Chapter 18

Damnit! I'm running late this morning. My boys kept me up all night, using my bladder as a squeeze toy. Tia has been experiencing mood swings lately, probably due to her menstrual cycle. Try to imagine two Latinas with attitude (and one pregnant) living underneath the same roof—that could start World War III.

It freaking sucks.

My heart pounds with anxiety as I rush to class. I am already running late, and I know the door will be closed by the time I arrive. When I turn the corner and see the classroom door, my fears are confirmed—it is shut tight. I take a deep breath, gather my courage, and slowly open the door.

All eyes are on me as I walk into the room. I feel the weight of the professor"s steely gaze on me, and I know I am in trouble. I quickly sit in my seat, hoping to avoid any confrontation. But before I settle in, the professor"s gruff voice cuts through the air.

"Miss Ramirez," he sighs heavily. "Glad you could join us. Not exactly punctual as usual, I see."

"I"m sorry, but I didn"t get enough sleep because—"

He cuts me off with a wave of his hand. "I don't want to hear it. A dedicated photographer must learn to manage their time wisely. Punctuality is a key trait in this industry. You should know that by now."

I clench my jaw, trying to prevent an insult from escaping my lips. I squirm in my seat, feeling uneasy as the lecture drones on, knowing that my photography project will soon be under scrutiny. As the moment of truth approaches, my nerves are on edge, and my palms begin to sweat.

"Now, let"s look at Sadie"s work. If only your dedication to punctuality matched your dedication to your photography," he says in a sarcastic tone, which just pisses me off even more. "Your images lack depth and emotion," he adds. "They are bland, pedestrian, and uninspired. You need to push yourself harder, Sadie. This level of mediocrity won"t cut it in the real world."

I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. I poured my heart and soul into those photos and thought they were my best work. The professor"s harsh words cut deep, leaving me feeling demoralized and pissed off.

"I understand, professor," I say through clenched teeth.

"I certainly hope so. This is a competitive field, and you need to be willing to push yourself to stand out. Don"t waste your potential."

I nod and sit through the remaining minutes of class, counting down the seconds until I finally get the hell out of there before I throat punch the professor. As the bell echoes through the classroom, I quickly gather my things and walk toward the door silently, doing my best to avoid unwanted attention. Without a word, I stride past the teacher, my eyes fixed firmly on the door ahead.

Game on.

I"ll prove him wrong.

When I get home, the apartment is dead quiet. Since Mom and Abuela moved here, they've been looking after Sophia, which gives Tia a break so she can pick up shifts since working day shift works better for her since the majority of her classes are in the afternoon to early evening.

My feet are killing me because my ankles are starting to swell, and my back is pinching my nerves. I'm hungry, emotional, tired, and bitchy. Thank God I don't have to work tonight, but I'm going to shoot Mom a text asking if she can keep Sophia for a little longer while I get some much-needed rest.

I toss my keys on the table near the door and walk into my room and drop my bag on the floor and my phone next to the bed. I rip off my pants and climb into bed and nestle under the covers. Once I close my eyes, I'm out like a tranquilized horse.

I don't know how long I was asleep, but the pounding on the door jolts me up in bed.

"What the hell?" I mutter. Right as I swing my legs over the bed, my phone goes off. I reach for it and see that I have twelve missed calls, six text messages, and four voicemails. The pounding on the door resumes and the phone rings at the same time. I glance down at the screen and see it's Donnie calling.

"Hello." I don't get to finish when his voices rings through on the other end of the line."Shorty," he says out of breath. "Please open the door."

Donnie's here?

"Okay," I say, slowly pulling my pants back on and walking toward the door. When I unlock the door and pull it open, Donnie and Ash stand in the hall.

What time is it?

"Shorty?" Donnie's voice sounds distant, and he cups my face and runs his thumbs in circles on my cheeks "Baby? You don't look so good."

"Um... I don't feel—" Suddenly, my body begins to sway, and I try to hold onto the doorframe for support, but my body gives out, making me limp, and I fall into Donnie's arms.

