Ciao Amores,

Here's to the Forty-sixth Installation of Italian Coffee House.

YOU MADE IT!

Yeah, I know right. FINALLY!!!

I can't even begin to express to you guys how much it means to me that you've made it this far.

Thank you for sticking around, through the good times and the late updates. I really appreciate you all.

I do so hope that you all delight in this chapter.

Please

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ENJOY XD.

❤❤❤,

Ang

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Chapter 46

MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR READERS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS

Over a two week period, my anxiety had dissolved into sudden ourbursts of anger. It's not that my wrath was tailored for any one person, but that it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the growing pangs.

As much as the doctor recommended that we keep stress to a minimum, it had taken some toll on my body. Though not enough to raise any alarms.

The constant weight of three bodies pressing down on my spleen had grown too familiar. Needless to say, enough was enough. I was seriously over this pregnancy gig.

Nicky, being the supportive husband he was, tried his best to help me cope despite my demeanor. Though I admit, he might be a little impressed with me, after the few stunts I've pulled.

What can I say? I guess some people didn't handle pressure well.

Tey had a tendency to tease that I was going to have my hands full with Nicky's children. She might just be on to something if his antics and their activity was any indicator. Worse yet, if his prediction was validated and our babies all turned out to be boys.

I could barely handle Nicky, what would I do with three boys?

Speaking of which, today commenced the thirty-six week benchmark of my pregnancy. We were that much closer to meeting them for the first time.

A day at Tey's turned out to be just what I needed. It was too long since I'd had the pleasure of a visit with The Banks clan. Nicky made sure to pack my hospital bag before I got into Tey's car and she drove me to her place. Well, technically, her mom's.

My life had taken so many crazy turns. I couldn't tell which way was up from down. Nothing was grey. Everything was loud with color, vibrancy, risk and passion. It was crazy for a while there, but now that crazy had taken a nosedive, I could finally breathe so I jumped at the chance to visit.

The Banks were all entertaining in their own right. Tey's mother, Theodora Banks of course leading the gang. Somehow, she managed to raise five children on her own. When Tey was old enough, she took on some of the responsibilities, helping her mother to take care of her younger brothers and sisters.

Taj, Tye, Thema, Taren managed to make me forget that I was about to embark on one of if not the most incredible journey of my life. Childbirth. It didn't hurt that Theodora Banks had delivered her five children safely into the world and seeing them all turn out so amazing helped to put my mind at ease.

At the moment, I was in Tey room's soaking my feet in an Epsom salt bath. Her mom had suggested that it would help me to relax. More than that, she'd pointed out that a foot bath was therapeutic. Indeed it was, most of the tension in my feet had subsided. All in all, I was less moody.

It was so insane. When did I get here? Where did time go? How had I been zapped out of my wearisome existence and into this vibrant life with Nicky? For a good while, time seemed to stand still when I thought I might lose Papa, but now, it did a complete one-eighty.

Could you blame me if sometimes when I wake up it takes a moment to register that it wasn't all a dream?

"Pecans for your thoughts." Tey chimed, piercing the veil of my imagination.

"Sometimes, I have a moment where I can't believe this is all real, you know?"

"I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes, I pinch myself to make sure I'm awake." Her emotion got the best of her, for one nano-second. "I mean with what I'm about to do some might wonder if I'm high."

"Screw what everyone else thinks, I'm so proud of you." My words clearly hit a cord because I detected the unshed tears in her eyes.

"Thanks Dee." A goofy grin appeared on her face. "That means a lot."

"Well what can I say, I admire your drive. Going back to school is a big step. You're braver than I am Tey, that's for sure."

"Adaramola Casimiro, you're hella brave. You married a man for your father, survived a horrible ordeal, and any day now you're going to be a mom. If you're not the bravest person I know, I don't know who is."

"Call it even. Without the courage, living your dream can be plenty terrifying."

"Still people can always change their career Ada, but being a mother is forever."

"Jeez Tey take the compliment already." I rushed out, clearly flustered, in addition to giving her a stern look.

"Yes ma'am." Tey paused to salute me, causing us to break out into laughter.

Truth be told, Tey was a force to be reckoned with. Especially, when she put her mind to something. She knew exactly what she wanted, and would conquer it. Once my best friend was passionate about an idea, she would be so driven and committed to achieving her endgame. Case in point, my wedding.

