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Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 21
Mel's first ultrasound was inconclusive, they could tell she was pregnant, expecting something, but, try as they might, what she was expecting was still a mystery.
After being reassured, it was possibly more than one, but they were too active for a definite conclusion, Mel resigned herself to wait for the next scan.
Meanwhile she'd taken control of JD Assessors at the end of October, the start of a new financial year, and she realised quite quickly, it was her absolute forte, it was the job she'd been waiting for all her life.
She loved it, identified with it, found dealing with the teams who went out to build clients claims a pleasure.
Wherever time allowed, whether high profile clients or not, she tried to make a point of doing a meet and greet, the teams absolutely loved her for it, clients gushed her praises, her teams thought she walked on water.
Within a month after taking control, she asked someone who had worked with her at her previous job to meet for coffee.
Tame Fijiias had been born and brought up in Fiji, when he achieved his eighteenth birthday he'd headed for America.
Tame meant 'God of The Forrest', in Fijian.
He was twenty seven, a truly beautiful specimen of a man, with honey coloured skin, jet black hair, built like a member of the All Blacks Rugby Squad, muscle on top of muscle, with a ridiculously slim waist, but what drew everyone's attention was the bubble butt, two perfect globes, jutting out so prominently, and he was openly Gay.
He wasn't a banner waving, preacher of the gay movement, he simply didn't tolerate anyone assuming he was straight without correcting their error.
He was acutely aware of the stares whenever he walked down the street, from women and men, his butt truly was an eye grabbingly magnificent work of art.
Mel had found his work ethic to be so similar to her own, he was fun, knowledgeable, with easy people skills, and a sense of fairness, a natural choice for the role she was trying to fill.
They met at a quaint little bistro cafe for coffee.
They'd spent over an hour catching up when Mel asked how he was enjoying his new role.
After Mel had left, he'd been promoted into the role she'd vacated.
"It's okay, but I'm seriously thinking I should be looking around, it's not that I don't enjoy it, I just don't feel appreciated, there are managers who've been there for years, they get preferential treatment, even though their performance figures don't come anywhere close to what the guys in my department are producing, that's not the way to treat staff or managers, but what the heck, I don't suppose there's much available out there".
Mel felt fate was giving her a helping hand.
"Well actually, I have an offer which just might be of interest , would you consider working with me again?".
His face burst into a smile, his reply genuine.
"Like a shot, we get on so well, you understand me, know how I'll approach a subject, and I relax with you, I can be myself".
He already knew about Mel taking on JD Assessors, but he was confused about what role she would have for him, and said so.
"But you're CEO of JD, how would I be working with you, is it a Department role, or a Team Management role?".
Mel smiled back at him.
"Neither, I'm seeing you as my Assistant CEO, but be warned, in about three months you'd be taking over my role until I'm ready to get back in the saddle, at that point I envisage you continuing as CEO, I'll assume an advisory position, so would you be up for it?".
From anyone else he'd have taken time to consider the pros and cons of the offer, but not with Mel, his answer was delivered almost as she stopped speaking.
"You bet, but are you sure you have that much confidence in me, okay I've worked my way up from the ground, I have a fair amount of management experience, but you're talking about taking the express elevator up to a position which is a whole lot higher, the ultimate manager of managers, I'd need you to train me, could you do that in the three months we have?".
She laughed for quite a while, more at his serious expression than anything.
"Sorry, the laughing was only because of your expression, look, be clear on this, being CEO isn't really any different to being a manager of anything else, it's still about raising and maintaining morale, ensuring a feeling of good will goes down through the ranks, making the girl or boy in the post room understand they're as important to the overall performance of the company as the CEO is, you can do that with your eyes closed, rewarding excellence wherever you see it, setting realistic goals, examining less than expected performance with an open mind, finding out why, how, it came about, blame is always an easy option, I know you wouldn't choose that route, you think like me, you have an inbuilt need to understand why something happens, I can promise you I'll have you ready in three months, so, are you still up for it?".
Presenting his notice to leave the very next morning, he was surprised to be asked to leave the offices where he'd worked for several years almost immediately.
He'd been placed on 'Garden Leave', as he was informed, 'your intention is to work for a company who could be helped by knowing our current business, that means you can no longer be allowed access to these offices, our files, our working practices'.
It actually worked in Tame's favour, he couldn't legally be employed by JD until the following month, but he could observe and shadow Mel, learn the ropes.
