It Started With a Kiss

by Melanie Moreland

  “Yes.”

  “I have a feeling those three names will be shouted out in succession many times over the next twenty years. Although, if he holds true to your prediction, Dylan’s name will be the first one I shout.”

  Avery cupped my cheek. “You’re going to be a great daddy.”

  I covered her hand with mine as my eyes filled with tears of tremendous emotion. The last couple days, the stress, and excitement crashed over me, and I felt vulnerable. It was something I knew only Avery would understand. “I love them so much,” I whispered. “I love you.”

  She moved closer, and I met her partway so there wasn’t more pressure on her incision. Her lips met mine. “We love you. All of us.”

  I kissed her with utter abandon. Everything I felt for her was in my kiss. Love, happiness, lust, gratitude, and complete adoration.

  All for my Avery. My Sprite.

  For what she meant to me.

  For the blessing of my children.

  For the rich, full life she’d created with me.

  I pressed another light kiss on her lips, both of us smiling and breathless when we broke apart. Without a word, I slipped her rings on her right hand and bent down to kiss her finger where they rested. I held them against my mouth unable to form the proper words to express how profound my feelings were for her. I lowered my head to her shoulder, needing the comfort of her touch. Her hand slipped into my hair, caressing my scalp in light, loving touches, conveying her own silent feelings.

  As the crest of emotion passed, I lifted my head and entwined our hands, her new rings glinting in the light.

  Together, we watched our children sleep.

  I huffed a sigh. “Really, Beth. You had to put bows around my children?”

  She laughed. “It’s just for the pictures, Daniel. You can add in their names and use them as announcement cards, too. Avery thought they were cute.”

  I looked back and had to grin. They were adorable, and if Avery liked them, then it was fine. All three of them were asleep, their little bums sticking up in the air and a huge silky bow—blue for the boys and pink for Maggie, who was always between them—resting on top of their diapers. It would make a cute photograph; although, I could imagine the horror the boys would experience when they saw the picture as teenagers. I could already see Avery cooing in delight as she showed it to their girlfriends and went on about how precious they were as babies.

  Maggie, of course, would not have to suffer that indignation, since she wouldn’t be allowed to date until she was thirty—at the earliest.

  We’d only been home for about a week with the babies. They had done surprisingly well. After two weeks in NICU, they were ready to go home, and I loved having my family all together.

  Avery was discharged after five days, but we’d spent most of our time at the hospital to feed and be involved hands-on with the babies. If Avery had her way, she’d have been there 24/7, but she did listen to Dr. Pritchard and came home in the evenings to rest and look after herself. I loved being able to care for her during those short hours, and I catered to her every whim, wishing there was more of them. She was an easy patient.

  Now she was home for good, the house buzzed all the time. There were constant feedings, diaper changes, and people milling around. My favorite time of day was late in the evening, when it was only Avery, our little ones, and me. I’d carry them in, and we’d sit on our big bed, cuddling and talking to them, delighting in every noise and facial expression they made.

  The first time I held them in the hospital was one of the most profound moments in my life. Feeling their tiny, warm bodies snuggle into mine had brought forth the most intense, protective feeling I had ever experienced, only rivaling the one I felt for Avery. I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do for my children; I would protect and love them at any cost. Seeing Avery hold them brought tears to my eyes at the utter joy in her expression. I felt complete.

  Together, we had become a family.

  Avery came in, smiling at our babies, ghosting her hands over their backs. Her rings glinted in the light, small sparkles reflecting on the walls around us as her hands stroked and soothed the tender skin. Bending down, she kissed all three, then finished with a lingering kiss to my mouth. Not one to miss an opportunity, I dragged her face close to mine and kissed her again. And again. Each one deeper, longer, and more passionate.

  She whimpered against my lips. “Is six weeks up yet?”

  I rested my forehead to hers. We were having trouble waiting, but knew we had to follow the doctor’s orders. “Soon,” I promised.

