Chapter Thirty Five

Trinity

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of our kids chattering away in their room, their voices coming through the baby monitor. I stayed in bed, nestled in my husband's arms, and listened to their giggles and babbles with a smile on my face.

I gently rubbed my belly with one hand, while my other hand traced circles on my husband's chest. I was lost in the moment, feeling so content lying here with the man I love, listening to the sounds of our children.

Stephen - Isn’t it adorable?

Trinity - Mmm, morning baby. I thought you were still asleep.

Stephen - No, momma. I was just lying here, listening to those two.

Trinity - Me too, baby.

Stephen - We are so lucky.

Trinity - We really are, babe.

Stephen - Wait here for me.

I felt my bottom lip drop into a pout.

Stephen - Awww, baby, why the long face?

Trinity - What about our half-hour every morning, babe? The one we promised.

I watched as my husband leaned over the bed, took my chin in his hand, and pulled my lips to his.

Stephen - I’m just going to take a quick piss, babe. Then I’ll get our kids so we can all lie together this morning.

His words made me smile. It meant so much to me that our family was so important to him.

Trinity - I love you.

Stephen - You should.

He winked at me as he walked away.

Trinity - Mmm, babe, as much as I love that sight, you should probably put some shorts on before you get our babies.

He turned around to face me, teasing me. I couldn’t help but stare at his gorgeous manhood, biting my lip.

Stephen - Wanna help me with this first?

Trinity - Absolutely, but you wanted to get the kids. So, looks like you'll miss out this morning.

I slowly reclined back on our bed as I heard him growl and walk into our bathroom. He came back out after a short while, and I was just lying there, rubbing my belly. I felt the bed dip a bit as my husband crawled back over me.

He leaned forward and gave me a kiss right between my legs before resting against my kitty. He looked up at me and started rubbing my belly, covering it in kisses for our little pea pod.

Stephen - Hey, baby boy. Daddy can't wait to meet you. I know momma is taking good care of you in there, so daddy is going to smother you in cuddles when you get here.

I just wanted to say sorry really quickly. I know you're probably all snuggled up warm and cozy in momma's belly right now, but Daddy has to go get your brother and sister. So, things are going to get pretty loud in here quickly.

I couldn’t help but smile and chuckle softly at that. The twins are perfect, but they are mini tornadoes, no doubt about it. He gave my belly one more soft kiss before getting up.

Stephen - I'll be right back, my love.

Trinity - Ok, my darling.

It wasn't long before he came back with both our sleepy babies. As he hopped back on the bed, little miss thing decided she wasn't leaving her daddy again today and curled up into his side. But baby boy gave me the most beautiful smile a momma bear could ask for.

Stephen - You're such a momma's boy, buddy.

Nathaniel - Mom.

Trinity - Hi, baby boy. Come give me cuddles since your sissy is stealing daddy again.

Stephen - Awww, it's not my fault my princess loves me.

Trinity - Someone's gotta, right baby?

I said, smirking and winking at him.

Stephen - Hey, take that back before I make you.

Trinity - You wouldn't.

Stephen - I wouldn't? Nate and Livy, help daddy tickle mommy.

The three of them lunged at me. Stephen grabbed my feet and told the twins to tickle my feet, knowing I can't stand the bottom of my feet being touched. I was in hysterical laughter as our twins and my husband looked pretty proud of himself.

Trinity - Just a heads up, babe. Your son is pushing on my bladder, so if you don't stop, I'm probably going to pee on you in a minute.

Stephen - Ok, babies, that's enough. Momma's already puked on daddy. He doesn't need a golden shower too.

Trinity - Stephen Luciano!!!!

Stephen - Hahahahaha, your face right now.

Trinity - You are despicable!

Stephen - Ahahahahahahaha, go pee already, momma.

Nathaniel - Wee wee.

Trinity - That's right, buddy. Momma does need a wee wee.

Stephen - Need a hand, baby? Hahahahaha.

Shaking my head, I headed to the bathroom, leaving my husband in laughter on the bed. When I came back out, I saw him lying down, playing with our babies.

Trinity - Ok, who's hungry?

Stephen - Meeeeee! Feed me, momma.

