Page 26 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

Dr. Steinberg laughed. “I take it you’re the soon-to-be father, but yes. She’s pregnant with triplets. The babies are eight weeks gestation and growing good so far. Erie has slipped into a mild coma, though. Sometimes, patients can come out of it within a few hours or days. I recommend you guys talk to her and coach her to wake up. It honestly would speed up the process. Any questions?”

“N-No,” I sputtered.

Everyone else shook their heads.

“Alright. Here’s my card. Don’t hesitate to reach out.” Dr. Steinberg exited the room.

I took a seat. “I can’t believe this.”

My hands shook uncontrollably. I was about to be a father. One minute, I walked this earth as a single man. Next, I met the most beautiful person ever to live. Now, I was responsible for four beings. Holy shit. All I could think was that God had a funny sense of humor.

“No fuckin’ way!” Londen cheered excitedly, jumping into Mr. Lakes’s arms.

“Aww, congratulations, nipote!” my Zia sang, hugging me tightly. Nipote was nephew in Italian.

I stood before he could pull me from my seat. My Zio clamped his strong arms on my shoulders and embraced me in a tight hug. “It’s going to be alright, nipote. You got family all around you now.”

We separated, and Mr. Lakes stepped in front of me. He embraced me.

“Thank you for being by her side. Continue to do so, and we’ll always get along,” he voiced with a smirk.

“Understood.” I gripped his hand firmly.

We all turned and looked at Erie. She looked so angelic, lying there peacefully. We all surrounded her on both sides and bowed our heads. Mr. Lakes led us in prayer. Afterward, everyone said amen and took turns talking to and coaching Erie to wake up. Once we all finished, I opted to spend a night.

“Nipote, I’ll be here in the morning to bring you breakfast and a fresh change of clothes. We’ll stop by and fill Dawn in too,” my Zia informed me. She kissed my head again and patted my shoulder before they walked out.

“We’re heading out, too, but we’ll be back in the morning once we make sure her café and staff is taken care of,” Londen stated.

They hugged me before they left. Everyone was gone, and it was just me, my Bella, and my babies.

I took my seat next to her queen-size hospital bed and rubbed her belly.

“Boys, take care of your sister in there while I take care of mommy out here.”

I had no idea if it was two boys and a girl, but I just had a feeling it was.

“Mommy will be up and running before you know it. Erie, please come back to me, baby. You can’t open me up and introduce me to all these new things in life just to leave me alone. I can do a lot on my own, but why should I have to move on without you? Please come back to me, my Bella.”

I said another prayer before I kissed her lips and closed my eyes.

Thirteen

Erie

Wherever I was, I didn’t want to leave. The butterflies and flowers were so colorful and lively. The blue sky and clouds looked so unrealistic. There were harmonious sounds that called out to me.

The blue skies and clouds moved in sync, displaying breathtaking memories of my life. I tore my eyes from the skies and walked through the field of blooming flowers as I swept my hands past the honeybees. They worked so diligently. My spirit felt so free and at peace. I twirled around in the flowers until I collapsed on them.

I swung my arms and legs as if I made a snowman out of flowers. My childish actions made me giggle. Out of nowhere, David Ruffin’s “My Whole World Ended” played loudly, yet there wasn’t a speaker or radio in sight. Swiftly, I sat up and looked around. Immediately, my surroundings changed, and I stood outside my Gigi’s house.

“You gonna wait for me to invite you in, or you gonna come in on yo’ own, child?” Gigi queried in her usual sweet yet raspy voice.

Without hesitation, I raced up the stairs and ran into her arms. I hugged her tightly.

“Gigi, please tell me I’m not dreaming. I don’t wanna wake up if you’re not going to be there.” I cried.

“Hush, child. Yo’ old Gigi won’t be going anywhere but here,” she expressed, guiding me to sit at her kitchen table.

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