She'd been right, by the time Tame was free to take up his role with JD, he could all but perform the role without Mel.
Jo and David had met Tame, at Mel's request, on the night Mel had tentatively offered him the position, they were completely bowled over by his personality, but they'd reminded Mel the decision was hers alone, and as David, later in the evening whispered to Jo.
"I'd pay him to just walk around the office, that ass is amazing".
Mel's next ultrasound was scheduled at eighteen weeks, a little short of five months.
By the time it was due both Mel and Jace were tired of saying, 'we don't know', in answer to the inevitable question, 'what are you having', but neither was prepared for the news her gynaecologist delivered on that day.
Mel had already admitted to Jace that approaching five months, she felt heavy and tired, a lot more than she had with Bobby or Dillon.
They'd been on time for the appointment and Jace had watched the screen avidly as the nurse doing the scan explained she was a qualified Sonographer.
All Jace and Mel could see was a complete jumble of shapes, but the nurse seemed to become agitated, excited, excusing herself whilst she went to fetch Mel's doctor.
Mel started to get worried, Jace was doing his best to calm her when the nurse returned with her doctor, he immediately knew what had caused Mel's anxiety and rounded on the nurse.
"Did you explain why you were coming to get me?".
The nurse shook her head, giving him a no.
"And do you see what you've done?, don't ever do that again, explain, reassure, it's stressful enough being pregnant without any extra pressure being added".
The nurse apologised, and the doctor, who'd been running the scanner back and forth over Mel's bump, said.
"There's nothing to worry about, it's just the final count we need to check, I think you were expecting it might be twins, well I can confirm it's not twins, it more like triplets, but there's a dark shadow we can't identify, so I'm going to leave you for about twenty minutes, I think your anxiety has caused the little blighters to move around, I've got arms and legs waving all over the place, try to relax, then we'll go again, it's possible we'll get to see what's in the background".
He left them, taking the nurse with him, and for the next twenty minutes, Jace and Mel, discussed the fact they were possibly having triplets.
To Jace it made sense, he was a triplet, but to Mel it was a shock, only a short time back, she'd been a struggling single mother with one child, now she was going to be a working mother with six children.
When the doctor returned he went through the procedure again, but this time he was muttering and chuckling as he did it.
"Oh you little beauty, so you're number four, oh, well that's a surprise".
He was still studying the screen when he let out a shocked statement.
"Well I'll be darned, so you're the shadow, well hello to you too".
Turning to the scanner he went back and forth over the stored images until he found several he approved of, then he printed them out.
There were five images, he explained them in turn, marking them as one through five.
"This one is from your last scan, you see two very clear babies but there's a lot of shadow, hence why we could definitely say twins but needed a clearer picture".
He stopped to pick up the next image.
"This is the one that got your nurse all exited, not two but three clearly visible babies, and still quite a lot of shadows in the background".
Now he picked up another image.
"This is the image that prompted me to say we'd need to go again after twenty minutes, it still shows the three babies, but look, there at the back, I was sure that looked like an arm or a leg, and it's extra to the other three".
He now picked up another image.
"I thought I was seeing things when I saw this, I wasn't prepared for it, I expected there to be another besides the three, and there was, it clearly shows four, but again, there's another arm reaching up".
He now reached for the last image.
"I was miles off being right, there are actually five, look, let me point out your babies, three boys and two girls, this is amazing, only around fifty sets of quintuplets are born in the USA every year, and we're having one of those sets right here".
In his excitement, he'd failed to notice both Mel and Jace were in shock.
"Oh my god, here's me wittering on excitedly and I never gave a thought to you both being shocked".
When they left the clinic, they were still in shock, Jace suggested a coffee, Mel just nodded, she'd hardly spoken since they'd heard the news, the thoughts hurtling around in her head were crazy, eight children, they'd have eight, how would they cope, what if Jace went off her, found someone else", it was at this point, sitting at a sidewalk cafe, she started to cry.
Jace was deep in thought, he been about to ask her a question, later he wouldn't even be able to remember what he'd been about to ask, as he'd turned to her, he saw immediately, the tears, the pained expression, the complete look of sadness, and he sprang out of his seat, he was next to her in seconds, holding her, wiping away the tears.
"Hey, come on now, you can't have a down moment and not tell me why, this is our life, you have to share, I want to know everything, this is the Jace and Mel show remember, and it doesn't work if you don't share the script, I was going to tell you I've got the names sorted, would you like to hear them?".
