33. Peyton

33

Talisa bustles around the living room, straightening and organizing candles and magazines she has already straightened and organized. I think she's more nervous than Noah and I are for the People interview. Granted, I am on edge about the entire thing. Having someone come into our new home, which we've only been in for a couple of days, take photos, and ask us questions is a bit unnerving. What if people on the other end don't care for how we decorated or like the theme we chose for the nursery? Or how the boys are in one room and Juniper is in her own?

Noah tells me I have nothing to worry about, especially where outsiders are concerned. If they don't like how we did something—that's on them—not us. Easy to say. Harder to accept.

Juniper came home first, one week after she and her brothers were born. Each morning, the two of us bonded over decaf coffee, breastmilk, and a screamfest while I gave her a bath. I'm thankful for my in-laws. Liam and Josie have been my saving grace, especially since I couldn't carry Juniper around. Every day after school, Paige took over, giving me a moment to myself, but honestly, I could never go far. It's like my heart ached for her.

And my boys. I missed having Noah, Maverick and Jace in the house with Juniper. Granted, the house would've felt crowded and probably would've driven Liam out the door, but I needed them. Video chatting with Noah, while he's still in Portland is not a substitute for having him in Beaumont. Beside the fact that I miss him, he's missing moments with his children, and I hate that for him. I know I could've stayed in Portland, but not without a ton of help—the help I have in our hometown. Having family surrounding us twenty-four seven is the perfect way to heal.

Maverick and Jace came home right on schedule—my strong little warriors. Nick says they're going to be just fine and growing the way they should. Each morning, I give the boys my undivided attention, trying to make up for the week Juniper had all by herself.

It's funny to watch their little personalities come through each day. Juniper is an eye roller and Elle says she gets that from her. I don't disagree. Each time one of the boys begins to fuss, Junie rolls those baby blues, but then seconds later starts her own fussing.

Right now, when I'm sitting down, I can hold all three. It's the best feeling in the world having them snuggled on my chest. Noah loves it as well and when he's home for the one to two days a week he can get in, it's all he wants to do. This husband of mine sits on the couch, with his feet up and has a chest full of baby with his pup by his side.

Stevie Nicks is amazing with the triplets, as we suspected she would be. While we were at my in-laws the babies shared a room. Now that we're in our new home, the twins share, and Juniper has her own. The rooms are next to each other, joined by a jack and jill bathroom. This bathroom is where our dog sleeps, right smack in the middle so she has easy access to both bedrooms. We tried to bring her back to our room, but she won't have it. Stevie Nicks is wherever the babies are, standing guard and protecting them. I know they'll end up being her best friend, especially when they're highchair age and dropping food onto the floor for her.

Noah and I went with oval cribs and a color scheme of soft navy-blue and cream for the boys, and lavender for Juniper's room. It's a color Paige picked out and I fell in love with it.

In the few days we have lived in our new home, Talisa has come every day once Amelie and Mack leave for school. I love having her here. She's someone to talk to and seems to know more about babies than anyone I know. I marvel at how she can carry both boys and still do things around the house.

Noah comes out of the bathroom, freshly showered and smelling like sin. He didn't dry his hair fully in the back and water droplets sit on the ends of his hair, dropping eventually to the collar of his shirt. He's dressed in a red and white plaid button down with a green sweater over the top. I stand there, staring at my gorgeous and sexy husband, who looks like a Christmas ornament.

"I love your sweater, and your shirt, but not together," I tell him. "Not with the house being decorated for Christmas. You should wear something neutral."

Noah throws his hands in the air and groans. "Do you want to dress me?"

I can't help but laugh. "Wear your sweater. I like it and it'll match the boys. Put a white shirt under it."

"You got it," he says and then kisses me. "What do I need to do to get the babies ready?"

"Nothing," I say, shaking my head. "Talisa has the boys now and my mom is with Juniper getting her dressed. I just need to change."

