It’s been two weeks and I’ve spent every minute with Riley and her friends. All the girls like me since Eleanor and I are good friends but the guys, it will take them some warming up to do. I’m stepping in as the new hot rod. Taking Harry’s place technically. I feel like I’m overstepping boundaries but that is what Harry said to do. The lads will get over it soon, right?

Riley and I both had a heart to heart conversation last night because she finally told me she’s terrified. Terrified of letting me in. I just bumped into her life right after the death of Harry. She still doesn’t know about the letter. I hope she never finds out.

“Luke, you’re a really great guy. I enjoy your company and all but, I don’t know.”

“You don’t know what Riley?”

“If I can handle this, you.” She waved her hands at me. “I know the first night I stayed at your house I wanted you to stay in the bathroom with me. That was different because well I was lonely, vulnerable. You know? I can’t open up to someone so fast, right after Harry.”

“It is absolutely terrifying. To let someone in, let him or her see the darkest corners of your soul, the reasons why you cry and why they make you so happy. It’s absolutely terrifying because they might runaway with your secrets and never give them back. Riley when you tell me a secret or anything personal, I’ll keep that in my heart and keep it safe, untold.”

“What about the pregnancy?”

“I’m an uncle. I love kids! Just because… Harry, left, doesn’t mean I will.” I set my hands on her growing stomach. She has a small bump. A bump big enough to tell the sex of the baby. We’re going to the doctors tomorrow so we can find out if it’s a boy or girl. I think I’m more excited than her. “I will be here, every single day because I want you. It’s going to be hard I know with your cravings, silly mood swings, that hopefully I can survive but look. I’m still here; I’m still standing, right by your side. This pregnancy, us, everything! It’s not going to be easy it’s going to be really hard. And we’re going to work at it everyday.” I kissed her forehead trying to reassure her. “You and me everyday. Lets do this.”

“I’m moody on a regular basis. Brace yourself Luke Hemmings, the apocalypse is coming.”

“Well I’m ready angel.”

---

We went to the hospital to visit the OBGYN or baby doctor? I don’t know; I’m no scientist or anything. She is putting some blue gel on Riley’s stomach. She shivers explaining it’s cold. I can’t stop looking at her tummy. It’s so cute. I can’t wait till it gets bigger, where she’ll look like a giant. The lady is moving her device all around Riley’s gelled up belly trying to find the right spot to determine the gender of her and Harry’s baby.

“Listen to the monitor. It’s the heartbeat of your babies. A healthy heartbeat I must say too. Everything seems to look normal which is fantastic! Would you two like to know the sex of your babies?”

“WHAT!?” we both said in unison.

“I’m sorry did I hear you wrong? Pause, swerve, rewind. Did you say babies as in plural?”

“Yes Mr. Hemmings. You have two little munchkins in your stomach Riley. Congratulations to you both. You are having twins.” The doctor rubbed her hand on Riley’s thigh trying to get a smile out of her shocked face. “Now the sex, would you like to know?”

I coughed, “Yes. Riley?”

She only nodded her head.

“You are having… a boy and a girl!” she said while whipping off the blue gel from Riley.

“May I leave now? This is a lot to take in. Please, I’m ready to go Luke.” She reached out for my hand and I gladly took it. I thanked the doctor, walking out of the hospital and to my car. I helped Riley in. I don’t really know how I feel. At first I was excited on having a baby around. Now there is going to be two. They are bundles of joy but two? I honestly don’t know how we can handle this.

---

I heard rummaging downstairs. I woke up and looked to my side. Riley wasn’t in bed. I jumped to my feet and pulled up my sweats. I grabbed my baseball bat from my closet and quietly walked downstairs. The noise was coming from the kitchen. Cabinets were being opened and closed. I turned on the light and saw Riley surrounding herself with food. Ice cream, cereal, fruit, and cookies.

“God, Riley! Why would you do that to me!?”

“Ssshhh! You’ll wake up your folks.”

I ran my fingers through my hair over and over again. “Remember I told you, they left an hour after we got home. They flew to Seattle for a conference.”

“Do you think I have to eat twice as much since I have two people inside me?”

“I don’t know Riley, do I look like a fucking doctor to you!?”

