“I'm pregnant.”
“Again!” he yapped in surprise. Of course he would be surprised; a man as himself was an unfaithful dog with loose pants.
Like I knew what next he was going to say, “get rid of it.” And for the second time, my heart broke as those words left his mouth. Of course, I told myself I could handle it; I could move on after this.
“Okay.” Was all I said. Of course he was pleased with himself, looking satisfied with my response, but I had other plans in mind.
Fast-forward to 12 years later. My name is Aurora Vega Norman. And these little guys holding both my hands and holding ice cream in their free hands with smiles on their faces are my kids, my twins. Amber and Andrew Vega Norman. I can't thank my younger self enough for making the best decision about keeping my babies. It was hard with no support from anyone. I recall all the bad nights, the stress that almost led to miscarriage, and the fear of losing my twin in the labor room. Thanks to my neighbors, they were there throughout the whole process of my labor. I can't think of Mr. and Mrs. Smith enough for that. We all won't be here if not for them.
12 years ago, I was with Collins my boyfriend, I thought I finally found my place in someone's life but mehn was I wrong, my twins weren't my first pregnancy, I was pregnant for him once upon a time, he had said the same thing “get rid of it” a selfish bastard indeed, according to him he wasn't ready for kids, and since I couldn't afford being kicked out naive me went along with he had said, I'm an orphan, I lived in the orphanage for 18 years till I was kicked out with pennies to live for just another day, I stayed in the street for 2 years before I meant Collins, he was what I called God sent, I was on the edge of death when he found me, hungry and all beaten up under the snow, it was so cold and I thought maybe, just maybe I could die in peace.
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But he saved me, and naive me fell in love with him, not knowing he was married at first, but he claimed he was processing their divorce, and yet I found out about three of his mistresses. Collins was rich; he was what you call a spoiled child with no sense of responsibility in that head of his, but I too was so naive at that time, I clinged to every word he said without questioning it, and I was fooled not once but more times I could count. After I got pregnant with my twins, I made a mental note to run away. I had saved and stolen enough money from Collins to run away. And I took the chance when I saw it; it was a rare opportunity in a dark tunnel; it was my freedom and my chance at life.
I ran away when I was 23 years old, and now I'm 35 with my two grown toddlers doing the most in this season. It was Christmas after all; this season holds a lot of meaning to all of us, and it was also my and my kids birth month, so we go all out for this holiday, leaving my account in tears. I weep internally, but it was worth it for my babies.
“Mommy, when will you get a boyfriend?” My dearest son called my attention, drawing me out of my line of thoughts. He looked at me with a confused look; he had most of Collins's features, but this boy was me all over in mind and heart.
“Yeah, you're not getting any younger, Mama; you need yourself a husband; at least that's what Mrs. Smith used to say, and we need a dad; I know our real dad is." “Whatever, I don't want to use any cuss words, but Mom, you need a boyfriend now.” My other kid said she was so focused you'd think she was saving the world's greatest problem in physics.
"Yeah, what about Uncle Nathan?” Andrew chipped in the question.
“And what about him?” I asked a little confused.
"Mama, don't tell me you haven't noticed that he's into you!”
"Yes, mom, he sent you flowers every day, picked us up from school every day, and invited us to come see his family. Mom, don't tell me you're that old to notice he likes you.” My son stated like it was a fact that should be known.
“I don't know kids; I'm not ready for a relationship and love as a matter of fact; I just want to take care of you guys.” I said as we all sat on the free chairs we saw, the mall is always so crowded at this time of the year since it's Christmas, of course.
“Mama, I think we're ready to have a kid brother or sister or even both.” I couldn't help the laughs that burst out of my mouth. Yes, I taught my kids how to have a heart-to-heart discussion with me; they like to share their thoughts on any matter, and that includes my single life, but this was too much.
“Of course your mom would give you guys a brother by this time next year.” I knew that voice anywhere because my body reacted to his presence before I even saw him. Nathan.
“Uncle Nathan!!” The twins jump on shoulders.
"Well, isn't it my two daredevils? Why are you guys troubling your mom again?" He pressed a kiss on my cheek and one on each of the twin's cheeks. It has become a tradition between us; if someone should look at us, they'd think we were the perfect family. Nathan was a very good man; he has been there for my family for almost 5 years, and I had come out clean about how I got my twins and how relationships weren't my priority, and even with all my walls high and mighty, I can't say I don't feel anything for him; he has taken his role as an uncle and father seriously in my kids lives. And I just can't help but fall for him. But he can't know, just not yet.
