Ch 5-- Francisco Otani III--Legacy Heir

Otani (29) his wife Shelby (29) their children: Quads Angel,Francisco Ismir III, Nevada and Sergio (newborns)
Narrated by Otani

Our children were born and they literally took up all of our life. I havent been able to do anything because having four kids at once? Lets just say that we have barely time to sleep. We are getting by because our family is there to support us. I have no idea how my parents did it with their quads.

At least our love life is not suffering.
We do managed to keep that going whenever we can.

Ch5--Juno Leopardi

Juno (31), Jade (31) Children: Phillip and Stewart (twins) (5)
Narrated by Jade

It felt strange sitting at our table just us. For the longest time Beatrix lived with us. Now Beatrix has moved out and we feel more at ease in Juno's childhood home. Its strange to think that Juno was born here. I love the history of the house, although we still have to add our stamp of style to the place.

Although Beatrix does not live with us, she still comes by with the other family members for dinner. At first it was a little overwhelming to have all the family over. But now honestly I would not have it any other way.

I even had an a friend from college stop by to surprise me. I guess he never really got it through his mind that I was actually married to Juno. He was even more shocked to learn that I was a mother. He is a nice guy so I thought to myself, "why not introduce him to Beatrix?"


Juno talked to him and thought that he being 31 and Beatrix barely 23 would be a problem. As much as I said, "age is nothing but a number" I was shot down. Juno would not agree to introducing him to Beatrix.

To my surprise there seems to be a bit of trouble between Beatrix and Ivan. Rumor has it that they have never gotten along and now that they are adults..well everyone is waiting to see their reaction. I never would have imagined that being part of a quad that they wouldnt get along. Juno warned me just in case there was a blow out at dinner. Luckily I think things maybe have mended a bit.

I started to wash dishes and I couldnt help see and overhear Ivan and Beatrix talking.
"Nice night out huh Ivan? Listen can we talk?"


"Look. We are at Juno's house and I wish you would respect that. I know we didnt get along but dont think just because mom and dad are here... well that it means I want to be all buddy buddy with you. I have my own space and you have yours. Stay clear of mine"
" I thought that maybe Ivan you would want to start over"
"Are you kidding me? After all you have done to me? I dont think so. I will agree to be civil to you but other than that.. I honestly want no contact with you what so ever"
"Fine. If thats the type of brother and sister you want to be. Then great. As always nice talking to you"
then Beatrix stormed into the kitchen and thank god she didnt notice me eavesdropping.

that night I told Juno what I over heard.
"Do you think they will ever get along?"
"I dont know Jade. The best thing is to stay out of it. Otani and I were long gone when they were born. According to Ethan they do not nor will they ever get along"
"Its a shame your family is so close"
"Well not all of us... i love you ..goodnight"
"night"

Rodrigo (18) and Ivan (18)
Narrated by Rodrigo

Ivan and I are the only one of the quads that made it to college. Madeline our sister got married and our other sister Beatrix decided not to go to college. Its been hard adjusting to a new campus but we are loving every minute of it.

I began to study piano and it was one area that I could release the stress from my other classes. For some reason it was so beautiful to be able to unleash all of my creativity.

Ivan decided to go into economics and he wanted to get in and out of school so fast. He just didnt realize that there was so many classes involved in the economics majors. So far our freshman year has been trying but we are now moving on to our sophmore year.

I know that many family members will not be surprised but I am gay. I have finally decided to go and date and get myself out there. Ivan has been dating here and there and me too. I started eeing Leonoid Hinse. At first it was good but after a while he was such a bore. He began to be mean and began to try to "school me" since he was out before I was. I cut him off and I have been happier ever since.

I did however bounce back in my sophmore year and met Vincent Nanale. He was the most gorgeous guy that I had ever seen. He was also a freshman. I know many would think that I sought him out but honestly I do not care. He is gorgeous!

Ivan was doing well in his studies as far as I could tell. Being that we had different schedules we did not see each other that often.

