Thirty-Six
Stephanie
With the increase in business, our research department has been overextended and with each member of the team working overtime, it was too much for them. I spoke with the rest of the executive team about hiring additional personnel. I was ready to play Hank's Ninja girl to get my way, but thankfully I didn't have to go that route. My request was approved unanimously. I left Manny and Hank to work out the details for recruiting the candidates because I was informed that my husband was taking me out on a date.
Carlos grabbed me and led me upstairs to our apartment on seven to get ready for our date. I have no clue where we are going. "Babe, all you have to do is shower and change. I've taken care of everything else."
"Where are we going?"
"Need to know Babe, need to know."
I smiled and bit my lip. "Will you be joining me in the shower?"
"You have to ask?" I kissed him and began unbuttoning his shirt, my eyes feasting as each beautiful layer of his body was revealed. "Why Stephanie Manoso, I do believe this is the first time you've looked at me like I was chocolate cake." He said as he picked me up and took me to the bathroom where my caveman ripped off my clothes.
"Babe, you drive me wild, you know that?" My sexy Cuban growled as he kissed me.
"Good to know." I slowly worked my way down his luscious wet body until I reached pleasure island where I proceeded to have my way with him. I love looking up at him when his eyes are filled with desire.
"Oh Babe, the things you do to me." My sexy husband moaned. We enjoyed much needed sexual fun and then managed to actually shower.
"So, what are the plans Honey?
"You'll see." He smiled mysteriously. "Come on, lets hustle."
As always, my husband certainly didn't disappoint. We spent two amazing days in the Big Apple. Our beautiful suite was filled with flowers and little Tiffany & Co boxes surrounded by Godiva chocolate. We enjoyed nice romantic dinners, carriage rides through the park, and we made love on every surface and in every room in our suite. He is a fantastic lover and I'm the luckiest girl in the world because he belongs to me. My husband certainly spoils me. After our New York getaway, we were eager to head home to see our girls.
"Thank you for an amazing time Honey." I kissed his knuckles.
"I aim to please Babe. In a few months, we'll be busy with our children and won't have the opportunity to take trips."
I let myself imagine a sleepy, hair tousled Ranger, getting up in the middle of the night to feed our babies. My heart was so full of love, I thought it might burst. "Yeah, I know. It still feels strange being parents doesn't it?" I asked.
"It does indeed. What were we so afraid of?" He quickly glanced my way.
"Ha-ha, I don't know. We were both too busy hiding our feelings to realize we had nothing to be scared of." He presented me with a five hundred watt smile as he squeezed my hand.
The rest of the drive was spent in a mix of talk and comfortable silence. I chuckled to myself. It amazed me that a man whose vocabulary had basically consisted of three to four words now enjoys having long conversations.
"Well Babe, tomorrow is our ultrasound. What are you hoping we'll have?"
"Since we already have three girls, it would be awesome if we had three boys to add to the mix. I think you need boys in this house."
"I'll be happy with whatever we're blessed with, but yeah, it would be nice to add some testosterone in our house. I love all four of my girls, but I desperately need boys."
"Ha, ha." I laughed. "Are we going to have a baptism?"
"I was thinking about that. How about after the babies first birthday, we have a commitment ceremony instead of a traditional baptism for all six of our kids and godparents."
"That's a great idea. It would be awesome to celebrate all of our kids. Who would we choose for their godparents?"
"We've got plenty of time to decide Babe."
"Okay Honey. Let's just get through tomorrow and the reveal party on Saturday. The girls are so excited. Oh, by the way, there's a store off the next exit that has amazing taffy apples. Can you stop so we can buy some for the girls."
"Just for the girls Babe?" He asked with his signature raised eyebrow.
"I may or may not indulge in one or two myself." We stopped off at a store called Mrs. Prindables who makes the best gourmet taffy apples.
Mrs. Wilson looked up as we entered the store. "Hello Ms. Stephanie, how are you today?"
My husband stared at me in shock. "Why doesn't this surprise me Babe?"