"Hey, my delicate flower.” Nathan brought my hand to his lips, and he kissed on it. I have never seen a man who was proud of showcasing his love like Nathan. He was so straight forward with everything, and romantic, might I add.
“Hello Nathan,” I smiled at him. “So what brings you here? We thought we were going to see you at New Year's Eve, you know, with your family.”
"Well, it's never too late to still meet them; I'm here with my stepbrother and his wife, and my stepmother. I don't mind if you guys want to see half of the family right now; we just came here to grab something to eat; why not join us?" Nathan said with so much excitement in his eyes. I already knew how this man appreciates family and quality time, so refusing is like saying no to his soul.
"Well, why not? Better now than later,” I said, looking at the kids as they whispered things to each other's ears. Of course they gossip for a living. I just smile at them as Nathan guides us to their table.
And for some reason I knew this decision was going to change or undo me; of course, accepting to meet his family was like saying yes, I'd love to give this a try, and maybe that's what I wanted deep down; I'm just afraid.
Reaching the table where Nathan's family members were already sitting, I saw him. His lips attached to another woman as his eyes met with mine. What a small and strange world. How I thought I was done with my past, and here it was coming back to bite me. Nathan had taken his time to introduce all of us, not once afraid to tell his family that he wanted to marry me. My kids were jumping for joy, of course, while I sat down there with a fake smile, feeling uncomfortable.
Of course Nathan noticed that man can read me like his favorite book. I got up, excusing myself to go use the bathroom, and Nathan was on my tail, following along.
“What is the matter?" Aurora, you ain't yourself; don't you like my family? Do you want us to leave?." Nathan asked, looking concerned. Of course the man I finally wanted to open my heart to was from the same family as that the man that knocked me up and told me to get rid of my kids.
I can't_ I don't know anymore, Nathan, I just-”
"Common, look at me, baby, what is wrong? Let's work together on it, okay?”
“Nathan, that's Collins, your step brother is Collins.” I said, my voice cracking at the end of my sentence. “You mean the Collins, the one that put you through all those past traumas." He asked, already looking provoked.
“Yes.” I answered softly.
One minute I was standing with Nathan in the restroom, next minute Nathan was already pounding on his stepbrother. Heavens could not save Collins from this one.
“You intolerable coward, you got a young girl pregnant and got her to get rid of it, and you think your life would go slowly; no wonder your wife can't give birth to a kid after all these years!! And I was here praying for your happiness, and you had the audacity to ruin a little girl's life! Look at her; she can't even open up her heart to me because of it! "Nathan was causing a scene, and we had to leave and fast.
“I'm so sorry for what I have done.” I could see the years of guilt rolling out of his words. But sorry won't make anything right, won't it? Sorry won't make it better because he was too late.
“You are sorry! Sorry won't heal her from everything you had done to her; you are only sorry now because you can't have children, and let me tell you something, Collins: if I caught you close to my kids, I swear on my life that I will kill you brother or not; I will rot in jail for your sake. Bring your lawyer and case in court, because I am getting full custody of my twins.” And Nathan picked Amber, who was already crying, holding Andrew in one hand and holding me in the next hand as we made our way through the exit.
In my entire life, no one has ever stood up for me left alone for myself and my kids; this only made me see Nathan in a new light, and he called my kids his. I didn't want to stand there and look at Collins while he wallowed in self-pity and regret, shame on him, and he settled for such a beautiful woman.
True to his words, Nathan got full custody after adopting the twins; it turns out Collins wasn't the rich one after all Nathan was; he had more money and connection than he let out. In the past five months it's been a struggle, especially for my kids. Andrew quickly got over Collins being his dad, but Amber, my little girl, thought one day her dad would come get her and maybe we might be the family she dreams of, but Nathan was there throughout all the difficulties; he showed her what a dad looks like and feels like, and now he's showing me what a husband feels like, what it feels like to be loved in whole.
He might not be perfect, but he is perfect to me. Looking at the ring that bonds us for life, I can't help but feel grateful. Well I'm not one for gossip but a little birdy told us how Isabella divorced Collins. Not my problem of course.
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“Now, now I think it's about time we give these two a baby brother or sister, don't you think.” Nathan smirks like the real daredevil in this story….
And there goes a pregnant happy ending for me.