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“Speaking of breathers,” Sara said as she sat forward. “We wanted to talk to you before we talked to the boys. The babies are due in May, right?”
“Late April, though Doctor Patterson said twins can and do come early.”
“They do,” Kelly said as she took a seat on the corner of one of the sofas. “So, we plan for the idea they come early and that means if they do, they do and if they don’t—you five don’t miss out.”
“Miss out?” I had a sneaking suspicion we were about to have our older kids stolen. Or at least usurped. It would hardly be the first time.
“I was talking to Eddie,” Carly said, recrossing her legs. “He told me that Archie isn’t as eager to babymoon because of the possible complications and the tour.”
“Then Carly called me.” Alicia set her empty wine glass down and waved off Becca when she would have refilled it. “Now, you know we’re planning the cruise. It leaves right after the New Year. It’s eight weeks, but we’ll be home by the first of March.”
I took a sip of tea rather than comment beyond my nod.
“Which is when I suggested we call Kelly,” Klara joined in. “Then we got Carly back on the line…”
“And basically called us,” Becca said, her eyes practically sparkled as she saluted me with her wine glass. “Blake, Trina, and I are little tied up but Mom was planning to visit me in March and then head to Blake’s to play Grandma. That said… we came up with a plan.”
I was not smiling but it was almost impossible.
“I’ll come and stay for January,” Carly said. “If you kids don’t mind. Trina’s doing just fine with her baby and she’s not that far away at the moment if she needs me. But I can help out with errands and school stuff along with Jeremy. That will give you and the boys more time when you’re home.”
“Then I’ll come up in February,” Kelly said. “With work, Becca and Chloe can’t take the extra time…”
“But I have weekends,” Chloe said. “Graduate school is way easier than regular lectures. A lot of my work is research. So, I can do that just as easily here. But basically, I’m available for weekend drop-ins whenever you need a break or just want company.”
I chewed the inside of my lip as we circled back to Alicia. “Sara, Klara, and I will be back in March as I said earlier. The five of us, granddads too of course, will come and the five of you can take a break together. Even if you just find a place in the city. Even if Archie is worried about the babymoon, if all of you are together it will make it easier.”
“It also puts them closer for when the twins come.” The last came from Becca. “Since all the grandparents have a bet, they want to see who wins.”
“Rebecca,” Alicia scolded but the girl was absolutely unrepentant.
“Hey, you guys were the ones who said it.”
“It’s also about helping Eddie too… He was so gracious when Charlie was on the way and kept flying me up to surprise you kids.”
He had done that.
“Your dad is worried about you,” Kelly added, putting the final bow on top of their proposal. “He says you’ve been more tired this time around and you’re exhausted every single time he talks to you.”
“I agreed with all of them, Miss Frankie,” Jeremy said as he joined us and brought me a fresh cup of tea. Which was lovely cause I’d finished mine. “You are a fantastic mother, a devoted wife, and a consummate professional, but all of you are going in too many directions. You have the support of family.”
“This really was a setup,” I said, exchanging teacups with Jeremy.
“The most well meaning of setups. Mr. Archie, Mr. Coop, Mr. Jake, and Mr. Bubba will be hard pressed to tell you no and they need this too.” Jeremy sealed the deal and I smiled.
“Well, when you put it like that…”
“Excellent,” Kelly said and she wasn’t the only one blowing out a relieved breath.
“Am I really that terrifying to talk to?” I had to know ‘cause they were all looking much more comfortable.
“Not at all,” Alicia told me even as Carly scoffed a little. “But you’ve spent most of your life being the one who does stuff for others and it’s never easy for you to accept help. We want you to know that you have five mothers to lean on whenever you want or need it.”
Tears burned in my eyes, but I kept the waterworks dialed back. “I do know I have all of you. I love that. I love that my kids have you in their lives too.”
I knew the loneliness. I knew it all too well. I never wanted that for my kids.
From the other room the music suddenly spiked and I wasn’t the only one groaning. The chicken dance and then I had to bite my lower lip. “Who do we think lost the bet?”
