Doctor Spellman adopted and reared his sister’s triplets when she passed tragically during childbirth. Five years later, the triplets’ biological father returned to reclaim them, upending his life.
Take a breath. While marching with his sister on a gurney to the operating room, Thomas gently told her it would be okay.
Leah creased her sweaty brows to breathe. “You’re… Thomas, you’re the best older brother I could ask for, she whispered in the OR.
Leah went into labor at 36 weeks, and doctors recommended a C-section. Soon after having her first child, Leah’s pulse dropped, worsening her condition.
Please stay with me, Leah! Nurse, what’s up? Look at me, Leah! Look at me,” Thomas cried, clutching his sister’s hand.
“Doctor Spellman, you need to leave, please,” Dr. Nichols said, leading him outside. The OR doors slammed.
Thomas sank onto a waiting room chair, crying. His sister’s scent lingered on his palms. He covered his face with his hands, hoping things would improve.
But when a doctor’s voice interrupted his thoughts, he realized something was wrong. “Doctor, how is Leah?” he asked, leaping to his feet.
“We’re sorry, Thomas,” Dr. Nichols remarked regretfully. “We did our best, but we were unable to stop the bleeding. The children are safe and have been admitted to the NICU.”
Thomas sank back into his chair, unable to accept the news of his sister’s death. Leah had been overjoyed to embrace her tiny angels, cradle them, and give them the best. How could God be so cruel in taking her away so quickly?
“What will I do now?” Thomas was dismayed as a voice erupted in the corridor. “Where the hell is she?!” She believed she could birth the children and I wouldn’t know?
Thomas’ wrath had no bounds when he saw Joe, his sister’s ex-boyfriend, come into the hospital. “Where is your sister?” Joe let out a growl.
Thomas grabbed the man’s collar and pinned him against the wall. “Now you want to know where she is, huh? Where were you when she spent the night on the streets because of a scumbag like you? Joe, where were you when she fell four hours ago? She’s died! My sister didn’t even live to see her children.
“Where are my kids?” “I want to see them!” Joe yelled, ripping away Thomas’ arms.
“Joe, don’t even talk about them! “Get out of my hospital or I’ll call security!” Thomas warned him. “OUT!”
“I’m leaving now, but I’ll get my children back, Thomas! “You can’t take them away from me,” Joe replied as he walked away from the corridor.
For his three nephews, Thomas couldn’t only lament his sister’s death. He was all his nephews had and would do anything to keep them away from their alcoholic father. Thomas adopted the triplets and fought for custody in court.
Your honor, this is unfair! Joe shouted and cried on the stand. “I’m the kids’ dad. Could I survive without those small lives? They are Leah’s and my flesh and blood, and I have nothing else!”
“Let me get something clear,” the judge informed Joe. “You didn’t marry Leah, the children’s mother, or financially support her during her pregnancy. That right?”
“Well, you’re not wrong, your Honor,” Joe groaned, lowering his head. “I do small jobs as a handyman. We didn’t marry because I couldn’t support her.
“Pardon me, your honor, but my client has text messages and voice notes from his sister where she clearly states that Mr. Dawson is a heavy drinker,” Thomas’s lawyer stated. “And she refused to marry him unless he entered rehab.” The lawyer convinced the judge that Joe was unfit to raise the children, and Thomas won.
Thomas stared up at the brilliant skies as he left the courtroom, recalling his sister. I pledged to help you my best. He said, “I hope I didn’t disappoint you, Leah,” crying.
Joe stormed out of the court and grabbed Thomas’s arm. “Thomas, I’m the real father of the children and will fight for them. Be humble about your victory for now.”
Thomas glared at Joe after releasing his arm. “That’s why Joe, you’re unfit to be their father! You shouldn’t fight for the children, but their sake!”
Thomas arrived home from court comfortable that Leah’s kids were safe with him to find his wife packing.
“What’s up, Susannah?” puzzled, he inquired. “Why all the packing now?”
“I’m sorry, Thomas,” she huffed, sealing the last bag. You have three children when I’m not sure I want any. Did you win the case? I considered it, but I don’t want to change diapers for the next few years. Thomas, I didn’t sign up for this when we married. Sorry.”