"What?" I asked, pretending to be offended. Of course I knew where to get the best taffy apples.
"Oh nothing." He said shaking his head.
"Hi Mrs. Wilson. This is my husband, Carlos. We want to pick-up some of your delicious goodies for our girls. I think four boxes of a mix of all your apples, will be enough." I chose a triple chocolate petite apple. "Carlos and I will nibble on this one while we wait." . I placed the apple at Carlos' lips. "Honey, taste this you'll love it.
"How did you find this place?" He asked as he took a bite.
"Julie and I were out and about one day and we stopped off and splurged."
"How often do you come here that they know you by name?" He asked with curiosity.
"Not nearly as much as I'd like to. I loved Mrs. Wilson's goodies so much that I introduced her to Harry and now he uses her for weddings and showers."
"You amaze me, you know that?" He kissed my nose. After our quick stop, we got back on the highway, heading home.
"I can't wait until tomorrow, Honey. We'll get to see our babies in 3D. It's going to be an amazing sight."
"Yeah, it will be something indeed."
We arrived home to our three beautiful girls, waiting for us at the garage door. Our two younger girls were dancing on their tippy toes in excitement. I couldn't stop my smile. They reminded me of Grandma Mazur when she'd wait for me at the door of my parents' house. The sight brought tears to my eyes.
"What's wrong, Babe?" Carlos asked.
I sniffed. "The way they're dancing excitedly reminds me of Grandma Mazur. She used to do the same thing waiting at the front door."
"I know you miss her, Steph. As crazy as it sounds I kind of miss the zany old woman too."
I put those sentimental memories back in their box in my mind and put a smile on my face, jumped out of the car, and grabbed the boxes of yummy apples.
"I'll get our bag." Carlos kissed me and opened the rear door.
"Mama, you're home," Anna Grace shouted as she wrapped her arms around my neck and showered me with kisses. "We missed you so much." After several hugs and kisses from my sweet girls, we headed into the kitchen where my parents were sitting at the kitchen table. Apparently, scrabble was the game of the day.
"Pumpkin, good to see you." My dad hugged and kissed me. "Did you have a good trip?"
"Hi Daddy. We did. The Big Apple was awesome. Did our girls behave?"
"Oh, sweetheart, they were perfect angels as always."
"Stephanie dear, you look refreshed and rested." My mother said. If she only knew how little sleep I got because we were too busy enjoying our sexual escapades.
"It was a good trip, Mom. New York is so beautiful. You and Daddy should take a trip." Having said that gave me a thought. Their anniversary is coming up, I think I'll gift them with a trip to New York.
"Papi, we missed you." Emma Belle and Anna Grace ran to Carlos and jumped into his arms. Each girl peppering him with kisses on each cheek. "We're so glad you and Mama came home." Anna Grace said.
I put the boxes of gourmet apples on the counter and sat down at the table. "Sweetheart, would you and Carlos like something to eat? I made spaghetti pie." Who's talking here?
"I am hungry, we had a huge breakfast and haven't eaten since."
"Mom, wasn't the hotel absolutely gorgeous?" Julie asked, taking a seat next to me.
"Oh my gosh, yes. Every single thing about it was amazing. So, tell me, what did you girls do with Grandma and Gampy?"
"We went out to dinner, and then we baked a cake, and an apple pie. Yesterday, Auntie Alicia, Marcus, and Carli Stef came over for dinner. Uncle Michael couldn't come cos he was working late." Emma Belle answered.
"Papi, when can we have a sleepover with Marcus? He is super fun to play with." Anna Grace asked.
"We'll see sweetheart, we have a lot of things coming up," Carlos told his youngest daughter. We all sat down to salad and Mrs. Morelli's spaghetti pie. My Mom's version is good but not as delicious as Mrs. Morelli's. We finished dinner, and I was licking my lips at the dutch apple pie that was in the oven.
"And which one of my beautiful girls made the pie?"
"Sissy, Emma Belle, and me, Papi."
