Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
“I got it,” I told Luca.
“You sure?”
“Yes,” I confirmed as I gently climbed into his bed.
It felt so much better than the one I’d been sleeping in for the last few days.
After a week, I was finally released and sent home to be with my family.
Doctors wanted to keep a close eye on any possibility of internal bleeding or any immediate threat to my baby’s life.
My lungs were showing low oxygen levels after the first two days, which required round-the-clock assistance from the oxygen machine.
But after the fifth day, everything was normal again and my vitals were spectacular.
“When are the girls coming?”
“You sure you got it?”
“Would you like to lay me down yourself?”
“I would,” he admitted.
“I’m fine, Luca. Just taking it easy.”
He acted as if I would break at any second. Coming home to his concerns was worse than staying at the hospital and having someone knock on the door every two or three hours to bother me, but I knew he meant well.
“They’re on the way now. My mom is bringing them on her way home.”
“Good.”
“You need anything?”
“Just my girls and for you to relax.”
“I’m cool. I just need you to relax.”
With a shake of my head, I rested my back against the headboard.
It felt so good to be home. Even the air smelled different at Luca’s.
It smelled fresher, better, and the city view brought me comfort that was inexplicable.
I’d missed everything about Luca and his home and the girls and my apartment.
I couldn’t wait to get back into the swing of things.
“I know my customers are going to kill me. I’ll have to cancel a few cake orders and refund them. I know I’ll be down for at least another week with my ribs healing so slowly.”
“We can worry about that later. Lyric has your business line and has been trying to figure out where your schedule is. I know you don’t like help in the bakery, but maybe a temporary assistant until you’re fully recovered is a good idea.
You might actually appreciate the help more than you know. A few days a week won’t hurt.”
“I’m sure I’ll need the help.”
“Mommy!” Little hands and little feet came bursting through the bedroom door, bringing me so much joy.
Emorey was the first to climb up and get in my lap. Essence followed suit, but sat right up under me. I wrapped my arms around them both. With sweaty palms and bright eyes, I kissed them all over their small faces. The fulfillment of seeing them brought me was unmatched.
“I missed you two so much.”
“Mommy, you feel better?” Emorey inquired, always the inquisitive one of the two.
“Mommy feels so much better.”
“My old daddy hurt you?”
“Let’s not talk about that, Emorey,” I quieted her, placing a finger to my lip for emphasis.
“I got a new daddy, Mommy,” she told me in a low whisper.
“Do you?”
“Me, too,” Essence joined.
“Really?”
“He name Daddy.” Emorey beamed with joy, looking over at Luca.
“Really?”
“Umm hmmm.”
“Well, guess what, guys?”
I felt that there was no better time to tell them about the bundle of joy their new daddy had blessed us with. I looked to Luca before focusing on the girls again.
“What, Mommy?”
“What?”
“You get to share your new daddy with a new baby soon.”
“You’re having a baby?” Essence lit up.
“You have a baby in you tummy?” Emorey frowned, tilting her head to try to understand how.
“Yes. Mommy has a baby in her tummy.”
“You tummy little, Mommy. You not have a baby in there, silly.” She laughed.
“I do. It’ll get really big soon and Mommy will hardly be able to walk and then you’ll have to help Mommy around the house. You think you can do that?”
“Yes, ’cause I strong, Mommy. Woook at my muscles. I stronger.” Emorey balled her fists and showed me the muscles she thought she had.
“Oh wow. Big, strong muscles.”
“Is it a girl or a boy?” Essence wanted to know.
“We don’t know yet but your dad seems to think it’s a boy. We’ll just have to wait and see. What do you think?”
“I think it’s a boy, too,” Essence agreed with Luca.
“I don’t wan’ a boy!” Emorey folded her arms over her chest.
Everyone in the room burst into laughter, knowing how things could go south if we continued the conversation. Emorey had a way of believing that it was either her way or the highway. Unfortunately, in this case, she didn’t get to choose. We could only take what God gave us.
“Is your mom downstairs?”
“I’m sure she is. She wants you to meet someone from the daycare who will be helping us out with the girls until you are back on your feet for good.”
“You hired someone?”
Luca was always being extra cautious and always thought everything through. He executed a plan better than anyone I knew because he was such a meticulous person. In some cases, it made me love him a little more. In other cases, it made me want to chew his head off.
