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I mean it! You guys mean the world to me, and without you, I'd be nothing! I'd have no writing passion, and would have given up the hobby a long time ago! So I have to say thank you over and over, you're the best, and I hope you all stick around!

Now, please enjoy this some-what fail picture that I can't get right, even after like 4 hours >_>

Chapter 3.4 ~ The News

Now, I may still be young, and I may not be the genius that everyone wishes to be, but I can tell you one thing, and it's the only fact I can assure you that will never be proven wrong : Triplets are extremely hard to raise.

Now, I know I can't complain, I love them all dearly, as they do I, but with Mike at the local base all day running drills, and other tasks for the big man, it's even harder. I'm on my own most of the time, and when its three to one, things never seem to go well.

My days all started the same, waking up to piercing wails from the other room, and an empty bed beside me. It took a while to get used too, but I adapted well enough.

When left to their own devices while I showered, or answered the door, the kids were normally well behaved.   Well, most. Sierra and Simon were hardly ever found in trouble, but Stevie had a more.. inquisitive nature.

She often got stuck in the toy box, and after a while, figured out that at bath time, it was a jolly good place to hide from Mommy. It didn't take long for me to catch on, but Stevie didn't realize that. I let her have her fun, it was all a big game, and I wanted her life to be that way for as long as possible.

Tiny Tim was getting along better with the triplets then I could have ever wished. They love him, and he loved them. He took on the role of a big brother, protecting, yet playful.

Tim had his time to play whenever Jet came over. She had a bit of downtime in work right now, so she was over more then Moon, who was busy in the medical career, hours longer then I'd have thought legal. 

Jet and I were closer then ever, getting along as well as Moon and I. She was able to relax around me, and reveal her feelings on life, and the past. She tried hard to avoid the Mom subject, and that was perfect for me.  I didn't need to start building up that wall again.

Feeding time was probably the second hardest part of the day, the hardest being bed time. Once everyone was in their highchairs, it was getting the food to everyone before the first kid finished theirs. Then of course, it's the taste test. Pass it, you have an easy time, and everyone cooperates. Fail it, and it's Hell to pay.

Sierra is the most proper in her eating habits. She would dip one finger, and taste it first, then decide whether the dish deserved to be eaten or not. She was much calmer then the others, more feminine. She was gentle, and shy, just like little girls were stereotyped to be.

Stevie was more boisterous. She would scream and run around all day, causing mischief, and wiggling out of trouble. This was reflected in her eating habits, a hand plunged into the bowl, food smeared over her face, and about 1/3 of said food got to her mouth. She was a bigger clean up, but much, much easier to cater for.

Simon wasn't a big eater, he was a big player. That was for both his eating, and his personality. He would mess around with the food in the bowl, eating only when it had been completely mixed with the grime on his fingers. In his everyday life he would also rather play around, and discover new things, then stay clean and hang with his siblings. 

All my babies had the most amazing personalities, and I loved them all, and I often wondered where they got their interests and tastes.

Simon was always the easiest to put to sleep. Maybe it was all that energy spent during the day, but I loved him for it. A kiss on the head, and a flick of a switch, and before the girls were in bed, he was usually snoring softly.

Sierra hated bedtime. She was scared of the dark, so the lamp would be left on until she fell asleep, and she was such a light sleeper, any small sound from outside would wake her for hours.

Stevie was the worst. She didn't like bed, she wasn't afraid at all, in fact she had quite the brave streak, but she hated the idea of sleep. Any prank to stay up later she would pull, and since she shared a room with Sierra, it usually kept them both up.

This night was no different. She grabbed my hand tightly, and wouldn't let go.

"It's bedtime Stevie. Time for sleep." I cooed, hoping to sooth her into a sleepy mood.

"No Mommy! Songs first!" She demanded loudly, holding tighter.

"Stevie.."

"Please Mommy?" She pleaded, eyes big. I couldn't refuse her, and she knew it too.

"Okay. One song, then sleep. Got it?" 

She nodded eagerly, and I went to sit in the song chair.

I spent a minute thinking of a song, then settled on one I loved so much myself. I glanced over to Stevie, who was sat sat in her bed, eyes bright.

"Lay down,Stevie. You can't sleep sitting."

She laid down obediently, and I cleared my throat quietly.

"Why are there so many songs about rainbows, and what's on the other side? Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide. So we've been told, and some choose to believe it, I know they're wrong, wait and see. someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers, and me."

Looking over to the two cribs, I saw two sleeping forms instead of one, and silently left the room.

Walking down the stairs I heard the door click, and I knew Mike was home.

"Hey Baby." I called down, rushing to meet him.

"Hey Hun" He replied solemnly, his normal smile vacant from his face.

I knew straight away something was wrong, and I began to panic. I'd never been good with problem situations, and knew I hadn't changed with married life.

"What's wrong, Mike" I asked quietly.

"Come on. You're gonna wanna sit with me." He answered, taking my hand an leading me to the living room.

"So What's up?" I asked, tried in vain to sound casual.

"I didn't want this to happen. Keep that in mind. I tried everything to stop this, but it's had to be done."

"What is THIS  Mike?"

"Well. You see, Amy, I've.. I've been deployed."

"You've what?"

"I've been deployed, to leave in two months with my unit."

I stopped breathing. I stopped thinking, and feeling, and listening. Mike was going out to fight. My Mike, my husband, out to fight in a war with guns, and bombs, and killings.

This can't happen, I can't lose everyone I've cared for.

I jumped up, and moved to the corner, acting like I was inspecting the plant. My acting skills were non-existent, and I knew I had been seen through.

"Are you okay in there?" Mike whispered gently.