Trinity - Ok, well while momma gets some food, how about you three monkeys head down and put Shaun the Sheep on.

Olivia - Sheep, yay.

Stephen - The boss has spoken. Let's go, buddy.

I headed to the kitchen to get breakfast for us all. While Stephen helped Livy, I helped Nate, and we had a quiet morning in the lounge with our kids before heading outside so they could play with Shankly for a bit. We were trying to tire them out today but keep them awake as we had a long flight tonight.

I had spoken to Dr. Cater and a few others about the concerns I had with them on such a long flight. She had suggested the best way to ensure their comfort was to give them a bottle as the plane took off and landed.

The pressurized air understandably causes all our ears to block and pop. The sucking on the teat of the bottle helps to ensure their ears pop quicker to prevent the pain that can sometimes arise from it.

We took the twins and Shankly for a walk down to the park before Stephen dropped him off to Benji's, who was going to look after him for us while we were away.

After he got back, we were sitting outside on the patio, having a cup of tea and watching our kids play.

Stephen - Give me a kiss.

Trinity - Make me.

He leaned closer to me, and I could see the mischief in his eyes.

Stephen - Kiss me now, momma.

I leaned back away from him a bit.

Trinity - Make me, daddy.

I heard him growl lowly as I smirked at him, running my hand up his chest. He quickly captured my wrist and pulled me to him, capturing my lips. He dominated my mouth as his tongue plunged in, tasting every inch of my own. We were only pulled apart when I felt Livy grabbing her dad's shirt, trying to pull him away.

Trinity - Hahaha, see, even Livy says no, daddy.

Stephen - You don't want me kissing momma, hey, Princess?

She shook her head no, and we both laughed.

Trinity - Well, how about momma kiss you, cheeky monkey?

I scoop her up, blowing raspberries on her belly and showering it with kisses. Her giggles fill the air. After a few minutes, I set her down and she scampers off to join her brother in his sandbox. Stephen pulls me into his side, and I settle into his lap. His fingers weave through my hair while his other hand gently strokes my belly.

Stephen says, “You know, I could spend the rest of my life just like this.”

Clint chimes in, “Seriously? And you wouldn’t miss me at all? I’m hurt, Dad.”

I sit up to see Clint, Mia, and Willie coming through. Clint’s timing is always impeccable, always knowing just what to say at the right moment.

Stephen coos, “Awww, come here, baby. You know Daddy loves you most.”

Clint dashes over and snuggles into Stephen’s other side. “Hey, Momma, wanna share Daddy?”

Mia laughs, “You are seriously all kinds of wrong sometimes, babe.”

Trinity joins in the laughter, “Hahahaha.”

Clint teases, “Baby, don’t be jealous. Just because he was my first love, you have nothing to worry about. You’re my forever love.”

Mia groans, “God help me.”

As I lay back down, I look up at my husband and smile. He leans down and kisses the tip of my nose, a sweet memory from last night. I feel him twitch slightly under my head and give him a look to behave. He just winks and turns back to Mia and Clint.

Mia asks, “So, what time do we need to head off, guys?”

Stephen replies, “I figured if we leave here in about an hour, we can get to the airport early, drop off our luggage, and grab a proper dinner before we board the plane.”

Clint asks, “You gonna hate us if we all spark up a blunt before we go, Trin?”

Trinity responds, “Not at all, babe, but I will be very jealous.”

I smile at them all as I start to get up.

Stephen starts, “I can give you something to help you—”

Trinity cuts him off, “Don’t finish that sentence right now if you know what’s good for you. You’re thirty-three, Stephen, not thirteen.”

Stephen grins, “And yet, I still feel like a teenage boy with how much you turn me on.”

Trinity says, “Right, I’m going to go put the kettle on while you three spark up. What’s everyone having?”

Mia requests, “Coffee, thanks, babe.”

Clint adds, “Me too, thanks, hun.”

Stephen says, “Yeah, I’ll have a coffee, thanks, baby.”

Trinity calls out, “Kids, come and have some water, please.”

The three of them chase me inside. I settle them in the lounge with some TV while the adults have their smoke and I make some hot drinks. Before heading back outside, I check on the three kids. They’re all cuddled up on the couch with PJ Masks, so I leave them to it.