He'd succeeded, she smiled and nodded.
"Well I know it's not very original but, I thought it would be easier to tell who was who, the boys could be Quin Boy one, Quin Boy two and Quin Boy three, the girls would be Quin Girl one and Quin Girl two".
She'd just stared, for what seemed like an eternity, and then she started to laugh, and he joined her.
To anyone passing, they must have looked crazy, each time they calmed themselves, they only had to look at each other, and away they went again.
It was late in the afternoon when they arrived home.
Jolly was the first to greet them, she'd been waiting all afternoon for news of how they'd got on with the ultrasound.
Jace told her it went well but they'd been delayed because the doctor couldn't get a clear picture until he'd done a second scan.
By the time Jace had finished speaking to his Momma, they'd been joined in the lounge by his Poppas, his brothers, plus Ary, Bobby and Dillon, who'd arrived back with Shelby.
Jace looked at Mel who nodded, knowing he was asking if he could break the news.
"Guys, we have some news, but it's been a bit of a shock for us, Ary, Bobby, you know we were having a baby, a brother or sister for you".
Ary and Bobby just nodded, sensing there was more to this, both looking clearly worried something was wrong, Jace saw that and quickly reassured them.
"It's okay, nothing's wrong, but how do you feel about having more than one brother or sister?".
Ary answered, with Bobby nodding his agreement.
"That's okay, we can help, and Dillon's walking now, he can help as well, so how many brothers or sisters are we having?".
Jace's reply stunned not only Ary and Bobby, the adults were just staring, open mouthed.
"Five, three brothers and two sisters".
As no one spoke Jace went on.
"Momma, Poppas, we realise it wouldn't be fair to inflict ten of us on you, but if you can put up with us until after the births, we can look for a home of our own".
Jay replied for their parents.
"Well, I'll admit, that was something of a shock, but I'm guessing your Momma is bubbling inside from that news, and to reassure you, we've already discussed this, though we had no idea that you would be having so many babies, your Poppa Billy came up with the idea of replacing the garage block, putting the garage underground, then building a residence on top, your Momma and I agree, if it suited you, we'd rather have you close by, from a logistical point of view it now makes even more sense, we can be on hand to help out, ease the burden a little for you".
Mel didn't give Jace time to answer, she blurted out.
"I can't believe you would do that for us, yes please, being close enough that you have as much influence as possible on their upbringing, it would give our children the best possible chance to grow into being the sort of well mannered, caring individuals you produced".
Jolly smiled lovingly at Mel as Billy spoke.
"I can get Winter Thorn Developments to start right away, the garage block occupies a fairly large footprint, we were thinking we'd build the new residence to mirror the main house, but as a totally separate, self contained wing, and I'm thinking of doing the same thing on the other side, giving us two separate wings, both with garage parking underground, running at ninety degrees to the main house, Jo and David could have the top floor of that wing, Will could have the ground floor, this house will always be the family home, but it's time you all had your own space, your own front door".
Talking to Jo and David later Mel was nervous as she explained.
"I'm sorry about this, Tame will need to take on my role sooner than any of us expected, I'm confident he's ready, but I may have jumped the gun in telling him I won't be returning to the role, when I do return, I've sort of told him it will only be in a supervisory role, he'll still retain the CEO position".
It would normally have been Jo who replied, but in this instance David indicated he wanted to speak, Jo waved him on.
"We gave you the freedom to run the business as you saw fit, I think I speak for both of us when I say, to date you've done a first class job, therefore, however you decide to go forward will be your decision, we appreciated your inviting us to meet Tame, but we didn't need to approve his appointment, nor do we need to approve any future restructuring of management positions or titles, keep us in the loop, but that's all, now, speaking purely as an expectant uncle, ease off immediately, no stress, if you or Tame need one of us to step in for assistance, you only have to ask, but be clear, we will only come in for whatever needs to be done, not as owners, or decision makers".
Mel thanked them for their understanding.
The following day she broke the news to Tame, telling him she would be dropping down to only one, or possibly two days a week straight away, surprising him completely with her decision to bestow the title of CEO on him immediately, as she put it.
"You're ready, you've proven that, if I'm only coming in one day each week, you are effectively the Managing CEO, therefore it makes sense you should have the title, and when I come back, if I come back, I'll assume the title of Executive Chair, meanwhile, I think we should retain the Assistant CEO role, it gives you, more time, more flexibility, lessens the stress, so that needs to be a priority, fill that role as soon as you can".