  She dropped another lingering kiss on my face. “Good.” She chuckled. “If we can find any time.”

  I laughed into her hair. “I’ll hire a night nanny, as well. I have a feeling we’re going to need one, anyway.”

  Right on cue, she yawned. “I might let you do that without much fuss,” she admitted.

  Neither of us were getting much sleep, and we knew things wouldn’t change for a while. My mom knew someone who was happy to work nights, helping new parents. I’d get her number.

  I hugged her close. “I’ll call Phyllis tomorrow.”

  Beth came in holding her camera. “Okay. People are arriving. Let’s take these pictures, then we can get the munchkins dressed.”

  I stood up grumbling. I knew I’d agreed to the small get-together so our friends and other family could meet the triplets, but I still hated sharing. I wanted every moment when I wasn’t at work with them. “I won’t even get to hold them this afternoon. Everybody will want a turn.”

  Avery laughed as she handed me Maggie. “It’s only for a couple hours, Daddy. Then you can have your baby girl back.”

  Maggie snuggled into me, and I held her close, breathing her in. She had me wrapped around her tiny finger so tight I would never be free again.

  “Okay, fine.” I pouted, knowing Avery would kiss me if I did.

  I was right.

  Hours later, my favorite time of day arrived. It was just my family and me. I stood over the cribs, looking at my children—who were all asleep at the same time, for a change. It had been a big day for us. They were passed around, cuddled, kissed, and cooed over all afternoon. I’d never been hugged that much in my life. Avery was pampered non-stop, and given more advice than she could possibly remember.

  We had all been thoroughly loved.

  New presents were piled on the dressers. Stuffed animals, dozens of pieces of clothing, toys, and books were all there. Caitlin had tracked a careful list of the gift and giver, so thank you cards could be sent later. Tomorrow, I’d have the picture of the triplets done into the right format, and Avery would start the process. Of course, I would do everything I could to avoid helping with that task, aside from signing my name at the bottom of the note.

  I stepped into our room, my eyes falling on the gift that now hung over our bed. The moment Avery opened it and stopped crying, she begged Ryan and me to hang it. It was a collage done by Beth with the inscription “It Started with a Kiss” across the top. It was our life in a combination of special photos. The center was a screenshot she had taken from our first gentle kiss at the studio. Around it were pictures of our wedding, Avery round and glowing with our children, and finally, one of us she had taken recently. It was of Avery and me together with her on my lap and all three babies held by us. My entire family encased in my arms.

  It was, as Avery stated, the most perfect gift—ever.

  Arms slipped around my waist, and I grinned as Avery appeared at my side, snuggled under my arm. I nuzzled her hair as we both stared at the picture.

  “Who knew?” she breathed out. “Who knew the day I walked into the studio, scared and worried, we’d end up here?”

  I tugged her tighter to my side.

  “I still owe Caitlin for that one. I’ll never be able to repay her. Best bet I ever lost.”

  “You changed my life, Daniel. You kissed me and changed everything.”

  “You made mine complete.”
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  She turned in my arms, and her eyes met mine. They looked up at me with the same sweet expression they did the first day I met her. A swell of tenderness filled my heart as memories of that day flooded my head.

  Smiling, I reached over and slid off her glasses, as I pushed mine up into my hair.

  “Avery, can I try something?”

  Her smile—that special smile she had only for me—curled up the corners of her inviting mouth.

  “Anything, Dr. Spencer.”

  We were smiling as our lips met.

  DATES WITH MAGGIE

  Age Three

  I yanked on my tie. I couldn’t get it straight—the damn thing was crooked again. Groaning, I shook my head.

  Why the hell was I so nervous?

  Caitlin appeared behind me, having overheard my mutterings—a habit I picked up from my wife. “Because the last date you went on, brother of mine, was with Avery, and that was yeeeeeeeaaars ago.”

  I smirked. “Thanks.”

  She laughed and grabbed my shoulders, turning me around. She fiddled with my tie then stepped back. “There, perfect.”

  “Okay.”

