Chapter 127-One Day At a Time

“So Mom did you go bankrupt or something?” Dax asked as he pulled the hand truck loaded with boxes into the house.

Dunham and Aric followed behind him carrying a few more. The girls were all working on setting up the cribs since the nursery was the first room I wanted put together.

“No, sweetie. Why?”

“Because I’m pretty sure you could afford movers instead of breaking child labor laws by making us do all the heavy lifting,” he answered while dramatically wiping sweat from his brow. His siblings all laughed before agreeing.

“Well, since I have thirteen children, nine of which are eighteen or over, I see no reason why I should spend money when I have free labor,” I replied giving him a kiss on the cheek before shoving him out the door to get more boxes.

I had planned on hiring movers, but Elton and Edson had offered to help and that snowballed in having all the kids helping out. Finley had gone with Marcus to help him with the quads while I got things settled here. Since our last fight, Marcus and I barely spoke. We managed to be civil for Finley’s graduation festivities. We were both supposed to go with her to find her an apartment in Bridgeport, that trip was coming up in a week and I’d tried to back out of it, but Finley was insistent on the fact she wanted both of our inputs. Marcus and I had been separated for nearly two months now and it still hurt like hell when he’d come to pick up or drop off the babies. An entire weekend with him was going to be a struggle, but I was going to do it make Finley happy.

“Hey Mom,” Bynni called out. “Do you want the cribs arranged any special way?”

I smiled when I saw her walk out to the hall. My one child that swore off children was expecting her first child. TK had moved from the performing side of things into producing so he didn’t travel as much. I remember laughing when she told me she hoped she didn’t end up with a kid like her. They’d just found out the baby was a boy, and she was relieved. I didn’t have it in my heart to tell her boys could be just as troublesome. I’d let her find that out on her own.

“No, not really. I guess two on one wall, two on the other, and the changing table against the back,” I answered, walking towards her.

Ignoring her shirt, I ran my hand across her expanding belly. I missed my babies and was eager to get things situated so they could come home. Work had already been done in their room, but there was more to do in the rest of the house and I didn’t want them here while that went on. It would be noisy and messy so Marcus was keeping them until all the redecorating was completed.

Continue Reading: "Chapter 127-One Day At a Time"

Chapter 113-Unfinished Business

Marcus POV

I’ve never felt more helpless than I did at this moment. I stood behind the glass watching the nurses care for my babies. They lay in incubators, hooked up to wires, fighting for their lives. I couldn’t help them. There was supposed to be only two. Each sonogram, each doctor visit she had only showed two. How could two additional babies stay hidden for months?! I was furious; she was at an even bigger risk than we thought. It made sense now why she would be tired more often. My anger couldn’t help them, it served no purpose now. I stood watching, and praying I didn’t lose them all. The nurses wanted me to name them, but I refused. Amari and I hadn’t decided on names still and on top of that we had two more to consider.

For now they were Smith baby A-D: three girls, one boy.  I couldn’t’ help them. I couldn’t help my wife who lay in a coma. Uterine rupture. She’d lost a lot of blood by the time we’d gotten her to the hospital, and the babies were no longer protected in the womb. The doctors did an emergency C-section. There was too much damage done, they told me, in order to save her life they needed to do a hysterectomy. She’d never have children again. I’d wanted to be the one to break the news to her, but she never woke up. No one could tell me why she was in a coma, and why her body seemed to get weaker with each passing day. She was dying. I had all the abilities in the world, except the ability to save my family.

“When is the last time you left the hospital?” Dax asked coming to stand beside me.

“I haven’t,” I replied, running a weary hand down my face. “Cece brought me a bag so I could shower in your mom’s room.”

“I get you don’t really need rest, but you do need a break. Let one of us stay with them.”

“I’m fine son. I want to be here when your mom wakes up, or when these people tell me I can finally hold one of my babies!” I added angrily gesturing towards the NICU.

When allowed in, I could only touch their little hands, they weren’t able to be removed from the incubators yet.

“When’s the last time you’ve eaten?”

“Aric brought me something yesterday. I told you I’m fine.” I replied turning to face him finally. “How’s Finley doing?”

Dax had been staying at the house. It was the off season for him, and even though he was supposed to be in training still, he took time off. His coach understood and the team sent flowers. All the kids had been doing a great job of splitting their time here and helping to take care of Finley and the house.

