What's Next?

Embrace the Unpredictable

"Come again?" Jess could not believe what he just heard.

"Jess, I'm pregnant." Rory bit her lip.

"B-but how?" Jess was in total shock. "We've been using protection and you're on the pill. Right?"

Rory rolled her eyes. "Yes, Jess. We were really careful but it just happened."

"This is crazy unexpected."

"I know, Jess. I know." Rory felt her eyes watering. "The doctor said there could be some c-complications due to me being in my mid-thirties. I have to monitor this little one closely."

"I'm sure it will be fine. Oh my gosh, Rory!" Jess put her hands on his head. "Four kids under four years old!"

Rory wiped her eyes that dripped with fresh tears. "I can't believe I'm this fertile, next time I'm getting my tubes tied."

*****

"Mommy, look what I did at daycare." Haeven came up and handed Rory a drawing. She pointed to each of the people on the paper. "This is you, this is daddy, this is Ros, this is Adley, and here is Gramma and Grampa!" Each figure was drawn at the best ability of a three year old. "Oh, and this is Sparkles." She pointed to a circle in the corner with misshapen ears.

"That's really good." Rory smiled at the drawing. "I love the colors you choose for my hair." On the paper, Haeven had used a purple sparkle crayon for Rory's hair.

"I love purple!" She jumped up.

"It's pretty." Rory headed to the kitchen to make lunch.

*****

Rosalyn came walking into the room, holding her stuffed bear. "Momma. Up."

Rory picked up her almost 2 year old. "You're growing up so fast. I can't believe how big you are." She marveled at how the little girl who was just beginning her life on Earth, was already talking and walking.

"Teddy." Rosalyn held up her stuffed bear.

"Yes, that is your teddy." Rory smiled and adjusted her grip so Rosalyn wouldn't slip. She walked downstairs and was going to take Sparkles for a walk. "Can you watch the girls while I take the dog for a walk?"

Jess nodded. "Yeah."

Rory grabbed the leash and Sparkles darted to her side, whimpering louder at every second that Rory didn't get the leash on fast enough. "Calm down, doggie." She was trying to get it on faster but Sparkles kept jumping up and down. Finally, she got it on and took the hyperactive dog outside.

*****

Jess felt exhausted, only imagining how much worse Rory probably felt. He wanted to relax, not chase after two babies and a toddler.

"Daddy, let's play dress up!"

"Why don't we watch a movie?" Jess tried to distract her daughter.

Haeven was already half up the stairs to get her dress us clothes. "Okay, daddy. You can pick your favorite color." Haeven put out a blue and green bracelet.

"I'll take the green one."

Haeven tilted her head. "You can have the blue one okay?"

Jess laughed. "Okay, honey."

"Now pick out a necklace."

Jess was smarter this time. "What color do you want?"

"Blue." She jumped and put the necklace on.

"I'm gonna wear the pink princess crown and you can wear the blue one." Haeven reached up and put the crown on her dad's head. "You are a beautiful princess."