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Trinity
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It was December now. The house was decorated for Christmas, and everyone was feeling festive. The kids were singing carols all the time. And I couldn't get enough of it all. Also, I was into my final month and each day that I made it now made my boys that much stronger. However, it also seemed to make them that much bigger too.
I am serious, I felt that by the time it reached the fifteenth, my belly had doubled in size just since the month started. It was insane. Then again, the babies do gain the most over the last month. They were packing on the weight so that they would be stronger and healthier when they were born.
I wasn't allowed to do much now. I couldn't even move my own wheelchair. Reece and Griffin were too afraid that I could go into labor at any time. I didn't think that it was that bad though, I only had like three weeks left until the boys were due. I had made it a lot further than anyone expected me to. And I was still determined to keep them in as long as I could. I was going to get them as strong as possible.
I liked seeing how much everyone was enjoying the festive holiday season. I liked seeing the kids making handmade ornaments and going outside to build snowmen. I may not have liked that I couldn't participate, but I did like seeing the joy in my kids' eyes. That was gift enough for me.
.....
The days moved on in peace like that. One after the other, they steadily went by. And before I knew it, it was Christmas morning. I could tell that Reece was getting more and more paranoid by the day. He wasn't worried about the babies not being safe anymore, but was worried about me just randomly going into labor and him having to get me to the hospital in some sort of rush. He was worried about what might happen when he took me to the hospital. Basically, he was just being his usual worrywart self.
I wasn't going to let his paranoia ruin my holiday though. I was going to enjoy the time that I was able to spend with my children before I had the babies. That was why I had Reece take me down to the dining room for the annual Christmas breakfast that we ate before presents were opened. Of course, you know he wanted me to stay in the bedroom and have breakfast brought to me, but I refused.
“I am going to enjoy this day, Reece. It's Christmas.” That was my answer when he tried to tell me to take it easy today. “I am taking it easy. I am in my wheelchair and I am only spending time with the kids. It's not like I am dancing and swinging from the chandelier.”
“If you get defiant enough, you will. I know you.” He laughed when he said it, because we both knew that I wouldn't risk the babies like that.
“Oh hush, Fido.” I laughed at him. “I think it might finally be time for me to use that choke chain I got you.” I laughed at the memory of your first Christmas together.
“Oh Goddess, don't remind me of that.” He was laughing at the memory as he complained about it. “I still can't believe you.”
“Me? You're the one that got me that stupid car with the Little Bunny license plate. How could you!? That was mortifying. And it was the officially registered plate, and it was in your name of course. So, I couldn't change it even though I wanted to. That was hell at the time.” We were both laughing now.
“Mommy? What are you and Daddy laughing about?” Talia asked from next to me at the table.
“Oh nothing much, baby girl. We were just remembering our first Christmas together. It was a long time ago, but I still remember it quite clearly.”
“Yeah, that was back when Mommy and Daddy were just starting to like each other, and we got each other some really funny gifts.” Reece added.
“I still have that bracelet too. I haven't worn it in a long time, but it's still there. I still have all the gifts that your daddy gave me. Well, all the ones that weren't food. I kept them all. Even the Jeep is down in the garage.” Thinking about it, I was proud to keep those things. They brought back such fond memories.
We all talked as we finished breakfast. It was a good morning and we shared lots of memories.
“Oh, Reagan, Rika, when you were less than a month old, so exactly eight years ago, your dad tried to give you those powered cars for Christmas. Rika, yours was a princess carriage.”
“I don't like those.” She narrowed her eyes.
“I know that. I even told him that you might not like them as you got older. That was when he gave them to some other kids that we knew. He didn't want his precious Rika growing up to hate him.” That made the kids laugh, seeing what he had done and all.
“I never would have hated Daddy. If he got me a toy I didn't like, I would still be happy because he got me something in the first place.”
“And that is why I am so glad that you're my little girl.” Reece reached over and tousled her hair. “You're so sweet. You all are.”
After the meal, we all went into the living room for presents. I got pictures of the kids in front of the tree before the presents were opened. And Reece wanted to get some with me in it as well. That meant that I needed to turn it into a full family photo, so we set up the camera and got ready. It came out nice and I was happy that it was done for us.
Present opening went well and then family came to visit us. All of our large extended family. Even Aunt Glory, Trevor, Athair mòr and Daciana came back. They had gone home just before the birthday party last month, but they were back now. And of course, I insisted on holding the babies as much as I could.
The whole family stayed for dinner and the rest of the gift exchange that we always did with each other. It was fun and I loved it, but I was getting a little tired. I wanted to take a nap halfway through the family meeting, but they were there through lunch and dinner. It was always such a large scale event.
There was one thing that I did notice, something that was beginning to change. Well, for starters, Nikki was showing, but that wasn't the biggest surprise. No, the biggest one was that Lila was showing. We knew they were expecting, but seeing it was something else.
“So, Dad, am I getting a baby brother or a baby sister?” Dad asked Grandfather in a joking tone.
“We don't want to know. We want to be surprised. It will be more fun that way.”
“Are you excited, Grandfather?”
“I am. But I am also scared as hell, Trinity.” That was worth another laugh for us all.
The day was progressing nicely, but I was getting more and more tired. And when I grabbed my belly and hissed, Reece about had a heart attack.
“NOW?” He yelled across the room.
“No. It's just a Braxton Hicks. That's all. Not real labor.” I assured him with a calm voice.
“Are you sure? Maybe I should call Griffin just to be safe.”
“No, you don't have to. That's all it is.”
“He might have a point, Trinity. It's best to be safe, you know.” Mom looked worried but excited at the same time.
“Yeah, better safe than sorry sweetheart.” Dad agreed.
It didn't matter anyway, Reece was already calling Griffin. And I knew just how it was going to end. This was going to be the day that I got put in the hospital until I went into labor or until they took the babies early. I was going to be moving to hospital bedrest now. Oh well. It was a good holiday while it lasted.
“Come here you guys.” I called out to my children. “Give me hugs and kisses. Uncle Griffin is going to make Mommy stay in the hospital now. I want your love for while I am gone.”
“Can we come to see you, Mommy?” Rika asked me.
“Of course. I can't wait for you to visit me there. And one of the times you come to visit me there, I will have the babies with me. You will be able to see them and hold them.”
“Really?” All three of them squealed in excitement.
By the time that Reece came in to tell me that we were going to the hospital, I was already prepared to go. I had hugged and kissed everyone that was here and was just waiting for Reece to grab my bag and take me downstairs.
“Come on Reece. Let's get a move on. I am sure that Griffin is flipping out and can't wait to check me out when we get there. So, we better not take too much time.”
“Yeah, you're right. Come on.” He started to push me toward the elevator, but I needed him to do something else first.
“Get my bag from the room.” I reminded him. “I need that.”
“O..oh, yeah.” He ran up the stairs and I nearly laughed at him. He was a mess again, just like he was with both the previous pregnancies.
