Chapter 23: What Happened

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3rd Person POV

Flashback August 2001

A younger Penelope with straight hair sits in a hospital bed, looking nervous. A nurse enters holding 2 babies.

"Here they are! Ten fingers, ten toes each." The nurse says happily handing Penelope her two children.

"Do we have names yet?" The nurse asked.

"Elena and Emilia Maria Alvarez Riera Calderón Leyte-Vidal Inclán." Penelope answers with the twins full name.

"So that's a yes." The nurse jokes.

"Can't believe they're letting us take them home. Last time I changed Emi's diaper, I left my watch in there." Says a young Victor entering with a wheelchair.

"I know, I heard her butt ticking and thought it was gonna explode. And then it did!" Penelope jokes.

"Since you're recovering from a C-section, no intercourse for six weeks." The nurse informs the couple.

"Six weeks?" Victor asked in shock.

"Six weeks." The nurse says sternly before leaving.

"I don't know if I could wait six weeks. Oop, yep, I can. I may never have sex again." Penelope started to argue but cut herself off once she felt the pain.

Just then a young Dr. Bercowitz enters the room but is startled upon seeing the couple and their children.

"Sorry, I was told that this room was empty. This is usually where I come to cry. Oh, look at your beautiful babies!" Dr. Berkowitz coos as he approaches them.

"Thank you..." Penelope says hesitantly and cuddles her babies closer.

"You know, they're so great at this age, before they can talk. My girls, they're off in college. That's nice! Now my wife can yell at me in peace. Everything's fine." The Doctor says sadly.

"Are you one of our doctors?" Victor asked starting to get protective.

"And if you are, how do we get a new one?" Penelope asked next.

"That's funny! I'm Doctor Leslie Berkowitz. I'm a GP that works in the building. But I love coming down to the maternity ward. I find it so comforting. Especially after I've lost a patient." Dr. Berkowitz explains.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Penelope says sympathetically.

"Oh don't worry, he's very much alive. He just hates me. And now here come the tears again. I'm just going to find a broom closet somewhere. Everything's fine." Dr. Berkowitz says tearing up and leaving.

"Wow." Victor says laughing at the odd man.

"Yeah, I pity the sorry-ass nurse that has to work for that guy!" Penelope jokes.

"Alright, you ready to go?" Victor asked next taking baby Elena and baby Emilia so that Penelope had an easier time getting into the wheelchair.

"Wait, what about the car seat?" Penelope asked wanting to make sure it was installed properly.

"I installed it perfectly." Victor says with confidence.

"Then your father reinstalled it. And then your mother reinstalled it again. And then they started arguing, and then they started making out. When I left, they were salsa dancing in the parking lot." Victor continues to explain.

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