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Steve wasn't actively hovering, but he was sitting in the living room with her with the TV on, although he had a history book in his lap.
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He might have been holding a history book, but Elaine knew his sketchbook wasn't far. After a few minutes of allowing him the illusion of not-hovering, she set down the tablet and moved over a bit on the couch.
"Have you put anything new in your sketchbook?" she asked him. |
"A few things," Steve admitted after a few moments, handing it over to her to look through. The most recent sketches were of her pregnant.
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Elaine smiled a bit when she saw the most recent sketches, and gave him a quick kiss.
"I'll admit I was expecting those," she said. She flipped through them again and then looked at him. "One for each month so far?" |
Steve nodded. "There are a few extras, but at least one for each month," he agreed with a little smile.
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Elaine smiled and kissed him again.
"They're wonderful," she said. She grinned teasingly. "Although I think you may have taken a bit of artistic license, I can't possibly look good right now. I feel like a beached whale, and I'm still getting bigger." |
"You look gorgeous." Steve kissed her briefly. "I have some of Kae, too, from when she was pregnant. I thought Bruce might like those."
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"I still think you're flattering me," Elaine replied, returning the kiss. "And I think you're right. Frame them and give them as a gift?" She grinned a bit. "Maybe his first Father's Day as a dad?"
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"Between Christmas and Father's Day," Steve agreed with a grin. "Although I haven't done one of the three of them yet. I should get around to that."
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"I think the family picture should be Christmas," Elaine said. "The portraits of Kae should be Father's Day."
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Steve nodded. That was a good idea. "Alright, I'll get these framed so I'll remember." He smiled and kissed her again briefly.
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Elaine returned the kiss and moved over a bit so she was tucked against his side. The movement woke the twins, and one of them kicked her in protest, making her wince a bit.
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Steve frowned, not sure what to do to help her, and hovered a bit over her to make sure she was okay.
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"I'm okay," Elaine said, massaging her belly to try to calm the little ones down. "I woke them up, that's all. One of them isn't pleased at naptime being interrupted."
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"They're leaving bruises," Steve pointed out, resting his hand gently on her belly. "That's not normal, they shouldn't be doing that."
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"I know," Elaine said. The twin under Steve's hand rolled over, but didn't kick. "But you're also much stronger than average, and they're your children."
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"That doesn't make it okay that you're getting hurt," Steve said quietly. "I don't want that."
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"Steve, I can handle it," Elaine said. "It's not for much longer, I can do this." She squeezed his hand. "I can deal with it if it means bringing our children into the world safely."
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Steve nodded, though he still looked worried.
"Just about a month left, right?" he said quietly. |
"Six weeks or so, yeah," Elaine replied. "They may very well come before that, though. I can handle it until then."
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Steve nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly. He was going to worry about her until the little ones were born regardless.
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Elaine sighed softly as the twins finally started to settle down. They were still restless, but she wasn't being kicked anymore. She nudged Steve a little.
"Help me up?" she asked. "I want to see if I can get them back to sleep. Walking helps sometimes." |
"Of course." Steve got up and helped her up carefully, hovering for a moment until he was sure she was okay. Then he gave her some space.
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"Thanks." Elaine managed to get to her feet, still rubbing her belly, and she started to walk around a bit. Or rather, waddle around, considering how big the twins were getting.
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Steve watched her to make sure she was fine. But he didn't try to help her walk around, he figured that would get him snarled at.
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