Levanto in a hurry, I put the robe and run to answer the door. I do not want the noise scared the baby and not wake Julienne. Although she feigned sleep most of the night I heard her crying softly.
- I'm coming - whisper to the closed door.
The first thing is I glimpse a brown horse of wood. Soon after, the huge smile of Austin.
- Surprise!
- Austin! - Practically jump on his chest, and he supports me in the air.
- I would send her things, but I had to fix something in these parts - it tells and shows the boxes behind him - So I come by and enjoy seeing the baby, if you please.
- Of course I do not mind - I try to help you with the boxes, but it denies - Ben will love to see you.
While Austin takes care of the boxes, food Benjamin, bathe and put a yellow jumpsuit.
I leave Austin playing with him in the room and I will prepare the breakfast. I tell what happened in recent weeks, including about Liam and Juliane.
Finish, make a tray with breakfast, and I decide to wake Julienne to warn her that Austin is here.
It is not a surprise to enter the room and find it empty. There's a note on the bed, saying he went to the hospital.
I return to the room and unite myself to Benjamin.
- Your uncle will be fine, my love - play with his legs as he babbles, making saliva- bubbles You will know it, and he will love you, you will see.
Julienne returns. Contrary to what I thought, was very moved to see his brother. Despite having not seen Liam said the doctor assured that he is now out of danger. Soon he would be transferred to the room, and visits would be released.
In the afternoon, while Austin is with Ben, I'm going to the hospital with Julienne. At the reception, they inform us that Liam is in room 210. We went up and we came across Neil and Jenny entering the room. Adam is standing at the door. It seriously looks at Julienne, then at me, and enter.
Take a deep breath to keep quiet and move on.
Julienne stake next to me on the way and looks at me panic.
- What happened, Julienne? - I ask to hold his cold hands - Nurse downstairs ensured that Liam is fine.
- And if he does not want to see me? - She sniffs and dry your eyes - I was so stupid, Penny.
- Of course you'll want to see- you smile, stroking his face - Why do not we go and you tell him everything you feel?
- After everyone leaves - she whispers - Please go you first. I'm not ready, if he send me away.
- It's ok.
I enter. Liam smiled at me. It is the first person in my field of vision. I smile back. Despite the tired and haggard appearance, remains the same playful ever. The doctor warned that it was not all for being there, but Liam was insistent and unbearable.
- Doctors are the worst patients in the world - explains the doctor before leaving grumbling.
All laugh at the faces of Liam - the same boy in a man's body. Eye glimpse of Adam. He continues to look at me steadily.
You do not want me here. I do not care. Liam is my friend and uncle of his son, he will have to accept that.
- Why'd you do that, you idiot? - Asks Neil to give a light pat on Liam's head - I wanted a job as Superman? I am afraid, but it is not part of the Avengers, will have to do more if you want to join the team.
- HAHA - Liam rolls his eyes - Tony Stark and his good humor.
- Do not ever do crazy like that! - Jenny rebukes. - It's too important to us.
- Do you have your children, Jenny - Liam looks at her with love and regret - A family. I have nothing to lose.
Oh, Liam, you have family, dear friends, and now a beautiful nephew waiting to meet you. There's a lot to lose.
- You have nothing? - Adam asks angrily, giving voice to my thoughts - and our parents, our sister, your fil ...
The hurt look deviates from Liam and faces mine. It seems distressed, lost.
When he leaves, I follow.
- Come in, Julienne - his voice falters and he looks at me - Tell him everything.
Tell Liam about Ben? That was what he was suggesting to her?
My heart leaps with this remote possibility. There was one day since I learned about Benjamin, that I had not dreamed of this moment.
- Adam?
Vacillate two steps toward him. I see the hurt and despair in his eyes.
- Liam has everything I always wanted. I do not believe you do not know how lucky you are - he says before giving me his back and out, leaving me alone and lost.
What he refers? What both envy? A love like Liam and Julienne? That's what he craves?
- I've been here all the time, Adam - I whisper to empty, with tears in his eyes - I and his son. And we still are.
It seems that what happened to Liam had finally made to see what really matters in life - family.
Chapter 38
Adam
The days, the hours, the most terrible moments of my life. A series of maddening events. I just met this fear once: when Penelope almost lost in that accident.
When I reached the hospital almost killed Liam, I would lose my sanity. It could have been a victim of Nathan cruelties. Whenever I think about it, my anger increases. And I never felt so much hatred for someone like felt for him.
Nathan is a selfish psychopath. Chaos creator and destruction wherever he went. A scumbag who no one would miss. On the contrary; his death would finally give peace to all the people who harmed. And if he was not already dead when I arrived at the hangar, if that bastard had not gone back to hell where it should never have left, I would have been able to kill him with my own hands. I avenged Neil, Jenny and my brother.
I think of the anguish of my parents, of Katty, our friends, my own despair, while we waited in fear for some information.
Only I went home after surgery. This is because, after seeing Liam for a few minutes, my father demanded that I go away.
