CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Maddie, honey, we’re so glad that you’re home,” said Rachel, hugging her daughter.

“Oh, Mom, me too,” she said, hugging her mother. “I’m so sorry I didn’t say something sooner. I was scared, and I made a mistake. I misunderstood something that Forrest told me, and I just let my head take over.”

“None of that matters now,” she smiled. “You’re home, and he’s with you. You’re healthy, and these babies are going to be a blessing to us all.”

“Oh, now, let me see,” said Mama Irene, walking toward them. “Look at you. Beautiful, just beautiful! Well done, Forrest. Now, that’s how you keep the Robicheaux name alive.” Forrest could only laugh, shaking his head.

“That wasn’t really on my mind, Mama Irene, but I’m glad I can do my part.” His parents were walking toward them, and he smiled, seeing the huge grin on his father’s face. His parents were both twins, so he expected a multiple birth. Just not a foursome.

“Congratulations!” said Carrie, hugging them both. “We’re so happy for the two of you.”

“Thank you,” smiled Maddie. “I’m scared to death, but at least I have Mom, who can tell me how to handle four at once.”

“Let’s get you to the clinic. Gray wants to do some tests on you, just so she has everything she needs.”

“Of course,” she nodded. “Will you come with me?” Forrest just laughed, shaking his head.

“Try to keep me away,” he said, kissing her and hugging her protectively. A large group followed them to the clinic as she was whisked to the back by Doc, Kelsey, and Gray.

“What’s happening in D.C.?” asked Robbie.

“Old people robbing banks, that’s what,” frowned Forrest.

“What do you mean?”

“We think the robbers and those that kidnapped Emelia are all senior citizens. We’re not sure what they’re doing or how they’re doing it, but they’ve robbed a half dozen banks that we know of. One of them was the admin at Emelia’s division of the bureau. She’s missing now, of course.”

“Damn. That’s not good,” frowned Robbie. “Let the team in D.C. handle that. What do you need from us?”

“I’m going to need help preparing a nursery for four babies.”

As Maddie was led to the back with Forrest, the others began discussing everything from upcoming weddings and holidays to new babies and the infamous senior gang on the East Coast. A short time later, Forrest and Maddie appeared.

“Four boys,” smiled Maddie, walking out of the treatment room. “She just confirmed it. We’re having four sons. Forrest, if they’re as big as you, you are never touching me again.”

Forrest could only laugh, hugging Maddie and shaking hands with the others. Mama Irene was so happy; there were tears in her eyes.

“Four more boys to protect the world,” she smiled. Maddie stared at her, a look of fear and trepidation on her face.

“Protect the world,” she whispered.

“Honey, they can protect the world with their minds, their hearts, not just their bodies. These will be special boys. Special, special boys. You and Forrest will guide them along with all of us. They’ll be just fine,” smiled the old woman.

“Come on,” said Rachel, taking her daughter’s hand while Carrie took the other, “we’re going to help you figure out how to make a nursery in that bachelor pad of Forrest’s.” As they walked ahead, Forrest pulled back on his father’s arm.

“Dad? I’m scared to fucking death. Four sons, Dad. Four.”

“Yep, that’s what I heard as well,” he smirked.

Forrest’s expression didn’t change as he looked at his father for the advice he needed. Others circled around him. Just as the women supported one another in everything, so did the men. His Uncle Remy smiled at him, Matthew, Cam, Luke, and several others.

“Forrest, you’re not alone,” said Remy. “We’ll all be here to support you and guide you. You won’t do a damn thing wrong that can’t be fixed.”

“That means I’ll do shit wrong!” he said in a panicked voice.

“Of course you will,” said Matthew. “Listen to me, son. Raising children is the greatest privilege of your life next to marrying your wife and serving your country. We should probably throw serving God in there, too, but that’s not for everyone. Either way, this will be the greatest achievement of your life. The greatest. You’re going to watch them four boys grow into crawling, battery-operated, non-stop messes.” The entire group laughed.

“Then one day, you’ll turn around, and they’ll be toddling little curiosity buttons. Everything needing to be explored, touched, and tasted.”

“I remember you licking a bullfrog once,” smirked Remy, looking at Luke.

“One of my finer toddler moments,” said Luke.

“Then suddenly, they’re in school, and they can ‘do it themselves.’ Little by little, they need you less and less. You and Maddie will discover a new relationship between the two of you, and you’ll be building something even stronger, better.

“And one day, you’ll be standing in that grove watching as they take their wives, or husbands,” smirked Matthew. “They’ll be fine, strong men with auburn hair and whiskey eyes. Everyone will know, the minute they introduce themselves, that they are Robicheauxs, and they are not to be messed with.”

Forrest had tears in his eyes, staring at his great-uncle. He hugged the older man, shocked once again at how solid he was. It didn’t feel as though he’d lost any muscle or bulk. He was nearly as big as the day Forrest first met him. How was that possible? He prayed it was good genetics.

“Thank you, Uncle Matthew. I’m so grateful I’ll have all of you to support me.”

“We’re family, Forrest,” said Cam. “All of us. Whether you have one child or twenty, we’re here to support and help.”

“Speaking of,” said Jake, standing behind Matthew, “your senior citizens who are robbing banks. Might want to check if any of them have medical issues. Maybe they’re trying to save someone or get medicine from another country. Medicare ain’t so kind sometimes.”

“I thought it provided medical care for the elderly,” said Forrest.

“Son, it provides the bare minimum, and I’m being kind. Even if you’re on a fixed income, it could cost you as much as sixteen hundred dollars a month. If you go into the hospital and are there longer than sixty days, they charge over four hundred dollars a day. Do you know any seniors, others than those here, who could afford that?”

“I had no idea,” frowned Luke.

“I don’t think any of us did,” said Cam. “That seems criminal. I mean, other countries take care of their elderly. There are innovative programs in Sweden, Denmark, Japan, and many others. Why aren’t we doing the same?”

“When you find the answer to that, you’ll really solve the true mystery,” said Jake. “Worst thing is prescriptions. Sometimes, it covers the medication. Sometimes, it doesn’t. And it damn sure don’t cover experimental drugs, which may be the only thing available to save someone.”

“This is so disturbing,” said O’Hara. “Some of us are creeping up on sixty-five. Can you imagine if we didn’t work here? If we didn’t have the support of you, Matthew, and Irene, we’d be relying on our military retirement benefits and Medicare.”

“I think we need to look into this further,” said Forrest. “Maybe one of these individuals is sick, or someone they knew was sick. It doesn’t justify what they’ve done, but it might give us a place to start.”