by Kendra Riley
Everyone stopped what they were doing when it was time to blow out the candles in the cake. Half of it was covered in blueprints for technology and the other half of the cake was covered in animal sculptures. When it was time to blow out the cake, the twins each blew out a half of the cake. The crowd cheered for them and told them both, “Happy Birthday!”
When it was time for everyone to leave, Nichole handed out goody bags to all of the children. They thanked everyone and assured them they hoped everyone had a good time. Nicolette and Miguel fell asleep before they had a chance to open their gifts from their mom and dad.
Nichole left Miguel’s new bearded dragon in his room and Victor left a tablet on Nicolette’s desk. He knew she would love it. The kids woke up the next day and shrieked as soon as they saw their gifts. Their parents waited for them in the kitchen. Miguel understood the responsibilities of taking care of a live animal and walked carefully with his bearded dragon on his arm. Nicolette was already using her tablet to video chat her friends.
While Nichole smiled at how much fun her kids were having, Melissa called her. “Hey! The boys got in! They’re going to start their new school on Monday!” Melissa exclaimed.
“That’s great!” Nichole screamed. “They are going to have a blast there. I know they’re going to love it, one-hundred percent,” Nichole added.
I can’t wait to see them in their uniforms!” Melissa said.
Nichole chuckled. “They will look mighty spiffy, I tell you that.”
“My boys have to look spiffy. If they look spiffy enough, they can get jobs tomorrow!” Melissa joked.
“Yeah, I know what you mean, I’m already trying to get rid of my freeloaders and I have one on the way.” Nichole laughed. The two chuckled at their jokes. “Do you want to hand out with me tomorrow? I have absolutely nothing to do,” Nichole asked.
“Sure, I don’t think I’m busy but if I am, I’ll just drop it.” Melissa laughed.
“Great, you were probably planning on doing that anyway.” Nichole laughed.
“Hey, worry about yourself, ma’am,” Melissa joked.
“I already knew you were. You always take off this day for some reason. You even did it when you were my assistant,” Nichole admitted.
“I do?” Melissa asked.
“Yeah, you didn’t notice that?” Nichole asked.
“No, never,” Melissa admitted. Then she laughed. “I learn something new every day.”
After dropping the kids off at school, Nichole and Melissa met for coffee at a small shop nearby. “This is a beautiful day,” Nichole said as they sat at a table and looked around.
“I know, right. I’m glad we decided to come out today,” Melissa agreed.
“How are you?” Nichole asked.
“I’m okay. I don’t see Matthew much anymore because he’s always at work but whenever I do see him, we always talk endlessly and the great part is that we still don’t fight. I’m just glad we still have a great connection and sense of conversation. He’s been back and forth from work for months,” Melissa admitted.
“I know, with all of the projects Victor has been working on, he’s always away on business. I’m working a lot and even I’m home more often. The kids barely see him too but when he’s home we make love, we go to sleep, he kisses me goodbye, then he’s off to work again,” Nichole admitted.
“So what did the boys think about the school?” Nichole asked, attempting to change the subject.
“They love it to death. They have something there for both of their interests and it just amazes them. It amazes me too! I just wish we would have had the money to go to schools like that when we were younger. But boy, those were the days we have so many great memories. I’m just glad we made it big so our kids would have better lives than we did. I remember working those teenage jobs just so we could go out and have fun, but we were always working and could never actually go out and have fun,” Melissa ranted.
“Today is a new day, it’s a new dawn, it’s a new light,” Nichole replied.
“Did you just quote a song?” Melissa asked.
“You weren’t supposed to notice. You were just supposed to say, “Wow that was insightful,” and leave it at that.” Nichole laughed.
“That’s plagiarism, young lady,” Melissa joked.
“What are you going to do? Give me an F?” Nichole rebelled.
“Oh wow. I remember when that happened in eighth grade! We had those journals that we had to write poems in and you used the words to Humpty Dumpty and ended up getting an F for the whole class!” Melissa laughed.
