Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

I feel like death warmed up. Why is this happening to me now? Dad left this morning. I insisted I was fine when he tried to cancel his trip. And I was fine. I felt a little off, but I thought it was nothing that a bit of DayQuil wouldn't fix.

It's now nine at night. I've gotten through the day. Slowly. Sebastian is asleep in his crib by my bed, and I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. My body feels like it's on fire, but at the same time, I'm so cold. I'm afraid to go to sleep. I need to be able to wake up for my son. So I reach for my phone and make the call I've been avoiding but don't have a choice but to make now. For Sebastian. He needs someone to watch over him. Someone who will hear him if he cries. And right now, I'm not sure that someone is me.

I hit call on Josie's number. She's literally the only friend I have in New York, the only person I can think of to ask for help. Well, I could ask Orlando, but then I'd have to have the whole oh yeah, you have a son conversation. And I can't do that right now.

"Hey, Aleeka. How are you feeling?" Josie's voice comes over the other line. Soft and caring.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't know who else to call…" I tell her.

"What's wrong?"

"I need help. I don't know what to do. I've never been this sick. My dad left. I have a fever, and I'm afraid to go to sleep, because if I go to sleep, I might not wake up and then Sebastian won't have anyone to look after him. I can't leave him alone." The tears are streaming down my face as I choke out the words.

"Wait. Who's Sebastian? What do you need me to do?" Josie asks.

"He's my son. I need… Can you come over? Just stay the night, in case I can't get up for him?"

"Of course. I'll be right there," Josie says.

"Thank you." I hang up the phone and finally let my eyes drift shut.

She's coming. She'll be here.

"Aleeka… babe, wake up."

Something cold touches my forehead. I roll over, and pain shoots all through my body.

"Aleeka, I need you to open your eyes."

Orlando's here. I like his voice. I just want to listen to his voice a bit longer.

Something cold presses against my forehead again, and I finally open my eyes, my blurry vision focusing on his face. "Orlando?" I must be hallucinating. No way is he here.

Then I hear the sound of familiar cries.

"Sebastian…" I try to sit up. I have to get to Sebastian. He needs me.

"Don't move. The doc's on his way. Have you taken anything?" Orlando asks, as he presses down on my shoulders and guides me back onto the bed.

"No, I need to… Sebastian… I need to get him."

"He's okay. Josie has him." Orlando shifts to the side so I can see her holding Sebastian.

"He needs a bottle. I have to get up and make it," I tell Orlando, not taking my eyes off our son.

"Tell me how to do it. I'll go do it," he says.

I blink at him and then it hits me. Orlando is here. Sebastian is here. Does he know?

"Aleeka, we'll talk about this later. Tell me how to make his bottle," Orlando says, drawing my attention back to him.

"The formula is on the counter. Three scoops. You have to warm up the water, but not too hot," I tell him.

"Okay. I got this. Stay still. Doc will be here real soon," he says before he stands and walks out of the room.

Dante is leaning up against the door, glaring at me. He's not impressed. And I don't blame him.

Josie continues to bounce Sebastian in her arms. "He's adorable, Aleeka," she says, and Dante scoffs.

"Thank you. I'll take him." I try to sit up, wincing when every muscle in my body aches with the movement.

"I think you probably shouldn't. Maybe let the doctor check you out first. What if he catches whatever you have?" Josie cautions. I understand what she's saying, but all I hear is that she's refusing to give me my son.

"No, he's mine. You need to give him to me." Just as I twist around on the bed, attempting to climb off, Orlando walks back into the room with the bottle.

"What are you doing?" he asks.

"You can't take him from me. He's mine. Please. I need him." I try to push myself up again.

"No one is taking him from you, Aleeka. Now, lie down," Orlando says. He reaches for my legs and effortlessly moves my body around so I'm back on the bed. "Check this. Is it warm enough?" He squirts some of the formula onto my hand.

"It's good." I nod. "I'll give it to him. Just bring him here."

I watch as Orlando walks over to Josie and takes Sebastian out of her arms. He looks down at our son for a minute before he walks back to the bed. He doesn't hand me Sebastian, though. No, Orlando sits on the other side of the bed with our son in his arms.

I watch as he lays Sebastian across one arm and brings the bottle to his mouth with the other hand. My head is spinning. I've dreamed of seeing Sebastian and Orlando together, but now that it's happening, I don't know how to feel. Or what to say.

"Can you two let the doc up when he arrives?" Orlando directs to Dante and Josie, who are staring at us with their eyes full of unspoken questions.

"Orlando…" Dante starts.

"Save it for later," Orlando grunts.

With a nod, Dante takes Josie's hand and they walk out of my bedroom. I turn back to look at Orlando. "I'm sorry," I whisper.

"We'll talk about it later," he says, still staring down at Sebastian.