"Yea. Fine"

"Am.."

"How could I be okay? That stupid Captain of yours is sending my husband out to..to die."

"Hey now. I'm not going to die! It's gonna be okay"

"H-how is t-this ok-kay?" I started heaving from crying.

I started bawling into Mike's shoulder, holding on to him tightly, wishing it was enough to keep him with me.

"I-I lo-o-ve you M-i-ike. Don't le-eave me-e." I managed to stutter through the tears.

"You know I wish I could stay here, with you, and our beautiful babies. But duty calls. We both knew this day would come."

"Yea, and I also know that someday I'm going to die, but knowing it's coming doesn't make it easier to swallow." I said, my voice stronger now.

He stroked my hair gently, in long, soothing motions.

"Please" I begged in vain.

He tried to distract me with soft, warm kisses that took away the tears. I began to relax, but couldn't forget the situation.

Mike took me upstairs, and continued to comfort me long into the night, for what could be the last time for all I know.

*Song is 'The Rainbow Connection' courtesy of the Muppets."

Chapter 3.3 ~ Growing

Life got hard in different ways after I left home. I no longer had the constant guilt surrounding me with every wall, and with disproving eyes always on me. Nope, here I was free of that, with the trials and tribulations of being a housewife to an army man.

It wasn't too many weeks after our wedding night that I started seeing signs of something interesting around the corner. I had learnt enough in Health class to know a few signs, and a test from the local store confirmed my hunch. Against all odds, Amethyst Carmody was becoming the one thing she loathed most: A Mother.

It was so odd to think that 25 years ago this had been my mother, but she had had a much different predicament. It irked me to have an extra connection to her, another thing I could supposedly use to 'relate' to her, but as much as it sickened me I couldn't find a way to be upset with the turn of events.

It didn't take Mike a minute to get excited. Every night would end with a goodnight to the baby. Well I say baby, but twins ran in the family, aside from myself that is. I had to expect twins too.

I'd get my own goodnight too, one that I cherished every time, and looked forward too every day. No matter how hard a day Mike had had at work, I'd always get every ounce of energy he had left, a love so strong I couldn't imagine it ever breaking down.

Mike worked more now. Things got riskier everyday, with him climbing up the ranks with great ease. I knew that being a solider had it's risks, and to expect the worst news everyday: "Honey? I've been deployed." I'd not heard news of it yet, but  I knew it could happen any day.  He would spend endless hours explaining his work to me, the risks, benefits, everything. Nothing swayed my worry, only soothed it for a day or two.

Mike never swayed in his dedication to me and the baby even through the tougher times at work. That's why I loved him, someone I could finally count on for once in my life. Someone who wouldn't be swept away from me in a whirlwind move made by someone I thought I knew. 

I had a lot less to do these days. I was lonely, though I'd never admit it. I may have had almost everyone hating me at home, but there were always people there. I found it strange to be alone in the house all day. I'd take Tim out for walks whenever I felt up to it, which wasn't often for a while, since my morning sickness went on for longer then I'd expected from my research. Tim enjoyed the walks, and we had a lot of time to bond with each other.

I'd sit around and watch TV whenever my back hurt too much, or when every jolt made me throw my cookies. I'm pretty sure I've watched every episode of  "Family Sim" since time began 100 times over.

I spent a lot of time on the phone with Moon, and Jet if she'd answer. We'd grown closer since the wedding, having finally broke down the thick wall that had separated us since my Father's murder. They were both excited for the upcoming birth, Moon was betting on two girls, and Jet one boy. They had money on it and everything.

The nursery was built, one for a boy, and one for a girl because we planned for another at one point, and we'd better prepare for either outcome regarding the genders. I liked the girls nursery better myself, with the cute butterfly theme, but that's just the silly 'Momma-to-Be" syndrome kicking in.

At the end of my pregnancy, Mike started to worry like an old lady, about just about EVERYTHING! The floor being too slippy, the bed not soft enough for my tender midsection, the cleaning products being too strong...and Tim being a raging ball of germs and dirt. Mike insisted on a bath every night, especially if Tim wanted to spend the night in our room. I never thought it necessary, but to appease Mike, Tim was bathed regularly. The bonus was that he smelt good all the time, never a bad thing with the intense pregnancy nose kicking in.

Tim was allowed to sit with me after his baths, and we would enjoy some quality TV time, or fall asleep together on the couch, depending on both our moods. He was such a gentle giant I didn't once worry for the vulnerable package I had carried for nine months, or for the babies after they came into the world. He wouldn't do anything to put them in danger, in fact, I expected quite the opposite, a diligent guard dog.

It was when I was watching said TV that the first signs of labor kicked in. A small tickle by my ankle made me flinch, and when I went to itch my leg, I felt wetness. I immediately stood, and the first contraction hit. Hard.

"Mikeeee" I yelled. Nothing "MIKE GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE, I'M BRINGING IN A BABY"

That got him coming. It sounded like elephants on the stairs, and withing a half second he was in the hallway with the car keys and my jacket.

After 21 hours of tiring labor,  I gave birth to the three most beautiful being I'd ever set my eyes on. You heard me, three. Triplets most definately do not run in the family, but I guess I should have seen it coming.  Both Jet and Moon got their wish, with two girls and a boy.

I should probably introduce you to them all.

This is Simon. He's my baby boy, with mysterious blue eyes, and my blonde hair.

This is Stevie, with both my purple eyes, and blonde hair.

And finally, there's little Sierra, with the same mystery eyes as Simon, and her Daddy's hair color.

As I settled my now larger family into bed, I knew that although I was in for a lot of work, I'd never be lonely again.