part 15

"Ok" Gina said wheeling over Olivia in her carriage

 

"Will you guys build me a castle?" I said handing Bailey shovel

 

"CASTLE!" Bailey yelled clapping

 

"Mama, Dig" Maggie said

 

"Ok Ok" I said digging through the sand

 

"So Any luck on the job hunt?" Annie asked

 

"Not really,I'm going from being Senior Editor of one the top-rated Magazines to going back to being a columnist, it's a huge step down the ladder and a heck of a pay cut". I said

 

"Why did you leave the magazine?" Gina asked taking Olivia out of her carriage 

 

"I left because i'd taken two maternity leaves and with John's accident, it would be more time away and i couldn't do that, it wouldn't be fair." I said watching Maggie and Bailey play

 

"It still doesn't make sense to me" Gina said

 

"I know me either but what am i going to do?" I said taking Olivia out of her stroller.

 

"Good point."  Annie said standing up and brushing the sand off her jeans

 

"Ok guys, what do you say we eat lunch then go get Daddy's present?" I said putting Olivia on my hip

 

"Yayy!" Bailey clapped

 

"Mama, look at the kitty!" Maggie said pointing to a stray cat

 

"That's good, honeybunny but we have to go" I said putting Olivia into her car seat

 

"But Mama, can we pet the kitty please?" Maggie said tugging on my jeans

 

"Mags,we have to go..we have to go eat then we're gonna go visit Daddy and your aunt Catie is coming into town with your Uncle Will,who'll be so excited to see you!" I said buckling Oliva,"So we have to go..Maggie?"  I turned around and realized she wasn't behind me,"Maggie?"

 

But she was gone

 

"Maggie!" I called,"Maggie Elizabeth!" I picked up Bailey and ran around the playground

 

"What's wrong?" Annie asked getting out of the car

 

"Maggie's gone!" I said panicking

 

"She was just here.." Annie said,"MAGGIE!" 

 

We ran around the playground

 

PART 14

I walked into my old room, where Ali's old crib and my old crib were set up plus Ali's old Bassinett, which had been in storage for the past eight years

 

I didn't realize how much i needed help because trying to put three babies to sleep is alot easier with two people instead of just one, Luckily Bailey was exhausted and fell asleep but Maggie and Olivia were determinded to stay up all night.

 

I put the girls  in the my bed and tried to read them a story but i was so tired it was difficult to see the pages.

 

"Mama, where Daddy?" Maggie asked

 

I had been dreading this question

 

"Well, Honey, Daddy was hurt and he's going to be away for a little bit." I said trying to downplay it

 

"Daddy gots an owie?" Maggie asked concerned

.

"Yes, HoneyBunny, Daddy has an owie." I said," But soon you can come and vist him, he'll be so excited to see you, Bailey and Olivia."

 

"Yayyy!" Maggie clapped her hands

 

"But for now, it's bedtime." I said picking her up and putting her in the crib," I love you baby."

"Love you Mama". Maggie said as her eyes were closing

 

I fell asleep with Olivia in my arms, worrying about what was going to happen next.

 

Over the next few weeks , i worked it out with Kathy so that her, me and George would always be with John, Kathy would take mornings, George would take afternoons and i'd take the night shifts.

 

My family and our friends  was great about helping me with the kids and Andy helped me move our stuff from New York to Boston, i had to sell the house because i couldn't keep up with the bills from the house and John's medical  bills, so i sold it to some couple whom had had seen the house from the realtor while i was in Boston, so i didn't even know who bought it. it killed me to sell that house

 

It was now two days  before christmas eve and Maggie's third  birthday, we were planning on our usual birthday bash, except instead of doing it the week before her birthday we were going to do it the week AFTER christmas.

 

I had decorated John's hospital room with pictures of our wedding, pictures of the kids and everything that was familiar to him so that when he did wake up, he would recongize the things he loved most before his accident.

 

So like i said before, it was two days before christmas eve, i was sitting with John, planning on the food we were going to have at the party and what kinds of games to play with the kids, when it happened.

 

John's hand twitched, just a little bit i wasn't sure if i was seeing things so i went back to my list when his hand twitched again.

 

"John.. ?" I called,  this is what i wanted for Christmas Santa, just for my husband to wake up

 

"Nik?" John whispered, grabbing my hand

 

"Oh my god! John!" I shot up from the chair

 

"Nik, water please?" John said licking his lips

 

"Of course." I filled up a dixie cup with water and put the water in his mouth

 

"Mmm, good." John said,"Nik, what day is it?"

 

"Umm, it's December 22nd," I said

 

"What?!" John shot up

 

"Careful, you'll hurt yourself worse." I said crying

 

"Why are you crying?" John said asking holding my hand

 

"I was so afraid i'd lose you." I said looking down

 

"Hey, i'm not going anywhere, remember there's no place like home." John said,"come here and sit beside me."

 

I tentatively laid down beside him

 

"Where are the kids?" John said looking around

 

"With Annie, my mother, your mother Stacey and Auntie Diane Christmas shopping." I said

 

"How are they?" John asked taking my hand

 

"they're ok, they miss you like crazy, Bailey keeps yelling Daddy whenever he sees your picture or when we talk about you. Maggie keeps asking when Daddy's owies are going to heal  and well Olivia is mastering on getting her fist into her mouth without  choking." I said

 

"I've missed so much."  John said

 

"Not too much, although my mother did teach Bailey a few choice phrases that we'll have to unteach him later,i'll bring them by later." I said putting my head on John's good shoulder

 

"Nah, don't bother because i'll be out of here soon enough and we'll be back in New York hopefully for New Year's eve." John said kissing my hand

 

"Oh John, honey i hate to break it to you, but we can't go back to New York because of your knee, your going to need months of physical therapy." I said not mentioning i had to sell the house, i didn't want him to have a complete nervous breakdown

 

"Are you serious? Oh damn!" John said

 

"I'm sorry," I said

 

"Don't be sorry, it's not your fault, " John said,"So where are you and the munchkins staying?"

 

"With my parents." I said watching the ceiling

 

"Oh fun." John said laughing

 

"Oh yeah, apparently my mother thinks i can't even take care of my own babies and my my father is trying to teach Bailey about World War ll, whenever my father stops to take a breath, Bailey yells "UH OH!" and Olivia is becoming quite the snuggler, she waits for me to pick her up and she immedately curls up." I said

 

"Is she getting big?" John asked

 

"Yup,she's just like her Daddy, eats everything and i'm trying to teach her to sit up, but she's just not quite getting it yet." I said

 

"That's my girl," John said turning toward me,"does she have hair yet?"

 

"Yup, it's thick and dark black". I said

 

"I miss them so much, i can't believe that i missed nearly month and a half of their lives" John said frustrated

 

"I know, but your awake now and you won't miss anymore." I said kissing his nose

 

"Ow!" John said wincing in pain

 

"Sorry!" I said forgetting his nose was broken

 

"It's all right" John said scrunching up his face

 

"Well, i should get home and put the kids to sleep," I said starting to get up

 

"Don't go please". John begged

 

"Ok i'll stay," I said

 

We fell asleep and didn't wake up until the nurse came in, to check his vitals the next morning, then i had to go home because i needed to change my clothes and to  tell everyone John was awake.

 

"I'm going to bring the kids in tonight, ok?" I said getting off the bed

 

"Yup," John said watching the tv

 

"Do you want anything from the house?" I said putting on my jacket

 

"Yeah, my portable CD player," John said

 

"Ok, i love you." I said kissing him

 

"I love you too." John said

 

I drove home in my father's old car, smiling for the first time since this whole thing happened. When i pulled into the driveway, i threw the car into park and ran up the stairs.

