I showed Wesley to my room and he took his shoes off, climbing under the blanket.

“Can you wake me up in an hour?” he smiled.

“No. Just sleep. But don’t be surprised if you wake up and my family is here. They won’t care. So rest. I’ll make them lunch when they wake up. I’ll just nap on the other couch,” I grabbed a spare blanket from the end of my bed, “just sleep, Wes. You can depend on me like I know I can on you.”

“Thank you,” he yawned and grabbed my spare pillow, holding it to his chest.

Ah.

You like to hold something when you sleep.

That’s good to know.

Stop it, Eli!

I smiled and headed into the living room, climbing onto the couch across from Arlo and Aurora and closing my eyes, immediately falling asleep.

A few hours later, I was woken up by someone shaking me. Opening my eyes, I found Aurora with a small smile on her face.

“Are you okay Rory?” I yawned, sitting up.

She nodded and pointed at Arlo who waved.

“Hi baby,” getting up, I went over and sat next to him, “are you feeling okay?”

“My tummy hurts again.”

“The medicine they gave you at the hospital is wearing off. That’s all. I’ll get you some Tylenol.”

I went into the bathroom, stretching as I went, and grabbed the medicine, pouring it for Arlo before grabbing an apple juice from the kitchen and giving them both to him.

“Do you need to go potty or anything?”

“Mhm,” he nodded.

“Let’s try and stand. The doctor said you should be able to.”

Arlo slowly got to his feet, and nodded, “I’m okay daddy. I can go.”

“Okay. No running though. Be very careful.”

“Mmkay,” he walked off to the bathroom, and Aurora pulled on my hand.

“What’s up, honey?” I smiled.

She rubbed her stomach and tilted her head.

“Oh! Are you ready for lunch?”

She nodded quickly, taking my hand.

“Alright. Let’s see what I have,” I led her into the kitchen and started looking around, “I can make you a sandwich, I have leftover chicken, I can make you regular tacos or flautas, or I have this special rice that Arlo likes that has corn and carrots in it.”

She looked in the fridge for a minute before pointing at the rice.

“You got it,” I patted her head softly and heated up the rice, carrying the bowl to the living room so she could sit out there with Arlo. He had returned from the bathroom, sitting on the couch and drinking his juice, “Lo do you want some rice too? I think that will be easy on your tummy.”

“Yes please,” he nodded quickly.

“Okay. Rory, do you want the same juice as Arlo or water?”

She held up 3 fingers and it took me a moment before I realized she was once again using sign language.

“Water then?”

Her entire face lit up at the fact I understood her and she nodded quickly.

I went into the kitchen and got Arlo’s food and her water, before carrying it out to them, “here ya go. I need to clean up the kitchen and wake up your daddy, so if you need me, come get me or call for me okay?”

They both nodded, their eyes trapped on the show I had put on and I laughed, heading into the kitchen, washing the dishes quickly before wiping down all the counters. My phone went off and I took it from my pocket to find a text from Jeremiah.

-J: BRO OPEN YOUR DOOR.

-E: You literally have keys. Just come in.

Sighing softly, I went over and opened the door to find Jeremiah, Holly, and my mother Mina, her silver hair piled on top of her hair, a gentle smile on her face.

“Hey you guys,” I nodded, letting them in, “um before you go in… I have company.”

“Who?” Jeremiah looked at me suspiciously.

“Rory and Wesley. They brought me groceries and stuff. Wes barely slept so I told him to nap in my room. Rory and Arlo have been spending time together they’re best friends.”

“Oh shit my favorite girl is here?” Jeremiah pushed past me and ran into the living room and I sighed softly.

Holly snorted and hugged me before following my brother.

My mother crossed her arms across her chest, giving me a look that had terrified me since I was a child.

“Elijah Levi.”

“Lo siento, mamá. Debería habértelo dicho…”

“I don’t care about you not telling me. You’re allowed to get close to whoever you want as long as you’re not going to let that influence the way you teach Rory. She needs a teacher like you. It’s probably a good thing for her to be around you. I was just surprised. You haven’t let anyone close since Ashley.”

“Wes is just my friend,” I whispered.

“Hm,” she shrugged.

“Oh. Can you update Rory’s pickup tomorrow? I’m going to bring her to and from school for Wesley. He’s been sleeping an hour a night for lord knows how long to take care of her. Arlo has already latched onto her and I want to help them.”

“Of course, I can,” she patted my cheek softly, “I’m so proud of you. You’re such a good man.”

“Thanks to you and papa. I’m gonna go wake up Wes. Can you make sure Arlo doesn’t try and run around? He can’t with his stitches.”

“Sure,” she softly kissed my cheek and we made our way to the living room.

Arlo and Aurora were sitting with Holly and Jeremiah on the couch, laughing and smiling.

Making my way down the hallway off of the living room, I quietly went into my room, closing the door behind me.

I sat down on the side of the bed and softly shook Wesley’s leg, “Wes? Hey. It’s time to get up.”

