CHAPTER 29

This is the last chapter. This is the third and last time I write it. Thank you to Bella-Mi-Amore who gave me accurate info on Triplets. I said I wouldn't re-write chapter but it just didn't seem right to so here it is.

CORRECTION: I put January 5th instead of FEBRUARY 5th I the last chapter. Tempe is having her babies on February 6th, 2009. This is not quite how I envisioned the story ending but I like this way because it is what popped into my brain tonight and fits well with the title :o)

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed my story.

February 6th, 2009

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Dr. Brown reached in and pulled out a tiny little boy.

He held him up to show his parents before giving him to the nurse.

"Kevin Seeley," the couple said in unison.

Dr. Brown reached back in and pulled out a delicate baby girl.

"Soliel (So-Lay) Temperance."

"And we have another girl."

"Christine Joy," Tempe replied while a tear ran down her cheek.

"OK, now let's get you stitched back up. Your babies look very good Tempe, but they will still need to go to NICU. I will check on them after I get you put back together and then let you know all the details. Seeley you can go up with them."

He looked at his wife. "Go she said. I will be fine."

"Kevin is 4lbs, 12oz; Soliel is 4lbs, 3oz, Christine is 4lbs, 1oz. Overall, that is good. The girls will be in NICU for at least two weeks, Kevin a little less, may be ten or eleven days but we will go day by day. Dr. Brown brought good news and Tempe was relieved.

"When can I see them?" she asked.

"Well, you won't be walking for a few hours, I will have a nurse come and get you and wheel you up. "

"Good, she replied as she was aching to see her babies, but also knew she had to do as the Dr. advised or she would hurt herself and then be useless to her family bedridden.

Tempe visited her babies every day at the hospital while in NICU and watched them grow before her eyes. Christine was the slowest in gaining weight but was still doing well. Tempe pumped as much breast milk as she could so that her supply would be ready for the onslaught of feedings to come once the babies came home. Seeley visited every day and in the evenings, giving Tempe a chance to get the much needed rest her body required.

Seeley, Rebecca and Tempe decided it best to hire a new nanny before the babies came home and Rosa would continue to watch Parker after school. Raquel was young, twenty four, fresh out of school, having nannied during her work placements and summer vacation. She was the daughter of Rosa's best friend and came highly recommend by her former clients. This had been a nagging worry for Tempe and Seeley because when Tempe went back to work, the nanny would be caring for all four of their children.

The babies arrived at their home on February 28, 2009 to a house full of gifts and well wishers. Seeley decided it would be best to have everyone over at one time to ogle and hold the babies then the family could settled in and try to achieve some sort of order and routine.

Rebecca and Seeley agreed that Parker would spend the next month with Rebecca during the week, and with Seeley on the weekends until the babies were as settled as could be, one or two months. Parker was okay with the arrangement, as he had seen first hand how much work was involved with the babies in just changing their diapers. Besides, they didn't do much now so he couldn't really play with them or anything.

Raquel settled right in and she tried living out but it wasn't practical so Seeley took everything out of Tempe's office and made it into a bedroom for her. She was there to help Tempe day or night as Seeley was home when not working, but sometimes he wouldn't be home until late or away on business so it was more practical for Raquel to live in.

December 24, 2009

The Booth Family prepared to celebrate Christmas like never before. The tree was glistening with lights and ornaments, the fire crackling and roaring, people laughing and drinking and babies cruising around making sounds and words that made people stop and take notice.

When looking Back at the first year, Tempe and Seeley both agreed it was the most challenging year of their lives but also the most wonderful. Raquel's help was priceless; her young energetic spirit was nothing less than amazing. Parker took to her immediately and she to him.

Rosa came by once a week to help Raquel with the babies and Parker so Seeley and Tempe could go out for the day or evening together. They didn't go to a park, movie, ice cream parlor, or anything that related to kids. This was their special time so they would either go to a spa or hotel. Not a fancy hotel, as they weren't spending the night but a shady, pay by the hour hotel where they paid by the hour. They had become accustomed to quickies or nooners as Seeley would come home during the day while Raquel took the babies for a walk. There wasn't anything spontaneous about their sex life now. Short of putting it in their day book, it was pretty much predictable.

When at home together, it was family time and they both admitted although at times they missed their alone time, this was better than anything they could have ever imagined. Parker eased into the big brother role with confidence and his siblings took to him instantly, especially Soliel.

December 25, 2009

"This is the best Christmas ever," Seeley said to his wife as they stood around the circle of kids, watching their eyes widen with joy.

"It was a great idea, bringing the children and their mom's from the shelter here," Tempe stated as she remembered wondering how she could give to other's the joy her family gave to her.

The four moms' were beyond themselves as their children played with their new toys, Parker and the babies. Jack, Angela and Zack would later join them for dinner that the mom's from the shelter insisted on making in thanks for their hosts' generosity.

Tempe and Seeley played, sang and relished in all they had and each silently sent a prayer to God (yes even Tempe) for the families who joined them today, asking that one day could He allow them to experience the belongingness, the comfort and the safety that a family should bring to those in it.

The End.