Donovan

Shorty planned to meet with me and Ash at the burger joint after my last class. She texted me this morning that she was definitely coming, but she didn"t show up. When she wasn't answering my calls, panic started to build in my gut, causing my insides to tighten. With everything she has been through, the worst-case scenarios flashed in my mind. I know I've been more cautious when it comes to her, but she's also carrying two babies. My babies. I would die if anything happened to them.

I jumped in Ash's Jeep, and he hauled ass out of the parking lot. When we got to Shorty's apartment, it was quiet and dark. I ran up the stairs as if the building was on fire while Ash parked the car. Once I got to her door, I pounded as if I was trying to get through the wood. I pushed my ear against the door and listened, but I didn't hear any movement, which just intensified my fears. When she wasn't answering, I tried her cellphone and could hear it ringing. So, I pounded harder. I wanted to kick myself for not bringing Shorty's spare keys with me.

She finally opens the door, and I sigh in relief, but her face is white, her lips are dry, and her gait is unsteady.

"Shorty?" I cup her face and run my thumbs in circles on her cheeks. "Baby? You don't look so good."

"Um... I don't feel—" Suddenly, her body begins to sway, and she tries holding on to the doorframe for support, but her body gives out. I catch her at the same time Ash cries out for me. Once she's in my arms, her body goes limp. I carry her into the apartment while Ash closes the door. I set her on the couch and turn to Ash. "I need a warm cloth and Jo's number."

Ash nods and leaves the room. When he returns, he asks, "What's her passcode?" He has Shorty's phone in one hand while he hands me the washcloth with the other.

"Sophia's birthday," I respond quietly, holding my shit together while placing the cloth on her forehead. I reach for the blanket on the couch and drape it over her.

I hear Ash tapping away and then he says, "Got it." He puts the phone on speaker, and it rings three times before Jo picks up.

"Hey, Sade. What's up?" Jo says.

"Jo, it's Ash."

"What's wrong?" he demands with a tone of urgency.

"Shorty passed out and we don't know what's wrong with her." Ash's voice trembles in fear. It's similar to what my heart is doing in my chest. "We're going to take her to General Hospital."

"Elisa!" he yells. "Grab your shit. We gotta go." I hear Jo panting like he's running and Elisa asking him what is going on. When I hear the door signal from his car, he speaks again. "We're on our way," and he hangs up.

"Shorty? Baby? Can you hear me?" I lean closer and press a kiss on her lips, trying to bring her to life, but she doesn't respond, only moans like she's in pain. She absently moves her hands to her belly and moans again.

"Oh, fuck. Are the babies okay?" I ask in a worried tone, lowering the blanket a bit and gently rubbing her tummy.

"Babies?" Ash whispers in shock.

Fuck.

I turn to face him; his eyes are wide but he has a huge smile. "She's having twins?"

I nod. "Yeah, but keep your mouth shut because we wanted to tell everyone at the same time," I warn him.

"Yeah, of course," he replies, still grinning

Fifteen minutes later, we walk through the doors to the hospital. They give us a room immediately, but Shorty is still out of it. I hold her hand and rub her belly. Ash steps out to call Tia since she's been blowing up Shorty's phone. The door opens, and a nurse walks in.

"Hi. My name is Christina. Are you her husband?" she asks me while grabbing the chart from Shorty's bed.

"Yes, I am." Those words are the only way they will let me stay with her. It's bullshit that we have to be married or blood relatives for me to stay with her.

"Is she going to be okay?" I ask the nurse, keeping my eyes on my girl.

"Yes. Her blood pressure was high, which made her faint. She doesn't have a fever, and you said she wasn't showing any other symptoms besides the normal ones that come with pregnancy," she explains. "She was dehydrated, so that's why she's hooked up to the IV."

The nurse takes her vitals and asks me if I need anything. After I say no, she walks out of the room after informing me that she will check back in a half hour.

"Why do you always find yourself in the hospital?" I tease Shorty, but it comes out in a worried tone.

The door opens, and I look up to see Jo and Elisa walk into the room.

"Is she okay?" Jo asks, immediately going to Sadie's other side and pulling a chair up beside her. He grabs her other hand with the IV.

