Chapter 3

[London, July 2021]

Aveline Dupont was busy decorating her little cottage for her kids’ fifth birthday party.

Oh yes! She is the proud mother of the most adorable set of triplets in the world.

Six years ago, when she left her husband and his country, she took the most precious little things with her.

Her mother’s death had come as a big blow and Ava was totally lost.

Lost, alone and pregnant in the big bad world.

That’s when she met the elderly couple Victor and Elizabeth Willington, who were on a vacation to her native place.

The childless couple took an instant liking to Ava and invited her to travel with them to London.

Ava conceded, not having anything to stop her from leaving.

And she needed a new start too.

It was during an ultrasound scan in her fifth month, she came to know that she was carrying, not one, but two babies.

She had been thrilled.

Imagine her surprise when she discovered the third one was hiding behind her brothers.

Zahir, Zian and Zada are her lifelines now.

Though they drive her crazy at times. Ha! Who is she kidding! They drive her crazy all the time.

At five they are a very dangerous package. Add two puppies and one kitten to the lot, they take it to a whole new level.

She smiled thinking of how she woke up in the morning.

Though the kids have their own room, one with three cots and each wall decorated with their favourite things, in the morning she always finds the three musketeers snuggled up against her.

Today was no different.

Ava had opened her eyes to see her three little munchkins snuggled up against her warmth and the little kitten on her stomach and the two puppies, one on her head side and the other on the opposite side.

It takes up to half an hour to form a plan to get out of the bed without waking the six.

How would Zayed react when he opened his eyes to find himself in that position, a traitorous voice inside her head asked.

No!! Stop right there! Ava chided herself.

There is no space for Zayed in her life.

Not anymore!

Kate, her best friend from university, came out carrying two little cakes, followed by Elizabeth, or Lizzy as she prefers, with the third cake.

Their birthday the previous year was a disaster. Zahir had pushed his siblings aside and blew the cake alone and looked at her with a proud look on his face, followed by Zian and Zada throwing a tantrum. So, she had decided to make three cakes this year.

"Zahir! Zian! Come out if you want your gifts," she called out from outside their room.

"Coming Mumma," they shouted and ran past her towards the living room and Ava couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled out of her.

Next, she walked to her room where her princess stood in front of the mirror wearing a princess frock and her long hair tied in a high ponytail.

"Heyy! Who is the little princess?" Ava asked

"I am Snow white Mumma," she said in a duh tone as though Ava is supposed to know that already.

"Aww my cute little snow white," Ava said, hugging her daughter.

"Zahir! Keep your hands off your brother’s cake," Lizzy shrieked and Ava sighed.

"Zahir. If you lick your brother’s cake again, I will give your gifts to Zian," Ava warned making Zahir pout.

"Awhh Mummaa. But the cake is yummy," he reasoned.

"Then why don’t you lick it off your cake?" she asked.

"But that’s my cake!" he said as if it’s self-explanatory.

Victor placed his hands around Ava’s shoulder

"I don’t know how you do it kiddo. But I am so proud of you. If it were me, I would have dropped that one on the highway a long time ago," he said, pointing at Zahir who is sneaking up on Zian’s cake again.

"Don’t give me ideas," she said grinning up at the father figure in her life.

Once everyone was around the table with the three cakes, they sang birthday wishes for the triplets. Then they proceeded with taking so many photos.

Once the triplets were down for the nap Victor and Lizzy brought up the topic of the kids schooling.

"Ava, dear, it’s time they started their schooling," Victor said and Ava hesitated before speaking.

"About that. I think I should move to the city," Ava said in a low voice.

"What? Why?" Lizzy asked stunned.

"I want them to get the best at everything Lizzy. And the schooling in the city would be much better. And I would also have better chances at finding a job," she said

"If that’s what you want, go ahead dear. But we will miss you and the little devils." Victor said

"Then we can also move to the city," Lizzy said.

"It might take some time, but we are also leaving the town behind. We can’t imagine a life without you, Kate and the kids anymore," Victor said and Ava hugged her foster parents.

"Thank-you so much," she said

"But how will you manage alone until we come there," Lizzy asked

"I will be with Ava," Kate said

"Well that’s cleared then," Victor asked

"You can stay at our town house in the meanwhile," Lizzy chirped happily.

"I don’t want to impose any more on you guys," Ava said

"Silly girl. You are no imposition. You and the kids and the greatest joy in our boring life." Lizzy said waving off Ava’s protests

"But-"

"No buts. Wouldn’t you have accepted it if I were your real father? Don’t you consider us yours?" Victor asked

"I do," Ava said emotionally

"So that is settled," Kate said, clapping her hands.

Ava sighed, thanking her almighty for giving her this family.