Ariel (18), Frances J. Worthington (22)
Narrated by Ariel.

Freshman Year:

I got to college and before I knew it my sisters and brothers called me to tell me that my father had passed. I really doubted staying in school because honestly who would pay for it? But my family informed me that my father had paid for my college prior to his passing. I did not know what I was doing here. I miss my father and I did not want to be here.

I thought about it and decided to go ahead and register for school. Trust me I did not want to but for my dad I would do it. I looked at my picture and I realized...I need a make over.

the first thing that one learns in college is there are way too many notes, requirements and term papers. I can not believe that I need al this to complete my degree.

The best thing that happened to me is that I can finally freely date Frances. He and I rekindled our relationship. It was something that we both were dying to do. Back home my parents watched me like a hawk and then Frances left for college. Now that im here it was time for us to begin anew.

Before I knew it we were taking our relationship to the next level. It was everything that I dreamed about. Sex was something that was new and wonderful to me. Frances was happy to teach me but soon the student became the teacher. The last semester of my freshman year I barely passed since I was too busy with Frances.

Sophmore Year:

School is getting to our relationship. Frances is more distant and he is more concentrated on his pending graduation. I on the other hand am struggling just staying on course. I am worried that he will leave me so I want to spend every moment with him. How did my love for Frances become so obsessive? He came to my room and told me that if I did not give him space then he would end it. I agreed to give him space and I needed space myself. I needed to get my things together if I am going to pass this semester.

I tried to desperately finish the termpaper that I had due for my class. No matter how I tried to focus I couldnt. No it was not because I was thinking of Frances.. It was because I felt so sick. I decided to see the the school nurse and see what was going on. I got home and I realized my worst possible scenario came true. I got online and prayed that anyone I knew was online to tell them... that I was pregnant.

I told most of my family and they were supportive. after all what could they do? I told Frances but he was in shock. With all of his Senior year responsibilities he could not come by often to see how I was doing. I think he thinks I did this on purpose. Trust me I did not.

You would think that being pregnant in college would be OK or not looked at as wierd. I got nothing but stares from my class mates. Some could not even believe that I would continue college knowing that I was pregnant. I looked at them and realized they were crazier than I.

Getting around was much worse than when i was not pregnant. I just wanted to finish this semester. I am just into my first trimester and im suffering so bad.

Frances was officially done with school and he came over to profusely apologize for ignorning me. He could not believe that he was actually going to be a dad and he was ready to take on the responsiblity.
I was happy that he finally saw the light. I was also happy that I was finally able to keep some food down.

My professor that was also my couselor asked to see me regarding my sophmore semester grade. She asked me if I was OK. Then she proceeded to tell me that I was going to be dropped from my academic program. I barely made a D in my classes and I had already been on Academic probation since my Freshman year.
She advised me to take time off and to deliver my baby. She said that I could reapply for readmission and start anew or continue when I left off.

I sat there staring at her. I had wanted to leave school so bad but to be technically kicked out is a different. I didnt know how I was going to tell my family that I was dropped out of my program.

I got to my dorm room and began to pack. When Frances heard I got dropped he wanted to see me immediately. Before I could even being to explain my plans Frances kneeled down and asked me to marry him. I didnt know what to say but being that he is the father of my baby, I said "Yes".

Now that Im leaving college, I know I have Frances' support. I have to stay calm because I have a baby on the way.

Suki Dominguez---Chapter 4

Suki (25), boyfriend Toby (28)
Narrated by Suki.

No matter how much I try to move on Hayden refuses to do so. He comes on a daily basis and leaves several roses for me. Toby and I have been dating well over a year and Hayden just doesnt get it.
We argued forever in my front yard until I told him to get a life. He keeps telling me that he has changed and can make me happy. I do not care what he can or can not do because I love Toby and I am so much happier with him.

I did not mention it to Toby because it would ruin our dinner. I invited my family over to get to know Toby more and to announce that we decided to get married. Everyone was surprised but they were happy because I have been divorced for a while.

My whole family was getting along with Toby. Im so happy that the family was together. We have all been striving to have dinner at each house as a method to stay united as a family.

My twin, Atani and her husband gave me their thumbs up on Toby. both Atani and I remember Toby from college but he was graduating when we enrolled. I am just happy that everyone loves him.
" Im happy to see you happy Suki, you deserve it" said Alex.


