Ariel Dominguez Chapter 4--Happiness short lived

Ariel (24) Frances (27 Their kids: Alexa, Benjamin and Estelle (4)
Narrated by Ariel.

Life has not been as great as I would like. How can so much happen to a 24 year old? I guess there is too much just too much that can happen.

My kids are now five years old. We really didnt celebrate their birthday because we are so financially strapped for cash right now. Any money we had we literally spent it all on the house. We both got lottery win ($37,000) and we paid off our loan. I am so happy that we are done with our mortgage but in truth we are now more in debt that ever.

It was also a blessing that I received the news that I was pregnant. Frances was happy because we were ready to have another baby. I was having bad morning sickness. I got up in the middle of the night and realized that I was stained in blood.

I was not that far along and I realized that I had miscarried our baby. I didnt need to go to the hospital but I was devastated.

Frances did not want to try again for another baby. He thought that this was a sign for us to be happy with our four kids. I did not want to stop I wanted to be pregnant and actually enjoy a baby rather than running around trying to feed them all at once.

Before we knew it I announced both to my sister Asia and my husband that I was pregnant again. We were so excited because it was a while before I conceived. My sister and Frances was worried but I was happy to be expecting.

Shortly after I had another miscarriage and this was what hurt our marriage the most. I wanted to get back to health and try again but Frances denied me. He told me he was done and that it would not happen again. He wanted me to get on birth control and I denied him. For the first time I felt that he wanted out of this marriage.

I was so depressed because of my miscarriages. I thought that there was something I was doing wrong. I spent hours in the bath tub thinking what went wrong.


If things could not be worse we were robbed. I thank God everyday that Frances made us put that alarm in. The police caught the robber but it was still a risk I rather not take again.

I had fallen into a deep depression after that. I thought that everything was my fault for not being careful. Frances was telling me that it was not my fault.

Frances and I barely talked to each other. We only talked when we made well now it was just having sex. I was getting tired of being pressured to act normal. How could I when I was not. How else could you explain 2 miscarriages?

Finally after months of my attitude I decided to change things around but it was too late. Frances told me that he was tired of seeing me and needed a break. That break included him moving out. I was floored when he told me but I had my pride. I did not beg him to stay and if he wanted to leave then fine. I was not going to stop him.

I saw him leave and I thought to myself "this is the man I married?" I honestly thought he would be with me yet at first sign of trouble he leaves me.

Life has a funny way of working out. It seems that after Frances left he left me with a little present. Yes I was finally pregnant. Right after I had resigned myself to no more kids I noticed that I was pregnant. Frances doesn't know. His phone got cut off and I have not been able to reach him. He's left messages saying he has no money. Go figure. Need I say that my mama warned me?

Time passed and my beautiful baby girl Nianna was born. There is no one here to help by my children and myself. I know we can make it with or without Frances in our lives.

Suki Dominguez-Bruenig Ch 7

Suki (31) her husband Toby (34)
Their children: Madison (4), twins: Donnatella and Annatella (4)
Narrated by Toby

The death of our nephew Darius has really hit our family hard. We are still shocked that he is gone. It seems that just yesterday he was back from college. Suki and I were more appreciative of what we have.

Suki tucked everyone in for the night. We both decided to sacrifice a little and build a separate room for Madison. He will soon turn 5 and I am sure he will not like to be wakened up by crying 2 year olds.

Suki is still busy with her business and its literally not going that great. She thought that she would rake more money than she has. For now a lot of our plans have been placed on hold.

Suki's clients are becoming more consistent. I feel bad when I am about to go to sleep and I see that Suki is still doing somone's hair.

It was the kid's birthday and in order to observe our mourning period we really didn't plan a party. Madison was a little upset since his cousins Hitoshi and Kanji got a pool party. We explained to him that this was prior to Darius' death. It's hard explaining that to kids. I made sure to give them all an extra hug before putting them to bed that night.

Atani Dominguez--Chapter 7

Atani (31), her husband Alec (36)
Their children: Hitoshi and Kanji (4) and Ja-Khan (1)
Narrated by Alec

Our family has expanded a lot since the birth of Ja-Khan. It has taken a bit to get used to having three kids instead of just the twins. It was good that we decided to wait because now the twins were about to be a little more independent. Atani and I were planning Hitoshi and Kanji's birthday celebration.

With Ja-Khan's birth Atani placed her dancing career completely on hold. I wanted her not to regret her decision but she said, "im a world class ballerina. They will hold my place" . I hope she's right. Her body seemed to bounce back but I just want her to be happy.

We decided to celebrate the boys birthday quitely. We had a small swimming pool party and invited her brother and sisters. We had a great turn out.

Atani was happy to see that Austin Miguel II was going to have another baby. My nephew was already 6 and it was time. I think Atani started thinking about having another baby when she saw Kea all pregnant.

For Ja-Khan's birthday we decided to have just a family dinner. Immediate family. Don't get me wrong I love my in-laws but with the recent death of my nephew Darius it didn't feel right to have a party. The twins got computer to help them with their homework. Atani and I have decided to enroll them in Private school so they need all the help they can get.

I come home and I go straight to Ja-Khan's room and pick him up to play with him. Now that my career is a little more stable I can relax more with the family.

It seems that Atani's dance company wants her back and pronto. The dance season is among us and Atani agreed to go back to work. I just hope that she doesn't worry too much about the boys. She is even contemplating getting them a full time nanny. I said no. We can do with a part-time nanny for now.

Austin Miguel Dominguez II, Chapter 7

Austin Miguel II (33), Kea (30)
Their child: Austin Victor III (6)
Narrated by: Kea.