"Did you make it all by yourselves?"
"No, silly Papi. Grandma Helen helped us."
"And what type of pie is this?" Carlos asked.
"A dutch apple pie with fresh apples." Julie answered.
"Mama, we used a whole bunch of different apples." Anna Grace announced.
"Yeah, how many?"
"We used dark red, green, yellow, and pink ones." I loved watching her use her fingers as she named each apple. She really is our most animated one. I see drama classes in her future.
"It smells delicious, can't wait to sink my teeth into it. Do we have ice cream?"
"Yes Mama, we have vanilla ice cream."
"Guess what Mom?" Julie asked. "Grandma taught me how to make a really good, easy chicken dinner. It's so good."
"Tell us about it." Carlos answered.
"We bought rotisserie chicken, carrots, peas, green beans, and gravy. We made rice, and I cut the chicken and veggies into pieces.. We mixed everything together and then I poured chicken broth and gravy on top and baked it in the oven."
"That sounds amazing sweetheart. You'll have to make it for us some time."
"You bet I will, Daddy."
"Girls, tomorrow is the ultrasound. Mommy and I talked about it on our way home from New York. Would you like to go with us and see the babies?"
"Really Daddy?" Julie ran to her father and hugged him tightly, Emma Belle and Anna Grace followed her lead. There were plenty of hugs and kisses being distributed to Carlos and I from three excited girls.
"Do we get to see the babies inside Miss Samantha and Miss Azuree's tummy?" Anna Grace asked.
"No sweetheart, but we'll be able to see them on a tv screen." I replied.
"Papi, we can't wait." Emma Belle announced with a huge smile on her face.
"We'll pick you up from school tomorrow."
"Yippie, yay, we get to see our new babies." Emma Belle and Anna Grace held hands and danced around in circles. We all smiled watching their excitement.
"Girls, this pie is delicious. You did a great job." Carlos said, taking small pieces of pie. I on the other hand managed to eat a huge hunk.
"Papi, can we finish our scrabble game after we're done with our pie?" Emma Belle asked.
"Yes, and then off to bed. Did you finish your homework?"
"Yep, all done Daddy." Julie answered.
We cleared the table, cleaned up the kitchen, and sat down to finish the scrabble game. "Honey, your father and I are going to head home. I'm glad you both had a wonderful time. Let us know how everything goes tomorrow." My mom said.
"Thanks for taking care of the girls, Mom. We appreciate it."
"Yes, thank you both." Carlos added.
"No need to thank us, we're family. We love spending time with our grand babies ." We took our girls upstairs to get them ready for bed.
"Daddy, I picked out the book for you to read." Anna Grace ran into our room waving her book of choice.
"The Ugly Duckling, it is." The girls made themselves comfortable and snuggled with Carlos and I. "It was lovely summer weather in the country, and the golden corn, the green oats, and the haystacks piled up in the meadows looked beautiful…."
"That was a good choice, Annie." Emma Belle announced when Carlos finished the last page.
"Yeah, good choice little sis." Julie gave us a huge grin. Anna was quite proud of herself. We put our girls to bed and after hugs and kisses, escorted our oldest daughter downstairs to her room.
"Jules, I love that you still join us during story time." I said, wrapping my arm around her, hugging her to me.
"I wouldn't miss it. I love ending the day with story time. It's the best."
"Are you excited about tomorrow, sweetheart?" I asked.
"I sure am. It's gonna be awesome."
After we made sure our girls were snuggled in their beds, Carlos and I went into the family room. I indulged in more of the delicious pie while my very health fanatic husband peeled a couple of apples, slicing them with the precision of a surgeon.
"You're going to eat the apples just like that?" He gave me a raised eyebrow. "The best way to eat apples is with peanut butter."
"You eat them your way and I'll eat them my way." We watched tv for a little while and headed upstairs to our room. I went into the bathroom to do my nightly facial ritual. It drives Carlos crazy because it's time consuming but well worth it.
"Babe, what do you do in there?" He commented as I walked to the bed.
