Suki Dominguez-Bruenig Ch 6

Suki (29), Toby (32),
Their son, Madison (2)
Narrated by Suki.

My hair salon business is picking up more than I ever expected. I am still trying to do my day job as manager at a construction company. I have to work harder than ever to keep both jobs successful.

I have been so busy that I decided to hire a stylist. Who ever thought that I would have my own employee? His name is Dominique. He is a little standoffish but he is a silver level hair stylist. I rather have him than someone that is learning like myself.

I get a thrill when my clients love the way their hair comes out. Some hairstyles take longer than others but hey at least its the experience.

Toby helps me out a lot with Madison. During all these days he managed to get promoted in his salary. He gets a few more days off the year and he loves to spend it with Madison.

I still manage to set time aside for my son. I cant believe that he is 2 years old. I cant wait until he gets a little older so that we can try many more activities.

I guess the success of my salon came with a price. My director telephoned me and basically fired me over the phone. I was so stunned that I did not know what to say. I had to call off 4 days so that I could take care of all the bridal parties I had scheduled. Not only that I also managed to tell Toby that he would be a father again. He was excited but now I am worried.

Madison doesn't notice much. He just sometimes points at my ever growing stomach and tells me im gaining weight. Can you believe this kid?

Working in the salon has me so tired that I literally knock out in the livingroom. I love this area of my house. It's nice and quiet and I can sit back and relax.

Soon it was time for me to give birth. I screamed for Toby and he came rushing to my aid. I gave birth to twin girls.

Here is Donatella.

Toby is holding Anntella.

For now all the kids are sleeping in one room but we know we will have to divide that room up. I just need to get a little more income in order be able to construct the wall.

Atani Dominguez-Rainer Ch 6

Atani (29), Alec (34)
Their kids: twins, Hitoshi and Kanji (2)
Narrated by Atani


The other day Alec surprised me by asking if I was ready to have another baby. I know the twins are four but are we truly ready for another baby?

After the twins were born, I took a hiatus from my job as a classical ballet dancer. I still have the moves but I wanted to be more with my boy. I do practice from time to time so that when the time comes I will be ready. But that has all been side tracked with the possibility of another baby. I have my career to think about.

Alec also has his job and his side job to think about. Lately he has been spending less time on the hunk of junk in our driveway. I don't want to ague so I try not to fuss about it.

We had my twin, Suki and the rest of the family for a small dinner party. Many of my family members couldn't come due to their work schedule. It was nice to see my sister, Suki getting along fine with Toby.

I mentioned to Suki about having another baby. She thinks its a great idea. I am still debating on it but maybe it is time to have another.

I even invited my sister Africa to dinner the other night. She and Laci are so ecstatic about Africa's pregnancy. After the they miscarried the last one, now they are so careful that sometimes its a tad too much. Laci agreed that I should try for another baby.

I talked to my dance company about the possibility of staying on with them but with a leave of absence. My director said he would grant me one more year and then he would have to terminate me.

I made the decision and told Alec that we should try for another baby. Alec was more than ecstatic and we began trying right away!

I just hope my sons are OK with the whole big brother thing. It amazes me to think that they are almost 4 years old. I cant believe how fast they grow up.

I guess I am fertile myrtle as they call fertile women. Alec swears we got pregnant on the first try. All I know is that I am ready to have this baby. My family and I are ecstatic to see if I am having a boy, girl or twins.

The pains started and it was at this time that I realized how painful giving birth could be. I had totally forgotten the pain.

But in the end isnt it all worth it? Meet my new son, Ja-won. He was a single birth. I guess I am going to live in a house full of men.

Austin Miguel Dominguez II, Chapter 6

Austin Miguel II (31), Kea his wife (28) their son Austin Victor III (4).
Narrated by Miguel.

Kea and I have been getting along better lately. We have had our ups and downs but I think we are finally settling into this marriage thing. Even our baby Victor notices that we are not arguing as much. Kea still wants to go back to work so I agreed that she should. This seemed to lessen the tension on our marriage. I just want all of us to be happy but sometimes it seems that the closer we get to that nirvana the farther it goes.

I have had several business meetings at home. Kenneth is my collegue and we have him over for dinner quite often. He and Kea seem to get along. The minute we start talking about our building plans Kea lets us be.
Kenneth managed to ask us about having more kids. That is a touchy subject for Kea so I let her respond to that quesiton. If it were up to me we would definitely be having another baby. I just fear that that the moment, Kea resents having to stay home more than she works.

Our sex life has gone down dramatically. Since I get home so late and exhausted I head straight to bed. The nights that I do want to wait up for Kea she takes forever and next thing I know im asleep. I dont want this to affect our relationship but work right now is too stressful for me to be anything but exhausted.

Finally after weeks of exhaustion I get the chance to come home and cuddle with my wife. Kea is understanding therefore I have learned from her to understand her situation. I have no idea how she roped me into taking care of Victor the next day while she went to work. Sure I have taken care of my son but not the whole day by myself. I just hope that Victor and I are able to bond tommorrow.

I got up bright and early and announced to Victor that it was Daddy and Son day. For the looks of it he really didnt get too excited of our planned day together.