“I brought the grade up though!” Nichole exclaimed. The two reminisced and before they knew it, it was time to pick up the kids. They planned their next day together and parted ways.
Nichole picked up Nicolette and Miguel from school. “How was school you two?” Nichole asked.
“I got an A on my test.” Nicolette smiled.
“I got an A on my quiz.” Miguel smiled. “Now let’s hurry up and get home so I can see Plod,” Miguel added.
“Plod?” Nichole asked.
“My bearded dragon,” Miguel replied.
“I like that name Plod. I think I have a Plod shirt with a Plod skirt. My favorite pattern is Plod.” Nichole laughed at her own corny joke but neither Nicolette or Miguel thought it was funny.
“Fine, I’ll get you home so you can see Plod,” Nichole said dryly. “Did you guys see Bryan and Todd?” Nichole asked as she stopped at a red light.
“I told you that was them!” Nicolette exclaimed.
“I thought they were just boys that looked like them!” Miguel replied. “We only saw them for a second because we’re in different classes. I knew they looked familiar but I didn’t know it was them,” he finished.
They finally got back to the house and saw Victor’s car outside. “Dad’s home!” Miguel screamed. The twins got out of the car and ran towards the house. Nichole turned off the vehicle and also headed inside. Victor was inside of the house already hugging his children.
“Are you going to be here for a while, Dad?” Nicolette asked.
“I don’t know yet. It all depends on how things go with this new project,” Victor admitted.
Victor looked up at Nichole and he had a big smile on his face. “I missed you, my queen,” Victor said as he held his arms open for Nichole. She walked into his hug and wrapped her arms around him.
“I missed you too, my love,” she responded.
“How’s the baby?” he asked. He put his hand on her stomach.
“We’ll know the gender in about a week or two. Everything is fine. I just wish you were home more.” Nichole sighed.
“I know and I will be soon. The building in New York is having some issues. The workers are terrible but I work with what I can get,” Victor replied.
“Is this one of yours or one you’re helping with?” Nichole asked.
“I’m just helping with it. I would never let one of those workers touch my buildings,” Victor growled.
“I’m glad to know you still have standards.” Nichole chuckled.
“What have you been up to?” Victor asked.
“I’ve been taking care of the kids and spending time with Melissa.”
Victor began making sandwiches. I know you’re probably hungry, huh?” he asked.
“Yes, I am starving!” Nichole exclaimed.
“Daddy! Come look at Plod!” screamed Miguel as he ran down the steps. “His spikes are getting longer and he’s turning more of a tan color than an orange! Isn’t he cool?” Miguel asked.
“Yes, he is the coolest. Did you say his name was Plod?” Victor asked.
“You can question the name but it won’t change it,” Miguel replied before turning away and going back upstairs.
“Feisty, just like someone I know.” Victor laughed. “I have missed you all so much. I really need to come home soon before my head explodes with blueprints. I really should let these people get the blueprints and work it out th
emselves.”
Nichole walked up behind Victor and wrapped her arms around him and said, “Maybe you can.”
The Final Chapter
“What do you mean, maybe I can?” Victor asked.
“Well, maybe you can simply video chat instead of actually going there. Nicolette does it all the time,” Nichole replied.
Victor scratched his chin and he thought for a moment. “Do you think it would be that easy?”
“You’re a very busy man, Victor. I’m sure anyone would allow you to contact whomever you wished just because you’re that important,” Nichole responded.
“I just want to be home more often. I want to spend more time with you all. Tashka and Zap miss me more than anything,” Victor replied with a puckered lip.
“I might cry if you don’t come home,” Nichole said with a sad face.
“Okay from now on, I will only accept video chat calls instead of flying or driving all over the place,” Victor vowed.
“Yay!” Nichole cheered. “It’ll be great to have you home. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow and I would love it if you would go with me!” Nichole exclaimed as she hugged Victor tightly.
“Of course, I will go with you. Give me all of your appointment dates! I never want to miss one.” Victor smiled.