 

"Where the hell have you been?" My father said putting a pancake on Maggie's plate

 

"At the hospital," I said picking up Bailey and swinging him around

 

"Careful, he just ate!" My mother said throwing her hands up

 

"Maggie,guess where we're going tonight?" I said completely ignoring my mother

 

Maggie's eyes widened

 

"We're gonna go visit Daddy!" I said

 

"yayyy!" Maggie clapped her hands

 

"Do you think it's wise to take them where their father is lying in a coma?" Pop asked stuffing a pancake in his mouth

 

"He's awake! he woke up last night!" I said dancing in the kitchen with Maggie and Bailey

 

"What?" Masaid stopping short

 

"He woke up last and we talked for hours,it was so amazing." I said spinning Maggie around

 

"Oh my god, Nik that's incredible!" Pop said picking up Bailey and joining in our dance party

 

"I know, my christmas wish came true." I said putting Maggie down,"I've got to get Olivia,"

 

"She's still sleeping, she had a rough night last night." Ma said

 

"What happened?" I instantly became panicked

 

"She's got a little cold, and the sniffles." Ma said sitting down at the table

 

"Did you take her to the doctor's?" I asked putting my hands on hips

 

"Of course! don't be stupid." Ma said helping Bailey into his chair 

 

"Please do not use that phrase in front of my children." I said putting Maggie into her booster seat,"So what did the doctor say?"

 

"He said to give her some cough medicine and that if it doesn't work by Monday, to go back and he'll take from there," Ma said cutting up Maggie's pancake. 

 

"Is it working?" I said putting a piece of pancake in Bailey's mouth

 

"Yeah, but it keep Olivia up all night to the point we moved Maggie and Bailey in Mine and Pop's room and i stayed with the baby all night." Ma said,"Maggie please sit down in the chair right"

 

Maggie was attempting to slide down the chair and on the floor

 

"Come on Mags, sit up and eat because we need to get dressed so we can go to the park then we're going to get Daddy a surprise and afterwards we're going to go eat lunch then come back for a nap and then we're going to go visit Daddy." I said 

 

"It sounds like you guys are going to have a busy day," My father commented

 

"Yup, so you guys need to eat." I said opening my bedroom door quietly but when i looked in on Olivia, she was wide awake.

 

"Hi Livvy!! Hi Babygirl!" I said picking up the baby,"Did you miss Mama, cause  i missed you!" I said putting her on the floor and changing her then blew raspberries on her belly, which always got a smile but this time she laughed!

 

"Oh my god! you laughed!" I said clapping my hands,

 

I changed her into a jeans and a purple t-shirt then , i put her in her swing chair and gave her bottle and sat down with Maggie and Bailey. .

 

"So what should we get Daddy as a surprise?" I asked

 

"puppy?" Maggie asked drinking from her sippy cup

 

"Good Idea!,"I praised her," Bay, what do you think Daddy would like for a present?" 

 

"Truck!!" Bailey yelled banging his plate

 

"Somehow, i don't think you can wrap that" Ma said picking up the dishes

 

"Ok guys, let's get dressed!" I said picking up Bailey 

 

Maggie ran into the room and started digging through the suitcases and pulled out overalls and a blue shirt

 

"Here Mama, " Maggie said proudly

 

"Good Job, now see if you can put the shirt on by yourself," I said taking off Bailey's pajama bottoms and putting him in jeans

 

"Ok" Maggie then started to take off her pajama top but was having trouble with the buttons

 

"Do you need help?" I asked helping Bailey with his shirt

 

"No No" Maggie said then somehow got the shirt over her head  and then put the other shirt on but got her head stuck in the arm sleeve,"Help!"

 

"Come here," I said laughing then straightened her out, "there's Maggie!"

 

"Yayy!" Maggie jumped up and down

 

"Ok guys, go see Nana and she'll help you put your jackets on." I said opening the door then got myself dressed  and called Gina and Annie to come to the park with us.

 

Annie and Gina met us at the park and we took turns going on the equipment with the kids.

 

"Mama, slide!" Maggie yelled from the bridge

 

"Ok, " I said pushing Bailey on the slide,"Auntie Annie, will you push Bailey." 

 

"Sure, Ok Bailey-Boy, want to go really high?" Annie asked

 

"Yah, Yah!!" Bailey yelled

 

"Here we go!." Annie said pulling back the swing and letting it go

 

Bailey giggled

I climbed up the wooden ladder and picked up Maggie then sat down on the slide

 

"Are you ready, Maggie?"I asked putting her on my lap

 

"Yup." Maggie said 

 

I pushed off with my one free hand and we slide down the cold metal slide

 

"Oh Boy, wasn't that fun?" I said once we got to the bottom

 

"Sandbox." Maggie said climbing off my lap 

 

"Ok Ok" I said following her,"Auntie Annie, Auntie Gina, why don't you come over here?"

 

 

 

Part 13

"Say Hi Aunt Stacey" I said

 

"Tacey Tacey!" Bailey said as Stacey kissed his head.

 

"Stacey, take him for a second while i go get Maggie." I said handing her Bailey

 

"Mamama" Bailey cried

 

"I'll be right back,Sweetie". I said walking out of the room and over to the nurses station

 

"Hi, I'm looking for my daughter, Maggie, she was brought here after my husband was involved in an accident." I said to the nurse

 

"What's the last name?" The nurse asked

 

"Distefino" I said

 

"I'm sorry, we have no record of a Margaret Distefino being admitted." The nurse checking her computer

 

"That's because her name is Maggie, not Margaret M*A*G*G*I*E" I said 

 

"Oh Ok, oh here she is. she's in room 213, down the hall." The woman said

 

"Thank you." I said walking away then muttered to myself,"Are you kidding me, it's six letters?"

 

I found the room but just before i opened the door, i heard Maggie yelling

 

"NO NO NO NO!" Maggie screamed

 

"Nurse, i think we need to sedate her" a voice said

 

"The hell you will" I said opening the door

 

"Excuse me, who are you?" the doctor said

 

"Your worse nightmare, I'm her mother and you will not be sedating her, i'm taking her home." I said picking up Maggie

 

"Mama!!" Maggie said

 

"She needs to be examined," the doctor said

 

"Fine, but i want a another doctor preferably one with a bedside manner that can deal with children." I said

 

"Fine if that's what you want." The Doctor, " Nurse, please find Dr.Leiya"

 

"Is that the doctor who also examined Bailey Distefino?"I asked

 

"I believe so"  The doctor said sitting in a chair

 

"Hi, I'm Doctor Katherine Leiya" a short woman came into the office,"what's the seems to be the trouble."

 

"My son and daughter were brought here after my husband was admitted here following a car accident, Why were they separated and why is it necessary to sedate a child who doesn't want to be examined?"." I said sitting on the table

 

"First of all,i'm terribly sorry about your husband,secondly, Both Maggie and Bailey were only separated for a little bit whilethey were being examined, and we never sedate a child, especially without the mother's consent. Doctor Andrews,i'd like to see you in my office afterwards please." Dr.Leiya said

 

"Ok now is there anything wrong with Maggie and Bailey?" I asked letting Maggie play with my cell phone  

 

"Bailey is perfect, no broken bones or concussions, when the firefighters arrived on the scene, he was buckled into his safety seat." Dr.Leiya

 

"And Maggie?" I asked

 

"She got some minor whiplash because the carseat was thrown forward a little, it was buckled but not as a tightly as Bailey's, i'm going to write a prescription for a minor painkiller that can be crushed up into a bottle or sippy cup. other than that they are in perfect health, your very lucky, Mrs Destifino, you have two very strong  fighters." Dr.Leiya said pulling a lollipop out of her pocket.

 

"Look Mags," I said as she took the lollipop,"can I take them home please?"

 

"Of course." Dr.Leiya said,"Maggie, come back and vist me ok?"

 

"kk" Maggie said

 

"Thank you so much," I said climbing off the table

 

The other doctor followed Dr.Leiya out, the other doctor looked scared

 

"Mama, i gots a owie" Maggie said holding up her hand

 

"You do?" i said, "do you want Mama kiss and make it better?" i kissed her hand

 

"Betta" Maggie said

 

"Ok honeybunny, let's go get Bailey." I said picking her up,"Oh one day with your grandmother and your so heavy!" 

 

We walked out to the hallway of the NICU, where Stacey was showing Bailey a fish tank

 

"Ok guys,your gonna go with Auntie Stacey then home with Nonie and Pop". I said handing Stacey Maggie

 

"Are you sure you want us to leave before you see John". Stacey said struggling to carry both kids

 

"I'm positve, Don't forget Maggie's allergic to strawberries, Bailey's allergic to peanuts and Olivia can only have Apple Juice before bedtime." I said

 

"Gotcha Mom". Stacey said getting into the elevator.

 

I took a deep breath and went over to see the babies in the nursery before i went down to see my husband.