I dont know how or when it happened....but it did. Im so mad at myself for opening the door. Not only did I open the door but I feel so dumb for doing so. I opened the door and it was Hayden. He apparently heard that I got engaged with Toby and was so drunk when he came to my house.

He grabbed me and started pulling me into a head lock. I thought it was a nightmare that I was living. I really wanted it to be over. I thought to myself that this was it...Hayden was going to kill me.

I managed to fight back and hit him where it hurt. I cant believe that Hayden was even capable of doing this. I saw my chance and ran into my bedroom and locked the door.

Hayden kept slamming on the door.
"Listen.....bitch...Suki..your my wife. OK..OK im sorry. Look how can you get married so fast? You promised me forever and your getting married to some other guy? ...Ill be back.. I promise you forever..... Suki..open the door... im sorry..You know I love you."
I sat there crying wishing for him to leave. I didnt know how I was going to survive this. I feared Toby coming over and seeing me like this. I wanted everything to be done with.
I waited for a what seemed minutes..I came out of the room and Hayden had left. I slammed the door closed and called Atani. I didnt know who else to call.

When Atani got to my house she asked why I was locked in my bedroom. I hugged my twin so hard and told her that I loved her. Before I knew it, I started crying and told her what had transpired.

Atani was so shocked that she didnt know what to say. All of a sudden she smiled and told me that I had survived this and that we were going to call the police. I didnt want to call the police but Atani made the call regardless.

The policewoman that came over was so nice and understanding. She told me that Hayden would be arrested for assault and that there would be a restraining order placed against him. I felt a little safer but still knew that Hayden was loose.

Toby ran over right after work. He hugged me and was so worried. he was going to call his contacts and make sure that they pushed for a quick restraining order. He also told me that he was moving in.
I was in shock and agreed for him to move in because I needed to feel safety.

The whole Hayden issue resolved with a few weeks. He was now in jail for a few months and Toby asked me if we can get back to planning our wedding.
There was nothing more that I wanted than marrying this man. I told him that we needed to move on and needed to get married.

we had a small ceremony. No one from my family was there because I wanted it that way. Toby and I were married in front of the justice of the peace and we were finally one.

Do we not look happy? I am.

To show his love, Toby agreed to have me redo his hair. I have been trying to see if I have what it takes to be a hair stylist. I think that I may have the skills that I need.

Here is Toby with his new hair cut. I had to add some hair (wink, wink) but all in all it looks good. I love him so much.

Later that night Toby told me something that shocked me but made me feel good.
"Hey Suki"
"Yes"
"I think that we should move. I dont want anyone bothering us in our new home. Do you agree?"
"I do. "
I snuggled up to him and loved feeling him next to me.

Atani Dominguez--Chapter 4

Atani (25) and her husband Alex (30)
Narrated by Alex.

I love my wife. I think that any man who is lucky enough to find their soul mate should just enjoy it. Atani and I have breakfast almost every morning and we tell each other that we love one another. I am happy that we have been married for over two years and we have never been happier.
I was happy when Atani confirmed what I suspected all along. She told me over breakfast that she was pregnant with our first child. I was so ecstatic that I wanted to tell the whole world that we were expecting.

Now that we were parents to be we began to wonder where we were going to put the baby. I suggested that for the baby stuff we use our office. For now we just needed a place for the babys things.

Of course my wife being close to her sisters invited them out to lunch to tell them the good news. Not all of her sisters were able to go. She ended up having lunch with her twin sister Suki and their older sister Asia.

Atani told me that she had a wonderful time and that she was happy to see her twin, Suki was rebuilding her life.

Now that the pregnancy is moving along, Atani spends her day doing research for work at home. Oddly enough every time I go into our office shes looking up baby names and new things to buy.

We finally bought a crib and Atani is nervous about us not being able to fit the baby properly. I gave in and we used our savings to add a second floor to our home. It took a while and its not fully decorated but I think it was a great addition.

I love the way our house looks from the outside. I just hope that we are able to pay for the addition as well as our new baby.

Now that Atani is in her nesting phase, it has been non stop dinners with the family. I liked seeing my sister-in-law Suki again. She was now a different person. Last time I saw her she was married to Hayden and it was not a good relationship. Now she was happy and bright and was dating a guy name Toby. I have yet to meet him but if he makes her this happy then im happy for her. My other sister-in-law Africa is doing wonderfully. Im glad that our family is moving foward.

I like to catch naps when I can. I think that Atani hates it but realizes that I need to rest and be ready for when she gives birth.

