Splitting Our Odds Into Evens

Chest Pain

Bonnie had changed three diapers before eight in the morning.

One belonged to Brixton.

Two belonged to Blossom.

Nala had somehow managed to avoid contributing to the pile, although Bonnie suspected that wouldn't last much longer.

"Please don't," Bonnie whispered.

Nala stared up at her.

Bonnie narrowed her eyes. "I mean it."

Nala smiled.

Or maybe it was gas. At this point, Bonnie had stopped pretending she could tell the difference.

She shifted Nala higher against her shoulder and walked into the kitchen.

The house had changed considerably over the past few months.

There were three bassinets now.

Three different stacks of diapers because Nala was already bigger than the twins.

Bottles seemed to multiply overnight. Bonnie could wash every single one before bed and somehow wake up to a sink full of them.

The nursery they'd prepared so carefully for two babies had lasted approximately four days before they realized absolutely none of their plans mattered.

There were baby things everywhere.

A burp cloth was hanging over the back of one of the dining chairs. One of Blossom's socks had been sitting underneath the coffee table since yesterday. Bonnie had stepped on a pacifier coming down the stairs that morning and nearly killed herself.

She didn't care anymore.

Nala's fist was tangled in the sleeve of her shirt.

"Can I have that back?"

Nala held tighter.

"That's mine."

Nala stared at her.

Bonnie gently tried to free the fabric.

Nala's face immediately scrunched.

"Okay."

Bonnie stopped.

"Keep it."

She reached for the formula with her free hand.

A cry came from the living room.

Bonnie closed her eyes.

Brixton.

She recognized him immediately.

"Give me one second."

His crying continued.

"I know."

Bonnie measured the formula.

Another cry joined his.

Blossom.

Bonnie looked toward the ceiling.

"Seriously?"

Nala made a noise against her shoulder.

Bonnie looked down.

"No. You stay out of this."

Nala's bottom lip trembled.

Bonnie immediately regretted speaking.

"Oh, no. Baby, I wasn't-"

Nala started crying.

Bonnie stood in the kitchen with three babies crying around her.

For a second, she almost laughed.