Page 190 of Tarek

Dereck spins around and runs inside screaming for Tarek.

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TAREK

I should have stayed at Nowhere and had some more drinks. My mind is running rampant with the thoughts of Penny and my children. Suppose she gets married to someone else? Or they call another fucking man daddy? I didn't start out wanting kids. But now that they’re real, now that she’s real, I want it all. I want to be a father and a husband.

But she doesn’t want me.

“Fuck what she wants. She is sleeping in my bed tonight. We will figure out the rest in the morning.” I throw the sheet off and I slide out of the bed.

“TAREK!” Someone is shouting. I bolt from room, sprinting down the hallway. My father is at the top of the stairs

I wasn’t in the mood to continue this?—

“Penny is in the foyer,” he says breathless. “And I think she may be in labor?”

I don’t remember pushing pass my father. I only remember catching Penelope just as she collapsed in my arms.

She reaches into her pocket and holds out a pomegranate.

“Smash this open for me.” she gasps

Confused, I take the fruit from her hand. “Why do you have a pomegranate? Shouldn’t we take you to the hospital?”

“Yes,” Miranda and my father say in unison.

“Forget them and smash that fruit.”

I crouch, smashing the pomegranate against the marble floor. Its red juice runs down my hand.

Penny plucks some seeds and lifts it to her mouth. “Persephone knew that if she ate these seeds, she would be bound to Hades forever.” Penny eats some seeds. “I am your Persephone, Tarek Fairisles, and I wanna stay with you forever.”

Fuck me, why was that hot? She grips my arm and cries out in pain.

“I am sorry. I know that you are the kind of man I want to love.”

“Penny, honey, you’re in labor, let—” My heart is pounding.

“Love frightens me,” she sobs, “It makes me vulnerable, and weak.”

I kiss her lips softly. “I am sorry too. You’re not vulnerable or weak. You’re the strongest woman I know. I won’t leave you or our kids Penny. You own every part of me.”

“I know that now. Shit.” She bites her lips and bends her head.

My father and Miranda stand frozen nearby.

“Baby. Let’s get you to the hospital,” I plead.

“I shouldn’t have said what I about your mother. I just wanted a reason to leave. I, shit I was wrong,” tears leak out of the corner of her eyes.

“It’s okay, baby. I was wrong to say what I said about your father,” I soothe her.

“I thought you already moved on,” Penny cries.

“I was waiting for you. Giving you space. I was literally about to drive to your house and drag you home to our bed,” I reply.

“Home?” she whimpers.

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