Locked Up

ten

~Emma's POV~

It's been six months since the girls were born. They weren't too much trouble as newborns. Their diapers piled up and their cries echoed through the house. But I wouldn't change it for anything. I'm a stay at home dad too. Being the leader of a cartel made me rich, so I don't have to work anytime soon. Regina went to go visit her parents, so I have the girls for the time being.

~Regina's POV~

"Regina," my mother sighs. "Why are you with that Emma?"

"First of all, what does that Emma mean?"

"Nothing. Why are you with someone who's covered in tattoos and was clearly in a gang? Plus she was in prison."

"Mother, I'm not breaking up with Emma. She is the father of my daughters. We are very happy together." I think.

"And why do you say father? She's a girl– another thing I'm confused on."

"Mother, why can't you get it? Emma is intersexual. She deserves respect so stop diminishing her name. She is a great father. I don't care about her past, and you shouldn't be so hung up on it either." I stand up.

"Where are you going?"

"Home." I grab my purse and say goodbye to my father on the way out."

-home-

I park my car in the driveway and take the keys out the ignition. I sigh heavily and let my head hit the stirring wheel. I'm so tired. I really don't even wanna be here.

"Hey babe. What are you doing home so early, I thought you were spending some time with your parents?" Emma asks as I step into the the house.

"I was... but my mother ruined it. I'll try again next week." I sigh and set my purse down.

"Aw, sorry about that. Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No, not really, but I do wanna see my babies." I smile widely.

"They're sleeping. I just put them down."

"Ooh can we cuddle?" I ask innocently.

"Of course," she smiles. I love her smile. "Babe look what came in the mail today." She takes me by the hand and pulls me towards the kitchen. "They're bottle holders."

"I got one for each of the girls."

"They're nice." I touch the product. "I like them a lot. Where'd you find them?"

"I was on instagram the other day and I saw this page that was promoting them. I bought three after seeing the great reviews." We head upstairs and to our bedroom. I get undress while Emma checks on the girls.

"Babe look who's up." I see Jackie in Emma's arms. "Jackie." Emma says in a baby voice. "What are you doing up babygirl?" Jackie looks at me. I put my arms up and smiles doing the same.

"Hi bebé." I take Jackie from Emma. "Looks my baby." I tickle her stomach making her giggle. "Did you have a good time with daddy this morning, babygirl?"

"Gah ah," Jackie babbles.

"I take that as a yes. Here can you put her in her crib." I hand Jackie back to Emma.

"You don't wanna hold her longer?" She asks.

"No," I sigh.

"Why not?... I'm asking you seriously. You've been distant from the girls and you seem down. I haven't said anything– and I regret that– because I thought it might have to do something with work or something else."

"I don't know Emma," I shrug. "I just don't feel like it."

"Regina..." she walks out the room and I sit on the edge of the bed. I hear the babies' door close. She comes back and closes our door. "Regina what the hell is up? Are you not feeling the same in this relationship anymore?"

"Emma I never said that–"

"Well from my perspective, it feels and looks like it."

"Emma," I sigh.

"Regina you don't even hold the girls for more than five minutes. I feel like I'm the only one parenting. I ask you about your day and you say good. Then you don't return the question. And if all I wanna do is talk about the girls you seem to be not interested. I post about the the girls like crazy, but some of your friends and family barely know that you had three girls. So I'm asking you what the hell is up?"

"I not ready to be a mother," I admit. "I wasn't ready and I felt forced to be something I wasn't ready to be. Emma I wasn't ready to be a mother when I found out I was pregnant, and I'm not ready now. I love our babies from the bottom of my heart but I'm not ready to be there for them like you."

"Fine." She opens the door. "Leave."

"W-what?"

"I said leave. You told me that you wanted to travel the world. Go do that. And if you still don't wanna be a mother to our girls then don't come back. I'm not forcing you to be here." She walks over to the closet and takes out a bag. She's hurt. I hurt her. I'm hurting her. But what am I supposed to do if I'm hurting too. "This is for you. It's money for you to travel. I'm giving you an out. If you want it take it." She kisses me. "I love you Regina, so I won't force you to stay." She sets the bag on the bed and walks out the room. I start crying and stand up. I go into the closet and pull out a suitcase. I pack my things. I grab everything that I can think over to bring. I find my passport and leave. I leave. I'm actually leaving, I'm leaving my family... and I don't know if I'm coming back. I love them so much, but I have to get better for them.