"Making sure I stay beautiful for you."
"You'll always be beautiful, trust me." He kissed me and I snuggled inside his muscular cocoon. "Good night Mrs. Manoso, I love you."
"I love you too Mr. Manoso. Good night and sleep well."
"Always do when you're in my arms Babe."
Carlos softly nudged me awake in the morning. "Steph, wake up." I slowly opened my eyes and saw that I was sprawled all over him, my arm on his and my leg on top of his stomach. Poor guy. "We have this huge custom king size bed that can sleep ten and yet you still manage to use me as the mattress." My ever so sexy husband said, smiling.
"Oh, Honey I'm sorry."
"You travel the world when you're sleeping, but I wouldn't have it any other way." He began showering me with kisses. We jumped in the shower and got ready for an exciting day.
"How about I get the girls ready for school while Chef Carlos prepares french toast, bacon, and sausages for breakfast?"
"You got it, Babe."
"Good morning sweet girls, time to wake up." I announced as I opened the bedroom doors. "We have a busy day ahead of us. Daddy's making us a huge breakfast." I helped the girls get dressed. Thank goodness for uniforms. "Let's go wake up Julie."
"Okay Mama,' They replied. I followed my girls as they ran downstairs and barged into her room. "No, girls. Knock before you go into a bedroom. You know the rules."
"Ooopsie, we forgot." Anna Grace said sweetly. "Sissy, can we come in?"
"Yeah, come in." Julie answered with a gravelly voice.
"Hurry Sissy. Papi is making us super big breakfast." Emma Belle ordered.
"What's the occasion?"
"Geez, big sis, don't you know that today is a special day?" Anna Grace growled sweetly.
"Yeah, I know what today is. Can I sleep a little longer?" Julie asked as she tucked herself under her blanket.
"Honey, you are nothing like your dad when it comes to waking up. Ha,ha,ha." I kissed the top of her head. Come on sweetie, Chef Papi should be done with breakfast soon. Girls, let's go upstairs and start setting the table."
"You got it Mama." Anna Grace replied as she ran up the stairs. I hurried to the kitchen to see my sexy chef at the stove. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his back.
"You look scrumptious, Chef Papi." He quickly turned around to face me and kissed me, tongue and all.
"Mama and Papi, sitting in a tree, KISSING first comes love, then comes marriage, then we get to see our babies inside tummies." Anna Grace sang. Dang, she is so adorable. Carlos and I couldn't help but smile big smiles.
"That was very good sweetheart." Carlos said kissing his most animated daughter. We finished setting the table while our chef extraordinaire went back to fixing breakfast.
"Good morning family. Breakfast sure smells good." Julie greeted us as she joined us in the kitchen.
"Did you sleep well sweetheart?" Carlos asked his daughter.
"I didn't want to get out of bed." Julie answered as she brought out the juice bottles placing them on the table.
Our sexy chef brought a platter filled with french toast, sausage, and bacon to the table along with bagels, cream cheese and fruit which no doubt was his breakfast of choice.
"Honey, everything is absolutely delicious. Good job."
"Thanks Babe.' We all quickly began stuffing our faces. "Girls, when we go to Uncle Alex and Aunt Mari's office today there are a few things you'll need to know."
"What's that, Dad?" Julie asked.
"Samantha and Azuree will be examined first, you won't be in the room for that but once their check up is done, then we'll get to go in the room. We'll see pictures on a screen of how big the babies are, and we'll hear about their development…."
"Papi, what's development?" Anna Grace asked.
"It means how they're growing. Then Aunt Mari will rub some gel on their bellies and they'll use a camera to show us the babies."
"That sounds super cool. Papi, I can't wait." Emma Belle replied, wide-eyed with excitement.
"Thanks for a great breakfast Honey. You're an awesome chef." Julie and I cleared the table and the rest got busy in the kitchen and headed to grab their backpacks and lunches.