"The nurse said she will be okay. Her blood pressure was high and she's dehydrated," I explain.

Elisa stands by Jo and gives me a somber look. "Hi, Donnie," She says in a sweet voice.

"Hey," I respond and turn my attention back to Shorty.

We sit in silence, staring at Shorty like a bunch of creepers, but she doesn't stir. Her breathing is steady and the machines beep normally. I take this time to really look at her and notice the bags underneath her eyes and how pale she looks. Earlier, while slipping her socks on her feet, I noticed how swollen they were and could only imagine how much pain she must be in. Her belly seems to get bigger each week.

Minutes go by before the door opens and the doctor walks in. He seems really young, like Doogie Howser.

"Hi, my name is Dr. Matthews, and I am the attending physician onsite," he says in a too cheerful tone. He grabs Shorty's chart and flips through it, reading it thoroughly.

He closes her chart and sets it back. He asks Jo, "Would you mind stepping aside while I take a look at her?"

Jo nods and lets go of Shorty's hand, standing up and moves to the side. Elisa holds his hand and gives it a squeeze.

Dr. Matthews takes his stethoscope and places the end on her chest. When he's done, he wraps the scope over his shoulder and grabs a light and opens her lids and shines it in her eyes. Shorty stirs and lifts her hand, swatting at the doctor's hand. That gets a laugh from all of us.

"Wh-what are you doing?" she rasps.

"I'm sorry, Sadie. My name is Dr. Matthews, and you are in the Hospital," he tells her.

Shorty's eyes begin to flutter until I can see her beautiful brown eyes. "Hey, baby," I say, moving her curl away from her face. "You scared me."

She turns to face me and furrows her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

Before I can respond, Dr. Matthews chimes in. "Your husband said you fainted." At those words, I sense all eyes on me. When Shorty jerks her head to me, she smiles and seems to be holding in a laugh. She turns back to the doctor. "I'm going to be okay, right?" she asks with concern and her hands go to her belly.

"Yes, you will be fine. We have fluids pumping into you right now."

I close my eyes in relief.

Thank fuck.

"Make sure you take it easy, and don't push yourself too hard," the doctor tells her, and I open my eyes.

She nods. "Thank you," she tells him with a smile.

When the doctor reaches the hand sanitizer on the wall, he tells her, "High blood pressure can be dangerous, especially for pregnant mothers." He pumps three times into his hand and turns to face her. "Make sure you follow up with your regular doctor in the next few days."

The doctor leaves and all heads turn to Shorty.

Shorty squirms on the bed likes she's uncomfortable. "Can I have some water, please?" she asks, trying to reach the pitcher on her night stand.

Jo moves to action and grabs it before she can. "Stop," he scolds her. "You're going to hurt yourself," he says, handing her the pitcher.

She brings the straw to her lips and takes a sip.

"Sade," Jo begins. "Maybe you should start thinking about quitting your job."

Elisa scoffs.

Jo turns to her. "What?" he asks her.

"You can't tell your sister to quit her job just because she's pregnant, Jo," Elisa defends Shorty.

"Do you see what the stress is doing to her?" He points at Shorty while still looking at Elisa. "High blood pressure is no joke."

"Jo, I'm fine. I cut back my hours. High blood pressure is normal," she tells him.

"You didn't have it with Sophia," he points out.

That's right. He doesn't know that she's having twins, which makes her symptoms ten times worse.

Shorty glances at me as if she can read my mind. I give her a smile letting her know our secret is safe.

"How would you know, Jo?" she asks him quietly.

He stands up tall and tucks his hands in his pockets. "You're right, I wouldn't know, but I'm here now."

She looks up at him and holds her hand out. "I know you are."

He untucks his hands and steps closer and grabs her hand. She squeezes it and he leans down and places a kiss on her forehead.

Ash walks into the room and holds up his phone. "Tia is on her way." He stands at the end of the bed and says, "Hey, short stack," grabbing her covered feet. "How are you feeling?" he asks in a concerned tone.

"Why did you call Tia?" she asks Ash, ignoring his question.

