"I'm coming!" Teddy called out as she came rushing down the stairs. The store wasn't set to open for another hour but there was a constant ringing of the doorbell. The woman was still in her flannel pyjamas that had little reindeer's printed on it - certainly not the proper attire for guests.

Much to her surprise Alec was waiting on her doorstep with a brown paper bag in hand. He was dressed laid back and appeared rather chipper for someone who must have awakened extra early to be here by now.

"Why are you... what are you doing here?" Teddy glanced at the man before her with widened eyes. They hadn't planned on meeting today.

With a wide smile on his face Alec held up two brown take-out bags with the label from the local diner. "I thought I'd drop in and treat you girls to breakfast. When we had lunch at the diner you mentioned how you and the girls loved the chocolate chip pancakes they served."

"Oh" Teddy's mouth opened in a slight small circle. She pushed the door fully open and allowed the man to step inside. "Come on in" she smiled slightly. "Can I help you?" She asked holding her out her arms to take one of the bags.

"I've got it. This is my treat to you. I can't expect you to carry it" Alec was still smiling as he followed the women upstairs to the apartment. "Good morning Charley and Joey!" He cheered.

The two girls were spread out on the multi-coloured rug with a bunch of dolls around them. They glanced up at Alec and both gave a big smile. Charley was the first to push her off the floor and come running to hug his leg. Joey followed shortly after and hugged his other leg.

Alec chuckled as he watched the little ones. He didn't realize how much he had been missing out in life. Coming home every day to be welcomed just like this by these two little girls would be wonderful.

"What's in the bag?" Joey asked excitedly eyeing the bags in his hands.

"I brought you girls breakfast," Alec answered.

"Oh" Charley said with a small frown.

"Is something wrong?" He asked. Glancing around the room he noticed there was a couple dishes left on the table and many stacked in the sink. "You've already had breakfast?"

Teddy smiled sadly and explained, "the girls did. They're up by seven every morning. So they tend to eat early."

"Oh. I had no idea" Alec furrowed his brows and glanced down at the bags. "I would've tried to come earlier."

"It's fine" Teddy reassured him. "I actually haven't gotta a chance to eat yet. Maybe you'd like to join me.

The smile came back to Alexander's face, "that sounds like a nice idea." The girls had now returned to play their games. Leaving Alec free to walk to the table setting the bags down.

Teddy grabbed a set of plates and took a seat. "So what have you got?"

Unpacking the bags Alec put out the take away containers. "Three orders of the pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon."

"Bacon?" Teddy's eyes widened happily. "Oh gosh I haven't had bacon in years. Not since I was pregnant with the girls."

"You haven't had bacon in years?" Alec asked taking a seat. He served out two pancakes, spoonful of eggs and several pieces of crispy bacon.

"It was a craving when I was pregnant" Teddy answered. With her slender fingers she lifted a crisp piece and took a nibble. "But the girls have never been a fan of the food. So I just don't bother taking the time to make it only for myself."

"Well now's your chance" Alec pushed the plate holding the bacon towards Teddy. "Eat it up."

Teddy gave her little head a small shake but took the plate nonetheless. Excitedly she took another bite of bacon. "So what's with the special treatment?"

"I wanted to make up for the other day," Alec said softly.

"The other day?" Teddy frowned slightly.

"Everything with Stephanie" Alexander started to explain. "The way she treated you and the girls. It wasn't right and she shouldn't have done it. I talked to her after and I made it clear the attitude needed to change. But I did want to make it up to you all. We ruined your lunch so I thought I could treat you to breakfast."

"You really didn't need to do that," Teddy said softly. "But I really appreciate it."

"And actually speaking of Stephanie, she and I insist on having you over for thanksgiving" Alexander said. "It'll give the girls a chance to come to the city and you wont have to work so hard to cook. We want this year to be special. Now I understand if you don't want to. But I promise Stephanie will be on better behaviour."

"I'll have to think about it if that's okay" Teddy asked softly. "It is a really nice offer though."

"Of course. The holiday isn't for a couple more weeks. So take your time" Alec reassured her.

"Thank you." Having finished the last of her food she took the plate to the sink. "I need to open the store soon. So I better go get ready. Girls, time to start getting ready. We need to head downstairs."

The two girls groaned loudly and sulked. "But momma" Charley pouted "dolls." The little girl took hold of a doll and gave it a firm hug.

"You can take it with you downstairs" Teddy said with a smile.

"But house" Joey added pointing to the dollhouse.