Ivan worried me because he met this guy on campus. I did not find out until later that he and Ivan were running a betting scheme and it was turning them good profit. I worried about my brother but if you knew Ivan, you know that he would not stand for criticism.

One day things turned sour between them. I guess business was not going as well as he thought.

Before I knew it Ivan and his friend were fighting in our dorm. One of our dorm mates came to my room to get me and tell me what had happened.

I managed to get down right when our dean came to expel Ivan for fighting. I could not believe my brother was expelled. I tried to talk to our Dean and she refused.

The next day Ivan left and wished me luck. He would call me the minute that he arrived at Viramontes.

Madeline Leopardi-Royce--Chapter 2

Madeline (19), her husband Aiden (22) and their daughter Kayle (2)
Narrated by Madeline.

Finally we got things semi-back in order. After our devastating fire we really had to buckle down financially in order to survive. Aiden keeps my spirits up because he tells me things are going to be OK. Now that my mother has passed it seems hard for me to be on my own without anyone to talk to. I try to talk to Beatrix but she has her own problems at the moment. My other brothers are in college so they barely even have time to talk to me.
Don't get me wrong. I love talking to Aiden but sometimes I need another person's perspective.

I guess our drama was not over because we were all sound asleep when our house alarm went off. I could not believe that someone actually was breaking into our house. Aiden immediately went to call the police and I went to make sure Kayla was alright.

thankfully the robber got caught. I would have died if she would have stolen something and we do not have another dime to our name to replace anything.

Aiden spends a lot of time with Kayla when he comes back from school. Hes almost done with college and can not wait until he can get a real job. I am doing OK at my job at the office but i feel that I need to do more. I have a daughter to think about.

I am getting ready to garden at some point. Kayla insisted going out with me so I bundled her up and let her play a bit in the snow. Its fun to see how she interacts with the snow.
I look at her and I am amazed that she is now 2 years old. Where did the time go? Now here she is my little toddler.

Aiden approached me the other day and told me that he feels that there is a distance between us. I do not know what he is referring to since I feel as close to him as ever.
He proposed that we begin having date nights. He told me that he talked to Beatrix who would be willing to take care of Kayla. I think were fine but the stress of 1. having a fire devour our home and 2. having a burglar attempt to rob us, is a lot of stress. I just hope that Aiden will stop with this growing apart thing.

Ethan Leopardi--Chapter 2 New beginnings?

Ethan (23) and his finaceé Noelle Dennis (23)
Narrated by Noelle.

Ethan and I have been engaged and living together for about two years now. I never thought that a guy like him could ever exist. He helped me when I really needed him. At breakfast we sit down and try to catch up on what has been going on. Ethan is a military man and that requires that he leaves one week out of the month. When he is here he is always working and we have conflicting work schedule.

I have never seen a family that is so close together like Ethan's. I love that they are united but sometimes it tends to get a little on my nerves. I can come home expecting to just go upstairs and relax but I can't because his family is over.
As much as I try to appear friendly, I think my new sister-in-law Shelby caught on that I wanted some privacy.

I caught Otani asking Ethan when we were getting married. Its not bad enough that he himself only got married a few months ago and now he over here trying to rush us. I know that we are engaged but lately it seems that we are already married. So what is the rush?

After I caught Ethan, Jade and Otani discussing their wedding party. The whole conversation was about weddings and their newborn babies. I was so bored with the conversation that I excused myself and headed to my sanctuary upstairs.

Ethan decided for us to have a date downtown Viramontes. I love this new little cozy restaurant. At first I was enjoying my dinner and Ethan ordered some champagne for us to drink.
"What are we celebrating Ethan?"
"We are celebrating because we have to announce our wedding soon. Its been two years and I want to know what you think about that."
"Ethan, I think that we need to take some time and think about it. I really appreciate all that you have done for me but honestly I feel that your suffocating me with this wedding thing."
"Its not a thing. Are we on the same page here? I thought we were ready to take the next step? What are you exactly telling me?"
"I am saying that I would like to wait. Ethan... maybe we should take a break in our relationship. I think that you want to get married NOW and I am only 25 and not in a rush"
"I think you are not ready and I think you need to find a new place to live. I want you out by the end of the month"
"Are you serious Ethan? Your going to act like this?"
" Noelle, you are not ready. I am not going to sit stagnant in this relationship waiting or hoping for the possibility of us getting married. Were over. I am done. No matter how I feel this does not mean that I am willing to wait."
"I think you need to think about this Ethan. Your acting irrational."
I got up and left back home. I understand that he wanted to get married...but I never thought that he would react this way.

