Marcos Barillas--Chapter 4

Marcos Barillas (29)
children: David, Eugenio, Pearla and Mateo (quads age, 3)
Narrated by Marcos.

Having Quads is something that is so difficult by itself. For me it is harder since I am a single dad. If it were not for the nanny that helps me when I am at work, then I honestly do not know what I would have done. I feel guilty because my work takes me away from my kids. I try to spend as much time as I can when I am home. I am glad that Linda is now back in the picture to help out by taking the kids when its her turn.

My baby Pearla loves for me to read to her at all times. It never fails the minute that I come home she is begging for me to read a book. I think she is going to be the writer of the family when she grows up. I have so many plans for my children futures that I hope I can manage to complete all of them. My boys are just boys... one minute they get along and the next they are fighting over a toy.

The relationship between Linda and I is strained. No we are not together and nor will we ever be. I sometimes think that she wishes she never walked out on me. Maybe that is the bad side of me hoping that she regrets leaving me. We tend to talk more via email that actually on the phone. I didn't think that it would work but the divorce lawyer that I recently hired suggested that I start saving paper proof of us sharing custody.
I never thought about divorcing Linda until I saw her back in town. I guess before I didnt want to waste my time trying to search for her. Linda is getting her apartment ready for the kids. I can not wait until her and my children fix their relationship.

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Linda picked up the kids and for the longest time I sat on my couch and didnt know what to do. Then it suddenly occurred to me, "I am all alone!" I took the opportunity and ran a hot bubble bath. Do you know how long it has been since I had the chance to actually sit in the tub and not worry about one of my kids hurting themselves? This is an awesome feeling but I cant help but feel a little guilty. I do miss my kids... but these bubbles are awesome!

Sure Many single dads would take this opportunity to date or to go out and mingle. I am 29 and for some odd reason I dread heading to the clubs or worse a bar to try to meeting someone. Instead I decided to invite my family over for dinner. It was nice to finally get some time with them. I had missed all the gossip regarding Ian and his separation from Deb. I guess this is why he was a no show at my dinner party.

Ian Barillas--Chapter 4

Ian is 29, Debbie, his wife is 39
Their Children: Twins: Julio and August are(13), and Darcy (3).
Narrated by Ian.

Debbie and I have been together since I was 16 years old. That is quite a long time when you look at it. We have been married 13 years and it seems like an eternity. I love Debbie but sometimes it seems as though we have grown apart. I come home and she is always either on the computer or attending to one of the boys. She never attends to me like she used to when we first got together.

I came home and was surprised that Debbie actually noticed that I got my hair cut. Usually she barely notices that im around. My son Julio loves my drumset. Before I used to sit on those drums and just let the stress out. Now that my son uses it I feel bad if I were to tell him to let his old man play them. I instead head out after work with my garage co-workers.

Theres a new co-worker at work named Mary. On one of our numerous outings with the company she sat down next to me. The wierd thing is that ever since I saw her I felt instantly attracted to her. I didnt want to fall to temptation so when she started talking to me I akwardly blurted out that I was married.
"Wow I never had anyone actually blurt out they are married to my hello before. Marriage life that great huh?"
"I just want you to know"
"its duly noted Ian... duly noted"

After our akward start, we ended up having a great time. We discussed everything from cooking to our dream job. She was single recently moved to Viramontes and best of all she flat out told me that I was just her type.

I got home and jumped into bed. It had been a while since Debbie and I had sex but figured it was worth a shot. Before I could get my mojo started she interrupted me by saying
"Baby im tired. Besides its late. Maybe if you would have come home earlier. Goodnight"
I was furious just rolled over and wished that I did give Mary that kiss she asked for in her buzzed way.

Debbie told me that my sister Brianna stopped by. I got worried that maybe she came to tell Debbie what we talked about. I was wrong because Debbie told me that all Brianna came for was to visit and see her nephews.

I am glad that my sister and my wife get along. I just hope that Brianna does not meddle too much in our lives.

I could not fight temptation off for too long. Before I knew it Mary and I were having a full affair. She was the best sex, the best kiss and the best girl I had ever dated. There were times we were together that I did not even care to come back home. I needed to do something because I know that sooner or later I would be caught. I was just not sure yet if I would really leave my wife and three kids for the unknown with Mary.

That night Debbie saw me from the upstairs window and waved hello to me. I waved but didnt really expect nor want her to come down to talk to me.
I think Debbie sensed something was wrong because she kept asking if everything was OK. For some odd reason she kept promising me that things would change. Why is it that people promise that once the other person has fallen for someone else? I looked at Debbie and for the first time I saw how much older she was than myself.

