In raising my children, I have lost my mind but found my soul. – Lisa T. Shepherd
In the last few weeks, Helen swore her belly had doubled in size every week. When they were in Hawaii, she blamed it on the rich foods and eating just about everything she wanted. But when they got back, her belly continued to grow.And grow.The stress of the fire and Jolene’s attack did not help any.A year ago, her life was completely different. She struggled to pay her bills. New clothes would have been a luxury. Another baby was not even a thought.And now, she lived with a man who too care of everything. Pampered her in ways that she still could not even imagine. And would give her anything and everything that she needed or wanted.Including his baby.Today, her heartburn was horrible. She had eaten so many antacid tablets that she was certain she was going to become a giant antacid tablet. She was getting more when Reese appeared in her office doorway.“Still bad?Cinderella never asked for a prince. She asked for a night off and a dress. – Kiera CassHer muscles burned and her lungs ached, but Dean refused to stop. She had let herself go while she was at home. Midnight swims did not have the same appeal without her mom or Cheryl. Laps were not as soothing as they had been.She was determined to get back into shape. Back down to her time. Her legs kicked and her arms swung out in strong strokes pulling her forward. Every other left stroke she breathed in and on the ones in between she breathed out. At the end of the lane, she flipped and kicked off the wall and began her final lap.The wall grew closer and closer, and she knew she would make it close to her time. With her hand hitting the wall, she came up for a long and deep breath. Planting her feet under her, Dean took off her goggles and swim cap to look at the large timer by the side of the pool.Fourteen seconds over.“Looking good, Coppell!” the coach called, a
Love is meant to be an adventure. – Gordon B. HinckleyReese walked into the bedroom carrying a tray with fruit, lean bacon and scrambled egg whites. Usually when he walked in, she would smile at him with her hands on her belly that didn’t seem to stop growing. This morning, she sat up against the headboard with tears streaming down her face. He placed the tray on the dresser and then sat on the bed and gathered her close. “It’s okay, Kitten.”She shook her head as more sobs racked her body. He continued to hold her and murmur soothing words until she finally calmed down.“Tell me what has you so upset.” He whispered.“Your babies are going to be bastards.” She sobbed out and began crying again.“Oh, my sweet Kitten.” He grinned into her hair as he placed tender kisses.He had to wait for the tears to settle down again. “I’m sorry. You probably think I’m crazy.”Reese chuckled. “No more than I did yesterday.” He teased. “But let’s be honest, we
If you want to be happy, be. – Leo TolstoyPrep work for the new additions began a few days after their latest argument over who was in charge. Reese grinned at the thought as he looked through a website of maternity clothes. It had become a running joke with them since Frank had told her that she was now in charge.Not that his old friend was all that wrong. Since she had said that she was pregnant, he was wrapped around her finger. And speaking of fingers, the ring that he picked out should be arriving later today. And they had an appointment with the judge next week.And that was the reason why the man was looking at maternity dresses. With a few mouse clicks, the dresses were sorted down to Helen’s size and to a few colors. He loved her in burgundy, reds and dark pinks. He loved her out of those colors also.She would prefer a soft pink or lavender.Again, her groom preferred her out of those colors also.Unless they were ropes. Then the colors reall
I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding. - John O’DonohueAfter their quick courthouse wedding yesterday with only their kids and Dean, Helen knew that the rest of the month of May was going to be busy. Today, Reese and Helen were having their gender reveal. So far, only Dean and JD knew, and they were so tight lipped that the expectant parents were not even allowed in the big house. Everyone had been referring to them as the latest princesses, and no one even considered that they could be anything other than girls.Next weekend was the family baby shower for Bunny and her men. After the ones from each of the jobs, there was not much more that they needed. But that didn’t matter. The princess club insisted on the party. If for no other reason than the baby to know that she was loved.The last weekend of the month, JD would graduate. This next Tuesday was the athletics banquet with the swim team having theirs on Thursday.
