“Breathe, Thomas… breathe,” Thomas whispered gently, gripping his sister’s hand as she was wheeled down the hospital hallway. Leah’s face was pale, beads of sweat shining on her forehead, and her shallow breaths were frantic.
“You’re… you’re the best older brother I could ever ask God for, Thomas,” she murmured as they entered the operating room. Her voice was barely audible, but Thomas caught every word.
Leah had gone into labor at only thirty-six weeks, and the doctors had insisted on a C-section. But as the first baby was delivered, her pulse began dropping dangerously. Panic rippled through the room.
“Leah, stay with me! Nurse, what’s happening? Look at me, Leah! Don’t leave me!” Thomas’s voice cracked as he squeezed her hand, willing her to hold on.
“Doctor Spellman… I’m so sorry, you need to step outside,” Dr. Nichols said firmly, guiding him away as the OR doors slammed shut.
Thomas sank into a chair in the waiting area, the smell of his sister still lingering on his palms. His tears fell freely as he buried his face in his hands. Every second felt like an eternity.
Then a voice broke the silence. “Doctor… how… how is Leah?” Thomas shot up, fear twisting his stomach.
Dr. Nichols met his gaze with sorrow in her eyes. “We tried everything, Thomas. We couldn’t stop the bleeding. Leah didn’t make it. The children… they’re safe in the NICU.”
Thomas crumpled back into the chair, the weight of grief crushing him. Leah, so full of hope, had been robbed of seeing her babies for even a single moment.
“What am I going to do now?” he thought bitterly, when a loud voice echoed through the hallway.
“Where the hell is she?! She thought she could have the babies without me knowing?!”
Thomas’s blood boiled as he saw Joe, Leah’s ex, storm into the hospital. “Where is your sister?” Joe demanded, eyes blazing.
Thomas grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. “Now you care, huh? Where were you when she slept on the streets because of scum like you? Where were you four hours ago when she collapsed? She’s dead, Joe! My sister… she didn’t even survive to see her kids!”
“Where are my children? I want to see them!” Joe yelled, trying to wrench himself free.
“Don’t you dare talk about them!” Thomas shouted. “Get out of my hospital, or I’ll call security! OUT!”
“I’m leaving… for now,” Joe spat. “But I will get my children back, Thomas. You can’t keep them from me.”
Thomas took a deep breath. His nephews were all Leah had left in the world. He couldn’t just mourn—he had to protect them. He decided to adopt the triplets, and he fought for their custody in court.
“This is unfair, your honor!” Joe wailed in the courtroom. “I am their father! How can I live without them? They’re Leah’s flesh and blood… MY flesh and blood!”
The judge’s eyes were stern. “You were not married to Leah, nor did you provide financial support while she was pregnant. Correct?”
Joe sighed, shame flickering across his face. “Yes… I… I couldn’t afford it. I worked small jobs, that’s why we never married.”
Thomas’s lawyer presented text messages and voice notes from Leah. “Your Honor, Leah clearly states Mr. Dawson is a heavy drinker and refused to marry him unless he sought rehab.” The judge nodded, convinced. Custody was awarded to Thomas.
Outside the courtroom, Thomas looked at the sky, whispering through tears, “I promised you I’d do my best for them, Leah. I hope I didn’t disappoint you.”
Joe stormed forward. “I’m the real father! You haven’t won for long, Thomas.”
Thomas yanked his arm free. “That’s why you’re unfit, Joe! Fight for the children’s sake, not your pride!”
When Thomas returned home, his wife Susannah was packing bags.
“Susannah? What’s going on?” he asked, confused.
“I can’t… I didn’t sign up for three kids at once,” she said. “I thought about it, Thomas, but I don’t want to spend years changing diapers. I’m leaving.”
Thomas stared at her, stunned. He picked up a wine bottle in frustration, but then glanced at his phone. The three little faces of his nephews stared back at him. He couldn’t give up.
“I promised Leah I’d give them a good life. I can’t fail now,” he said firmly, putting the bottle back.
Years passed, and Thomas raised Jayden, Noah, and Andy with every ounce of love he had. From cleaning diapers to singing lullabies off-key, he cherished every moment. Yet exhaustion took its toll, and one day, he collapsed at work.
When he returned home, he froze. Joe was standing across the street, staring at his house.
“Kids, go inside. Uncle Thomas will be with you soon,” Thomas said, smiling at the boys as they ran indoors.
Turning to Joe, Thomas growled, “What are you doing here? Have you been following us?”
“I’m here to take back what’s mine,” Joe admitted boldly.
“Yours? You weren’t here for five years! They’re not yours anymore. Get lost,” Thomas snapped.
Joe stood tall. “I’ve worked to be ready. They belong with me!”
Thomas scoffed. “Yeah, and that shiny new car is supposed to convince the judge? Don’t waste your time.”
Months later, a court summons arrived. Thomas’s heart sank, but he appeared with courage. Joe’s lawyer targeted Thomas’s health.
“Dr. Spellman, you are on serious prescription medications for a brain tumor, correct?” the lawyer asked.
Thomas bowed his head. “Yes… it’s inoperable. I take meds to shrink it and prevent seizures.”
The judge listened, sympathetic. “Considering the circumstances, the children will be placed with their biological father. You have two weeks to prepare them.”
Packing the boys’ bags felt like hollowing out his chest. “Uncle Thomas, we want to live with you!” the boys cried.
“Guys… I want you to be happy,” Thomas said, choking back tears. “Joe will take care of you, and I’ll see you every weekend. Let’s get your things ready.”
The boys ran back and hugged him tightly.
“I love you, Uncle Thomas,” Jayden sobbed. “We don’t want to leave!”
Joe, who had never cared for Thomas before, felt something shift in his heart. He joined the hug.
“You were right, Thomas,” Joe admitted. “We should fight for the children’s sake, not ours.”
Together, they carried the boys’ bags back inside. In that moment, a fragile peace settled over all of them.