Two of Hearts

by Alexa Jackson

  Chapter 42

  Adam

  I start reading the letter without imagining how strong she would touch me. How his words impregnariam so deep into my soul. So many misunderstandings would be avoided if I had not banked worried fool just lick my wounds. I would have gone after her immediately. Would have seen her growing belly, heard the baby's heartbeat. I was there when he gave the first cry.

  Adam, my love, today I realized that, for some people, love happens quickly, and in the blink of an eye; with others, it grows moderately as a plant watered every day. And there are people, however, for whom it never happens. I can not tell the exact moment when I found myself in love with you, but I remember all the times I fell for you.

  The first time we kissed. There was a fireworks display in and out of my heart. I fell in love when we walk hand in hand that day at the zoo, and I felt that life could be so sweet as cotton candy on her lips.

  I fell in love when we dance to the rocking of the sea, the day took me to dinner on the ship.

  I fell in love when I had a prince and a carriage on my first ball. When I saw you in the rain with the roses destroyed, but also the most beautiful I have ever seen. And when I saw I get scared to see me jump parachute.

  I fell in love when he told hundreds of people who loved me (this can not be changed).

  But not all of these moments together do not exceed as my love multiplied when I heard the heart beat of our baby the first time.

  I know it's not the way I should reveal it. But I found a better way, or maybe I'm being a coward to say that we are no longer just me and you, now are we. It has always been us, and will be so forever.

  I do not want to feel tied to this responsibility, but did not think right I continue to maintain that little happiness just me.

  Forgive my weakness. Knowing that I no longer want most is immensely painful, but having to look in his eyes and hear you say you do not want this baby, just me destroy.

  I know what it is not to feel loved by their parents, and I promised my son, our son, he would always be sure of how much he is loved, and I already love him so much! I'm going away to protect myself and that my small portion of happiness. And if someday, perhaps when help feeling lost, you want to be with us, I ... we'll be waiting. I will always hope, no matter how much I may seem silly. I think love makes us be so, is not it?

  So yes, I love you. Even with all the reasons not to love, I love deeply and sincerely.

  Penelope and Baby.

  Deposito the letter on the table. With regret, I see a snippet or another are blurred with tears that repeatedly jumped from my eyes. I could grieve and suffer eternally for all the time lost. But this time, until my last day of life, I want to spend being happy and making the people I love happy. So I make up for all that time with my love. So pure and sincere love as I get it.

  - Come here -pigarreio to dilute the lump in my throat - Come here, my love.

  I stretch my arms to her, running toward me. I kiss her with love and reverence.

  - There's something I do not understand - Cervical our foreheads - We Benjamin in Dubai, right?

  I am not an expert in math, but babies take nine months to be born.

  - It was there, yes - she embraces me, resting her head on my shoulders - must be wondering time. It was not an easy pregnancy. I almost lost the baby in early pregnancy.

  Shake your body and hold it stronger in my chest.

  - The doctor said I would have to make a choice: work or my ... our son. Well, you already know who I chose.

  - I'm sorry - the lament comes from the bottom of my heart - I'm sorry for not being there.

  - I could not be alone. Well, my parents, my mother suggested I give the baby ...

  - Your mother what?

  I am close to the line of decontrol. Who that woman think she is?

  - It is more normal than you might think - she sighs - I've seen it happen many times. Some girls in the city lost its way, ended up opting for adoption, but I would never do that.

  But Penelope could be so desperate, lonely, lost, you could opt for it, and I never get to know my son. Think about it causes a sharp pang in my chest, is such a scary thought that comes to take me the air.

  - It was worse than Aline, who suggested me to take Benjamin.

  - Female dog!

  - Calm - it touches my face - never gave me this possibility. Ben was my salvation. I knew I would never be alone again. Thanks to you. So I could never hate you or be angry. I will always be grateful for this gift. The most precious gift of my life.

  - I just gave the seed, you flowered garden - play where our son was housed - But if we generate in Dubai, it is ...

  - Preterm - it confirms - I had many complications: high blood pressure, was a high-risk pregnancy ... I do not know if I could to the end. With seven months, the water broke. Benjamin was in the ICU to gain weight and its organs to develop completely.

  - He is fine?

  - Do you need medical care. The liver has not developed very well, but it will stay. I felt so afraid of losing it ...

  - I'm here now. Let's fight together. I will not let anything happen to him. We seek the best doctors.

  Penelope kiss me gratefully. I reciprocate with the same intensity.

  - Speaking of doctor - she moves away a little to face me - Liam leaves hospital today, is not it?

  - Yes later.

  - That's why I came. To introduce Ben to his parents. I wanted to tell you this before - she grimaces, wrinkling her nose. This gesture has always left me spellbound - Actually, I was hoping that when you look at him, you fall in love.

  - Thankfully, the two of us, you've always been the smartest - deposit a few kisses on her lips - My parents will kill me.

  Capto the concern in his eyes and I hasten to push her away.

  - Go love Benjamin. My parents love you, especially my mother. You were the princess mounted dragon who saved the lone prince.

