"Loreley left instructions for me, if something were to happen to her." Beth said in a thick German accent and wiped her face. Liam immediately handed her a white handkerchief from his pocket. "Thank you." She whispered.
Viola took Cole into her arms and snuggled him while Aidan and I sat with Beth. She told us about the first moment that a very pregnant Loreley arrived home and then the last night she saw her. She had woken up to a note and a lot of envelopes. Cole was in the large bed next to her but Loreley was gone.
She had wanted to be at the funeral, but was afraid that someone may try to take Cole. So she opted to go on vacation for a while before coming here.
Aidan started to pull out the documents within the envelopes. All of the documentation necessary for Cole was enclosed, along with an envelope addressed to me. I opened it, finding Lorely’s perfect script.
Dearest friend,
If you are receiving this letter then it means that things went the way I feared they would. Please, never let him forget how much I loved and still love him. He will forever be the best thing that ever happened to me.
I want you to take care of my beautiful boy, Lilli. I am sorry to ask so much of you, but I know that you will love him as if he were your own. You are the kindest and most caring person that I have ever had in my life. For that, I thank you!
Loreley
Included with the letter was legal documentation giving Aidan and I custody of Cole. Loreley’s death meant that we were legally Cole’s parents. I sat open mouthed, words a thing of the past.
"It’s what she wanted." I felt Beth’s hand lightly touch mine.
I looked up at her. "What about you? Won’t you miss him?"
She nodded and sniffed.
"Of course, but he belongs here." She half smiled. "Look…" she motioned her head and we looked over to where Cole was sitting on Viola’s lap and grabbing Liam’s fingers, "this is his family and he needs it. I’m honored that you will be a part of his life and clearly Loreley believes that you should be his mother."
We immediately set up a playpen in the twin’s room for Cole. Once he was fast asleep, we placed him in there with them. We made Beth comfortable in a guest room after we convinced her to stay the night. I had intentions of convincing her to stay with us, but one step at a time.
Aidan and I stood in the doorway of the twin’s room, which now also held our newest son, Cole. Aidan’s arms were around me and his hands were resting on my round bump. My hands were on his.
"Are you sure you are okay with all of this?" He sounded worried.
I nodded. "The only thing that could make this better is if Loreley were still alive."
He kissed me between my neck and shoulder. "I love you, Lillian Iverson."
Beth wouldn’t accept my offer to stay with us, insisting that she had a house she need to get back to and take care of. I was able to convince her to stay for a week, however, to help Cole get adjusted to living in our home.
The twins were fascinated with Cole. He would sit on the floor in their large room playing and they would watch him carefully. Cole was only crawling, so when he would crawl around the twins would follow behind him and hand him things that he was reaching for. With a large smile he would accept the toy from them.
Livy was already very mothering to him. If he would cry she was right there to hug him or hand him his pacifier. If neither of those worked, she would yell for ‘Imbly’, the twin’s version of Kimberly’s name, or for me.
Just as he had for Livy, Walsh became Cole’s protector. He guarded both of them like he was in charge of keeping them safe. When Cole would reach for something that wasn’t allowed, he would look at him sharply but kindly and say ‘no, no’.
The three of them were quite a little trio to watch. Now, I had to start thinking about the fourth child that would be arriving in a couple of months. I struggled on deciding whether or not we should keep Cole in the same room with the twins, separate him with the new baby, or put him in a room by himself. I wasn’t sure which option would be best.
The new baby would be waking up during the night and the other children no longer did. Since Cole was already familiar with his new crib, room, and the twins being there, perhaps the best option would be to separate the new baby into its own room and leave the three in the nursery together.
Then there was the discussion that I needed to have with Kimberly. I wanted to hire a second person to help her with the children, even if it were just a part time position. I knew she would try to argue that she could handle it, but we had not planned on four children under the age of five in the house at one time.
"Kimberly, you have been our savior with the twins and Cole. I just…I don’t want you to become overwhelmed. That being said, I feel that we should hire another person to assist you with the children." I looked at her nervously.