“She’s fine. She and Zana have been studying for finals since her suspension was lifted.”

I saw red thinking about that night. It was the actions of that sorry ass principal that landed us here. If I wasn’t so concerned about Amari and the babies, I would have gone back to drain the life from his worthless body. Zana’s mother actually did something to protect her daughter for a change. She pressed charges against the boy that attacked Zana and filed a formal complaint with the school board against the principal. He had been temporarily reassigned pending the outcome of the hearing. More needed to be done, but that was not my top priority right now.

“Dad, really, you need to go home. Get a decent night’s sleep. I’ll stay here and if I detect any movement from Mom, you can be here before her eyes even flutter open.” Dax gave me a crooked grin.

He was right, I knew that, but I couldn’t bring myself to go home without them with me. It didn’t seem right.

“Have you been in to see your mom?” I asked changing the topic.

“Yes, she’s still sleeping. Her room smells good with all the flowers.”

“A lot of people love her, and want her to wake up.”

“She will Dad,” he said pulling me into a hug. “She’s strong, always has been. She’ll get through this.”

I pulled away and gave him a pat on the back. “Your mom did an amazing job raising you kids.”

“Yeah, she gets a little credit,” Dax replied with a wink, “but most of this is just my natural awesomeness.” He gave me a large grin that brought a smile to my face. The boy definitely had my sense of humor. “Come on, let me take you home. Just for a few hours.”

“Ok, let me check on your mom first and I’ll meet you at the car.”

“Or…the nurses station,” he replied, giving a wink to one of the ladies behind me.

I walked away laughing for the first time since Amari was admitted. That quickly died when I entered her room.

Continue Reading: "Chapter 113-Unfinished Business"

Chapter 105-Victory

I snuggled closer to the body next to me and felt arms tighten in response. I inhaled deeply and was instantly comforted by a familiar scent. The sunlight streaming through the windows me me reluctantly open my eyes. His sparkling green ones were staring down at me. If I was dreaming, I didn’t want it to end.

“Good morning Beautiful.” He said with a warm smile.

I was filled with joy and a sense of peace; he really did come back to me last night. I stretched up and kissed him deeply and he responded enthusiastically. 

Marcus rolled on top of me parting my legs gently. I arched my back ready to accept him again. We enjoyed each other until I was exhausted last night. He always had impressive stamina but now as a vamp it was endless. I tried to remain quiet, but I knew facing the kids this morning was going to be a tad awkward. I ran my hands up his back as he settled his lean body between my legs. As our bodies joined again, I knew I was a fool for pushing him away and I was immensely thankful that he came back to me.

“I have to go back to the hotel.” Marcus said softly after we finished. My thoughts went to her, we didn’t do much talking last night but now reality was hitting me hard. He was still engaged to her. I didn’t know why he showed up last night, but now I guess I had my answer.

“You spent the night making love to me only to leave and go back to her?” I ask angrily pulling away from him. I suddenly felt very dirty and used and needed a shower to wash that away that feeling.

“Whoa! What?” Marcus replied quickly jumping off the bed to stop me. “I wouldn’t…you think I’d do that?” He looked hurt and mildly insulted by my accusation.

“I don’t know Marcus. You’ve spent the last week leaving me to spend your nights with her and…” my words faded out and I swiped at a stray tear that rolled down my cheek.

“Hey, no crying.” Marcus said softly. “Yes we shared a hotel room, but nothing else. I haven’t been with her at all while she’s been here. After that afternoon with you, I couldn’t and didn’t want to. I asked her to go back to Italy last night."

Relief washed over me when I heard him say that. Marcus turned me to face him and softly wiped away the tears that rolled down my cheeks.

"You know how sometimes something just feels…right. You can’t put it into words, but everything just fits. That’s what yesterday was for me. Being here in our house, surrounded by our children, I didn’t want to leave. Then talking to you, hearing you call me your husband still, hearing that you wanted me, wanted us. I realized I didn’t have to.”

The tears continued to stream down my face as I threw my arms around his neck. Marcus

held onto me tightly letting me take comfort in his arms for as long as I needed.

“I only need to go back to the hotel for clothes.” He said softly. “And to check out.” He continued pulling away to look at me. “I want to come home.” His eyes searched my face looking apprehensive about what my response might be.

