Chapter 74
“Does this have something to d with Derrik? Benjamin asked and received a nod in response.
“I think he’s done something else. I wish I could freaking prove it was him that’s been messing with my home and selling it. She turned to Benjamin, who looked confused. “He sold my house, I guess. A family showed up and demanded that I leave. By the time Milton arrived, I had heartburn and went to get some milk. In the fridge, I saw this gross bloody pigs head, it scared me and I jumped, hitting the counter.”
Benjamin’s eyes narrowed and his hands rolled into fists. I’m starting to see why Ron dislikes your ex so much.”
“Hey, relax and unfold your fists. It’s bad enough that I have so many men including my father, all planning and strategizing to kill him. I need someone to help me stay calm and not worry that everyone ends up in jail.
“Hey, you forgot about Sia and me,‘ Keira said as she walked in. She harrowed her eyes looking at Pandora before looking at the boys. “Oh, I want one,” she cleared her throat. “Hi, Benjamin.”
The man in question raised his brow and Pandora knew the overly sickly, sweet voice she was putting on, had him nervous.
“I need to speak to you, and since I am not sure I can keep it clean, you’ll have to step outside.”
Pandora stood up and Keira hugged her and made her sit back down. He’s a big boy and I won’t hurt him, just yet. I’ll be back to find out more about my nephews in a few moments.”
Pandora looked toward Benjamin, who gave her a smile. “Be right back, love,” he said and looked at Alexis. Something silent passed between them before he turned and walked out.
Pandora let out a soft breath because she trusted her friend not to hurt Benjamin. She looked back at the boys and felt a stabbing pain. She just wanted to pick them up and hold them but she couldn’t.
“It’s okay, Pandora. You’ll get to hold them soon,” Alexis assured, wrapping her arms around her.
She wiped away the tears that fell and dropped her head on Alexis‘ shoulder. “I know it’s stupid, but it still feels surreal. It’s almost as if my body knows what’s happened, but my brain is still stuck at another station. I don’t know what to do or how to help them. Do they even know I am here?”
Alexis sighed but before she could say anything, there was an alarm coming from Jack’s bed. Alexis jumped up and opened the plastic top, tapped Jack’s foot, and the alarm stopped.
“What?” Pandora stammered, having no clue what just happened as she stood to look into the cot.
“He just needed to be reminded to breathe.”
Pandora rubbed her head and then dropped it into her hands as she started crying harder. “I didn’t know what to do, he needed me and I… if you weren’t here.” Alexis took hold of her and placed her back down on her seat.
“I’m a nurse and I have worked in NICU before, that’s how I know. You only gave birth hours ago, Pandora. You’re doing fine.”
She shake her head, knowing she was fucking up. “Stop… you are doing fine; you will learn this, I’ll help you. Benjamin will help, too. You just need to take a deep breath and be calm.” Alexis gave her a smile and a wink.
Claire, have the boys been fed yet?” Alexis asked and the nurse looked at the chart.
“Nope, I was just about to do it.”
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Chapter 74
“There isn’t enough breast milk for both of them,” she told both Ales and the nurse she called Claire.
Claire retrieved the bottle and smiled at her. “No worries, there’s more than enough for the first feed; does Dad want to be here,
too?
“I’m here,” Benjamin responded and she looked to see that he along with her friends were all standing there. But they each looked tense. Benjamin’s eyes dropped to hers and he smiled and leaned over to her. “All is good. I love your friends,” he whispered in her
ear.
“Alexis, could you meet with Dad and David, and tell them my news? Then could you call Mom and Maisey?”
Alexis stood as she scoffed. “He’s a grown man who’s still scared of Mommy. How cute,” she commented, pinching his cheeks. ‘I’ll be back later, Pandora,” she said.
“Jack, Micheal, remember no matter what Keira and Sia say, I am your favorite aunt.”
“Yeah, right,” Sia challenged with a smile.
Alexis moved to the girls and hugged them. “Look after her for me. Feel free to slap my brother if he needs to get a hint.”
“Will do,” Keira laughed.
“Ready for your first meal, Jack?” Nurse Claire asked.
Benjamin grabbed Pandora’s hand as they watched their boy take a small amount of her milk. “Is that enough?” she asked.
“For now, yes. He’ll get more in a few hours,” Benjamin informed her as she looked at the door.
“I need to express more milk for them.”
“We have time,” Benjamin reassured. He kissed her head and pulled her so that she was right up against his side.
“Pandora, Keira, and I are going to go. We’ll be back tomorrow,” Sia commented softly. She kissed Pandora’s head and hugged both the new parents. “Later, Benjamin. That is if you survive meeting Prosecutor Leonard,” she cackled evilly.
Pandora watched them both walk out and laid her head against Benjamin’s chest. “My dad will be fine,” she muttered but she felt unsure of how he was going to handle this.
“I spoke to him on the phone when I was outside talking with Sia. He’s fine, and don’t worry, she was just teasing me.”
Pandora leaned up and looked at him. “What’s going on?” she asked and Benjamin forced a smile on his face.
“We’re dealing with it, don’t worry.”
She just kept looking at him, knowing this may be bigger than what she first thought. “You have enough to deal with, love, please just let our families and friends deal with it.”
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