Teddy was about to say how they could play with the house later, but Alec had beaten her to it. "If the girls want to stay, I'll gladly watch them for you. I can stay up here too."

"Oh I can't ask you to do that," Teddy stated shaking her head. She couldn't just leave the girls up here with him.

"Its no trouble really. Besides it'll give me a chance to get to know the girls one on one" Alec argued. "What better way for you to trust me with them than to do it when you're right downstairs. That way you don't need to worry about leaving them with me another time."

The suggestion did make sense. Teddy was honestly worried about the idea of leaving the girls with Alec; she didn't really know him that well. But they were his daughters. And he deserved to spend some time alone with him. This was she will be right downstairs if something was to go wrong.

Reluctantly the women nodded in agreement. "Okay. I suppose that'll be a good idea. But I'll come up to check on you shortly. And don't be afraid to call me if anything goes wrong."

"Thanks" Alexander beamed. "But I got this!" he was oozing with confidence. He had wanted a chance to watch the girls himself since he had met them. He longed to feel like a father, to be trusted watching his daughters.

When Teddy headed off to get changed Alec moved to the couch to take a seat. "So what are you playing?"

"Dolls" Joey answered without really looking at the man. She was too focused on playing the game with her sister. The two girls were mumbling to each other.

Leaning back into the cushions Alexander tried to relax. He thought he could make the best of watching the girls play with each other. But he felt like he was missing out and wanted to be part of it. Bouncing his leg slightly he tried to distract himself. Unable to resist the temptation he asked, "can I play too?"

"Nope" Joey and Charley answered in sync.

Alexander tried not to feel bad about it. Having independence was a good thing, seeing the girls able to play with each other were positive. Than why did Alec feel so negative about it? Was it maybe that he was acting childish and longing for attention? He wanted his kids to acknowledge him. He was jealous. It was plain old jealousy.

Wanting to grab their attention Alec stood proudly "who wants to paint?"

"Paint?" Charley asked glancing up at him with wide eyes.

Joey jumped to her feet. "I want to paint!"

"Alright" Alec beamed "where do you keep the paint?"

"Momma say no" Charley tried to argue. But Joey was already toddling off to the nearest cupboard. Tugging it open she revealed a pack of finger paints and paper.

"Momma just doesn't want you doing it alone" Alec insisted. "But you're not alone. I'm here. So lets get painting!" he was a grown man but for once he was excited at the idea of finger painting. Quickly he cleaned off the table and covered it with the paper. Then he proceeded to open the paints. The two girls crawled up onto their chairs.

"Gooey" Joey giggled dipping her fingers into the paint. She spread them out across the paper making rainbow wiggles.

Charley stuck on finger in the paint and carefully started to draw across the page. She stuck her little tongue out slightly to concentrate.

Alec smiled softly and took a seat of his own. He started to draw out a simple scene, a beaming sun, blue sky and a set of grass. Carefully using his fingertip he started adding flowers in.

The girls and Alec were working away so intently that none of them had realized the mess they had created. Joey had smeared her fingers across the front of her shirt to clean them, but this only ruined her shirt in the process. Charley had yet to notice that her hair was falling in strands in the paint and was starting to change colour. And Alec had failed to see the spilled paint covering across the tabletop.

In fact they might not have noticed for who knows how long had it not been for the arrival of Theodora. Having come upstairs to check on the kids, she received a rather large surprise to find her daughters nearly covered in paint – not to mention the current state of her kitchen table. "What in the world?" she stuttered out.

Alexander happily glanced up at the women with a large smile plastered on his face. "Come to check on us?"

Charley proceeded to wipe her hand on her pants once before she gave her mother an eager wave. "We paint!"

"See momma!" Joey held up her own piece of artwork that was all wiggly lines and a large mix of colours.

Unfortunately Teddy was in no mood to be her cheery motherly self. She was furious about the sight before her. How could Alexander do this to her? She had trusted him to watch over the girls and here he was allowing them to make a mess out of them. These girls were covered in paint and their clothes were surely to be ruined.

"I do see" Teddy answered softly, but she failed to even glance at the girls. She was staring tensely at Alexander. "Alexander can we speak for a moment?" she failed to wait for an answer. Instead she spun on her heels and stalked out of the room. She went towards her own bedroom and waited with her arms crossed until Alec entered.

"Okay you seem mad" Alec said softly closing the door behind him. "Was it something that I did?"

"What were you thinking?" Teddy gasped out. "How could you be so careless?"

"Wait what?" Alec stuttered out. "Careless? I was with them the whole time. They were never out of my sight. How can that be careless?"