Noah waggles his eyebrows at me, looking all mischievous and not at all sexy. Any other time, I'd fall for the tactic, but not today, and not yet. I'm still firmly in the no zone.

"Horn dog."

"You know it."

He takes my hand and leads me into our walk-in closet which I'm embarrassed to say is as big as a bedroom. My husband has a lot of clothes and for someone who is only here a few days a month, he takes up most of the space. I change into an ivory-colored dress and add a green scarf to give our family portrait a bit of cohesiveness. This will be our first professional photo and I want our family to look somewhat put together.

The doorbell rings and my stomach drops. I'm nervous I'm going to say something I shouldn't, and I honestly don't want people to judge me. Noah must sense my jitters and pulls me into his arms.

"Everything is going to be okay," he says as he kisses the top of my head. "Easy peasy. They're here to show the world our lives and let people meet our babies. They're not trying to embarrass us."

I nod and then smile when I hear Elle's voice. She's super pregnant and due in four weeks. Elle's scared to be a mom, but Ben's ready to be a dad. He's come to see the triplets every day because he wants them to know who their Uncle Ben is.

"P!" Elle screams at the top of her lungs. I close my eyes, count to three, and wait for one of the babies to scream.

Silence.

"Were you holding your breath?" Noah asks.

"Yes. You?"

He nods. "I'm going to get her back for that stunt."

"Yeah, we are."

We head downstairs and find the interviewer already setting up and the photographer taking photos of our tree, stockings, and other decorations. We signed a waiver, giving them access to almost every space of our home, except the front. We don't want people to find out where we live, although if they came to Beaumont, it would probably be fairly easy.

Talisa comes downstairs with the boys and my mom with Juniper. She hands her to me once I'm seated and then Noah takes the boys from Talisa, who stands off to the side, ready to help when one of them gets fussy. Honestly, I never thought I'd need someone like her, but I do. I'm so thankful Nick asked her to move back with him.

The interviewer introduces herself as Liana and doesn't waste any time jumping into questions about Noah's career, mine, and what it's like being parents to three newborns.

"Peyton's my super woman," Noah says. "We decided to move back home to where my family is because we knew she'd need support while I finished the season."

"Do you have a full-time nanny?" Liana asks.

"Not full-time, no," I say. "Talisa comes during the day to help. She's been a lifesaver. Noah's parents as well, and mine are here when they can be. It's definitely been a village."

"Your home is lovely," Liana says. "What made you decide to remodel instead of build something new?"

Noah looks at me and smiles. "This house is close to our family. My stepdad Nick, who is also the babies pediatrician, is a few short blocks from here which we really like. And when we want to take the babies for a walk, we're not far from downtown, which my parents are actively revitalizing and helping small businesses owners open their own places."

"There's a rumor your dad, Liam Page, is going to run for mayor."

Noah laughs. "Who knows with him. Right now, I think he's happy being a grandpa, making music, and helping artists achieve their recording goals. He and my sister-in-law, Elle, have a great program set up at the studio. And Elle's working hard to bring more concerts to the area. We're really trying to put Beaumont on the map."

"Peyton, do you see yourself going back to work?"

Noah squeezes my hand.

"Right now, I'm going to freelance. I love helping players and if they want my help, I'll give it. At the moment, I don't see myself working outside of the home."

"And you, Noah. What does your future hold?"

This time, I squeeze his hand. "One game at a time, Liana."

There are a few more questions and then a series of photos are taken. We give Liana and her crew a tour, pose the babies, pose as a family, and take some sweet candid shots. When all is said and done, the entire thing took weeks of stress and less than an hour.

"Well send over the photos for you to see and mark the ones we plan to use. None of them will have anything distinguishable as far as where you live, so you have nothing to worry about there."

"Thank you, Liana." Noah and I shake her hand, and then she goes to talk to Elle, while we head upstairs with the babies to change and put them down for a nap.

"I think that went well," Noah says as we enter Maverick and Jace's room. Noah sets each one down in their cribs, staying with Jace. I set Juniper next to her brother and somehow, they instantly gravitate toward each other.