Ever since Miguel started working with Jordan we had several problems. I love my husband but I do not trust Jordan one bit. Finally Miguel got fed up and decided to come to counseling with me. The minute we got in front of the building Miguel was trying to make me go elsewhere.

I made sure we were in the right place and was told to have a seat. That the doctor will be ready in a few minutes.

Once inside she introduced her self and asked us why were there. I explained my issues and Miguel explained that he did not want to lose his job. I explained how I thought we were ready to have another child. Victor was six and we were not getting any younger. Dr. Eva in the end said that we had small issues that needed to be worked out. She gave us some exercises and we promised to do them and come back for a follow up visit.

Weeks after our visit to the therapist, things were going great. we were now talking and finally I felt that we were on the same page.

That is until Miguel came home with a puppy for Victor. For some reason he thought he would quell my need for a baby with this puppy. Sure the puppy was cute but it was no baby.

Austin Victor loved the puppy. He hugged him and even asked if the puppy would sleep in his room. We both said no to that idea. For now the puppy would sleep downstairs in the dining room.

I didn't know how to tell Miguel but with all of our love making I got pregnant. I needed to tell Miguel because my clothes were not fitting any more.

I have to admit that I noticed he was shocked. He then told me that he noticed that I was gaining weight. In the end he excused himself and said he needed to let out some steam.

I heard him playing his music upstairs. I don't know if he was upset or what. I just gave him space and let him do what he had to do.

This time it was Miguel that called our therapist. We went to see Dr. Eva and we told her that I was pregnant. She was happy but noticed Miguel was not. She questioned him and his answer surprised me.

"I love her but I am scared that we are not ready financially nor emotionally for another baby. I just started my master's degree and she is barely trying to do advance in her career."
"I hear your worries but at the same time the baby is here. What are your plans"
"

When we finally got home it made me realize that yes I needed to think about what were my plans. My plans had to change and it had to include my beautiful wife, child and my new baby. I knew it would be different but I knew that we would make it. For now we just had to work on this marriage.

Africa Dominguez Chapter 7

Africa (36), Laci (36) their kids: Darius (20), Sasha and Nicolas, twins (10)
Narrated by Africa

I am pregnant and about to explode. I don't know how Laci did this twice. We have both decided that this is our last pregnancy. I nor Laci want to go through this again. I am happy that this pregnancy was safe. My last pregnancy ended in a miscarriage but we got pregnant right away.

Yup we were blessed not with twins but Quads. Talk about being lucky. Laci couldn't believe it and even joked around that I wanted to beat her by having four kids at once. As of now we are seriously concentrating on what to do financially. We are using Sasha and Nicolas' old nursery but as you can see were cramped. Moving is not an option.

Our son Darius decided to move back home. He dropped out of college and we are even more cramped. We couldn't refuse our son. For now he is sleeping on the couch. He goes out a lot and even visits his boyfriend a lot. We talk about his life plan but he just doesn't have one. For now he wants to get a job and maybe move in with his boyfriend. I get worried because he's always out and about til late night and well that is concerning especially when you have no job.

On rainy nights I worry about Darius. Hes turning into a party animal and I need him to focus. Laci is also worried. It was getting terrible outside and I called Darius on his cellphone. He told me not to worry that he was fine and would be home later.

I went to bed and snuggled with Laci. Laci told me that she would talk to Darius about staying out too late. No sooner did we fall asleep and were woken up by the nonstop ringing of the phone. I didn't hear it but Laci did and begged me to go answer it.

I answered the phone and I must have been groggy because I swear the person on the phone told me that Darius was involved in an accident. I cleared my head and I got the details. Laci and I ran to the hospital.

We got to the hospital and we couldnt believe the news. Darius had just passed away. He had too many internal injuries and the car that he was traveling in was totaled. We did not know how to deal with this devastating news.

Laci kept screaming for her baby to wake up. I on the other hand just wished that I had the power to make him stay home that day. This was a terrible shock to us and our family.

The funeral was scheduled and we buried Darius next to my parents. I could not stop crying. Asia had to drag me away from my baby's grave. How is it that my 20 year old is dead?

Nothing prepared us for Dominica's reaction. This was her twin brother lying there. Dominica was so distraught. She had moved to Bluewater after graduation with her boyfriend and she had not been around to visit us. It was hard for us to accept that she was living with her boyfriend. With it being finals Darius' boyfriend was unable to come to the funeral but did show up later. He talked to Dominica and was too sad to talk to us. I just hope that he can cope. As for our family, well we are too distraught for words.


Author's note**
I hated that I had to have Darius die due to ROS. I had planned to marry him to his college boyfriend but it just was not meant to be. I almost re rolled the dice but then decided to stay true to the ROS.

Asia Dominguez Chapter 7

Asia (36), Naremi (8)
Narrated by Asia

I am trying to instill a good workout regimen in Naremi. She has been gaining a little weight and it was just not healthy. As of now she wines every time we have to work out. In the end she will reap the rewards.

Vincent and I are doing great. I have never had so much fun in a relationship. I just love the fact that we can have dinner and were happy with that. He is so nice to Naremi and he caters to me 110%.

Naremi is happy as well. School is better than ever. She was getting low grades but I nipped that in the bud. She knows that she is my priority no matter what.

Sure Vincent and I can go on dates but we choose to have at home dates. Naremi joins us but she feeds cuddles our dog and then goes to her room.

I had a party the other day and invited my sibilings. I loved seeing Austin Miguel and of course my lovely very pregnant twin sister Africa. She is loving every minute of her pregnancy as much as I am. She is waiting for me to get pregnant. I am finally sexually active but I am being careful. I want to choose when I will have a baby. No accidents here.