Hello Rosalynna

Chapter Twenty-Four: Beginnings | ✔

May 9, 2037

Chapter Twenty-Four: Beginnings | ✔

"Look what you made

Told you that I'm on the way"

Love Me // Kendrick Lamar ft. Zacari

Ansel Carson

I spent the entire day with the twins, and to my surprise, not a single call from my family checking in on me. In a weird way, I felt a sense of relief. With Daisy absent, I had the freedom to spend time with the twins on my own terms. The idea of being a dad had grown on me throughout the day, and even if it turned out they weren't biologically mine, the attachment was undeniable.

As I cradled them in my arms, the weight of responsibility settled in. The twins, so small and peaceful, seemed to exude a sense of calm. I knew that tranquility wouldn't last, and soon they would be crying and screaming, demanding my attention. But strangely, I found myself ready for that chaos. The day spent caring for them had become a quiet bonding session, a prelude to the inevitable challenges and joys of fatherhood. After spending the day with the twins, I decided to call Valentina she was the first person I thought of. "Hey what's up?" She says answering the phone.

"Daisy had the babies. Just wanted to see if you, Enrique, and Weston would come up to the hospital for me."

"Alright, I'll be there soon," Valentina responded before we hung up. I knew she had a lot questions about what was going on. I'm sure they all did. She along with the other two got there quickly. Before I knew it they were entering the room I was in. Since the babies were doing so well they were out of the incubators and inside the room that was for Daisy. They were breathing on their own and they were close enough to the front desk that they weren't too far from the nurses and doctors.

"What's up!" Valentina says as she enters the room, she went over to the twins as they laid in their baby beds. 

Enrique came in hugging me and Weston gave me a quick hug too before saying, "I'm gonna be standing outside. Let y'all have a moment." I nod before she walks out. 

When the door clasps Valentina begins, "They look good to be so premature."

"Just like us." Enrique says.

"We were full term dummy." Valentina says, she then raised an eyebrow at me, "Are you sure they're even yours? She's been playin ping pong with your ass since you found out."

"Yeah, the times add up. They're mine."

"Can I talk to him for a minute?" Valentina asks Enrique who nods and exits the door.

After Enrique left the room, Valentina shifted her focus, her eyes narrowing in a way that meant she was about to get real with me. "Ansel, you need to think long and hard about this. Taking care of twins is no joke." The gravity of her words settled in the room, punctuated by the soft hum of the medical equipment and the occasional coos from the twins. Valentina's expression held a mix of concern and sincerity, a silent plea for me to grasp the magnitude of what lay ahead. She didn't beat around the bush, her straightforward approach mirroring the weight of the situation. "I know we joke a lot and mess around, but this is serious, Ansel. These babies will depend on you, and it's not just about changing diapers and making bottles. It's about being there when they can't sleep, when they're sick, when they take their first steps. It's a lifelong commitment."

Her words hung in the air, cutting through any illusions of simplicity. The reality of parenthood, especially for twins, demanded a level of dedication and resilience that went beyond the surface. Valentina's eyes bore into mine, urging me to face the truth that lay beneath the surface of the current moment. 

As the seconds ticked by, I found myself nodding in acknowledgment. The weight of her advice settled on my shoulders, mingling with the anticipation and uncertainty that already burdened me. Parenthood wasn't just a concept anymore; it was a tangible reality, "I've thought about it, and I believe I can do it. They're mine, Val. I can't just turn my back on them."

She nodded, her expression serious. "Alright, just make sure you're ready for this. It's a big responsibility."

As our conversation shifted, I surprised her with a gift. "I wanted to give you this at the food court, but Weston was there, and we were having serious talks." I took out a necklace with the number 11 engraved on it.

"Our favorite number," Valentina smiled as she admired it. In return, she pulled out an identical necklace. "I got this when you told me she was pregnant."

She also handed me two tiny engraved bracelets with the number 11. "For the babies. I figured, just like us, they're gonna be the same person in different fonts, so I got it in different fonts." Valentina and I were always closer growing up, it was like we were identical twins and Enrique was our younger brother who sometimes just tagged along all the time. I hate to admit that but it was true. While Valentina and I were making up secret languages he would rather be elsewhere in a bean bag chair playing with legos.

I looked at the bracelets examining them when I see that they already have names on it, "Oh wow," I laugh slightly trying to make sure she doesn't think I am making fun of her, "you do know these already have names engraved right?" I ask as I continue to look up under the bracelets.

"Yeah, I figured their trash-ass mom wouldn't have a name yet. We talked about baby names so much growing up and I just remember what you wanted for your future kids. I figured since we had thought of baby names together I'd put the ones that stood out to us."

"Avan and Beckland," I say reading out the names.

"Yeah so baby A is Avan and B is Beckland." She explains.

"I got to put middle names on this birth certificate." We both sit and look around for a little. "I want to name one after both of y'all." 

"Really why?" Valentina asked confused.

"You've been my rock our whole lives, if there was one of us, the other one was right there behind. Enrique has always been there to guide me in the right direction, and vice versa. Y'all both deserve it." As Valentina spoke, the weight of responsibility and the significance of naming the twins hit me. I pondered on the names, and suddenly, clarity struck.

"What about Beckland Enrique Carson and Avan Eleven Carson?"

Valentina chimed in, suggesting, "Yeah, spell it E-l-e-v-y-n."

A sense of approval washed over me, and I nodded. "I kind of like it. I mess with it."

Valentina suggested bringing Enrique to discuss the names. "Maybe we should get Enrique to come here," she said.

"You know he won't come without Weston," I pointed out.

"I'll tell her ass to wait outside. This is a family matter, and last I checked, she's definitely not family." Valentina called their brother, Weston tried to come in behind him and Valentina shut that down real fast, "You can wait for a minute."

As Enrique entered, he immediately voiced his opinion. "You're tripping, man. Eleven? As the middle name? Spelled like the number?"

"Just hush. The names are fine. Hater," Valentina retorted, defending the choice.

"Beckland Enrique Carson and Avan Elevyn Carson? I mess with it. Are you gonna spell my name differently? Like Enriquez? Enriquillo?" Enrique teased, injecting his usual humor into the situation.

"Avan Elevyn Carson. Beckland Enriquillo Carson. I like that better," I mused, starting to write out the names on the birth certificates provided by the doctors.

It wasn't just about naming them. It was like, damn, we were shaping their identity, right? These weren't just words; they were like a symbol of our shared history, a new chapter in our story. I was in control of their lives now, their mom had left and here I was doing the work.