- Liam will be fine - he assured - Now go home, bathe, feed and rest up a bit.
That's what I did. After almost 48 grueling hours, watching my brother, I could finally get some sleep. But the next day, the first rays of morning, was back in the hospital.
Liam could tell it had nothing to lose, when you have both? And in a way I envy you. The memory of what Julienne heard while he was unconscious not left my mind at any time of the day.
- You can enter but can only get two at a time - the nurse said as soon as I arrived - In the afternoon he will be transferred to the room, and visits will be released. The girlfriend is with him, but he's asleep.
I follow to Liam's room. Dr. Martin was leaving. I asked some questions and listening intently on his progress.
- Liam will be fine - that's what he said. Liam is a strong man. Liam was brave. Liam was a great hero. Yes, he is all that and a little more.
It is more than a dear brother. He's my best friend, always has been. The boy who carried me back when I was afraid to climb trees. Who defended me in school, even if his opponent was bigger than him. The friend who was silent beside me when my guilt was too much to bear; who shared my pain whenever he was stronger than me. The guy who, even though I tried to pull away, would give his life for me and for the people you love. And I firmly believe that any of us would do the same for him.
- You can not leave me, Liam - Julienne cried softly, close to his bed - I love you so much. I need you. Are you listening to me?
I stopped in the doorway, watching the scene, undecided whether to stay or leave. This was a moment of them, even if Liam was unconscious, I feel like break into something special.
- There are so many people who love you too - she sobbed, bringing his hand to his lips - and have the baby, think of it, dear. You have to be good to meet you. So stay well, stay with us, please.
Kicked, startled by what I heard. I knocked against the door ajar. I looked back at them and I came across the expression of sadness and Julienne distress.
His words fell on me like a meteor exploding in my head.
Julienne pregnant wit
h Liam. A son he risked never know.
- Sorry - mumbled rushed and left, tripping over my legs.
Shaken by the news, I walked the halls aimlessly. I do not remember how I got home, only that I cried, I thanked for his life, for his new family. And I cried out to God that, though maybe I did not deserve, but also look for me. A lost sheep, trying to find his way back.
At that moment, I felt jealous of Liam; I wished fervently, and with all my heart, the gift he received.
Penelope, I ... a son.
All of us together.
****
Then I left the room - in fact, I fled - because I needed air. Having to face Penelope and not knowing if it would be able to hold the urge to tell her everything that we were losing by a pride meaningless.
I left because the revelation about the most precious thing that Liam would have to receive from Julienne, not me, and I was the second to reveal everything, such was my anger at him.
Between Julienne. Tell him everything. I asked her already with my broken heart.
And although I have seen in Penelope to amalgamated insecurity to a thread of hope, I knew that this is not the time for declarations and promises.
We have many issues to be resolved.
I follow straight to my house.
- Peter? Where are you? I'm going home, I need to talk to you.
I left the tenth message in your mailbox. With all that had happened to Neil and Jenny, the help I asked him had to wait. Now I believe it is time to put the plan into practice.
If you want something like Liam has, I can not give in and be regretting my life forever. So it's just a matter of time to prove Penelope that we feel is too strong to overcome everything we have ever faced.
I'm going straight to my home office. I focused on clean up the mess I left there. I had time. What he needed was to occupy the head and hold the wave.
Night had fallen when Peter arrived. Exhausted, he collapsed on the couch while I went to get something in the kitchen for him to eat. He is a strong man, but I see you're also exhausted.
- Sorry not have come before - he mutters eyes closed - I was solving some things.
I put the dish on the table and sit beside him on the couch. Peter is not a man who talks a lot of their problems. As I recall, I never saw him citing some, but was always present for all of us, whether for a professional event, or as he says, for our follies.
- Want to talk?
He looks at me, but do not know if sees me exactly.
- The fish dies by the mouth - he whispers, as if what he said was a revelation even for him.
- As?
His eyes blink and now look at me.
- It's just a popular expression - I notice it be disconcerted, and his attention goes to the plate in front of him - Cereal? Not baby food?
He smiled and bent my shoulders in an apology changes. It's just what I have to offer. Cooking is not my forte. And I have no inspiration for the little I know.
- What did you talk to me?
- Liam will have a child - reveal proud, as if I myself were the father.
Peter spits, smearing my milk and cereal shirt.
- What the fuck did you say?
Clean shirt and look at him.
- Liam and Julienne have a baby. All our friends are well. So we can put that plan into practice?
- Would it if I say no?
- Would I, if you think it's crazy - sigh, rubbing my face - I do not want shit again.
- Have you done so - it causes, pushing the dish of my hands vindictive - One more, one less makes no difference.
Yes, I've done a lot of shit. I failed more times than I can count, and had given up when it should have continued fighting.
But Neil and Jenny went through so much chaos and misery and still together and happy. Richard made follies and fought for Paige and Liam fell in love.
I believe that all they have done shit at some point. Besides, what difference would it make? I can not lose, because I do not have anything.
- Okay, enough of baby food - I get up, remembering that I left the phone in the office - Get the beers, I'll ask the pizzas.