I tried to follow the schedule that Kea left me. I always thought that she was not as busy as this schedule shows her to be. After feeding Victor, Potty training him and playing with him, its time for his nap. I set him down, look at the rest of the schedule and get going.

I never thought that I would make such a mess in the kitchen. Kea placed cleaning the kitched up therefore I am going to do it. This doesnt seem so bad.. oh look Kea missed a spot when she cleaned last time.

Seeing that Victor is still asleep I managed to get some exercise on on our new treadmill. Both Kea and I were starting to look a little pudgy and that will not do.

I hurried and took a shower and before long I head Victor shouting. I knew that nap time was over and he was hungry. I put him in his high chair and I was ready for him to eat and I was ready for Kea to come hom. I played Peek a boo with him but he was getting tired of being with me. I know he missed him mom a lot.

Finally Kea came home gave me a kiss and I handed her Victor. I never heard Victor squeal so much. Kea was ecstatic about her research projects but I just wanted to go up and take a big nap.

Things have been going so well at work that it has Jordan (my ex-) trying to woo me over to her company. I am sure she got my number from a client of ours. Due to our dating history Kea told me that she didnt want me anywhere near Jordan. The problem is that Jordan and I are in the same career. We go to the same meetings so we are bound to see and speak to each other. Jordan and I have an understanding that nothing will happen between us but Kea does not nor wants to understand that. That's why Jordan ceased her business with my company...but now she was offering at 10,000 sign on bonus and rights to my latest building plans. Of course I said no. However that money would come so much in handy.

I did not know how to approach the subject with Kea. During dinner I managed to casually mention that I had an opportunity to get promoted. Kea loved the idea especially if it meant for her to spend more time at work while I stayed home. I dont see how it would work that way but she wanted more details. I told her that Jordan had offered me $10,000 to join her firm and that was a lot of money to sign on.

Kea looked at me dumbfounded and asked a billion questions regarding how Jordan got my number. She fails to realize that both Jordan and I travel in the same business circles all the time.
"Miguel, I understand you want a promotion. We all do but at what expense? I don't trust Jordan and I know that she wants you for herself. I wish you would see things my way and just cut her off socially."
"so does this mean a no to working with Jordan"
"Im afraid so Miguel. I just dont feel comfortable you being with her all the time" Truth was that I didnt know why she saw Jordan as such competition.

After dinner I decided to take a walk. I needed a breath of fresh air. I needed to understand why Kea didn't see this as a golden opportunity for us to grow as a family. The $10,000 would help us pay our taxes and even have Victor attend private school. I just have to keep focused on my family. I would have to call Jordan and turn her proposal down.

I decided to email Jordan because it would simply be easier than actually talking to her. Her email response was rather quickly and in it she stated, "Miguel, as CEO of this company I find it hard to believe that you will not be willing to spread your wings. I will go above my original offer and make it a sign on bonus of $25,ooo and exclusive rights to the current building draft. Let me know what you think. I honestly think that this is a one time offer. Sincerely yours, Jordan Bachman, CEO" Wow now the price was $25,000 but that was way too much.

I couldnt contain my glee of the possibility of getting a sign on bonus of $25,000. This has to mean that Jordan's company is either doing very well or its actually collapsing and she desparately needs new talent. I looked at Victor and knew that I really would have to consider this offer.

I tucked Victor in and I decided that money is not everything. It would be nice but it is more important for my wife and I to get along. So for our marriage sake I am going to yet turn down the proposal. Jordan would want to know as soon as possible so I would call her before my late dinner with Kea.

I called Jordan and explained to her that I could not accept her offer. She then proceeded to tell me that her client was in desperate need of the draft that I had let certain people get a preview of. I didnt know what to say. Part of me felt betrayed that my draft was out there getting viewed and criticized without my knowledge. Right when I was telling Jordan of my disapproval and she told me that she was authorized to give me a $50,000 sign on bonus just for my draft. Before I hung up I told Jordan that I accepted. I would find some way to make it up to Kea.

I told Kea during dinner and I did not get the support I needed. Kea right away argued that money was more important to me than our happiness. I know that she is upset but she will realize that we needed this cash more now than ever.

She was so upset that she didnt even want to continue eating her food. She got up and told me that she was going to bed. That meant that she was beyond angry. I just hoped that I did not damage our marriage beyond repair. I just have to keep seeing the bigger picture.

Africa Dominguez Ch 6

Africa (34) , Laci Hourvitz (34) Their Children: Darius and Dominica twins (17), Sasha and Nicolas twins (8)
Narrated by : Africa


I still can not believe that im pregnant! I come home late from work trying to get everything in order. Ever since I announced that I was pregnant everyone started panicking. Laci says I have to take it slow but I just cant stop all this energy that I have lately. I remember Laci used to be tired but I am the opposite.

Lately Laci and I have been quite busy trying to figure out how to pay our bills. First we have to now pay taxes and we have to see how if Darius and Dominica are going to college. If they do decide to go then we literally have nothing set up for their tuition. I dont know how were going to do it but we have to. Laci says I should stop stressing out because it will all be fine. In the long run if in case they do go to college they can always apply for grants and loans. I just never planned correctly for this.

