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WHEN WE OPENED the apartment door, we were hit with a wave of humanity and a barrage of questions from our kids. Plus my grandfather, who had shown up from his apartment in the Holy Name rectory, just around the block from our building. The only people missing were Shawna and Chrissy. I was hoping my two youngest daughters had already fallen asleep. It was after midnight by now.

I acted like a cop breaking up a crowd. “Move back, move back, give her some air.” We’d already called home earlier to give them an update, hoping to avoid this situation.

Juliana had come home from the production of Godspell she was performing in, still in stage makeup. The concern on her face told me she must have rushed home as soon as her sister had texted her.

Finally, I held up a hand to keep everyone from speaking at once. It had the desired effect. I could see why Mary Catherine enjoyed controlling our wild group of kids. There was a certain satisfaction to it.

When everyone’s attention was on me, I said, “I’ll answer all questions and concerns after we get Mary Catherine to bed.” I escorted her toward our bedroom. After a couple of steps, I realized everyone was following us. I turned and said, “Okay, I know I said once we get Mary Catherine to bed. What I should’ve said is once I get Mary Catherine to bed. The rest of you wait here and I’ll be back out shortly.” I ignored the hurt looks I got from some of the kids.

I was still holding Mary Catherine around her waist as we stepped into the bedroom. That’s when I found the final two pieces of my puzzle. Chrissy and Shawna lay on our bed, sound asleep on top of the covers. Chrissy’s head was at the foot of the bed and Shawna’s was hanging off the side. I noticed three glasses on Mary Catherine’s nightstand: one of milk, one of water, and one of lemonade. The girls had made sure all of Mary Catherine’s favorite beverages were covered. Her pajamas and a robe were also laid out on her side of the bed.

In most circumstances it would have been unbearably cute. But at that moment I had to call in my oldest kids, Brian and Juliana, for some help carrying out their sleeping little sisters.

Mary Catherine quickly changed, brushed her teeth, and got under the covers a few minutes later. I felt like I had accomplished some great feat just by getting her from the hospital to her bed like the surly doctor had ordered.

As soon as I was satisfied that Mary Catherine was comfortable, I told her to rest while I marched back out to the living room to give everyone the details. I made sure the kids all understood that Mary Catherine was not to be aggravated, annoyed, questioned, harassed, or hassled in any way.

Jane immediately gathered the older children to create a schedule so that Mary Catherine would have help over the next two weeks.

My grandfather pulled me out onto the balcony.

“What about you, boyo, how are you holding up?”

I had to think about that for a moment. “Just a little tired.” Then I turned it around on him. “What are you doing here at this hour?”

“I couldn’t sleep. When Jane called to tell me what was going on, I decided I wanted to spend some time with my great-grandchildren. Guess I’m just getting older.”

I said, “Age is just a number.”

“That may be so, but when you can divide that number by forty, you’re getting up there.”

I had to laugh out loud at that one.