-Chapter Nineteen-

Six weeks later, the middle of September (Monica's 6 ½ months along; Hannah's nearly 9 months old).

Upon release from the hospital (when Valerie had her baby) Monica was again put on bedrest for another twelve weeks. She's very anxious to get up. Andrew is making lunch and Hannah is in the living room, playing with her toys. Monica's resting on the sofa watching her daughter play. How she loves watching little Hannah play! "I still can't believe I'm a mother of a little girl and two more kids on the way." Hannah picks up a soft plastic block and bangs it against another on the floor, squealing with glee.

"Whacha got there, Hannah?"

The baby looks at her mother and cackles, holding the block out towards Monica.

"Oh! You got a block!"

Hannah then puts it in her mouth and begins chewing on the corner.

"Does it taste good? Huh? Does it taste good?"

The baby continues to laugh as she crawls over to her mother. She pulls up on the couch and stretches her arms out. "C'mere, baby girl." Monica sits up and lifts her daughter onto her lap. "Mama's lap is disappearing," she giggles as she tries to adjust herself and Hannah.

As mother and daughter are playing, Monica smells a familiar stench. "Let's get you changed, sweet pea." She sets Hannah on the couch while she stands up. After regaining her balance, she lifts Hannah into her arms, carries her upstairs into the nursery and puts her on the changing table. She opens her daughter's diaper. "Ewww! Who's a stinky baby?" she sing-songs as Hannah squeals, giggles and kicks.

Monica places a clean diaper on Hannah and tapes it closed. "All done!" she exclaims as she lifts Hannah into her arms, carries her to the rocking chair and sits down. "Whew!" she sighs, "These babies are getting too big for me to carry all three of you." The angel reaches for a book, "Would you like to read?" Hannah pats the book. "All right!" She opens the book and begins to read, "The Cat in the Hat"

The sun did not shine.

It was too wet to play.

So we sat in the house

All that cold, cold wet day.

I sat there with Sally.

We sat there, we two.

And I said, 'How I wish

We had something to do!'

Meanwhile, Andrew is finishing cooking lunch, lasagna, cheese bread and salad and setting the table. He walks to the threshold of the dining and living room, "Monica?" He looks around and sees that she's no longer on the couch. "Monica?" He searches the downstairs and sees that his wife and daughter are nowhere to be found, so he ascends the stairs. "Monica?" He hears her voice and follows the sound to the nursery. There he sees his wife rocking their daughter and reading a book.

We looked!

Then we saw him step on the mat!

We looked!

And we saw him!

The Cat in the Hat!

And he said to us,

'Why do you sit there like that?'

The blond angel smiles as he takes in this sight. Hannah is snuggled around her mother's protruding belly. 'I love this woman!' he thinks to himself.

"I know it is wet," Monica continues, not noticing her husband is watching.

"And the sun is not sunny.

But we can have

Lots of good fun that is funny!"

Andrew clears his throat and Monica looks up and startles, "Oh! I didn't see you there!" He puts his finger to his lips and she looks down at their daughter, who is fast asleep. "I'll put her down," Andrew states as he walks toward the pair.

"No, I'll put her down," she rebuts.

"You're on bedrest."

"I know, but I rarely get to put her to bed."

"I understand," he continues, "but you've got to take care of yourself and the twins. You'll be off bedrest soon enough."

"Please, honey? I already carried her up here."

"All right, but let me help." He bends down to pick up his daughter, but Monica stops him. "I've got her. Just help me up." She extends her hand and Andrew helps her up.

Monica carries their child over to her crib and the couple place a gentle kiss as she puts the baby to bed. "Sleep tight, sweetheart."

"Lunch is read," the blond angel whispers as he puts his arm around her waist.

"After lunch, I think I'll take a nap." she yawns.

