Ride the Sunset

Alastair I wasn’t even sure why I looked around the hospital waiting room for Jacob. While he had become a friend to Naomi and Erik, he was still just Erik’s personal assistant. I did, however, stop to glare at someone I didn’t recognize. “Who are you?” I asked, irritated that this stranger was here, but that Jacob wasn’t. The man immediately looked uncomfortable as he glanced over at Damon. I turned my attention to him, as I silently waited for answers. “This is Bradley,” Damon whispered. My eyes went wide as I looked back over at the long-lost brother. Technically, he hadn’t been lost. Bradley had skipped out on not one, but two meetings. I wanted to ask a bunch of questions, but I spotted Corey coming around the corner, carrying coffee. My breath caught as Jacob stepped into view as well. So, he was here. I quickly put up my wall and pretended like I wasn’t affected by his presence. “Are you ok?” Atticus whispered as he grabbed my hand and pulled me back down to the seat, I had left in order to pace around impatiently. Sandra, Damon, Molly, and Bradley were curiously watching me, and I sighed as I turned to my brother. “I’m fine,” I lied. I wasn’t fine. I hadn’t been fine, and I wasn’t sure when I would be fine again. I had gotten so used to pretending like everything was fine when it wasn’t. Corey and Jacob handed out styrofoam cups of coffee, and I wasn’t even surprised when Corey handed one over to me. Jacob would do just about anything to avoid me. “Any news?” Corey asked as he took a seat next to Molly. Jacob hesitated as he took the only available seat, which happened to be next to me. “No,” Sandra said as she looked over at the closed double doors. By the time I had gotten to the hospital, Naomi had been booked in and only Erik was allowed to be with her. It sucked, but I wasn’t her husband. I tensed up as I felt Jacob shift in his seat next to me. His arm brushed mine, and before he could react – because I knew he would – I jumped up and started to pace again. I sipped on the overly sweet coffee, which made me wonder if Corey had been forced to give me someone else’s cup. I didn’t want to waste it, so I continued to take long sips until the drink was done. I also couldn’t help sneaking glances at Jacob as often as I could. “Carlson Family,” a voice said, and we all turned to those double doors. Instead, now there was a woman standing in front of the doors. I knew who she was and when she smiled, I breathed out in relief. “We’ll give Naomi and Erik a few more minutes with their twins…before you can go in and see them. Only two at a time, ok?” she said firmly. Once she was satisfied that we all understood and agreed. She continued. “It was smooth sailing and Naomi did beautifully. The twins were born at…” she checked her chart quickly to make sure of the time. “Six – eighteen pm,” that was all she gave us before she left. “I can't wait to meet them,” Sandra remarked softly, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I was happy that Sandra was making an effort with her daughter, but my name wasn’t Naomi. While I wasn’t one to hold grudges, I was suspicious as hell, and I didn’t trust the woman. Just because I felt bad for her, didn’t mean I had to trust her. Or like her for that matter. A nurse appeared and she held up a clipboard. “Alastair and Atticus?” she asked as she looked over our group. Since I was already standing, I put my hand up and took a step forward. Atticus was right behind me as she led us through the double doors. I knew what to expect, but what I hadn’t expected was to see the absolute exhaustion on Naomi’s face. While I was super excited to meet the twins, I was concerned about my best friend. “Hey,” I said as we moved closer. Erik held one of the babies in his arms, while Naomi held the other. Erik looked up and the smile on his face melted my heart. “Guys…meet Abigail,” Erik said as he carefully turned so that we could see the little bundle in his arms. My throat closed with emotion as I looked down at the sleeping baby. “Abigail,” I repeated. I loved the name. Naomi and Erik had kept their baby name ideas to themselves and while it had annoyed me at the time, I was pleasantly surprised. I reached out and gently rubbed my thumb against her chubby little cheek. I then stepped out of the way so that Atticus could meet the little one as I turned my attention to Naomi, who smiled up at me tiredly. “And who is this?” I asked as I leaned in. I wasn’t surprised that they looked exactly the same. If it wasn’t for the blue blanket, I would have commented on their witchery. I chuckled as I reached out and repeated the action as I gently rubbed my thumb against his chubby little cheek. “Asher,” Naomi whispered, and I felt like my heart skipped a beat. Surely it wasn’t a coincidence that they had chosen to name both of their babies starting with the letter ‘A’. I felt the tears rush to my eyes and, because this was family, I let them fall as I leaned even closer and pressed my lips against Naomi’s forehead. “You did good, babe,” I praised. When I pulled back, Naomi’s eyes shone with emotion. Atticus came over and checked out little baby Asher. “Would you like to hold her?” Erik asked and I spun around and nodded. I couldn’t believe that this moment had finally arrived, and I couldn’t have felt happier that our family was growing.