Doctor Spellman adopted and reared his sister’s triplets after she died in childbirth. But five years later, his world was turned upside down when the triplets’ biological father arrived to recover the children.”Breathe. Breathe. It’ll be fine,” Thomas reassured his sister, marching alongside her as she was transported to the operating room on a gurney.
Leah’s sweaty brow furrowed as she attempted to take a deep breath. “You’re… “You’re the best older brother I could ask God for, Thomas,” she muttered as they entered the operating room. Leah had gone into labor at only 36 weeks of pregnancy, and the doctors had recommended a C-section. However, shortly after giving birth to her first child, Leah’s pulse began to decrease, and her condition deteriorated…
“Leah, please stay with me. What exactly is going on, Nurse? Look at me, Leah. “Look at me,” Thomas exclaimed, wrapping his palms around his sister’s fingers.”Doctor Spellman, please leave,” Dr. Nichols replied, leading him out. Then the OR doors were slammed shut. Thomas collapsed into one of the chairs in the waiting area, his sobbing not stopping.
He could still sense his sister’s perfume on his hands. He hid his face in his hands, thinking everything would be okay soon. 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? And where were you, Joe, when she fell four hours earlier?
She’s died! My sister didn’t even live to see her children.”Where are my kids?” “I want to see them!” Joe screamed, yanking 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.
Thomas realized he couldn’t simply sit and lament his sister’s death for the sake of his three little nephews. He was all his nephews had, and he would do anything to keep the youngsters away from their alcoholic father. So Thomas decided to adopt the triplets and fought for their custody in court. “This is unfair, your honor!” Joe yelled on the witness stand, crying phony tears.
“I’m the kids’ father. How would I live without those tiny lives? They are Leah’s flesh and blood, my flesh and blood, and all I have right now!””Let me get something clear,” the judge informed Joe. “You were not married to the children’s mother, Leah, nor did you support her financially while she was pregnant. Is that right?”
“Well, you’re not wrong, your Honor,” Joe groaned, lowering his head. “I work as a handyman and take on minor projects. I couldn’t afford to support her, and that’s the reason why we didn’t get married.” “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,” according to his attorney. “And she refused to marry him unless he entered a rehabilitation program.”
The lawyer produced evidence in court, convincing the judge that Joe was unfit to care the children, and the court ruled in favor of Thomas. As Thomas stepped out of the courtroom, he looked up at the beautiful sky and remembered his sister. “I promised you I’d try my utmost to assist you. With tears in his eyes, he whispered, “I hope I didn’t disappoint you, Leah.”
Joe stormed out of the court, grabbing Thomas’ arm. “I am the genuine father of the children, and I will fight for them, Thomas. Don’t be too proud of your victory for now.” Thomas released his arm from Joe’s grip and stared at him. “That is exactly why you are not fit to be their father, Joe! You should not fight for the children, but for their sake!”
When Thomas got home after court, relieved that Leah’s children were safe with him, he found his wife packing her belongings. “What’s going on, Susannah?” He inquired, puzzled. “What’s with all the packing at this time?” “I’m sorry, Thomas,” she huffed, closing the last bag. “I’m not sure if I want children at all, and now you have three at once. You won the lawsuit, right?
Well, I thought about it, and I don’t believe I want to spend the next few years of my life changing diapers. I did not sign up for this when I married you, Thomas. Sorry.” Then Susannah vanished. Thomas gazed around the house, still unable to believe he was left alone to care for his nephews. In annoyance, he selected a bottle off the wine rack, but as he flung away the cork, his attention was caught to his phone’s screensaver.
His three small nephews were waiting for him. He couldn’t simply drown in his sadness and abandon them to their fate. “I told Leah that they would have a good life. “I can’t do this.” He returned the wine bottle to the shelf and walked away. Time passed, and Thomas nurtured the triplets, Jayden, Noah, and Andy, with love and care.
Whether he was cleaning the boys’ poopy diapers or lulling them to sleep with his tragically unmelodic voice, Thomas relished every moment spent with his nephews. However, their care had a negative impact on Thomas’s physical and mental condition, and he fell at work. He disregarded it as a lack of sleep and proceeded to pick up his nephews from kindergarten.