  We laugh at this absurd modern fairy tale, but that's how I see it. It was she who saved me from myself.

  - Then you can go see them today? - She asks, worried - do not have time to digest it all?

  - I have great pride and joy to present my son to my family. But we still have a few hours. So tell me how it was - I ask anxious - How did you get pregnant?

  - I have some photos.

  Penelope picks up the phone in his pants pocket and will showing me one by one. The first signs of pregnancy. The round, but little stomach for six months. I remember that Katty was huge ... good, they were twins, but Penelope looked so fragile. All she told me about the pregnancy, which faced alone, makes me so angry with me.

  - Look, my feet were huge - she smiles - My cousins carried me up all day. They have exaggerated a bit in the question concern.

  A pang of jealousy kindled in me. Not jealous of the carnal kind, but because they gave her the affection that I should have given. However, in a way, I am very grateful to them for taking care of them, for giving all the love and care she needed.

  - They must hate me - I'm sorry.

  - I did not say a lot about you. Charlotte knew that you were the father, but I never wanted to touch on the subject of being separated. Unknowingly, I did not want my family hated you - she stares at me ashamed - It's pretty stupid to say, but, deep down, I was hoping we both ...

  Seal your lips with my fingers.

  - It is the same hope that I carried - I stroke his lips - And you know what? I used what happened to Neil to bring you back. And if none of this had happened sooner or later I was going after you.

  I could have taken more time than I need, but being honest with me, it would be exactly what I would do, sooner or later.

  - I can look? - Touch her belly above the lacy blouse.

  - It is very nice to watch - she confesses - I had complications at birth, and then did not have a very good healing, but Dr. Ritter said I can fix with another surgery.

  - I do not care.

  Sighing, she lifts
the fabric. It's nothing scary as she believes it should be. It seems more a deeper scratch.

  - It's beautiful - Aliso end to end scar.

  - Beautiful? - Your eyes jump in disbelief.

  - Is the mark of a brave woman is more beautiful than any tattoo around - So it's good, yeah.

  - Okay, Lord romantic - she smiles, running away from my lap - But I'll still take it. I'll take a look at Benjamin.

  Get out of the chair quickly and reach before reaching the room. Hug her from behind and went well together.

  - Why the name Benjamin? - I ask as we climb the ladder.

  - At its meaning - she supports her head on my chest - happiness Son. We were happy when we did.

  - We will be very happy - I promise, kissing her neck - I will guarantee that every day.

  Once we got to the room, we found Benjamin awake and babbling alone. It was just to see the mother he began to celebrate. I changed the first diaper, memorizing every detail she told me. Again and equally amazed, I watched her suckle him.

  Watching them in my bed with me, I was sure that never leave the two depart again. One more day.

  ****

  We will taxi to the home of my parents. I do not want to separate the two, or even if the distance is the back seat of my car. It seems paranoid, exaggerated, but I can not avoid.

  On the way, I make a mental note that I need to consult Katty on how to transform the guest room in a new room for Benjamin.

  Son of happiness.I think again the meaning of his name. Penelope could not have chosen a more appropriate name. It was he who brought us together and brought great happiness to me.

  We arrived at my parents' house.

  - What's it?

  She's standing in the first rungs of the ladder, frowning.

  - I think I'm a bit nervous.

  I extend my free hand, since the other keep Benjamin in my lap. Tightening his cold fingers and Webbing on mine, providing it reliable. She shakes her head, breathe deeply and rings the bell.

  It took about five minutes to answer the door Delia come. His dumbfounded look, now to me, now to the baby, focused on biting his own hand, was a prelude to what awaited us there.

  - Delia, remember Penelope? - I ask, pulling her close to me.

  She undoes the expression of surprise and sees the woman beside me.

  - How could I forget - she replied, flashing a wide smile - How are you, darling?

  - Well, Delia, is a pleasure to see you.

  I adjust the baby in my lap so that it is facing Delia and back to me. I can not resist and inhale the scent of his hair. Deposito an affectionate kiss before presenting it to her.

  - And this is Benjamin. Our son.

  Delia smiled and leads to wrinkled hand to mouth. I watch the excitement shining in his eyes.

  - He is very beautiful. It's so like you, Adam - Delia departs, opening the door wider - But come.

  - Liam has arrived? - I ask to go - My parents are home?

  I look forward to presenting Ben for all of my family.

  - It has almost an hour arrived - followed toward the stairs - are in Liam's room. He is giving work as usual. Katty, Frank and the girls are also there.

  We hear the babble increasingly audible as we approach us. I hear the twins shouting something. Katty rebuking them. My mother scolding my sister and Liam dropping something stupid.

  - Is ready?

  She says she nodded, and then I open the door.

  The first is to see us Julienne. She is sitting on the bed. Liam has his hands around her. The blonde smiled, happy to see us together.

  It did not take long for the murmur in silence room. All eyes focused on us.

  - Good afternoon - I say to all, looking one by one.

  All are silent amid prying eyes, amazed and unbelieving.

  - Oh my God! - Katty was the first to speak out, stopping in front of me - Oh, my God, Adam.

