Everyone having sex is at least 18. This story is a work of fiction. I made it all up. Check reality at the door and enjoy it for what it is. Special thanks to kenjisato for editing this story and making it better.
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Chapter 1 - A Rough Start
Point of view: Brian
I can't look. The casket is being lowered into the gravesite. I am crying my eyes out, and my lower lip is trembling. I am positive my eyes are red from crying so much. I have one of the triplets in my arms. Mom takes her from me, fearing for my child's life. Was I really squeezing that hard? She is only three months old, and she has no clue that her mother lost her battle with cancer and is being buried.
Here I am, twenty-five, and have three perfect baby girls and no clue how to raise them. My wife Holly did that while I work as a foreman for a construction company. That makes me the most unsuccessful child of five. I grew up with four sisters. They are now a lawyer, a doctor, an owner of a manufacturing company, and a wedding dress designer. Our parents run an advertising company, allowing us the best of everything. I wasn't a book smart type of guy; I swung a hammer for a living as a carpenter. I met Holly repairing her parents' deck almost three years ago. It was love at first sight. Now, she lays dead in a hole in front of me.
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Right now, I am at a reception hall, in line with my parents. My hands are shaking. I'm hearing, "My deepest sympathies" and "my condolences." What does that really mean? My best friend, someone I loved more than life itself, just died. No words make it any better. It only makes me want to cry more.
I have no idea where my daughters are. I trust my sisters are looking after them for me. Right now, I'm not capable of that. I want to hit the open bar and drown my sorrows away. Mom won't let me. That woman has a wicked sixth sense, she knows what I want, and she denies me. She always has, ever since I can remember. She knows when I am up to no good, and often she stops me before I do something terrible. This is the same old shit, someone telling me what to do.
I want everyone to go away and leave me alone.
Chapter 2 - Mom
Point of view: Meghan (Brian's mother)
Holly was the best thing that ever happened to Brian. Immediately, he wasn't as shy, expressed himself better, and was more assertive. His natural humor came out more. She was a cute, smart woman that everyone liked. It looks like Brian has been crying for the last two weeks; bless his heart. His whole world fell apart, yet he still has three daughters that need raising.
All babies look good; these three could model right now. They have the most amazing facial expressions and smiles. I may be biased, but they are cute. Brian will need lots of help for a while. He's a handsome man. My husband, Dan, is an amazing man, even at his age. However, even he looks ordinary next to Brian. Brian works construction; it's hard work. Before that, he lifted weights for football and wrestling in high school.
Before Holly, there were several long-term girlfriends. It always warmed my heart to see he wasn't using women for his own enjoyment. He was always serious about the current woman of the month. Often, they lasted two or three months. That always impressed me.
He grew up in a house with four younger sisters; two were from a previous husband. He quickly went from two to four demanding and ungrateful women, yet he never got mad. He would smile and shrug his shoulders.
I offered to stay over and help with the girls until he can find daycare for them. I need to talk with his sisters. Brian is not handling this well, and I am deathly afraid of what he might do. As I walk by his neighbor, Denise, I hand her my business card and say, "If you see anything odd or unusual, you give me a call."
I continue to mingle with the guests. There are a ton of people here who knew either Brian or Holly. I need to thank them for stopping by. Oh, I see Brian walking around. That's precisely why this isn't at my house; he would be up in a bedroom hiding. I am forcing him to deal with this.
I nudge Brian to wake him up, then I wrap him in my arms. Oh my, oh my, this is awesome. He feels so warm and solid holding me, and he hugs me back. My head is on his shoulders. He is crying again. Oh heck, he is being pulled away from me. Phooey, it's MaryAnn. I think that's her name. If I remember right, she is his secretary or one of the women in the office. She seems kind of bossy to me, always pushing people.
Ahhh, nice, all my daughters just arrived. No, I saw them come in previously. Ah, I bet they were watching the triplets, maybe feeding them a bottle. Their shift must be over. They're all grabbing TWO DRINKS and sitting down together. Perfect. I grab a drink and walk to their table after four interruptions.
I say in a somber mood, "Not exactly the best way to meet, my lovely women." I look, and they all have red eyes.
Addison whimpers, "Holly was so special. This isn't fair."
Carrie also has red eyes, "How is Brian going to cope? I mean, he just lost the love of his life, and now he must raise three girls on his own."
Faith takes the Kleenex away from her eyes, "We have to help those three special little girls. Brian has no clue."
Natalie is the voice of reason, "Well, he better damn well start learning. He is still their father."
I interrupt, "Natalie, language!"
Natalie shrugs her shoulders, "Awww, mom, enough, I am past eighteen. Besides, I think it's Brian we need to worry about. He isn't equipped to deal with Holly's passing emotionally. We need to watch him close. I don't like some of his more ... morbid comments about his future."
That about made me explode. I am NOT about to lose a son over this. Yes, losing Holly is a terrible thing, something that no spouse expects to deal with at their age. But I love my son. I am damn well not going to lose him.
With conviction in my voice, "We lost Holly. There was nothing modern medicine could do about that. We are NOT going to lose Brian. One of us needs to be here every day to help at least a little. It can be laundry, cooking, bath time, feeding, or changing diapers. I want us doing anything we can, to make his life easier. Whatever he needs. Do you understand me?"
I get four grumbles of "yes."
I laugh at them; a memory of Brian just flashed in my eyes. All four are looking at me now, wondering what that small smile was about.
I humor them, "I just remembered Brian at their age. You three got it easy; he has all girls. I was one of three girls, and I have three younger female cousins. Brian was something new. Boys and girls are a bit different, even in the first three months."
Smartass Natalie says, "No shit, mom, do you need pictures?"