As time progressed there were weeks when Mel couldn't even contemplate going into the office, simply dealing with the three boys they already had was draining, leaving her completely exhausted most days, until finally at a little over three weeks before her due date, Jolly sat her down for a chat.
"I don't want you to feel I'm interfering, but this has to stop, you look exhausted, as of today I'm putting my foot down, you don't go into the office anymore, and you have set periods of rest daily, the staff and I will deal with the boys in the morning, you don't get up before ten o'clock, Shelby will take care of the boys until dinner in the evening, one of us will deal with getting them ready for bed, you are allowed to read them a bedtime story if you feel up to it, but that's about as strenuous as your day will be now".
Mel had sighed, she wanted to protest, but she knew Jolly was right.
"I don't have the energy to argue right now, I'm so tired, so uncomfortable, there's no position where I can get comfortable, and when I do, one of them starts kicking, then they all start, it's awful to say but I can't wait for this pregnancy to be over".
Jolly understood.
"I had three, it almost drove me crazy, you're having five, I can only try to imagine how much extra strain that is, you've done marvellously to get this far keeping up an almost normal schedule, but it's time to give in, think of yourself for a change, you desperately need rest".
Mel had been receiving strict monitoring from UCH Medical, they had already decided she would be admitted around two weeks prior to her due date, they were still undecided on natural birth as opposed to a Cesarian.
Exactly three days after her talk with Jolly, Mel had awoken from what had been a relatively good nights rest, at first relieved for the peaceful night, but then realising this wasn't right, there was hardly any movement from the babies, and she felt strange.
Jace had left early, kissing her cheek, it was only eight o'clock, Mel realised, no one would check on her before ten o'clock.
Reaching for her cell phone, a series of painful cramps gripped her, first shocking her, then causing her to cry out in pain.
As the pain receded slightly she'd pressed Jolly's number on her speed dial, it had rung for what seemed like forever, finally Jolly had answered, but another series of painful cramps had seized her, Jolly only heard two words before Mel dropped the phone.
"Arghhhhhhhhh, helppppppppp".
Jolly had set off running from the breakfast room, with Jay on her heels, she'd screamed at Billy to call for an ambulance.
Whilst Jolly and Jay headed to Jace and Mel's suite, Billy called UCH Medical, they'd despatched an ambulance immediately, as he followed after the others, Billy dialled Jace's number, when he answered Billy only said a few words.
"Mel's having some sort of problem, I've called an ambulance, head for UCH Medical, I'll try to update you".
Billy then rang the gatehouse to inform them there was a medical emergency at the main house and an ambulance had been called, they had a set procedure to follow, Billy was asked for a code word which confirmed the request was genuine, the gates would be opened wide, a member of the security staff would be positioned out on the main highway, waiting to flag the ambulance straight in through the gates.
In her suite Mel was groaning and writhing in pain, when Jolly got to her she was barely conscious.
The ambulance came screaming, lights blazing, up the drive to the main house, thankfully a doctor was on board.
Within minutes of arriving the doctor confirmed Mel needed admitting urgently to UCH Medical, Mel's body was in turmoil, part of her was trying to give birth to the babies, but other parts weren't ready, it would mean the need for a Cesarian Operation was now confirmed, and becoming critical as the babies were experiencing stress.
Moments later Mel was onboard the ambulance, speeding toward UCH.
Jace had been in a meeting with The CEO of a major Insurer, they'd been discussing the terms of a large tie up allowing JBJ Brokers to offer a seriously competitive motor insurance policy, the CEO was just leaving when Jace saw his Poppas name flash up on his cell display, he hit speaker.
"Poppa, is something wrong?".
Jace listened and knew he had to get to UCH fast, the CEO who, only a few minutes earlier had been a difficult, hard bargaining, tough cookie, having heard the conversation, grabbed Jace's arm.
"Come on, my car is waiting with its engine running, let's get you to UCH".
They all but ran from Jace's office to the elevator, then again through the lobby, out to the visitor parking.
On the way down in the elevator, the guy pulled his cell phone out and when he'd connected, Jace heard.
"I need a favour, I'm just leaving the offices of JBJ Corporate, I'll have Jace Thorn onboard, his wife is suffering a medical emergency, we need to get him to UCH Medical asap, can you help, ............you're a star, they can pick us up en route, I'll tell my driver to expect them".