After lunch, Andrew cleans up while Monica stretches out on the sofa and quickly falls asleep. While Monica sleeps, Andrew decides to mow to yard. He finishes up the front yard and starts on the back, not hearing a car drive up to their house. Inside the house, Monica hears the doorbell ring. "Andrew?" She looks around and doesn't see him, so she gets up to answer as the doorbell rings again. "Coming!" The brunette angel answers the door to reveal Valerie and six-week old Bostyn. "Come in!"

"Hi Monica! How are you?" she exclaims, hugging her friend with one arm and holding Bostyn's carrier in the other.

"I'm well," the brunette angel replies, smiling.

"Wow!" Valerie exclaims, studying her mentor, "the babies are really growing! You look like you're about to pop!"

"I feel like I am, but I've got ten weeks to go." The women head to the living room and Monica hears Hannah crying. "Go on ahead while I get Hannah," she directs as she heads up the stairs.

"Hey, baby girl!" she greets as she enters the nursery. "You awake?" She bends over the crib, lifts the baby and loses her balance. "Ahhh!" she yelps as she stumbles, trying to regain her balance, unsuccessfully.

Andrew enters the house, hears a thud and a screaming Hannah. He dashes up the stairs, Valerie two steps behind, runs into the nursery and sees Monica and Hannah on the bloor. Andrew rushes up to his wife and daughter's side and helps them up. "Are you okay?"

Monica sighs in frustration. "Blast! I'm such a klutz!"

Andrew helps her into the rocking chair and scoops up a screaming Hannah.

"Hand her to me," she directs, arms stretched out. "Oh baby, mama's sorry!" She cradles her baby.

"Why didn't you let me get her?"

"You were outside. I knew you wouldn't hear me."

Valerie takes this time to slip back downstairs to her daughter. She unfastens the carrier belts and picks up Bostyn. She makes herself comfortable on the couch and waits for the Godlys to come downstairs. She tries not to listen in on the very loud conversation upstairs.

"You could've gotten me," Andrew states, annoyed.

"Our daughter was crying," she retorts, "I'm not just gonna sit there and ignore our daughter."

"You're on bedrest."

"You don't have to remind me. I've been on bedrest for nearly this entire pregnancy!"

"Well, you wanted this. You got pregnant on purpose."

The brunette angel furrows her brow. "Don't. Go. There," she quietly yells.

"You're right," Andrew hangs his head in remorse, realizing he crossed the line. "I shouldn't have said that." He kneels by her side. "I just worry about you. I want you and the babies to be healthy. That's all."

"I know," she replies, looking down at her husband. "I love you, Andrew and I know you worry about us, but you don't have to worry. I'll try to do better about bedrest."

"You've only got another six weeks left."

"I know," she sighs, "but I'm so bored and it's a total of twenty-four weeks I will have been on bedrest. That's six whole months!"

"This has been a difficult pregnancy for you. Now, if you strictly adhere to bedrest, perhaps we can talk Dr. Stern into letting you go to the Fall Festival next month."

"Really?" Monica excitedly shrieks and then she realizes Hannah's asleep in her arms. "You'd do that for me? You hate Halloween."

"But you love it and this will be Hannah's first Halloween." He raises up and places a light kiss on his wife's lips.

"Maybe we can dress her up as a pumpkin."

"Or a black cat." Andrew's enjoying this.

Monica looks at the door. "Valerie's over and she brought Bostyn. Could you carry Hannah for me?" Andrew starts to lift Hannah and Monica giggles. "The babies are kicking." Andrew places a loving hand over the babies and smiles. He pauses to savour the moment and then takes the sleeping baby. "Help me up?" He extends his hand, helps his wife up and the trio meet Valerie and Bostyn in the living room.

"How are you feeling?" the young woman asks.

"I'm okay. Just got a little off balance, that's all." She smiles as she sits next to her friend. "Now, let's see this beautiful wee lass of yours." Valerie places Bostyn in Monica's arms. "Hello baby girl! You are just beautiful!"