 

I went down to the elevators and then walked to John's room.Before i walked into the room, Kathy came out

 

"Nicole, before you go in and see him. i want to warn you his face is quite bruised and he's on alot of painkillers." Kathy said standing in front of me

 

"Ok" I said then followed her into the room

 

John was lying motionless on the bed, his normal face the size of an egg was now the size of a watermelon, he had cuts and bruises all over his face, his leg was in traction and his arm was lying across his chest.

 

"Oh my god" I said crying again, i walked slowly over to him,"Hi Honey"

 

"Excuse me?" a voice said, it was an orderly

 

"Yes?" George said

 

"I just wanted to give you Jonathan's personal effects". The orderly said holding up a plastic bag

 

"Thank you" Kathy said reaching for the bag

 

"Can i see that bag?" I asked

 

"Of course". Kathy gave me the bag.

 

I dumped the bag on the bed, out came John's wallet, his wedding ring, his cell phone and the gold chain i gave him on our first wedding anniversary.

 

"His wedding ring" I said holding up the silver band that never even left his hand when he worked,"i can't do this" i sat down and sobbed,"Please John wake up,we need you"

 

"Nicole, i think we're going to go now,but we'll be back later" George said

 

"Ok, see you" I said

 

After they left, i sat there and sobbed for hours until i passed out. When i woke up, i realized ineeded to call everyone to tell them what happened, I reached over John and grabbed the phone, i called Annie first because i knew she'd tell the world.

 

"Hello?" Annie said

 

"Hi Honey" I said sitting back down

 

"Babygirl! how was your thanksgiving?!" Annie asked

 

"It was interesting..." I trailed

 

"How so?" Annie asked

 

"John was in a car accident" I said trying not to cry

 

"What? is he ok? where are you?" Annie said stunned

 

"No, he's unconscious, he's got broken bones and concussions, we're in Boston right now and it's all my fault." I said crying

 

"How is it your fault?" Annie asked after a few minutes

 

"I told him to go, he took the kids to his mother after i inisisted and then he got hit by a drunk driver." I said

 

"Are the kids ok?" Annie said

 

"Maggie and Bailey are fine, the baby was with me." I said

 

"Ok that's it, i'm coming to Boston." Annie said

 

"That's sweet but you don't have to, my mother will help me out." I said

 

"Yeah, right you can't even be in the same room with each other for more than 20 minutes." Annie pointed out,"so instead of Arguing with me, just say, i can't wait to you see you Annie"

 

"I can't wait to see you, Annie" I repeated.

 

"Good, do you need anything from your apartment?" Annie asked

 

"Yeah, all the clothes you can cram into the two suitcases in my closet." I said realizing i didn't pack enough clothes for any of us.

 

"Ok, anything else?" Annie asked

 

"Some toys for the kids because we didn't bring that much stuff." I said

 

"Gotca,ok so i'll be there as soon as i can."Annie hung up

 

I called Vin then Gina and finally Stevanne, they all said they'd come out as soon as they could. We have such great friends.

 

"John, remember when we watched the Wizard of Oz, with Maggie and Bailey, Olivia was only a couple days old, remember how we went around quoting lines from the movie and how you said, if we ever got scared just to say "there's no place like home. please John, just remember, there's no place like home please John." I begged him

 

I wanted him to argue him to argue with me, to say something so i knew he was in there but it was no use.

 

"When your ready to talk, i'm ready to listen." I said as if i were talking to one of my kids, i leaned forward and kissed my husband's swollen lips.,"I'm leaving but i'll be back tomorrow, i love you." I stood up and before i left, i took his wedding ring and put it on the chain around my neck.

 

I realized once i got outside, i didn't have a car because john had crashed mine and Stacey had taken the kids in her car.it was going to cost me at least 100 bucks to get home, fabulous i'm nearly a widow and now i have to find my own way home.

 

I whipped out my cell phone and started to dial 411 when someone beeped at me, i realized it was Andy.

 

"Hi, what are you doing here?" I asked getting into his truck

 

"Well Stace got back to the house and realized you didn't have a car so i waited for a bit then called the hospital and they said you were getting ready to leave so here i am." Andy said starting up the truck

 

"You are too sweet." I said

 

"Yeah, i know, So how is he?" Andy asked turning onto the highway

 

"He's in rough shape, I'm not gonna jerk you around, there's a good chance he'll be in there til next year and he's  going to need months of physcial  therapy." I said fiddling with the radio

 

"Oh wow Nik, what're you going to do?" Andy asked

 

"I've got to get a job around here and find a house because i can't live at home with my mother, father and three kids, it'll be too cramped," I said leaning back against the seat

 

"What about the house in New York?" Andy asked turning off the highway  

 

"I guess i'll sell it, which is too bad because i love that house," i said

 

"Can you afford to move back to Boston?" Andy asked turning into the driveway of my mother and father's house

 

"Yeah with the sale of the house and both banks accounts, i think i manage it," I said reaching for my purse.

 

"I would wait a little bit before you actually sell the house." Andy said shutting off the car

 

"I know, but i have to be realistic, especially for Maggie Bailey and Olivia." I said starting to get out of the car.

 

"What would John say if he knew what you were planning on doing?" Andy asked grabbing my arm

 

"He'd tell me to do whatever it took to make sure that the kids were taken care of regardless of what the cost is, i know he'd do the same for me if the situation was reversed." I said climbing out of the truck "Thanks for the ride."

 

I walked into the house, trying to be quiet because i figured everyone was asleep but it was useless because everyone was awake.

 

"Hi, What's everyone doing up?" I asked picking up Bailey who was rolling his truck all over the floor.

 

"We wanted to wait up for you." Ma said holding Olivia

 

"You didn't have to, besides i think these guys should be in bed, it's after 11." I said checking my watch

 

"Well, they wanted to wait for you." My father said bouncing Maggie on his lap

 

"Pop, they're two,one and six weeks old , they have no concept of time yet." I said sitting on the chair

 

"Well neither do you" My mother said

 

"Ma, please i've had a long day, come on guys let's go to bed." I said standing up, putting Bailey on the floor and picking up Olivia, then picked up Bailey again,"let's go Mags".

 

Maggie kissed my father goodnight and toddled over

 

"Say Night Night Nana and Pop." I said

 

"Night Nannie, night night Poppy". Maggie said sticking her finger in her mouth

 

"Night Maggie, night Bailey." My mother said

 

 

 

PART 12

The Next day, we were in a panic trying to get all the kids packed and into the my mustang.  we were just about to pull out of the driveway when John's cell phone rang.

"John, your cell" I said handing Maggie her sippy cup and John his cell phone

"Thanks Baby," John said, "Hello?, Oh hey mom..how's hawaii?" 

"Mamaa!!" Bailey yelled

"What, sweetie?" I said turning around and seeing him swing a toy car around,"that's good honey really".

"All right, let me talk to Nik, and see what she say?.yes i love you too, bye" John hung up the phone,"Promise you won't get mad?"

"Why? What's up?" I said reaching over and putting a pacifier in Olivia's mouth

"My parents flight got cancelled and so they are throwning an inpromptu thanksgiving dinner and were wondering if we wanted to come up with the kids," John said getting on the highway

"I promised my family we'd come up with the kids, what are we going to do?" I said checking on the kids, who by the grace of God, had all fallen asleep.

"I got it, we'll eat dinner at my parent's house and dessert at Stacey's." John said

"We don't do dessert, remember? Ok so what if you take Maggie and Bailey to your parents house for dinner and i'll take the baby to Stacey's then we'll meet at Stacey's and i don't know, take the kids out for dessert and then we'll come back to Stacey's and sleep." I said putting my head on John's shoulder

"Are you sure?" John said putting his one free arm around me

"Postive, besides it's not like it's christmas or anything, it'll be great." I said falling asleep

We drove all day, Maggie Bailey and Olivia slept through the entire ride, only waking up when they got hungry or when Bailey accidentally spilled his milk all over Maggie and she screamed so loud, we nearly slammed into a minivan.

But finally we made it into New Hampshire, and after getting lost and two frantic calls to Stacey, we finally made it there.

"Are you sure about this?" John said handing me the baby carrier and one of the three diaper bags we have

"Postive, say hi to your mom and dad for me." I said kissing him and watching him get back in the car,"Bye Guys..be good".