I got roses at home and Debbie came out to see why I was taking so long. Thank God I managed to yank the card off before she actually saw that they were for me. Mary is beginning to get bolder and calling me a lot. We have discussed maybe moving in together and I am just choosing the time to officially end it with Debbie.

I guess Mary thought that I was like other men that would actually never leave his wife. One day Mary just came to my house and knocked on the door. Debbie got up to answer and I didn't think anything of it.

Until I got up and went to see who was at the door. When I saw Debbie talking to Mary my jaw dropped to the floor.
"Ian, would care to explain to me why Mary is here? And why she is apologizing for being with you?"
"I think we should take this inside Deb."

Inside I decided to tell Debbie that Mary and I have been seeing each other for quite a while now. I told her that I was trying to find out the best time to tell her. Debbie was taking all the information in when Mary dropped the bomb shell.
"that not only it Debbie. You see Ian has to decide whether to move in with me because im pregnant."
"your pregnant?"I replied.

Debbie couldn't contain herself and we started yelling at each other.
"You mean to tell me your out with her giving her another child when we barely have enough for our own kids? How can you afford that when you dont even bring home enough for here?"
"Debbie this is not your problem it is mine"
"Your right, its not my problem because I want you out of this house."
"We need to talk about this Debbie. I will leave but I have the right to see my children as well."
"Yes you do Ian, but we will discuss this later but for now GET OUT!"


I grabbed a bit of clothes and decided to leave that very night. I was not sure if I was going to Mary's house but I did know that I felt like crap leaving Deb crying like that. My son Julio just stared and me and tried to console his mother. He knew what was going on and refused to acknowledge it.

Brianna Barillas-Chalmers Chapter 4

Brianna age 29, Neil age 30 and their Daughter Taylor age 1
Narrated by Brianna

I hate to admit it but im so stressed about getting a promotion at work. Neil told me that I had to calm down so he offered to give me some kickboxing lessons he learned from work. It did the trick. I know can relieve my stress out on the punching bag.

I feel guilty that I have to leave my one year old baby Taylor with a Nanny. I try to rush home but it is hard when your on the Viramontes Council. We hired a wonderful nanny who takes care of Taylor's every wish. I was concerned since I heard that some Nannies are notorious for ignoring their babies. Thankfully our is everything but careless.

The good thing is that Neil gets home early to relieve the nanny. Taylor loves her daddy and her daddy loves her. Not a day goes by when we thank god that we were able to adopt such a wonderful child. We are beginning of thinking of maybe adopting another child so that Brianna can have another baby sister or brother.

Despite having Taylor, our social life is as vivid and entertaining as always. We try to invite my family members over for dinner quite often. I think my family has accepted that my house is the reunion house. Nothing makes me happier than having my family over. On this particular night I had my sister Amarilis and her spouse Meadow(who I am talking to) come over as well as my triplett brother Ian and his wife Debbie.

I also managed to have my nephew Dylan stop by with his new husband. I have to admit Mr. Wilkie is actually quite entertaining. I could see why Dylan fell in love with Leo Wilkie. I do worry about how they will have kids if Leo is so much older than Dylan.

No matter how much I try to get Taylor ready to go to sleep prior to having people over it never really works. I think Taylor is much a social butterfly like her mother and father. Dylan came up to see if he could help. I used this opportunity to ask him about having kids and to my surprise he told me that he never really wanted to have any. I guess there is no need to worry. I just hope that they live a wonderful long life together.

The other day I was trying to help my now two year old to learn to walk. Neil had to work on some paperwork from work and he was busy yet managed to give a word or two of support. I heard the doorbell ring and it surprised us because we really didnt expect anyone to come over.

I was shocked to see it was my brother Ian. I asked him if he was OK because he looked worried and flushed. He said he needed to talk to me about how to make marriage work. This actually worried me because I thought that he and Debbie were quite stable.
I heard his issues about Debbie paying more attention to the kids than him. I also heard him say that he may have married someone that was much older than he is. Needless to say that my brother married Debbie without any of us knowing that they were going out. Now it becomes an issue because they are getting older and Ian will never catch up to Debbie's age. I felt bad for my brother but told him to keep working at it and to find counseling for their marriage. He thanked me for listening and said he had to get back home.

By the time I was finished talking to Ian, I went upstairs and woke up my poor hubby Neil.
"What did Ian want?"
"I think his marriage with Debbie is in trouble"
"really? Why now?"
"I told him to go to counseling. do you think we might need counseling?"
At this point Neil rolled over and responded:
"Were fine. Try not to let Ian's problems become our problems."
and with that I had my answer. My husband was right. I had to let my baby brother fix this on his own.

