"Poor darling," Mary-Ann whispered, gazing at her son. "He's worn out. He spent the last three days veering from anger to fear. His emotions were all over the place."
"He should go home," Leanne murmured. She had managed to extricate herself from his hold and with the help of one of the many nurses attending to her was seated in a comfortable armchair. Her husband had been asleep for two hours straight. The babies had been brought to her for a few minutes and were back in the NICU.
"We suggested that and he refused to budge." Taking a seat next to her, Mary-Ann hugged her tightly. "You did give us a scare, darling. That husband of yours has been by your side the entire time."
"I know." She smiled softly as she returned her mother-in-law's hug. Her eyes were teary as they touched on each of the women gathered around her. "I cannot help but feel that it's the love emanating from my family that pulled me back. Thank you all for being here for me."
"Where else would we be?" Lori chided, a smile touching her lips. "Now if you'd gone and died on us, that would have been a different matter altogether."
"Hush. We will not speak of death in this room. My husband is now asking the doctors when you can be released."
"Oh, I don't want to leave without the babies."
"We figured that out," she was told with a smile.
*****
They were allowed to go home the next day, with the assurance that a private nurse would be assigned to the triplets and the doctors would be checking in twice a week. The babies, especially Athena's lungs, were still developing, and they were warned that she along with her brothers could be plagued by infections.
None of that mattered to their parents or the extended family, especially the proud dad. The mother and babies were all going home after that frightful scare. They would figure out the rest. They had also started to interview nannies to help with the task of taking care of newborns, especially ones who were premature.
The first day was hectic. The entire family gathered at the hospital as well as the press who were held back by members of the police force. After all, the Kostas family were big supporters of the Commissioner, so special favors were doled out.
Mary-Ann had planned a coming home party which took place at the pool as soon as the babies were settled.
It was going to take at least two weeks for the cut to heal, so Leanne was still assigned to a wheelchair and being pushed around by one family member or the other. Her mother was also present, staying well in the background, until Mary-Ann, in her usual inimitable manner, included her in the festivities.
Leanne realized that she was never going to feel close to her, but at least she was trying and that was what mattered.
"You're not eating."
She jolted slightly at the voice next to her left. The pool was occupied by the children and several of the adults who had decided to join them, including her husband. As usual, he was surrounded by his nieces and nephews.
"He's a natural."
Petros put a plate of watermelon on her lap, whisking away the half-eaten hamburger. He had been standing across the lawn and saw her gazing off into the space, a pensive expression on her beautiful face.
"Yes, he is." Lowering himself on a chaise, he took her hand in his. "Don't say anything." He winked, dark eyes twinkling. "But you happen to be my favorite daughter."
She laughed gaily, mood lightening. "I bet you say that to all of us."
"You'll never get me to admit that under oath of death." His expression sobered. "I never got to tell you how proud I am of you. You went through the rigors of childbearing and stood up."
Her eyes moistened, but she shook her head. "It had nothing to do with me. I would say it was divine intervention."
"Combined with your steely strength and core of determination." He lifted her hand to his lips. "You're loved, my sweet girl."
"You're going to make me start crying and then my husband is going to come running to find out what's wrong and send me to our room."
He grinned at her. "Possessive lot, are we not?"
"I love it," she told him with a shaky laugh.
As if on cue, they saw him coming towards them, skin dripping with water, a frown on his brow.
Petros held up his hands, his grin widening. "I did nothing. Ask her."
"I intend to." His eyes swung to his wife's face and the sheen of tears in her beautiful eyes. "Tired, darling?" he asked gently, hunkering down in front of her.