  Penelope's behind me, retreat two steps to stand beside her. Circulo my free arm around her waist and bring it to the safety of my embrace.

  - Mom? Father? This is Benjamin, my son.

  My mother looks at me full of excitement and starts to cry, immediately supported by my father. Katty embraces Penelope. The twins run to my side, to see the baby close.

  - Holy shit! - Liam loose, with a smile that barely fits on your face - You were fast, man. Let me see this near boy.

  I take it to him. He says something to talk about Julienne later. Will toward each showing the baby, which is very comfortable with the hubbub around him. Just as I thought, my family got our son to party. There were no compelling question. Of course, all are curious, and I'll have to give the explanations they expect, but at the moment we just want to celebrate the return of Liam home and the new member in our family. Ben would be the most beloved child and pampered the world.

  ****

  While my mother, Katty and the girls were in Liam's room with Penelope, admiring the baby, my father quietly dragged me to the office.

  I refused the cigar and glass of whiskey he offered me, I do not want the smell impregnated me when I get Benjamin again.

  I sat in the chair across from him, already wondering what he has to say. For a few minutes, all my dad did was look at me with their experienced and shrewd eyes.

  - So you are a father - he let out a breath and looked at the cigar in his fingers, turning it - How did this happen?

  - You want me to explain how babies are born? - I smile nervously.

  My father is one of the smartest men I know. It was one of the best doctors in the country, while he was on active duty. And although often the profession has to have to spend many hours away from home, he always was a great father. Loving, but when needed to give a sermon, it was the best. He did not need punishment or threats; his eyes when angry, was enough to terrify us.

  - You know that everything has changed, is not it? - He stares at me, unsmiling - one boy and his mother are his responsibilities. They are our family.

  - I had changed long before Benjamin was born, father - I try to keep my voice skirt very emotional, but it did not work - they are not just my responsibility. They are my life.

  The look is now understanding. There is nothing self-respecting my father more than our family.

  - That's very good, son. - He clears his throat, containing its own emotion - Your mother is already in love with him.

  He means that he is in love with Benjamin. My father always wears my mother to express something emotional in his place.

  And I never felt so proud of me as now, not when I came in the largest business magazine as future prodigy first. Benjamin is my highest and best work of art.

  We continued to talk, tell him how it all happened. About another Nathan interference in our lives, and as I was stupid to accept that Penelope go.

  - When is the wedding?

  - Do not talk about it.

  Not had time to broach the subject, but, no doubt, will happen, and soon.

  - Go get it right, right?

  - Yes, Father - I put my arm around his shoulder - wedding, honeymoon and more babies, many of them.

  - That's good - he says, hugging me too - I like a big family. I'm getting old. I need to enjoy my grandchildren soon.

  We laughed and went back to the room. There is nothing old about my father is still a vigorous man. And every time I caught him furtively clutching my mother, give full assurance that he still a lot of work to it.

  - A basketball team? - Ask before opening the door - It's good enough for you?

  - Can you start.

  In the bedroom, the scene that will remain in my memory forever: Liam with Julienne in the same position as when we arrived, Penelope with Benjamin on his lap, my mother beside her playing with him. The girls on the floor, gazing adoringly at his cousin. Katty and Frank on the other side of the bed, holding each other. My whole family, gathered and happy.

  Penelope looks up, meeting mine.

  thanks- She babbles to me. The
most beautiful smile in the world. The smile I want to see every day when you open and close my eyes.

  Cum! I am completely in love with this woman.

  I love you - Whisper back.

  This feeling explodes inside me, uncontrollable, like a volcano erupting.

  ****

  After dinner and protests of all, we go away, toward the apartment of Penelope. Julienne with us, and want to know all the details of our reconciliation again.

  I knew, during dinner, after almost killing my startled mother, the alleged pregnancy of Julienne was another mistake of mine.

  When we got to the apartment, meeting a man on the couch, watching TV. He lifts me so note. It is a higher three centimeters that my one meter eighty-four. A little more robust too. The cowboy outfit - jeans, belt and boots - immediately identifies it as one of the brothers of Julienne. The way looks angry to me confirm my suspicions.

  - I thought I would have to leave without saying goodbye small - it softens the face to smile at Penelope with love and intimacy.

  I scowled and get a nudge.

  - Austin, this is Adam, the father of Ben - it presents us with a soft voice - And this is my cousin, Austin.

  The man diverts Benjamin sweet look and stares at me hard.

  - So you're the father. Let's talk inside - it indicates the room with a nod.

  Shit. Okay listen to a sermon of my father, after all, parents are programmed to do so, put us on the line, but I have no intention to justify myself with Austin.

  - He did not know anything - Penelope hastens to reach it - he did not know anything about Benjamin, because I was a fool. Everything is fine now.

  She smile. Austin rubs her hair as I always do with the twins.

  - It does not change anything, honey. It is man talk - his serious gaze falls on me again - you coming?

  Cerro my teeth before sending it to a not very nice place. Give the baby to Penelope and get an excuse mute request.

  - Okay ... Adam - peeve or not, he says my name as if it were something disgusting - Sit down.