Chapter 100
Seraphina
The hands to keep my
good, but boy, do I feel zonded, Gabriel is utting on the chair in the corner, he hasn’t left my side. And as much as I’m telling here enne here with me because I’m berlening to realize what a wimp I am. | foot trary.
to home, I’m kind of glad he’s ignoring me. It’s nice to hat weak, and viderable
“Where are the kids?” I whisper.
“They’ll be here this afternoon.” he replies midy.
“Poor things they mant be so scared
s and sits beside me on the bed. “They’re okay, Debbie is taking good care of them. You should rest, you need to sleep to be able to
He puts his hand on my shoulder, and the warm contact instardly relaxes me and my heavy eyelids win
“Your that heads softly,
“Tur here while you sleep, my love.”
1 turn my face to the side so that it’s resting up against his arm.
His presence is comforting it dulls the pain and calms my nerves. I feel heavy and heavier… Heating Peaceful
“Mam
“Sch.” Gabriel’s hushed voice whispers “Mommy’s sleeping
“Oh no, look at her face,” Debbie whispers. “Poor thing, it looks so sore.”
e’s okay,” Gabriel’s calming voice replies “She’s going to be good as new soon.”
It’s like my body’s asleep but my mind is awake. I can hear what they’re saying but am too tired to open my eyes or reply.
“Grandma,“ Thear Lucia call, a commotion, and hugs…
“Oh, you meaky devils,” Debbie laughs.
“We were on the first flight this morning. Mom and Dad are here. Thattle to open my eyes.
“Gabriel” my mother’s voice says in surprise. “What are you doing here?
“Ahhh Kids, why don’t you go out to the vending machine and grab us all a suack” I hear him handing over coins.
“Yay.” The kids run down the corridor
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Locke,” Gabriel says. “It’s been years since I saw you both, I believe your visited the office a few times while string Seraphina back in the day.”
“I’m confused,” my father says “What are you doing here?”
“So.” He pauses “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just gong in come at with it. I’m the twins biological father.”
“What?” Mom snaps. “That’s not true, the children were conceived through donor sperm.”
71.14
“Ably.” Dele’s voice interrupts
“Seraphina and I dated in secret whil
I while she worked
“For how long?” my father snaps.
ver a year. We were in love.” What?
“She didn’t want to stay in New York and I didn’t want to leave. We banke up and she mone
moved here. Not long after, she found out the was pregnant
“She would have told us,” Mon replies, “There is no way she would have led to us for all these years. Seraphina would never lie to us, you’re lying.”
“I made her swear to secrecy,” he says. “It was against compatry policy for us to date, and I begged her not to tell.” “It’s true,” Debbie seyn softly.
Mom gaps.
“We’ve recently reconnected and have been trying to work things out.” “What?” Mom replies “Why wouldn’t the have told us?” “she was protecting
“Oh my god.” Mom whispers. “I can’t believe this.”
she was going to tell you this week, but nims…with the accident,” he continues.
The kids come bustling bark into the room.
“Shh, Mommy is sleeping,” Debbie says
“Well take them down to the playground.” Mom says. “Let her sleep.” I hear the door close and Thanle to open my eyes.
Why did you tell them that? Debbie whispers.
You think Seraphina wants her parents to know that we had a one-right stand and that she led to them for all these years?”
“But nothing. I’ll take the blame. I’m used to bring the bad guy, it’s fine.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I love hor.”
Silence…
They keep talking, but their voices begin to blend into each other?
Istruggle with my eyelids, wake up just openi
The voices slur, the darkness gets darker.
Blah blah blah blah blah