"Shhh... Be quiet so you don't wake her. Two hands, Luke! Alara, help your brother. Olivia, don't touch Mummy's papers! Don't trip over the dog, careful! Okay, ready? 1, 2, 3, go!"
Simultaneously, four voices begin to sing happy birthday as I slowly open my eyes. Three of my five beautiful children sit on my bed next to me as my husband stares down at my face.
"... Happy birthday to you!" My husband leans down, greeting me with a small kiss.
"Good morning, love. Did you sleep enough last night?"
I smile softly. "Your daughter was scratching my stomach. So, no, not really. She calmed down after about one in the morning."
"Well that's not good. You slept until 10:30 this morning, though." Harry grins. I begin to sit up, my swollen belly weighing me down. He rushes to help me prop myself against the head board. I smile at my children.
"Morning, guys. Give me a hug." They all rush over, Harry taking the breakfast tray from 4 year old Luke. All of my children are about one year apart, Alara being the oldest, at five. Harry sets the tray on the nightstand and joins us on the bed. Laying down, he plants a soft kiss on my arm. I kiss the top of his head as he grins up at me, dimples showing. He leans down farther, head pressed up against my five month pregnant stomach.
"Hello, darling. Did you give your mum trouble last night? She needs her sleep, you know," Harry whispers to my growing fetus. I run my hands through his hair as he continues to quietly scold my daughter for keeping me up. Alara and Olivia snuggle close to my side and Luke watches Harry intently.
"Mum, why is Daddy talking to your tummy?" He asks.
Harry looks up. "I'm talking to your sister, Luke. There's a baby girl in your Mum's tummy, and she's going to be named Tessa." Luke gawks at my stomach.
"There's a baby in there?" He asks.
"Do you want to come talk to her?" Harry says to him. Luke cautiously approaches my stomach.
"Hi, Tessa. I'm your brother, Luke. Do you know me? Can you hear me?" He asks. He turns to Harry. "Can she hear me?"
"Of course she can."
"Can she talk?" He looks at my stomach again.
"No, honey. Not yet."
"Oh." Wailing comes from the room next to us, and soon another voice joins in. "Lyssa and Jared are awake," says Luke.
I sigh. "Babe, can you get them? I'm really hurting this morning," I cringe. I don't like people doing things for me, usually. It bothers me to know that someone is doing something I'm fully capable of, yet I asked them because I'm too lazy. Harry, knowing this, nods immediately, and hurries off to get our two infants. "Alara, why don't you help Daddy with your brother and sister?"
"Okay!" She runs off, Luke and Olivia close behind. I grab the tray next to me and place it on my lap. I grin. Harry made my favorite, french toast with his home made raspberry syrup. Fresh blackberries, kiwis, and strawberries are placed neatly in a circle around the toast. A tall glass of orange juice stands next to the plate, along with a bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal. I start with the fruit, and work my way around.
I'm half way done with my oatmeal when he walks in, an infant on each hip. I put my breakfast back on the table and motion for Harry to give me one of them. He hands me Jared, the younger of the two, and I comfort the sobbing baby until he calms his wails into sniffles. Soon, he's gazing up at me quietly, playing with his rattle. I poke his nose, earning a cute baby giggle.
"Where'd the other three go?" I ask Harry, still patting Jared's leg.
"They went to go jump outside on their trampolines."