Carlos and I enjoyed the ride to school. With the exception of morning sex with my gorgeous man, the drive to school is the best. Listening to the girls chatting and giggling makes my heart so happy.
"Bye Papi, Mama. See you after school." After our usual rounds of hugs and kisses, off they ran to their friend Lily. Carlos and I sat watching them with smiles plastered on our faces.
No words needed to be spoken as to how we felt at that moment. We drove to the office in comfortable silence, holding hands.
It was early afternoon when my sexy boss' voice came through the intercom. "Babe, can you stop by my office for a few minutes?"
"Sure, I'll be right there." I finished up my email and left my office. "What's up boss?" I asked knocking on the door frame. He stood up and led me to the couch.
"Just wanted to tell that I miss you." He gave me a deep kiss and wrapped his arms around me.
"Wow Honey, that's a first, interrupting your busy day to tell me you miss me."
"Yeah, It's not like me. But you do these things to me." We sat in silence for a few minutes it sort of felt a little awkward since it's so unlike Ranger. "I haven't done anything of substance the last couple of hours."
"Talk to me, what's going on?" I asked.
"I was thinking about our girls which led me to remember Martha and that led me to coming back from my mission excited, knowing you had waited for me. My heart shattered when you said 'Ranger, I'm dying.' Those weren't the words I was looking forward to hearing."
"Honey." I put my hands on his face and stared into his eyes, seeing fear for the first time in all the years I've known him.
"Babe, what if I didn't come back in time?"
"But you did, you came back like a knight in shining armor and whisked me away to Mari and Alex."
"What if?"...
"Shhhh" Placing my finger on his lips. "There are no what if's. I'm in perfectly good health, and we have an amazing life filled with love and three amazing daughters with three more on the way and last but not least an amazing extended family that also consists of our best friends."
"I don't."...
"Stop, I don't want to hear you say, 'I don't deserve this life'. Those words are never ever to be uttered from your mouth. Do I make myself clear?" I stared him down.
"I've done bad."...
"Yeah, so you've done some dark things. Why did you do those things? Hummm, let me see." I was being a little dramatic, I tapped my finger on my chin. "Oh yeah, to save good people, to protect total strangers throughout the world, for your country, and most importantly, for your family. Those are all very good reasons."
"If you knew the things I've done, I think you'd walk away from me pretty quickly." He said with sadness and hurt.
"I know some things and I don't care about them. It doesn't matter what you've done. And for your information Mr. Manoso, I would never walk or run away from you. Don't you understand that? I'm yours for life. You wouldn't be the man you are today if you hadn't done all the so called bad things. You realize that, don't you?"
He looked into my eyes and I saw love pouring out.
"We will never have this conversation again. Do I make myself clear?" I barked.
"Yes ma'am."
"Promise me?"
"I promise." I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. "I love you so much, Stephanie. I am the luckiest man on this planet."
"Yeah, I think you're pretty lucky." I laughed and he held on to me as if I was his life line. "I'm lucky too Carlos, and I love you more than the stars in the sky."
"Sorry to interrupt Boss, but General Malcombe is on the phone." Ram said, standing in the doorway.
"Go, take your call, we have a few hours before we have to pick-up the girls." I kissed him and walked out the door with Ram.
"I hope I didn't interrupt anything intimate Steph." Ram said as he walked me to my office.
"If there was anything intimate going on, the office door wouldn't have been open." I went back to my desk and checked my emails.
I sat at my desk, not really able to focus on my work because of the conversation Carlos and I just had. I pondered what got him to thinking about things from his past. I have always faulted him for not showing his emotions and keeping a blank face, and in all honesty, I didn't know how to handle it. My heart broke seeing him tormented about his past. I wish I could do something to make it all go away but all I can do is continue to love him which isn't really too difficult to do. Thankfully our three girls and little Manoso's will also keep him focused on good thoughts.
My mind wandered all over the place, keeping me from being productive. "Honey, I'm not in the mood for work. How about we go upstairs and change before we pick up the girls?" I said as I stood in the doorway.