"Being a father is more than just keeping watch over them and letting them have fun!" Teddy stated a little louder than intended. "They are covered in paint. My table is caked with the paint. And you didn't even notice. Those clothes will probably need to be thrown away. And Charley's hair is like a rainbow now."

"I'll but them new clothes" Alec insisted. "And I can give Charley a bath. It's no big deal and no trouble at all."

"It's a big deal to me Alec!" Teddy wrapped her arms around herself and gave her body a warm hug. "I trusted you with the girls and you didn't even notice your own daughter getting paint in her hair, you didn't think to roll up their sleeves or get them changed into an old pair of clothes."

"I'm still getting the hang of this father thing. I didn't realize they would make such a mess" Alec was trying to explain. He had to admit he realized how bad all this sounded. He hadn't been paying any attention. He had been too focused on giving them a fun time that he didn't notice the paint covering them. "But I see it now. Just give me a chance to fix it."

"That isn't the point Alexander," Teddy said rather sadly. She was rubbing her arm gently and glanced down at her feet.

"Than what is the point?" Alec took a small step towards the women. He longed to wrap his arms around her but thought better of it. He worried that if he took that extra step she might pull away from him. No, it was better to keep his distance for now.

"The point is Alec, that if I cant trust you to watch the girls, to notice when they are doing something wrong, to teach them how to act better" Teddy was nearly whispering at this point. "How am I going to trust you with a baby?"

"A baby?" Alec's voice was low a distant. He couldn't have heard that right. There was no baby involved in this situation. They had just two twin daughters. Not a baby. So then why was she worried about a baby that didn't exist?

"I'm pregnant" Teddy chocked out. It looked like tears were forming in her eyes and her grip on herself was tightening.

It was as though everything Alec had been missing, had failed to notice, had come rushing to him. The baggy clothing were intended to hide whatever baby bump she must have, the flu that she claimed to have, her mood swings and the craving for bacon that she once claimed she ate a lot of when she was pregnant with Charley and Joey. "You're pregnant... how?"

Teddy couldn't resist giving a slight nose snort of a chuckle. "I know that we didn't exactly do it the typical way. But I thought you would've understood how babies were made. Even if it was through sperm donation."

"Okay wait" Alexander raised his hands in the air in what looked like surrender. "We need to back up for a second. So you're pregnant, all right. Are you saying this baby is mine?"

Reluctantly Teddy gave a small nod. "I uh. Well you see" Teddy struggled to explain it. "When I bought the sperm donation four years ago I bought the entire lot. Which creates about twenty vials. Half I used years ago to conceive the twins. But I was able to freeze the rest. You can do that - freeze it for later. That way I could have more children if I wanted to. And I couldn't bring myself to waste the sperm; I mean those were babies just waiting to be born. So I needed to try."

"So you mean you used the rest of the sperm?" Alexander couldn't believe what he was hearing. She was pregnant. She had leftover sperm that she had bought four years ago and had recently used it. So that meant she was pregnant with his child? Again?

"I did" Teddy nodded slowly. "I figured the girls were three, it was a good age to add a baby to the family. So about eight months ago I started trying. I would use the syringes and yeah. It took a couple months but it worked. I swear I had no idea I was pregnant when we met. I promise I didn't do anything fishy like come back here after learning the truth and start trying for a baby. This all started months before the truth came out."

"I believe you" Alec spoke softly. "I'm not trying to accuse you of anything. I just want to get the full story about everything." Slowly he glanced up and down her body noting the slightly roundness to her stomach that was well contained behind her knitted, extra large shirt. "So ah, how far along are you? If you don't mind me asking that of course."

"Five months" Teddy answered softly. She ran her hands down her shirt pushing the fabric flat. Now laying against her skin the baby bump was easily pushing outwards. It was small and round but it was certainly there.  "I know I should have told you earlier but I never found the perfect moment. And what if you had decided not to stay? I didn't want you to feel obligated because there was a third child involved. And that can be so overwhelming. I mean you were just adjusting to the girls, now imagine adding a baby to the mix."

"You're pregnant" Alec repeated. But his voice no longer sounded strained, there was a hint of excitement to it.

"Yes I am" Teddy nodded in agreement.

"You're pregnant!" Alexander cheered now. Closing the distance between them Alec stepped forward and wrapped his arms happily around the women. He was laughing as he felt his body press against hers, the baby bump pushed into his own chest. Lifting her slightly he spun her around in a celebratory circle.