Another pregnancy thing she does is eat all the time. She gets so hungry and tends to eat more than I ever would. As soon as she is done she regrets it and I tell her that its OK because shes pregnant. I tell her she's beautiful because to me she is the most beautiful woman pregnant or not.

Before I knew it, she got up and told me that she thought it was time.

We welcomed two little boys. Yes, my wife that is a twin herself had twins. I am so proud of her and my boys. We decided to name them Hitoshi and Kanji. I am holding Hitoshi.

At the end of it all we are just happy that our family has grown and now we have two little boys that need us as much as we need them.

Austin Miguel II--Chapter 4

Austin Miguel II (age 27), his wife Kea (age 24)
Narrated by Miguel

I never thought that we would but we ended up buying a house. The apartment that Kea and I lived in was way too small. Now that we were parents we needed to have more space for our child. I personally thought this house was too big for us but Kea kept insisting that we needed more space not less.

We had a baby boy and thus the legacy of the Dominguez family is now secure. We decided to name my son Austin Victor III. I know im his father but he is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. My wife, Kea agrees with me.

For now Kea has maternity leave from her job at the laboratory she currently works in. I have to admit that Kea's pregnancy was so smooth that being a mom for her seems so natural.

One of the best things about having my wife home is that I always have my meals prepared for me when I come home. I love that she enjoys cooking and taking care of the house. I have been thinking about maybe hiring a maid once or twice a week to help with cleaning this big house.

One night I snuggled up with Kea and she told me that her job had called her. Apparently they were making more progress than they thought they would. If Kea wanted acknowledgment in the research she would have to return to work sooner than was expected. I didnt want her to go back to work because that would mean that Victor would have to be with a nanny all day. Her schedule was so unpredictable that it was hard to say when she would be home. I tried to be supportive but with my promotion and me earning more money I just dont see why she has to work.

We planned a nice dinner to have my family over and introduce them to Victor. My family loved my new house and loved the way Kea decorated all of it. Kea was beaming when my sisters told her that she would have to help them decorate their houses.

Kea showed off Victor to Suki and my other sister Asia. They were so happy to see their new little nephew. Asia was happy and asked when we were planning to have another. For right now we do not have plans for another baby. I managed to secure the legacy and that was my main purpose.

Kea reminded me that she was going to go back to work and I was not happy. Of course we had the age old discussion of her being a stay at home mom. She told me that how dare I ask her to put her career on hold. She said as many women do, "I can manage both things... if you wanted a servant then you should have married one." As soon as she said that I changed the subject. I know Kea's temper and trust me I did not want her in a bad mood with me.

I had the day off so I stay home with Victor instead of hiring a nanny. Kea kissed me goodbye and reminded me that she loved Victor and I. I hated seeing her go. I wanted her to stay with my son and myself.

My sister Africa came over to check up on me. I think Kea also asked her to talk to me about the working situation.
"Why don't you want her to work again?"
"I just think that Victor would benefit from having a mom that's home"
"and why would he not benefit from a dad staying home? Your just as capable as Kea to stay home Miguel"
"Africa, you know it took me forever to get my position."
"and its that way for Kea as well. Miguel you cant be selfish. Kea wants to work. Let her or you are going to end up being one lonely man"
I know my sister was right but I couldnt help it. I remember the days my mom took vacation. I loved coming home to her and dad. I guess Kea will have her way...but I am still going to try to get her to see things my way.

I love my son so much. I am amazed that he is already a year old. Can you imagine that time flies by so much? I was busy playing with him that I didnt notice that Kea had come back from work.

"How has he been? How was the new nanny?"
"She was horrible. I can't believe we actually hired her. I want another one. Victor was here crying and she was downstairs watching TV. I still think that you should reconsider staying home"

One night I brought home one of my co-workers for a dinner meeting. I had told Kea about it but I got home to a house with a nanny and Victor waiting for me. My wife was no where to be found. I apologized to my coworker and managed to whip something up for us to eat. In the middle of dinner Kea arrived late and she centered my meeting with my client to her research. I could not believe my client was so bored and we didnt get to discuss our plans for a new building. He left and Kea and I got into it.

I was going to say goodnight to Victor but I heard Kea in there. I was still upset and I didnt want Victor knowing at such a young tender age that his parents were fighting. I hope that Kea and I can get through this "work" thing. Maybe I should quit and let Kea manage the household expenses.