After delivering triplets Cynthia was exhausted. All she wanted to do was hold and kiss her new babies. However, she didn't get such an opportunity as her doctor had immediately whisked them away. Why would he do that? Why no one could tell her where her kids were?
The new mother felt frantic and her heart rate began to soar. Not seeing her children was only going to cause her harm - she was desperate. Little did Cynthia know that what the doctor would tell her next would be even more difficult to handle.
Highschool Sweethearts
Cynthia and Johnny had met in high school and lived a fairytale romance. She was a cheerleader and he was a quarterback. After graduating they went to college and came back to their hometown to get married.
As long as they had lived in their town, everyone thought they were the perfect couple. You rarely saw one without the other and they shared all of the same friends. The couple had one important person in their life whose opinion mattered more than anyone else’s.
Their Daughter Naomi
After they got married the couple welcomed their daughter, Naomi. In the town, they lived in Cynthia and Johnny were the Queen and King - but Naomi was the princess. As she grew up the residents constantly remarked how much she looked like her mom.
Cynthia had beautiful brown hair and dark rich chocolate eyes. She had a welcoming smile and her daughter was her identical twin. In school one day, Naomi was asked what she wanted for Christmas. Her answers made the teacher's jaws drop in surprise.
A Sibling For Christmas
Naomi wanted to be a big sister more than anything. She was always asking her parents when she would get a younger brother or sister and pestered them daily. She was often found in her room playing house, gently holding her dolls while feeding them a bottle.
Johnny & Cynthia wanted more kids but they weren’t sure now was the right time. While they tried to be careful, in a few months they would get a big surprise. Cynthia had taken a big risk with her family and it was time to find out the consequences.
The Early Warning Signs
One morning Cynthia woke up and felt exhausted. She had been working hard all week but this feeling was more intense. Everything in her body, including her bones, just felt too tired to move.
She thought she was coming down with a cold and called in sick to work. A tiny voice in her head said she should pick up a pregnancy test. Cynthia was skeptical since she had been careful, but she slipped one into her purse at the local pharmacy.
There Are No Secrets In A Small Town
When Cynthia bought a pregnancy test the pharmacy cashier was so excited. She had gone to school with the young couple and also had a daughter that was friends with Naomi. Cynthia told her excited friend to keep it a secret for now because the test was just a precaution.
It was only a matter of minutes after Cynthia left that the cashier mentioned to one of her co-workers that Cynthia had bought a pregnancy test. As Cynthia was driving home the news was already flying through her neighborhood. If this test was negative it would be disappointing to more than just the young family.
How Would She Tell Johnny?
The test was positive, but Cynthia wasn’t sure how she felt? She chewed the side of her nails waiting for Johnny to come home. She needed to tell him the news, but there was a lot more she had to get off her chest.
Could they afford a new baby right now? Was Naomi actually ready to be a big sister? She decided to make her husband’s favorite meal, but would it distract him? Tonight would either be a celebration or a miserable mess.
He Knew When He Saw Her Face
As soon as Johnny opened the front door and smelled his favorite food he knew his wife was up to something. She only made this dish on special occasions, or when she needed to have a difficult conversation.
As he went into the kitchen, he could tell from Cynthia’s face the happy news. It was a massive surprise but the couple knew they could survive this. A new baby was a blessing, but they had no idea of the multiple surprises, and challenges, in their future.
A Tough Truth
While Cynthia confirmed to Johnny yes, she was pregnant she also had other things the couple needed to discuss. Even while Johnny was instantly excited he could tell Cynthia was holding something back.
They had so many plans for their growing family. The trips they would take together and the milestones they would reach. As her husband wrapped his hands protectively around his wife, everything felt too good to be true. Did Cynthia feel the same way? She had a dark secret that even Johnny did not know.
A Love Lost
When Cynthia met Johnny she was so young. She only had one vision for her future, and it followed Johnny wherever he went. Now years later she was beginning to wonder if she had rushed the marriage.
She loved their daughter but the idea of more children in this marriage felt like she was trapped. Cynthia began to feel regret for missing out on experiences and mourned for her lost days of youth. This new baby was either going to change her life or keep her in an unhappy version.
What Would Cynthia Choose?
Cynthia never told Johnny but she had a lot of crushes. She found herself attracted to other men in the community and with each new crush she felt the old spark she was missing in her marriage.
Was the grass greener? Cynthia had casually asked Johnny if he ever had crushes on anyone but he was extremely loyal and told her he never looked at anyone else. How would he handle the news that one person, in particular, had caught Cynthia’s eye?
Cynthia Confessed To Cheating
She couldn’t believe that she was capable of doing this but Cynthia had been sleeping with someone else for a few months. She had given in to the spark and desire, and now that she was pregnant a big question loomed in her mind.
While she had stopped taking her birth control pill, she had always used condoms with her secondary partner. Cynthia’s actions had really caught up with her and as she began to worry, one thing became crystal clear.
