There was a knock at the door. They looked over and Marshal Philips stood in the doorway. "Come in, Marshal."
The marshal walked in. "Congratulations, Debra."
"Thanks."
"I thought of bringing flowers, but everything is closed because of the storm."
"It's the thought that counts."
He walked over to the twins and watched them. "They are beautiful. How are you feeling?"
"A little sore, but pretty good overall."
"Good. I guess you had a very eventful day."
"Yes, you could say that. What's on your mind, Marshal?" Debra asked.
The Marshall stood at the foot of the bed. "I don't want to alarm you or stress you out, but your foster parents just booked airline tickets here." He said. "Somehow they heard about you giving birth."
"They don't give up, do they?".
"No, but we don't think they are coming to see you, exactly. We believe they are after the twins."
"Why?" Debra asked calmly.
"I opened an investigation on them after what happened two months ago. I have had them under surveillance for a while. That's how I know they booked a flight."
"What are you saying, Marshal? You think they are going to go after the twins? To what? To sell them. Keep them and do what they did to me?" Debra asked getting upset.
"We believe they have been doing this for a while, but there is no proof." He said. "I cross referenced where missing baby reports and their whereabouts over the years and there have been similarities. My theory is that they were going to do the same thing with you until the agency got involved."
"So, you think my babies are in danger?"
"Yes." He said. "I'm posting a guard outside your door and the nursery and around the hospital." Marshal Philips said. "I don't want you to worry. I will have eyes on them as soon as they arrive. They won't get close to you or your children."
"I know they won't, marshal." Edward said. "I won't allow them."
"I have it covered, Edward." Marshal Philips said. "I just thought I would make you aware of the situation."
"We appreciate it, Marshal, but we can take care of ourselves and our children." Debra said.
"I'll let you rest and I'll check back tomorrow."
"Thanks for stopping by Marshal." Debra said. The marshal walked out the door.
"Do you really think they could do that?" Edward asked.
"I don't know. They left the alone quite a bit when I was older. I didn't know what they were doing."
"Well, I won't let anything happen to you or our twins."
"I know. But if they try to take them, I'll kill them myself."
Edward got off the bed. "I'm going to go get some coffee. Can I bring you some?"
"Yes, that sounds good." Debra said. "Hey, don't worry about them."
"You know how I feel about threats to my family."
"I know. The marshal is on top of it."
"I'll know." Edward bent down and kissed Debra. "I'll be back in a minute." He said then left the room.
Debra woke up early the next morning to hear Edward humming quietly. She looked over and he was holding both twins rocking them in his arms. "Morning." She said quietly.
"Morning." Edward said as he smiled at her. "They have both been fed and changed. Do you want to hold them?"
"You did both of them?"
"Blaine woke up first. I had him fed and changed by the time Courtney woke up. You were sleeping so sound. I didn't want to wake you up."
"I'll hold them." Debra said as she raised the bed up to a sitting position. Edward stood up slowly and handed both of them to Debra. She cradled both of them in her arms. "Did you get any sleep?"
"Not much." Edward said as he sat down at the foot of the bed. "The storm finally stopped."
"That's good. How you talked to Joe to a hear how Misty is doing?"
"I texted him last night. She is doing fine. Both the colts are nursing."
"Good. I can't wait to get out of here."
"I know." Edward said. "I texted Ace. He said he read the files from the marshal and he believes there could be a threat."
"Is that why you stayed up all night? Protecting the babies?"
"I can't help it, Debra. You and the twins are my world."
"And you won't do anyone good if you're exhausted. You need sleep. We a safe here. We have a guard outside the door. Nothing is going to happen to us." Debra said. "You've taught me to look on the bright side of things and to be positive."
"I'm sorry. I can't help it when it comes to my family. I'm overprotective."
"So am I." Debra kissed each one of the babies. "Can you put them in their beds? I need to go to the bathroom."
Edward got up and took each one and put them back in their beds. He helped Debra out of bed and to the bathroom. A few minutes later, he helped her back into bed and sat down next to her. They relaxed and soon went to sleep.
They woke up a couple hours later when a nurse came in. "How are you feeling Debra?"
"I'm feeling pretty good."
"That's good. Are you having much pain?"
"Not much. Mostly discomfort."
"Good. Your doctor will come by later to check on you. When did the twins last eat?"
"It was around three. They both drank almost two ounces." Edward said.
"I need to take them back to the nursery for a weight check and so the pediatrician can take a look at them."
"I'll go with them." Edward said as he got up.
"There's no need for that. They are in good hands." The nurse said.
"I'm still going." Edward said.
"You aren't authorized in the nursery." The nurse said as she started to move the twin's beds.
"You aren't taking them unless I go with them." Edward said. "I want to talk to your supervisor."
"Sir, I am just doing my job." The nurse said.
Edward moved to the door blocking her way. "You aren't taking them."
Debra pressed the button for the nurse's station and slowly got out of bed. She went over and grabbed the twin's beds. "Nurse, go get your supervisor."
"She's not here right now. I need to take them to the nursery."
Edward opened the door. "Officer, detain this woman."
The officer came into the room. "What's the problem?"
"She's trying to take the twins and won't let me go with them." Edward said.
"Ma'am, take your hands off the beds and step away."