Valerie smiles with pride. "Thanks. I never thought I'd love something as much as I love being a mother. I can't remember what my life was like before her and imagine my life without her."

Monica looks over at Hannah sleeping in her father's arms and then at her protruding abdomen, "Same here. They're such blessings."

"I want to ask you a question."

"All right," Andrew answers.

"Sure. Go ahead," Monica answers.

"Hannah's baby dedication is next Sunday and I know this is such short notice," Valerie begins, "but I've been thinking over and over and I can't think of anyone better suited. Would you be willing to be Bostyn's Godparents? I...i...it's not normally done at my church, the Godparent thing, but I got to thinking and I think it's a really good thing and I want the best for her."

"Sure," the blond angel responds.

Monica looks at Bostyn asleep in her arms, "I'd be honoured."

"What church?" Andrew asks.

"First Christian. Service is at ten."

Andrew looks at his wife and back at Valerie. "We'll be there."

"Is there anything we need to bring?" Monica asks.

"Tess if she can come," Valerie answers.

"If she's able, I'm sure she will," Monica confirms.

The trio talk and then Valerie checks her watch. "I've gotta go. I have her six week checkup in an hour." They say their goodbyes and Valerie leaves with Bostyn. Andrew then walks out to the mailbox and finds a letter from Gloria. He enters the house ans Monica is settling on the couch. Hannah's in her jumpseat nearby. "We've got a letter from Gloria."

"Really!" her face brightens, "read it!"

Andrew opens the envelope, takes out the letter and reads:

Dear Monica, Andrew and little Hannah and oh yes, Twin 1 and Twin 2,

Okay, that sounds like Dr. Seuss and Thing 1 and Thing 2, sorry! How are you five? Know Hannah's growing like crazy. Is she walking yet? Mmm, she's a bit too young for that, I suppose, but I bet she's really crawling around.

How are you feeling, Monica? I know the twins are growing fast and you're anxious for them to be born. Are you still on bedrest? I bet that's been difficult, especially with little Hannah. Hopefully you'll be up and about soon enough. November will be here sooner than you realize.

The triplets are growing and they're so active at night, especially. It makes it hard to sleep, but I don't mind. I like feeling them inside. I'll miss that when they're born. Mark and Lin are getting excited. They've already picked out names for the girls: Rio Flynn, Finley Bella, and Willow Rae. Aren't those just awful? I know, I shouldn't criticize, but yikes! Me, I would've chosen Haley Elizabeth, Sophia Lauren, and Kathryn Leandra. But they're not mine, so I suppose Rio, Finley and Willow are fine. I'm rambling, sorry.

I'm on limited bedrest for the duration and go on complete bedrest in October. Raphael's been here since August and will stay with me until after babies are born. Who knows? If the Father wills, maybe Rafael and I will be together.

Well, I've carried on long enough. Take care and say hello to Tess for me!

Love,

Gloria

"She's a character!" Monica giggles.

"I can't imagine her and Raphael together," Andrew chuckles. "Oh, I probably shouldn't have said that, but..."

"I was thinking the same thing and those names. Yikes is right! I much prefer hers," the brunette angel quips.

"Me too!"

Monica sighs and becomes serious. "I'd hate it if I had to carry a child and then hand it over when it's born. And she's handing over three."

Five weeks later. It's the end of October. Monica's eight months along and almost off of bedrest. Hannah's ten months old. It's the day of the Fall Festival.

Monica's excited—she's taking a break from bedrest for the Fall Festival. She's been extra good, either staying in bed or resting on the couch without getting up except when absolutely necessary. Time seems to tick by slowly, but finally the time arrives. Excitedly, the brunette angel pulls out a pumpkin costume out of Hannah's closet. "Oh sweetheart, you're gonna look so cute in this costume!" Hannah pulls up in her crib and giggles. "Let's get you dressed!" Monica lays the costume over the rocking chair, doing her best not to mess up her costume. Then, she walks to the crib to pick up her daughter.

