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“Uh, congratulations,” Mack says awkwardly. “I think?”
Everyone in the room laughs.
“How’s Stevie Nicks?” I ask him.
“She’s good. She really loves playing with Beau.”
“Because he’s the best,” Elle says, still not looking up from her phone, which she has resting on her rather large belly.
“I would love to come to your home while the children are at school and help you, Miss Peyton,” Talisa says. Peyton looks at me, then to Nick, who nods.
“Consider it a gift,” he says. “I know you didn’t want anything, although Amelie has spent a fortune at the store on gifts. Talisa is home during the day and wants to help.”
“Are you sure?” I ask Nick.
“Of course, we’re family. It’s what we do.”
“I’d love the help,” Peyton says. “Thank you.”
Talisa claps her hands together. “Ooh, I can’t wait to hold them.”
I spy Mack, looking at the cradle. I go over to him and point to my oldest who is wearing a navy-blue hat. “That’s Maverick,” I tell him. “And this one is Jace.”
“Perfect footballer names,” Mack says.
“Or baseball,” I add.
“Or doctor!” Nick throws his hands up. “How come none of my kids want to be doctors?”
“Too much school, Dad,” Amelie says. “No one likes to read except for you.”
We all laugh until Elle blurts out, “Will you freaking stop kicking me!” and then jabs her hand into her side.
“Yep, that’s the one thing I’m not going to miss.”
33
PEYTON
Talisa bustles around the living room, straightening and organizing candles and magazines she has already straightened and organized. I think she’s more nervous than Noah and I are for the People interview. Granted, I am on edge about the entire thing. Having someone come into our new home, which we’ve only been in for a couple of days, take photos, and ask us questions is a bit unnerving. What if people on the other end don’t care for how we decorated or like the theme we chose for the nursery? Or how the boys are in one room and Juniper is in her own?
Noah tells me I have nothing to worry about, especially where outsiders are concerned. If they don’t like how we did something—that’s on them—not us. Easy to say. Harder to accept.
Juniper came home first, one week after she and her brothers were born. Each morning, the two of us bonded over decaf coffee, breastmilk, and a screamfest while I gave her a bath. I’m thankful for my in-laws. Liam and Josie have been my saving grace, especially since I couldn’t carry Juniper around. Every day after school, Paige took over, giving me a moment to myself, but honestly, I could never go far. It’s like my heart ached for her.
And my boys. I missed having Noah, Maverick and Jace in the house with Juniper. Granted, the house would’ve felt crowded and probably would’ve driven Liam out the door, but I needed them. Video chatting with Noah, while he’s still in Portland is not a substitute for having him in Beaumont. Beside the fact that I miss him, he’s missing moments with his children, and I hate that for him. I know I could’ve stayed in Portland, but not without a ton of help—the help I have in our hometown. Having family surrounding us twenty-four seven is the perfect way to heal.
Maverick and Jace came home right on schedule—my strong little warriors. Nick says they’re going to be just fine and growing the way they should. Each morning, I give the boys my undivided attention, trying to make up for the week Juniper had all by herself.
It’s funny to watch their little personalities come through each day. Juniper is an eye roller and Elle says she gets that from her. I don’t disagree. Each time one of the boys begins to fuss, Junie rolls those baby blues, but then seconds later starts her own fussing.
Right now, when I’m sitting down, I can hold all three. It’s the best feeling in the world having them snuggled on my chest. Noah loves it as well and when he’s home for the one to two days a week he can get in, it’s all he wants to do. This husband of mine sits on the couch, with his feet up and has a chest full of baby with his pup by his side.
Stevie Nicks is amazing with the triplets, as we suspected she would be. While we were at my in-laws the babies shared a room. Now that we’re in our new home, the twins share, and Juniper has her own. The rooms are next to each other, joined by a jack and jill bathroom. This bathroom is where our dog sleeps, right smack in the middle so she has easy access to both bedrooms. We tried to bring her back to our room, but she won’t have it. Stevie Nicks is wherever the babies are, standing guard and protecting them. I know they’ll end up being her best friend, especially when they’re highchair age and dropping food onto the floor for her.
Noah and I went with oval cribs and a color scheme of soft navy-blue and cream for the boys, and lavender for Juniper’s room. It’s a color Paige picked out and I fell in love with it.
In the few days we have lived in our new home, Talisa has come every day once Amelie and Mack leave for school. I love having her here. She’s someone to talk to and seems to know more about babies than anyone I know. I marvel at how she can carry both boys and still do things around the house.
