Page 35 of Memories of the Dark

The first few times, he was enraged, screaming and cursing for minutes, but as time went by, the nightmares became more and more intense, leaving Greenwood drained of emotions and energy. The man dreaded being awake because everything reminded him of the desperate situation he’d landed it but was also afraid to go to sleep.

Over the first days of his imprisonment, Greenwood desperately tried to find an escape route, without success. The food and water were delivered through a little metallic door, that was tightly locked immediately after that. The bucket he used as a toilet was emptied by a hunky guy, who warned Greenwood against trying something foolish, so he abandoned the idea from the start.

At some point, the man even came to terms to the idea that he would spend the rest of his life in that hole. The food was meager, but at least it was delivered daily, and the best part of all, none of those whom he sold down the river or owed money to were going to find him there. Greenwood doubted anyone, except that old, half-dead man who put him there, was aware of that place’s existence.

But then, one day, the food didn’t come at the usual hour. At first, the prisoner didn’t worry, thinking that the one who pushed the tray through the small opening was late for one reason or another. However, a long time passed, and Greenwood started to freak out when the small door remained closed.

When the man trapped in the dark cell finally understood he wasn’t going to get any more food, he hit the walls and screamed from the top of his lungs, hoping to get the attention of whoever was on the other side. All his efforts were in vain, leaving him exhausted and defeated, all his hopes gone.

When he could no longer stand or crawl to the corner he used as toilet after the bucket filled, Greenwood finally accepted that his final days had come, and he was going to die there in the cold, dark cell on that dirty, thin mattress. Strangely enough, his mind became clearer than ever before, and he started to look back to his past, analysing his mistakes.

His husband, Fergus, with those big, turquoise, innocent eyes, filled with adoration and love, often appeared before Greenwood, the image so vivid as if it were real.I did it all wrong,the man thought in those moments,I should have kept my real feelings hidden, allowing him to worship me, while I was using his money.

I should have given that pathetic wimp the child he whined about, and while he was busy raising and pampering the little, useless creature, I could have stripped him of everything, bit by bit.These thoughts roiled inside Greenwood’s head like a hive of mad bees, filling his time, until his final moment. Then, Fergus’s face appeared before his eyes for the last time, but the man’s eyes weren’t sad anymore.

Almost incandescent, they were shining with happiness, love and something else the prisoner couldn’t put the finger on at the beginning. The image stayed there for a long time, and as Greenwood’s last breath escaped from his lips, he realized the something he couldn’t identify was forgiveness.I thought I was the leading actor, but in the end, he stole the show.With that final thought, Greenwood let the darkness swallow him forever.

****

“Sir, you are here. Praised be all the gods of the universe!” Brennan threw himself in Fabian’s arms, hugging him desperately. “My poor, sweet prince is in great pain, and I don’t know if he is going to make it. I shouldn’t have agreed to all this, what if...”

“Take it easy, kid. Nothing is going to happen. His Grace is getting the best possible medical care. Doctor Stark put the most competent male pregnancy specialists in charge of delivering the babies, plus, your brother-in-law Alasdair is also there.” Fabian talked in a patient, low voice, trying to calm Brennan down a bit.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him for the past hour, but he didn’t listen.” Elijah, who had been asking one of the nurses some questions, joined Fabian and Brennan, taking his partner’s hand between his own. “Thank you for coming so fast, sir. Ardan is on his way here.” The young man was nervous, too, but he made great efforts not to show it.

“That’s great news, kid. His presence will make Brennan less agitated. Your father stayed behind to supervise the little ones with Rowan. He will join us as soon as Dunbar and Miss Helen come back from Fergus’s place.” The smile playing on Fabian’s lips grew wider when he mentioned the name of Ardan’s twin.

“Sorry I’m late, I had to talk Paisley out of coming with me to see the babies. In the end, she gave up on the idea, but something is telling me I’m not her favorite person anymore.” An amused look in his eyes, Ardan wrapped his arms around Brennan, whispering soothing words in his ear.

“You’ll become her favorite person in no time if you’ll show her some photos of His Grace and the babies. Children, especially at Paisley and Axel’s age, are very curious about everything.” A nostalgic smile graced Fabian’s features as he guided Elijah to the row of chairs in the private waiting room.

“For someone who claims he doesn’t understand how toddlers function, you know a lot about them. Now my soulmates and I know who to call in the middle of the night when we have baby-related problems.” Brennan turned to his brother’s advisor, grinning, visibly relaxed.

“Why bother Mister Bloom when you have us? I will happily answer all the questions you, Elijah or His Grace may have, and I’m sure my Spitfire will do the same.” Ardan patted the chair next to his, inviting Brennan to take a seat.

“Hello, everyone, and sorry for not being able to come earlier.” Lance stepped into the waiting room, speaking in a low voice. “Everything is alright at the mansion. Rowan called the cavalry to the rescue. How is the situation here? Any news?” The man hugged Elijah and Brennan, taking a seat next to Fabian.

“Not yet, but they only took His Grace to the delivery block about forty-five minutes ago. Everything will be fine. We have no reason to worry.” Lance’s husband spoke in a reassuring voice, lightly squeezing his hand.

To relax the atmosphere a bit, Ardan asked Brennan about the nursery, a subject the young man was very fond of because the room was entirely decorated by his and Elijah’s hands with Cillian choosing the furniture, curtains and bedding. Since none of them were fans of the “dedicated” colours for boys and girls, the three men went for warm tones of green, yellow and orange for walls, carpeting and decorations.

The discussion continued on the same lighthearted tone, Brennan and Elijah totally relaxed as they told the other three men about mobiles, stuffed animals, lamps and a hundred other things that brought a special shine in their eyes. Suddenly, a sharp cry, followed almost instantly by another, put an abrupt stop to the two young men’s innocent bragging, a heavy silence taking over the room.

The fathers-to-be waited for some minutes, but no doctor or nurse showed up, so they became agitated. First Brennan, then Elijah, left their seats, pacing around the room with Ardan, Fabian and Lance exchanging confused looks, not knowing what to do to help the two younger men relax again.

“Congratulations to the lucky father. You have a perfectly healthy, strong baby boy and a very beautiful baby girl, also in very good health.” The nurse’s discreet smile and soft voice made all five men turn in her direction, all kind of emotions written across their faces.

“What about His Grace? Is he alright?” Brennan and Elijah asked almost at the same time to the nurse’s confusion. “When can we see him and the babies?”

“He is still very weak, maybe a little bit groggy from the sedatives, so most likely he wouldn’t recognize or speak to you. The babies are sleeping, too, but I guess the happy dad can come in for a minute to meet the little bundles of joy and greet them.”

“Um... we are the fathers. I know this may seem a little unusual, but it’s true. We were both with His Grace the night the babies were conceived.” Elijah looked at the nurse with his big, warm, green eyes, melting her heart.

“No, sweetheart, yours is not the only male pregnancy case when the babies had two daddies. Please, follow me.” The nurse smiled, a sincere, bright one, coming straight from the heart.

Tiptoeing, Brennan and Elijah stepped inside the room where Cillian and the babies were, gasping in awe and adoration at the sight the three of them offered, sleeping peacefully on the bed and in the double crib. Eyes shining with an immense paternal love, the two young men looked at the two miracles they and Cillian created.

They are so tiny,Brennan thought, holding his breath.I think I’m going to ask Ardan to show me how to hold them without dropping them. My poor sweet prince, he must be exhausted,the young man continued the internal monologue, looking at the blond boy, who seemed more fragile than ever, tenderly smiling in his sleep.

---