Bob had no idea why Louise was so upset when she got home from school. She had seemingly made peace with the babies or at least she was complaining about it less. Teddy had begun the process of converting Tina's room into two rooms. They had lugged the bookshelves upstairs the previous day. That had been a challenge. Today Teddy would be installing a wall desk on Tina's side and tomorrow Nat would be delivering a storage bed that had belonged to Peggy's daughter.
"Tina?" Bob whispered as his eldest daughter worked the grill.
"What is it dad?" Tina asked.
"Did something happen at school today?" Bob questioned.
"What do you mean?" Tina asked.
"It's just Louise seemed really upset when you guys got home. Did something happen?" Bob asked.
"Not that I know of." Tina lied.
"Look I have to run out to Pop-Pop's place real quick. I was just going to go alone but I think I am going to bring Louise with me. Maybe then I can get a feel of what's going on." Bob explained.
Louise gazed glumly out the car window. Normally she loved getting out of work. Especially if it was just her, and she really loved seeing Pop-Pop. He was always good for money or gifts, but today she wished that her dad had picked Tina or Gene. She knew this was a trap. She knew he was going to try to squeeze the truth out of her and she knew she was going to get her heart broken. That STEM camp actually sounded really fun. She'd always been interested in science, but Wagstaff science sucked. It was all outdated textbooks, and half the lab equipment was broken. They didn't even let you do the cool stuff until sixth grade. This camp was completely different. It was the real deal, and this year was featuring Marine Biology. A field she actually was interested in professionally. If running the restaurant didn't pan out. She would give anything to be able go and if it had been any other year. She knew her parents would have found a way for her to attend, but with the babies coming. They didn't have money for extras. Besides Tina was already going to some fancy horse camp to make up for her horrible experience last year and Gene was going to wizard camp. Tina's camp had been planned for months and Alex's parents were paying for Gene's camp. Louise doubted anybody would pay for her camp and she wasn't outright bullied by the counselor at camp.
"Is something bothering you, Louise?" Bob asked about halfway through the drive.
"Why are we going to Pop-Pop's?" Louise asked skirting the subject.
"He needs help moving a chest freezer." Bob replied.
"And you picked me to go? That's dumb." Louise scoffed.
"Pete is actually going to help me move it. I just thought maybe if we were alone you could open up to me." Bob explained.
"Open up about what? Everything is fine?" Louise lied.
"Louise, you have been acting strange ever since you got home. If this is about the babies or about having to share a room with Tina. You can talk to me." Bob replied.
"It's fine!" Louise snapped.
"Look I am an only child and Gayle is only eighteen months younger than your mom. You kids were all so close in age. This is uncharted territory for all of us. It's OK if you are jealous, sad, or mad. We will get through this, but you have to collaborate with us." Bob explained.
"Look I'm not happy about the babies but what can I do? I don't want to share a room with Tina but at least Teddy helped with that. Now can we please just drop it?" Louise demanded.
"Yeah, but if you ever need to talk. I am here." Bob offered.
Much to his chagrin Bob was never able to coax the truth out of Louise. She instead chose to close herself off but occasionally when she thought she was alone. She would mutter something about missing the opportunity of a lifetime. Because her parents were irresponsible and got pregnant again at seventy billion years old. Finally, Bob gave up and decided to just let Louise be angry. He had other things on his mind. Linda had some big tests coming up and Tina would soon be graduating from Wagstaff.
Tina woke the morning of her middle school graduation with a strange feeling in her stomach. Part of her was really excited and eager for the high school experience, but part of her was scared to death. She wouldn't have Gene or Louise to hang out with anymore and what if the kids from other schools were mean?
Tammy was having a big graduation party at her house, but of course Tina was not invited. Strangely enough it did not sting the way it used to when she was excluded from activities. Besides Susmita had invited her over for a sleepover. Just the two of them. Well Henry would be there for a little while. They were going to go bowling but the sleepover was just for the girls. Tina's relative calm was soon erased by the sound of Louise slamming her door. She wished that Louise would just tell their parents about the camp. She understood where Louise was coming from, but surely Bob and Linda would be so proud one of their children had an academic achievement. That they would find a way to cover the bill.
Linda woke with similar feelings the day of her eldest's middle school graduation. She knew it was just a middle school graduation. It wasn't a big deal, and she would still have Tina for at least another four years but the idea of her baby graduating. Of her growing up was a hard pill for her to swallow. Speaking of babies. She had her NIPT test for the twins the following day. She was being very closely monitored and so far, everything was OK, but the fear remained, and her having her first major test of the pregnancy only made things worse.
