Chapter 141

The room was totally silent and all eyes were on Bette and Tina. Bette was still in shock and unable to speak.

Tina opened her mouth to speak. “Ok everybody…there was a little issue with the unltrasound Bette had earlier this week.”

All eyes continued to be on Bette and Tina. Tina continued to hold Bette’s hand as she spoke. “Ummmmm….apparently we’re having a boy – and a girl – and….”

Alice couldn’t contain her mouth. “And a….a…..monkey?”

Tina shot Alice an annoyed look. “Shut up Alice! And another boy. Triplets!”

Jackie jumped up from her seat and ran over to Bette and Tina. “Oh my God…triplets? Three more. Well I guess we can continue to call the twins ‘the twins’! This is great.” Jackie gave Tina a quick hug. She then went over to Bette. “Sunshine? Are you ok?”

Bette looked at Jackie – tears still rolling down her cheeks. Jackie pulled her toward her and held her. “Sunshine…this is good news….are you scared…is that it?”

Bette tried to speak but couldn’t. Finally Bette whispered to Jackie. “Yes.”

“Sunshine…Tina and I are going to be by your side every step of the way. I know this is a lot to absorb right now….it’s ok Sunshine.” Jackie continued to hold Bette.

Melvin got up from where he was sitting. He walked over to Tina and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Tina…this is wonderful! Right? I mean….five babies. Wow! And $88,000 – you’re up to $88,000 tax free. Is the doctor sure there isn’t another one hanging out in there somewhere?”

“No dad…she seems pretty confident that there are three. The third one…the other little boy ….was hiding behind his brother and sister. He’s smaller. The technician didn’t see him…but when Dr. Wilson reviewed the tape…there he was. Dylan’s going to have two little brothers! Thank God for that!”

Melvin walked over to Bette and as Jackie released her hold on her, Melvin wrapped his arms around her. Bette let out a heavy sigh. Melvin whispered to her. “Bette…you’ll be fine. You have everyone in this room to help you. And you know if you need more help from me…it’s yours. Please don’t worry. You need to concentrate on you and those three little babies.”

Tina walked back over to Bette as Melvin released his grip on her. “Bette?” Tina scanned the room. “We’ll be back in a few minutes. We need some time alone. Ok everyone?” Tina led Bette out of the dining room and into the living room.

Once they arrived in the living room, Tina threw her arms around Bette’s neck. “You know Baby…this IS good news. I mean…my God…three of them. What a blessing! Baby?” Tina kissed Bette. Bette continued to cry. “Baby? Are you going to be ok?”

“Tina….I….” Bette couldn’t speak. “Triplets Tina….triplets.”

“Baby…we’re going to be fine…you know that right?” Tina smiled at Bette and Bette smiled back.

“Tina…I’m so …..happy….I can’t stop crying…I try but I can’t stop.”

“Awwww.” Tina kissed Bette on the lips and then she kissed the tears of her cheeks. “Such precious tears Baby.”

“Tina…we can handle five babies…right?” Bette displayed a faint smile.

“Yes Baby….we’ll adapt…and we’ll have all those people in the dining room lining up to help. We’re going to be ok….we will. Baby..let’s just sit on the couch together for awhile – ok?”

Tina sat on the couch. Bette sat and then put her head in Tina’s lap. Tina didn’t say a word. She ran her fingers through Bette’s hair. As she did so…she could feel Bette relax.

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Lenore looked at Dana and Alice. “And when might I expect a grandchild?”

Alice looked at her and shook her head. “Oh please…isn’t it enough for you that in five months Bette and Tina are going to have five. Pretend mom…pretend.”

“What do you mean pretend?”

“Pretend they’re your grandchildren.” Alice grinned at Lenore.

Dana turned and looked at Alice. “You mean you don’t want kids? Because I do!”

“I don’t want five! We will not use their donor and no talking to them or visiting this house around the time of conception ok? It’s like the fertility gods have taken up residence here and with them. My God! Twins and then triplets!”

Dana looked at Alice again. “So what’s wrong with two or three at a time?”

“Dane…can we talk about this later…please?”

“I’m not going to forget about this Al…we WILL discuss it!” Dana was visibly annoyed by Alice’s reaction to the whole thing.

Jenny leaned toward Shane. “What the *****?”

Shane smiled. “I think this is so cool! They’re such excellent parents….these three are going to be just as loved as the other two. I think this is great!”

Jenny whispered. “Well…I’m never having kids…this is scaring me.”

Shane looked Jenny in the eyes. “Then you better stop sleeping around! Unless you’re going to use abortion as a form of birth control….but of course you won’t do that for long because I’ll kill you!” Shane smiled at Jenny.

Shane looked at Kit. “Congrats Auntie Kit!”

Kit looked at Shane and shook her head. “My baby girl is going to have a litter! Damn!”

“So you’re happy then?????” Shane smiled broadly at Kit.

“If they’re happy…I’m happy for them.”


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“You feeling better Baby?” Tina leaned down and kissed Bette on the cheek. She continued to run her fingers through Bette’s hair. She was enjoying the time they were spending together – alone – doing nothing -just being together.

“Tina?”

“Yeah Babe?”

“I love you.”

“I know. I love you too. You know what?”

“What T?”

“We should have known something was up – you’re showing a lot more than I was at this point in my pregnancy.”

“Yeah…I am looking a little pregnant huh?”

“Actually, for twenty weeks…you’re looking a lot pregnant.”

“Yeah….you’re right…a lot pregnant.”

“You look beautiful Baby.”

“You think?”

“Yeah. I think you’re beautiful Bette!” Tina leaned down and kissed Bette again.

Shane appeared in the living room. “Ummmm…I…ah….I hate to interrupt you two…but I just wanted to say…well….”

Bette looked at Shane and smiled. “You’re here to offer your condolences – right?”

“No…no…no…I wanted to tell you two how happy I am for you. Congratulations you guys.”

Tina looked up at Shane. “Thank you Shane. Is everybody else freaking out about this?”

“Ummmm…let’s just say that there’s some apprehension in the room. And a question about this house and increased fertility. Some fear of the next one who gets pregnant having even more! But hey…I’m so happy for you guys. You’re gonna be great. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help – ok?”

Bette grinned at Shane. “Sure…thanks!” Shane turned and left the room.

Tina leaned down and kissed Bette again. This time it was a lingering kiss. “Baby…we have a lot to be thankful for don’t we? All 88 grand – – KIDDING! Seriously…life is good…”

“Yeah we do T….we have a lot to be thankful for.”

“You hungry Babe?”

“Yeah I am a little hungry.”

“Well you are eating for four.”

“Oh my God…don’t say that. That makes me think about how huge I’m going to get.”

“You’ll still be beautiful Baby…the only woman I’ll ever want. First…last…forever.”

“Forever T…forever.”