I know a girl, she puts the color inside my world. – John MayorHelen and Bunny were both worn out. They had had fun at Bunny’s baby shower, ate more than any pregnant woman should and played games. Then once everyone was gone, they both said that they were just going to sit down for a moment and then they would help clean up.They had been asleep on the couch for nearly an hour in JD and Dean’s living room when the rest of the family joined them. Reese sat down on the couch and pulled Helen into his lap. Jaxon and Ty sat on either side of Bunny as Neo sat in the armchair and pulled Jolene down to sit in his lap. JD sat on the floor and leaned against the wall with Dean sitting between his legs. Wayne and Cheryl mirrored the younger couple a few feet down from them.“What do you need me to do?” Helen asked as she sat up.Chuckling, Reese pulled her back against his chest. “It’s all taken care of.”“We were going to help.” Bunny objected.“It’s okay.” Ty said
Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey. – Michael JosephsonHelen had been an emotional mess all week. Or more like all month. She had married Reese. The princess club was a little upset over not being there when they went to the courthouse but understood. Victoria was already planning their wedding. Helen told her that she didn’t want anything extravagant or expensive. The party planner just laughed and said that Helen would have the wedding of her dreams. It wasn’t until later that Helen found out that Victoria specialized in the extravagant weddings and parties, on the cheap. She sis her own daughter’s Quinceañera for only a few thousand dollars.A few days later Helen and Reese found out she was having not twins, but triplets. A boy, a girl and a mystery. Or as Reese explained it, one of each flavor.After a quick meeting with the architect and his general contractor, a few changes were mad
She is a mermaid on dry land and the world is her ocean. – J. IronwordBunny was miserable.Since Sunday afternoon at JD’s graduation party, she has felt like she needed to go to the bathroom. In fact, her description to her men was “I feel like I need to take the biggest shit known in the history of all time. That big pile of shit in the Jurassic Park movie, the original one, has nothing on this.”Earlier at work, she had been miserable and uncomfortable. Before the ten o'clock Monday morning meeting, Khun told her to go home, put her feet up and call the doctor. Now, a little under four hours, she sat in the waiting room at Dr. Aberton’s office. She squirmed and shifted and sighed expressing her level of discomfort.“Johnson.” The perky little blonde nurse said from the doorway.Jaxon and Ty both stood up and helped her to her feet.“You poor thing.” The nurse cooed as they walked through the door and guided her to the scale. “You look so miserable.”
If you’re completely exhausted and don’t know how you’re going to keep giving this much of yourself day after day, you’re probably a good parent. – Bunmi LaditanReese had known something was wrong when Helen said that her head was still hurting on Monday morning. He made a quick call and explained his fears and the home health nurse headed out to their house almost immediately. By the time Corinda had arrived, Helen had already slipped blissfully into unconsciousness.Dean and JD were hugging each other tightly in the kitchen, concern and fear written on both their faces. Reese stood in stunned silence as the nurse calmly called 911 and ordered an ambulance.Possible placental abruption.It had been one of the issues that Dr. Aberton had warned them about. It was one of the reasons that Helen was considered high risk. It was why she was on bedrest. And why no one would let her do anything unless she was sitting with her feet up.JD pulled out his phone and sent
There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. – George SandWhen Dean had shown them the walk-in closet of wedding dresses, Bunny had fallen in love with the dress that they dubbed the *Big Fat Greek Wedding* Dress. The skirt was so large that her arms couldn’t go down straight by her sides.Smirking, Deam had pointed out that her arms weren’t the only things that would not be straight at the wedding. When she had quit laughing, Bunny threatened to put the teen in pink. They both knew it was an empty threat.Two days before the wedding, Helen had shown up at the two-story house with a new set of petticoats. Even though they would not be seen during the ceremony, it still meant a lot to the three of them. Especially for Jaxon.Although they all knew that Helen accepted Jaxon and his partners, the gift of the rainbow-colored petticoats solidified it. It meant even more to learn that Daphne had helped Helen
I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow. – Bela LugosiJD walked up behind Dean and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck as she made herself a sandwich. “How are you going to eat that?”“One bite at a time.” She replied as she sliced the tomato.“Smart ass.” He chuckled.“You want one?”Kissing her cheek, he smiled at her before turning and looking at the sandwich. There needed to be a different word for this … monstrosity. Rye bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Three types of cheeses. Five types of deli sliced meat. Romaine and iceberg lettuce. Sliced tomato, pickles, cucumbers, bell peppers, banana peppers and black olives.“Yeah.” He answered with a soft chuckle.She gave a small laugh as she finished her sandwich and pushed the plate away before grabbing another paper plate leftover from the
As your kids grow they may forget what you said, but won’t forget how you made them feel. – Kevin HeathIt had been a long weekend, starting with Dean’s graduation on Friday night and ending with the babies’ first birthday party today. After the party had broken up, several people had stayed just to play in the pool. Ariel, true to her namesake, loved being in the water and was upset when they finally got out of the pool.She had started to cry, but Ty and Jaxon were there with cuddles. If there was any doubt about her being daddy’s girl, it would only be because the doubter had never seen her light up when either of them came into view.Her favorite place was between her two fathers. She definitely took after her mother in that regard. Most nights she would fall asleep on Bunny’s lap or shoulder, a hand or foot on each of the men.Currently, she lay on Bunny’s shoulder, her hand tightly gripping Jaxon&rs