Continue Reading: "Chapter 105-Victory"

Chapter 104-Goodbye and Hello

Marcus

I sat thinking about Amari. She never came back and I didn’t really expect her to. The mood shifted after she left. The kids all became less talkative with Florence sending a clear message that they supported their mother. Florence picked up the change as well and we cut the evening short. I was not handling any of this correctly. I couldn’t properly work through my feelings for one woman while I was with another. It wasn’t fair to either of them.

“Marc, what do you think?” Florence asked stepping out of the bathroom pulling me from my thoughts.

She stood seductively in front of me in a barely there negligée.

“I bought it a few days ago. You like?”

I looked over her body which she had on display for me knowing what she wanted. We hadn’t made love while she’s been here and she was unhappy about that fact. It was hard to explain, but after being with Amari I didn’t feel right being with Florence. Sighing heavily I put my hand out. She slid hers into mine with a wide grin on her face as she straddled me. 

“We need to talk.” I said quietly when she leaned in to kiss me.

“Talk?” she asked sounding offended. “I am practically nude and you want to talk?” She finished angrily climbing off my lap.

“Yes, we need to talk.”

“If this is about today, me talking to her, I said sorry. I did not know she would run off.” I picked up on the emptiness in her tone. She wasn’t really sorry, I knew that.

Florence had always been a jealous woman, full of spirit and at one time it was something I loved about her. However, in light of the current situation, I was seeing as more of a flaw. Getting off the couch, I walked into the bathroom to retrieve a robe. She snatched it from my hands and I knew this was not going to be an easy conversation.

“I’ve not been fair to you.” I start quietly. “I’ve handled things, this whole situation poorly and for that I’m sorry.”

“No you have not.” She agreed. “But you can make it up to me. We get the wedding plans back on track and things will fall back to normal once we marry.”

I walked over to the window and stared at the twinkling lights of the city. Out there I had a wife and family. One that was taken from me, but now I had them back. I found myself wondering what they were doing right now. Had Amari returned home finally? Was she still upset or were the kids taking care of her? It was thoughts like these that made being with Florence seem wrong.

“Florence, I think it would be best if you returned to Italy.” I said turning to face her.

“You are breaking off with me?” She cried rushing towards me. “I knew it! You leave me because I do not give you a baby. You blame me, you have always blamed me.”

“That’s not what this is.” I retorted quickly. “I’ve never blamed you. Each of our losses was hard on me, but I have always, ALWAYS been there for you. Those things are out of our control.”

“Then why?”

“Because I can’t stay with you in good conscience with these growing feelings I have for her. I need to sort through some things.”

“Sort through? How exactly are you planning on sorting out?” She screamed getting angrier.

“I don’t know.”

“I do! You want to be rid of me so you can be with her! You think I no see it, but I do. The look that crosses your face when you looked at her today. She give you something I can not and you leave me for it!”

“No! This is about me damn it! I had, have another life before you and what I’ve needed from you is your support and understand but instead I get this. You have become this selfish and one sided person that I don’t know.”

I felt my temper rising so I took a deep breath to try and calm myself. Florence stood speechless looking hurt and this wasn’t what I wanted for her either. There was so much going through my head, and she seemed to be so resentful that I was getting my memories back. It left me with questions.

“Florence I need some time and it wouldn’t be fair to keep you in this state of unknowing with me.” I pleaded hoping she would calm down and understand that this needed to be done.

“I no stupid Marc. You can say this is you caring about my needs, but it is a lie. This is why!”

“Why what?” I asked letting out a frustrated breath.

“Why you hand me a robe instead of making love.”

“You are losing sight of the point Florence.”

“No! You want to lie to me. Tell me Marc when was the last time? Do you even remember?”

I walked over to the couch trying to recall the last time. I knew it hadn’t been while she was here so it had to be back in Italy. The first time that popped into my mind was after my return from the first trip out. I looked up at her and knew that my recollection was correct.

“I’m sorry.”

“Just stop with this crazy talk Marc. We go back home, get married. All will be fine. You can even have the children visit. They will love it.” She said still refusing to admit what we both knew to be true.

“Florence. You won’t be satisfied not having a hundred percent of me and I can’t be with you with these lingering feelings.”

