Chapter 10

Timothy

Five years ago

I roll over in the bed, intending to wrap my arm around Neveah, but her side of the bed is empty. I get up and squint my eyes in the room, looking around for her. I notice the bathroom door is open, and all her stuff is gone. No note was left, or her phone number. She left. Maybe she didn't leave that long ago. I can find her. I throw on basketball shorts, a t-shirt, and my crocs, and I run out of the cabin. I look around the vendors and camping grounds and don't see anyone at this early hour. I do something out of character, and I'm almost embarrassed that I do it. I yell her name.

"Neveah!" I yell.

"Hey, shut the fuck up," someone yells from one of the tents.

"Fuck off," I yell back as I walk back to the cabin. I plop on the bed face down. Worst mistake I made because I faceplant on the pillow she used, which smells like her. "Damn it"

I get in the shower to see if I can get out of this funk. Every inch of this place reminds me of her. She was amazing, and I thought we had a connection that I wanted to see if it went anywhere. I never felt like this with anyone, and when I did, she ghosted me. I know I hardly knew her, but I feel so mad at how sad I feel. I finish getting dressed, and Toby walks in.

"Can we get the fuck out of here?" I snap at him.

"Damn, what the fuck crawled up your ass Timmy," He snaps back.

"I just want to go home."

"What happened?"

"What the fuck do you mean? What happened? You ditched me and left me on my own. We were supposed to spend time together, remember?"
"I'm so sorry, but I met up with my friend, and one thing led to another, and you know how things go."

"It is what it is. Can we go? I say, picking up my duffel bag and find a butterfly clip, her butterfly clip. I pick it up and put it in my pocket. "Can I drive?"

"Whatever gets you in a better mood, hermano," Toby says, handing me the keys.

The drive home was quiet because Toby fell asleep as soon as I hit the freeway. I was listening to music, and the song Eres, the song we kissed too, came on the radio, and a tear slipped out of my eye.

A beeping brings me here and now, and I stand there hugging Neveah in Noah's hospital room. She is looking at me like I lost my damn mind, and I let her go when there is a knock on the glass sliding door. Thor.

"Doc, you know we're boys, but I got to do my job, and she has to leave the floor," Thor says in a whisper though his whisper is still booming. I sigh and nod at him.

"Okay, Thor, give her a second to kiss our son," I say, and he nods. "Go ahead and give him a kiss, Neveah." She walks over and kisses his forehead. She cries, and I squeeze her shoulder gently.

"Please, Timothy, make sure they take care of him,"

"Oh, course I will," I say.

"Timothy, please, if he walks up, don't say anything about being his father."

"Neveah, please, I want to get to know them. Give me that chance."
"Timothy, I have a lot to think about it. Give me time." She says. "Bye, Timothy."

"Wait, give me your phone to put in my number. Call me at any time to check on Noah." I say, and she hands it over, and I put it in.

Once she leaves in the elevator with Thor, I sink into the chair next to Noah's bed. I hold his tiny hand in my own, and I sob uncontrollably. My phone vibrates, and I look at it.

Unknown Number: Timothy, it's Neveah. Please take care of my baby boy.

Me: Our baby boy, and of course I will. I'll text you any updates.

I was being facetious with my text about saying he was our baby boy, but I'm so irritated. I know I irked her when she didn't respond. The door opens, and Toby walks into the room. He runs his hand over Noah's hair, and I see tears falling down his face. He bends down, kisses Noah's temple, and smiles at me.

"Damn, he looks just like us, Timmy."

"I have a daughter, too," I say. Toby's face is comical, and I chuckle. "Noah has a twin sister named Norah."

"You're fucking joking," Toby laughs.

"Nope, it feels so surreal," I say.

"Is she going to let you get to know them?"

"She said that she has to think about it," I say, getting emotional.

"What's she got to think about? They're your kids!" Toby says, getting mad. "Fuck!"

"What?"

"It's my fault that this happened. I should have told you that she came up and told me that she was pregnant."

"No. It's not your fault. Seriously though, did you forget you had an identical twin?"

"No, you never hook up with just anyone. You told me that remember?"

"Yeah, yeah, I remember that." I laugh.

"So.." Toby starts.

"What?" I laugh.

"Henry and Neveah are staying at my place."

"Oh, you mean in the penthouse next to mine," I laugh.

"Sorry, don't be sorry. If she lets me be in the children's lives, it will be easy now with everything going on."

"If? She better!" He says through gritted teeth. "I'm going home."

"Chill, don't say anything. You may fuck things up for me if you do."

"Fine, but I won't hold my tongue if she brings it up. You may want to seek a lawyer if you need one." Toby comes up and kisses the top of my head, and I hug his waist from my sitting position. "Te amo Hermano."

"Te amo, buenas noches."

I'm finally alone in the room with Noah. I check all his machines, and all his vitals look excellent. I take out my phone and text Neveah.

Me: Vitals are excellent. Everything looks great. Get some rest.

Neveah: Thank you, Timothy. Call me if anything changes.

Me: Will do.

Neveah: Timothy, when do they usually wake up after surgery like these?

Me: Normally, we keep the patients sedated for at least two days due to the pain that they go through.

Neveah: Oh no, is he in pain?

Me: No, Neveah, he's not, but when he wakes, we won't be fun to be around. I know from experience, but we will make him as comfortable as possible.

Neveah: Thank you for being there when I couldn't.

Me: He's my son, too, and I would do anything for him and Norah.

A nurse comes in to check Noah's IV and offers me a cot, and I'm grateful for it. I'm exhausted. Before I lay down, I kiss Noah, bend down, and whisper to him.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you and your sissy papito. I'm here now. I love you."

Hours later I awake with a start when someone touches my shoulder, it's Penny, and I sigh. I don't have time for her bullshit today or any other day. I sit up straight when I hear a gurgling from Noah. He's breathing over his vent, and he's moaning. I get up and look at the monitors; everything is still okay. He's trying to wake up, but he should still be sleeping for his body to heal.

"His vent needs to come out," I say quickly. "Penny, I can't touch him, get someone, or I'll do it myself."

"Calm down, Orozco. I'll take it off." Dr. Phillips says with a laugh. I roll my eyes at him, causing him to laugh more. I flip him off.

"Just take it out," I say while holding Noah's hand. Phillips removes the vent while Noah begins to gag. Noah starts to cry, but it's raspy and quiet. "Shhhhh, sweet boy, shhhhh."

"Maaaaaama, Maaaaama," he gasps out. I try to comfort him as best as I can. "MAMA" he shrieks.

"Buddy, let's call mama. Would you like that?" he looks at me with his huge blue eyes with unshed tears. My eyes, to be exact.

I take out my cell and find Neveah's number. My son wants his mama and he's mama he'll get.