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Chapter Eighteen

Ilyana

I hate smoking but over the past few weeks I have been smoking like a chimney. You would think it’s because I killed a man. But no, Jermaine’s death wasn’t murder. It was an act of love. Twisted messy love. I didn’t bother to attend his funeral today. I don’t know how Dereck did it, but the news said that a horrible car accident ended Jermaine’s life. I couldn’t see my sister cry over a man that was utterly worthless. Stabbing the cigarette in the ashtray pulls me back to the present. The sound of a man groaning fills the room.

Henry shudders as he collapses on Carsons back, the two of them entwined in a way that would scandalize the world if anyone knew. For months I have been acting as their beard. The girl they used to keep up appearances. People must think I am a whore, being shared between two men. But they are more than just people, they are my friends. Well, the only ones I have at the moment. Henry presses a kiss to the top of Carson’s head before leaning back against the headboard, his expression is soft, filled with love.

“What’s your problem?” Henry asks as he wraps his arms around Carson.

“How does Gia deal with your neglect?” I counter. Gia always seems so composed, like she has her world together. While mine is crumbling slowly.

“She has two boys to keep her happy and my money,” Henry comments.

I see Carson stiffen in Henry’s arms. I wonder how he copes with loving a man that will never acknowledge him in public.

“It’s time to end this,” I say. My voice is low and steady as I begin to pack my bag. “Henry,. maybe you two should come out.” Slowly, I stand.

Henry pushes Carson aside and rolls out of the bed. “End this? Ily, Ily. No, you are under my control. Carson went down on you.”

“While you did him from the back. You never had control of me, Henry,” I snap.

Panic flickers in Henry’s eyes. “What do you want Ily?”

“To be free from you all. Aaron, Dereck, James, Anthony. To be loved by someone and not used.” I don’t realize my nails are digging into my skin until Carson’s hand gently pulls mine away.

“Let her go, Henry. This arrangement is over, Ily,” Carson says kindly.

“Do what the fuck you want,” Henry shouts.

I grab my bag and run to the hotel door. My veins feel heavy like they were filled with poison.

As I open the door I pause and look back at Henry. “If we don’t get our lives together. If we don’t understand what love is, I fear the three of us will die needing it.”

Carson bows his head in silence, and Henry’s scowl deepens. “Get out.”

* * *

TAREK

I don’t think I slept well last night. I should have driven to Rhet’s house and picked up Penny. Take her back to my home to sleep. But she told me she was leaving early this morning.

I should tell her that I bought her old apartment, but I don’t think that she is ready for that.

Adjusting the brown bags in my hand I knock on the door waiting for Penny to open up.

The door opens; I see her running back into her bedroom. The whole apartment is dark. What the hell was going on?

I drop the bags on the floor and walk to the side of her bed.

The sound of sniffling breaks me.

I kneel to the side of the bed and pull the blanket away from Penny’s grip. Her locs lay over the pillow and her eyes are watery.

I switch the lamp on, and I can see her red puffy eyes. I don’t know who made Penny cry, but they are dead.

“What’s the matter, Treasure?” I ask pushing one of her locs away from her face.

She shakes her head and cries into the pillow. Her shoulders shake as she tries to draw a breath in.

I sit at the edge of the bed and drag her in my arms. “Treasure, tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m pregnant,” she says in a hushed tone.

I swallow trying to contain my excitement. I squeeze her tighter and kiss the top of her head. “ We’re pregnant,” I state.

“No, I’m pregnant?” She tries to pull away

“Treasure. Don’t make me spank you. We are pregnant.” I rub her back, taking pleasure that she is allowing me this level of intimacy.

“Suppose it’s a phantom pregnancy like the last time,” she asks with a hint of dread in her voice.

I take her hand and place it over her belly. “That’s a Fairisles baby in your belly. Survival is in his DNA.”

She sniffles and sticks her head under my neck. “I have to wait till Monday to see a doctor.”

“Says who? We are going to see a doctor today,” I reply. I take my phone out, and I send a text message to my family doctor.

* * *

PENNY

It doesn’t take long for Tarek to get me a doctor. He wrapped me up in my blanket and carried me in his arm to his car to see the doctor.

The cold gel drops on my belly and my heart is in my throat. Please God don’t let it be a phantom pregnancy.

The sonographer freezes and gasps. “Um…”

I instantly reach for Tarek’s hand; he rubs my hand slowly.

“Is there a problem?” Tarek asks.

I brace myself for the bad news. This is why I didn’t want to have hope because I have to deal with this after. The sonographer probes my tummy some more.

“Do you have twins in your family?” The sonographer asks. The room becomes silent, I am holding my breath.

“Not to my knowing,” Tarek says.