  “You made the reservation?”

  “Yep.”

  “Flowers?”

  “In my office.”

  “Music?”

  “Loaded.”

  “Then all you need is the girl.”

  “You’re right.”

  The girl.

  My baby girl.

  I rolled my shoulders and knocked on the door. I could hear muted voices, picking out Avery’s easily. Then behind the wood, I heard my Maggie, calling to her mother. “Da handle’s too high, Mommy.”

  I kneeled down and turned the knob, pushing the door a little to help her. Maggie’s sweet face and wide smile greeted me as the door swung open. “Daddy!” she crowed, clapping her hands. “You’s hewe!”

  I handed her the small bouquet of baby pink roses.

  Pink roses for my Maggie Rose.

  Her little mouth formed an ‘O’ as she stared at them. She always loved it when I gave Avery flowers, dipping her little head into the blossoms and sniffing. This was the first time she’d been given flowers of her own.

  I was starting a tradition.

  “So bootiful!” she lisped, gazing up at me.

  “So are you, Princess. Is that a new dress?”

  She nodded, excited, twirling around. I bent over to stop her from hitting the door after her second twirl. She was just like her mother and too familiar with the floor and edges of furniture. I lifted her into my arms, delighting in her little butterfly kisses she dropped all over my face. It was her favorite game: grabbing my face and kissing it until I laughed. It was my favorite, as well.

  “Yook!” she squealed, pointing to her feet. “Mommy gots me new shoes, too!”

  I lifted one tiny foot, admiring the pink and white shoe.

  “It’s got bows, Daddy! Yike my hair! Dey match!”

  “Did Mommy do that for you?”

  “Yes. I kisseded her for it.”

  “Good. Mommy deserves lots of kisses.”

  Avery appeared from the kitchen, smiling and shaking her head. “I see your date has arrived, Miss Maggie, and he’s already talking about kissing. Tsk, tsk.”

  Maggie giggled—a sweet, high-pitched, little girl giggle that always made me smile. “He’s funny, Mommy.”

  Avery’s loving eyes met mine. The silvery-green, and deep emotion held within them, still made me breathless when she looked at me.

  “He is funny.” She laid her hand on my arm, her lips skimming my cheek. “And wonderful,” she breathed into my ear.

  I shifted Maggie into one arm so I could wrap the other around my wife. “Everything set for tonight?”

  “Yes.” She winked at me and kissed Maggie. “Are you taking your flowers with you, young lady?”

  Maggie nodded. “To the restwant.”

  Avery smiled and repeated the big word slowly. “Rest-au-rant.”

  Maggie frowned. “I saided dat.”

  Chuckling, I dropped a kiss on Avery’s head. “Yeah, Mommy. She did.” Looking at Maggie, I grinned. “Ready to go, Princess?”

  She clapped her hands eagerly. “To da date, Daddy!”

  We were walking down the steps when Avery called out. “Remember what I said to tell your date, Maggie!”

  “Oh, yeah.” Maggie looked up at me, serious, as I lifted her into her car seat. “I haf to be home by seben. Dats my bedtime.”

  I glanced at my watch. Three hours.

  I only had three hours?

  I looked back to Avery. “Eight!”

  She laughed as she went back in the house. My wife knew me well enough to know three hours wouldn’t be enough time with my girl.

  A lifetime wasn’t enough.

  Maggie’s favorite songs from Frozen were on repeat in the car. Luckily, we arrived at the restaurant before my voice gave out. We did great duets together. It was another tradition when we were in the car.

  I carried her inside, since she didn’t want her new shoes to get scuffed up. I settled her into a booster seat, and once she was satisfied her flowers were okay in the glass of water our waitress kindly provided, I ordered her favorite dinner: cheese pizza for two. Since it was our first date, as a treat, I also ordered her all-time favorite beverage: chocolate milk.

