to be happening, he was nothing but thrilled for this next chapter in his life. As he was picturing he and Elsie holding the babies in their arms, Elsie came back into the room, depositing a tea tray on the table in front of him.

"Now, my patient," she said, smirking, "would you like to cuddle up with your wife and watch a film, or do you want to watch that series we've been meaning to get into?" she asked as she began pouring their tea. "We have a few hours before your other favorite red head comes over. She's bringing dinner, God bless her," Elsie explained.

"You are my only favorite red head, just so you know," he said, endearingly. "Unless one of our babies is born with red hair, then you'll be in trouble," Charles said, snickering. He loved saying that word: babies. It still felt unreal to him. Elsie loved hearing him say it, and she had a big smile on her face and she subconsciously placed her hand on her abdomen.

"That is a title I will only relinquish to one of our children," she said, giddy again at the idea and thought that she was, in fact, going to be a mother. "So, what'll it be?" she finally asked, snapping them both out of their thoughts.

Charles thought for a moment. "A film, I think," he said. Elsie handed him his tea and got the film set, then came and cuddled up next to him on the couch. He brought his legs up and she snuggled in behind him, leaning her head on his right shoulder, him putting his arm around her.

"Is this alright?" she asked, worried about putting pressure on him. Charles looked down and then kissed her on her forehead.

"It's perfect," he said, and she snuggled into his side and settled in for the movie.

A while later, Charles looked down to see Elsie sleeping peacefully against him. He pulled the blanket up around her a bit more, kissed the top of her head, and settled in himself for a bit of a nap. He knew he had to get his rest now, because in no time at all, around six and half months to be exact, rest was certainly going to be a commodity.