The hopefulness in her eyes quickly changed and I sensed her mood shift. Without another word, she got up and stormed off to the bathroom. She came back out cussing me in Italian as she gathered up her belongings. There was nothing I could say to her that would make this better. She refused to see things from any other point. I could have told her it wasn’t necessary to get another room, but I said nothing while she called the front desk.

“Florence.” I called out as she started to leave.

“What?” She snapped.

“Why did you never question my past? Even without the possibility of a wife and kids, how could you not wonder if I had other family that might be looking for me?”

She gave me a wicked grin. “It was not important to what I wanted.” She replied with a shrug. She looked down at her finger then slid the ring off letting it drop to the floor.

As I laid alone in bed, I wondered how I was so blind to her selfish ways for so long. I owed a lot to Florence and her family. They helped me through my change and never asked questions. A lot of the early conversations they had gave me a sense they were talking about me, but it was before I understood Italian. When I asked the connection to the woman that turned me, I never got a straight answer. Magic and fate was all they would say as to why I was with them. Now I knew there was more. Now I believed me being with them wasn’t random and they knew, she knew more about who I was than they wanted to tell me. Jumping out of bed I felt this urgent need to see Amari.

Mulo

“I wondered when you would be by.” I commented dryly as she stormed into my apartment.

Continue Reading: "Chapter 104-Goodbye and Hello"

Chapter 101-Reunion

Elphie looked like she had been crying and the boys all looked upset.

“What’s wrong?” I asked my heart sinking fast since Finley was still unaccounted for. “What’s happened where’s Finley?” The feeling of dread was already settling over me just from the expressions on their faces.

“She’s fine mom.” Dax said. “She’s with Carter and Vicki.”

“What why and why are you here? Not that I’m not happy to see you but I thought you were in Bridgeport.”

“Was he here yesterday?” Elphie blurted out looking on the verge of tears again. “Is that why you were acting so weird?”

The accusation in her tone was mirrored on the five faces looking at me. Mulo. I thought as I closed my eyes preparing for the onslaught of angry questions. I knew instantly what or rather who was behind her question.

Why? Why did you tell them?

Because I wanted them to know it was my fault.

But it wasn’t your place to do that. I wanted to do it in my own way so they understood.

They understand.

What were you trying to accomplish by telling them instead of letting me. They hate me enough as it is.

I was taking your suggestion and trying to be a good man. Taking responsibility for what I have done.

 “Guys let’s go have a seat please. I’ll tell you everything.” I said letting out a slow exhale. Even when he attempted to be 'helpful' he made things harder for me.

“There’s nothing to tell. Where is he? Where’s our dad?” Dunham asked.

“Will you guys give me a chance to explain? Please.”

All five of them begrudgingly filed into the living room. I could feel the hostility rolling off them. I had no clue what to tell them and I wasn’t even sure they would listen to me any way.

“How long have you known?” Dax asked after taking a seat.

“For a little while now.”

“He’s been here hasn’t he?” Dunham inquired. "He was the strange man that Kylie talked about."

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner? Nevermind Mulo answered that. He doesn’t know us because of him.” Dax sounded hurt when he said that. I understood all too well the pain of that reality. “That doesn’t change the fact that he’s our dad. We are adults, you should have told us.”

“I’m sorry, I really am. I was trying to figure out the best way to tell you all and minimize the damage.”

“I guess some things never change with you huh Mom?” Dax said coolly."Only filling us in on things when you are forced to."

"That's not what, that's not how it is this time."

They all had the same look of anger and distrust. My relationship with the triplets was already rocky and this was only going to make it worse. I was only trying to protect them and still I had to face their anger. Mulo had done this, he was the reason they were robbed in the first place, yet I was the easier target. No matter how hard I tried I always seemed to be on the losing end. I couldn’t keep going through this, there was no way I could complete this crazy task. I headed into the hall to get my phone. I sent Marcus a text letting him know they were ready to see him. He responded almost instantly.

“He’ll be here shortly.” I said walking back into the living room. “I’m going to go fix dinner.”

“We’re not hungry.” Elton replied. It was the first time he’d spoken since they got home.

“Well I’m going to cook anyway.”

I heard the five of them talking, wondering what it was going to be like to see him. The triplets had only seen pictures but Dax and Dunham remembered him. They were telling the triplets about him when the doorbell rang. The talking stopped and I waited to see if one of them would answer but it seemed as if no one was moving. I wiped my hands on the towel, took a deep breath, then went to answer the door.

