Page 32 of Nick

I turned around, “You are impossible.”

“I have to make sure my babies are kept safe. And I think it would be best if you moved in with Julia and me.”

“I am not moving in with you and Julia. I’ll call Axel to pick me up. I have to tell him about the babies. I can’t believe I’m in the same position I was before.”

“You are not in the same position as before. I’m here for my babies. I want to experience everything you’re experiencing.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure that’s impossible. When I was pregnant with Axel, I was only sixteen. I knew nothing about babies. I was lucky I had Samuel and Grandpa helping me. I want you to be in their life. We'll work it out when you get out of the hospital.”

“We’ll definitely be working it out. I want to talk to my babies before they are born. I want to feel them growing. I want to lay next to you and feel them kicking. I have to share your bed every night to do all this.”

“You won’t be sharing my bed every night just because we are having twins. Oh my God, can you believe I’m having twins? Is this what I want? Yes, it is. I can’t wait until my babies are here.”

“Our babies. Julia and I will move into your house because my condo isn’t big enough for six people.”

“Nick, you can’t just move in with me. What would my son think? I have to leave and get some sleep. I have bread to make for tomorrow. I’ll see you in a day or two.”

“Can you bring me some of that bread you make with raisins and walnuts? I had just bought another loaf when my accident happened.”

“Is that what you are calling it? I call it attempted murder. I’ll make sure that guy goes to prison. He could have killed a father of three.”

“Father of three. I’ve always wanted six kids.”

Two days later, Opal had a phone call she never thought she would get.

15

Nick

Icouldn’t believe I heard right. Opal told me she was pregnant with twins, and I was the father. I felt like jumping for joy, but I was on a hospital bed and couldn’t open my eyes. When I did get them open, she wasn’t there. I looked at the paper she laid on me, and there was a sonogram of my babies.

I was going to be the father of twins, and Opal was the mother. I felt like my life was turning around, and I had a chance at happiness again.

Three days later, I was so angry I could have chewed nails and spit them out. Where the hell was she? I called Amber, and she said Opal went to see someone she hadn’t seen in a long time, and Axel went with her.

Who the hell was she talking about? I couldn’t figure out who she meant, so I called Ruby.

“Hello.”

“Hello Ruby, I wanted to see if you could tell me where Opal went. I’m concerned about her and the babies.”

“You don’t have to worry about Opal and the babies. Samuel and Axel are with her. She left this morning and will be back in a couple of days. Grandpa is working in Opal’s Bread Shop with Tina, so everything is fine.”

“Can you tell me where she went?”

“No, I would, but I don’t know where she is. If she calls me, I’ll have her call you.”

“Thank you.”

I was released from the hospital with orders not to pick anything up. I moved around slowly because I was still somewhat sore. Julia was happy I was home. She loved school. I decided to tell her about the babies. I forgot to tell her not to say anything to anyone.

She shared at school that Opal was having twins, who were her sister and brother. She told her grandma and grandpa about the babies too. I was there to help explain what was happening. They seemed happy for us until they asked when the wedding was.

“We haven’t talked about any of that yet. I'll let you know as soon as we’ve decided something.”

“Can we also claim them as our grandkids?”

“I think that would be a wonderful idea. I’m sure Opal won’t mind.”

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