"Great minds think alike, I was just going to come and get you. I've asked Ella to prepare a few snacks for us."
"We make a great team, you know that Carlos Manoso?" I said putting my arms around his neck and kissing him.
"We sure do Babe."
Great minds do think alike because we both had more than snacks on our minds. Ella had already dropped off the snacks. We were already naked before we made it to the bedroom.
"Babe, you have no idea what you do to me." He definitely was not going to take time for romancing me because he got right down to business.
After a few more batman induced orgasms, I was spent. "Well, that was something else. I guess you needed to release a lot of tension and agitation, huh?" I asked as I nuzzled into him.
"Did I hurt you?"
"No, you didn't hurt me. It's just that it was all so raw."
"I'm so sorry Stephanie, I don't know what came over me."
"You were agitated from our conversation and I guess you needed to release everything you've been holding in. You didn't hurt me."
He kissed me and we lay wrapped in each other's arms after our shower until it was time for us to change and pick up our girls.
"You sure I didn't hurt you Steph?" He asked while we were in the elevator.
"You did not hurt me. Honestly." I stood on the tips of my toes and kissed his beautiful nose. We got in the car and drove to the school.
"Mama, Papi, today is our special day." Emma Belle announced as soon she reached the car.
"Hi girls. Yes, today is our special day. After I received my hugs, they made themselves comfortable in their seats. "Tia Ella has snacks for each of you. I took out three containers and passed them to the girls. The amazing Ella had prepared snacks based on each girl's likes and favorites. She is so incredibly sweet.
"Is everyone ready and buckled in safely?" Carlos asked before driving away from the pick up lane.
"Yes daddy, we're super ready." Anna Grace replied on behalf of her sisters.
I couldn't help but laugh at the sounds coming from our two younger girls. They definitely enjoy their food. They comment on each bite they take it's so funny to hear them and the sounds that they make.
"You know they've picked up your eating habits."
"And that's a problem why?"
"No problem Babe, just stating facts."
"You have to admit they enjoy their food."
"Just like their mom. Thank goodness, Julie has my eating habits." He said with a smirk on his face trying to fight a huge smile.
Julie was telling us about her upcoming field trip, and her plans to audition for a Broadway production of Christmas Carol. If she gets the part, rehearsals begin in several weeks.
"I already told my dance teacher that I'll have to miss the rehearsals while we're on Thanksgiving vacation."
"Sweetheart, that's wonderful. When are the auditions?" Carlos asked.
"In two weeks." She answered.
"What? And we're only hearing about it now?" I asked.
"My dance teacher brought it up a few days ago and I hadn't decided whether I was going to do it or not."
"Are you excited about it?" I asked.
"Yeah, now that I decided to do it. The audition will consist of acting, dancing, and singing. Do you think Sade would be able to help me get ready?"
"Well I can't answer for her, but I'm sure she'll be able to help in some way. You just have to ask her."
"Sissy, if you get to do it, can we come see you?" Emma Belle asked.
"You'd better Lil Sis."
"We all will because you won't be able to keep your family and the Rangeman family away, I can guarantee you that."
"With just our family and friends, the performances will be a sell out." Carlos added.
"I'll send Sade an email tonight after we get home."
"I'm sure she'll be thrilled that you're asking her to help you." I said giving her a big smile.
"Are we here?" Anna Grace blurted out as soon as we turned into the parking lot.
"We're here. Now remember what we talked about at breakfast this morning. Best behavior and inside voices." The proud dad in Carlos was front and center.
"Okay Pops." Emma Belle received a glare that would scare a grown man. She laughed it off and kissed him the second she unbuckled her seat belt. "Just pranking you Papi."
"Pranking?" Carlos and I both replied with raised eyebrows.
We all held hands as we walked through the parking lot.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Manoso. Who do we have with you today?" Bubbly Jennifer asked.
"I'm Anna Grace, this is my big sister Emma Belle and our big, big sister Julie. We belong to Mami and Papi."