Some students go an entire day at school without anyone saying their name. be the adult who speaks to each student by name. Everyone loves to hear their name. – Educator Justin TarteEvery night, Jolene sat between Neo’s legs and would read to him. Some nights the passages were nothing more than written porn. Other nights, they were sweet, or amusing. After the first few nights of carefully curated smut scenes, he chose a book, and they would read a few chapters each night.They were on book three of a series of five tonight and she was having a hard time concentrating. The light touch of his calloused hands under her shirt did not help her concentration. Nor did his mouth on her neck.Certainly, the bulge at her lower back was a bit distracting.“Something’s on your mind.” He whispered and then lightly bit her earlobe.“No…” she tried to brush off his observation and he simply chuckled
Because he wants to create a stable, lasting relationship with one person. Brad, believe me, there is nothing in this world so wonderful, so fulfilling, as coming home to the same woman every night. – Tony Randall as Jonathon Forbes in Pillow Talk 1959Cheryl snuggled against Waylon’s chest as they lay in the new bed at their new house. She wore a large National Fire Academy T-shirt that was stretched tight across her large belly. He wore a pair of boxers and kept squirming seeking a more comfortable position between the rough, stiff cotton sheets.The guys from the fire department had helped them move early Saturday morning. She and Waylon left the guys putting together furniture when they went to the unveiling of Dean’s mural.When they returned to the house with pizzas and beers, they found the six men sitting on the back patio with their feet up. On furniture that Cheryl adored but did not remember getting.“I
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. – Johann Wolfgang von GoetheReese had told Helen that there was a second restaurant at the Private Club that he wanted to eat at. She knew about the other restaurant. When they had all met for lunch last, Marnie had taken Helen over and showed her the other restaurant. The one with low cushioned tables and pillows on the floor.The lights were up during the day, but for meals, they would be lowered. Lights would shine out from inside the tables, illuminating the sub on display. There were cushions that could be moved to accommodate the person on the table. One under the knees, a small one under the lower back and one to support the neck and head.Marnie had told the older woman that she loved the other restaurant. The meals were finger foods that were served on the sub. Helen had looked at the Brat who smiled at her.“On the sub.” Marnie said again. “Steve
Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet. – Alain de BottonReese sat on the outdoor couch on the lower deck watching the girls in the pool with the babies. Cheryl, Bunny, Dean and Allison, the only female Seabee that came with JD, each had a baby in their arms as they bounced and spun. Watching her children and grandchild smile and laugh, Helen snuggled into his side, and he pulled her into his lap.She had lost most of her baby weight, and currently had made her way back into size eighteen dresses, which she was quite proud of. Today she wore the dress that Reese had bought her specifically for the birthday party. A pink satin shift with a cream-colored mesh overdress with pink and blue flowers embroidered on it.Earlier in the day she had also been in the pool in a pink swimsuit with a sheer fish scale skirt that Reese had a hard time looking away from. He had p
Art and love are the same thing: It’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you. – Chuck KlostermanThere was a rather large gathering in the closed parking lot across the street from the mural. About half of them were part of the Princess Club and extended family. The large white canvas tarp that covered the wall billowed in the midmorning breeze. JD wrapped his arm around Dean’s waist and pulled her to his side.She wore a knee length black skirt and matching jacket with a white lace shirt underneath. Her hair was pulled up in a tight twist in an effort to keep it contained in the wind. She wore sapphire and silver teardrop earrings that matched her shoes.The leg of JD’s course BDU uniform brushed up against her bare leg as she moved in closer to him. Curling into his chest, she smiled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Nervous?” he asked quietly.She nodded. “Yes. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done for so many people to see. What if no one likes it?”
I’m the big sister. I want to make sure she has everything, even if I don’t have anything. It’s hard. I love her too much. That’s what counts. – Venus WilliamsLast night, Dean graduated from high school with a large cheering section made up of her family, friends and a small contingent of Seabees. And a cardboard cutout of her mom. This afternoon, they were having her graduation party. It was shaping up to be one hell of a party. JD was home until Wednesday but would be back a week and half later for his brother’s commitment ceremony to Bunny and Ty. The other Seabees would leave tomorrow, only a few planned to stay for the birthday party for the four babies. Although they had all been invited.All the princess club and their families would be there.They had all been upset when they learned that she had got married without them. But then the newlywed couple promised to have a real wedding on their one-year anniversary.Deon and Craig were both home for summer and t