"Let's put them in their sleepers and then in their pack ‘n play. Give them some time together before it's time to eat," I say to Noah. "Yes, you want that don't you. Do you want to play with your brothers?"

"Is she answering you?"

"Not yet," I say with a sigh.

"Peyton!" My mom screams my name. It's not a normal scream, but one that strikes fear.

"Can you take care of them?"

"Yep, go," Noah says.

I'm halfway down the stairs when I see my mom, Elle, and Talisa slowly making their way to the door.

"What's wrong?"

"Miss Elle's water broke," Talisa says. "We need to get her to the hospital."

"Oh," I say as the news settles in. "OH! I'll call everyone and meet you there. I'll be right behind you."

I rush back upstairs, pausing when I reach the stop landing and grimace at whatever mess there might be on my kitchen floor. I'm going to have to clean it before I leave. Down the hall, I hear Noah talking to the babies. He's telling them about his game last weekend and how he wished it wasn't so cold out because then they could go.

"Babe," I say as I come into the room. "Real quick, Elle's water broke and she's on the way to the hospital. Can you call Ben while I go down and clean the floor? And then maybe your parents can come over and help with the babies?"

"Are you good driving yourself to the hospital or do you want me to take you?"

"I'm good. It's only a couple of blocks."

Noah nods. "Go, go be with your sister. I'll clean up and then I'll meet you there."

I rush to him and press my lips to his. "I love you."

"Love you more, Auntie P. Now go."

I wish I could say I broke all the speed limits getting to the hospital, but I didn't. Thanks to handsfree, I'm able to call our dad and tell him what's happening and luckily for us, he's at Liam's. My in-laws offer to keep Oliver with them while they come over to our house. I love my little brother but fear his grabby hands might be too much for the triplets. Deep down, I know I have to trust Josie and Liam. They're not going to let anything happen to their grandchildren.

The hospital parking lot is packed, and I end up circling until I find a spot. When I finally make it to the maternity ward, my parents are in the waiting room, pacing.

"Hey," Dad says as we hug. "She's already pushing."

"Seriously?" I look at mom for confirmation. She nods.

"She's early," mom says as she runs her hands through her hair. "I don't know if they tried to stop labor or what. She doesn't want anyone in there except for Ben."

"He made it then?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure he broke every speed limit in town to get here."

"Well, that's good." I pace for a second. "So, I guess we wait?"

"Yeah, unlike with you we knew how long it would take. With your sister, she could be hours," Mom says.

"That would suck."

I turn at the sound of my name and find Noah coming toward us. When he reaches us, I give him the update and ask him about the three.

"My parents are there. Everything will be okay. Besides . . ." He holds his phone up, showing me the video app of the kids' rooms. "We can spy on them."

Noah and I sit. My parents pace. It makes me wonder if they did the same while I was in here weeks ago or if they sat and watched television. Knowing my mother, she paced and the hospital has probably replaced the tiles already.

An hour goes by.

And then another.

I go to the window and look at the darkened sky and see that it's snowing. Christmas is in two days, and I don't know, there's something magical in the air.

"Ben."

My dad's voice has me moving from the window to the front of the waiting room.

Ben's smiling. "Elle's fantastic. She gave birth a little over an hour ago and we just needed some time to gather ourselves as a family before I came out to get you."

"Is my daughter, okay?"

Ben's smile widens. "She's damn perfect."

Noah pats Ben on the shoulder. "It's a whole other feeling, isn't it?"

Ben tries to hide the tears in his eyes but can't. "I love my wife, but damn, I've never felt my heart soar like this before. It's a whole other level."

"Not to be an ass," I say. "But can we go in? I need to see my sister."

"Oh, yes. Sorry." Ben leads us in and while I know what to expect, my parents and Noah don't.

"Oh, shit," Noah says when he sees Elle.