  Once she’d had a couple sips, I grinned, running my fingers through her curls that spilled over her shoulders. Carter and Dylan both had my brownish-red colored hair, but Maggie’s was even brighter than her mother’s was. Her hair was a mass of blonde curls, the color so light it was white when it glinted in the sunlight. Her eyes were hazel, often more green than blue, while her brothers had my blue irises. They towered over her, always having been in the top percentile of their range, while she had remained in the bottom, small and perfect, just like her mother. “You ready?” I asked, knowing what she wanted me to say.

  She nodded.

  “Go!”

  What came next was our daily ritual. One I had with all my children. It was their time to tell me everything that happened while I was away from them. I sought out each of them, one by one, to listen. Although, usually, what happened, was I’d end up on the floor with all three of them piled on top of me, talking at once. I loved hearing their excited voices and laughter.

  Maggie more than made up for her brothers not being with us as she babbled away. She’d had such an exciting day of shopping, exploring, discovering a new kind of jam for her toast Mommy had let her try, and even found her lost button we’d hunted for the other night. She filled me in on how Dylan had been bad—not a big surprise—Carter had scolded him, Mommy had made cookies after lunch, and Grandma had stopped by for a visit. Her eyes were serious as she assured me she’d scrubbed “extra hard” behind her ears for our date.

  “See?” she demanded, leaning over and turning her head.

  I inspected the smooth skin and bent down, blowing a raspberry behind her ear. Her loud giggles made me laugh, and we were still smiling when the pizza arrived.

  A non-stop monologue continued over dinner. I kept interrupting by slipping bites of pizza in her mouth, knowing Avery wouldn’t be happy if she found out Maggie hadn’t eaten. Shamelessly, I bribed her with dessert if she finished her dinner, and finally, she tucked in and polished off her slice. Dessert disappeared significantly quicker. I barely got my spoon into the gelato.

  Again, just like her mother—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My girls owned me. Totally.

  Back in the car, I changed Maggie’s shoes and we went to the park. The slide was out, because of her “pwetty dwess,” she informed me, but the swings and teeter-totter were her go-tos, anyway. I pushed her higher and faster, loving her laughter. On the teeter-totter, I was rewarded with her giggles when I would “bump” her hard enough she’d “pop” off the seat.

  We ended up with more ice cream, sitting under a tree. I gathered her onto my lap, occasionally licking the c
one when it melted, saving her new dress from complete destruction.

  “Daddy?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Is we gonna haf anofer date?”

  “Yep. Every second month. You and me.”

  “What ‘bout the ofer months?”

  “Those are fun nights for me with the boys, so you and Mommy can have girl time.” I had tried taking them one at a time, but the boys preferred to go together. Avery and I decided to try it, and it worked well. Everyone was happy, so that was all that mattered, and I got more date time with Maggie.

  “Can we go to putt putt?”

  I chuckled, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “Mini golf?” They all loved playing games.

  She nodded; her mouth full of ice cream.

  “Sure, my girl. Whatever you want.”

  All of a sudden, though, she yawned. Her eyes scrunched up, mouth wide, the remains of her ice cream still lingering in the corners. I glanced at my watch, surprised to find it past seven. Time had flown by. It always did when I was with my kids.

  I wiped her mouth and popped the last of the cone into my mouth. She snuggled tight to my chest, happy to be still and held close. I knew she had to be tired, since she was never quiet.

  She grew heavier and I stood, carrying her to the car. She slept the entire way home.

  Avery met us at the door, a tender smile on her face. “Hey.”

  I bent down, to kiss her full lips. “Hi, Sprite.”

  “Good date?”

  “The best.”

  “You tired her out.”

  “Yeah, but we had a great time. Why don’t I go tuck her into bed, then we’ll see if I can tire you out?”

  Avery laughed. “Good plan, Daddy.”

  I smiled all the way down the hall.

  I liked this tradition.

  Age Fourteen

  “Dad!”

  “What?” I smirked, nuzzling her head.

  Maggie pushed away from me. “You can’t hug me in front of the kids at school!” she scolded, looking around, then scampered into the car.