Chapter Twenty Seven

Trinity

Tuesday was a quiet day. We unpacked our suitcases and I managed to do a few loads of laundry, washing the kids’ clothes and ours from our trip. Stephen took the twins to the park with Clint and Willie, giving me a chance to get the house in order without tripping over them every few minutes.

Now it was Wednesday morning, and I was being woken up by my husband and kids, who were jumping on me and showering me with wet, sloppy kisses.

Olivia - Momma

Nate - Mom

Stephen - Baby

Trinity - Mom's awake now, kids. That includes you, my biggest child down there.

The twins were kissing my face, while Stephen was showering my stomach with kisses for our little one on the way.

Trinity - Where's momma's cuddles, huh?

Stephen wrapped his arms around my waist, and the twins lay down on either side of me, cuddling my head.

Trinity - Mmm, this is nice. I could wake up to this every day.

We lay there for a while. I could feel Livy playing with my hair, as she always did, and Stephen tickling Nate’s feet, making him giggle. But as I lifted my head to look at them, a wave of nausea hit me.

Trinity - Baby, quick, get up.

Stephen - What? Why, momm—

Trinity - Stephen, now!

I tried to push them off me, but Stephen didn’t understand what I was trying to say and didn’t move fast enough. The next thing I knew, I was throwing up all over him and our duvet. I couldn’t stop. Despite being covered in vomit, Stephen scooped me up and rushed me to the bathroom. I leaned over the toilet bowl until I was sure it was safe.

Stephen - Awww, baby girl, it's okay.

Olivia - MOMMA!

Stephen - Princess, it's okay. Momma is fine. Shhhh, come here, baby.

Livy walked in, and I sat there for a few minutes, making sure I was okay before standing up. I held my little girl close while Stephen, still covered in my vomit, stroked her head to comfort her.

Stephen - Shhhh, baby girl, it's okay. Come here, little man.

Nate walked in, looking curious about what was going on.

Stephen - You okay now, doll?

I stood up slowly and turned to face my husband. I felt terrible, but I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the sight of him covered in my vomit.

Trinity - I am sooooo sorry, baby! I tried to tell you to move.

Stephen - Meh, what's a bit of vomit between lovers, hey? Your kids have shat on me, so I'm sure it can't get any worse.

Trinity - So now they're my kids?

Stephen - Only when they shit on me. You sure you're okay, baby?

Livy clapped her hands and reached out to me.

Stephen - Okay, baby. Let me get in the shower first and wash most of this off, then you can pass Nate to me, okay?

Trinity - Sure, babe.

I watched as Stephen quickly jumped in the shower, washing off most of the vomit before stripping off his boxers and tossing them to me. He caught me staring, but hey, when he looks this good, it's rude not to stare!

Stephen - Drop that look right now, momma.

Trinity - Sorry, daddy.

I got Nate out of his pajamas and passed him to Stephen, hearing them both giggle as I left with Livy to sort out the bed. With Livy's minimal help—I think she was still a bit upset—I managed to strip the sheets off and take them down to the laundry.

On my way back up, I stopped in the kitchen to turn on the coffee machine and open the blinds in the back and front living rooms.

As I opened the front living room blinds, I saw a black, tinted Dodge parked a few houses down on the opposite side of the road. A wave of déjà vu hit me. I stood there, staring at it, as the car started and pulled out. As it drove past me, the window rolled down, and I saw them—Grounds and Peters!

Of course, the day after our wedding, that's what I was remembering. They drove by slowly, watching me the whole time before leaving our street. Not today, fuckers. You're not getting to me today.

I went back upstairs to the bathroom, where I found Stephen drying off Nate, both of them wrapped in towels.

Trinity - Hey, babe, looks like our stalkers are still lurking in the background.

Stephen - Stalkers?

Trinity - Peters and Grounds.

Stephen - WHAT! They came here again and you didn't—

Trinity - No, babe, they were just sitting in their car across the road. They took off when I started watching them, but not before rolling down the window to let me know it was them.

Stephen - Fuck them, baby. Today is going to be a good day.

Trinity - Absolutely. Alright, time for Mommy and Livy to shower, hey, baby girl?

Olivia - YAY!

Trinity - That's right, smelly bum, yay!

Stephen - Hahaha, did you just call my daughter smelly bum?

I held Trinity out towards him.

Trinity - You want to have a whiff and check for yourself?

Stephen - That's a solid no.

Trinity - The smell of that, there's nothing solid about it.

Stephen - Hahaha, good luck with that, momma. Come on, Nate, let's go get some food, hey, buddy?

Nate - Bye, mom mom.

Trinity - Bye bye, baby boy.

I got in the shower with Livy and quickly got us both showered and dressed. As I was coming out of the bathroom, I noticed my phone flashing. I rushed over to get it, but I was too slow.

Checking, I saw that Mia had tried to call. I decided to finish getting ready before calling her back. As I was sorting Livy's hair, Stephen came back into the bedroom with Nate.

Stephen - Babe, I have Mia on the phone. She wanted to know if the twins wanted to go to Jungle Bounce with Willie, her, and Clint while we go to our appointment. It might make things easier.

Trinity - Only if she doesn't mind, babe.

Mia - (Phone call) Girl, please, as if we mind. We'll be around shortly to pick them up. What time do you need to leave by?

I checked the time. It was 9:30 a.m.

Trinity - (Phone call) Our appointment isn't until 11:30 a.m., babe, so we've got plenty of time.

