Page 69 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

The door opened as I was about to come down from the bed. I paused and stared at Mrs. Rodriguez and Yoselin as they walked into the room, each cradling a baby in their arms. They both smiled warmly at me as they approached the bed.

“They are beautiful. He looks like you.” Mrs. Rodriguez beamed, bringing the baby closer and placing him in my arms.

He squirmed, his eyes blinking several times as he looked up at my face. I was smiling so big even if my arms were shaking from nerves and so many emotions I couldn’t contain, and then my whole world lit up when those tiny lips pulled into a smile. I burst into tears, my tentative fingers tracing his soft and smooth cheeks. He cooed, tiny fingers trying to hold something.

I looked beside me at Yoselin. I supported the boy in one arm and took the girl in my other arm. She was fast asleep. The most adorable being I had ever seen. They looked so delicate. I couldn’t believe I had given birth to these two humans, and now, I had to bring them up and be a parent.

Holy shit, I’m a mom.

I couldn’t believe, yesterday, they had been in my womb, and now, they were real humans and I was responsible for them. They smelled like life, like my new source of happiness. I examined every little detail on their faces. Their tiny fingers and bluest eyes. I had never felt so much love for a person in my life, and it made me want to kill anyone who touched them.

I won’t screw this up. I will make sure I give them my all and keep them safe and happy.

“They are mine. These beautiful babies are mine,” I whispered, a tear rolling down my cheek. “I wanna protect them so badly. I have never felt so protective in my life.”

I laughed, and the boy’s soft giggles melted my heart, spreading light to every darkness and bringing colors into my life. For the first time in months, I felt alive again. I felt like I had a purpose.

“So, have you decided what names you will give them?” Yoselin asked.

“Yes.” I smiled, staring between the twins in my arms, which were starting to hurt but I didn’t care. “Kayden and Kayla.”

“I love it.” Mrs. Rodriguez grinned.

I might have been a little too secretive with the names.

“Smile,” Yoselin said. Holding up her phone, she took several pictures of us and selfies.

Kayla’s soft cries echoed in the room, and I looked to Mrs. Rodriguez for guidance.

“Yoselin,toma al chico,” Mrs. Rodriguez said.

“Can you breastfeed?” Mrs. Rodriguez asked me.

“Not really,” I mumbled.

She guided me through the process—how to position the baby, how to hold the baby, and the best posture to use while breastfeeding. There was a slight pain once I started. It made me bite down on my lip while Mrs. Rodriguez told me it was only going to hurt for a few days.

I looked down at Kayla, who kept her eyes on me. I wondered if she could see me. I’d heard babies were born blind. Her eyes were the lightest shade of blue. Her tiny fingers gripped my thumb as she fed.

And it slowly hit me as I stared at her. She looked so much like Tristan. No rage could erase his image from my brain. No matter the distance had put between us or the intensity of hatred I harbored, I could never forget his face. I could never escape him. The way his eyes told a story, that smile he rarely gave people, and his big hands. Yes, I missed those damn hands.

20

______________________

Cuba

NOW

“I had twins. Kayden has a twin.”

“What?” he mumbled, staring at me without blinking.

“He has a sister,” I said, rubbing my elbow like it could ease the feeling in my chest.

He was silent for a long seconds before his face slowly morphed into realization, as if my words finally sank into his head.

“Oh shit!” he groaned. Turning away from me, he punched the wall next to the closet and mumbled another curse.

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