The next day came and Nichole and Victor were sitting in a doctor’s office. The doctor entered the room and looked at Nichole. “Hey Dr. Barbosa, how are you today?” the doctor asked.
“I’m doing well, and how are you?” Nichole asked.
“I’m good. Let’s see how good the baby is doing,” the doctor replied. She took Nichole’s weight and measured how round her stomach was. Then she applied the gel to Nichole’s stomach and began to look on the monitor as she moved the instrument around to see the baby. “Oh wow, this is an itty bitty one,” the doctor announced. “Don’t worry he’s still in great shape.”
“He?” Nichole asked.
“Yeah, it’s a boy!” the doctor exclaimed. “I love my job, you know? I get to spread good news all the time. Things like this just make my heart happy,” the doctor replied. “Just try to eat more. We want to fatten him up.”
“Okay,” Nichole replied with a smile. The two left the doctor’s office and went home.
“That was a fast appointment,” Victor brought up.
“Yeah, it’s usually like that,” Nichole replied.
“I really have been missing a lot, haven’t I?” Victor sighed.
“Yeah, but it isn’t your fault. You’re here now, my love,” Nichole assured.
“I feel like I need to do better. You’re the love of my life and I don’t want to lose you over being a workaholic,” Victor said sounding worried.
“You won’t lose me. Where did you get an idea like that?” Nichole asked.
“I’ve seen things like this happen all the time with a lot of my guy friends. I know I shouldn’t worry but I always try to expect the unexpected. I just don’t want to lose you and the kids,” Victor said as a tear slid down his cheek and onto his shirt.
“I promise you, I will not leave. For better or for worse. I want you to remember that. Never forget, okay?” Nichole replied as she held onto his hand.
“From now on, work will not revolve around my life. You want me home, then I’m home,” Victor replied. “I don’t want to miss Nicolette and Miguel’s lives,” he finished.
“You won’t miss it because I won’t let you miss it,” Nichole demanded. “You need to get out of this rut because I hate seeing you like this. You’re a great husband, a wonderful father, and the perfect man,” Nichole assured. “You can’t go around stuck in the clouds. If you spend your time worrying then you might stress yourself out and I can’t have you losing your mind right now. I love you and I’m never going to let you go. I understand you want to get enough money to last a lifetime for the rest of the generation and the next and the next over that but you have to understand that you are my lifetime partner.
“We may even meet again and be together in the next life. My love for you is stronger than any storm. My heartbeat is so strong it could break through diamonds. You are my life support. You move, I move. You fight, I fight. You cry, I cry. Your happiness is my happiness and your stress is my stress. Victor Barbosa, I need you to realize I am in this forever.”
Victor gave a smile and told Nichole he was lucky to have her. She smiled back and told him she loved him too and need him to stay strong. Then she went and laid down for a nap while Victor went and picked up the kids.
Nichole had a strange dream about Victor cheating on her. She begged him to stay and asked him who the other woman was. “She’s nobody. You’re the only one for me,” he replied. Nichole looked over at his phone and it was ringing. She picked it up and answered it. “Hello?” she asked. “Hey, it’s me. Thank you so much for the other night,” the voice replied. Nichole hung up and screamed at Victor.
“So, you don’t know who she is, huh? Then why did she call your phone and say she enjoyed last night?” Nichole shouted. Victor proceeded to repeat the speech she told him before she took a nap. “My love for you is stronger than any storm. My heartbeat is so strong it could beat through diamonds. You are my life support. You move, I move. You fight, I fight. You cry, I cry. Your happiness is my happiness and your stress is my stress. Nichole Barbosa, I need you to realize I am in this forever.”
***
Nichole began to scream and woke up in a cold sweat. As soon as she sat up, Victor walked into the room. He automatically knew something was wrong.
“What is it?” Victor asked.
“I had a dream you cheated on me,” Nichole cried.
“Honey, you know I would never!” Victor exclaimed.