Suddenly, Andrew walks into the room, "I'll get her."

"But I want to get her dressed. After all, it's her first Halloween and Fall Festival."

"You can, but the doctor doesn't want you to lift her out of bed."

"All right." She kisses her husband on the cheek. "I love you!"

The blond angel walks over to the crib and lifts the baby out. "C'mon Hanna Banana, your mommy wants to get you dressed." The baby giggles as her father passes her to her mother. "I'm gonna get my costume together. See you in a few...Martha!"he smiles.

"You're dressing up?" a surprised Monica asks.

"Well," he begins, "it is Hannah's first Halloween and Fall Festival."

Monica giggles as her husband blushes. Then, she turns her attention to her daughter. "Now, let's get you dressed. I wonder what your daddy's gonna dress up as?"

Soon, it's time to go to the Festival. Monica, dressed in Early American attire, complete with white bonnet, waits at the foot of the stairs. Hannah kicks and squeals in her stroller. The brunette angel hears a door open and soon he appears as George Washington. Monica giggles, "You look great!"

Andrew smiles as he takes in his wife's beauty. "And you look lovely." He descends the stairs and places a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Shall we, Martha?"

A cool crisp chill and the smell of cinnamon, cloves, apples and pumpkin spice fill the air. Monica sees a booth with a sign that reads Costume Contest and heads toward it. "Let's enter!"

"I dunno," a reluctant Andrew answers.

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun!" Monica's grinning from ear to ear, like a kid in a candy store.

"Really Monica...a costume contest?" Andrew asks, still not too thrilled with the idea.

"Please?" she begs, batting her eyes.

"All right," he relents.

"May I help you?" the lady at the booth asks.

"Sign us up as George and Martha Washington under the Couples category."

"Oh, hi!" the lady's eyes brighten as she looks up, "How are you feeling, Monica?"

"I feel great!"

"Not long now!" the lady grins.

"Just another month...in time for Thanksgiving, I hope!" she replies, patting her abdomen.

"And doesn't Hannah look cute in her little pumpkin outfit?" she coos. "Are you gonna sign her up too?"

"Sure! Sign her up. Infant category."

"Go on back," the lady directs, "The contest will begin in about fifteen minutes."

The Godlys take a seat near the stage and wait for the show to start. Andrew leans over and whispers to his wife, "Why did you sign Hannah up? I'm not that wild about Hannah being in a pageant."

"It's not a pageant," she defends, "it's a costume contest. Besides, I think she'll win, won't ya?" Monica leans down as best she can and tickles the baby's chin, eliciting a giggle. Andrew sighs.

Soon, the MC takes the stage and the audience applauds. "Welcome to our annual Fall Festival Halloween Costume Contest! I know all of you are excited, so let's get started. First up is our Infant category—babies up to two years of age."

Monica motions for Andrew to take Hannah up to the stage. Andrew lifts his daughter out of the stroller, rolls his eyes and grins at his wife. Then he takes the baby to the stage.

"Next up," the MC announces, "is Number Six, Hannah Godly!"

The audience claps as Andrew walks across the stage with pumpkin-clad Hannah. Monica whistles and Andrew shoots her a look.

"That's my baby girl!" a voice cheers.

Monica turns around and sees Tess standing in the back. "Tess!" she calls and waves.

Tess walks toward Monica and approaches her as Andrew and Hannah return from the stage. Monica holds her hands out and kisses her daughter, "Oh, my baby girl! You did so well!"

"Tess!" Andrew greets, "how are you?"

"I'm well. I just came back from North Carolina. Gloria had the babies last week."

"How is she?" a concerned Monica asks as a squirming Hannah sits in what's left of her mother's lap.

"She's doing well and the girls are healthy."

"So? What did they weigh and what did Mark and Lin name them?" the brunette angel asks.

