“See you in the morning tiger.” Steve said

The boy was asleep before they left the room. “Let’s sit in the living room for a bit Steve.” Cassie said as they walked down the hall.

“That’s fine, but I really need to get going.” Steve said. Sitting beside here. “We have a big day tomorrow.”

“I’m so glad you and Timmy are getting along so well.” Cassie sighed. “You know what he asked me just this morning?”

“No what?” Steve wondered.

“He asked if after we’re married tomorrow it would be ok for him to call you daddy.”

“He calls you mommy right?” Steve asked.

“Yes he does. I mean it wasn’t easy but the adoption agency finally allowed me to adopt.”

“They weren’t going to at first were they?” Steve asked.

Cassie shook her head. “Don’t get me wrong I love Timmy. I’ve had him for a little over a year now. But I really wanted a new born…”

“Well Timmy is a great kid. Of course he can call me daddy. I’d be proud to call him my son.”

“Oh Steve, that’s great!” Cassie threw her arms around him.

“Maybe later when he’s older I can think about adopting him.”

“You don’t want to?” Cassie sniffed.

“Well I didn’t want to overstep my bounds.” Steve smiled.

“You aren’t. I want you to be a part of Timmy’s life.

“Well then if that’s the case we’ll see a lawyer when we get back from our honeymoon.” Steve said.

“Are you sure your parents won’t mind watching him while we’re gone?” Cassie wondered.

“Are you kidding? They can’t wait. I think they already think of him as their grandson.” Steve laughed. “Mom said that if Timmy was more comfortable here she could take care of him here. Otherwise…”

“That would be great. I’m glad your folks flew out early. Timmy has taken quite a shine to them as well.”

“Yea I know. He started calling them nana and papa. That’s what mom always wanted her grandkids to call her.”

“So that’s who he was talking about today?” Cassie wondered. “He mentioned Nana and Papa. I couldn’t figure out whom he was talking about.”

“Yea I guess so. Well I better get going.” Steve stood to leave Cassie’s for the last time. After they came back from their honeymoon they would move into their new house.

“Everything all set for tomorrow?” Cassie asked as she walked Steve to the door.

“It sure is.” Steve gave her one last kiss before he opened the door.

A strange woman stood on the step. Her hand was poised as if she were about to knock but the door opened before she had the chance.

“Yes?” Cassie asked.

The woman ignored her and instead she turned to Steve. “Your parents told me you were here Steve.”

Steve stood staring at the woman whom to his knowledge he had never seen before. “What can I do for you?”

“I have something for you.” She sneered.

“What is that?” Steve wondered.

“Your son.” She thrust the small boy no older than a year at Steve then abruptly left.

Steve stood dumbfounded staring at the child who looked nothing like him.

He turned to Cassie who stood with her arms folded. “Care to explain?”

“Cassie, I swear I’ve never seen that woman before in my life.” Steve stammered.

“Well obviously you met at some time.” Cassie eyed the child in front of them. “I would say about two years ago. I do believe that is the time you said I was the only one in your life and asked me to marry you. Oh Steve how could you?” Cassie cried.

“Cassie. You have to believe me. I’ve never seen that woman before tonight.”

“Well then explain him!” She screamed pointing to the toddler in front of them.

‘He doesn’t even look like me.” Steve defended.

Cassie bent over to pick up the crying baby. “Come on. I suppose you need to be changed.” She muttered as she lifted the diaper bag as well.

“Here let me take that.” Steve took the diaper bag from her.

“Fine!” Cassie stormed into the house letting the screen door slam shut in Steve’s face. Steve opened it and followed Cassie into the guest room.

“Cassie. Please.” Steve pleaded. “You have to listen to me.” Steve continued to follow her around the room as she began to change the baby.

“I don’t know if I even want to talk to you right now!” Cassie screamed.

“Cassie. Keep it down. You’re going to wake up Timmy.” Steve tried to quiet her.

“I don’t care if I wake up the whole neighborhood!!” Cassie shrieked.

“Cassie calm down.” Steve grabbed onto her.

Cassie shoved him away. “Don’t you touch me!” She seethed.

“Oh come on Cassie. I really think we should talk about this.” Steve took the baby from her. “Look at him. He doesn’t even look like me.”

Cassie took a better look at the dark haired brown-eyed baby. “Well his mother was dark featured, but your right he doesn’t look a thing like you.” Cassie finally admitted.

“Could you at least give me the benefit of the doubt?” Steve asked.

“I guess I could.” Cassie was calmer now. “But put yourself in my place Steve. What would you think?”

“I would probably feel the same way you do, but if I even suspected he were my son I would not deny it.” Steve explained.