We do not talk about problems, work or all the madness of the last days. Just sat there like old times. As we did before, just two guys watching a game on TV.
While I believe that neither of us is really paying attention to any bid.
All the same, but in a way, so different.
Chapter 39
Penelope
I spent all night rolling on the bed. Walking through the apartment, thinking, remembering. Trying to unravel the fragmented epiphany in my head. Going round and round without actually get somewhere.
Thus, in the early hours of the day, I was up and ready. Apparently, Julienne and Liam walked to understand, but the mission to speak to him about Benjamin's still mine.
I put the most beautiful clothes that Benjamin had. Shirt with white stripes and navy blue, with a built-in bow tie. The vest, pants and shoes in the same shade of blue.
Liam would rise today, the whole family is gathered in the house of his parents. If you want to introduce Ben to his family, there would be no better time than this.
First I talk to Adam. This is a decision that he, like it or not, surrounds. So exactly at the scheduled time, I'm going to check window if the taxi arrived. The driver was already waiting outside. Take the baby bag and leave.
I am not nervous as believed. Maybe it's the fact that Benjamin me that is transmitting all this confidence.
But when in front of the house, I wonder if I was not too hasty. Maybe I should have called. And if Adam is not at home? Or refuse to receive us?
Taking a deep breath, I am filled with determination. I push those thoughts far away. For Benjamin it faces everything, even the risk of having a broken heart.
I type in the security code, which I knew by heart, and celebrate when the gate is opened. I climb the stone trail. It is for Ben, I say again. I ring the company and hope. I adjust the sliding baby in one arm and a bag with his belongings in the other.
I ring the bell again and again. Benjamin babbles. Whisper to him to calm down. Then the door is eventually opened.
I do not know who is more shocked. The big man paralyzed in front of me, looking dumbstruck way for the baby, or if I am to see him.
- Adam is? -pergunto, remembering my reason for being there - Peter?
He departs for me to come, but does not answer the question. I go to the room. I see the beer bottles thrown on the floor and pizza boxes open on the table.
- And this baby? - Asks, still looking at me amazed, astonished, amazed. I shift my gaze. It was obvious that he did not know.
- Benjamin - mumble, looking down - my son.
Not that I feel ashamed, I was just not prepared for the situation. My confidence threatened to vanish. If my reaction was that, think before the whole clan of Crighton.
- This is Benjamin? - Peter asks, pointing to the baby.
I nod my head, and it bends, as if he were having an asthma attack:
- Cum! Fuck! What the fuck!
Benjamin grumbles again, signs of open bawling. Balance the bag starts to get heavy and shake it in my lap, all at the same time. Ignore the verbiage of Peter, since it was taken by surprise. However, in the future I will ask not to do.
Well, here I am idealizing Peter and Benjamin will have some kind of coexistence.
While digress with an impatient baby, Peter walks up to the table, throws the boxes on the ground and take my purse.
- I think he needs a diaper change - justify the wicked ways of Ben while walking to the couch - or perhaps hungry. One of the two always makes half impatient.
I'm babbling, I know. I can not do otherwise as he continues to look at me. Not exactly a sermon to look, but there are dozens of charges veiled there. As a sniffer dog.
- Adam is? - Redo the question and Czech is not necessary to change the diaper.
- I'll call - he replies, his eyes still
glued to Ben.
He runs toward the stairs. Back to pack my invoked and impatient child.
Minutes later, Peter returns alone. My heart failure. He will not get in?
- Adam's in the shower, come down soon - he says.
He walks over to his jacket on the couch and playing with the baby's hand.
- I'm glad to see you two.
Without another word, he leaves. I can only wait.
The hiccup towards Ben ensures that it will do the same.
Chapter 40
Adam
I woke up with a violent hit in my head. I barely had a chance to open his eyes to know where the attack came when I felt my feet being dragged and found myself sprawled on the floor.
- Wake up! - Peter pulls the sheet, playing it on the chair - you have visits.
Raise a little confused. Abafo an oath and Sweep my mind, trying to guide me. Previous Day flashes jump before my eyes. The hospital, Liam, Julienne.
Peter and I were drinking and talking late. At some point in the morning, I had come to the room. I tried to take him to the guest room, but he had passed out on the couch. I just left him there and even went up.
- You said visits?
- Man, I do not know if I laugh or pity you - I do not know why, but the voice resembles that of my father giving sermon, when I came home after a big night out. And for some reason, I think he is not referring to our drinking last night - Take a shower and go down. You look horrible face.
I do what he said. And that's when I turn on the shower that Atino: he did not say who was waiting for me. I brush my teeth and I decide to shave; there are days that let grow.
I remember all the times that Penelope was here, sitting in the sink, I between her legs while she focused on something I usually took between ten to fifteen minutes to do, but with two of us together, stretched for almost an hour. It was hard to have her so close and keep my hands off. I attacked her, she laughed; in the end, we ended up in bed - half shaven face and the other half in a strange stroke.
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