When You Left Me

A New Addition

Larry

I had finally gotten Laurent to get his mind back on dancing and work. My twin was having a difficult time after finding out which state Jasmine went to. I myself, was yearning to see her as well, I missed my sister. But until she called us and told us she was ready, it was best to leave her be. Laurent and I had just gotten back from a workshop in San Francisco, and were relaxing in the hotel room watching random sci fi movies. An hour into a giant two headed shark attacking a city, my phone rang. I picked it up and the caller id read Regi. Hm, it was late to be calling.

"Hello?"

"Hey Larry, look um there's something I need to tell you."

"What's up Regi? You good?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm good.....but Bambii's not bro." I sat up, my attention caught.

"What you mean Regi? Is she okay?" Laurent heard the worry and my voice and asked what was wrong. I held my finger up, signaling for him to hold on.

"Okay look, I promised her I wouldn't tell you but your my main man you know? So I got to take the risk...."

"Regi, just tell me what the fucks going on bro?!"

"Bambii's pregnant and she went into premature labor. She's being held at Besthda Hospital. Larry if you're going to go see her, you need to know that Jasmine is with her as well." I had been already getting ready to go when he said Bambii and pregnant, but hearing the Jasmine part stopped me in my tracks.

"Why is she there Regi?"

"She said she needed to be there for her friend." Fuck, that complicated things. There was no way I could tell Laurent about Bambii and expect him not to want to come with me. Especially since he would know that Bambii is in Florida.

"Alright, thank you Regi for telling me." We hung up and I was faced with the dilemma of Laurent. Said dilemma was currently staring me in my face, waiting for a explanation.

"Mon frere, what's going on?" I started packing things away into my suitcase, trying to prolong my answer. What do I say? I really didn't want to lie to my twin, he had dealt with enough of that to last a lifetime. I was pacing and I knew it. I was pacing so much, I was surprised a hole didn't form in the floor. Laurent got up and grabbed me by my shoulders, his brown eyes so much like mine. The worried expression on his face decided for me.

"Bambii's pregnant and she's going into premature labor. I didn't even know she was pregnant. I haven't seen her in months because...."

"Because you've been to busy taking care of me." Laurent finished the sentence off. He looked so ashamed and I instantly wrapped my arms around him. If it was one thing I would never allow, was for my twin to feel like he was a burden.

"Yes, because I was taking care of you and I would do so every time. Never think that anyone else will come before you. We entered this world together and together we shall leave mon frere. Never let that look touch your face again. Now with that being sad, you cannot come with me."

I went back to packing, ignoring Laurent's confusion.

"Why can't I go Larry? I want to be there for you like you are for me." I zipped up the suitcase and looked my twin in his eyes.

"I don't want you to go Laurent. Believe me when I say it's for you own good." I texted Eleni to get me a ticket to Florida asap. Before I could make it out the door, I tripped over Laurent's next words.

"It's cause Jasmine is there huh?" I pinched the bridge of my nose, my twins ability to read me was annoying at this current moment.

"Yes Lau, she is there."

"Then I understand, I won't go Larry." That threw me off. I just stared at my twin as he went back to the hotel bed and laid down.

"You're sure about this Laurent? I mean I know what I said but.... I didn't expect you to just not go." Laurent laid on his back and looked at the ceiling with increasing interest.

"I've accepted the fact that Jasmine isn't ready to come home. Me showing up would probably do more harm than good. So I'll stay here until you tell me she left. Then I'll go and meet my niece or nephew." I gazed at my twin in amazement. He really was growing up and accepting the ways of the world. I went over to him and leaned my head against his, a brotherly gesture we did constantly. It eased my heart and soul.

"I will call you as soon as she leaves."

"Just be careful Larry, seeing you can be just as bad for Jasmine as seeing me."

"I know, I'll be careful with everything." My phone vibrated from a text and Eleni said she had everything set. I told my twin goodbye and I left. Now, Bambii was going to have to explain to me why I didn't know I was going to be a father again.

Florida, here I come.

_________________

Jasmine

I was panicking and Bambii was hormonal. Her contractions were only seconds apart and she had thrown a lamp and kicked a doctor. Geez, she was brutal. I really hoped the epidural took hold of her crazy ass soon. It was just us there since Bambii had no family aside from me. As I kept an eye on her, I couldn't help but think that this could've been me. I could've been the one getting ready to give birth. It hurt seeing it but not as bad as it would've months prior, plus I was happy for my friend which made this more bearable. An hour later and all I could hear was push and a angry Bambii on a rampage.

I watched in mixed emotions of awe and horror. Bambii's screams filled the room to every corner. Geez and I had two babies that I would have had to to pop. I was worried that the baby being premature would cause extra stress on Bambii and so I held her hand while she crushed mine, hoping to give her a little comfort. Another 3 hours past and a shrill cry rang out.

"Another girl huh? I can just imagine Larry when his daughters start to date boys." Bambii laughed, a tired and exhausted sound coming from her. She held her daughter in her arms, softly cooing to the child. The child was a melted chocolate drop with a head full of black hair. My heart warmed and broke at the same time. I excused myself and ran from the room. I walked out the hospital into the cool darkness of night. I needed air and I was hyperventilating. The images of my twins coffins being lowered to the ground came to mind and I was beginning to really lose it.

What was I thinking watching Bambii birth her child? I needed to get it together so I counted to 10 and back to calm myself. I was having difficulty and I felt hands rest gently on my shoulder. I pulled back and rushed a good few feet away. Who in the hell did this person think they were. I huffed and stared at the person ready to snap, but when I saw who it was, my eyes opened wide. There stood Larry.

"It's been a long time sis." The tears refreshened and I ran into Larrys arms.