Neil and I came up with the wonderful idea to have a family reunion. When we said family reunion we meant it. I was going to have a barbecue and invite every single family member of ours. Neil also suggested that I hire a photographer to take a family picture of the Barillas sisters and brother. I thought it was a great idea. I called everyone up and they were all for it.

It was great that we all got together to take this picture. It was also a sad moment because we missed our sister
Adrienne who passed a few years back. From left to right: Amarilis, Consuelo, Oscar Simon II (they are triplets), Myself (with the pink shirt), Ian and Marcos ( we are the second set of triplets in the family), Adam(with the pink shirt) and last but not least our baby brother Justin. Its amazing how we are growing up. I just wish we did this before my parents passed away.

The barbecue was a success. We were so busy serving food and making sure that everyone was having a good time.

I went to check in on Taylor and the rest of my nieces and nephews. I had to get some wine for us to drink when I looked outside and I loved what I saw. I saw my family together having a great time. I sighed and said to myself, "this is what its all about... family".

Oscar Simon Barillas--Chapter 8

Oscar age 37, his wife Brandi age 37
Children: Melody Sofia age 20 (away at college, but visiting during this update) and Oscar Joshua III age 11.
Narrated by Melody Sofia

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My parents pretty much do the same thing every day. They are so in love with each other that they do everything together. I guess this is why im waiting for my true love before I just start randomly dating. My parents were married before they went to college and its amazing that im past the age when they got married.

It felt so good to be home and be able to hug my mom. I miss this old house. My mom is on her health kick still. I came home and she hugged me and promised to make all my favorite foods. Did I mention that I love being home?

After I changed I gave my little brother Joshua, his present. He was so excited to see me but more excited over his present. I cant believe my baby brother is now 11 years old. He will soon be a teenager causing havoc all over.

Joshua ran out to greet my dad when he got home.
"Dad...dad... Melody's home."
"Really... how are you doing? Are you OK? Lets go in and take a look at your sister"

My dad stared at me and then gave me a big hug.
"Melody you are such a young lady now. I cant believe that your almost a Junior in college. What have you been up to?"
"Dad... I've missed you so much"

Now this is the life, having dinner or breakfast at the dinner table surrounded by your family. We are a tight knit family. I have a ton of uncles and aunts but I hardly see them since every one is so busy with their lives. My parents caught me up on all the family gossip. I was sadden to hear the my uncle Marcos had split with Linda but I was happy to hear that my Aunt Consuelo got back together with my Aunt Maura. All in all there was a lot of catching up to do. Even my cousin Dylan got married! I could not believe it until my mom told me. My dad was still shocked that everyone thought Dylan's husband was some old poor guy but he turned out to be very wealthy.

Later that night I sat on my bed and just looked around. It had seemed such a long time ago that I slept here every night doing homework. For a brief moment I actually missed my dorm room. Although my parents left everything the same, it was still the fact that I had not slept here in over two years.
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"This is such a bad idea, " Joshua thought to himself as he got ready to ring the doorbell.
I heard the doorbell ring and I went to open it.

I was so surprised that it was Joshua from college here in Viramontes.
"Um, Hi?"
"Hey Melody. You know thank god your parents are listed. Do you know how many Barillas households I went to? Your aunt Amarilis says Hi."
"You went to my aunts house?"
"Ya. I wanted to see if you were ready to go back to school"
"I still cant believe your here. I am quite shocked to be honest with you"
"well are you going to invite me in Melody?"
"Sure why not"

I introduced him to both my dad and my mother. I knew what they were thinking. In their mind they thought that this might 'be the one' but for me it was just Josh being Josh.

I did not think how wierd it was going to be for him to meet my brother with the same name.
Joshua (my little brother) looked at Josh and just said, "you better take care of my sister"
"OK. I will" answered Josh. I am still embarrassed that my little brother said that.

I decided to get back to packing while my father so kindly asked Joshua to come over to talk. Joshua had no fear of my dad. They started talking about my dad's journalism career and I was so bored that I left them there.

Soon it was time for me to head back to college. My dad was so sad to see me go but was happy that I was able to get back to studying. He told me to be careful and to make sure that I made college count like he did.

After I left my mom got scared because the Grim reaper showed up at our house. I didnt spend too much time with our dog Tatters while I was there. Sadly he passed away. My little brother was so heart broken.

My parents choose not to buy another dog but they did buy my little brother a gerbal as a pet. When I talk to my little brother he seems OK with the little gerbal.