It was a new role to be a constant father. Danny improvised a lot to get along with the septuplets. They were quite a rambunctious bunch, always quick to get into mischief at eighteen months old, and by this time, were very attached to their mother. They had different temperaments. Sometimes even simple routines could become a battle. Jamie, Eric and Edward were finicky eaters, taking their time to gobble down what was placed before them at mealtimes. If Edward didn’t like something, he simpl...

Christmas time grew near again. It was fun decorating up the house for the occasion. Tara never tried before, except for the windows. Danny insisted to do it up right and went out to the woods to cut down a fine tree. The couple decorated it with plenty of lights, red bows, and bright shiny tinsel. He bought an electric train kit to entertain the children. It would be the beginning of a family tradition. The week before the big day, the whole Cross family met up in London to go shopping. They...

A natural progression of events occurred when Danny returned to Wilshire in late September, on the 26th. First, he arrived two days before Tara’s 20th birthday, which fell on a Friday. With a belated late July birthday and the Naval homecoming to go with it, everyone gathered at his parent’s house to celebrate. Tara delighted to see the balloons and streamers as they entered inside the living room. The children seemed fascinated by the colorful floating items. Helen made a fancy cake while M...

A natural progression of events occurred when Danny returned to Wilshire in late September, around the 26th. First, he arrived two days before Tara’s 20th birthday, which fell on a Friday. With a belated late July birthday and Naval homecoming to go with it, everyone gathered at his parent’s house to celebrate. Tara delighted to see the balloons and streamers as they entered inside the living room. The children seemed fascinated by the colorful floating items. Helen made a fancy cake while M...

In the morning, Danny woke up and he threw the covers back, springing out of bed in alarm. He slapped his head. 'Jesus Christ! There’s a special formation at seven!' How could he have forgotten? Still, the required uniform and shoes remained at his friend’s quarters near the base. His original plan was to have dinner there and stay the night. That was before Nina sauntered onto their patio. She was the only reason he waltzed home with the woman on his arm. Yet that plan was screwed up too. A...

Fight for your man A fifteen minute drive from the airport left Tara in the center of a crowded city. She arrived by taxi. Before she stepped out of it, she read the address on the postcard again. Helen gave it to her before departure. Danny’s apartment was located in Barr Gothic quarters of Barcelona. Tara paid the man; then walked up along the cobbled streets to find the exact place. His note to his mother indicated it was a suitable one-bedroom apartment near an old church, containing an o...

Ross kept his promise and brought Tara and Tom back to Wiltshire about four days after his birth. The septuplets were at Helen’s house until later that afternoon, so Ross knew the coast was clear. He didn’t relish a scolding from either Helen or George for what he did to Danny. He took Tom out of the car seat and escorted Tara by the arm to bring her inside. It was odd having him in the Briggs House, even if it was just long enough for him to tuck Tom into his crib upstairs. Tara was happy th...

Baby Boy Blue In the course of the week, Michael recommended Ross to an old friend, who offered a position in his international brokerage company. Ross was hired to be an assistant in the mailroom with a modest salary. When he got the job, a colleague on the 2nd floor told him about the opening for his apartment, as he had taken a position in Japan. He sublet it to Ross at a reasonable rent. It was a modest beginning. A good do-over, one that Ross felt comfortable with overall. After the move...

A world away from Wiltshire Meanwhile, in London, Michael’s days endured the busy theatrical season. In his mail, he checked out all the invitations to different plays and cast parties. His life was a world away from his family in Wiltshire and frankly, he preferred it that way. Demanding directors, bossy producers, giggling actresses, and temperamental actors. What a remarkable life? He paused at his breakfast table to look over a postcard that Sammy sent from Scotland. “If I wasn’t stuck on...

Lost in Paris The very next morning, about 11:00 o’clock, Ross woke up alone in that strange room. “Where am I?” he groaned and held his head against his hand. A sharp pain pounded his brain. On the night stand, there was a bottle of aspirin and a soft drink. He gulped down four aspirin. At that point, he looked around with eyes squinting. He noted it was someone’s fancy apartment, for it was clean and furnished nicely. How he got there, he had no clue. Since he was naked, he wrapped a sheet ...