Doctor Bennett adopted and raised his sister’s triplets after she passed away during childbirth. But five years later, his life was turned upside down when the triplets’ biological father showed up to reclaim the children.
“Keep breathing, it’s going to be alright,” Nathan softly told his sister, walking beside her as she was wheeled into the operating room on a gurney.
Sophie’s damp forehead creased as she struggled to take a deep breath. “You’re… the best big brother I could ever ask for, Nathan,” she whispered as they reached the OR.
Sophie had gone into labor at just 36 weeks, and the doctors recommended a C-section. But shortly after delivering the first baby, her pulse began to drop, and her condition worsened…
“Sophie, stay with me! Nurse, what’s going on? Look at me, Sophie!” Nathan cried, clutching his sister’s hand.
“Doctor Bennett, you need to leave, please,” Dr. Harris said, guiding him out. Then the OR doors slammed shut.
Nathan slumped into a chair in the waiting area, tears streaming down his face. He could still smell Sophie’s scent on his hands. He buried his face in them, praying everything would be okay.
But when a doctor’s voice broke his thoughts, he knew something was wrong. “Doctor… how’s Sophie?” he asked, leaping to his feet.
“I’m so sorry, Nathan,” Dr. Harris said with regret. “We did everything we could, but we couldn’t stop the bleeding. The children are safe and in the NICU.”
Nathan collapsed back into the chair, unable to grasp that his sister was gone. Sophie had been so thrilled to hold her babies, to love and care for them. How could life be so cruel to take her away so soon?
“What am I going to do now?” Nathan thought, devastated, when a loud voice echoed in the hallway. “Where is she? Did she think she could have those kids without me knowing?”
Nathan’s anger flared when he saw Sophie’s ex-boyfriend, Mark, storming into the hospital. “Where’s your sister?” Mark demanded.
Nathan grabbed Mark’s collar and shoved him against the wall. “Now you care where she is? Where were you when she was homeless because of you? Where were you when she collapsed four hours ago? She’s gone, Mark! My sister… she didn’t even get to see her kids!”
“Where are my kids? I want to see them!” Mark yelled, pushing Nathan’s hands away.
“Don’t you dare mention them, Mark! Get out of my hospital, or I’ll call security!” Nathan warned. “Out!”
“I’m leaving, but I’ll get my kids back, Nathan! You can’t keep them from me,” Mark snapped as he stormed off.
For the sake of his three little nephews, Nathan refused to just grieve Sophie’s loss. He was all they had, and he’d do anything to keep them away from their alcoholic father. So Nathan decided to adopt the triplets and fought for their custody in court.
“This is unfair, your honor!” Mark shouted from the witness stand, faking tears. “I’m their father. How can I live without my kids? They’re Sophie’s flesh and blood, MY flesh and blood, and they’re all I have left!”
“Let me clarify,” the judge said to Mark. “You weren’t married to the children’s mother, Sophie, nor did you support her financially during her pregnancy. Is that correct?”
“Well, you’re not wrong, your Honor,” Mark sighed, bowing his head. “I’m a handyman, taking small jobs. I couldn’t afford to help her, and that’s why we didn’t marry.”
“Excuse me, your honor,” Nathan’s lawyer interjected. “My client has text messages and voicemails from his sister stating clearly that Mr. Carter is a heavy drinker. She refused to marry him unless he entered rehab.” The lawyer presented the evidence, convincing the judge that Mark was unfit to raise the children, and custody was awarded to Nathan.
As Nathan left the courtroom, he looked up at the clear sky, thinking of Sophie. “I promised I’d do my best for you. I hope I didn’t let you down, Sophie,” he whispered, eyes misty.
Just then, Mark stormed out and grabbed Nathan’s arm. “I’m their real father, and I’ll fight for them, Nathan. Don’t get too comfortable.”
Nathan yanked his arm free and glared. “That’s exactly why you’re not fit to be their father, Mark! You should care about their well-being, not just fight for them!”
When Nathan got home, relieved that Sophie’s kids were safe with him, he saw his wife packing her bags.
“What’s happening, Rachel?” he asked, confused. “Why all the packing?”
“I’m sorry, Nathan,” she said, zipping up a suitcase. “I’m not sure I even want kids, and now you’ve got three. You won the case, right? I’ve thought about it, but I can’t spend years raising triplets. I didn’t sign up for this when we got married. I’m sorry.”