Susannah vanished. Thomas gazed around the house and couldn’t believe he was alone with his nephews. In annoyance, he retrieved a bottle from the wine rack, but as he threw away the cork, his eyes caught the phone screensaver.
His three young nephews awaited him. He could not let his sorrows consume him and leave them.
I promised Leah a good life. Cannot do it!” He left after returning the wine bottle to the shelf.
Time flew by as Thomas reared Jayden, Noah, and Andy. Thomas liked spending time with his nephews, whether it was changing their diapers or lulling them to sleep with his terribly unmelodic voice.
However, their care affected his physical and emotional health, and Thomas fainted at work. He blamed it on sleeplessness and picked up his nephews from kindergarten.
However, seeing the man across from his house gave him chills when he got home. Joe stood on the sidewalk in front of Thomas’s house after five years.
Get inside, kids. I’ll join you soon, okay? Thomas grinned at the kids entering.
Then he approached Joe. “What the hell are you doing here?!” he raged. Have you stalked us?
“I’m reclaiming my property, Thomas. “I’m here for my children!” he boasted.
“Your kids?” Thomas sneered. “Where were you those five years I raised them? Joe, you never owned them. You abandoned them before they were born, but now you want them? No longer your kids. Get lost!”
“You’re wrong, Thomas,” Joe confidently asserted. I worked hard for five years to support my children financially. I won’t give up, and the kids should go home with their biological father!”
Oh really? Challenged by Thomas. I bet your new car will sway the judge. Stop wasting time!”
Thomas thought Joe couldn’t take the kids back, but a few months later, he was summoned to court. Thomas read it with a heavy heart but persevered and arrived in court.
Joe’s lawyer called Thomas to testify. “It has recently come to our attention that Dr. Spellman is on a very specific regimen of prescription medications,” Joe’s lawyer added. “After consulting a medical specialist, I—”
“I object, honor!” Thomas’s lawyer jumped up and sobbed.
“I will allow it since the guardian’s health directly impacts these proceedings,” the court added.
“Thank you, your honor,” Joe’s lawyer said, facing Thomas. “Dr. Spellman, I heard you have a brain tumor and the doctors can’t predict your lifespan. And that this drug combination treats brain tumors?”
Thomas hung his head and muttered, “Yes.” Months before, he was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor and receiving drugs to decrease and prevent convulsions.
After hearing both sides, the judge ruled sympathetically toward Thomas.
“Considering the new circumstances, the court believes the children should be with their biological father. Dr. Spellman, I wish you strength and health, but if you love these children, you must realize this is best for them. The biological father gets custody of the children. You have two weeks to prepare.”
The day he received the summons, Thomas saw it coming, but he wanted to fight for his nephews and his vow to Leah.
As Thomas packed his nephews’ bags to say farewell, his chest felt empty, like a heart had stopped beating. These kids were his purpose for living.
Uncle Thomas, we want to live with you! Uncle Thomas, please, the kids begged.
“Boys,” Thomas said. “If you love Uncle Thomas, he would never do you wrong. Boys, Joe will make you happy. Can you bring your things to his car now?
Three tiny boys carried their suitcases into Joe’s car without looking at him. They turned around and ran to hug Doctor Thomas’s leg.
“I love you, Uncle Thomas,” Jayden cried. “I don’t want to leave you!”
“We want to live with you!” Noah and Andy cried together.
“Hey, hey, guys,” Thomas crouched before the kids. Wasn’t our deal solid? I’ll visit you on weekends and treat Daddy Joe well.”
Thomas hugged the boys, crying. “Now come on; Joe’s waiting,” he muttered, trying to leave, but the kids clutched onto him harder.
Joe never liked Thomas. He would have done everything for his kids. Something changed in his heart then. He couldn’t resist joining Thomas and the lads after seeing them.
He hugged them and shook his head, “You were right all along, Thomas.” “We shouldn’t fight for the kids, but for them.” Joe then helped Thomas bring the lads’ backpacks inside.