Dr. Spellman adopted his sister’s triplets after she d.ie.d during childbirth. But five years later, his world flipped when their biological father showed up to take them back.
“Keep breathing, it’s going to be okay,” Thomas said softly, walking beside his sister as she was wheeled into the operating room on a stretcher.
Leah, her forehead damp with sweat, tried to smile. “You’re the best big brother I could ever want, Thomas,” she whispered as they reached the OR.
Leah went into labor at 36 weeks, and the doctors recommended a C-section. But after delivering the first baby, her heartbeat faltered, and things took a dark turn…
“Leah, stay with me! Nurse, what’s wrong? Look at me, Leah!” Thomas pleaded, gripping her hand tightly.
“Dr. Spellman, you need to step outside,” Dr. Nichols said, guiding him out. The OR doors slammed shut behind him.
Thomas collapsed into a waiting room chair, tears streaming down his face. He could still smell Leah’s scent on his hands. He buried his face in them, praying everything would be okay.
But when Dr. Nichols approached, his tone was grim. “Thomas… how’s Leah?” Thomas asked, leaping up.
“I’m so sorry,” Dr. Nichols said quietly. “We did everything we could, but the bleeding wouldn’t stop. The babies are safe in the NICU.”
Thomas sank back into the chair, the weight of his sister’s d.e.a.th crushing him. Leah had been so eager to hold her babies, to love them fiercely. How could life be so cruel?
“What do I do now?” Thomas thought, lost, when a loud voice echoed through the hall. “Where is she? Thought she could have my kids without me knowing?”
Thomas’s blood boiled as he saw Leah’s ex, Joe, storming in. “Where’s your sister?” Joe demanded.
Thomas grabbed Joe’s collar, pinning him against the wall. “Now you care? Where were you when she was homeless because of you? Or when she collapsed hours ago? She’s gone, Joe! She didn’t even get to see her babies!”
“Where are my kids? I want them!” Joe yelled, shoving Thomas’s hands away.
“Don’t you dare mention them! Get out of my hospital, or I’ll call security!” Thomas roared. “Go!”
“I’m leaving, but I’ll get my kids back, Thomas. You can’t keep them from me,” Joe snapped as he stormed off.
For his three tiny nephews, Thomas refused to wallow in grief. He was their only family now, and he’d do anything to keep them from their deadbeat, alcoholic father. So, he fought to adopt the triplets, taking Joe to court.
“This is wrong, your honor!” Joe sobbed on the stand, faking tears. “I’m their dad. How can I live without them? They’re Leah’s blood, my blood, all I’ve got left!”
“Let’s be clear,” the judge said to Joe. “You weren’t married to Leah, nor did you support her during pregnancy. Correct?”
Joe hung his head. “That’s true, your honor. I’m a handyman, taking odd jobs. I couldn’t afford to help her, so we never married.”
“Sorry, your honor,” Thomas’s lawyer cut in. “My client has texts and voicemails from Leah stating Mr. Dawson’s a heavy drinker. She refused to marry him unless he got help.” The lawyer showed the evidence, proving Joe unfit, and the judge ruled for Thomas.
Leaving the courtroom, Thomas looked at the sky, thinking of Leah. “I promised I’d do my best. I hope I made you proud,” he whispered, tears falling.
Joe grabbed his arm outside. “I’m their real dad, Thomas. I’ll keep fighting.”
Thomas yanked free, glaring. “That’s why you’ll never deserve them, Joe. You fight for yourself, not for them.”
At home, Thomas felt relief knowing Leah’s kids were safe. But then he saw his wife, Susannah, packing her bags.
“What’s happening?” he asked, confused. “Why the bags?”
“I’m sorry, Thomas,” she said, zipping a suitcase. “I’m not sure I want kids at all, and now you’ve got three. You won the case, right? I’ve thought it over, and I can’t spend years raising them. I didn’t sign up for this.”
And just like that, Susannah left. Thomas stood in the quiet house, alone with the weight of raising his nephews. He grabbed a wine bottle in frustration but stopped when his phone’s screensaver lit up—his nephews’ smiling faces.
“I promised Leah a good life for them. I can’t give up,” he said, putting the bottle back.
Years passed, and Thomas raised Jayden, Noah, and Andy with love. From changing diapers to singing off-key lullabies, he cherished every moment, even as it wore him down. One day, he fainted at work, blaming it on exhaustion, and went to pick up the boys from kindergarten.
But when he got home, he froze. Joe stood across the street, staring at his house after five years.
“Kids, go inside. I’ll be there soon,” Thomas said, forcing a smile as the boys ran in.
He marched over to Joe. “What are you doing here?” he growled. “Have you been watching us?”
“I’m here for my kids, Thomas,” Joe said boldly. “I came to take them back.”
“Your kids?” Thomas laughed bitterly. “Where were you for five years while I raised them? You abandoned them before they were born. They’re not yours anymore. Leave!”
“You’re wrong,” Joe said smugly. “I worked hard, got stable, and now I’m ready to be their dad. I told you I wouldn’t quit.”
“Oh, yeah?” Thomas shot back. “That shiny new car you’re driving won’t impress a judge. Get lost.”
Thomas felt confident Joe had no chance, but months later, a court summons arrived. His heart sank, but he faced the hearing with courage.
Joe’s lawyer called Thomas to the stand. “Dr. Spellman, is it true you’re on heavy medication for a brain tumor, with no guarantee of how long you’ll live?”
“Objection, your honor!” Thomas’s lawyer shouted.
“I’ll allow it,” the judge said. “The guardian’s health matters here.”
Joe’s lawyer pressed on. “Is it true this medication treats a brain tumor?”
Thomas nodded, defeated. “Yes.” He’d been diagnosed with an inoperable tumor months ago, taking meds to manage it.
The judge looked at Thomas kindly but ruled, “Given the circumstances, the children’s biological father should take custody. Dr. Spellman, I wish you strength, but their best interest comes first. You have two weeks to prepare them.”
Thomas had feared this since the summons, but he’d fought for Leah’s promise. Packing the boys’ bags, his heart felt empty. These kids had been his purpose.
“Uncle Thomas, we want to stay with you!” the boys begged.
“Boys,” Thomas said softly, “if you love me, trust I’d never choose wrong for you. Joe will take care of you. Please, take your bags to his car.”
As the triplets loaded their things, they ignored Joe, running back to hug Thomas’s legs.
“I love you, Uncle Thomas,” Jayden sobbed. “I don’t want to leave!”
“We want to stay!” Noah and Andy cried together.
“Hey, guys,” Thomas knelt down, smiling through tears. “We made a deal, right? I’ll visit on weekends, and you’ll be good for Joe.”
He hugged them tightly, fighting tears. “Joe’s waiting,” he said, but the boys clung harder.
Joe had always despised Thomas, but seeing the boys’ love for him stirred something. He joined the hug. “You were right, Thomas. We should fight for their sake, not against each other.”
Together, they carried the boys’ bags back inside, choosing the kids’ happiness over their feud.