As they jumped into his limousine he spoke to the driver.
"Bill, we need to be at UCH in a hurry, it's an emergency, Joey's sending a couple of police motorcycles to pick us up on the way, just let them take over, keep your foot down".
The car screeched out of the parking lot of JBJ Corporate and, within two blocks, they were joined by Police Motorcycle Outriders.
They arrived at UCH within a few minutes, despite the heavy traffic, which their escort cleared a path through.
As they pulled into UCH Medical, Jace tried to say thanks, but he was cut off.
"Go, your family's more important than anything else right now, let me know how things play out, I'll be rooting for you".
Mel had arrived with his parents only minutes before him, he found his parents in a waiting room, his mother pulled him into a hug.
"Oh Jace, I don't know what's happening, the doctor who came with the ambulance said her body is trying to give birth, but she's not ready, the babies are stressed, he thinks they'll have to go with a Cesarian".
They'd waited nearly an hour before a doctor found them.
"Please don't be alarmed, we got to her in time, she's been sedated and prepared for theatre, Jace, I'll take you through to see Mel before we go to theatre, if you think you can stand it, you can come in, we'll be extracting the babies in the next hour or so, I'm just waiting for two more colleagues to finish in other theatres, I want the best possible team for this procedure".
Jace's reply was predictable.
I'm coming in, if Mel's out of it, I need to be the first one to say hello to our babies, and Mel needs to know I'm close by, can we go see her now?".
In Mel's suite there were several nurses, Jace went straight to her side, she'd been sedated, but she still knew he was there, her voice slow.
"I was so frightened, I didn't know what was happening, don't leave me alone Jace".
Jace leaned over to kiss her.
"Listen to me Mel, I'm not going anywhere, do you understand, they're going to do a Cesarian, the babies will be here soon, I'm coming into theatre with you, I'll say hello to them as they arrive, and I'll tell them their Momma loves them, you just relax now my love, when you wake up it should be all over".
A nurse had been administering the drugs to anaesthetise Mel whilst Jace had been talking, he watched as she slipped into a deep sleep, still holding his hand.
Jolly, Jay and Billy had been in the waiting room for over two hours when Jo, David and Will turned up with a clearly upset Ary, Bobby and Dillon.
It would be a further three hours before any news filtered down to them.
In theatre, Jace had been dressed in a gown, cap and mask, scrubbed from fingers to upper arm.
He was some distance from Mel, standing back, behind a massive team, all of whom seemed to know exactly what their individual role entailed.
It was like a military operation, the head doctor spoke a command and several members of the team completed a series of tasks.
Glancing at the clock on the wall Jace realised it had been over an hour since he'd spoken to Mel in her suite, and then he heard it.
The unmistakable sound of a babies first wail.
The nurse, or sister, he didn't know which, turned toward him with a bundle wrapped in a blanket.
"Here's your oldest Mr Thorn, you have a few minutes".
And he was holding the first one, his fourth son, he couldn't think of anything to say except.
"Hello son, I'm your Poppa, I love you, your Momma is busy right now bringing your brothers and sisters into the world so she'll say hello later, but trust me you'll love her, just like I do".
He'd allowed another nurse to take the first boy from him, only to be presented, almost immediately with the second baby, and he'd gone through the same spiel before again handing off to a nurse.
In all it had been nearly an hour and a half before all five babies had been retrieved from Mel's body.
Jace had stayed in theatre until Mel had been transferred to the recoveries ward, waiting and watching as she drifted back to consciousness.
Her first groggy words.
"The babies, tell me they're okay".
Jace kissed her.
"They're all doing okay, I told them all you'd speak to them later, they're in a special unit, only because your doctor wants to monitor their progress for a day or so, he told me he can't believe how strong and healthy they are".
Within an hour of waking Mel was transferred back to her suite and Jace went to get Ary, Bobby and Dillon, along with his Momma.
They were warned not to be rough with their Momma, no climbing onto the bed, because Momma had just had an operation and was very sore.
The boys crept into the room nervously, ahead of Jolly and Jace.
Mel was lying with only her head slightly elevated.
Bobby was the first to reach for her hand, Ary and Dillon stayed back holding each other's hands.
When Mel felt the little hand in hers, she opened her eyes to see Bobby with tears rolling down his face.
"Momma, I was worried, I love you, will you get better soon?".
Mel pulled him close for a hug, kissing his face.