"We came to see our new brothers and sisters." Emma Belle added. We're going to have to discuss the too much information rule with our younger girls.
"Well it's very nice to meet you three beautiful girls. The doctors are almost ready for you. Can I get you something to drink?" Bubbly Jennifer asked.
"We're good, the girls had drinks and snacks in the car." Carlos replied. The man who was adamant on no eating in the vehicles allowed yet his girls to eat and drink in the car. Go figure. a
"Follow me to the exam room." We followed bubbly Jennifer to the room where our amazing ladies were waiting.
"Hi Tia Mari and Tio Alex." Julie said as she hugged her aunt and uncle. Her younger sisters followed her lead.
"Are you sweet girls ready to see something amazing?" Alex asked.
"We sure are." Emma Belle replied.
"Come and sit down. Today you will see a short video that will explain how the babies are growing. After that, we'll put some gobbly gel on Samantha and Azurre's bellies and you'll get to see your brothers or sisters." Alex explained.
"Will they be able to see us?" Anna Grace asked.
"I'm afraid not sweetpea. But if you talk close to the bellies, they will be able to hear you." Alex rubbed the top of Anna's head making her giggle.
"Tia Mari, we need popcorn for the movie." Anna Grace blurted out.
"The movie isn't that long sweetheart." Alex replied laughing.
The video began playing on the large screen tv and Mari began her presentation.
"The babies are sixteen weeks old and they are the size of this avocado." Mari placed the item on the table. "Would you like to hold it?" The girls shook their heads yes.
Carlos and I watched each girl hold the avocado as if it truly was a baby. They were gentle and so sweet.
"Our babies are so tiny." Emma Belle commented. I looked at Julie and she was in awe of the avocado staring at it.
"I can't believe the babies are this tiny." Julie said with amazement. It dawned on me that she was pretty young when Rachel had been pregnant with her other siblings so she wouldn't have had the opportunity to experience it all from the beginning.
"You were that small too sweetie." I told Julie as I put my arm around her waist pulling her into me.
"I can't picture myself that tiny." She laughed.
"Did you get to see the ultrasound pictures of your other siblings?" I asked.
"No, not until much later."
"Well I'm glad we all get to experience this for the first time as a family." I kissed her cheek and watched the presentation.
"So, the babies move slightly from side to side and at this stage they've learned to suck their thumbs." Our three sweet girls put their thumbs in their mouths to mimic the babies and then began giggling. "In addition to thumb sucking, the babies also at this age make facial expressions. Just like the video is showing. And they can hear voices."
I watched as Mari continued the presentation and my three girls were wide eyed staring at the tv in amazement. Tears began to trickle watching three of the best things that life could have offered me.
"Babe."
"I'm okay Honey, just happy tears watching our three girls take it all in."
"Okay, how about we take a look at the real babies?" Alex asked after the presentation was over and Mari was exhausted answering zillions of questions from the girls. I couldn't help but smile.
"Tia, can the girls and me put the gel on the bellies?" Julie asked. Emma Belle and Anna Grace stood with mouths wide open.
"If your parents, Samantha, and Azuree say it's okay." Our girls looked at us and Carlos nodded yes and of course our amazing ladies smiled and said that they were okay with it.
Mari demonstrated on the avocado how to put the gel on. "Got it girls?" She asked.
"Yep, we got it." They replied in unison.
Julie walked to Azuree and got ready while Anna Grace and Emma Belle stood by Samantha ready to get started. "Okay girls, Julie you go first, then look at the tv screen." Alex instructed. Our oldest daughter squeezed the gel on Samantha's belly and the two younger girls giggled at the sight. "That's perfect sweetheart. Now I'm going to place this camera on the belly. You will hear the baby's heartbeat as you get to see the baby."
"I'll tell you when to close your eyes so you can't see if they're boys or girls." Mari said.
The room filled with the a strong heartbeat and we watched the baby sucking its thumb. "Can I talk to the baby Tio Alex?"
"Of course, sweetheart." Julie got close to Samantha's belly and stared at the screen.