"Bye Bye Mama!" Maggie yelled

"MAMAMA!" Bailey yelled

"Ok Livvy, it's just you and me, time to face the music," I said walking up the walk way

"AUNTIE!" a little voice from inside thehouse screamed

"ALI BABY!" I yelled back standing at the front door

"Hey cousin," Stacey said opening the door

"Hi Honey" I said kissing her cheek

 "Oh look at little Olivia! Stacey squealed hugging me and trying to look at the baby

"Whoa, ok can you help me? because between the baby and the bag, it's getting a little heavy," I said

"Right,I'll take the baby" Stacey said taking the carrier out of my hands

"Ok..thanks" I said climbing up the stairs,"Hi Ali" 

"AUNTIE" She cannonballed into my arms

"Whoa! careful Auntie still has some of her stitches in!" I said carrying her into the living room.

I put her down on the floor and she immediately ran over to the baby

"Hello Livia, hi" Ali said, "can we take her out of the carrier,Mommy?"

"If Auntie says it's ok" Stacey said getting on the floor

"Sure," I said

We played with the baby until she fussed and then i gave her bottle, which she fell asleep halfway through.

"Go to sleep, go ahead baby" I said rocking her

I put her in Ali's old crib, which had been set up in Ali's room next to her big girl bed then i walked back out to the living room

"Is she asleep?" Stace asked

"Yup, oh i'm exhausted" I said leaning back against the couch

"No one said having kids would be easy" Stacey remarked

"Says she who only has one." I replied

"Oh spare me". Stacey rolled her eyes

"It's true." I insisted then Olivia started to cry,"Coming Baby"

"Hi Sweetie!" I said picking up the baby, she stopped crying and started smiling, "that's my girl"

I changed her then brought her out to the living room, where Ali was playing with a rubber ball, i put Olivia on floor and then played with both girls until Olivia got fussy and i put her back in her crib, then i tried to stay up long enough to read Ali a story but fell asleep half way through.

Olivia let me sleep in until 7:30 then preceeded to scare the hell out of me with a giant shriek that would send Madonna's hair in every direction.

"Hi sweetie!" I said picking up the baby and putting her on the changing table," Happy thanksgiving!"

"Auntie?" A little voice said behind me

"Hi Ali Babe, happy thanksgiving!" I said changing Olivia diaper

"Happy thanksgiving!..where's Mommy?" Ali asked rubbing her big blue eyes

"I think she's downstairs with Nana, if you wait a minute we can all go downstairs together." I said buttoning up Liv's pjs and taking Ali by the hand and we walked downstairs.

"Hey honey," Auntie greeted us,"can you help me with the stuffing?"

"Sure just let me put Miss Olivia in her swing" I started to go back up the stairs

"Auntie, can i hold her please?!" Ali said hopping from one foot to the other

"Sure but you have to be very careful ok?" I said walking over to the couch

"Yup". Ali said as i put the baby in the crook of her arm,"Look Mommy!"

"That's great Ali-boots but we need to use our indoor voice, remember?" Stacey reminded her

"Ok Mommy..Hi Livvy" Ali kissed one of her hands

I walked into the kitchen, made the stuffing, made the salad and made the appetizers,i kept looking up just to check on them, as i was putting the cream cheese on the celery i looked up and saw they'd both fallen asleep.

"Stace, look!" I said as she was chopping some olives

"Oh wow! that is so adorable!  i'm going to go get my camera!" Stacey said running up the stairs

"Auntie, can you watch them while i take a shower?" I said pushing a piece of hair behind my ear

"Sure". Auntie said sitting on the couch

I turned on the water, quickly washed my hair, threw on a gucci black  skirt and a white tank-top, blow dried my hair and threw on a little bit of makeup, i opened the door and walked back into the living room. Just in time to Auntie asleep and my child screaming.

"It's Ok, Olivia, it's ok". I said picking her up

"I didn't do anything!." Ali defended herself

"I know, Honey, i think she's just hungry." I said digging through the diaper bag and pulling out a bottle.

She must have been hungry because she sucked down two bottles, i brought her upstairs, changed her diaper and then changed her into a little white dress with a sash and put a headband on her.then started to bring her downstairs.

Just before i got to the bottom step, the door flew open and my mother breezed in

"Hi Ma". I said

"Hi Cole, oh there's my little girl! Hi Olivia!" My mother said holding her arms

"Hi to Nonie." I said giving her the baby

My mother took the baby downstairs followed by my father who came in looking like he'd just come from a funeral

"Hi Pop". I said

"Hi Kid" My father said hitting me on the arm then walked downstairs

"FOOD'S READY!" Auntie shouted as i opened to door to go into her apartment

"All right!" I called back

I took the baby from my mother and sat down at the table.

"Ok everyone, let's say Grace". Auntie stood up,"Louie, you start"

"Dear Lord, bless us and the meal we're about to eat,we've had many blessings this year with Olivia being born and Ali going into the second grade plus Louis and Jen finally getting married in Febuary." Uncle Louie started

"Who figured i'd be married before him?" I said laughing

"We did" The entire family said then laughed

"So God, thank you for our blessings Amen" Uncle Louie finished

We passed around the dishes and the baby, just as i had put the fork to my mouth, the phone rang

"Oh what the hell?" Auntie swore as she picked the phone,"Hello?, no hold on please.Nikki it's for you". She handed me the phone.

"Hello?" I said handing my mother Olivia

"Is this Nicole Distefino?" a voice asked

"Yes, who is this?" I asked

"This is Jodi, i'm an admitting nurse at Mass General, i'm sorry to have to tell you this especially on the holidays but your husband was admitted to the hospital". The voice sounded apologic

"What? why?" I said dropping my fork

"There was a car accident, your husband was hit by drunk driver on the Pike". Jodi said

"Oh my god! is he all right?" I said starting to cry

"i'm not going to lie to you M'am, it doesn't look well, your husband suffered bruises,broken bones and fractures." Jodi said

"What about my children?" I said whispering

"oh a Maggie and Bailey Distefino, they're still up in the NICU being looked at." Jodi said

"I will be there as soon as possible, please tell them i will be there" I said

"Of course" Jodi said then hung up

"Oh my god, oh my god!" I jumped up

"What wrong? what happened?" Stace asked

"John's been in a car accident". I said getting dizzy

"Oh my god, is he all right?" Auntie asked

"No he's got broken bones and they don't what else, oh my god." I said crying

"What about Maggie and Bailey?" Ma asked

"I don't know!" I sobbed harder,"i need to get to the hospital, now..come on ,Olivia we gotta go". I said reaching for the baby

"Nik,leave her here, you can't be lugging a baby carrier around the hospital". Uncle Louie said

"Yeah All right," I started to walk out but came back in,"Can one of you come with me?"

"I'll go". Stacey said standing up," Andy, watch Ali ok?"

"Yeah, sure". Andy agreed

We raced to Stacey SUV and climbed in.

"Stace, i'm scared," I blubbered

"I know,honey, he'll be fine.". Stacey said pulling onto the highway

"How am i am going to take care of three babies?" I said wiping my nose 
 

"You have us, you'll always have your family." Stace pointed out

"But you guys are in New Hampshire, i live in New York, i can't just uproot my kids and leave my entire world behind," I said starting to cry

"But you need to also think about  he does need time  recover, your going to need to get a job and an apartment here because i'm sure he won't recover overnight". Stace pulled off into the Boston exit

"I realize that, but i just don't know what i'm going to do, i've a job that requires me to travel, three children under the age of three, a husband who maybe paralyazed, and two well now one car payment plus the skate shop,  i don't know how to survive without him". i said crying hard

"Well, this a switch, usually your Miss Independent.". Stacey said pulling into the parking lot.

"I know, i guess you were right, having kids does change everything," I said sobbing harder,"But Stace, i don't know how to survive without him! he's my whole world!"

"I know honey, i know" She said pulling into a parking spot and hugging me

We walked across the parking lot in silence,halfway across she grabbed my hand and squeezed.

We walked through two double doors, to where the  front desk was.

 

“Hi, I’m looking for a Jonathan Distefino?” Stace asked the woman behind the desk, who then typed in his name

 

“Ah, yes he’s in room 354, take the north elevators up to the third floor, it’ll be the fifth door on your right.” The woman said giving me a sympathic look

 

Stacey grabbed my arm and led me to the elevators.

