Episode 20

The past weekend was lovely and fun, as I had to return to work at the company, it meant being away from my family all week.

The good news is that next weekend is the triplets' birthday, and I'll buy them lots of gifts.

When I kissed my kids goodbye, their sad little faces broke my heart, and Nick's passionate kiss stayed with me.

I get in the car and head to the city, arriving at my apartment only to be met with an emptiness inside.

The next day at the office, everyone's staring and whispering, but I keep walking—I'm not interested. Entering my office, my mother is waiting for me.

"How dare you embarrass me like this, go and annul this ridiculous marriage," she demands. "Mom, it's neither ridiculous nor shameful to have shown how much I love my partner," I reply. "You don't realize they're using you, you'll never have kids, understand Nadia is the better choice," she argues. "Mom, please leave, I have a lot of work to do."

I can't believe my mother would say that.

Francisco walks in, "Calm down, friend, she'll come around, especially once she meets the kids," he reassures me. "I hope so. Oh, Francisco, here's the invitation to the kids' birthday," I say. "Thanks, I'll see my nephews."

After work, I go to my parents' place to drop off the birthday invitation.

"Hi Dad," I greet. "Son, how was your day?" he inquires. "Good, thank you. And Nick?" "He's finishing his residency, but I'm here to bring the invite for my sons' birthday," I explain. "Sons?" "Yes, Mom, I have triplets," I confess. "Haha, you can't even believe that yourself, those children are not yours," she scoffs. "Mom, I don't want to fight, goodbye Dad, see you on the weekend?" "Of course, son, how old are they turning?" "Four years old." "We're not going," she asserts. "Enough, Irma. Son, I'll come, I want to meet my grandchildren," Dad interjects.

Leaving my parents' house feeling upset with my mother, I return to my apartment and receive a call from my four loves.

"Hi Dad, we miss you," they chime. "I miss you all too. How's papi?" "Finishing dinner, kids, go wash up," "Yes, papi." "Now, tell me, everything okay?" "Yes, just tired," "I don't believe it." "Don't worry, Nick, I'm fine." "Okay, I'll take your word for it. Bye, kisses to the kids," "Will do, goodbye."

The next day is the same routine, but then Alejandro shows up. "Hey Peter, how are my nephews?" "They're good, here's something for you and grandpa," "The kids' birthday! How old will they be?" "Four." "I'll have to look for some nice presents, and how's my brother?" "Ha, he's frantically planning the party, one unicorn princess and two superheroes," I chuckle. "Poor guy, I'm here on business, next month a shipment of weapons is due," he informs me. "Okay, we'll need to plan out who's going."

Together with Alejandro, we arrange everything for the arms shipment.

The week flies by and I'm eager to be back with my loves; I stop by the mall to pick up a multitude of gifts.

When I arrive home it's late, but I see all the decorations—Nick did a wonderful job, everything is beautiful. This is my first birthday with them; I wanted it to be perfect.