“What would you tell me Steve?” Cassie took the baby from him “Timmy’s old crib is in the hall closet. I’ll hold him if you want to set it up.”

“Ok.” Steve headed for the closet and pulled out the crib. After he set it up they laid the baby down.

“Anyway, back to your question. If I thought for one second that he were my son. I would have sat you down and told you I made a mistake.”

“Ok so what are we going to do?” Cassie wondered.

“I don’t know.” Steve said as he went to answer the door.

“Hi Steve.” Oscar said. “Helen said you were over here. We stopped by to wish you good luck tomorrow.”

“We? Who’s we?” Steve asked.

“Rudy is with me. You look upset pal. Anything wrong?” Oscar wondered.

“As a matter of fact there is.” Steve invited the two of them in and told them the situation.

“What a thing to happen the night before your wedding.” Rudy stated.

“Tell me about it. Cassie was pretty upset.” Steve told them.

“I’ll bet she was.” Oscar smiled.

“Where is the baby Steve?” Rudy asked. “I can tell you in a matter of minutes if…”

“Rudy! He’s not my son!” Steve hollered.

“I meant to say we could prove he’s not.”

“Well I’ll take that.” Steve agreed. “He’s sleeping in the bedroom. I’ll go get him.”

Within a matter of minutes Steve returned with the baby. “Here Rudy.”

Rudy drew a small amount of blood from the baby’s foot. “I’ll be back in about an hour.” Rudy told them. “I’ll match the baby’s blood type to yours.”

“That’s great Rudy. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before.”

Rudy set out with a drop of the baby’s blood on a microscope slide and headed for the lab.

Oscar, Steve and Cassie remained at the house. “What do we do if the results come back and say you are the father, Steve?”

Cassie through with being angry took Steve’s arm. “I guess we’ll have to deal with it.”

“But they will say I’m not the father.” Steve reminded. “What do we do then?”

“Then you call the police and child welfare and tell them.” Oscar advised.

“That would mean the baby would go to a children’s home.” Cassie argued. “Maybe the mother will come back.”

“And if she doesn’t?” Oscar asked.

“I guess you’re right Oscar. Let’s just wait to see what the results say.”

The hour passed rather quickly. It seemed like Rudy had just left, when he was right back at the house.

“Well?” The three asked.

“There is no possible way Steve could ever be the father of that baby.” Rudy held the result in his hands.

“Ok then.” Oscar went to the phone and dialed the police. “Yes we have an abandoned baby on our hands.” Oscar informed the desk sergeant.

By now it was nearing midnight when the police and child welfare arrived. They handed the baby and a copy of the blood test results stating Steve was not the father over to the people at the door.

Oscar, Rudy and Steve were just getting ready to leave when the doorbell rang. Cassie answered it. It was the same woman who had been there earlier.

“Where’s Bobby?” She asked.

“Bobby?” The group echoed.

“My son, where is he?” She asked.

“Don’t you mean my son?” Steve asked, giving her a chance to tell the truth.

“Well yes.” The woman looked at the group standing around her. “I mean Uh…Of course he’s your son. But I changed my mind I want to take him home. But you will pay child support!"

“Oh, is that a fact?” Steve stared at her.

“Yes that’s a fact!” She shrieked.

“Listen lady I don’t know who you are or what you want.” Steve began, "but you and I both know that child is not mine.”

“He is to.” The woman screamed.

“No. He’s not. We have the results of the blood tests.” Steve informed her.

“Oh I see. Well where is he?” She asked again.

Oscar stepped forward “We turned him over to the authorities.” He informed her.

“You had no right to do that.” She stated.

“No Right! No right!!” Cassie screamed “And what gave you the right to come here tonight, dump you brat off on us and claim he is the son of my fiancée?” Cassie continued to shriek.

“Do you have any idea the trouble you caused?” Oscar asked.

Slowly the woman shook her head. “No I guess I don’t.”

“These two are getting married tomorrow afternoon. What gave you the right to barge in here claiming Steve was the father?” Oscar continued to shout.

“I’m sorry.” The woman cried. “I had a date tonight. It seems like everything goes fine until he meets Bobby, then it’s not just good night, it’s good bye.”

“So that’s why you did…”

“Yes and the way I see it is you had a lot of nerve…” The woman spat.

“A lot of nerve. I had nerve?” It was Steve’s turn to shout. “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You come to my fiancée’s home dump your kid claiming it’s mine. She wanted to call the wedding off!!” Steve screamed.

‘Well I said I was sorry. Where did they take my son?” She wondered.