"How are your plans for the future shaping up so far?"

"I won't resign just yet. I will continue working at the restaurant to put myself through school. Once I get my certificates and experience, I'll have to source a place for the business, work on getting some sponsors. I've got some money put aside, but it's not that much to start a business. Taj and I can collaborate for marketing."

Tey's eyes glimmered as she visualized her future, as though she could already touch it.

"By the time I'm done, Taj will have finished school himself and can start off working fresh with my company."

"That would be something else." I beamed. "Taj has an incredible eye for a photography. The second he finds a platform, his carreer will skyrocket."

"Exactly." Tey nodded in agreement, sporting a bemused smile.

I rubbed my belly. "Ready to be a Godmother?"

"Heck yeah! I don't know what's taking them babies so long in the first place." She chuckled. "By the way, have you and Godzilla settled on names yet?"

"We've decided that if we have boys. He'll have the esteemed honor of naming them. If we have girls, the honor will be mine. He likes Geremia, Giovanni and Giacomo." I revealed.

"All cute," Tey decided. "I swear your babies are going to be goals."

"That's sweet of you." I beamed. "This may sound stupid but I want them all to have double-barrelled names. That way they will find so much meaning in their names that they will have an idea of how much they mean to us."

"Awwwee," Tey cooed. "That's actually really beautiful."

"Hence, Geremia-Issa, Giovanni-Elia, Giacomo-Basilio. If however, my husband's wrong and we do have girls Aria-Jamilia, Sonnet-Adea and Arie-Emilohi."

"I like." Tey grinned, offering me a wink.

"I've got to pee," I announced.

Tey took a towel to my feet, drying off the water before placing them into fluffy slippers. She took both my hands, helping me to my feet.

"Hey Babe," Tey addressed me. "I don't think you have to pee."

She gestured to her chair that was now covered in amniatic fluid. My eyes went wide as I absorbed the shock of the moment. That could only mean ...

"You're in labour." Tey finished.

From there, Tey called Nicky to tell him. She left her phone with me. The atmosphere quickly turned busy as The Banks prepared to go with me to the hospital.

"Hey Baby," Nicky greeted, I could hear the clutter of glassware in the background. "How do you feel?"

"I'm good for now," I replied, rubbing my belly.

"Good, ready to lose that bet?"

"We didn't make a bet."

"Well, either way prepare to be amazed." He teased. "I'm going to call the doc now, ok? I'll see you in a bit."

"I love you." I smiled into the phone.

"I love you to, Ada."

Thea had added two bottles of water to my baby bag. Taj and Tye put the stuff in the car, Thema and Taren prepared a bag of snacks to munch on. Just as we were heading out the door, Jan was half-way up the step.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Tey asked.

"Well, I was on my wait to have lunch and stopped by to ask if you would care to join me?" Jan asked, all the while his gaze settled on my best friend, dancing over her face.

"Oh that would be nice, unfortunately I can't right now?" Tey politely declined.

"Can I asked why not?" He inquired, obviously hurt by her answer.

"Ada's in labor," Tey replied promptly. Jan's eyes widened with understanding.

"Well, I have space in my car, I could help."

"Thank you," I breathed out.

"Come on," Jan encouraged, showing Tey and I to his car.

"Ma ... you can follow us." Tey suggested.

"Ok baby," Thea acknowledged her daughter.

Tey and I got in the backseat, while Jan got in the driver's seat a few seconds before he strapped himself in. He pulled away from the curb and Thea followed suit.

Jan drove modestly, taking care to avoiding potholes, slow down for speed humps and whatnot.

By the time we made it to the hospital, a solid forty-five minutes had passed and Nicky was already waiting at the drop off area.

Jan pulled the car around, Nicky took my hand guiding me to my feet. Tey shut the door behind us, following closely behind as we checked in with reception.

Dr. Henriques was present within the hour, reminding us of our roles and responsibilities during birth.

All we could do at the moment is prep and wait, because, I was only four centimeters dilated.

My contractions were coming every three minutes and their duration spanned about sixty seconds. Good heavens, each time with the sensation that someone was taking a mallet to my vagina.

My only comforts were the steady sound of my babies heartbeats via the pregnancy belt. I was able to walk around the room, relaxing in between contractions to conserve energy and aide the process.