She Would Try Her Best - But Was It Too Late?
Regardless of how Cynthia felt she was willing to give her marriage a second chance. When she stood in front of her community and promised to love Johnny she meant it but had never predicted how the couple would grow apart.
Now, she realized that people grew apart but maybe this new baby was a fresh start. Cynthia wondered if this baby could bring her and Johnny closer together? She also knew that if this baby didn’t save their marriage then it would mean destroying her family.
The Truth Was Out!
Cynthia knew she could not carry this secret for nine months. She had to tell Johnny and beg for his forgiveness. If he still wanted to stay together as a family then they could do the work to make it happen.
As she told Johnny the truth, his world crumbled down around him. From day one, Cynthia had been his one true love. His future and his family hang in a delicate balance. Could he forgive Cynthia or was it better to walk away now with his pride?
They Couldn’t Fix Their Marriage
Cynthia and Johnny decided it would be better to divorce. Regardless of what Cynthia had done, Johnny could no longer envision his future with her. The only thing he still wanted to be was a father.
As the couple agreed to separate they needed to finalize the custody agreement. Naomi’s life would turn upside down but she had two parents that loved her very much. Would they split custody or would one parent have Naomi all the time?
A Judge Ruled In Cynthia’s Favor
After a lengthy divorce battle, a judge granted Cynthia full custody of her daughter, Naomi. Johnny was enraged. He was realizing just how much he was about to lose and wanted to ask for more parental rights.
While the judge would consider Johnny’s requests, they also delivered shocking news. Just because Cynthia had custody of Naomi didn't mean she would automatically get custody of the future babies. There was one tiny detail that the judge could not overlook.
Finding Out About Triplets
Earlier in the pregnancy, the couple had found out they were having triplets. When they told the judge the pregnancy results it changed the entire custody agreement. The judge did not believe Cynthia could support four children on her salary.
The judge decided that a decision could not be made today on the future of these children. Instead, they said the couple would need to come back after the pregnancy. If Cynthia’s financial situation had changed then so would the ruling.
What Did It Mean To Deliver Triplets
As they walked out of the courthouse the couple had a doctor's appointment to attend after. Even after a divorce, Johnny wanted to go to all the appointments. These were still his children and he would not disappear.
The doctor went over everything, including that this delivery and labor would be different and more stressful for Naomi. She would not be able to deliver the babies naturally, and they would schedule a c-section. Was Cynthia strong enough to go through the delivery? She had no idea how much she would rely on her self-strength in the future.
Who Was The New Man In Cynthia’s Life
Cynthia had cheated with a man named Eric. When she told him that he would need to help her financially he balked at the responsibility. He hadn’t expected to fall into a full-blown relationship and thought that he and Cynthia were just having fun.
Cynthia realized she had thrown away her marriage for a man that didn’t want anything to do with her. She lay on the couch and felt her triplets kick and felt overwhelmed. What had she done, and how could she get her life back on track.
Johnny Had A Surprising Demand
After the judge had granted Cynthia full custody of Naomi, Johnny became extremely goal-oriented. He would not lose custody of his three unborn babies, and he also wanted Cynthia to pay.
He wanted to show the judge that he was financially stable for all four of his children, and instead of him paying child support to Cynthia she should be supporting him. Johnny was the more financially stable, but how would a court rule? Through the chaos of divorce proceedings, Naomi was still looking on the bright side.
Naomi’s Wish Was Coming True
Even though her parents were fighting, Naomi was still so excited to become a big sister. Finally, her wish was coming true! She spoke to her mommy’s growing tummy and told both her parents she couldn’t wait to meet her siblings.
Would Naomi still be excited when she was no longer the center of attention? Three tiny new babies would definitely give her parents lots to focus on. As Cynthia’s stomach grew bigger, the family prepared for an unknown future.
A Long Nine Months
The hardest part about delivering babies is you never really know when they’ll arrive. Doctors do an estimate to give the parents a due date but realistically babies can come early or late.
With Cynthia's pregnancy, because she was carrying triplets she would be induced. The couple had the date marked on the calendar and had everything ready for when they would drive to the hospital. Even though everything felt planned, Cynthia was in for a big surprise.
The Due Date Arrives
The morning of the due date, Cythina felt exhausted. The extra weight of carrying the triplets had made her temperamental and she could feel herself losing her patience with Naomi and Johnny.
He was trying his best to be supportive but after their divorce he felt spiteful. Anything he attempted to make Cynthia feel comfortable only irritated her further. When the time came for him to support his ex-wife and mother of his children, would he turn his back on her and separate their family?
Everything Was Going Smoothly
Cynthia and Johnny arrived at the hospital and everything was going to plan. They had already discussed it and Johnny would not be in the delivery room. He promised to be the first thing Cynthia saw afterward.