He stretched and yawned, rubbing his face, before leaning up on his elbows, “how long was I asleep?”

“Do you really want me to tell you?” I laughed, holding his leg.

“Oh lord. That long?”

“We all did. I think Arlo and Rory napped for 3 hours, Rory woke me up 4 hours after I went to sleep and I let you rest for an extra 2. I made her lunch too. She likes how I make rice. It has veggies in it. It’s good for her.”

“Th… thank you,” he nodded, his cheeks flaring, “why do I hear voices?”

“My family is here. Jerry was incredibly excited when he realized that Rory was here. My mom is putting me on her pick-up list just like I said. We’ve got each other so don’t worry too much.”

He carefully took my hand, lacing our fingers together and my heart started to race, “I don’t know what I’ve done in this world to get such a nice group of people in my life.”

“You’re a good man too, Wes. Don’t doubt yourself like that,” I gently squeezed his hand, “come on. You don’t have to call my mom Mrs. Cruz either. She hates it. Her name is Mina.”

“Hey?”

“Hm?”

“Are you free Friday night?”

“Possibly. Are you planning to kill me?”

“What! No of course not. We eat dinner with my dad on Friday night. I know Arlo will still be a little shaky, but if you wanted to come, I’m sure my dad would like to meet Arlo and you. He told me that you guys were all Rory wanted to talk about.”

“Oh… oh I’d really like that. Yes. But you have to come to Holly’s birthday party because I hate spending time around Jerry’s friends. You’re tall enough that I can hide behind you. Plus Arlo gets bored. I think with Rory there, he’ll have fun.”

“I was already going,” he laughed, pushing a loose curl behind my ear, “but yes. You can hide behind me.”

“You’re the best. Now come on.”

Laughing, we left my room to find everyone sitting around various places in the living room, Arlo and Aurora sitting on the floor at the table coloring together. Holly was leaning into Jeremiah, clearly not feeling well thanks to morning sickness and my mother was watching over everyone.

“Wes!” Jeremiah jumped up and came over, shaking his hand.

“Hey, Jerry. Holly,” Wesley nodded at her and she waved politely, “it’s nice to see you again,” he smiled nervously at my mother and she got to her feet, coming over to him.

“You too. I’m happy to see Eli made a friend,” she laughed.

“Mama!” I groaned.

“Cállate. I’m allowed to embarrass you.”

Rolling my eyes, I went over and kissed Arlo on the top of his head, “how ya feelin?”

“I’m fine daddy,” he smiled up at me.

“Good.”

“Pumpkin,” Jeremiah came over to me and threw an arm around my shoulder, “I forgot to order dinner.”

Sighing softly, I rolled my eyes, “what does everyone want?”

“Chinese,” Holly smiled.

“Fine. Wes what will Rory eat if I order from Golden Star? Arlo only eats their chicken chow mein or rice.”

“Rory. What would you like?” he smiled at Aurora and she ran over, whispering something in his ear when he bent down, “oh that sounds good I want that too. She wants lemon chicken and white rice. I’ll take the same but I can pay-”

“Shush. I got it,” laughing, I went into the kitchen and ordered dinner, knowing what everyone would want, and took a shaky breath, staring out the window at my backyard.

“You okay?” Wesley whispered in my ear and I jumped.

“Jesus you scared me! It’s just a rough two days. I needed a moment to look out at the trees. That’s all. I’m fine. I…” a tear rolled down my cheek and my hands shook as I clutched the sink.

“Hey,” he slowly wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, “you’re allowed to feel overwhelmed right now. You had a huge scare last night, now you’re surrounded by warmth. It’s a lot for anyone. But Arlo is okay. He’ll be okay. You have your mom, your brother, and your sister-in-law, and… you have me. I know… I know we met yesterday. But Jerry has been talking about you since I met him. I feel like I know you already. Give me some time, you’ll get to know me too. It’s okay, Eli. You’re not alone.”

I covered his hands with my own and leaned back against him, “I can’t remember the last time I was close to someone,” I whispered.

“7 years for me,” he whispered.

“Ash left 3 years ago but I don’t think she’d hugged me in 4. So I guess 4 years now.”

“Do you care that I’m hugging you like this?”

“No. No, I quite like it.”

“Me too.”

The doorbell rang and we quickly broke apart. I ran to open the front door and paid for our food, carrying it back to the kitchen.

“Dinner’s here everyone!” I called.

Everyone came to the dining table, taking seats and I smiled, glad to see that the table was full for once. Arlo and Aurora sat next to each other, Jeremiah next to her, then Holly, my mother, me, and finally Wesley.

“Thanks, pumpkin,” Jeremiah smiled, taking a huge bite of his food.

“For the love of Jesus at what point will you stop calling me that?”

Aurora looked confused, staring at me and I sighed softly.

“He calls me pumpkin because my eyes are orange, sweet girl. That’s all. Jeremiah is my big brother and likes to tease me.”