For the next two hours, we employed Dr. Henrique's suggestions.

Nicky was my partner in every way, giving me little earfuls of affection and motivation, while I was riding out the pangs of pains.

He breathed in and out slowly with me which proved, more helpful than I thought possible.

He stood behind me. My hands were on my waist and both his palms curved against the shape of my belly.

At seven centimeters dilated, with Dr. Henriques guidance, I entered the birthing pool in a black tube bikini top along with a delivery skirt.

The water was around ninety-one degrees Fahrenheit, which helped to ease some of the tension in my joints.

Instinctively I assumed a squatting position, my arms holding on to Nicky's as we both leant against the rim on the pool. My back facing away from Dr. Henriques and the midwives to the wall.

Another wave of intense pain washed over me. A groan, almost a growl, escaped my lips. Nicky dabbed my forehead with a damp cloth.

Under intense pressure and pain, the time seemed to slow considerably, but maybe it was all in my head.

After a while, one of the midwives asked permission to check me. We had reached the stage of labor where I could begin to push. The second stage of labor.

My contractions were crashing hard in two minute intervals. I was instructed to push with each contraction.

Cries from my first-born finally pierced the air. He came head-first into the world, at four pounds two ounces. His cries softened my heart but steeled my resolve. One of the midwives held him to my face briefly and I kissed his forehead.

My second-born also came into this world with piercing cries. Like his brother, he came head-first and weighed four pounds one ounce. Another of the midwives brought my second son to me.

My last was also delivered head-first. At four pounds, she was a delicate little thing. Dr. Henriques and the midwives were in awe.

When they brought all my babies to me and I near broke down in tears. I'd done it.

"You did good baby," Nicky said against my forehead. I was so relieved.

"Hi," I cooed, noting their reactions.

Nevermind I was physically exorted, I was excited to meet my babies. Nicky came into the birthing pool, an enormous grin on his face.

My baby girl was very reactive to the gentleness of my touch, which brought a smile to my face and tears of happiness to my eyes.

My heart contracted in my chest.

They're beautiful.

Nicky kissed my forehead and I leaned my head on his shoulder. He sat behind me like a Papa Bear. Over my shoulder, he cooed at them, chuckling at their awareness of him.

Barring my labor and delivery was a more along the lines of typical birth, the doc want to keep us around a few days to monitor my babies and I.

Nicky and I agreed on the names Geremia-Issa and Giovanni-Elia for our sons respectively in order of birth. To Our baby girl we gave the names Arie-Jamilia.

Everyone was so excited when they got to greet them for the first time.

Papa was a proud Grandpa and doted on all three. Krys was in awe of the boys, particularly excited to the edition of another girl to our family.

Tey was a mush-ball when it came to her little niece and nephews. The children were so enamored at the sight of them. Thea expressed her awe.

Jan congratulated us on bearing three beautiful babies. He seemed impressed to say the least.

I received a bags of fruits from the family for snacking and water for thirst.

Nicky and Thea brought me steamed a broccoli salad with string beans and sardines, steamed veggies with chicken breast, and a salmon veggie egg bowl consecutively for the lunch those three days in the hospital.

My babies were tested for loss of hearing via the AABR and the OAE , and though Geremia-Issa and Giovanni-Elia both aced their examinations, Arie-Jamilia was the exception.

Though Nicky and I were distraught by the news, Doctor Henriques explained that usually babies who received appropriate diagnosis and intervention before six months do fine. She referred us to an audiologist and suggested that we schedule a visit.

Once my babies and I were deemed fit to leave Nicky brought us home. They were asleep when we got there which was good. Welcome home babies. When we had finished putting them in their respective cribs, Nicky and I stood outside their door.

"You did a great job baby. Really." He smiled pulling me gently into a hug by the waist.

"They're all amazing. God did that." I gave my reply.

"Listen, we're going to get through this together. I know that our daughter's condition is on your mind. You heard what the doc said. We'll schedule a meeting with that audiologist right away. We've got this baby." Nicky kissed my cheek.

"How did I get so lucky?" I smiled at his attempt to comfort me.

"God did that." He gave me a knowing look. "You're amazing you know that?"

I pulled him in gently for a kiss which he reciprocated.

"Baby are you trying to start me up again, because you know what happened the last time." He said causing me to chuckle. My husband was relentless.

*End of Chapter Forty-six*