But when he got home, the sight of the man opposite from his house sent shivers down his spine. Joe stood on the pavement in front of Thomas’s house, five years later. “Get inside, kids. “I’ll join you soon, okay?” Thomas grinned when the youngsters entered. Then he approached Joe. “What the hell are you doing here?!” he demanded. “Have you been stalking us all along?”
“I’m coming to take back what is mine, Thomas. “I’m here for my children!” he declared boldly. “Your children?” Thomas scoffed. “Where were you for five years while I was parenting them? They weren’t yours to begin with, Joe. You abandoned them before they were born, and now you’ve returned to claim them? They are no longer your children. “Get lost.”
“You’re wrong, Thomas,” Joe stated confidently. “I worked hard for those five years to ensure that I could provide for my children. I promised you I wouldn’t give up, and it’s time the kids went home with their biological father!” “Oh really?” Thomas challenged him. “I’m betting the new car you’re driving will persuade the court otherwise. “Do not waste your time!”
Thomas was convinced that Joe would not be able to reclaim the children, but a few months later, he received a court order. Thomas’s heart plummeted as he read it, but he summoned the strength to appear in court. During the hearing, Joe’s lawyer called Thomas to the witness stand. “It has recently come to our attention that Dr. Spellman is on a very specific regimen of prescription medications,” Joe’s attorney added. “After consulting a medical specialist, I’ve come to—”
“Objection, your honor!” Thomas’ lawyer sobbed and jumped to his feet. “I will allow it since the guardian’s health directly impacts these proceedings,” the magistrate’s court judge said.”Thank you, your honor,” Joe’s lawyer added, turning to face Thomas. “Is it true, Dr. Spellman, that you have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the doctors cannot guarantee how long you will live?” And that this specific mix of drugs is used to treat a brain tumor?”
Thomas hung his head as he answered, “Yes.” He was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor months ago and was taking drugs to reduce its size and avoid convulsions. After hearing all sides, the judge looked at Thomas sympathetically and issued the decision. “Given the changing circumstances, the court considers it is best for the children to be in the custody of their biological father.
Dr. Spellman, I wish you strength and good health, but if you genuinely love these children, you must accept that this is the greatest option for them. As a result, I am granting custody of the children to their biological father. “You have two weeks to prepare them.” “Thank you, your honor,” Joe’s lawyer added, turning to face Thomas. “Is it true, Dr. Spellman, that you have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the doctors cannot guarantee how long you will live?” And that this specific mix of drugs is used to treat a brain tumor?”
Thomas hung his head as he answered, “Yes.” He was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor months ago and was taking drugs to reduce its size and avoid convulsions. After hearing all sides, the judge looked at Thomas sympathetically and issued the decision. “Given the changing circumstances, the court considers it is best for the children to be in the custody of their biological father.
Dr. Spellman, I wish you strength and good health, but if you genuinely love these children, you must accept that this is the greatest option for them. As a result, I am granting custody of the children to their biological father. “You have two weeks to prepare them.”Thomas’ chest felt hollow as he packed his nephews’ suitcases and prepared to say farewell. These children had been his purpose for living.
“We want to live with you, Uncle Thomas!” “Please, Uncle Thomas,” the children implored. “Boys,” Thomas replied. “If you love Uncle Thomas, you know he would never do something bad for you. I want you to be happy, and Joe will make you happy, lads. Will you please get your belongings to his car now?” The three tiny lads didn’t even look at Joe while loading their suitcases into his car. In fact, they spun around and ran to hug Doctor Thomas’ leg.
“I love you, Uncle Thomas,” Jayden murmured through tears. “I…I don’t want to leave you!””We want to live with you, too!” Noah and Andy cried together. “Hey, guys,” Thomas said, bending down to face the children. “Didn’t we make a strong agreement? I’ll come see you on weekends, and we’ll be good to Daddy Joe. Thomas hugged the boys tightly, stifling his tears. “Now come on; Joe’s waiting,” he shouted, attempting to get away, but the youngsters grabbed him even harder.
Joe never liked Thomas. In truth, he would have done anything to get his children back. But at that moment, something in his heart changed. When he saw Thomas and the boys, he couldn’t resist joining them. “You were right all along, Thomas,” he told them, hugging them and shaking his head. “We should not fight for the children but for their sake.” Following that, Joe assisted Thomas in carrying the boys’ suitcases back inside the house.