One week later.

"Mom, we're here!"

"Hi boys!" Arvilla smiles and walks over to greet them.

"Still pregnant?" Alan places his hand on her bump.

"No I swallowed a watermelon whole, the baby is in the kitchen."

"Good one, ma." He smiles.

"Momma, what time is Mr. Joe's family getting here?"

"In about twenty minutes."

"Okay good cause I'm hungry!"

Arvilla laughs and places her hands on her back.

"How are you feeling, mom?"

Arvilla chuckles. "I feel great.  But also tired. . swollen. . in pain!"

"Have you had any contractions?"

"I have, but nothing to start blowing up the birthing pool."

"Aw I'm sorry.  You think the baby's gonna be huge?" Alan says placing his hand on Arvilla's stomach.

Arvilla chuckles.

"I'm not asking because I think you're huge!  I'm just asking!"

"It's okay." Arvilla takes a deep breath. "I don't know, I kinda think so." She pouts. "I love a chunky baby, but. . Ouch!"

"Yeah!" Alan laughs. I'm so glad I'm not a woman."

Arvilla laughs and Robert and the twins walk in.

"My mama's baby!" Joseph says to Alan.

"Hey leave him alone, he can touch the baby too!"

"Your baby, mama!"

"It's all of our baby."

"Oh. . ." Joseph lowers his head and hugs Arvilla's leg.

Arvilla laughs.

Robert greets the boys, then they say hello to Heidi.

"Do you like my dwess, boys?"

"I love it!  You look like a princess, Heidi." Miguel says.

"Yes I do, thank you!  My big brother is coming over to eat the food Uncle Bobby made!"

"I know!"

"And my Niece my Stephanie, and Nephew Timothy!  They my little babies."

Arvilla laughs. "She's such a good aunty.  Robert come here and rub my back." Arvilla says as she feels a contraction coming on.

"Coming, hun."

Arvilla takes a painful sigh.

"Mommy keeps getting pains in her tummy, and in her back."

"Yeah cause the baby's almost here!" Alan smiles.

"Yeah, I not to excited." Heidi nods. "But maybe I can get a big sister present." She smiles.

Alan laughs and lifts her up. "You are a silly little girl."

Heidi giggles. "You think the baby a girl?"

"I think it's a boy."

"Ah!  No!" Heidi slaps him.

"Heidi Louise!" Arvilla says.

"I have so many brothers!  I got no sisters!  Well I gots that mean lady but she not my sissy!  NOT. AT. ALL!  I got John, I got Miguel, I gots YOUUUU.  I got my favorite brother Joe-"

"WHAT!  I'm not your favorite?" Alan plays with her.

"NO!" Heidi laughs. "I shared a belly with Joe Joe, Alan!"

"Yeah I guess that makes sense.  You share a body with someone that's gotta make you close."

"But you my second favorite." Heidi smiles.

"Well, well!  Nice to know."

"You're number two.  Congratulations." Miguel says.

"Heidi my favorite too." Joseph smiles sweetly.

"Aw my buddy!" Heidi smiles and reaches down to her brother.

Alan puts her down and Heidi hugs her brother.

"Aw my little babies!" Arvilla's voice goes high. "I love those little nuggets."

**

When Joe's son and his family arrived Robert opened the door to greet them.

They then walked in and Arvilla walked over.

"Hi everyone!  Hi John." She smiles as he hugs her.

"Hello!  You look beautiful!"

"Aw, thank you.  How was your trip?"

"It was great!"

"Hi grandma!" Timothy runs to Arvilla and hugs her tightly.

"Careful, Tim." John says.

"Aw he's okay." Arvilla smiles and rubs his back.

"Baby!" He laughs and places his cheek on her bump. "I can't wait to see it!"

"He is so sweet.  I'm hoping it'll be soon, honey." She chuckles.

"I feel like grandma has been pregnant foreverrrrr."

"Me too, Timothy!  Me too. ."

***

One week later.

January 31st.

"Robert, you gotta get this baby out of me."

"Well honey, we tried!  This baby isn't ready yet."