 

“Wait, we didn’t ask about Maggie and Bailey.”. I said wiping my nose

 

“I know, I figured we’d ask the doctor after we hear about John.” Stacey pushing the elevator buttons

 

“Oh my god! We need to call John’s parents.” I said realizing I’d forgotten to call my in-laws

 

“I’ll do it afterwards, no reason to not scare them for no reason.” Stacey said leading me into the elevator.

 

We rode up in silence then when we got off the elevator and Stacey lead over to the nurses station.

 

“Boy, you sure know your way around Mass General.” I remarked

 

“Yeah, well in between Uncle Louie, Ali and Andy, you tend to learn a few things.” Stacey said,”Oh and I don’t think I’ll need to call your in-laws”

 

“Why?” I said with my head down

 

“Because their here”. Stacey pointed them out

 

Kathy and George were sitting in the waiting room chairs, he was asleep and she was clutching Rosary beads and he was asleep.

 

“Mom, Dad” I said tapping Kathy on the shoulder

 

“Oh Nicole!.” Kathy stood up and hugged me, George immediately woke up and hugged the both of us,”Oh Hello Stacey” Kathy noticed Stacey was just standing there

 

“Hi, have the doctors talk to you?” Stacey asked

 

“No, they were waiting for you, Nicole”. Kathy said sitting down

 

“Oh that’s not right, I’m going to go have a talk with them.” Stacey marched over to the nurses station and got right up into the head nurse’s face.

 

Whatever she said worked because right away the doctor came out

 

“Are you Jonathan’s wife?” The Doctor asked

 

“Yes” I nodded

 

“Please come with me.” The doctor said then led us down the hallway and into an office.

 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself, My name is Dr.Wyatt Cooper.” The doctor said

 

“I’m Nicole, this is my mother-in law Kathy, my father-in law,George and my cousin Stacey.”  I introducted them

 

“I’m terribly sorry we have to meet under these conditions.” The doctor said

 

“What’s wrong with my son?” George asked

 

“He sustained a concussion,  broke left arm, his right knee was broken and we had to insert pins into the knee cap.” The doctor said

 

“Will he be able to walk again normally?” Kathy asked

 

“Yes with the help of many months of physical therapy.” The doctor said

 

“Are there any more injuries?” Stacey asked

 

“Yes he broke his nose and twisted his back severely.” The doctor said

 

“Is he able to be transported because we live in New York"I said whispering

 

“No, I’m sorry for the next few months, this will be Jonathan’s home.” The Doctor said

 

“Is my husband conscious?”. I said crying

 

“No because the concussion is so  severe, he is in a mild coma which I fully believe he’ll be waking up shortly.” The doctor said,”Do you have any other questions?”

 

“No, thank you” We stood up

 

“Wait, what about my children!” I said just before going through the door,"they were admitted to the hospital also"

 

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t attend to your children, if they were injured they’d be up in NICU” The doctor said

 

“Thank you” I said

 

We walked back out to the waiting room

 

"Before i go in and see John, i'm going to go get Maggie and Bailey." I said wiping my eyes

 

"Of course,darling of course" Kathy said hugging me

 

"Stace?" I said after Kathy let me go

 

"Right behind you." Stacey said

 

We walked back to the elevator.i couldn't stop crying

 

"Honey, you have to control yourself, this isn't helping." Stacey said

 

"I know,i can't help it,  these are my babies". I said taking a deep breath

 

"I know Nik, I know" Stacey leading us into the elevator and pushed the 5th floor button

 

We walked up the NICU, which is where the sick babies are and looked into the Nursery, but i couldn't find Maggie or Bailey.

 

"Excuse me," I said,stopping a nurse who was rushing past me,"I'm looking for Maggie and Bailey Destifino?"

 

"Oh are they yours? they are such darlings! and so smart too, they're in the pediatric playroom, down the hall". The Nurse said pointing to a room down the hall

 

"Thanks" Stacey said

 

We walked down the hall like a couple of prisoners waiting to be executed.

 

As soon as we reached the room, i got incredible dizzy.

 

"Are you all right?" Stace asked grabbing my arm

 

"I'm fine" I said taking a deep breath, then pushed open the door

 

Bailey was sitting on the floor with a little girl and they were rolling a ball back and forth, the little girl had her head bandaged and at first i thought it was Maggie but then i realized the little girl had blond hair whereas Maggie has redish brown hair.

 

"Hi Bailey!" I said as cheerfully as i could

 

"Mamama!!" Bailey clapped his hands

 

"How are you sweetheart?" I said picking him up and hugging him and kissing him

 

"Ball!!!" Bailey said, he didn't have casts, bandages or anything on him, he was perfect.

 

"I missed you, did you miss me?"  I said starting to cry

 

"Mama,truck!" Bailey said playing with my necklace.

 

"That's great, sweetie." I said hugging him harder

 

"Careful, Nik,your going to suffucate the boy" Stacey said

 

 

 

Part 11

"Nik, come on let me help you" John said grabbing my hand

"I think you've done enough". I said through gritted teeth.

"I know that just the contraction talking so i'm going to ignore that last comment." John said.

"Oh baby, i'm sorry." I started to cry

"I know honey,i know..step up." John said helping me get into the jeep.

As soon as i sat back down in the jeep, i immediately passed out.

"OH MY GOD! NIKKI!". I faintly heard John yell,"NIKKI, BABY COME SWEETHEART."

Then next thing i remember is waking up, lying on a hospital gurney strapped to a fetal monitor and John holding my hand, and he was crying.

"John." I whispered,"John"

"Nikki, your awake!" John jumped up from the chair and kissed me on the lips.

"The baby? is she all right?" I said noticing i was still pregnant

"She's all right, the doctor's came in and examined you while you were still out cold, they said if you didn't wake up soon, they would have to go in and get the baby." John said climbing onto the bed with me

"Oh my god, why did i pass out?". I said

"I don't know, the doctor's seems to think you were contracting so fast, your body couldn't handle the pain and you just passed out." John said holding my hand.

"What if i hurt the baby?"." I said starting to cry.

"There is no way you could hurt Olivia, Maggie or Bailey.It's not your fault, plain and simple. Moving on,  Can you believe we're about to have a third baby?" John said

"I know, it's incredible..". I said laughing

"Can you  believe that in less than three years, we managed to get married, have three kids, start a business, run a magazine and move to a great neighborhood." John pointed.out

"I know, i'm amazed everyday." I said putting my head on his shoulder

Just then the Nurse came in.

"Hello Mrs.Distefino, you gave us quite a scare, now i have some questions for you that your husband wasn't able to answer for us.". The Nurse whipped out a clipboard.

"What was your original due date?" The Nurse asked

"September 30th." I said

"Interesting,why weren't  you induced two weeks after your due date?" The Nurse asked.

"The Doctor felt that the baby would come on her own time." I was curious as to where she was going with this.

"Oh Ok." The nurse wrote down my answer then she snapped the clipboard shut,"Well Mrs.Destifino, we need to get you into the delivery room now."

"But my contractions have stopped, is there something wrong with my baby? ." I said  confused

"Your contractions have stopped because of the medication we've given you and if we don't get that baby out now, there's a chance when you finally do deliver, you'll both bleed out" The nurse left the room

"Oh John" I burst into tears,"I can't lose this baby"

"I know honey i know" John said

"Madame, please hop onto this gurney" An orderly said wheeling the hospital into my room.

"Ok" I said shakily getting off the bed i was lying on and climbed onto the other one.

"John?" I said looking up

"Right here" John leaned over and kissed my head,"I'm right here i'm not going anywhere"

"Ok" I said wiping my eyes.,"What are you thinking about right now?"

"I'm thinking, when you get out of here, we're going to take all the kids camping up in the Nevada desert." John said as we went through double doors.

"Really?" I said

"Yup" John said gripping my hand.

"Hello Nicole". Doctor West said

"Hello" I said

"Are we ready to have this baby" The doctor asked sitting down

"Oh yeah" I said biting my lip.

"Ok, i need you to give me a good push" The doctor said

"Ok " I leaned forward and pushed as hard as i could

"Good Nikki Good" The doctor," Ok  again..Nikki..Nikki?"

He wasn't getting a response from me because after that first push, i leaned back against the bed and passed out.  