And just like that, Rachel was gone. Nathan looked around the empty house, stunned that he was left alone to care for his nephews. In frustration, he grabbed a bottle from the wine rack, but as he popped the cork, his phone’s screensaver caught his eye.
His three little nephews were waiting for him. He couldn’t drown in sorrow and abandon them.
“I promised Sophie I’d give them a good life. I can’t do this,” he said, putting the bottle back and walking away.
Time passed, and the triplets, Liam, Ethan, and Caleb, grew up surrounded by Nathan’s love and care. From changing messy diapers to singing off-key lullabies, Nathan cherished every moment with his nephews.
But their care took a toll on his health, and one day, Nathan collapsed at work. He brushed it off as exhaustion and went to pick up his nephews from kindergarten.
As he got home, he froze. Standing across the street was Mark, in front of Nathan’s house, after five long years.
“Kids, go inside. I’ll be there soon, okay?” Nathan said with a smile as the boys ran in.
He approached Mark. “What are you doing here?” he growled. “Have you been watching us this whole time?”
“I’m here to take what’s mine, Nathan. I’m here for my kids!” Mark said boldly.
“Your kids?” Nathan scoffed. “Where were you for five years while I raised them? You walked out before they were born, and now you want to claim them? They’re not yours anymore. Get lost!”
“You’re wrong,” Mark said confidently. “I worked hard these past five years to be stable enough to care for my kids. I told you I wouldn’t give up, and it’s time they came home with their real father!”
“Oh, really?” Nathan shot back. “I bet that shiny new car you’re driving won’t impress the judge. Don’t waste your time!”
Nathan was sure Mark couldn’t take the kids, but months later, he received a court summons. His heart sank, but he gathered his strength and went to court.
During the hearing, Mark’s lawyer called Nathan to the stand. “We’ve recently learned that Dr. Bennett is on a specific regimen of prescription medications,” the lawyer said. “After consulting a medical expert, I’ve found—”
“Objection, your honor!” Nathan’s lawyer shouted, standing up.
“I’ll allow it, as the guardian’s health is relevant,” the judge said.
“Thank you, your honor,” Mark’s lawyer continued, facing Nathan. “Is it true, Dr. Bennett, that you were diagnosed with a brain tumor, and doctors can’t predict how long you’ll live? And that these medications are for treating a brain tumor?”
Nathan lowered his head. “Yes.” He had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor months ago and was taking medications to manage it.
After hearing both sides, the judge looked at Nathan with kind eyes and gave the ruling.
“Given the new circumstances, the court believes the children’s best interests lie with their biological father. Dr. Bennett, I wish you strength and health, but if you truly love these children, you’ll understand this is best for them. I award custody to their biological father. You have two weeks to prepare them.”
Nathan had feared this outcome since the summons arrived, but he’d fought for his nephews and his promise to Sophie.
As he packed their bags, preparing to say goodbye, Nathan felt empty, like his heart had stopped. These boys had been his reason to keep going.
“Uncle Nathan, we want to stay with you! Please,” the kids begged.
“Boys,” Nathan said softly, “if you love Uncle Nathan, you know he’d never choose something bad for you. I want you to be happy, and Mark will take good care of you. Can you grab your things for his car now?”
As the boys loaded their bags into Mark’s car, they didn’t even glance at him. Instead, they ran back and clung to Nathan’s legs.
“I love you, Uncle Nathan,” Liam said, tears streaming. “I don’t want to leave!”
“We want to stay with you!” Ethan and Caleb sobbed together.
“Hey, guys,” Nathan knelt down to their level. “Didn’t we make a deal? I’ll visit you on weekends, and we’ll be kind to Daddy Mark.”
Nathan hugged them tightly, holding back his tears. “Come on, Mark’s waiting,” he said, trying to let go, but the boys held on even tighter.
Mark had never liked Nathan. He’d have done anything to get his kids back. But in that moment, something changed. He looked at Nathan and the boys and joined their hug.
“You were right, Nathan,” Mark said, shaking his head. “We shouldn’t fight over the kids but do what’s best for them.” Then Mark helped Nathan carry the boys’ bags back into the house.