Teddy laughed eagerly as she was encased in happiness. She had no one to celebrate the arrival of the twins with, there was no one to really tell aside from friends, and although they were of course happy for her, no one was sharing in her excitement this way. There was something special about sharing a moment such as this with the other parent. "Okay, okay!" Teddy's laughter rang out "enough spinning!"

Carefully Alec set her back down. "I'm going to be a dad?" he asked excitedly. "I mean I'm already a dad, but a daddy to a baby? I get to do this right from the beginning? Pregnancy, birth and a baby?"

"If you want yes" Teddy nodded slightly. "Of course you're not obligated to be involved. I know how much responsibility this can be. And it'll be okay if you feel as though you can't handle it. I would understand."

"I'm not going anywhere Teddy" Alexander insisted. "I want to be part of this. This is exactly where I want to be."

"Only if you're sure," Teddy insisted. She wouldn't be able to handle the heart break if Alexander had gotten all involved, was close to her children only to leave when things got too hard for him to handle.

"Of course I'm sure" the man went in for another warm hug. He tugged Teddy into his chest and resting his hands against her back, holding her close to his chest.

After a moment Teddy melted into the hug. Her arms wrapped around him and she leaned forward to rest her head on his shoulders. In that second, feeling the closeness, the vibrations of his beating heart, she felt warmth in her chest. Her breathing hitched for a second and her mind clouded over with confusing thoughts. She felt as though she wanted to get even closer to him – although she knew that wasn't possible. And there was a chance she might have felt her heart skip a beat.

These were all feelings she had never experienced before. She had strived for years to put walls up around her. To prevent letting anyone in. they were so strange to her that she didn't know how to react. A million thoughts were speeding through her mind all at once.

Luckily for Teddy she was able to pull away before she got too attached to the feeling of closeness. Her two girls had pushed the door open slightly and were peaking inside. She knelt down and held her arms out for Charley and Joey, "come here my sweet girls!"

The two ran inside and headed straight for their mothers arms. They giggled and snuggled in close. "Happy momma?" Charley asked eyeing her mother curiously.

"Very happy baby girl" Teddy answered. She glanced up intending to catch the eye of Alexander and share a secret smile. But the man wasn't so much as looking her way. He had stepped back from the group and was fishing his phone out of his pocket.

"Sorry" Alexander mumbled slightly. "I gotta take this." He stepped out of the room t take the phone call.

Joey glanced at Alec almost a little sadly but than turned to her mom. "We paint?"

Teddy chuckled a little and ruffled the girls hair playfully "oh I think you've spent enough time today painting." She smiled and stood straighter. "How about you girls collect a couple toys and we head downstairs now."

"Alec comes too?" Joey asked.

"Sorry little one" Alexander said stepping back inside. "I need to get going. That was work," he explained to Teddy. "They need me in the office right away. I'm sorry but I need to run." he knelt down and gave Charley a warm hug then proceeded to give one to Joey. He then flashed a smile and leaned in to kiss Teddy on the cheek. Teddy's mouth opened in a small circle of surprise, but Alec too showed shock at his own actions as his eyes widened. He had never done that to anyone other than his wife. He wasn't one to show affection.

But it must have been the news about the baby. That had to be it.

"I'll see you again soon" Alexander promised heading to make his way out the door.

For the rest of the day he couldn't get the thoughts of his children out of his mind. He thought about little Charley and Joey. And what it would mean to add another baby to the mix. He had missed out on so much regarding the twins and that's what he had regretted most. Not being there for them since the very beginning. He couldn't change the past, but he can move forward differently in the future. He hated himself for missing out on the birth of the girls, those midnight feedings, first steps, and first words. But now it was like he was being given a second chance. With the baby on the way, he has the opportunity to experience everything he's longed for.

But the thoughts that were pulling at his mind the most were the idea of Teddy. They shared something so magical, they shared children – a family. His baby was currently growing inside of her. And he just couldn't stop thinking about it. She was nearly glowing every time he came to see her. Her smile was brightening and her eyes were always sparkling. There was something special about that woman that he just couldn't put his finger on.

When he held her in his arms, even for just that short moment, he felt as though he was home. There was so much warmth radiating off the warm. Gentleness was behind her. Maybe it was her motherly feeling. But Alec thought it was more than that. It was something more personal that he felt. But he just couldn't put his finger on it.

His thoughts were clouded the entire day as he worked at the office. He was supposed to have the day off but when a client flew in early the meeting got pushed up. He might have seemed a little distracted but he had gotten the job done. Working with the client was the easy part; his advertisements had been exactly what they had been looking for. The hard part of his day was bound to come when he returned home. He was certain that when he failed to answer his cell phone his boss contacted his home. Which would mean Stephanie had answered and knew he hadn't gone into work that day.