I head out and put Mia and Clint’s coffees down.

Stephen says, “Baby, sit down. I’ll go get ours.”

Trinity replies, “Thanks, love.”

Mia asks, “So, what’s the plan once we get there, do you know?”

Trinity admits, “To be honest, I was a little too scared to ask yesterday. Between that and the IRS stuff, let’s just say he was a little too stressed out.”

Stephen reassures, “Yeah, but you sorted that out, baby. I’m fine now.”

Clint laughs, “Yeah, you did.”

Mia slaps Clint, and I smirk at him, raising my eyebrows.

Stephen answers Mia’s earlier question, “I honestly don’t know yet, hun. I guess it depends on how Chad wants to play it. If he wants to be honest and tell us what we need to know, I might just put him on a boat and tell him to start rowing.”

Mia wonders, “Do we really think he’s going to cooperate?”

Clint says, “Fuck no, but I’m sure Sergio and Paolo have given him a nice touch up for us before we get there. That might make him more amendable to assisting.”

We all finish our drinks and after chatting for a bit, it’s time to head to the airport. We get the kids and luggage strapped in, lock up, and set the alarms. Stephen drops a message to Dave and Benji to let them know we’re headed off now and to call if there are any issues. We also all send a quick message to Dave and Felicity to let them know we’re thinking of them and hope everything goes okay and the baby can hold out a little longer until we get back so we can all be there for them.

Stephen and I also message Luke and Todd so they know we’re out of town and that everything is fine. After getting our luggage checked in and tickets, we meet back in the lounge to decide on where to have dinner.

Mia exclaims, “Stephen, you’re kidding, right? These tickets must have cost a fortune. Please let us give you some money.”

Clint adds, “Seriously, bro! First-class cabins! I know that shit cost you about fifteen grand each, so please accept some money back from us.”

Stephen insists, “It’s fine, guys, honestly. I figured this would be better for the kids. At least then they can stretch out properly and sleep and not be stuck in tiny little box seats upsetting themselves and others.”

Clint says, “Come on then, I’m buying dinner and drinks while we wait.”

Mia adds, “And then some!”

Stephen repeats, “Seriously, guys, it’s fine.”

We head through customs then find a nice restaurant to sit down in. Just in time too, as my back was starting to ache. Even though I tried to be discreet, my husband caught the grimace when I sat down.

Stephen asks, “You okay, baby?”

Trinity replies, “I’m fine, babe. It was just definitely time to sit down for a little bit, that’s all.”

He reaches over and rubs my lower back while we wait for our meals.

Stephen says, “We have the twin beds again in the cabin, baby, so you can lay down and stretch your back out as soon as we get on the flight.”

Trinity reassures, “I’ll be fine, sweetheart, honestly. I just needed to sit down for a little bit.”

We all enjoy dinner, and Mia, Clint, and Stephen are finishing a bottle of wine when we hear the call that our flight is now ready for boarding. I’m thankful we’re flying through the night as hopefully it means the twins should settle quickly and go to sleep, as we skipped their nap during the day, and wake up around the usual time when we land at seven a.m.

We get settled in the chairs in our cabin with Mia, Clint, and Willie in the cabin across the row from us.

Stephen offers, “Give me the baby boy, sweetheart, and I’ll take him with me and get the bottles ready for takeoff.”

Trinity says, “Thanks, baby.”

Stephen and Nate go and ask one of the stewardesses if it’s okay to get the kids’ bottles warmed up, and Clint grabs one for Willie as well. Five minutes later, she comes back with them, apologizing for the delay as she had to usher other guests in flight. We explain it’s no problem and appreciate the effort.

Getting settled back in the seat ready for takeoff, with my daughter laying across my huge belly and her bottle in hand, I look over and see my husband with our son. He’s looking at me.

Trinity asks, “What’s up, baby?”

Stephen replies, “Nothing at all, sweetheart. I just love watching you with our children.”

At last, our flight lifts off. The trick with the bottle works like a charm, and before long, the kids are sound asleep. We nestle them in the center of the bed, each of us taking a side. My husband reaches across our slumbering children, his fingers finding mine. As a family of four, we surrender to sleep, hoping that when we awaken, we’ll be nearing our destination.