He squeezed her hand one last time and watched as the medical team wheeled her into the operating room. After all the stress and frustration in his marriage, he had his own concerns and fears. Who could he talk to that would understand him? He knew one place where he could find a friend.
Johnny’s New Girlfriend
After Cynthia went into the delivery room, Johnny called his new girlfriend. They had just started dating and she was incredibly supportive of the changes happening in his life. She desperately wanted to be a mother and was excited at the thought of Johnny getting full custody of his triplets.
Johnny was rebuilding his future. He was focused on being the best dad possible and couldn’t wait for the triplets to arrive. He was financially stable and would do anything to prove he was the better parent for custody.
The Delivery
The doctors worked fast and the babies were born in seven hours. Before Cynthia even had a chance to hold them the team took them to a different room. The nurses told Cynthia that her babies were getting checked and cleaned.
After the grueling process of labor, she just wanted to hold her babies. She could hear their new cries echoing in the room but couldn’t see them. Cynthia felt herself fill up with anxiety. The thought of not bringing her babies home was too much for Cynthia to bear.
Where Was Her New Boyfriend?
Cynthia was beginning to cry and realized what her life would be like as a single mother. Eric tried his best but he wasn’t ready for the responsibility of four kids. She was going to have a lot of time by herself and would need to dig deep for strength that she and her children could rely on.
She saw someone approaching her delivery room. She expected to see Johnny’s face but instead, it was her doctor's. He looked perplexed and concerned. Why hadn't he brought back the triplets? The news he was about to deliver would shock Cynthia to her core.
The Doctor’s Face
There was no way for him to hide his concern as he approached the young mother's bed. It was never easy to give bad news and he really didn’t know how Cynthia would react. He had told his nurses to track down her ex-husband but he hadn’t been seen in a few hours.
He needed to deliver this news gently. It wasn’t the worst thing he had ever said to a new parent but he could tell Cynthia was emotional after her hard delivery. The words he was about to say would alter Cynthia’s life forever.
A Paternity Test
The doctor was aware that the couple was involved in a custody battle and after the babies were born he swooped them a way to do a paternity test. The medical team wasn’t used to these tests and they were taking longer than usual.
Cynthia was getting more upset by the minute. She was exhausted and after long labor, she wanted to hold her babies. When the doctor told her he couldn’t bring them to her yet it felt like her worst fears were coming true.
The Mother Was Under Stress
Cynthia was still attached to heart monitors after her c-section, and her pulse was skyrocketing. The machines began to sound the alarm and the doctor realized he would need a different approach to deliver this difficult news.
One nurse had noticed something during the triplets' arrival and brought it to the doctor's attention. While the team was stalling it was because they were waiting on one missing piece of information from a missing member of the family.
What Did The Nurse Notice?
When the babies were arriving the nurse was studying Johnny’s face. She couldn’t see any hints of his genetics in these newborn babies. She highlighted it to the doctor, especially because of the paternity suit that was happening in court.
The team called Eric and he came to the hospital. While Cynthia, Johnny & Naomi were waiting for the results the team was getting a sample from Eric to compare for the triplets. The doctor knew these results would change any court ruling or dispute instantly.
Holding Her Precious Gifts
Finally, the nurses brought the triplets back to Cynthia. They were cleaned up and swaddled in blankets and Cynthia could not believe how perfect each one was. She held them in her arms and memorized their tiny noses, fingers, and toes. She vowed to fight and not let Johnny take any of her children.
Finally, the doctor entered the room. As Cynthia looked up she was surprised that Johnny, Naomi, and Eric were walking into the room as well. Johnny looked like he had been crying, and when Cynthia heard the doctor's news she instantly broke down.
The Triplets Dad Was…..
Even though Cynthia & Eric thought they had been careful, there was no denying the triplets had Eric’s DNA. After months of Johnny imagining he would take the triplets in the custody battle, he had zero rights to them.
That meant the custody argument was done, but a new reality set in. Eric had no choice now he would need to step up and support his family. Cynthia couldn’t stop crying and Eric bent down to kiss her on the head. Would he be able to step up and support the family he never expected?
The Happy Ending Could Wait
While Eric & Cynthia’s romance had started as a secretive affair, they were now parents to triplets. There was no denying they would be linked together for life, and it was a lot for everyone in the room to process.
Johnny took Naomi home with him that night to give Cynthia & Eric time to talk about their future. From a high school romance to an illicit affair, all Cynthia cared about was being a good mom. She needed Eric to get his priorities in line. Their future might be unclear but no one was taking this mom’s kids away from her.
He Still Had Naomi
Johnny told his girlfriend the new information about the triplets and they both understood what it meant. Instead of becoming a family of six - they would stay a family of three. Johnny and his new girlfriend could try to start their own family, but Cynthia would not be giving him any support.
As families grow and evolve, a modern family has many moving pieces. Naomi still has two parents that love her and, even better, three new siblings for her to take care of.