I woke up about an hour later, incredibly sore more so than usual.

"Oh god" I looked around then looked down,"Oh my god!"

Where was my baby?!

"Hi Mama" John said holding something small covered in a blanket

"What happened?" I asked as he sat down on the bed next to me

"You passed out and they had to do a crash C-section, Missy here didn't want to come out willingly but she eventually came around." John said

I took a good look at our youngest daughter, she had dark black hair, a chubby nose and the chubbiest cheeks ever.

"Hello Olivia, we've been waiting for you" I said holding our daughter for the first time.

"I think out of all the kids, she's going to be the most difficult." John said playing with her little hand

"I think so too, she's so serious" I couldn't stop staring at her, her little face wasn't bright pink like Bailey and Maggie, she was olived skinned, very tanned

"She's so dark, are you sure she's mine?"John asked

"John!" I couldn't believe him

"I'm kidding" John laughed

"Well she's either yours or the guy who runs the Deli on 10 street" I said

"Funny..Hi Sweetie" John said watching Olivia yawn and flicker her eyes

Olivia Rose Destifino was born on October 31st,  at 11:58pm weighing 8lbs, 12oz and was 21 inches long

We spent the rest of night, just watching our daughter sleep,try to find her thumb and occasionally open her eyes to reveal a deep shade of brown. I also noticed that on her right hand just below her fingers, was a little brown dot which looked like the one i have on my foot.

"Hi Livvy". John said playing with her hands.

Olivia responsed by crying a little.

"It's ok  Livia, it's just Daddy being silly" I said

Olivia just kept crying.

"Maybe she's hungry" John said

"I don't think so, i think she's just trying out her voice." I said

"If you say so."  John making faces at the baby.

We had decided that when Olivia Rose came home, we wouldn't have the big party that we usually have because we figured it would be easier to get Maggie and Bailey to get used to Olivia Rose without everyone around us oohing and ahhing. I also didn't want Maggie and Bailey coming to the hospital to vist us because hospitals are scary and Maggie and Bailey wouldn't sit still long enough to see they're new baby sister.

Because of my emergency C-section and the fact Olivia was nearly a month overdue, we couldn't come home for two whole weeks, so John had to call our Moms to come get Bailey and Maggie and arrange for Newman to covers his shifts at the Shop.

We took our youngest daughter home on a late Wednesday afternoon.

"Hello little Girl" John said picking up Olivia from the bassinett

"Say Hi Daddy" I said packing up our gear.

"Should you be lifting all that  heavy stuff?" John asked sitting down in the rocking chair beside the bed

"No but once we're out of here, i'm going to take the Munchkin and you can take all our stuff." I said folding my pajamas

"Your not a munchkin, are you Olivia? no your Daddy's little Fussbucket." John said

"John!" I stopped folding for a second

"What?, Maggie is my little Princess, Bailey is my Bailey-boy and now Olivia is my little Fussbucket." John explained.

"I think I can live with that" I said resuming my folding

"Are we ready to go home?" John asked getting up from the chair

"Yes, i think so." I said looking around making sure we didn't forget anything

"Are you nervous?" John asked opening the door

"Uh huh" I said taking a deep breath

"Relax it's going to be fine" John said closing the door behind us.

"I know but aren't you nervous?" I asked sitting down on a couch outside of the nurses station

"Nah, after the the third kid, you lose all nervousness" John said filling out forms

"Oh" I nodded adjusting the blanket on Olivia's head.

"Are you ready for your first jeep ride. Olivia?" John asked opening the hospital door.

"You brought the Jeep?" I asked

"Yeah, why?" John asked opening the Jeep door

" a Jeep isn't exactly kid-friendly" I said sighing

"well, you're car is in the shop". John said helping us into the jeep

"Wait, why is my car in the shop?" I stopping buckling Olivia Rose in her car seat

"Well,i went to put gas in it, noticed the radio was a little staticy and well i fiddled with it and somehow ripped out of out the dashboard." John said starting up the car

"Oh John." I said checking on Olivia, who'd fallen asleep

"Well I'm sorry but Veira said it would be fixed by Monday." John said pulling into our street,"there's one other thing"

"You blew up the house?" I said checking on the baby, who was still asleep

"Haha,no but after i called and told them about Livvy,they told me they were going to call up everyone so that when we brought her home.." John didn't finish his sentence  since i already knew what he was going to say

"John!" I whined."I've still got my stitches, i can't be playing hostess."

"I know, but it's just for a few hours, besides don't you want to show off Olivia?." John said  stopping the car in front of our house.

"Yeah, i guess" I said stepping out of the jeep

"Come on Livvy," John said taking her carrier from the backseat

"Hold on" I said stopping to pick her up,"ready"

"Ok" John pushed open the door

immediately, everyone crowded around us.

"whoa, everyone will get to see her, just give me some space". i said immediately feeling overwhelmed

they backed  off and i was able to sit down on the couch.

"Where's Maggie and Bailey?". I asked   

"Right here". Vinnie said, holding Maggie in his left arms and Bailey upside with his right

"Hi Guys" I said as Vinnie put them down

"Mama" Maggie said trying to climb in my lap

"Mamama". Bailey clapped his hands and wrapped himself around John's leg

"Mags, Bailey-boy, this is you're new baby sister Olivia, can you say Olivia?" John asked

"Livia" Maggie said clearly

"Lala". Bailey said laughing

"No honey, not Lala, Olivia". My mother corrected him

"Give it up Ma, he's only one". I said kissing Bailey on his head

"Ok guys, let's eat, because Daddy's starving." John announced scooping up Bailey,"You want anything Baby?".

"Me or her?". I asked rocking a little bit

"well since she doesn't have any teeth, i was talking to you". John said kissing me on the head

"Haha, smartass..can you bring me a plate,with a little of everything?" I said playing with little Olivia's hand

"Sure thing..Mama". John said

                                        SIX WEEKS LATER

Before Olivia was born, John and i had talked about what we would do when i had to go back to work, i had a magazine to run and as Senior Editor, i needed to be there plus we needed the money, especially with three kids still in diapers.

But the hardest part of going back to work, was leaving the baby at home with Annie, don't get me wrong  i love Annie, but this was my last baby.

Out of all the kids, Olivia was the easiest because that first night she slept for sixteen hours, and when she was awake, she smiled and giggled all the time , Bailey and Maggie instantly fell in love with her, we all did.

On my first day at work,  Maggie was going to be in Pr-Kindergarden which lasted all day, John was taking Bailey to the shop and Annie was staying home with Olivia .

The night before i went to work, i was running around doing errands, packing the diaper bag, writing out lists making lunch for Maggie for the next day .

"Nikki,your going to wear yourself out." John said grabbing me by the wrist as i ran past him to go get my laptop

"I'm fine". I said stopping short

"Come on, Nik,you've been running around since the doctor cleared you, you need to slow down." John said lifting up my face,"you know what we haven't done in awhile?"

"As i recall, that's how we got Olivia". I said laughing

"True.."John kissed me,"i love you so much"

"I love you too". I said kissing him back

"NO NO NO!". Bailey yelled

"Uh oh,time to be parents." John said breaking our kiss

We walked into Bailey's room, to find Maggie trying to pull him over the bars

"MAGGIE!" i yelled, startling her

She dropped Bailey, who landed face first into the mattress, he started to cry then Maggie started to cry and Of course, Olivia took that moment to scream and start to cry

"I somehow don't think you should have screamed."John said picking up Maggie while i picked up Bailey.

"I'm sorry,Baby but you know your not supposed to get Bailey out of his crib," I said kissing Maggie on her head.

I put Bailey back in his crib, turned on his little radio to his favorite cd, kids bop2 and ran to get the baby

"It's ok, it's ok Baby ". I said picking up the baby, kissing  her head and rocking her a little

"We need help."John said still hanging on to Maggie

"Well, what do you suggest? Annie's already taking Olivia during the day and Maggie's in preschool, don't forget, Bailey's going to the shop with you ." I said rubbing Olivia's head

"Maybe we should hire a nanny?" John said swinging Maggie around

"How? between car payments,diapers and payments on the shop, we can't afford hire anyone." I said putting Olivia, who'd fallen asleep back in her crib

"We need help, we've got three babies and two educated people who are struggling ,"John said putting Maggie on the floor and letting her play.