She nodded and started eating, Arlo copying her.

They quickly fell into their own world, Arlo eating his own small bowl of rice and talking to her and she would smile, wiggling happily.

“So. Didn’t expect to see you here, Wes,” Jeremiah laughed.

“I wasn’t planning to stay long. Rory just wanted to bring a stuffy and flower to Arlo, but… it was hard to leave I suppose. It’s welcoming here,” Wesley shrugged.

“I wasn’t about to let him drive home. If you had seen him when he got here you wouldn’t have either. He looked exhausted. Even if they live on the street behind us, I didn’t think it was safe. So I made him sleep,” I smiled, “oh shoot. What does everyone want to drink?”

“Water,” my mother and Holly said at the same time.

“Do you have whiskey?” Jeremiah smiled.

“You know I do,” I rolled my eyes, “lemonade or coke?”

“Lemonade.”

“Wes?”

“I’ll have the same as Jerry,” he smiled.

“Don’t you have to work tonight?”

“I obviously took the day off. I’ve been working steadily for years. I’m entitled to a break. I do have to go in tomorrow night though.”

“Alright. I think whiskey for me too. I’m not working tomorrow since Lo can’t go to school anyway.”

I got the drinks together and passed them out and we all finished eating, laughing, and talking. The kids finished first and after putting their silverware in the sink, they went to Arlo’s room to play after I reminded him to be careful.

“How many stitches does he have?” Holly smiled at me.

“Only 3 little ones. They’re just on his lower stomach and it worries me.”

“As long as he isn’t there doing crazy gymnastics or stretches they’re not going to tear. Kids have flexible skin. I can take a look later if you want,” Wesley smiled, taking a sip of his drink, “I usually take the stitches out at the hospital anyway. But his are dissolvable so just don’t let them get wet.”

“Thanks, Wes,” I smiled.

“How did you become a nurse?” my mother smiled at Wesley.

“I was a corpsman in the Marines. Basically a combat medic. When I left the corps, my training was easy to transfer and I decided to be a nurse for children.”

“Are you from here?”

“I grew up here but I was living in New Mexico. When my dad's arthritis progressed to the point he couldn’t easily walk anymore, I decided it was best to come back so I could take care of him. I moved back a few years ago.”

“What’s his name?” she looked at him curiously.

“Arthur Sterling. Art.”

She choked on her water, coughing and I quickly patted her back, confused.

“¿Estás bien, mamá?”

“I’m fine. I just… I know your dad. Or rather I knew him,” she smiled sheepishly at Wesley.

“H… how?” Wesley stared at her surprised.

“We went to high school together. He was one of my best friends. He actually introduced me to my husband and I introduced him to what I’m assuming is your mother.”

“She… are you aware she passed away?” he looked down at the table and I reached over, squeezing his leg.

“I am. I was devastated. She was a good friend to me as well. We lost contact after college, but she was always in my thoughts. She was a wonderful lady.”

“I named Aurora after her. Aurora Rosaline.”

“Oh, she would have adored that. Can you pass my hello on to your father? I hope he’s well.”

“I will,” he nodded, finally smiling at her.

“I’m glad.”

Holly and Jeremiah had been whispering to each other the entire time, and I narrowed my eyes at them.

“What are you conspiring over there?”

“Um… so. Do you remember that thing I told you?” Jeremiah rubbed the back of his neck.

“Of course I do,” I rolled my eyes.

“We were wrong about the amount of time.”

“Safe then?”

He nodded and looked at our mother, “mama…”

“What did you do?” she crossed her arms and Holly pulled a small envelope out of her purse, pushing it across the table to her.

My mother slowly opened it, staring at the contents before looking at them again, “you’re pregnant?” she smiled.

“20 weeks. I just didn’t realize,” Holly smiled.

“What!” I yelled.

“Mhm. It was a surprise to us too. But it’s a little girl. She’s due in December. On the 9th.”

“Oh that’s wonderful,” I jumped up and hugged her, kissing the side of her head.

“Thank you. We already thought of a name too.”

“Really?”

“Isabella Mina,” she smiled and my mother wiped a tear away, coming over to hug both of them.

“Thank you,” she whispered softly.

They left quickly after that, making me and Wesley agree to be there Saturday.

Wesley and I moved to the living room as the kids came from the bedroom, both yawning.

“Daddy,” Arlo climbed into my lap and laid against my chest, “can Rory stay the night? We want to do a sleeps over.”

“Oh, I don’t know. She doesn’t have anything here and I don’t think she’ll fit in your jammies,” I kissed the top of his head.

Aurora stuck out her bottom lip, staring at Wesley and he sighed softly.

“I don’t mind. I can go home and grab her clothes,” he shrugged.

“Really?” I stared at him surprised.

“Sure.”

“Well. Okay. But why don’t you stay too? We can watch movies.”

“Yeah? I’d like that.”

“Me too.”