CHAPTER EIGHT

While most of the team was in D.C. helping Emelia, Gwen, Rachel, and the others were planning the spectacular fall wedding that Emelia wanted. Seated in the grove, they were enjoying the beautiful fall breeze and a delicious lunch that George had prepared for them. Everyone was discussing the perfect fall wedding ideas, what her hair should look like, even what her ring should look like.

“I think we should let Sebastian handle the ring,” smiled Rachel. Gwen nodded, agreeing with her friend. Across the grove, the senior ladies were watching, just enjoying the excitement.

“Claudette? How many babies do we have on the way? How many under the age of, say, oh, twenty do we have?” asked Irene.

“Mama, why are you asking that? You know how many.”

“Humor me.”

“Well, we have Sergeant, of course. Elena and Daphne are due later this year, early next year. Bowen and Beckett are babies. We’ve got a whole slew in elementary and middle school, getting ready to start high school. Wavy, Brooks, Mitchell, Marissa, Quinn, River, Finegan, Ambry, Bailey, Cole, Joey, Wyatt, West, and Ulani. Oh, we also have Tillie, Patrick, Pax, and Brax. A few who are out there in the world — Pierre, Maverick, Macie, Hayes, and Chris. Plus, we have the children who are already done with school but are still babies. Monroe, Victoria, Nigel, Brady, Maralisa, and Spencer.”

“Mmhmmm,” nodded Mama Irene.

“What does that mean, Mama? That’s a lot of kids running around here. Thirty-four children, Mama. Thirty-four.”

“Yeah, but it don’t feel like it’s enough. We need more. More babies to bless our family. Your daddy and me always want more. It’s selfish of us, but it feeds our hearts and souls.”

“Mama, aren’t you messin’ with things you shouldn’t be?”

Irene gave her a strange look, and Claudette could only shrug her shoulders. Her sister Camille was across the grove, but her twin powers could sense something was happening and looked at her. Knowing their mother, whatever it was, it would be big.

By dinner, the two women and everyone else knew what it was. Announcements of babies on the way were flooding the cafeteria.

“Can you believe it,” smiled Gaspar. “Rush and Caroline, JB and Dana, Abe and Lyra, Harlow and Nate, and now East and Brooke. More babies!”

“Yeah,” nodded Claudette, looking at her mother. “More babies. Isn’t that amazing, Mama?”

“Wait. Why did you look at Mama? What is that look for?” asked Gaspar.

“Wasn’t any look,” scoffed Irene. “I don’t have a thing to do with these young folks havin’ babies. They do just fine all on their own with that.”

“Yes, but it does seem strange that five women suddenly started feeling sick this afternoon. All of them rushed for pregnancy tests while you sat here with a smile on your face. Explain that, Mama.”

“Gaspar, you’re lettin’ your imagination run wild. How on earth could I help all them folks get pregnant? I ain’t a doctor! You’re just reachin’ for things that ain’t there. Enjoy this evenin’. All these fine young folks celebratin’. By next summer, we’ll have lots of new babies. Lots of ‘em.”

As Mama Irene started to walk away, they heard someone cheer with excitement, and they all turned. Ramey was speaking with Virginia, Wes, Wilson, and Sara. Irene kept walking with a big smile on her face.

“Triplets! I’m having triplets again! I’m going to kill your son,” she said to Wes. He could only laugh, hugging the young woman.

“Don’t kill him. You’re gonna need him. Six children, Ramey. What a blessing. Didn’t you wish for seven at one time?” She glared at her father-in-law, shaking her head.

“Don’t you even whisper that! This is it. We’re having these three, and then we’re done!”

“From your lips to God’s ears, child,” smirked Irene. “To God’s ears.”

“Hey, we’re gonna have three more kids in the house,” laughed Brooks. “Does that mean we have to build something bigger?”

“Brooks, I don’t know, sweetie,” said Ramey. “I need to call your father.” She stepped away from the group, dialing Christopher’s number. She hoped she wasn’t interrupting, but then again, she hoped she was.

“Hi, babe. Everyone okay? Kids okay?” he said, answering.

“Yes. I mean, sort of. I mean, yes, everyone is okay.”

“Ramey, what’s wrong, honey? Are you sick? Are the kids sick? I can come home.”

“Oh, Christopher,” she cried, shaking her head. He stared at her through the screen on his phone, ready to hop the first plane back to Belle Fleur.

“Ramey, babe, you’re freaking me out.”

“D-do you remember when we first went into the pond together? It was after my surgery, and everything was suddenly working.”

“Of course, I remember.” He prayed that nothing had happened to reinjure her.

“Do you remember when we talked about babies?”

“Of course I do.” He laughed, shaking his head. “If I remember, you said you wanted seven.”

“Christopher,” she cried. “I’m pregnant. With triplets. Again!”

He blinked at the screen, just staring at her beautiful face, all puffy from crying. Behind him, his brother Patrick was smiling ear to ear, the others waiting for him to react to her.

“Triplets. Again.” He repeated the statement, which only served to make her cry more. Then he smiled at her. “Babe, I thought you wanted seven.” Ramey stared at her sweet, beautiful husband and laughed.

“That’s what your father said. No jokes about that. We’re going to have six children, Christopher. Six!”

“Yep, and they’ll all be beautiful like their Mama. Do we know their sex yet?”

“No, I told Gray I wanted to wait until you got back. It’s weird. It seems like everyone is announcing pregnancies today.”

“No, shit?” he smirked.

“Yeah. Caroline, Dana, Lyra, Harlow, and Brook. Six women pregnant all at the same time! That’s insane, isn’t it?”

“I think that’s one word for it,” smiled Christopher. “The other might be ‘Irene.’”

“Irene? How could she have any impact at all… You know what, never mind. So, you’re really okay with this?” she asked.

“Baby, I love you more than anything in the world. Having my babies in your belly only makes me love you more. Are you okay? Do you need me to come home?”

“No. No, stay and help Em. I’m fine. Your mom and dad are close, the kids are excited, I’ve got plenty of help here. I love you, Christopher.”

“I love you, too.” As he hung up the phone, he turned to face his brother and all their friends. His face was pale, his hands shaking.

“That was a stellar acting job, brother,” smirked Patrick. “Scared as shit, aren’t you?”

“Six. I’m going to have six kids.”