“Well, congratulations, Mom and Dad, you are about to have twins.”

Tarek begins to chuckle. “Excuse me?”

“Twins, sir. You have twins on the way,” the sonographer replies. A tear creep down my face.

“We did it.” Tarek presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Twins, Basil, twins,” I shout in happiness.

“What?” Tarek asks.

“Austin Powers? You never saw it? It just came to my mind. Forget it.”

“Let’s hear their heartbeats,” the sonographer says.

The sonographer presses the probe against my stomach. I hear two rapid heartbeat overlapping yet distinct.

“That’s our babies Penny,” Tarek whispers. I glance up at him, unshed tears make his eyes shine.

I exhale shakily, feeling his thumb gently brush a tear from my cheek. I didn’t even realize I was crying.

“The doctor will see you in a bit. But congrats to you mom and dad.” The sonographer wipes my stomach and pull my pjs back down.

I didn’t hear the doctor when he got in. All I could think is I’m about to be a mommy. Me. I am going to have the responsibility of bringing and caring for a life.

“You heard that?” Tarek asks.

“Huh no,”

The doctor smiles. “Make sure she gets plenty of rest and relaxation. The next four months are critical. And you,” she adds looking at Tarek “Daddy, you need to make her life easier.”

Daddy? Tarek nods and agrees with everything the doctor says. Tarek Fairisles is the father of my twins. Daddy, like he is going to stay with me and my children. Dear God.

In some months we will know their gender, but right now all I need to know is that they are healthy.

After picking up my prenatal medication, Tarek drives me back to the apartment.

“You take a shower, and I will fix us lunch,” he said calmly. Who was I to say no to a chef-prepared lunch.

I stop at the threshold of my bedroom door. “You don’t have to be here. You don’t have to be stuck with me. You did what you said you were going to do. I mean, it’s over.”

The word daddy was still bugging me. A father can leave but a daddy is one that stays, and when they leave, it causes damage to everyone.

* * *

TAREK

I stand watching Penny grip the doorknob. She was nervous.

“I’m not leaving.” I walk up to her placing my palm on her cheek. As she tries to bend her head, I lift it. My gaze holds hers. “You’re stuck with me. I’m not going anywhere. Do you understand?”

Penny holds my hands, and presses her cheek into my palm. “People always leave Tarek.”

“No, not this time Treasure. Now go bathe and come back out so I can take care of you.” With a small push, she walks into her bedroom.

Walking back into the kitchen I begin to take the ingredients out of the bag, my phone buzzes in my back pocket.

Pausing I pull the phone out of my pocket and answer.

“Fairisles.”

“If I don’t call you, it would seem you would never call me,” a heavy smooth familiar voice greets me.

I hold the phone between my ear and shoulders as I continue unpacking. “Father welcome back. How was Thailand?”

“Beautiful. Walter said that you are hardly home these days. Who is she?” my father asks.

“Her name is Penelope Holt,” I reply. There was a pause and dad cleared his throat.

“Sorry about that. Penelope Holt must be a hell of a girl to have your attention,”

I nod. “And she is about to have my baby. Well, twins actually.” Saying it out loud makes me feel even happier than before.

“Twins, she is having twins.” My father’s voice thickens. “Congratulations, son. I hope you will let me meet her soon.”

“Agreed.”

“I should be in your part of town tomorrow night for a meeting. We can talk then. See you around,” my father says.

“You too, Dad.” I place the phone back into my pocket, and I begin to make a meal that would make my girl and my babies happy. A roast chicken Mediterranean bowl should do the trick. It doesn’t take me long to cook the quinoa, or for me to assemble the meal.

I need to do research about what pregnant women can eat. I want the meals to have the best nutritional value. Rest. That’s what the doctor said she needs; I have to get her to my home. I have more room, there is a pool, facilities that she can use to her comfort.

As I am plating her food, Penny comes outside in a thin strap top and sweatpants.

She stands next to me and points to the food smiling. “That looks really good.”

The dimple on her left cheek deepens when she smiles.

“You’re so fucking pretty. I am so happy that you’re having my baby.”

“Thank you, Tarek. If you continue with these compliments, you will end up on your back.”

My head turns to her. “Your ass looks amazing today.”

She presses to my side. “Didn’t I just warn you?”

I drop the utensils on the table, without hesitation I pull her by the waist.

“The doctor said you should get some rest and try to relax,” I bend her backward whispering against her lips.

Penny tiptoes and presses her lips to mine. “I am tense. The doctor said I should relax. You know what relaxes me?”

“No.”

“You, thrusting deep and hard inside of me. The doct-.”

She didn’t have to ask me twice. I lift her into my arms and carry her into the bedroom.

* * *