She put the spoonful of ice cream back in the bowl. I’ve never cursed or yelled in front of her, or at her. I felt my lungs drop. It felt like the wind got knocked out of me. “Riley I just… you scared me. I didn’t know where you were; I thought some lunatic was in the house. If you wanted food I would have gotten it.”

“Harry yelled something like that to me before. Do you think Harry would be happy with me? Do you think Harry would be excited about the twins? Do you think he would have ran from me because we’re having twins?”

She is saying this all too fast that I’m not quite sure what’s coming out of her mouth. Riley had some tears escaping her eyes. I think back to the letter, “If you see Riley start to cry, hold her and don’t say anything.” I walk over to the counter, sitting on the leather barstool next to hers. I grab her hand and her hips, lifting Riley onto my lap. One arm is around her back; the other is on her stomach. My hand is rubbing her stomach. I wonder what these little suckers are going to look like when they pop out.

I kiss her head repeatedly still not saying a thing. I was distracted when I felt a kick. I moved my hand away form her stomach.

“Ugh. They’ve been doing that all night! That’s why I was up, walking around and eating.”

“You didn’t tell me!?”

“I think you are more moody than me in this pregnancy.”

“Riley, when the babies kick it’s a magical moment, it’s exciting because it’s like you’re interacting with them.”

I look down at her. Riley’s brows are furrowed; her lips are pursed. “What?”

“You are such a girl. Do you want to carry them?”

I plopped her back down on her original seat. “That’s really funny Riley. I think I’ll pass on that but thank you.” She looked down and smiled. “Come on, lets get back to bed. We can have the gang over tomorrow and tell them about the twins. Names! What are we going to call them?”

“Luke… Calm down. It’s only been a little while. We have loads of more months to think of names. Don’t stress out, your hairline is already receding we don’t need more of that,” she laughed.

People told me to make a girl fall in love, I had to make her laugh. But every time Riley laughs I’m the one who falls in love.

After I tucked Riley in making sure she’s asleep I sneak out to the backyard sitting down on the swing set my dad put up for me when I was small. I remember when I was seven I had Harry and his friends over for a little play date. I wasn’t sure what I did wrong but they came to “hang” but ended up beating me up instead. Johnny pushed me off the swings and I scratched my knees and elbows. They laughed and walked out of my house. An hour later I receive a knock on my door. My parent’s still weren’t home so I didn’t open it. Then it started to bang.

“Let me in Luke!”

It was Harry. I didn’t answer it. I thought he came back to beat me up.

I hid around a wall corner until the banging stopped and he walked away. Two minutes later he was in my backyard on the swings holding something. I went back out to the swing set with my baseball bat.

“Put that down Luke.”

His tone of voice was so harsh I dropped the bat, scared to think of what he might do if I didn’t. We were only in the second grade but he was scary for a seven year old.

“Come here… Dork. I have something for you.”

I stepped forward. He handed me a box. On it read First Aid Kit.

“Why?”

“Because I know what it’s like to get beat up. I’ve been pushed and hit before. I thought you might need band aids to help your owies. Your parents aren't home and you’re so short you probably can't reach your own band aids. Just helping a brother out.”

I rubbed my eyes and came back to reality.

I looked up at the stars, trying to find the courage to speak.

“Hey Harry. I don’t know if heaven is for real and if you can look down on us but if you are… congratulations! You and Riley are having twins, a boy and a girl. I wish you were here to celebrate with her, and to comfort her. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at her earlier. I was frightened that something happened to Riley. Please don’t send Satan to torture me. I feel like that’s something you would do. No offense man.” I threw my hands up in defense. “So yes, I’ll teach your son to defend himself if he gets bullied. Yes, I’ll protect your daughter from all those bad men out in the world. Your kids do deserve the best and I’ll try and give them that. And Riley, she deserves the best; she really does. And Harry, I’m really sorry that this had to happen.” I jumped off the seat of the swings walking towards the door. I swung it open and looked back at the swing set.

“I'm 6'4 now. I can reach my own First Aid Kit. I never said thank you, so thank you.”

Notes

I don't know what I really think about this chapter. I'm unsure of it. But if you like it please say so in the comments. It would be a real confidence booster! I'm always open to guidance :)

THEY'RE HAVING TWINS!