Lately I have been having so much nausea its ridiculous. I hate having the guile rise in my throat. I literally have to find the nearest bathroom within seconds.

Laci is working on her logic skill for her promotion. We have not even finished this room yet. This used to be Sasha and Nicolas' nursery but we decided to leave the room for our personal use. Laci needed to improve her skill so we decided to buy a chess set.
I want to teach Sasha and Nicolas how to play. Darius and Dominica just stare at me when I ask them if they want to learn. Darius is the first one that finds something else to do.

I woke up one morning with blood everywhere and I had the worst cramps. I woke Laci up and she rushed me to the ER. I knew something was wrong. All I kept thinking about was how to explain this to my kids. They saw me getting into the car and their faces were full of worry.

I ended up having a miscarriage. I didnt know what I did wrong but the doctor told me that I could have been under too much stress. He told me that if I wanted to try again to at least wait six months. Laci was sad and tried to pep me up. I felt like such a failure. It was my first time getting pregnant and I lost the baby so fast.

I pretty much stayed in bed and came down to eat while everyone was gone to school and work. The kids understood. Poor Nicolas just hugged me lightly and told me that he was sorry. Darius and Dominica came and told me that they both decided to go to college. They applied for grants and each received $1,000. I hate to think that they are going to get loans to start their young adult life.
Now that the kids are growing up I think about marriage a lot. I wonder if I did not or am not sending the wrong message by not marrying Laci. Trust me we are fine without the paper saying that were "married" but still. Now with my miscarriage im thinking about proposing.

Laci planned a party to wish the twins, Darius and Dominica, a farewell. She also told me that Asia said she needed to see me to make sure that everything was going well with me. I didnt want her to see me like this but I cant turn her away.

Asia came over and gave me a hug and I just started crying. I had all this pent up emotion that I did not know what to do with. She hugged me and told me that everything would be OK. It felt good to hug my twin. No matter how much I discuss this I feel that only she can get me. Laci doesn't understand it but with us having two sets of twins on our own she is starting to get the hang of it.

During dinner we discussed our lives and the news of all of our family. We ran down the list: Miguel was fine with little Victor and Kea. Atani was good with her twins, Suki was enjoying her baby and Ariel well she was the only one we havent seen. After her college graduation she choose to move downtown and live there. I still think that living that far away from Viramontes was not a good idea but how could we stop her from doing it?

My kids are great kids and I thank god everyday for them. the other day as I was reading a book I overheard Darius telling Sasha and Nicolas that they would have to take care of Laci and me while they were gone. I couldnt believe what I was hearing. I was proud that my son, Darius was so considerate. I looked at them and remembered like it was yesterday how I held each one of them in my arms.

The night of the graduation/college party for Darius and Dominica I felt so depressed. Laci came in and told me that I had to show up for the kids and the family. I did not really want to but then I knew she was right. What would my family say if I didnt even show up to their party.
Laci hugged me not caring that she would get wet with the bubbles, " You know I love you and everything is going to be OK. We can try to get pregnant again. Baby if you need someone to talk to...well we can"
"Laci..I know it will be OK. Your right, I will get ready and try to put one foot in front of the other. I will see the twins off. Ill be right down OK"

Even though Dominica does not tell us, I can see that she is holding a torch for a college freshman named, Kampol Do. Apparently they have been seeing each other as "friends" but I think its more than that. He goes to the college where they are accepted. Hopefully Dominica will concentrate on her books and not major in a PhD on Mr. Kampol.

The party was successful. Everyone came out and had fun talking with each other. It had been a long time since the party was reunited this way. It was good having everyone here to wish Darius and Dominica farewell.

Before long everyone left including my first born. I hugged Dominica and Darius. I whispered in Darius' ear that everything would be OK. I made them promise to take care of each other.

Once everything was cleaned up and the kids put to sleep I went up to see Laci. She was concentrating on a game of chess and when she looked up she said, "im proud of you. I know it was hard socializing with everyone but thank you. It meant a lot to Dominica and Darius"
"Hmm it didnt mean a lot only to them. It meant a lot to me to show my family that im strong. Are you going to be long or y ou coming to bed?"
"Im going to play this for a little while? Why did you need something?"
"Just you"

I still had my old touch because Laci and I made love that night just like we did when we moved in together. It felt great being with her and realizing that I love her more now than ever.
Several months later......................................................

I guess I was so relaxed that I got pregnant without thinking about it. Now I am taking extra careful with this pregnancy. I am reading all the books and I am taking time off of work. Im still in my second trimester but I don't want to take any chances.

I am also napping a lot more. With this pregnancy I am much sleepier than I was with the last one. Laci says that this is a good sign but I am not sure. I am still scared of losing another baby. Hopefully all will go smoothly.


Authors note:
I did not plan on Africa losing her baby. She made love with Laci and I guess her hunger level went too low. Before I knew it she got up and miscarried. Her current pregnancy was a complete surprise. During the party I heard Chimes and I was surprised. I have ACR but never had an actual pregnancy occur with out me initiating it. Either way I am glad she is having this baby **fingers crossed**