Chapter 90：Love and Respect

A couple of months later the happy couple was back in New York and had eased back into their routine. Jordan was back at work and had released a new killer album, rumor had it he probably worked on it while he was in prison. Lana was back at college and acing it. Their marriage had blossomed and grown from strength to strength. The baby was nearly due and would coincide with the close of the last semester, so she wouldn't miss school and would be back when they resumed class again.

They had decided to postpone the wedding a little while longer. Lana insisted that she didn't want to walk down the aisle looking like a baby hippo, and although Jordan tried to reassure her that she had never looked more beautiful, she was adamant and not convinced.

When Lana woke up that morning it was to a blaze of sunlight, but caught in the net of the partially closed curtains. As had become his custom every morning, Jordan had nestled his head against her stomach with his hands placed over her bump; singing softly to their twin babies. Yes-they were expecting twins and they were both ecstatic. They knew what it was like to grow up as an only child, and they didn't want that for their children.

I love you baby

And if it's quite all right

I need you baby

To warm the lonely nights

I love you baby

Trust in me when I say

Oh pretty baby

Don't bring me down I pray

Oh pretty baby

Now that I've found you stay

And let me love you, baby

Let me love you

You're just too good to be true

I can't take my eyes off you

You'd be like heaven to touch

I wanna hold you so much

At long last love has arrived

And I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off You

"Hmmm...I could get used to this.." Lana sighed as she glided her fingers through his soft platinum locks.

"So can I..." Jordan moved back up and smiled. "Good morning my love," he kissed the tip of her nose, "did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby." She regarded him with a smile.

"Are you hungry?" His thumbs moved across her cheeks, gently massaging the curve of her cheekbone on each side.

"I'm always hungry! Thanks to these two," she looked down and rubbed her stomach.

"What would you like today?"

"I feel like an English breakfast..no I think a waffle sandwich, with melted cheese, bacon and pineapple." Her face lit up as she smacked her pink lips.

Jordan laughed, unable to contain himself. This had become the normal routine-Lana had become so passionate about food and couldn't decide on what to eat on most days; so he usually just asked the chef to make everything she mentioned.

Angelo wheeled in the breakfast cart, laden with everything Lana had requested and she dove right in. They decided to eat out on the balcony because the weather was good and she liked to feel the sun on her face.

"You've worked quite an appetite!" Jordan teased her as she sucked on a piece of pineapple.

"Don't blame me-blame your children," she smiled as she took another serving of the fruit. "This w tastes so good today, I can't seem to get enough of it."

"I can't seem to get enough of you." He rubbed his hand over her knee and winked.

"Makes two of us babe." She moved forward and kissed him on the lips.

"I have a confession.." Jordan sat back and looked at his wife.

"I'm listening.." she remarked skeptically.

He leaned closer as he whispered, "I've never had sex with a pregnant woman...."

She gasped and feigned shock as she whispered under her breath. "Me neither.." she winked at him and they cracked up.

"You're crazy Bambi!" He shook his head as he laughed.

"That's why you love me." She patted his cheek and continued to eat.

"I can't wait to meet them. What do you think they're going to look like? I hope they have your hair and my eyes-" There's excitement in his voice, gentle and warm, as he talks about the babies. She can practically hear all the plans going into motion inside his brain.

"My hair?! Is that all I'm good for?" she jerked her head back and scowled.

"No.." he grinned, "that's not what I meant sweets and you know it!" Jordan glanced at her and laughed.

"So my eyes are not good enough for our children?" Lana knitted her brows, and scrutinized him.

"No baby. I love your eyes-you know that. You have the most beautiful eyes."

"I do?" Her forehead was all puckered, and her pink mouth set in a pout.

"Yes Bambi," he chuckled, "you do...and I love them. I love you." He gathered her in his arms would have kissed her but she flinched as if in some sort of discomfit.

"Ouch!"Her body jerked up and she made a face. She caught Jordan's wrist in a vice-like grip that made him wince.

"What is it? Are you okay baby?" He was alarmed at her appearance and wanted to go for the doctor, as he told her. "Should I get the OB?"

"No-" she clutched his arm again. "Ye-es!" She gasped, her breathing becoming ragged.

"Uhm..you'll have to let me get my phone first baby-"

"Don't leave me! Please-"

"Okay baby...take my hand while I stretch out the other one to get my phone," he said calmly. "My phone is right over there." He indicated to the nightstand and she relented as she released her grip slightly. "Just practice your breathing techniques from Lamaze class while I get the doctor okay?"

Jordan called the OB, putting her on loudspeaker, and told her all Lana's symptoms. As he had suspected Lana was in labor. The doctor told him to remain calm and to bring her to the hospital immediately.

"Let's get you dressed so we can get you to the labor ward. Is that okay? Can you manage that?" She nodded and he helped her change into something more comfortable. She had already packed her bag weeks ago so he got someone to take it down to the car.

"I'm scared Carter.." she panted as she took a sharp breath. Her face was a deep crimson and beads of sweat had formed on her forehead.

"I know baby but don't be.. I'm right here with you. I'm not going to let you do this alone okay?" He kissed her forehead and scooped her off the bed, carrying her down the stairs.

"Is it time?" Jones asked, his voice laced with excitement, as he saw them descending the stairs.

"Seems like it." Jordan confirmed. "Please get the car and bring it out front?"

Lana had opted for a natural birth with no epidural, but she was beginning to regret it as inexplicable pain tore through her body. She refused to let go of Jordan's hand and he doubted he would still have one by the time his children were born.

As he watched his wife writhe in pain, her face dripping with sweat, her hair matted to her face; he vowed he would never get Lana pregnant again. It was too much for him to take in that they were both in tears, with no one to console the other. Although he did encourage her and she drew strength from him, physically and emotionally, as he urged her on. He dabbed the sweat from her face and fed her ice cubes when she was thirsty, rained kisses on her face and offered words of comfort when she thought she couldn't possibly go on and needless to say they bond was cemented that night. He never thought he could love her anymore than he already did, but his love and respect for her were doubled that night.

Finally, after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, William Kyle Carter and Benjamin James Carter made their debut into the world; just before the break of dawn...