Rodrigo Leopardi-Chapter 5 I do

Rodrigo (27), his finacee Cole Tan (27)
City: Downtown

We buried my brother and it was devastating for all of us. Cole held me up because I was weak from crying so much. It was sad when we saw our parents grave. We found some comfort knowing that my brother is with our parents.

Now there are portraits in all of the grave sights. We added portraits to our parents so all of the upcoming generations will be able to see what they looked like.

Cole has been my rock during this time of grief.

Most nights I spend it out looking at the stars and wondering if one of them is Ivan looking back at me. Cole gives me space but tells me that when I am ready he will be there waiting for me.

I finally got back to work and things were getting back to semi-normalcy. We have even decided to get married finally. We were going to but with Ethan getting married and Ivan getting sick we decided to postpone it.

The ceremony was held at home. Ethan really tried to push a church ceremony but we were not up to it. The cake was fantastic.

It was wonderful to know that Cole and I were married. I decided that I would take his last name so now im Rodrigo Leopardi-Tan.

Before we left on our honeymoon, I made a toast in which I mentioned a special thank you to all of my relatives present. It really meant a lot to me that everyone made the effort to come downtown to celebrate with us.

As a wedding present everyone pitched in to get us a limo ride to the airport. We had booked a flight to Tikki Island for our honeymoon.

We got some rays.

We also made lots of love. It felt good to feel alive.

But before we knew it, it was time to head back to the real world. Madeline surprised me by bringing her new boyfriend William to finally meet me. Another shocker was Cole calling to tell me that we were expecting.

"I think its awesome that both of you have decided to have a baby. Aww your going to be a daddy."said Madeline.
"Easier said than done. But im glad. I needed this after Ivan passing."

Cole rested and started painting portraits to pass the time.

Before we knew it Troy was born and completely changed our lives from quiet to noisy.

Troy has Cole's skin color but my light eyes. I am glad to have a son.

Ivan Lepardi Chapter 5-- dark and quiet.

Ivan Leopardi (27)
Narrated by Ivan.

I laid there getting probed and examined for the billionth time. This time it was definitely different. Everything in my body hurt. I could barely stand for the doctor to take my pulse because it hurt so bad.

I managed to get in a chair and to my dismay the doctor said, "Ivan I think its time for you to think about hospice care."
"So this is it? No more hope of anything else?"
"I'm afraid not. The cancer that started in your liver has progressed. The chemo only stopped it a little bit but now there is no stopping its natural course. Have you talked to your family?"
"Yes...but its not the same saying 'im sick' than ' guess what its time'"
"I understand but I need you to really get everything in order"
"The dreaded question doc... how much time?"
"Four maybe five months if were lucky"

I stared at the doctor. Five months if I am lucky huh? Well it was time for me to get everything together.

I had resigned from my job a few weeks ago. The agony of getting out of bed was too much. Now weeks after my terminal diagnosis, I decided to finally enter hospice care. I could no longer take care of myself and I did not want to be a burden to no one.

******

Narrated by Rodrigo

My brother called me and told me that he was in hospice care and that it was nearing his time. I was so upset because he did it without consulting me. Ivan and I are best friends. I am losing my best friend and I do not know how to handle it. I am grateful that I am finally at the point where I dont cry everytime I see him. Ivan tells me that its OK but when I look at him ...its not.

He lost his hair, he's getting so thin. He told me that it was time to call everyone in because he was near the end.

The last few days I visited him he was semi conscious. I told him that I loved him and I did not want to let him go. He told me that he loved me too but he was in too much pain to stay. The last day I saw him alive I hugged him and he was crying of agony and pain.

My family came...only the adults to say goodbye. Ivan did not want his nieces and nephews to see him this way. Ivan died in front of us. I could not handle it and had to leave the room. If it weren't for Cole I think I would have died right with Ivan that day. Beatrix and Madeline were in consolable. My other brothers and sister were distraught but its not the same for a quad sibling. We were in the same womb together and we were more intimate. I am happy to know that he is no longer suffering. I don't know how I will continue without my brother.

Beatrix Leopardi--Chapter 5- New place.

Beatrix (27) her boyfriend: Christopher Moore (30) their roommate Amin (28) ,
their daughter: Carmela (27)
Narrated by Beatrix


Life with a room mate and a boyfriend is much harder than expected. We have a toddler now and seriously we are running out of space. Amin offered to move out but still we needed more room.

In the end, Chris, Carmela and I decided to rent our own apartment. It was a fresh start for us as a family. Chris and I agreed that I would sign the lease. I was grateful for that because for me thats a sense of security. I know I know..I should be positive but I have seen too many relationships end bad. I do not want to give away all my security.

Chris is always worried that I might not be happy in our arrangement. Do I want to marry Chris? Sure I do but he has not even asked me. After Carmela he told my brother we would get married. That was two years ago and we are still just boyfriend/girlfriend.

I can't complain though. Carmela is a bundle of joy and energy. From sun up to sun down this little girl wants constant attention.

I am grateful that Chris comes home from work and plays with her all evening. Sometimes I feel bad breaking up their games to feed her. She is such a daddy's little girl.

My cat also moved in with us. I think it misses Amin but hopefully he will break out of his shyness.

At night when my little girl is in bed, I let out a sigh of relief. This is the most still I have ever seen her since she was born.