Marcus 

It seemed like forever before she answered the door. I could tell by the look on her face that the talk hadn’t gone well.

“Are you ok?” I asked softly. She just shook her head as she closed the door.  “Tell me what happened.”

“They’re waiting for you.” She said ignoring my request.

I was nervous as I followed her the short distance into the living room. Knowing I had children was one thing, but getting ready to actually meet them made it very real. The two older boys looked at Amari then at me. They looked like me, but I didn’t feel a ping of recognition. I was speechless and so were they. The triplets stood together. Each of the boys standing protectively on either side of their sister. I was now officially a father of five.

“Um that’s Dax.” Amari said being the first to break the silence. She pointed towards the one in the blue tshirt with dreads. “And that one is Dunham.” She continued pointed towards the young man with the shorter hair. “Elphie is easy since she’s the only girl. On her left is Elton and on her right is Edson.”

“Oh my God, Dad it’s really you.” The one she said was Dunham spoke first. He slowly walked towards me as if he were seeing a ghost before quickly wrapping his arms around me in a hug.

Continue Reading: "Chapter 101-Reunion"

Chapter 98-Ten Rounds

I stood there panic stricken. How did I lose track of time? I looked over at Marcus and knew exactly how I was able to forget everything.

“Mom?” They called out again.

“Shit. You have to hide.”

“Hide?”

“Yes Marcus, hide as in you can’t be seen.”

“That is crazy Amari.” He said laughing. “You are acting like a teenager being caught by her parents.”

I ignored his comment as I picked up his remaining clothes off the floor. I walked over shoved them in hands then pushed him towards the bathroom. I heard their footsteps getting closer as they headed towards us.

“Just be quiet.” I hissed at him before shutting the door.

“Mom what are you doing?” Elphie asked.

“Laundry, care to help?” I asked trying to keep my voice calm and casual.

“Yeah no.” She replied turning up her nose.

“Hey mom who’s car is that?” Elton asked.

Shit a car? Of course he had a car, what was I thinking that he ran over here. Crap, crap, crap. “Um what car honey?”

“There is a car parked in our driveway.” Edson said giving me a curious look.

“Hm, I don’t know dear. I’ve been busy, um cleaning all day so I don’t, I don’t know. Maybe one of the neighbors had to park in our driveway for some reason.”

“Mom, are you ok?” Elphie asked looking around the room before settling her eyes back on me.

“Yes dear, I’m fine. Let me finish putting the clothes in the dryer and I’ll come up and make you guys a snack.” I looked at them expectantly as I waited for them to retreat back up the stairs.

“That’s ok, I think we’re just gonna play video games.” Edson replied walking over towards the TV.

“You know the rules, no games until after homework is finished.”

“We don’t have any this week, it’s finals week.” Elton answered. All three of them were staring at me like they knew something was wrong.

“Well then that requires some studying. So go study.”

“Mom, we got this in the bag. Tomorrow is English, easy A.” Elphie said with a smile. I raised my eyebrow when I looked over at her.

“In the bag?”

Continue Reading: "Chapter 98-Ten Rounds"

Chapter 96-A Job To Do

“This is going to be so much fun mom.” Finley squealed from the backseat.

The triplets weren’t as excited for this family outing but they begrudgingly came along anyway. I still hadn’t heard anything from Marcus, not even an email asking about his children. Mulo told me that once his memory started coming back, there was no safe way to re-erase it. He could try but there are limits to how much the mind can be messed with and it was much harder to do on a vamp. It was done the first time before he was turned. I had gone to a lawyer to ask about the legality of the situation. It was a tricky situation but he said that my marriage to him was technically over when Marcus was declared dead. He agreed to draw up divorce papers for me still because I wanted to be sure nothing was going to stand in his way. I had the lawyer send the papers out to him since I didn’t trust myself to actually drop them in the mail. Now I waited to hear back.

“Ok guys we’re here.” I said pulling into the parking lot.

Finley jumped out of the car then grabbed Elphie’s hand pulling her off towards the skating rink. Elton and Edson followed behind them leaving me standing alone by the car.

“So much for family fun.” I said sadly as I wandered towards them.

“Mom, get a pair and join us.” Finley called out as she slowly made her way around the rink. I watched for a little while as they laughed and had fun with each other.

Continue Reading: "Chapter 96-A Job To Do"