“I feel like I’m old to you now. You could have any woman you wanted and you’re stuck here with me!”
“Why would you think that way?” Victor asked.
“I don’t know. I just feel like you’re going to look for someone new!” she cried. Victor grabbed her and held her.
“It’s just the hormones playing with your mind. I would be a fool to leave a priceless gem for a rock. I cannot leave a beautiful parrot for an empty egg. How could I abandon a mama bear and her three cubs if they are my cubs too?” Victor asked. Nichole sniffled and laid down.
“Will you lie down with me?” Nichole asked.
“I will make us something to eat and I will be right back, okay?” Victor asked. Nichole nodded her head and turned on the television to wait for Victor.
When he returned she was watching cartoons. He put their food on their nightstands and lay down with Nichole. She took a couple bites of her food and cuddled up against him. They fell asleep but were shortly woken up by the kids.
“We’re hungry,” wined Miguel. Nichole handed her plate of food over to Nicolette who happily accepted and walked away. Victor handed his food over to Miguel and he left but ended up going to the kitchen for a snack shortly after. Nichole ended up sleeping all through the night and so did Victor. When Nicolette and Miguel woke up, they realized their parents were still fast asleep.
“Call Terry, he’ll take us,” Nicolette told Miguel. Miguel did as he was told and he called Terry.
“Hey Miguel, is everything okay?” Terry asked.
“Yeah, we just need a ride to school,” Miguel answered.
“Oh, alright. I’m on the way,” Terry replied. When he got there, he saw that the kids were already dressed and waiting.
“Why aren’t your parents taking you?” Terry asked.
“They were asleep. Mom’s pregnant and Dad’s been really busy. We thought it would be best to catch a ride,” Miguel responded.
“Oh, I see. Why didn’t you just take the bus?” Terry asked.
“I forgot about the bus,” Nicolette admitted.
“We have our bus numbers and everything,” Miguel gasped.
Terry chuckled. “It’s all right, I don’t mind. I was just curious.”
Nichole woke u
p and gasped. “Where are the kids?” Victor shot upright and looked around.
He glanced at the time and sighed. “They’re at school.”
“Did you take them?” she asked.
“No,” Victor said, growing wide-eyed. They called Terry after checking the entire house.
“Terry! The kids are missing!” Nichole screamed.
“I took them to school.” Terry laughed.
“What? When?” Nichole asked.
“This morning, they gave me a call. They wanted to give you a break. I don’t blame them. You two are always running and you’re feeding for two,” Terry explained. “Don’t be mad at them. I didn’t mind it at all. I thought it was really sweet. I reminded them they could ride the bus too.”
Nichole took a deep breath. “Thank you, Terry. I’ll talk to you later.” She sighed and hung up the phone.
“What did he say?” Victor asked.
“He took them to school,” she replied.
“Tashka! Zap!” Nichole screamed. Shortly after the two walked into the room and waited for instructions. “Come to Mommy,” Nichole instructed. They jumped onto the bed and got comfortable and Nichole cuddled with them and fell asleep.
“Hey Mom, here’s our report cards,” Nicolette said as she sat two papers on the nightstand.
“Dads taking us out for ice cream!” Miguel cheered.
“Tell him to bring me back something,” Nichole mumbled before falling back to sleep. She woke up and Victor was lying on the bed, asleep. She looked over and saw the report cards. She picked them up and examined them.
“All A’s. Go Nicolette!” Nichole whispered. She looked at the other one. “Yay! Miguel also gets all A’s!” she whispered. She noticed her drawer that is usually empty was slightly opened and she opened it all the way. There was a large silver dish with condensation on the outside of it. She lifted the lid and saw ice inside of it. She reached her hand inside of the ice and found a spoon and a chocolate fudge sundae.
She turned on her favorite movie and she began to eat her sweet treat. She looked over at Victor who laid on his back, had his head turned to the side and his mouth was slightly open. Even when he looked weird she thought he was the most handsome man in the galaxy.
