I'm so sorry that it's taking me so long to update but we've moved and I didn't have internet access and we've had to do some remodeling to the house we own. We moved to the country in Alabama. Thank you for hanging in there.
Chapter 58
With tears in her eyes she looks into his eyes and says, I'll forgive you this time but there better not be a next time. She lays her head on his chest and let's the fear go as she cries. Oh Sweetheart I truly didn't mean to hurt you or scare you like this. But to my defense I didn't know about you and snakes. Should I know of any other fears you have for future references? She sniffles and says, spiders. William speaks up and says, all bugs, son as he laughs. Grace touches Jack's arm and says, well done son, well done! She gives him a smile as he smiles back.
A few minutes later as they were walking along the sidewalk Jarrick spots a huge animal in the water below. He screams, look as he points! William got to the wall first. He leans over and says, that's a hippopotamus! Jarrick says, wow look at the size of it! Then all of a sudden a baby hippo pops it's head up out of the water. William, Beth, and Jack got the children out of their stroller so they could see. They didn't really react to it but were just happy to be out of the stroller!
Everyone held the children while Grace pushed the stroller. As they walked,Jarrick was admiring all the animals. They walked up to the petting zoo. They sat down on some hay with the children. The baby animals came up to them and started nibbling their hands. The children all said, no, no, no as they giggled. One of the employees came over and gave them each a handful of food. Jarrick held out his hand with food. As the baby goat was nibbling he giggles and says, that tickles! The other 3 started giggling just because their older brother was. Jack asked Beckie if she wanted to try. He held her hand as he turned it over. He lowered it so the baby lamb could eat. She started to pull it back but her daddy held it still. She shakes her head no but didn't move. All of a sudden the lamb gently nibbled the food from her little hand. She started giggling but held real still. He whispers in her ear, good girl Princess! The lamb finished but stood there waiting to see if she was going to give him anymore. Beckie reaches back for more. He poured more into her hand but this time she opened her hand all by herself. Started giggling again! Daniel and Charlie wanted some to so William put some in his little hand. He went to give the rabbit some but pulls back. William says, it's ok. You can do it!Daniel reaches his hand back and let the bunny nibble. He giggles! Beth hands Charlie a little handful of food. She had watched her brother and sister. She started giggling as soon as she held out her hand before the baby lamb started nibbling. Everyone was laughing at the sight before them. All 4 children were having the time of their lives!
They spent the whole day walking around enjoying watching all 4 children having the time of their lives! They were at the giraffe exhibit. One of the baby giraffes stuck his head through the fence and started nibbling at Jarrick's hair . He pulls his head back and says, hey! You can't eat my hair! They all start giggling and laughing so hard! William walked up to the baby giraffe, patted her neck. She pulled her head back through the fence and started running and kicking up in the air playing. Daniel started clapping his hands in pure joy!
Beckie laid her head on her daddy's shoulder. He whispers, are you getting tired Princess? She shook her head no but it wasn't long and she was out. Beth speaks up and says, I wish she had waited and had something to eat before she went to sleep. Jack agrees and says, she didn't have her breathing treatment either. Grace says, why don't we go get something to eat and maybe she'll wake up long enough to eat and have her treatment. They all agreed and walk to the little restaurant.
In the restaurant the waiter brought over 3 high chairs. William put Daniel in his and Beth put Charlie in hers. Beckie hadn't woke up as of yet. They all took their seat at the big round table. Jack sat and shifted her to the other shoulder. She never roused. Grace got up and pushed the stroller over to the wall next to him. She laid Beckie's stroller seat back. Jack gently laid her down. She never moved. He got her breathing treatment out and placed it on her little face. He put his foot on the front wheel to protect her. When it was done he took it off, placed it back in its bag and back in the diaper bag.
