Waters of Time: The Welcome Home Series, #3

By Lori Hoopengardner

With a house full of family to help raise the triplets life is good.

Busy planning a wedding and Christening they were content with there arrangement.

At least the women were, the guys had a few surprises for them.

Even with these surprises, everyone was happy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lori Hoopengardner
• Release date: Feb 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386270492

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

KRYSSI, THAT SMELLS good. What did you make?

It’s called monkey bread. All it is, is cinnamon pull-apart bread.

Well, it smells good. After we are all settled at the table, we eat the delicious cinnamon bread. Afterwards, I wash the kids up, so they can play a little before lunch. As we begin to clean up the phone rings. I’ll get the phone if you don’t mind finishing up?

No, it’s fine go.

Be right back. As I’m walking into the kitchen Kryssi is taking the kids into the living room to play. Sorry that took so long Kryssi, Aunt Paige called, she will be over tomorrow to help set up for the baby’s christening and finalize your wedding plans.

Thank you Tabytha, I can’t wait to have the christening. The wedding, that just makes me nervous.

Why would you be nervous? You know he loves you. Who am I to ask this? I was so nervous, it wasn’t funny.

I know you’re trying to help but, just knowing I’m going to come home pregnant is scary. 'I hear you there, I was scared out of my mind when I found out. Sorry, I know that doesn’t help but as soon as you see them you forget all the nervousness."

I’m nervous to be pregnant but, I also can’t wait to see the precious babies.

I know the feeling. Just don’t worry about it, have fun. You already know the outcome of the honeymoon so, that should take a little pressure of.

True, I just want it to be perfect. Plus, you’re right, that does take the pressure off, wondering if it will happen.

There you go Kryssi, just have fun and enjoy your new husband. I don’t know why but, it just seemed better once we were married. This week is your mating, then baptism and then the wedding. It’s all happening so quickly. I’m glad though, we waited a month after the mating ritual. It was a long month.

I know what you mean Tabytha, it seems like it’s taking forever to happen.

Are you guys planning to stay apart the night before the wedding? We did that, it felt so weird but, the honeymoon was awesome.

I honestly never even thought about it. It is tradition but where would he stay?

Well, my dad is moving into Raphael’s house, and there is an extra room there. Even with Uncle Joe and Kaylee there is an extra. It has 4 rooms. Just enough to send Thomas for the night. You talk to Thomas about it and I’ll talk to my dad.

I’ll talk to him tonight before bed. When is Aunt Paige coming?

Tomorrow, she will probably have Celeste with her, and we will decorate for the baptism. During she will introduce us to family we don’t know.

Good, I always feel awkward around new people.

I do too, plus in this family you aren’t sure if you are meeting normal people or not. Well, nine out of ten times I’m going with not.

I am definitely learning this. I mean I didn’t know I could do all this. I had a feeling that I wasn’t normal but, not this bad.

I know what you mean. I didn’t even know this stuff really existed. I always wanted to be a witch then to find out I am, scared me.

Why would it scare you Tabytha?

Well, you always see witches getting killed when using their powers on TV. My powers are those of a witch I’ve watched plenty of times on TV, and it makes me nervous.

You will be fine. You mostly see them getting killed because they were using their powers in public. Plus, I can’t see you using powers out in public. You aren’t that silly.

No, that would only get me in trouble.

Exactly, so, you have no issue. You will be fine, just remember your kids need you and mine will too. We all do.

Thank you Kryssi, I needed that and need my family. You know that means you guys too. We have been in here talking forever, we probably should check on the kids and clean up before lunch.

That makes sense. Let’s go do this. We finish our conversation as we head to the living room to check on the kids. We enter a quiet room as all three are sleeping. Well, maybe we can get the cleaning done while they sleep. What do think Kryssi? Start upstairs?

Sounds like a plan, let’s go. We head upstairs and start our cleaning. We get the whole upstairs done and make it downstairs to at least get the library done before the kids wake up. Better than nothing. Tabytha why don’t you change the kids and I’ll make lunch?

Sure, I’ll meet you in the kitchen when I’m done.

I’ll let the guys know I’m putting lunch on too. As Kryssi heads to the kitchen I take the kids to the bathroom. Let’s go kids, potty time.

Yes mum.

Very good kids, you are being very big with going potty. No accidents. Mommy is very proud. Yay, mommy’s proud of us.

Yes I am. Are you guys ready to go eat? Auntie Kryssi was starting lunch.

'Yay, I’m hungry mum."

Kitchen then children. We head to the kitchen, we run into Raphael and Thomas in the hallway. My lady, children, I’d let you go first but daddy is hungry. They just keep talking as I keep giving dirty looks. Daddy that is being rude to my brothers me.

You’re right little lady, it is. It’s always women and children first. My apologies.

It’s ok daddy, just don’t let it happen again.

Yes ma’am, I will make sure of it.

Me too, I’ll be watching you.

Well can we eat first then worry about watching me?

Sure daddy.

Good, maybe we should do that than. Mommy looks like she’s getting upset.

We are hungry anyway daddy.

You all better sit down and eat. Auntie Kryssi didn’t make lunch for no reason.

Yes, my lady.

Yes mum. At last everyone is sitting and eating lunch. Soup and salad with the people you love seems like a gourmet meal. Mommy we are done, can we be excused? Please.

Yes, let me get you washed up and you can go in the living room and play. Does anyone have to go potty?