*********

Ethan's point of view.

Noelle moved out. We kept screaming at each other for about two weeks when finally I had to leave on my military leave and when I got back she was gone. I realize now that she never wanted to get married. I know that many will think that I was her rescue when she got laid off. I really wanted to help her and I loved her.
In the end she never understood how I ended up our relationship so easy. It does not mean that it doesnt hurt me. I am hurt but I also understand that people come and people go. If Noelle was not willing to stay then I am prepared for her to leave.

Now that im home alone its actually easier to get some reading done. My family calls me a lot to make sure that im still alive. I am still alive...and yes I do have my engagement ring on... I am only human.

Francisco Otani -Chapter 4

Francisco Otani (27), finacee Shelby Downie (27)
Narrated by Francisco Otani.

Shelby and I have officially moved in together. I am glad that before my mother passed she knew that I was going to marry Shelby.
We were having dinner and Shelby looked so green that I asked what was wrong with her. At first I thought that she had food poisoning.

Turns out that she was expecting our first child. I am sure that everyone would expect the legacy heir to get married prior to having a baby. Shelby was so nervous when she told me that we were expecting. She is starting to show and it concerned her that we were not married yet. I told her that we needed to find another place because us and my dog and a baby will definitely not fit in this small apartment.

Shelby met with a realtor and we saw plenty apartments and houses. I am lucky to have a girl like Shelby. She was fine with renting another apartment if need be. We saw this house that she loved and wanted to know if I would agree in finally signing an offer.
On the outside I was already sold but I needed to see the inside as well.

I loved the inside. I love wood flooring and it was great to see that this was new construction and they were offering it at a low price. I looked at Shelby and said, "If your sure then lets make an offer".

We made the offer and we got it! Shelby could not wait until we could move in and start decorating.

My main concern was planning our wedding. Sure this should be a girls worry and not mine but I still had my legacy to be concerned about. I was 27 and I needed to make sure that our legacy was secured but at the same time I was ready to be a dad.

Shelby announced that she had her wedding dress and everything was good to go. We had already decided to have the wedding at our new house.

I was so nervous waiting at the arch for my bride to come down. I wanted to go up and make sure that she was ready...but my sister Juno told me that I was crazy. I needed to be patient and so here I am .... waiting.

My girl looked so pretty. I know that she was worried about showing her baby bump. For me I loved knowing that my child was in there witnessing our wedding.

We recited the traditional vows and I was so happy that we were officially married.

Our family went inside the house to enjoy the food we made. Juno and Jade loved the way Shelby had decorated the house. Shelby kept blushing when everyone complimented her.

We did the traditional cutting of the cake.

Shelby served me my first bite.

We managed to go outside and take a family portrait. I wish that we took it earlier in the day. Either way it was a perfect shot.

Finally Shelby managed to finish the living room area to her liking. She claims that shes done but people tell me that shes just nesting. I let her choose what she wants because we have the same taste.

Juno and Jade came by to visit us and to make sure that everything was fine. Juno began working out and Jade went along for support.

I guess it was meant to be because as soon as I got home Shelby went into labor. I was so scared but Juno and Jade told me to relax and it would go smoothly.

I still can not believe that we have quads. My sister Juno and Jade have twins but we have no quads in our family. I guess we are the first. We have 3 boys and 1 little girl. We decided to name them:
Angel, Francisco Ismir III, Nevada and Sergio. We are not planning on having any more children. Now that we have quads we have to work hard to make sure that we are able to pay birthing fee and dont even get me started on school fees.