“I don’t know, and quite frankly I don’t care!” Steve continued to shout. “You’ll have to talk to the police.”

“I will!” She stormed out of the house.

“Well I suppose we all better try and get a little shuteye.” Oscar suggested. We all have a busy day tomorrow.

Cassie looked in on Timmy one more time before climbing into bed for a few hours sleep.

Steve, Rudy and Oscar all headed for their own houses.

After the ceremony Steve and Cassie stood beside Steve’s parents saying good-bye to Timmy before embarking on their honeymoon.

“Are you sure you can handle him mom?” Steve asked.

“Oh yes. He’ll be no trouble at all.” Helen assured.

Cassie bent down to Timmy “Well sweetie, I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Ok mommy.” Timmy replied. He walked over to Steve. “Have fun. Daddy?”

Steve picked him up. “I sure will son. You be a good boy for nana and papa. Mommy and daddy will bring you home a special surprise.”

The two jumped into the car and they headed off for their honeymoon.

SIX MONTHS LATER

“So what did Rudy say when you went to see him?” Steve asked as took the bags of groceries from her.

“He had a lot to say.” Cassie exhaled as she handed him the last of the bags. “Was Timmy good?”

“He’s taking a nap. He was great. Now what did Rudy say?”

“He said one crib isn’t going to be enough.” Cassie informed him.

Steve smiled “You mean we need two?”

“Oh we’re going to need more than that.”

Steve stared at her open mouthed. “How many? Three?”

Cassie shook her head. “You’re getting warmer though.” She told him.

“Come on Cassie What is going on?” Steve demanded. “Just how many babies is Mr. Stork going to bring?”

“I think you better sit down.” Cassie took his hand and led him to the couch. “Rudy says we are going to have quintuplets.”

“Say what?” Steve stared at her.

“You heard me Mr. Five babies. Rudy also said they are all boys, and they are identical.”

“Wow. Identical quintuplet boys I don’t think there has ever been a set born in this country. I mean quints yes. But identical….” Steve shook his head. “I don’t want anyone to know about this.”

“Well I’m not saying anything. I know Rudy won’t.” Cassie started

“I know I won’t and neither will Oscar.” Steve added.

“Rudy said we could use the complex in Colorado. In fact he wants us all to go there within the next couple of weeks.” Cassie informed him. “Oscar already knows. He said to not worry about anything. That we are to just go to Colorado and wait till the babies are born.”

“Maybe mom and dad can watch Timmy for us.” Steve suggested. “I think we’ll just tell them there are complications. “ Steve spoke out loud more to himself.

“Well if that’s what you want?” Cassie interrupted.

“I think it’s best that way. I don’t really want them to know till after the babies are born.”

“Do you want to call them? Or should I?” Cassie asked.

“I’ll call them.” Steve headed for the phone.

Cassie busied herself putting the groceries away. She had just finished when Steve walked back into the kitchen. “They will be out here first thing in the morning.” He told her. “They are a little nervous about the baby. I told them it was nothing serious that Rudy just wanted you there.”

“I don’t know if it’s such a good idea to lie to them.” Cassie explained.

“I know. I hate it too. But I also know my mother. She’s already excited about becoming a grandmother. If I told her the entire west coast would know about it before the end of the day.” Steve chuckled.

“Oh she’s not that bad is she?” Cassie

“You don’t know her as well as I do.” Steve continued to laugh. “I’ll tell her when she gets here.”

“You’re kidding!” Helen cried after Steve informed her she was going to be the grandmother of five babies.

“No I’m not. Mom I don’t want people to know about this just yet. At least till Cassie and I are safe at Rudy’s complex in Colorado.”

“Oh Steve!!!” Helen continued to cry. “I always wanted many grandchildren, but five at one time. I can’t believe it!!”

“Yea we’re having a hard time with it ourselves.” Steve admitted. “Listen after the babies are born we are going to need a bigger place. We have friends who are looking for us. Russ is going to do some snooping around.”

“Do you want us to help son?” Jim asked just able to speak since the news.

“No dad actually we have a list that Russ is going to use.” The one we really want is out in the country, very secluded and very private.” Cassie explained.

“I just can’t believe it!!” Helen proclaimed once again. “Five babies!”

“I mean it mom.” Steve scolded. “Not a word to anybody. Not even your best friend.”

“Oh Steve. Don’t worry.” Helen assured. “I’m going to get very selfish. I want them all to myself.”

“Well that’s good. We appreciate you’re watching Timmy. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone.”

“We’ll be fine.” Helen again assured.

“Once I get Cassie settled. I’ll fly back as much as I can. I may even take him with me for a week or so.”