Learning to Live Again

Chapter 27-5 years later

Their lives were crazy, and they wouldn't have it any other way. Most people would have stopped having kids after having triplets, but not Mike and Libby. Two years after having the triplets, they had twin boys, Matthew and Noah. And then came Hope, their last. Mike had to build on more bedrooms for their growing family, and Libby was glad she had retired.

Hannah was in her second year of college, studying to be a social worker. She had made the choice to drive back and forth and worked a part time job at a local restaurant. She loved being at home.

Bobby was doing extremely well. He had blossomed since Libby started home-schooling. Mike helped with math, science and geography. He fit perfectly into their family and loved being a big brother more than anything.

The triplets were into everything. At five, Libby was beginning to start teaching them. Hadleigh and Bayleigh loved school time, but Thomas only wanted to hang out with his dad, who was always busy with Matthew, Noah and Hope while Libby was teaching.

When Mike had built more rooms on, Libby and Hannah had convinced him to add one, and they regularly took in foster kids. It was only one at a time, but they enjoyed it. Libby and Hannah were particularly passionate about foster care, and Mike gave into anything that his wife and oldest daughter asked of him.

Joey had been reelected and he and Tamara were doing well. So well, that they had also had a baby boy the year before. They regularly had Mike and Libby watch their three kids so they could take time to themselves, but they also returned the favor so that Mike and Libby could have time out of the house. They were actually going to watch them while Mike and Libby went out of town for a weekend to celebrate their fifth anniversary.

Mike had planned the whole thing. From what Libby knew, it was dinner, a hotel with room service, a play Saturday night, and they would be home late Sunday afternoon. They rarely took nights away from their big family, but it was needed. Hannah arrived home from school, followed by Joey, Tamara and their three kids. Mike and Libby kissed their kids goodbye and started the drive to the hotel.

"I sure hope the kids behave themselves. Thomas chased the girls around with a frog in his hand this morning while you were packing." Libby remarked.

"Was that before or after he was chest deep in the mud?" Mike asked.

"Before. Thank God for the garden hose." Libby answered.

"I think my next project is going to be an outdoor shower area, with Thomas in mind. It would keep the kids from tracking in grass after they've been in the pool." Mike said.

"You and your projects." Libby teased.

"As long as I don't have to add anymore rooms on, we'll be fine." Mike commented. He complained about the construction projects, but he loved his large family.

"Nope, I am surgically sure of that. Course, we could always adopt again." Libby pointed out, and Mike gave her a look.

"I would be okay with adopting, if the kid was a perfect fit for us. Doing the short-term fostering doesn't allow for that." Mike said.

"So, you're okay with us doing long-term?" Libby begged. It wasn't an argument because she and Mike never argued, but it was something they had disagreed about. Mike was still scared of getting attached. Kate's and Lucas' deaths had impacted him deeply.

"In the right circumstance, maybe." Mike said. Libby reached over and patted his leg.

"You're the best. The kids and I love you." Libby responded.

"I love you guys too." Mike said.

"So, what plans do you have for this weekend? I really hope its not to be on the go the whole time." Libby asked.

"Other than dinner tonight, and the play and dinner tomorrow, nothing else is planned." Mike answered.

"Perfect." Libby said.

"You didn't want anything else?" Mike said.

"No. I want to relax." Libby told him.

"Good, although I'm not sure how much relaxing we'll do." Mike teased.

"And that is your ulterior motive?" Libby asked, not at all annoyed.

"Yes, and it was your motive too." Mike retorted.

"Guilty." Libby said. She and Mike teased each other constantly, loved passionately, and communicated well. Considering how their marriage started, it was a miracle.