He sits on the edge of the bed and leans on his side. "She was blowing up your phone while you passed out. I didn't want her to worry," he explains.

"Oh," she says, taking another drink of her water.

She hands me the pitcher and drops her head back against the pillow. She rolls her head toward Jo and Elisa. "You guys don't have to stay. I'm fine," she reassures them.

Fine. I'm really starting to hate that fucking word.

"Don't care," Jo says stubbornly, and takes a seat in the chair and pulls Elisa onto his lap. "We're not leaving until you do."

Shorty sighs and looks at Elisa for help, but Elisa shakes her head. "I'm not getting between the two of you," she says and chuckles.

Ash's phone goes off. When he looks at the screen, he laughs.

"What?" Shorty asks.

He tucks his phone away after replying to the text and looks up at her. "Tia says the crew is on their way."

Then Jo's phone dings. He laughs harder and says, "Looks like Javi is on his way too."

Shorty lets out an exasperated sigh. "Fuck me."

I lean over and whisper in her ear, "Later." I kiss her neck, making her shiver.

When I pull back, I see that her face is flushed.

"Do I even want to know what you said to her?" Jo asks with a raised brow.

I just chuckle and lean back on my chair at the same time my phone goes off.

"What now?" Shorty complains. "Please don't let it be Mom."

I take my phone out with a big smile on my face. When I glance back at Shorty, I can't help but laugh. "Seb's on his way and he's pissed we didn't call him."

Shorty rolls her eyes and pulls the blanket over her head. "You all suck."

Sadie

The doctor prescribed medication and told me to follow up with my doctor, and then released me to go home. With Jo, Donnie, the guys, and the girls hovering over me now a few hours later, I want to scream. I am so crabby that everyone is starting to piss me off. God love them, but I want to be left alone.

Everyone goes home while Jo opts to stay behind with Elisa. And Tia went to work. Jo calls Mom, asking if Sophia can spend the night with her. Mom is concerned, but I was able to ease her worries.

I have been tossing and turning for the last hour, unable to find a comfortable position. My room is dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the night lamp by my bedside.

I let out a low, guttural moan as I sit up in bed. My hand instinctively finds its way to my stomach as I rub it to soothe the restless lives growing inside. "Calm down, little sluggers," I whisper. "Momma needs some rest," I add, hoping my words will have a calming effect.

Just then, I hear a faint knock on the door. The door creaks open. I turn my head slightly over my shoulder and see Elisa standing in the doorway.

"Can I come in?" she asks, her face soft and sympathetic.

"Sure," I respond.

She walks over to me with a bottle of water and sits on the bed. She places a comforting hand over mine.

"I heard you tossing and turning in here. Are you okay?"

"I can"t seem to get comfortable," I admit, my voice tinged with exhaustion.

Elisa nods understandingly. "Pregnancy can take a toll on your body, huh? Let me help you get more comfortable," she suggests, gently guiding me to lie on the bed.

Elisa hands me the bottle of water as I settle into a more supported position with extra pillows behind my back. "Here, take a sip. It might help you relax a bit."

I smile weakly and take a few sips of water, grateful for the small gesture of kindness. "Thank you.

I didn"t spend much time with her during the early days of her relationship with Jo since we only crossed paths a few times. Although Elisa is older and moved in a different social circle than my brother, we were amicable toward each other, and I have always had a positive impression of her. She was and still is a genuinely good person and a positive influence in Jo"s life. Ever since she moved here, we haven"t had the opportunity to spend time together and get to know each other better. But I hope to change that.

Elisa begins to rub my back in a soothing motion.

"You know," she says softly, "I was excited when I was pregnant." I turn to look at her, and I can see the sadness in her eyes.

We have never talked about her being pregnant before she was taken, but at this moment, as her hand moves in slow circles on my back, I can't help but think about whether the baby would"ve been a girl or a boy.

"I"m so sorry about your baby, Elisa," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nods solemnly, her hand still moving on my back. "Me too."

We sit there together until I fall asleep, the sound of her breathing lulling me into a peaceful slumber.