"I am under orders." The nurse said.
The officer put his hand on his gun. "Do it now, ma'am." The nurse didn't move. The officer moved closer pulling his gun from his holster. "Put your hands up." He commanded. The nurse looked around and finally let go and stepped away. She put her hands up. The officer pushed her against the wall and patted her down. He pulled out a cell phone and tossed it on the bed. He handcuffed her.
Debra sat on the bed and picked up the nurse's phone. She looked at the text messages. "The marshal was right. They want my twins." She said. "She's the one who told Edith that I was here and Edith told her to bring the babies to the nursery."
"I'll call Marshal Philips." Edward said then pulled out his phone. He walked over to the door and talked to the marshal quietly. A few moments later, he hung up and turned towards them. "He's on his way. You're supposed to keep her in here."
"Yes sir." The officer said.
"What were you supposed to do after you got them to the nursery?" Edward asked the nurse.
"I was supposed to wait for further instructions." The nurse said.
"How much did they pay you?"
"They paid me a thousand to let them know you were here. They said it would be worth it even if I lost my job." The nurse started crying. "I need the money. My daughter is sick. I work extra shifts to pay her medical bills. I didn't know what they were planning on doing. They came to me two months ago."
A few minutes later, the marshal came into the room. "I have all the exits covered including the ones in the basement. If they are here, they won't get out." He said. "Nobody has spotted them yet."
"What's the plan?" Edward asked.
"I don't know."
"She was just asked what was taking her so long. They must be close." Debra said holding up the phone.
"If there's any chance of getting the charges to stick, we are going to have to catch them in the act of taking them."
"You want to use the twins as bait, don't you?" Debra asked.
"I don't want to, but that could be our only chance to catch them."
Debra looked at Edward then at the twins who were still sleeping. "I want them caught and put away be good."
Edward moved over and stood in front of her. "Are you sure about this?"
"Edward, I don't want to worry about them coming after our children. We need to catch them and put them in jail."
"What if they get away with the twins?"
"Then we will hunt them down." Debra said. "I have faith in the marshal."
"It's your call."
"If we're going to do this, we better do it now." The marshal said.
Debra stood up, went over to the twins and kissed their foreheads. She whispered to them. She walked over to the nurse. "If you help us, we can put in a good word for you. Technically, you really didn't break any laws, but you were about to."
"What do you want me to do?"
"You will take my twins to the nursery. Text her back and tell her you are waiting for them to finish eating." Debra gave her the phone. The nurse sent a text with Debra watching her. "Don't screw me over or you will go to prison and your daughter will never see her mother for a very long time."
"I won't. I promise."
The marshal called orders into the radio quietly. He motioned for the nurse to leave with the twins. The officer took his place outside the door.
Edward sat down on the bed next to Debra. He took her hand. "I'm very proud of you. You are standing up to those people once and for all. I may not like this plan, but I have faith in you and our family."
"If things go sour, I will kill them myself." Debra said.
With that comment, the marshal looked over. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
"Good."
They waited in the room for quite a while. The marshal listened on his radio by the door. Alter about twenty minutes, the marshal called, "Move in."
He waited several moments before he turned to Debra. "They got them in the stairwell."
"I want to see them face to face marshal." Debra said.
"Follow me." The marshal said.
Debra and Edward followed the marshal out the door and down the hall. They went into the stairway door. Officers had their guns aimed at Edith who was holding the twins.
Debra walked past them to get closer to Edith. "Did you really think you would get away with this?" She asked.
"You were just a pawn in all this."
"Edith, give me my children back. They will take it easy on you."
"These are my children now. They have been paid for already."
Debra moved a step at a time closer to Edith. "You're caught. You aren't getting out of here."
"Suspect 2 is in custody." Came over the radio.
"It looks like Jason is caught. You just have to make the decision how you want this to end." Debra said as she closed the distance to Edith. "Give me the twins. Please." Debra said then stepped closer.
Edith looked around then allowed Debra to take the twins out of her arms. Officers moved in quickly and arrested Edith.
Edward ran to Debra's side. He took one of the babies from her and they sat down on the stairs next to each other. They held the twins close for several moments. Doctors and nurses showed up at their sides and escorted them back to the nursery and then to Debra's room.
Debra woke up in her room a while later. She sat up quickly and looked around the room. Edward stood up and moved to her side. "Where's the twins?"
"The doctor is checking them out. Don't worry, the sheriff is with them."
"So, they are still escorting them?"
"Yes. Until we leave this hospital in the morning, we will have constant protection. They don't know who might have been compromised. The hospital is under a full investigation.
"That's good."
"We don't have to worry about them anymore. They are going away for a long time."
"And we can start our lives with our children in peace."
"Yes."
Early the next morning, Debra and the twins were released from the hospital. Police and marshals escorted them out of the hospital and to the ranch. Edward drove down the driveway slowly to not jostle the twins. He pulled up to the house. They got out and took the car seats out then walked directly to the barn. The whole crew was there waiting. The car seats were taken from them as they walked down to Misty's stall. Debra stood by the door. Misty came over to the door and allowed Debra to pet her. "Hey, girl. See, we made it through. Now we can start a new chapter in our lives. With our children and on this ranch. This is our home. This is where we belong."
The End