Maryanne was taken into surgery and the babies were taken to be examined. Richard stayed with his daughters just as his wife would want him.

"Dr. Thorpe," a nurse walked in, "your wife is out of surgery. She did very well. I can take you and the babies to the room we set up for her in the maternity ward. They're replenishing her blood and when they finish then she will be moved to that room."

Maryanne woke up and saw her loving husband by her side.

"What happened?"

"You hemorrhaged, but you're gonna be alright."

"I'm sorry I scared you."

"Don't be," Richard said, "I honestly never thought I could love you more, but you proved me wrong. I am so proud of you."

"Well, I'm proud of you for helping me deliver the babies."

"Honey, I was basically the catcher waiting with my mitt. What I did was nothing compared to what you did."

"I know, but I was trying to be nice." Both Thorpes laughed, "where are our babies?"

"Right here in their bassinettes."

"Will you help me hold them?"

"Of course I will. We have to name them." Richard took their youngest and placed her in his wife's arms. "This is our surprise baby who was hiding behind her sisters."

"How about we name her Milagra Marie Thorpe?"

"That's beautiful," Richard said.

"We'll call her Mila."

Richard took the baby before filling out her birth certificate. He handed Maryanne their eldest daughter. "I was thinking we could name her Eileen Maryanne Thorpe and call her Eily (Eye-lee)," Richard said.

"I love that."

Richard placed Eily in her bassinette and filled out her birth certificate. Then he handed their middle daughter to Maryanne. "Now, we just need a name for this beauty."

"How did we make three beautiful babies?"

"Maryanne, don't be modest. It's not your best look."

Maryanne laughed, "well, what about Emma Sherill? Spelled S-h-e-r-i-l-l."

"I think that's perfect."

Everyone waited until Maryanne went home so that she could rest. While they all really wanted and needed to see her, they didn't want to exhaust or overwhelm her. Her body had been through more than it bargained for. While the babies were two weeks early, they were in excellent health. Maryanne stayed for four days and by the time she was discharged, the babies were too. Richard took two of the babies in and sat their car seats in the living room. Then he went back for the third baby and his wife. He wrapped an arm gently around his wife while he helped her into the house. Once she was seated, her family hugged her and cried. There was a point when they thought they would never see her again. Marie was especially affected. Everyone took turns holding the babies. Robert and Amy had four months until their little one arrived and couldn't wait. Maryanne didn't really hold her daughters except to nurse, but because there were so many people taking turns holding them, no one noticed. They had no idea what life in the Thorpe house would be like over the next four months.