When you're around I feel angels all over me
Susan waited for them with Leonard's car; it was Ethan's last year and he was about to start college. When they saw her standing there, they were surprised.
"How are you, Aunt Susan?" Naomi greeted her.
"Hello, kids..."
"What are you doing here?" Ethan asked.
"I came to get you because Daniel and Deanna are at the hospital. Your sisters are about to be born."
Naomi's uncontrolled scream practically dragged everyone to the car.
"Calm down, Naomi, there's still time. Don't get nervous," Susan tried to soothe her.
"My sisters are coming! I want to get there!"
For some reason, out of the three siblings, she was the most anxious. Finally, she would have sisters; sure, there would be a few years between them, but she wouldn't be alone. Throughout the pregnancy, she had made Daniel spend a small fortune choosing little dresses, hair ribbons, tiny shoes, and everything in pairs. Her excitement was enormous.
Ethan, on the other hand, didn't quite know what to feel. He was happy and excited, just like when Naomi and Jonathan were born, but now he was older and understood there was more to a pregnancy. There were risks, and the bitter experience with his mother had left its mark. He had quietly drawn closer to Deanna over the past months, rarely saying anything but paying attention to every little detail; every difficult movement she made, every complaint, always ready to help. She still called him: my knight in shining armor.
The youngest imagined all the games he could play with his sisters, just like he did with Emma, and now two more would join his squad. He would endlessly tell Deanna about every game he had in mind, how he would teach them to run and climb trees, and that he would give them his paints so they could draw together. And Deanna melted with love listening to him.
They hurried to the room. Inside, Daniel was trying to make her comfortable, putting a pillow behind her back; the pains had increased.
"Mom!" Jonathan shouted, running.
She smiled at him, and the little one climbed onto her bed to hug her.
"Be careful, son," his father warned.
But Jonathan just wanted to hug her tightly. Naomi and Ethan also approached.
"How are you, Deanna?" the eldest asked.
"I'm fine, but very uncomfortable."
"How much longer?" Naomi wanted to know.
"Not much, I hope..."
"We'll stay and wait for them," she said, looking at her father.
"See? That's what I meant," Daniel explained to Deanna.
"Are you sure, sweetheart? What if it takes much longer?"
"It doesn't matter, we'll stay here. We'll be the first to meet them."
Maybe it was the increasing pain or the constant discomfort; but Deanna's eyes filled with tears. Her sensitivity was at its peak.
It hadn't taken long for the four of them to connect, even when it seemed at first that the marriage was heading downhill; she had slipped into that house and those three children had found, first a friend, a confidant, and a partner in her. As time passed, the affection and respect grew stronger. Deanna was part of their family, none of them doubted it. The love she received from those three little people daily filled her with pride, seeing them grow and become sweeter and more understanding; celebrating their achievements as her own. Her husband had fulfilled his role as a father very well after Emily's passing. It wasn't her own triumph, but it felt very personal.
"Why are you crying? What's hurting you?" Naomi asked, concerned.
"Nothing, nothing hurts... I'm just so grateful that all of you have adopted me; you are such wonderful children, you've always been there for me..." she said, crying.
"Of course! You've been there for us, Deanna, you take care of us and listen to us, and you're not strict like Dad. And we can eat 'unhealthy' food with you and you sing to us. You're Jonathan's mom and our friend."
Deanna cried harder.
"Stop making her cry," Jonathan scolded.
"I'm crying from happiness, little grasshopper, you all make me so happy."
Many people don't manage to find their place in the world and wander aimlessly trying to get through life. Some, however, find happiness. Deanna was surrounded by the people she loved most, seeing each of their smiling faces and feeling their affection. She felt like the luckiest person in the world. Not just because of Daniel and the kids who were with her in the room, but also because of those waiting outside.
Each of them held a place in her heart, even Camila. Each of them had helped and pampered her in some way throughout the pregnancy. Daniel with his constant attentions; Leonard overly worried, asking how she was every hour; Susan, smuggling her sweets and chocolates. Even Charles with his friendliness and kind face and his "senile" comments, giving her support and strength.
Harry was the only one who felt he would be an uncle twice over, not just because they were twins, but because of his brother and her. That uncontrolled love that had led him to make so many mistakes had turned into another kind of love, one similar to what he felt for Susan. And Camila, dear Camila; transforming from that cold and inconsiderate person to one who shot her sincerity mercilessly just to feel useful.
How could she not cry at a moment like this? All she felt was the love and affection moving around her. This was her place; not the theater and the stage lights, nothing compared to the refuge she had, one that supported her from every possible angle: Her family.