"It's their due date and I haven't even dropped!  I'm so tired, and too old for this."

"You are not old, my dear."

"I just want it out of me!" Arvilla snaps.

"Okay, okay.  I'm sorry. . do you want me to tell you you're old?"

Arvilla rolls her eyes and groans. "Let's go for a walk."

"Baby it's so cold outside.  It's snowing!"

"I don't care, I'm burning up!"

"You wanna take the kids?"

"What are we gonna leave them here alone, Robert?" Arvilla looked at him like he was an idiot.

"Well I'm just asking, babe!  It's freezing!"

"Then get a coat!" She shouts.

"Okay." Robert stops and takes a deep breath. "I will bundle up the twins and we can go."

"Okay.  I'm gonna go pee.  Make sure they have gloves please!  I'll come help you, but by the time I get myself up from the toilet, you'll probably be done."

"Don't worry, Princess, I've got them."

"Thank you.  Layers Layers, Layers, Robert!"

"Got it!"

Arvilla walks down the hall and Robert takes a second to breathe. "She's almost back.  She's pregnant and in a lot of pain. . this will pass, and you'll be okay."

Suddenly Robert heard Arvilla behind him.

"Oh am I so unbearable because I'm pregnant?"

"Oh God you scared me!  No baby, I love you so much!"

"I wish for just one day you could feel my pain."

"Arvilla.  I am sorry, I didn't mean it in a bad way.  I love you, baby. . so so much.  I love you for bringing our little munchkin into the world.  You've never been so beautiful to me, and I love you for bringing three beautiful little babies into this world."

Arvilla's bottom lip quivers. "I'm mean to you?"

"Huh?"

"You want this baby out of me because I'm just a big fat meany."

"No baby."

"I know I've been cranky lately. . I know I'm kinda rude to you. ."

"No--"

"I do it purposely because you did this." She points to her belly.

"I did do that. . ."

"And I'm so happy you did, but I'm so tired of being pregnant."

"I know, honey."

"I thought having one baby wouldn't be as hard as having two but. . . I was wrong.  This is hard, Robert." Arvilla pouts.

Robert walks over and places his palms on her cheeks. "I love you so so much, and I don't want you to feel bad.  I deserve everything.  I wish I could take this pain away from you.  I wish I could get this baby out of you right now."

"Me too. . ."

Robert chuckles and kisses her lips so softly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I'm sorry you're uncomfortable."

"Thanks."

"Our baby is almost here." He smiles.

Arvilla smiles very softly. "I know. . I can't to see their little face."

"Our baby is going to be so beautiful!"

"Yeah. . ."

"Now go pee before you have an accident. . Again!"

"Robert." Arvilla gives him a look as he laughs.

"Go.  I'm gonna get the twins ready."

"Thank you. ."

Robert smiles and kisses her forehead.

**

"Why are we putting so many clothes on?" Heidi asks.

"Because Mama wants to take a walk."

"In da SNOW?!" Joseph asks.

"I know!  She wants to take a little walk to help the baby come out."

"It's gonna fall out of her but on our walk?" He lifts his little hands.

"No." Robert laughs. "No, it doesn't work like that, bud.  But it might help her go into labor."

"Ohhh.  Labor." He nods.

"Bobby?" Heidi says.

"Yeah?"

"I'm hot!"

"I know but it's freezing outside so we have to bundle up."

"Soooo Hot!" She whines.

"I'm sorry."

Robert then finishes up and takes a deep breath. "Phew!  All done."

"Uncle Bobby?"

"Yes Heidi?"

"I gotta go to the bathroom."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, Look!" Heidi grabs herself and bounces up and down.

"Okay, okay.  Man!  And you never want to use the potty."

"Well I do today!  Come On!" Heidi hits Robert's shoulder as she continues bouncing up and down.

"I'm trying, babe!"

**

"Hey I like this walk!"

Robert shivers. "Yeah Hi-Hi-Heidi! . . It's great!"

"I wanna go home!" Joseph says.

"I can take him!"

Arvilla gives him a look. "Do you see a baby coming out of me?  We're not finished yet!"

"Yes, love. . ."