"Elle! Oh my God, twins?" Mom screeches as Elle beams. Elle's in her bed, holding a baby in each arm. Mom then looks at me. "You knew?"

I nod. "I keep my sister's secrets," I say with a shrug.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Dad asks.

"Honestly, once we found out Peyton was having triplets, Ben and I wanted to keep this to ourselves. I'm surprised no one figured it out with how big I was."

"Well, I was huge, so they probably thought you were normal." I step closer to inspect the babies. "Are you going to tell us their names?"

Elle looks down at the baby in her right arm. "This little guy is the oldest by eight minutes," she tells us. "Everyone, I'd like for you to meet Mason Jett Miller. We're going to call him Jett."

Our mom gasps and covers her mouth, while our dad fist pumps. "Jett is a kick ass drummer name."

"And this little guy—" Ben is interrupted when the door to Elle's room bursts open.

We all turn to find Quinn standing there, with wet hair and breathing heavily. "Liam called and said . . ." he comes closer and halts when his eyes land on Elle. "I missed it?"

"Actually, you're right on time," Elle says. "I'd like you to meet my youngest son, Sonny Quinn Miller."

Quinn isn't one to show emotion, except for now. He nods and his lips clench. "Wow, he has my name."

"Of course he does, Quinny," Elle says. "Did you really think your sisters would have five kids in the matter of weeks and not give one of them your name?"

He looks from Elle to me, with tears tipping the rim of his eyes, and then at our dad. "Thank you."

Dad chuckles. "For what?"

"For this," he says as he looks around. "For giving me this life when you could've easily shut the door and never look back, and for giving me this family." Now he's looking at our mom. "Being your son, their brother, and now an uncle is literally the best part of my life."

Elle lets out a sob. "Well shit, Quinny. You can't say emo shit to a woman who just had a baby."

"Two," I point out.

"Right, what she said."

I move to one side of Elle and Quinn goes to the other. "No matter what, it's always us," Elle says and then looks down at her boys. "Whenever I mess up, don't you worry. Your auntie P and uncle Quinny will take care of you. Believe me, their phone numbers will be the first thing you memorize."

We visit for another half hour and then Noah and I head home, with Quinn in tow. Once we get back to the house, Noah and I head upstairs and find Liam sleeping in Juniper's room and Josie in the boys'. We give them the news and tell them we'll see them tomorrow.

Noah sees his parents out and then finds me leaning against the door jamb to the boys' room.

"What are you doing?"

"Waiting for the clock to strike midnight."

He looks at his phone and after a moment shows me the screen. "Now what?"

"Now, we wish our children a Merry Christmas Eve and then we go to bed."

"I like that idea."

We start with Maverick and then Jace, whispering to them to not wake them. I head toward Juniper's room but pause in the doorway when I hear Quinn. We stand there and listen to him read to her A Visit from St. Nicholas. Noah and I listen to the entire story and then slowly step into the room. Quinn's in the rocking chair, with Juniper on his chest. His eyes are closed. It's like they're snuggling.

"Do you want me to take her?"

Quinn shakes his head. "I'm good. We're just chilling."

"She'll be up to eat soon."

"I'll come get you when she starts fusing. If you don't mind. I'm going to stay here with her."

"I don't mind," I tell him. "Is everything okay?"

He doesn't say anything for a long beat and then nods.

"Merry Christmas Eve, Quinn."

"Merry Christmas Eve, Peyton."

I close the door behind me and look up at Noah. He brushes his knuckles against my cheeks and then leans down to kiss me. "I'm saying this now before I forget, but this was the best damn Christmas of my life."

I can't help but smile. "I didn't buy you anything this year."

"Nothing will ever compare to Maverick, Jace and Juniper. They're the best gift of all. Besides you, of course." He kisses me again, turning me into a soft pile of nothingness.

Noah takes my hand, and we head toward our room. Seconds after the door closes, Maverick's monitor lights up with a scream. Followed by Jace.

I'll sleep when they're eighteen.