Graduation was immediately after school. With a practice run occurring during last period. Tina shifted nervously in her seat between Chesterfield Barbash and Ophelia Blumberg. Parents had begun to arrive. She spotted her family in the bleachers. Louise looked sad and annoyed about being forced to wear a fancy dress. Bob wore another suit borrowed from Mort. This one wasn't as nice as the previous one had been but was nice enough. Linda wore a different dress that covered her stomach. Tina had a vague memory of her wearing the same dress when she was expecting Louise. Gene wore a suit borrowed from Alex for the occasion. She noticed her parents were crying. Everybody's parents were crying. Well, most everybody. Jimmy Pesto was yelling into his phone. Tina didn't know the context, but he was cussing and calling somebody a moron. Tammy's parents were nowhere to be seen. She looked back at Tammy who sat a couple of rows behind her. She noticed how the blonde girl was frantically scanning the crowd. A sorrowful look crossed her face, and she ran off for the bathroom. Jocelyn stood and followed after her.
Graduation went well. Tina did stumble a little going up on stage, but nobody seemed to notice. Afterwords she joined her family in the cafeteria for a small reception. Tina enjoyed the focus being on her for a change. She tended to get lost in the shuffle due to Gene and Louise's antics. She didn't mind much, but still found days like this to be nice.
"My baby! I can't believe my baby has graduated! This is such a major milestone! Oh, what are you going to do with the rest of your life?!" Linda cried pulling her into a tight hug.
"Easy Lin, she's just graduating middle school." Bob replied wiping away a tear.
"I guess just get through high school." Tina sighed she knew she had an entire summer, but the idea of high school was still so scary to her.
"Hey Louise! I am really looking forward to getting to hang out with you at camp in a few weeks!" Susmita greeted.
"Camp? What camp?" Bob asked.
"You didn't tell them?" Susmita hissed.
"No! I didn't! Because I knew I wasn't going to get to go! And I wanted to save them the satisfaction of telling me as much!" Louise snapped before running off.
"I'll go after her." Tina whispered.
"Tina this is your party." Bob reminded.
"It's just a silly little reception and besides Louise needs me." Tina replied in reality this party was way too loud and she was eager for an excuse to step out.
"Yeah, I'll go too." Gene added feeling the same way as Tina.
"OK" Bob replied.
"So, what is this camp? I am hearing about and why would Louise think we wouldn't let her go?" Bob asked Susmita.
"Oh, it's a special STEMM camp. Anyone can take the test and apply but they only take two kids from each grade from each school. This year the focus is on Marine Biology. Which isn't really my cup of tea, but it will still look good on a college resume." Susmita explained.
"Hang on are you telling me that Louise was accepted into a program that only takes two kids from each class? I mean I knew she had a knack for science, but this is beyond anything I imagined. Why on Earth would she think we wouldn't encourage her?" Bob questioned.
"I don't know" Susmita replied.
Louise locked herself in one of the bathroom stalls. She had sworn her siblings and Rudy to secrecy. She hadn't even thought about Susmita or anybody else outing her like that. Maybe outing wasn't the best word, but the point remained. Why did Susmita think it was OK to just tell her parents like that? OK she probably didn't know they didn't know but hadn't she ever heard of subtly?
"Louise!" Tina called.
"You really need to talk to your friends about keeping secrets!" Louise snapped.
"I'm sorry Louise I didn't think to tell Susmita you weren't going." Tina apologized.
"Why not?" Louise demanded.
"Mostly because I figured you would come around." Tina admitted.
"Well, I didn't and now I am going to have to hear mom and dad tell me they can't afford to send me to camp! Which adds insult to injury! Because you and Gene get to go to camp, and the babies are going to get everything else!" Louise cried.
"Look maybe you are right, and mom and dad can't afford to send you to the fancy STEMM camp but there are a lot of cool science camps around. I am sure they can find something in our price range." Tina offered.
"Yeah, but nothing like this. This is the best Marine Biology camp out there." Louise sniffed.
"You really are interested in Marine Biology? Aren't you?" Tina observed.
"Yeah, and I don't know maybe it is something I would be open to doing with my life. If dad doesn't give me the restaurant." Louise admitted.
"If it means that much to you. Maybe I can see about canceling my camp. So, mom and dad can send you to your camp?" Tina offered.
"Why would you do that? You have loved horses forever?" Louise questioned.
"You have loved the ocean forever." Tina added recalling the way Louise's eyes would light up when their parents would take them to the aquarium.
"Mom and dad would never approve of that. You are the oldest, the golden child. Gene is mom's special little guy, and the babies are going to be new babies. Mom and dad don't need me anymore." Louise sniffed.
"Why on Earth would you think that?" Tina asked.
"Because it's true. I mean what do I bring to the table? Besides being naughty?" Louise asked.
"Louise" Tina whispered shocked by just how much her sister's confidence had been shaken.
"Well yes you could stand to behave a little better. Especially with the babies coming but rest assured. You are special and you are loved." Tina assured.
"Am I a horrible person for wishing that the babies weren't coming. I don't want them to die or anything. I just wish they had never happened." Louise asked.