"Yes Bobby, I'll get better, and I love you too, now where are my other two little munchkins that I love?".
Ary and Dillon shuffled into view, both, like Bobby, with tears rolling down their faces.
"Hey, what's with the tears, this is a happy time, you have five new brothers and sisters, now come closer, I want kisses, before Gramma takes you home, I promise I'll be a lot better tomorrow when you come to visit".
The boys moved aside whilst their Gramma leaned in to kiss Mel.
"Oh Mel, you wonderful girl, I can't believe how brave you've been, you frightened the life out of me, get some rest now, I'll look after these three, we'll see you tomorrow afternoon, Jace is staying with you tonight".
Jolly took the boys home, leaving Mel and Jace alone.
Sitting beside her, holding her hand, Jace said.
"I am so thankful to be here right now with you, knowing our children are all safe and you're on the mend, I can't lie, I was terrified in that theatre, right up until I heard the first little cry, then he was in my arms".
Mel suddenly realised, she didn't know who was oldest, youngest, in what order they'd been born.
"How were they born Jace, who's the oldest?".
Jace smiled.
"I forgot you were totally out of it, boy, girl, girl, boy, boy, two more Thorn women, look out world".
Mel smiled.
"We always knew the women wouldn't be last in line, but we still need to talk about names, and quite a few of them".
He could see she was wrestling with something.
"Okay, you're doing it again, now spit it out".
She smiled.
"How do you do that?, I know everyone will think I'm stupid, but I'd like to try to work my parents names in if possible, they may not behave the way I want, but I can't help loving them".
Jace hugged her.
"I think it's wonderful, it's a way of acknowledging heritage, giving continuity to family, we'll make sure that happens, but for now, you need rest, sleep Momma Thorn, I love you, I'll be right here when you wake up".
She opened her eyes the next morning, and he'd been true to his word, his head on the edge of her bed, fast asleep, though he seemed to sense she was awake, opening his eyes and smiling.
"Good morning Momma Thorn, did you sleep well?".
Mel could actually say yes, though she was sore, she did actually feel good, as though she had the energy to take on the world.
"I did my love, better than I have for months, do you think they'll let me see our babies today, I so need to be with them?".
Jace looked at her.
"If you want to meet our babies, it will happen, I promise, now if you'll excuse me, I'll let the nurses know you are awake and ready for breakfast, meanwhile I'll be organising your meeting with our new arrivals".
For Jace the morning had brought an elation he'd never thought possible, until he encountered Nurse Ratchet, not her real name, but a label he applied to her.
"Certainly not, Mrs Thorn needs complete rest, possibly in a couple of days, not before".
Jace was left speechless as she walked away.
Then he saw red.
His voice booming down the corridor behind her.
"Stop".
And she did, mid stride, turning to face him.
"You might think you know best, but believe me, you don't, my wife is pining for her children, she needs desperately to meet them, to bond, now this can go one of two ways, you do as I ask, arrange the meeting, or I arrange for my wife and children to be moved to a hospital more accommodating to our needs, the choice is yours, I'm waiting".
The nurse was visibly taken aback, she wasn't used to anyone challenging her authority, but she quickly realised this father was not going to budge.
To seal her decision, she received a glare from Mel's doctor, her superior, who had met Jolly as she'd entered the hospital.
They'd traveled up to the Maternity floor chatting amiably, until they'd heard Jace's ultimatum being issued.
As they turned the corner, Jace and Nurse Ratchet came into view, glaring at each other.
The doctors glare told Nurse Ratchet she was skating on very thin ice.
"I'll arrange it Mr Thorn, your wife will have to go to the Nursery, I'll arrange a wheelchair after she's had breakfast".
But she wasn't prepared for the doctors words.
"Bring the babies to Mrs Thorns suite, they're all healthy, they don't need to stay in the nursery, don't wait, get it organised now, I'll be waiting as well".
Jace's look said it all, he was grateful.
Jolly put her arm around him.
"Come on Jace, this is not a fight you need to have, let's go surprise Mel".
And they did, watching as Mel opened her arms to receive all five of her babies, her expression saying it all.
When Bobby, Ary and Dillon arrived later in the charge of their Grandpas, all five babies were asleep, so the boys got their first look at their younger brothers and sisters, it was a shock for them to see what five extra looked like, but Dillon was the one to sum it up, in his toddler narrative.
"We help you Momma".
TBC ARB Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.