A Surrogate Mother for the Triplets

***** Illinois, Chicago ***** The earthy wind was the first thing that welcomed her when she stepped into the compound. Her forehead pulled into a frown and she walked farther in, nearing where her own apartment sat. Sophia Cruz stopped right outside her apartment, feeling really nostalgic. When last has it been, six years? Seven? Maybe Eight? She let out a shaky breath, fished out the key from her bag, struggled to open the door then entered her apartment. She has a lot to do, especially on her garden which doesn't so much look like a garden anymore. Few years after she was out of town, her house keeper had called into inform her about the need to depart to her home town urgently because of her sick mother. Of course, she couldn't keep her because of the apartment. An incident that happened close to three or four years ago, maybe. Since then, Sophia wasn't able to find one to help her. Her apartment is just the same, no changes, everything is just as it is, except for the dust that shadowed the walls and furnitures and cobwebs that clung onto the ceilings and corners of the house. She rubbed her forehead tiredly, the number of work she had to do making her feel weak, momentarily. She dropped her luggage in the living room, collected a bottle of champagne she had stolen from her parents' home and headed to the kitchen, where she noticed the house next to her has its lights on. "A neighbor finally." Sophia muttered to herself as she chugged down quite an amount from the champagne bottle. She had left Chicago for Madison city eight years ago, following the ugly breakup with Jack, her ex fiance. She cringed internally as she remembered the whole scenario. To everyone, she broke up with her boyfriend because she had caught him cheating on her with her student. To her, there's a lot more to it than others know. Her boyfriend is an asshole. Even that isn't enough of an adjective to qualify him. If it was possible to get away with murder, she would have killed him, thrown him into a fire and leave his body to burn into ashes. As much as she hated it, her brain took her down the memory lane of the after events of her ugly breakup. Daniel, her ex boyfriend had went ahead to have an elaborate wedding amidst the chaos. The press never stopped camping out outside her house for weeks, I guess that's what happens when you date a famous musician. It wouldn't hurt so much if he hadn't proposed to her in public, outside the music school she used to run, a month before. That caused their breakup to hit the papers too. Her parents weren't in anyway pleased that happened, especially her mother, Aria. Both parents do love her but her father's soft spot for her is still unbeatable. Last she heard of Daniel, he is now a divorcee with three ex wives and two children. The thought made her laugh to herself... Karma is such a darling. Isn't she?. Now, the public has successfully seen him for who he is; A two timing, cheap lying, wannabe. Sophia walked back to her living room, plopped herself down on the single love sofa. Daniel had made the country hell on earth for her. If not for her cousin Paisley, she'd probably be dead now. Parsley wasn't really a blood related cousin, she was the daughter of a family friend. Uncle Denzel and Aunt Margaret. Talk of the Devil, her phone rang. She answered without looking at the caller's ID. Only her cousin knows she is back. "Paisley??" "Come on old Lady... Don't tell me you are sulking all alone in that house of yours?!" Paisley shrieked into the phone. Sophia rolled her eyes dramatically. 'Why is that the first thing you thought of?'. 'Because I know you, my darling Sophy. It's quite surprising how you're still stuck up on your ex boyfriend from ages agooo' she shrilled. Sophia rubbed the back of her neck, not mentally ready for the lane the conversation is about to take. 'Where are you?' "What did you say??!" "Where are you??" Sophia repeated. "I can't hear you speak louder!!" Paisley yelled back. Sophia clicked her tongue,. knowing very much that her extrovert cousin is intentionally pretending to be deaf. 'So what? You ignoring me now?' paisley continued. Sophia shook her head in amusement, she should know better than expect Paisley to be at home by 5pm in the day. 'How about you? Where are you?! Back to your sneaky link's home?' There were few rustling in the background, finally everywhere was silent. "Yeah..." Paisley breathed into the phone. " Gotten a place yet to start your music school??" She queried immediately after. Sophia wasn't dumb enough to not know it was another medium to avoid the conversation about her transactional relationship partner. "Noo.... Not yet. I'll look into that tomorrow." "Have plans for the evening??" "No.... Why?" Sophia raised her eyebrows, forgetting Paisley can't see her. " Great there, join me here. It's a new club uptown. You'll love it!" 'Typical Paisley' s Sophie mumbled. "Wait!! I'm not interested! Aren't you supposed to be having the Best time with Jude?' She protested, but Paisley already hung up and seconds later, her phone beeped alerting her of what she's sure would be the club's address.! Sophie attempted to reach out few times more, only to be left without a response. Not to keep her cousin waiting, she changed into more casual clothes she's also sure Paisley would complain about wearing such casuals to a club. However Sophy was down for it. She proceeded to head out, dropping her bottle of champagne on The table, securing the lid tight, promising to come back to it later on. Just like it always is during the yuletide season, snow filled the entire street, even the rental car is all snowy. Striding few steps to her car, hugging her jacket closer, two little boys appeared from nowhere running towards her with tears in their eyes. Their little arms dangling as they tried to run even faster than Their legs could carry them. Sophia did not fail to take note of the striking resemblance between the