"I think we're doing fine." I insisted handing Maggie a block

"Come on, Nik, be realistic in the last month and half, we've gotten maybe four hours sleep a week total and we're constantly on edge." John said playing with the blocks

"What do you suggest? put them up for a adoption? eventually.they'll start sleeping through the night, i mean what you like them maybe sedated? " I said sitting in the rocking chair watch Maggie and John play

"I'm not saying that,. i'm just saying maybe we should just get away for a bit just to get some sleep and just be alone..". John said tickling Maggie

"That sounds great but i can't leave Olivia.". I said leaning back and watching my baby sleep

"She's not going anywhere,besides it'll be fun." John said chasing Maggie around the room

"If you think so, Ok i'll get Gina And Annie to take the kids." I said standing up and walking into the kitchen

I looked at the calendar to check a good date for us to leave when i noticed a red cicle around a date..i leaned closer and realized it was nearly two days before thanksgiving!

"Oh shit!" I said,"JOHN!"

"WHAT?" John called from The Baby's room

"Come here please" I said freaking out

"What's wrong?" John said coming into the kitchen

"I completely forgot thanksgiving is in Two days!" I said pacing

"Oh damn..it is, what are we going to do?" John asked opening the fridge

"I'll call Stace," I said reaching for the phone

"Why? she treated you horribly when you were a kid, why would you want to spend thanksgiving there?" John pointed out

"Well, as i recall your mother and father are headed to a remote island in Hawaii, and my parents are going to be at Stace's, it'll give them a chance to see the baby". I said dialing Stacey

"Hello?" Stace said picking up the phone on the first ring

"Hey cousin, how's it going?!" I said sitting on the counter

"Oh hey Nik, not much, just getting ready for thanksgiving" Stace replied

"Right, so are we having it at Auntie's or your house?". I said picking up one of Bailey's footballs

"Mine" She must have been chewing on something

"Ok we'll be up in the next day or so, we'll problably leave tonight because it'll take us ten hours just to get them ready?" I said as John started to  kiss me,"John stop!"

"What?" Stace said

"Nothing, um we'll see you tomorrow!" I said laughing and hung up the phone,"JOHN!"

"What? i can't help myself sometimes" He said kissing me even more

part 10

The day of Bailey's birthday party, We decorated the walls with Blues Clues posters because  it was a blues clues theme party, we had so much blues clues stuff on the walls,. it looked like a paint factory exploded.

"You know, i hate to say it but this house is starting to look a little sissy" John remarked

"John!" I couldn't believe it

"What? it's true" John said

"It's your son's first birthday, deal with it" I said going into the kitchen

"Couldn't we have had like i don't know,  a G.I joe theme or something?" John asked following me

"I think it's cute, besides Bailey loves blues clues" I said opening a bag of salad

"Yeah, if you say so" John said biting into a carrot

"Why don't you go take Maggie over to the grocery store and pick up the cake" I suggested cutting into tomato

"Ok you want anything else?" John asked

"Yeah, get some matches, a bottle of salad dressing and some cookies, oh and a big box of Coffee for Auntie Diane. " I said

"Anything else?" John replied

"That should do it..i'll call you if i need anything" I said kissing him goodbye

"Yeah..Maggie, Come on Princess.." John said walking out to the living room

"Okey dokey Daddy" Maggie ran out of her room

"We're going out for a bit, go kiss Mommy goodbye" John said scooping her up and bringing her into the kitchen

"Bye Bye Mommy" Maggie said kissing me on nose

"Bye Baby" I said kissing her back

I walked around making sure the house didn't look like a tornado had thrown up, then just as i was just taking the brownies out of the oven when Bailey started to cry.

"Mama" A little voice called

"Coming Baby, Oh Damn" I said dropping the pan.

I threw out the entire pan and went to go get Bailey.

"Hey Hey there big boy" I said reaching into the crib and picked him,"Who's mommy's big boy?"

He crinkled his nose and smiled

"That's my big guy, oh boy, we have to get dressed because it's your birthday!" I said bringing him over to the changing table

"Mammam" Bailey said

"Yes, that's right  Mama," I said then changed him into a pair of little overalls and a tiny blue t-shirt

"HELLO?" a voice called ..Annie

"Hey, We're upstairs in Bailey's room" I called downstairs to where Annie was.

"Alright" Annie called back

I put little white sneakers on Bailey and we went downstairs.

"Hey Hey there's my favorite little guy" Annie said

Bailey crinkled his nose and snuggled into my neck

"Oh come here big boy" Annie said taking Bailey and putting him on the floor.

"Watch him while i go finish the food, will you?" I asked going into the kitchen

"Sure" Annie said rolling a ball to Bailey

I remade the brownie, made onion dip and cut up some fruit, by the time i was done Almost everyone had shown up, Maggie and John came in a few minutes after my mother and father had come.

"Nana!" Maggie yelled

"Maggie, my love" My mother practically ran across the room and begin to hug and kiss Maggie

I was walking over to bring Trista some coffee when my aunt grabbed me by the wrist

"Cole, Do me a favor?" My Aunt Pat  asked

"Sure Auntie Anything?" I said handing Trista her coffee and looking at my aunt

"Can you just lift up your shirt a little?" Auntie Asked

"What? Why?" I was stunned

"Because I just wanna see my great grand-niece" Auntie  explained

"Oh all right but you do have a real life great grand niece, who is right now being snuggled to death by Ma." I said lifting up my shirt, i was only five months pregnant but i was still carrying the weight from Bailey's birth so it looked like i was carry twins.

"Ooo there she is!, So have you and Jonathan picked out a name yet?" My aunt asked putting her hand on my belly

"Yes Olivia Rose" I said shivering because her hand was cold

"Olivia Rose! How sweet, where did you ever come up with that name?" Auntie asked with her hand still  on my belly

"I loved the name Olivia from SVU and John decided Rose because that's what kind of flower we had on our wedding day." I said then excused myself and walked over to my husband

"Hi Baby" He said kissing me

"Hi Honey" I said then picked up a carrot and bit into it

"Are you alright?" John asked concerned

"Just a little tired" I said

"Go sit down for a bit" John said

"I can't, we have to do cake and presents after everyone eats" I said

"Well until then, Come on Nik,it isn't healthy for you or the baby or the rest of us  if your overtired" John said shoving me towards the couch

"Yah Alright" I said sitting  down

"COLE, WHERE'S THE BIG SERVING BOWL?" Stacey yelled from the kitchen

"ON TOP OF THE FRIDGE" I said

"I DON'T SEE IT!" She replied

"HOLD ON, I'M COMING" I slid off the couch and walked into the kitchen

"I don't want you to climb on the chair" Stace warned me

"I'm fine" I grabbed the kitchen chair and stood on it," I got it!" I found the bowl  and started to jump down  but lost my balance.

 My mind instantly flashed to, if i fall on my stomach, i could hurt my baby so i twisted my body enough so that if i did fall, i could land on my back

"OH MY GOD!" Stacey and Trista, who'd just walked to get another cup of coffee yelled watching me hit the floor.

I knocked myself out for a good 10 minutes  then when i woke up, i was still on the kitchen but i was soaking wet.

"Why am I  soaking wet?" I asked starting to sit up

"Oh thank god, your wake!" Stacey said holding a glass

"Did you throw water on me?" I asked wiping the water off my glasses

"She had to, otherwise you might still be out cold" Trista explained 

"You do that for hysterical people, not to a pregnant woman  who fell two feet off the ground" I said then got up

"YOU'LL THANK ME ONE DAY" Stacey yelled

"THAT'LL BE DAY HELL FREEZES OVER" I yelled back from the bedroom, i had to change my shirt because i was completely soaked through.

"Hey there you are" John said coming into the bedroom,"where have you been"

"I was in the kitchen but i'll explain it to you later" I said digging through the bureau  

"OoOo feeling a little frisky are we?" John said putting his arms around me

" John not now..maybe later " I pulled my shirt over my head and walked back to the party

"OooO heyy what were you guys doing huh huh?" Vince asked noticing John was following me out of the bedroom,"Damn John, you already knocked her up three times, Why don't you leave the poor girl alone?"

