Page 28 of Paradox
“Congrats, Gage!” Daniel says. “Welcome to fatherhood.”
“Thanks, man. Tell me, how hard is it?” I ask in good-natured fun.
“One baby was a handful. You let me know how you’re doing in a few weeks.”
“I will.” Laughing, I turn to Raven. “Where are the babies?”
“Nurse took them away for a bit. They should be back soon.”
“Did the doctor check on you?”
“Yeah, he came in after you left. He says I’m doing great. Blood pressure is back to normal, and I’m healing okay.”
“Good. Maybe we can get you home soon.”
“I talked to Toni and Chrissy, too. They’re chomping at the bit to see the babies.”
“Iwant to see the babies.” Dani pouts.
“Me, too,” I tell her, “but they’ll be here soon.”
“Mommy says I’m an auntie!” she exclaims, the prospect making her giddy.
“That’s right,” I agree. “You have a nieceanda nephew. You’ll have to come babysit soon.”
From the look on her little face, I can tell some smartass comment is coming. Even when I met her at age six, she behaved older than she was. Age eight is much worse.
“I mean, I can play with them, but I won’t be changing any diapers.” She shakes her head, her brunette hair whipping side to side.
Laughing, I set her down on the bed next to Raven. At her confused frown, I laugh even harder.
“What’s so funny?” she asks.
No one gets the chance to answer because the door opens and a nurse wheels in the twins. Resisting the urge to rush over and snatch them up, I move closer to my wife. Laurelyn picks up Hailey, while Daniel reaches for Chaos. As Laurelyn moves closer to me, I notice her hair isn’t up in that fancy bun she always has it in; it’s down, and she looks so much like Raven, it’s uncanny. It’s even worse when she smiles up at me, her blue eyes—Raven’s eyes—twinkling. The only difference is Raven’s hair is black, but both of Laurelyn’s daughters look just like her.
“I can’t get over how much she looks like Raven when she was born,” she gushes.
“I’m going to have to keep a loaded shotgun around for this one.”
Daniel chuckles, his gaze shifting to his daughter. “I know what you mean.”
“Can I hold one?” Dani asks.
Laurelyn steps up to the bed, carefully setting Hailey in Dani’s arms and explaining how to hold her. She doesn’t move, keeping her hands under the baby.
“Hi, baby,” Dani coos. “I can’t wait for you to get big so we can play.”
Hailey yawns, stretching her tiny hand in the air.
Fuck, I’m gone.
So far gone over a little girl who’s only two days old.
As if reminding me he exists, Chaos lets out a series of sharp cries. Smiling, I take him from Daniel, cradling him close to my chest. He calms down, lids fluttering open. My own eyes stare back at me, and it’s like being hit by a second bolt of lightning. The first was when I cut Hailey’s umbilical cord. I look over to the bed, to Raven and Hailey, wondering how they could all fit in my heart. Only two years ago, I thought I was incapable of love. I thought I didn’t know what the word meant. Now I’m in love with three people.
Three people I need to keep safe.
Gritting my teeth in determination, I reluctantly hand Chaos to Raven.
