Chapter Sixty-Three

New York City

November 11

M iles and Clara stood at the fireplace mantel and admired their acquisition. Someone, Somewhere hung as it was meant to be, both pieces together, complete.

Suddenly, Miles felt a wave of dizziness settle over him, and he leaned on Clara for support.

“What’s wrong?”

He didn’t know how he knew, but Miles was sure. “Something’s wrong with Tox.”

Clara joined him on the couch as Miles called his brother. Tox answered on the first ring. “We’re on our way to the hospital. Calliope’s water broke.”

Miles did the mental math. “She’s five weeks early?”

Tox’s strained voice broke, “Six. It’s too soon, Mi.”

Miles didn’t realize his hands were shaking until Clara clasped his free one. He said, “It’s going to be okay, Mil.”

“I don’t know if it is.”

“Miller,” Miles instructed. “Focus on your wife. Drive. Breathe. I’m on my way.”

“Thanks, Mi.”

“See you in a couple hours.”

T he waiting room was packed with Bishop Security people, and another crack in Miles’s heart mended at the show of love and support. Nathan greeted them with a hug.

“The doctor came in about an hour ago and said it was going to be quick. Of course, quick in childbirth terms could mean anything.”

“How’s my brother?”

“Scared.”

Chat joined them at the door. “He needs you, Miles.”

Clara squeezed his hand. “Go.”

Miles walked into the labor and delivery ward and headed for the nurse’s station just as a door to a room opened, and two nurses pushed a contraption out of the room with his twin on their heels. Tox looked over his shoulder, saw Miles, and, after speaking to the nurse, changed direction. He jogged over and lifted Miles off his feet in a bear hug.

“She’s born, Mi. She’s here.”

“Is she—” Miles didn’t know how to ask.

“Four pounds two ounces. She’s in an incubator. Doc thinks a week. They need to make sure her lungs are developed, and she’s digesting food, but Doctor Webber thinks she looks good for an early arrival.”

“Calliope?”

“She’s a queen. I better get back in there.”

Tox staggered to the wall and slid down the the floor. Miles sat beside him.

“You have a daughter.”

“I’ve never been so scared in my fucking life.”

“I know.”

The twins leaned together, shoulder-to-shoulder. Tox said, “I’m so fucking glad you’re here.”

“You better watch the F-bombs. You’re a father now.”

“Our dad would have been the best grandfather,” Tox said.

“Yeah. We’ll have to tell her all about him—and mom, too.”

Tox nodded into his chest. Together, they sat and embraced the bitter-sweet moment.

Miles squeezed his twin’s shoulder. “Good thing she has about a hundred surrogate aunts and uncles.”

Tox blew out a breath. “I’m okay now.”

“Good.”

“Let me check on Cal, and we can go down to the NICU, and you can meet her.”

Miles stood and pulled his brother up. “Hey, what’s my niece’s name?”

“Jane.”

Miles swallowed thickly. “After Mom.”

“Yeah.” Tox smiled.

Miles pulled his twin into a tight hug. “I love it.”