They all ordered and Beth orders Beckie something as well. They sat around the table enjoying their meal and conversation. All of a sudden Beckie started screaming. They all jumped. Jack quickly stood to get her out of the stroller. He wrapped his arms around her to quiet her. He whispers, sh now. It's ok Princess. Daddy's got you. After a few more sh's she quit crying. She buries her face in his neck with he arm around his neck holding on so tight that her fingernails were digging in to his skin. He holds her even tighter and excuses himself from the table. He walks outside with her. Beth excuses herself as well. She follows him outside. He bounces her gently as he walks around. Beth gently places her hand on his arm to stop him. He turns around to her. She reaches out for her. He tries to hand her to her mother but with no prevail. Beckie wasn't letting go. Beth rubs her back gently and says, baby girl, it's mama. Can you come to mama? Beckie is sniffling but looks up at her with a very wet face. Beth put her hands out to her. After a short time she reached for her. Beth wrapped both arms around her and held her tight while bouncing her gently. Can you tell mama what scared you? Beckie just shook her head and hugged her mama tighter. Jack rubbed her back with small circles to console her. They both assured her that everything was alright.
A few minutes later everyone came out of the restaurant after William paid the check. Grace pushed Daniel and Charlie in the stroller. Jarrick came up to his dad and asks, is Beckie going to be alright? Yeah, she must have had a nightmare or something. Beth held on to her as they continued their walk. Jack walked with his arm around her waist. They were concerned about her. She had never had a nightmare before. He watched her as he walked. Eventually Beckie leaned up and was looking around. She seen him. She reached for him and said, dada, me. Jack smiled and took her. Yes Princess dada take you! They laughed as Beth past her to him. After a little while he went to put her back in her seat in the stroller but she screamed and tried to climb his arms. Whoa Princess, it's ok! He stood back up and handed her back to her mother. He took Daniel out and handed him to William. He took Charlie out and handed her to Grace. He pushed the cover back, took her little blanket out and shook it. A little dead spider fell out of it. He picked up the spider with a paper towel. He shoved it into his top pocket on his shirt. He looks at Beth and says, I'm going to find out what kind this is but first let's see if she has a bite mark on her. They found a bench, sat down and took her leggings off and checked her out. There was nothing. She pulled her shirt off and checked her. There was nothing they could find but something had happened and they needed to get to the bottom of it. As they walk to the front of the zoo they found some employees. Jack walks up to them and asks, can either of you tell me what kind of spider this is? I found it in my daughters stroller. She screamed and I took her out but now she won't go back in it. We've checked her but found no spider bites. Jacque took it and said, I don't know but I know who does. Follow me. They all followed him to a building on the side. Jacque says, stay here. I'll be right back. He leaves them standing outside while he went through the double door. An older man came out with the napkin in his hand. He says, what you found was just a common garden spider. It is harmless. The little one is fine. They very rarely bite and if they do it is harmless. She will be fine. Jack shakes his hand and thanks him for his time. Everyone makes a sigh of relief.
They continue their stroll through the zoo. There is so many different animal exhibits and habitats to see. Jack carries Beckie for quite a very long time. He doesn't mind knowing he can protect her and to make her feel safe. They stop and rest on a bench. Beckie wiggles wanting down. He stands her on the ground. She walks around and goes to the stroller but stops. She turns back and says, Nana...wabbit pease. Grace got up and hands it to her. She bent down and hugged her and says, did you all hear that! She called me Nana! Graced kissed the top of her head. A tear fell from her eyes. Beckie was the first to call her Nana! Grace says, so many firsts for you little one. Nana loves you so very much! Beckie took the rabbit and said, up Nana, up! Grace gladly picked her up and gently squeezed a hug.
Grace takes a seat next to her husband. William puts his arm around her shoulder. He kisses her temple and says, this little one has come a long way this summer hasn't she! Grace holds her on her lap and leans her head on his shoulder and replies, yes she has! I truly was beginning to think she wasn't going to catch up with the other little ones. I know, I was thinking the same thing! We are so blessed Darling! Yes we are!