No, we are good for now.

Go play then, let me know when you have to go potty.

Ok, we will.

We are going to go finish up the garden.

We are going to clean up here and start dinner. Kryssi and I get the kitchen clean and have dinner started when the kids come in to go potty. Auntie Kryssi, can you take us potty please? Sure, let’s go. I’m going to beat you guys.

Nut oh!! We will win. See!!

Yes, you kids did, you beat Auntie Kryssi. Now to go potty. Very good, are we all washed up? Then are you ready to finish playing? Yes, Auntie Kryssi we are.

You kids go play, mommy and I are going to finish cleaning up. The kids head back to the living room while I meet Tabytha and we finish our cleaning. Well, we still have some time before dinner, should we read or play with the kids?

They are my kids, so I guess I will pick play with the kids.

Good pick Tabytha, that was my choice too. We are both laughing at this. While we are playing with the kids the guys come in from the garden and join us. This is nice my dear, I can’t wait until we have ours to play with too.

You know Laycee is a gargoyle right mom?

Sure, Abygail but, who is Laycee?

It’s the new baby, Auntie Kryssi and Uncle Tom's baby. You didn’t know that?

Sorry baby, I didn’t know that. I’m glad you told us though.

Why don’t you kids finish playing with daddy and Uncle Thomas while we finish dinner?

'Yes mommy. Kryssi and I head to the kitchen leaving the guys with the kids. As we head to the kitchen, I notice the scared look on Kryssi's face. What’s wrong Kryssi?"

I was scared enough before but now knowing I’m going to have a shifter, a gargoyle? I mean I knew that there was a chance, a good chance but, I’m nervous. We finish preparing dinner while we finish talking. You’re nervous about what you already knew?

No, and I’m nervous about her being a gargoyle.

That bothers you but knowing her name doesn’t?

No, actually knowing her name takes some pressure off. How do we deal with a gargoyle? Same way we are dealing with a dragon.

We just take it day by day and love them.

I wonder if Abygail knows what my other baby girls name? That would definitely help me out. I’m glad you are taking it so well that Abygail told you all this.

Oh my gosh Tabytha, why would I be mad at a baby? She doesn’t know any better.

Thank you Kryssi, I am sorry you found out all of this like this though.

Like I said it’s fine. My beautiful niece hasn’t upset me at all.

I’m so glad, she doesn’t realize what she did. She said it like we all knew all of it already.

That she did, then looked at you really strange when you asked who Laycee was.

Ya, she did do that. Should we go get them for dinner and see what else she knows?

Yes, let’s go get them. We both go to the living room and let everyone know dinner is done. Are you guys ready to eat? It’s ready and on the table. We grab a kid and head to the kitchen. I make the kids plates while they are put up to the table. Here you go kids, eat up. The rest of you get your plates ready.

Abygail, you know what the other babies name is and what she is?

Yes, I do Auntie Kryssi. Do you want to tell Auntie Kryssi?

Sure, her name is Bella and she’s a cheetah.

So, we have Laycee who is a gargoyle and Bella who is a cheetah?

Yes, Auntie Kryssi, why?

Just curious. Thank you for telling me Abygail.

You’re welcome Auntie Kryssi. We all finish eating while Kryssi and Abygail have their discussion. Are you kids done?

Yes mommy.

Good wash up and potty. Then you can go and play until bed time. Yes, mommy can we go now?

Yes, kids we can. Come on. I take them to the potty and wash them up and they do their business. They then go and play. I head back to the kitchen to help clean up. You got a lot done while I was gone Kryssi. Not much left for me to do.

I was on a roll, so I kept going. If you want to put the food away that would be great.

No problem, would you like to sit and talk after we are done? I know this was a lot to take in. That would be nice, you don’t mind?

No, I don’t mind at all. I really love talking with you. With everything done we sit and talk until it’s the kid’s bedtime. Now that we know the baby’s names and what they shift into maybe we should let Aunt Paige know tomorrow and see if there are any cheetah or gargoyles on either side of the family.

Good idea, that would be good to know if it’s my side or Thomas’s.

Exactly, see if Raphael knows anything.

Or if Thomas or my dad knows anything.

That would be nice, we may need to know more about this.

I agree, Aunt Paige is coming in the morning maybe we can see what she knows. She always knows something.

Is that where Abygail gets it?

From what I can figure out she gets it from my great grandmother. Maybe Aunt Paige will know. We should ask her.

Maybe we should get the kids ready and put them to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.

That is true, we have to talk to Aunt Paige about the christening and the wedding. I honestly can’t wait for either one.

Me either, let’s go get the babies bathed and bed than. We get the babies and take them upstairs for their bath and bed. Hey babies, bath time and bed. Aunt Paige is coming tomorrow.

"Yay, we need naps anyway mommy.’

Sorry Alan, it’s night time. That means bed to sleep all night.

Are you guys ready for bed? Get in, I’ll tuck you in.

Night kids, love you.

Night mommy night Auntie Kryssi, love you.

Well, kids are in bed I guess I’ll head up too.

Night Kryssi.

Night Tabytha, see you in the morning.

See you in the morning Kryssi.

CHAPTER TWO

WE ARE GETTING the kids ready for the day when, Abygail lets us know Aunt Paige is here. Mommy, can we go out and play in the water wall?

Abygail what are you talking about?

The water wall, Aunt Paige knows.

"Let me talk to Aunt Paige about it first. You guys go in the