"Hi little avocado, I'm Julie, your big sister. You are so adorable. I can't wait until I get to hold you in real life." As soon as the baby heard Julie's voice it started stirring about, moving its little feet and fingers. "I love you little one." the baby continued moving its feet and I swear I saw a smile.
There was no way I was going to stop the tears, so I just let them flow. Watching what was taking place was something so special, I couldn't help but cry happy tears.
"Oh my gosh, this is so amazing." Julie said. I certainly didn't miss the tears that were streaming down her face. Anna Grace and Emma Belle were jumping up and down with excitement watching the screen.
After fifteen minutes, it was time to move on to Samantha. "Girls, it's your turn." Alex said. Both girls held the tube of gel and squeezed until the thick liquid landed on the belly. "Okay little ladies, listen and watch." Alex placed the wand on Samantha's tummy.
The sound of double heartbeats filled the room and the girls gasped at the sound and what they saw on the screen.
"These two babies are doing extremely well. Their hearts are super strong. These two are sleeping and it looks like this one hasn't learned about the thumb sucking thing yet. Here are the feet, fingers, nose and eyes."
"Tio Alex, we want to talk to our babies." The younger girls asked.
"Go ahead."
"Hi little babies. I'm your other big sister Emma Belle, I'm not as big as Julie, but I'm the next biggest one. I can't wait to meet you and bring you home." The baby's fingers began to move.
"It's my turn, now." Anna Grace said as she practically put her mouth on Samantha's tummy. "Hi babies, I'm the little big sister my name is Anna Grace. Em, and I have a mother in heaven, but we all have the same mommy and daddy. I wish you could talk to me." She said staring at their hands and feet moving on the screen. "Look, Mama, they're dancing."
"I see that sweetheart. They love you as much as you love them."
"Mama, are you crying sad or happy tears?" Emma Belle held my hand.
"Oh sweetie, these are definitely happy tears, I promise."
I looked at Carlos staring at the screen and his eyes showed the emotion that he had been hiding for so long. I swear I saw a few tears. "Honey, are you okay?" I asked as I slowly put my arm around his waist. I waited for him to gather his composure, knowing he'd be embarrassed.
"Yeah, I'm just overwhelmed seeing all of this. I mean I've seen video's but never imagined seeing my own babies." He said wrapping me in his arms and pulling me into him. He kissed the top of my head.
"Carlos, I am amazed at all this, too. I never imagined I'd be watching our own strong and healthy babies moving their little feet and fingers."
"Well family, do you have any questions?" Mari asked.
"We don't Tia." The girls replied.
"I think your video and the ultrasound explained it all." Carlos answered.
"Well, the babies are in excellent health and growing very well. I'll send Harry the ultrasound photos so he can prepare for the reveal party." Mari explained. "Girls, is everything ready for the party this weekend?"
"Yes Tia Mari. Mr. Harry will take care of the cake but we're super ready." Emma Belle replied.
"Steph, I'll have Jennifer add the next appointment on the calendar." Mari added.
"Girls, how about we go out to dinner?" Carlos asked.
"Yay, we'd love it." Our girls replied in unison.
We said goodbye to everyone and headed back to the car. "Ladies, our destination is Archangel for an amazing dinner." Carlos announced as he started the car.
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Happy New Year
A/N As always, the obvious characters belong to JE, I get to borrow them. All additional characters, story-line, and mistakes are all mine.
Thank you to my awesome Threat team, Cindy and Ruth, thanks for being a part of the team. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
I took creative liberty with the movements of the babies at hearing the voices of the Manoso girls. I don't know if in real life siblings get this involved in their mom's pregnancy but in my world they do. The name of the taffy apple shop is an actual sore in IL I just took the liberty to move it New Jersey. :-)
I hope you all celebrated your holidays with loved ones and made many memories.
Thank you all for your patience, understanding and kind words while I struggled with my writer's block and other stuff. I so appreciate you all.
The Manoso family will be back.