"It's just that they look so much like you, it's uncanny."
Samuel nodded. Picking up his fork, he cut into his beef. "Jason has the mark on his left arm and Jayden on his left wrist. The doctors predicted that as they grow, they will have their own individual features. Yes, they will continue to be identical, but we as their parents will be able to tell them apart."
She wrinkled her nose at that. "See? I should know all those details."
"Why?" He asked her mildly.
"Because I gave birth to them." She threw up a hand in frustration. "I keep thinking that I'm going to mix them up and end up giving them an inferiority complex. Don't you dare laugh!" She warned. "Those are valid concerns."
"Of course they are," he said, tongue in cheek. "By mixing their names up, you will end up turning them into serial killers or even worse, politicians! By not being a perfect mother, you're going to end up ruining our children, God forbid, causing them to become felons. I ought to call child services and save them from a fate worse than death."
She saw how ridiculous her concerns were but refused to acknowledge it to him.
"Now who's being ridiculous?" She muttered darkly.
"Any more concerns? Afraid you're going to drop one of the boys on their heads? Put the wrong onesie on Jeremy? One that was meant for Jason or Jayden?"
"Oh, shut up."
"Gladly." He told her with a grin. "You're sweet when you're nettled."
"I'm about to pour this tasteless glass of milk I'm forced to drink over your head."
"Like I said, you love me too much." In case she meant what she said, he plucked the glass from her hand. "Just a precaution." His grin widened at the dirty look she gave him. "I adore you, Mrs. Copeland."
Her anxiety evaporated under his tender expression and potent words.
Blowing out a breath, she moved to sit next to him. "I love you too. I keep thinking that I should tread cautiously. Not to be too happy in case something goes wrong."
He turned his head to stare at her. "Is that the way you want to live your life? You're allowed to be happy, Eliza. There will always be instances where we're going to be troubled by events, especially now that we have four children. There are going to be health issues, we know that. But for now, we're all home and the babies were given clean bills of health. We should just enjoy the peace and know that we can face whatever comes our way."
Putting his glass of water aside, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I'm happy and there's no place I would rather be than here with you and my children." Tucking his fingers beneath her chin, he lifted it, silver eyes searching hers. "We've received more than we ever hoped for and I, for one, am very grateful."
"So am I. It's just that I cannot help but think that something is lurking around the corner."
"Enough of that." He kissed her on the mouth, his touch gentle. "Let's finish eating and go and check on them one last time for the night."
"She won't stop screaming."
"Is she wet?"
"No! Don't you think that would be the first thing I checked?" She drew a breath. "I'm sorry, darling. Can you check on the boys? I don't know if somehow the screaming has woken them."
"They're fast asleep. The nannies are with them. Is she hungry?"
Eliza shook her head. "I tried giving her the breast, but she won't take it." Tears burned the backs of her eyes. She had heard the sounds and jumped up immediately to find Maeve was already in Sofia's room. "You did not have to get up."
"I won't dignify that with a response," Samuel told her coolly. "Give her to me."
"I don't think – "
"Eliza, hand me my daughter."
She handed over the crying baby carefully and watched as he placed her against his shoulder, his big hand rubbing up and down her back. When a frown touched his brow, she blurted out, "What is it?"
"She's running a temperature."
"What? I never – "