"No in fact I never told anybody this, but I actually felt the same way when you were born." Tina explained.
"You did? But you love being a big sister." Louise remarked.
"I do now, and I always loved Gene but then when we found out you were a girl. This kid in my class told me that mom and dad would love me less because the baby was another girl." Tina explained.
"And you believed them?" Louise teased.
"I was four and you are feeling the same way at nine." Tina reminded.
"Fine… fine but what changed your mind?" Louise asked.
"Mom and dad noticed I was upset and asked me about it. I told them what that kid said, and they told me that they were just being mean or maybe even they just didn't have nice parents. Because their love for me was only growing. Because now they got to see me teach my baby sister everything I know, and now I get to do that with you." Tina explained.
"But what if I am a bad big sister?" Louise asked.
"You won't be." Tina assured.
"How do you know?" Louise asked.
"Because I am going to teach you everything I know." Tina promised.
Tina ended up telling Bob everything that Louise had told her. His heart hurt knowing that Louise was willing to pass on such a great opportunity. Two hundred dollars for five days was very expensive. Especially since it didn't even include meals and there were extra fees, but he knew it would be good for Louise. He had a little money saved up to take Linda on a special vacation before the babies were born. It was just going to be a weekend, renting out one of Mr. Fishodor's properties, but he knew what he had to do.
"I have a solution for our Louise problem." Bob announced as he climbed into bed that night.
"What is it?" Linda asked.
"I had been putting some money aside for a few months now. So, we could rent out one of Mr. Fishodor's beach houses. It was supposed to be for a week but when we found out you were pregnant. I decided it was going to be a baby moon and it would only be for a weekend. I just wanted us to have something special. Especially after we found out about the babies. I have about a hundred and fifty saved. If it's OK with you. I would like to use the money to send Louise to her camp. The deadline is tomorrow but Teddy said I could borrow the other fifty." Bob explained.
"Bobby, which is the only thing I want." Linda assured.
The next morning Bob and Linda were up bright and early for Linda's NIPT. Linda had purposefully scheduled a morning appointment. Partially so the older kids could sleep in on their first day of summer break but mainly just to have it over with. It was going to be about two weeks before the results came in and she was going to be nervous until then but at least the test would be over.
"Everything is going to be fine." Bob assured.
"I don't know I just have a feeling that something isn't right. Maybe the baby isn't dying or anything, but I just know something is going to be wrong with one of the babies." Linda explained.
"Just know that I will be by your side no matter what." Bob assured.
The test itself went OK. Linda assumed she would be consumed by worry during the entire waiting period, and while yes there were times the fear crept up in her mind. She was so focused on helping Bobby run the restaurant and spending time with her older kids. Especially Tina and Gene who would be gone for two weeks very soon. She ended up not having much time to worry. The test results came on a day in early June. Hotter than usual for that time of year but still not as bad as it was down in Florida. Bob was cooking a burger for Mort, while Linda waited at the counter. Tina was off with Susmita, and Gene and Louise were passing the time by pretending to work. Linda's phone buzzed. It was her doctor.
"Hello?" Linda greeted.
"Mrs. Belcher, I have the results of you NIPT testing, and I would like you to come in right away." Dr. Tobin replied.
"Oh My God!" Linda cried.
"I am sorry I didn't mean to upset you. It's nothing too serious I just happen to have an opening in about thirty minutes and would like to go over the results with you." Dr. Tobin replied.
Linda quickly relayed the news to Bob. Who served Mort his burger to go before closing up. Despite Louise's protests. They decided it would be best just to bring the kids with them. Linda texted Tina from the car to let her know what was going on. They arrived at Dr. Tobin's office in record time and Linda hastily signed in. They were called back almost immediately. Linda's body shook as she climbed up on the exam table. The nurse came in and checked Linda over and Dr. Tobin followed soon after.
"What's going on with my babies?" Linda demanded.
"Baby B is just fine, but Baby A is showing markers for Down Syndrome. Now we can do additional genetic testing. The two we do are Chorionic villus sampling where we take a sample of the placenta to analyze fetal chromosomes and amniocentesis where we take a sample of the amniotic fluid. Now both of these tests have risks. Which while they are low a lot of parents still choose to wait until birth. To have genetic testing done." Dr. Tobin explained.
"If it is down syndrome will the baby be, OK?" Linda asked.
"People with down syndrome are at risk for more health complications than those of us who do not have it but the life expectancy and quality of life for individuals with the condition has drastically improved in recent years." Dr. Tobin assured.
"I want the tests. I know it's risky and I am going to love my baby no matter what, but I need to know." Linda insisted.
Louise felt the world give out under her feet. She didn't know anything about down syndrome, but it sounded scary, and she did know sometimes babies died from it. She had said she did not want the babies to happen. Had she caused this?