“Yeah. To pick the girls up from school every day and make sure they’re fed. I’ll do the drop-offs. She’ll be gone by bedtime each day. She’s on from 4:00-9:30 p.m. weekdays and 12:00-9:00 p.m. on weekends. Whether you’re at my house or your apartment, she’ll be there to help.”
Luca knew just how much peace being at my apartment with my girls brought me.
I loved his home just as much, but there was something about mine that just broke the mold.
I’d carefully curated a welcoming space that kept my energy up and my spirits high.
Splitting the time between our homes would still be a thing for me.
I simply wanted to rest at his place for the next few days, however.
“OK. You can bring her up.”
Luca disappeared and headed down the stairs. When he returned, he was followed by his mother and a familiar face from the daycare. It was Essence’s summer school teacher.
“Ms. San,” I greeted her with a smile.
It was good to see that Mrs. Einsenberg had chosen someone that I was already familiar with and trusted. The introductions weren’t needed. I’d seen her almost every day in the summer. Essence loved her.
“Hi. Just wanted to say hello. I’ll keep the babies out of your hair so that you can get some rest. I’m going to make sure everybody is fed and in bed by nine. Is there a specific schedule or meal plan you’d like me to follow for the girls?”
“We’re not big on screen time. I like to have dinner done and them sitting down to start eating by seven, seven-thirty at the latest. Bath time is at eight or eight-thirty, depending on how late we stayed at the dinner table.
Bedtime is between eight-thirty and nine.
I like to read them at least one bedtime story each before they go to bed.
Essence is working on weekly spelling words so it’s important that she studies them after school and before bed,” I explained.
“Sounds simple enough. Any food allergies or preferences I should know about?”
“They’re open to trying new things. No one has any allergies that I’m aware of yet.”
“Good. Good. Send them on down when you’re ready. I’ll be down here in this kitchen, trying to figure out what we’re having for dinner.”
San was in her fifties and still had it. She loved kids just as much as Luca’s mom. I could tell how much they brightened her day from the look on her face when another one walked through her classroom door.
“OK.”
“How are you feeling today?” Luca’s mom stepped up to ask.
She parked it right on the edge of the bed, resting her legs but still giving me plenty of space. She was such a selfless woman. I just hoped that I had been labeled the same. I tried to add some good to everyone’s lives I entered, and I hoped it didn’t go unnoticed.
“I’m feeling so much better. It feels so good to be out of that hospital. I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things.”
“Let’s not rush it. You have all the time in the world and help as long as you need it. Focus on healing. Everything else can wait.”
“Everything,” Luca cosigned.
“I heard her, Luca.”
With a smile, he warned me with a finger. I’d missed being in his arms at night and couldn’t wait until the sun fell so that I could fall asleep in them.
“You’re carrying the first Einsenberg grand. Your health is top priority for us all. If there’s anything I can help with or do for you, I’m a call away.”
“OK.”
“I’m going to get out of your hair. I have a date with this fine man tonight, and I wouldn’t miss it for nothing in the world.”
Her haughtiness was exactly why Lyric was the way that she was. Lyric was an exact replica of her mother, down to the dimples in her cheeks. It was funny seeing just how Lyric would be when she got older.
“Man, that nigga old and almost out of commission.”
“Son, you shouldn’t be such a hater. After all, without the juice from his nut sack, you wouldn’t be here. Show some appreciation.”
“Please leave, woman. Like, now!” Luca pointed toward the door.
“I’m just being honest.”
“No one asked for your honesty.”
The two bickered as I listened, utterly amused. I imagined it was what my son and I would look like when he was Luca’s age. That’s if I was having a boy. Luca was convinced, and I was starting to believe him. His faith had rubbed off on me something tough.
“You hear that shit?” he asked when she finally made it out of the room.
“Your family is hilarious.”
“And you’re guilty by association. Our family… our family is hilarious.”
“Our family,” I agreed.
My girls had been so silent that I forgot they were still in the room. When I looked down, I realized why. They’d both fallen asleep in my arms.
“Awwwww. They’re sleeping.”
“They’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed them, too. And, I’m sleepy, too.” I chuckled.
“I’m going to go lay them in their beds so that you can get comfortable.”
“Get the little one first. I want to hold on to my big baby a little longer.”
Luca took Emorey to their room first and followed up with Essence. When he made it back to the bedroom, I’d already slid down and propped pillows underneath me so that I wouldn’t wake up in pain.