"Vince!" I said blushing

"What?" Vin asked

I wanted to turn and run back into the bedroom

"Shut up Vin" John said standing in front of me

"Oh come on it was a joke?" Vince tried to explain

"At the expense of my wife..i don't think so " John said getting ready for a fight

"Alright guys, that's enough, i already have three children, i don't need anymore" I said walking over to my mother

"Hi Baby" I said kissing Maggie

"Hi Mama" Maggie said holding out her arms for me to take her

"Honey Bunny why don't you go play with Ali" I said taking her then putting her on the ground,she ran off towards the porch

"I swear Nikki, you spoil her" Ma said

"How? She's two years old, i haven't even begun to spoil her" I said picking up potato chip

"Believe me, she's spoiled..don't eat that!" My mother said ripping the chip out of my hand,"it's not good for the baby"

"But i love onion dip" i whined,

i don't believe this, i'm nearly 25, pregnant, married with two kids plus i'm whining which is something  i haven't done since i was seven  and my mother still treats me like a six year old,"I'm going to find John"

I looked around the house and finally found John outside playing frisbee with the kids

"JOHN!" I yelled standing in the doorway

"YEAH?" John called back

"Bring in the kids. i think we should cut the cake now?" I said putting a hand on my belly

"Guys, come on..let's go get cake!" John said picking up Bailey and running into the house, stopping when he reached the doorway,"Maggie, take your little brother and go find Grandma..i think she has some cookies for you guys"

Maggie took Bailey's hand and run over to John's Mom..

"Are you Ok?" John asked

"I'm doing ok" I said leaning against the door

"How's my little girl?" John said bending down to kiss my belly

"Kicking like crazy, C'mon let's go cut Bailey's first birthday cake" I said taking John's hand and leading him over to the dining room table

We got to the table just as Annie and Stevanne brought in the cake, I picked up Bailey and John picked up Maggie

"Ok Bailey Boy, now we're gonna blow out the candles..ready one two three." We leaned forward and blew out the candles

"YAHHH!" everyone yelled

Just as i was leaning over to grab the candles, with Bailey still in my arms, Maggie pushed his little face into the cake!

"Oh my god!" I said stunned

"That's my girl" John said laughing as he licked some of the icing from Bailey's face.

I thought Bailey would cry but he just giggled

We cut up the cake and then opened other presents, just as we were opening my mother's gift, Bailey started to fuss.

"Ok Big Boy" I said standing up ,"time for bed, Say bye Bailey"

"Bye Bailey" Everyone said

I took Bailey into his bedroom and changed him, the party was so overstimulating and he was so overindulged, that he immediately fell asleep in my arms. I slowly got up and put him in his crib.

"Happy Birthday, my favorite little guy" I said then went back out to the party

"Is he asleep?" John asked kissing my head

"Yup, out cold" I said sitting beside him on the couch

"So are you both ready for a new baby?" Natalie asked

"I think so, i mean we've managed to wrangle two little ones under the age of three, how are could another one be?" I asked putting my hand on my belly.

"Ooh just you wait and see" My mother said mysteriously

                                              FIVE MONTHS LATER

In the months since Bailey's birthday party, time had just flown by and before we knew it, it was summer again, we took the kids up to Maine for a week and despite my best efforts to keep sunscreen on both Maggie and Bailey, plus John and I, Maggie and i still got horribly burnt and had to stay in door for three days while Bailey and John got to go swimming.

Olivia Rose was due at the end of September but September came and went and no baby, October came and went, but still no baby, the doctor assured us that Olivia was fine, she was just being stubborn and would come out soon, hopefully before her high school graduation.

On Halloween Day, it was a another typical  day at the Distefino house, up at 5am to feed Bailey, put him back to bed at 5:45, then  Maggie woke us up  at 7 yelling,"I wanta PANatakes, I wanta Panatakes". then John took Maggie and Bailey to the park so i finish their customes, Bailey was going as a Pumpkin and Maggie was going as a Kitten. I finished their customes just as John came in with Maggie screaming, she'd fallen off the slide and bumped her nose, i think her Daddy was more upset about her falling than Maggie was because as soon as I kissed her boo-boo and handed her a cookie, she immediately quieted down while John kicked himself for not paying close enough attention to her.

All this before Lunchtime

  After lunch i managed to get the three of them, and  by three I mean John Maggie and Bailey down for a nap so i could at least run to the grocery store to buy candy because with all the baby hoopla, i completely forgot about getting candy for the neighborhood kids. i got back just as Bailey woke up and in his typical Bailey way, demanded to be let out of his crib and onto the floor where he could get into everything.

When John and Maggie woke, We ate a quick dinner then took Maggie and Bailey trick or treat, because they are only two and one, we didn't go too far, just around the block, enough to get a little bit of chocolate for Mommy to eat later when Maggie goes to Preschool. then we put the kids in their beds and fell asleep ourselves on the couch watch Sleepy Hollow.

"Nikki, Nikki" John called my name

"Wha?" I said cracking open one eye.

"Let's go to bed, huh?" John suggested taking my hand

"Sure" I sleepily followed him,"Honey"

"Yes Sweetie?" John said stopping in the hallway outside of our bedroom

"Do you think Olivia will ever be born?" I said becoming more and more alert

"Sure, she's just being stubborn besides you heard the doctor, if you haven't gone into labor by November fifth, he'll have to go in and get her" John said opening our bedroom door.

"Oh right" I said going into the bathroom and changing into my p.js

I climbed into bed and john put his arm around me, we'd both only been asleep for about an hour when it happened.

My water broke.

"Oh my god! " I said jumping up

"Wha?" John said cracking open one eye

"It's time" I said sliding off the bed

"time for what? breakfast, it's only 9:30pm" John said looking at the clock

"Not time for Breakfast, time to have a baby" I said practically ripping off my wet Pajamas and trying to find my overalls.

"Oh my god! this is it?!" John sprung up and nearly broke the lamp on the bedside table.

"Yeah. Oh god, She's a big hurry" I breathing as the contractions started

"Ok we gotta drop Maggie and Bailey off at Annie's right" John said throwning his jeans and t-shirt which were on the floor back on.

"Yes Oh god! Call her from the car, we got no time" I said the contractions were coming faster and faster.

John ran out of our room and grabbed Bailey, while i went to go get Maggie

"Maggie honey, you gotta wake up" I said picking her up

"No No " Maggie struggled to open her eyes

"Yes Yes, your going tobe a big sister again sweetie" I said bringing her out to the car where John was already buckling Bailey into his safety seat.

"Are you all right?" John asked taking Maggie from my arms and putting her in the car.

"Yeah but Olivia Rose is in a big rush". I said climbing into the jeep.

John ran around the front of the jeep and climbed in.

"All right let's go!" John started up the car.

"Did you open the garage door?" I asked putting my hand on my head.

"Oh shit" John said climbed out of the jeep and went to open the door.

"Mama, Daddy said a bad word". Maggie woke up

"I know baby, i know" I said turning around to look through the back windshield to see John struggle to open the garage door.

He finally got the door open and jumped back into the Jeep.  We raced down the block to Annie's.

"How are you doing, Baby?" John asked turning onto Annie's street.

"I'm fine" I said trying to breath through another contractions.

"We're here." John screeched to a stop in front of Annie's house.

I helped him take Bailey and Maggie out of the car but just as i was crossing the lawn to  knock on Annie's door, a contraction hit me so hard, i fell on my knees holding Bailey, somehow i managed not to drop him though.

"OH MY GOD! JOHN". I yelled, Somehow Bailey slept right through this whole thing.

"What?" John turned around and saw us on the ground,"Oh shit" He put Maggie on the stoop and ran over to us.

"GET.ANNIE." I said through gritted teeth.

"Right." John grabbed Bailey and ran up to the porch.,"ANNIE"

No answer, he pounded harder,"ANNIE"

Finally Annie came to the door, "What's going on?"  She asked rubbing her eyes.

"Nikki's in labor" John said shoving Bailey toward Annie

"Oh my god!" Annie said as Maggie toddled in between her legs into the house.

"Yeah, We'll call later." John jumped off the porch and ran back over to me.

"Are you all right?" John asked leaning over

"Quit asking me that, if we don't hurry up and get to a hospital, I'm going to have this baby on Annie's front lawn." I said waving my arms.

"Oh shit" John said running to the jeep and opening the door.

He came back and tried to help me but i didn't want his help and slowly got up.