"Rio Flynn is the largest at four pounds, two ounces. Finley Bella is next at three pounds, ten ounces. Willow Rae is the smallest at three pounds, four ounces."

"Ouch!" Monica winces. "That's twelve pounds of baby! And to think they were hoping for a November delivery. They would've been huge!"

"How's Gloria?" Andrew inquires.

"She's having a tough time, but Rafael's with her. She'll stay in the hospital until the end of next week. The babies will probably stay in for another month."

"Have Mark and Lin let her see the babies?" Monica asks.

"Yes, she's allowed to go into the NICU any time she wants."

Suddenly, they hear the MC. "The last category up is the Couples Costume."

"Well, that's us!" the brunette angel states as she passes Hannah to Tess. Then she and Andrew line up for their turn across the stage.

"Next up," the MC announces, "is Number Three, Andrew and Monica Godly as George and Martha Washington!" The couple walks across the state. Andrew blushes as the couple hears Tess cheer.

After the contestants finish crossing the stage, the MC takes the microphone, "This concludes the costume contest. The judges will tally up the votes. Awards will be presented for First, Second and Third place in each category and then best overall at seven. In the meantime, check out the pumpkin pie contest or the rides. See you at Seven!"

The three angels stroll through the park taking in the sights, smells and tastes of the Festival. They split a funnel cake and roasted pecans. After dinner, they make their way back to the stage.

"May I have your attention, please?" the MC announces, "We have the winners of the Costume Contest!" The audience becomes quiet. "The first category is Infants up to two years of age. May I have all the infants on stage?"

With Monica's gentle prodding, Andrew, once again, carries Hannah on stage.

The MC continues, "Third prize, dressed as a pirate, goes to Cody Langford. Second prize, dressed as a pumpkin, goes to Hannah Godly." Monica shrieks with delight as Andrew accepts Hannah's trophy. The MC concludes, "And first prize, dressed as a black cat, Kaylee Anderson!"

Monica leans over and whispers to her mentor, "I know I should've gone with the cat."

Tess smiles and ignores the comment, "She looks so lovely!"

Andrew and Hannah meet the pair. Monica's still giggling with glee, "My baby!" and kisses her daughter on the cheek. Hannah immediately starts fussing.

"I'll take my little God daughter," Tess exclaims as she reaches for the baby.

The MC announces the winners for the other categories. "Last, we have the Couples Costume. Please join me on the stage."

"That's us!" Monica remarks as she and Andrew make their way to the stage.

"Third place winner, dressed as Sherlock Holmes and Watson, goes to Todd and Jenna Lane. Second place, dressed as Anthony and Cleopatra, goes to Anthony and Chloe Nelson. First prize, dressed as George and Martha Washington, goes to Andrew and Monica Godly!" As the angel couple receives their trophies, she whispers, "Don't go too far." The MC continues as the other couples clear the state, "May I have all the first place winners on stage?" She allows the contestants to return to the stage. "The winner of Best Overall Costume, dressed as George and Martha Washington, Andrew and Monica Godly!"

The couple receives their award, Monica more enthusiastic than Andrew (although he did his best to hide his hesitancy about being on stage). Then the couple meets Tess and a sleeping Hannah. "Congratulations, you two!"

"Thanks!" Monica replies. Then she looks at her daughter. "I think we need to take someone home," she comments, smiling.

"And I know someone who needs to get off her feet. You look tired," Andrew adds.

"Yeah," she answers, trying to stifle a yawn. "It's so good to see you, Tess!" She hugs her mentor.

"You too!" hugging her back. "I'll see you later, too, Angel Boy!"

"Bye, Tess and thanks!"

The angels part ways and the Godlys head home.

-End of Chapter 19-

A/N—Sorry it's taken so long to update, but I'm getting writer's block. I'm putting this story on hiatus for a bit until the muse hits me again. I do want to complete this story eventually. Thanks for reading and reviewing!