Beth and Jack was watching another first for Beckie unfold before their eyes. She wrapped her arm through his and says, she has come so far. Sweetheart the doctor told us this was going to happen but it was on her time! I know but I was truly worried about her. I know I was to!
Jarrick was walking around by them looking at the 4 different exhibits. He was so amazed at how they got all these animals in here. He was so excited to be here! He ran back to his dad and says, hey dad! What Bud? Have you ever seen so many animals in one place? No Bud this is my first time to! How do they get all of them in here? Bud you might ask Grandpa! Jarrick went up to him and asks, Grandpa do you know how they get all the animals in here? Well son how about we all go to the theater and watch the video on it? Jarrick jumps up and down and says, really? We can see how they do it for real? Yes we can, William replies! They all stand and follow Jarrick and William. They all enter the theater and take their seat. The lights go off and the video starts.
After the video was over, William looks at Jarrick and asks, well what do you think about that? Jarrick replies, I can't believe how they get them all in here! They come by plane and ships from different countries. Then a big truck pick them up and bring them here. Then some times they come from different zoos all across the states! That's amazing! Hey dad, now we both know how it's done! Yes Bud I reckon we do!
Jack speaks up and says, I think it's about time we start heading back. By the time we get back it will be dinner time. William agreed and took out his phone to call his driver. They make their way to the front of the zoo to meet the limousine. On the way back to the Thatcher's the triplets fall asleep. Beth puts her head on Jack's shoulder and closed her eyes just to rest for a few minutes. Jarrick is talking a mile a minute. He's so excited about everything he saw and learned today. William asked, Jarrick I take it you had a good time today? Yes sir, I really did! Thank for bringing us! I can't wait to tell my friends when we get back home! Hey dad, do you think Grammy and Pops have been to the zoo? You know bud I really don't know. You have to be sure and ask them when we get back home.
By the time they pulled in the driveway and up to the front porch everyone was stretching. Everyone was glad to be home. When they walked through the front door the maid met them and said, dinner is served in the dining room ma'am. Grace says, thank you. We won't be long. Jack tells Jarrick to go wash up and meet us back right here. Jarrick runs off and does as he was told while Jack and Beth take the little ones up to their room to get them changed and cleaned up. They meet Jarrick back downstairs and wait for Grace and William. William comes down and says, go on in. I'll wait for Grace. Then we'll be right there. Jack and Beth take the children in and get them in their high chairs. Daniel reaches for his sippy cup but can't quite reach it. He says, dink, dink dada! Jack hands him his cup then hands the girls theirs. The drink like haven't had anything to drink all day, he says! Everyone enjoyed their dinner and conversation around the dinner table. Jack says, thank you so much for taking us today. We really had a great time! Grace replies, oh son you don't have to thank us. It was great to be together today. We're really going to miss you all when you have to leave tomorrow. Mother we will see you when you get back from your trip! You are coming to Aspen when you get back, aren't you? Yes Lizzy we are but 3 months is a long time to be away from you all. I'm going to miss you all so much. Oh mother, it will go by fast. Just think of all the catching up we'll have! You can FaceTime us as often as you want to! I know dear but it's not the same. Beth gets up and walks around the table to hug her. They hug and William asks, Gracie dear do you want to postpone our trip? Viola and Julie speaks up and says, father that isn't fair. We've planned this for a long time. William just gives them a stern look. Grace says, I suppose not dear. It would be selfish to take it away from them after they've been looking forward to it. William replies, Gracie dear, I want you to be happy not sad. I won't be dear. I'm just going to miss all my grandchildren that's all. We'll go.
The next morning everyone gets up and has breakfast together before William calls for the limousine to take them to the airport. William says, they should be about finished with our house by the time we get back. So we will see you all in 3 months. Everyone says goodbye. Jack and Beth get the children in their car seats in the limousine and to the airport. William's plane was waiting for them. Everyone gets on the plane and seated. The pilot says, weather is clear all the way.
They pull into their driveway a few minutes after landing. Beth yawns and says, it's so nice to be home again!
