CHAPTER 28

If there are any inaccuracies, I apologize. I am guessing at some things, as I don't remember all the intricacies of pregnancy, like what week heartbeats are usually first heard or how long women usually can carry triplets for.

As he sat in his favorite recliner, staring out the window, watching the leaves fall sporadically from the trees, Seeley contemplated the impact triplets would have on him, the family.

Like she could read his mind, Tempe leaned over behind him and whispered, "We'll be fine, Seeley, all of us."

He knew she was right but at that particular moment, he was terrified and excited at the same time.

"We have a lot of things to think about and do," he said. "Like where the babies are going to sleep, oh my god, and we will need a bigger vehicle, all those car seats. Are you going to go back to work, who will take care of the babies and Parker; Parker, we have to tell Parker. Tempe I'm freaking out here. Hey speaking of freaking out, why were you so clam when Dr. Brown showed me the ultra sound. You knew didn't you?"

"I had an ultra sound three days ago while you were out of town. He heard more than one heartbeat during my check up, so he scheduled an ultra sound. I told Dr. Brown that you were away on business and that could he schedule another ultra sound so he could show you, our babies."

"So you had three days to take this all in?"

"I'm still taking it in. There isn't anything we can't face and handle together," she said as she moved in front of him and motioned for him to stand. "Let's go to bed and we can talk more in the morning."

"Good idea," I will lock the doors and be up in a minute.

Mental note: Call Rosa tomorrow

"So how are things going with you and Walter?" Seeley inquired as he and Rosa sat on the deck drinking ice tea.

"Good. We are going to Greece next month for three weeks."

"I'm glad things are going well for you Rosa."

"So how is married life treating you?"

"Great. Couldn't be happier," Seeley replied as wandered towards the swing set in the corner of the yard. I will have to add two more swings

"Ok, Seeley you didn't ask me over hear to talk about Walter, what is it." Seeley could always count on Rosa getting to the point when needed.

"Tempe is pregnant with …." He still had trouble saying it, as though every time he said it, they, the babies were real. Of course, they are real, they are babies

"Seeley, what is Tempe pregnant with?"

He could hear the attempt at humor in her voice, like there was only one thing she could be pregnant with. Well in her case, three things.

"Triplets," that was still all he could manage to say when uttering the word.

"WOW! Triplets, that is a lot of babies,"

Seeley chuckled, "Yes it is."

"When is she due?"

"February 2nd, but the doctor thinks it will be more like New Years, but it could be as early as mid December."

"Yes it is very rare that triplets are ever in gestation for nine months," Rosa replied having known three families with triplets.

"I need advice Rosa, I am not sure what to do. Tempe will take a year off when the babies are born but she will need help. I can some time off but it won't be enough. Can you help us?" His voice was desperate and unsure of how he and Temperance would parent four young under the age of six.

"I will certainly help. I am assuming you want me continue caring for Parker after school when he is with you?"

Seeley nodded and sense he wasn't going to like what she had to say next.

"I can help for the first year but you will need to find someone else when Tempe goes back to work. Fifteen years ago, I would have been up for the challenge but not now. I can definitely help you find someone and help ensure they are, qualified enough to care for your children."

Seeley understood where she was coming from and respected her enough to know she would always tell him the truth, even if he didn't like it.

"I have to go, I have an appointment. You will be fine Seeley. You and Tempe won't be alone in this." Rosa tried to ease his apprehension and thought she did a pretty good job of it.

January 5th, 2009

"Tomorrow is the day Temperance," Dr Brown stated as he made some notes in his file. I will schedule the c-section for you at 8:00am. You have done incredibly well going this long."

"Thanks Doc, but that is so easy for you to say as you are not the one carry three babies inside of you."

He reached over, grabbed her hand and helped her up and as he did so, there was a knock on the door.

"Sweetie, you done?" Angela asked as she peeked in.

"All done, I am having the babies tomorrow," Tempe answered still feeling in shock that tomorrow he life in an instant would consist of three babies.

"I just talked to Booth and he is on his way back from Virginia." Angela smiled at her best friend seeing her obvious awkwardness in walking. This is the easy part, Tempe," and ducked just incase Tempe could still swing her arm back around her.

"Very funny, Ange. Very funny.

Tempe and Seeley woke at 6am and headed for the hospital with several emotions running around in their heads. They had three new car seats in the back of their new mini van, just waiting for their occupants. It would be a week or so before they came home but they wanted to make sure they were all ready for them.

As Tempe lay on the table waiting for the epidural to take effect, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Seeley was seated at the side of her head holding her hand, waiting for Dr. Brown to finish scrubbing in.

"I'm scared. This whole thing is scary," Tempe blurted out as the doctor made his way in the room.

"Hey Temperance, how you doing?"

"Pretty good doc, considering I am half frozen and have three babies in me."

He just laughed as he pricked her stomach, "Feel that?"

"No."

He did it a few a more times and each response was the same so he started to make an incision.