Mia - (Phone call) Put the coffee on, then, and we'll see you in about twenty minutes.

Trinity - (Phone call) See you then, babe.

After getting our little princess ready, we head downstairs to brew some coffee. We carry the milk and sugar out to the patio, opening the gate to the yard so the twins can play with Shanks. Stephen fills up the dog’s water and food bowls.

I’ve just set the coffee pot on the table when Clint’s voice echoes from our side gate.

“Daddy, where are you? You aren’t answering the door,” Clint calls out.

“Fuck, you’re an idiot, mate,” Stephen laughs.

“Fuck,” Willie echoes.

“Woahhhhh! Buddy, don’t copy Uncle Stephen,” Stephen warns.

“If he starts dropping the F bomb because of you, I’ll teach your two much worse,” Mia threatens.

“Note to self: watch language around this boofhead from now on,” Stephen says, picking up Willie and tickling him. The twins race over at the sound of Willie’s laughter. We watch the three of them chase after Shanks, who’s trying to escape to some semblance of freedom.

We sip our coffee and chat. Mia and I watch the kids on the play gym while the boys retreat further into the yard for a smoke.

“So, it’s just your twelve-week check today, isn’t it, babe?” Mia asks.

“Yeah, hun, just a check to make sure everything is going well,” I reply.

“Do you think you guys will find out again what you’re having?”

“I don’t mind either way, babe. Whatever Stephen wants to do is fine. Just as long as they don’t find two, then I’m all good,” I say, and we both laugh.

“Come on, babe, we better get going. These two need to get to their appointment. It’s already 10:45,” Clint says.

“Sweetheart, I’m just going to move the car seats into Clint’s car,” Stephen tells me.

“Alright, babe, no worries,” I reply.

“We’ll take them for a play, then put them down for a nap with Willie afterwards. So, no rush, babe. Head round when you’re finished. Willie usually wakes up around 3:30pm,” Mia offers.

“Thank you, I appreciate this. It’ll be so much easier without those two being a nuisance,” I say gratefully.

Mia and I gather the kids and head out to Clint’s car.

“Alright, babies, you be good for Uncle Clint and Aunt Mia, and Mommy and Daddy will see you soon, okay? Have fun, Willie, and we’ll see you soon, okay, buddy?” I tell them.

“Love you,” Willie says.

“Love you, buddy,” I reply.

Stephen helps Clint get the kids in and we wave them off.

“Come on then, baby, let’s get you to this appointment,” Stephen says.

We quickly head in and I grab my bag and jacket while Stephen grabs the car keys. We head off to the hospital. I check in at the desk and then take a seat with my husband while we wait.

“So, baby, I’ve been meaning to ask, did you want to find out this time what we’re having?” Stephen asks.

“Just one, thanks,” I reply.

“Hahaha, no, I meant the gender, baby, when we can, of course,” Stephen clarifies.

“Funny you should mention, I was just talking with Mia about this earlier. I don’t mind, baby. What would you like?” I ask.

“I liked knowing last time, babe, so we could be ready for our little one,” Stephen says.

“Then we’ll find out, babe,” I agree.

“You sure you don’t mind?” Stephen asks.

“Not one bit,” I assure him.

“I love you, kiss me,” Stephen says.

I run my hand down my husband’s cheek as I lean in to him and our lips meet in a soft kiss. I’m lost in his world until I feel his hand softly on my knee, his thumb stroking it gently.

His tongue teasingly caresses my bottom lip as I open, accepting him and leaning into him more. This man is everything to me and one touch from him brings my world alight with passion.

“Trinity and Stephen?” Dr. Cater calls.

I pull away from my husband, a little flushed, having lost track of ourselves. I bite my bottom lip, still feeling the tingle from the touch of his lips.

“Sorry, Dr. Cater,” I apologize.

“That’s quite okay, nice to see you both back again. How are the twins?” Dr. Cater asks.

“Tiring,” I reply.

“Hahaha, I bet they are now at that age. What are they? Ten months?” Dr. Cater asks.

“Yeah, going on ten years with their attitudes. Must be why I look so old and haggard already,” I joke.

I feel Stephen grip me tighter and give me a funny look. Hmmm, wonder what that was about.

“Right, if you want to head in this room and hop up for me, I’ll get everything we need and be back with your favorite gel shortly,” Dr. Cater says.

“Hahaha, can’t wait,” I reply with a hint of sarcasm.

Once Dr. Cater leaves, my husband turns to me and grips my hips.

“Don’t you ever for a second say you look haggard. You could not look anything but beautiful, and don’t you ever forget that,” Stephen says.

“Aww, baby, I love that you’re trying to make me feel better, but look at this face, sweetheart. I didn’t even bother to put a drop of makeup on today. There are lines and sleep deprivation written all over this,” I say, using my finger to circle my face. He grabs my hand and pulls it down with his.

“I see it, but you know what, I’m a sucker for true beauty, and what I see when I look at you is true beauty. Love, do not hide that pretty face from me. I know women are terrified to be seen with their face naked in public, but baby, this is you.

“You were born without the eyeliner, primer, foundation, blush, and contour, and you were beautiful then. So don’t you dare think for a second you’re not beautiful without it now. Those lines, as you call them, or that lack of sleep, baby, that’s all the signs of our happy life together. So don’t ever hide that from me,” Stephen says.

I have tears in my eyes now, listening to the joy and praise my husband showers me with. As one slips down my cheek, he leans forward, cupping my face, and kisses it away.

“Now get up on that table so we can see our pea pod,” Stephen says.