The moment he entered his apartment his predication came true. He hadn't even gotten the chance to kick his shoes off when Stephanie called out. "So where were you all day? Since you clearly weren't at work."

Alexander knew he should've told his wife before he left. He shouldn't have kept it a secret. But she had been so tense regarding Teddy lately that he was trying not to upset his wife anymore than she had already been. Seemed like he didn't do a great job at avoiding that. "I went to visit Teddy and the girls."

"Of course you do" Stephanie rolled her eyes. "That's all you've been wanting to do lately. It's all you'll ever talk about! And what is wrong with your clothing? What is it covered in?"

Glancing down at his slacks he noticed streaks of paint here and there – which must have been noticeable to the clients today. "Oh I guess paint" Alec gave a little shrug. "Charley and Joey were doing some finger painting so I joined in."

"Alexander" Stephanie sighed deeply "just because Charlotte and Josephine insist on an activity doesn't mean you need to participate. They have each other to play with."

"Just because they have each other doesn't mean I get to check out as a dad," Alec argued. "I'm their father. I want to play with them, even if it's messy or if I need to dress up like a princess or play with dolls. I don't care what the activity is but I want to enjoy the day with my daughters. And to me that means playing around with them."

"Well those things will have to change when they're living here," Stephanie said with an eye roll.

"Enough!" Alexander snapped at his wife. He had nearly reached his breaking point regarding her behaviour and treatment of children. "Nothing is going to change. They aren't going to magically be living here Steph and its time you get that out of your head. I'm not suing for custody or any bullshit like that. They live with Teddy, and any changes to that will be discussed between Teddy and I. but those girls will always live with their mother."

"I'm supposed to be like a mother to them too! I'm like a step mother or whatever," Stephanie argued.

"Than act like it!" Alexander fought. "All you've been trying to do since you've known they existed was try to change them. You can't just make them into little perfect versions of yourself. For five years all you've wanted is a baby. You dragged me to fertility clinics, you have me try all those wacky positions and you even kept me on a specific schedule regarding when we can have sex! All you've wanted were children. And here they are! Yet you don't treat them like children."

"What? Are you saying I'm not a good mother?" Stephanie stated crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm saying you haven't even tried" Alec explained with a deep sighed. "You aren't meeting the girls where they're at. You want them to change to fix your life style and that's not what children are. That's certainly not what babies are. They are going to cry in the middle of the night and you'll have to get up to feed them – meaning you don't always get eight hours of sleep. Babies can get sick and spit up in your hair. They can accidentally pee on you! But none of those things are being done on purpose. That's just how babies are. And this is just how kids are. They want to play and they want to get messy. You can't take the girls and change them into how you want it. That's not mother hood."

"All I'm hearing you say is how I need to change because I'm not a good enough mother" Stephanie flipped her hair to the side. "I'm sorry I'm not as perfect as Theodora. I'm sorry she could give you those sweet baby girls and I'm as dry as a bone in the fertility department."

Alexander gave his head a small shake and rubbed his eyes slightly. "That's not what I'm trying to say and you know it Steph."

"Oh I know what you're trying to say" Stephanie stated firmly. "And I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. Tonight you're sleeping on the couch." the women spun quickly on her heels and marched away.

With another soft sigh Alec kicked off his shoes and went to take a seat on the couch. His day had started off so magical. It was everything he would have wanted in his life. He got to have a relaxing breakfast for once where he wasn't rushing out the door, he was able to paint with the girls – which was so much fun – and the best thing that happened all day was hearing about how he was going to be a father again. Everything about it had started off perfectly. But now his day was ending just like any other. A usual blow out fight and someone sleeping on the couch. This had been his typical life for the past six months – long before Teddy and the girls were in the picture.

Relaxing back into the couch he tugged out his phone. With a small smile he opened the text message from Teddy. Now this was the perfect way to cheer him up on a horrible night. Flashing across his screen was a set of photos of the girls. They were holding up their paintings beaming, they were playing at the park and one in matching pyjamas. Teddy always kept in well in stalk of photos.

"Missing the girls already. Wish I was there" Alec sent a quick text back.

A message returned a couple moments later. "We miss you too. Come back soon."

A large smile spread across his face. Teddy had said 'we', not they, she didn't just refer to Charley and Joey. Teddy must be missing him too. What was that warm feeling? It was coming back from earlier. The same way he felt when he hugged her.  Everything around him was feeling warm and caring.