The Harper Family: Colliding Paths (Wattpad Version)

Thankful

Dyson

"Wait. Your dad was a triplet?" I asked Gabby.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it mattered." Gabby shrugged.

The others watched us go back and forth.

"Oh, it matters. My family has a history of multiple births with our grammy and cousins."

"Why? Is your grammy a triplet?"

"No, she's a quint."

Gabby's brows shot up.

"Wait. You have a grandmother who's a quintuplet?" Kenzie asked.

"Yeah, and we have cousins who are triplets and twins. They run through the family," Decker said.

"I'm so confused," Brody said.

"Let me break it down for you. My great-great-grandfather had quintuplets. Our grandfather also had twin brothers. His brothers all had a set of twins. We had an uncle who had triplets. Our uncle Nate had a set of twins. So, multiple births run in our family," I said.

Dixon looked at Jack and Anthony. "Who's the oldest?"

"I am," Jack said. "Anthony came next, and Greg was the baby."

My brothers looked at me with knitted brows.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked.

"No reason," my brothers said with a shrug.

"So, where is the other one?" Dixon asked.

Jack and Anthony didn't say anything.

"My parents died in a car accident while I survived," Gabby said.

My brothers stared at Gabby in stunned silence. Gabby forced a smile

Gertie came from the kitchen and noticed the silence. "I thought I heard voices until it got deathly quiet. That means kids are up to no good."

We glanced at each other but didn't speak.

Gertie walked toward us. "Why the long faces?"

Gabby looked at Gertie. "Dyson's brothers wanted to know why dad wasn't joining us. So, I told them."

"I see." Gertie nodded. "Well, Greg is here and celebrating with us in spirit. We'll have a nice meal and enjoy each other's company. That's what the holidays are about. Now, no long faces. Today is about family."

We all nodded in response.

******
Gertie

Holidays are difficult after you lose someone you love. You miss their presence terribly. But looking at Jack and Anthony helped ease the ache of not having Greg with us.

"Now give your momma a hug," I told my boys.

Jack and Anthony didn't hesitate to hug me.

"How are your families?" I asked.

"Good. Our wives took the kids to their families so we could come today," Anthony said.

"But our families are coming for Christmas," Jack said.

"When you see them, give them my love," I said.

"Will do, Ma," Anthony said.

"When's chow?" Jack slapped his hands together and rubbed them.

"Boy, where do you think you are?" I asked with a look.

"Sorry, Ma," Jack mumbled.

"That's what I thought. Relax. Dinner will be ready soon." I turned on my heels and marched back into the kitchen on a mission.