Home Away From Home

Chapter 23

The new parents brought their little babies home and put them in their cribs.

"Their so cute." Valerie said.

"That's because they took our looks." Nick put his hands around Valerie's waist.

"May 12th, our kids birthdays."

"It feels good saying our kids." He smiled.

"It does. Mom would've loved them."

"Both our moms."

"Yeah, both. I really miss them." She closed her eyes, remembering both their faces. "Nick?" She opened them and looked at him.

"Yeah?"

"Why did you name her Emma?"

"Because remember when we said we would name her after mom? Mom's middle name is Emma. And look at Emma closely, she looks just like mom. I think she has her soul."

"She does. She's beautiful, just like Sally." Valerie looked at her beautiful daughter.

"Now tell me why you named our son Anthony." He smirked.

"I don't know really. I just really love that name."

"Better not be because of some other guy." They both laughed. "Our kids will be breaking hearts, you know?"

"Why say that?" Her eyebrows scrunched together.

"Because our kids are gorgeous. Our boy is going to break all the girls hearts and our girl will break their hearts by saying no to them. She is not dating till she's thirty."

"I'm 20 and I just had two kids." Valerie laughed.

"For us, it's okay. But for little Emma here, she isn't going to date till I say she can." He put her hand on Emma's stomach and she smiled. "She will be focused on school and be a straight A student. She-"

"Honey, she's only a few days old and you're already planning her future?"

"I'm her father. It's what I do."

"So what about Tony?"

"Tony could date whatever age he wants. But he will also be a straight A student."

"And if he's not?"

"Then his big sister will knock some sense into him." They both smiled and watched their babies sleep. Then, the phone rang. "I'll get it." Nick walked downstairs to get the phone. "Hello?"

"Can I talk to Nick?"

"Speaking."

"Nick, it is Lieutenant Charles Miles, remember me?"

"How could I forget?" He rolled his eyes.

"Now, son. You know you need to be here today."

"My kids were just born, sir."

"I understand, but I can't change the rules and plus, we need you here."

"Is it still bad, sir?"

"Yes, it is. And I checked your files; you've never let us down."

"I know, sir. But I don't want to let my family down."

"We never want to do that, but sometimes there are things we have to do."

"But, sir..." He sighed.

"Son, you know that if you don't show up you will be arrested."

"Yes I know."

"We expect you by the end of the week." He then hung up.

"Who was that?" Nick turned around and saw Valerie.

"No one."

"Don't lie to me Nicholas." They both knew that Valerie only called him that when she was mad or had no patience.

"It was Lieutenant Charles Miles." He sighed.

"And what did he want?"

"For me to come back."

"What? You're a father now!" Her eyebrows formed together, showing a confused expression.

"I know, I know."

"Please tell me you aren't going."

"I have no choice." He took her hands in his.

"You can't go!" She pulled away from him.

"Baby! I have no choice! If I don't go, I'm going to get arrested!"

"What if you don't come back? I'm supposed to raise our kids on my own?" Tears were forming in her eyes.

"No, you will not be raising our kids on your own. We both really never had a father; these kids will have the best father in the world." He leaned in to kiss her. She moved back.

"Promise?"

"Promise." She smiled and let him kiss her.

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