That October Night

Chapter 38

"Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives." ~ Unknown

I found the most perfect song for Raymond and Rayya's situation. Listen to the song above when you reach to the second portion of this chapter.

🤍  🤍

"WELL DAMN, he really is my son," Dad simpered, looking at the naked baby.  It has been two hours since the birth of our baby brother and my father couldn't stop gushing over him. "We're twins!"

"Dad, he's been out for like two seconds. We can't see who he looks like yet," I told him.

Mom quickly fastened the adhesive strips from the back of the diaper to the front panel and held our little brother closer to her as if protecting her from dad. "What are you implying?"

"Uh-no-no. What I meant was-" he swallowed.

Mom laughed incredulously as she carefully handed the baby to dad. Although content at that moment, it was obvious that she was fighting to stay awake. "Caleb honey, why don't you name him?"

Dad's face illuminated with happiness. I knew this was a big deal for him knowing what he now knew about the son he never got a chance to meet. It was interesting how we would lose something or someone in our lives only to be blessed beyond explanation.

"Tobias."

"No middle name?" Mom's eyelids lifted just enough to get a sight of dad's reaction.

He rocked little Tobias, humming a soothing lullaby. "Nothing quite fits in the middle."

"Are you sure?" Chris cringed. "Tobias sounds so ancient. He's gonna be stuck with this name forever, dad. Are you really, really sure?"

"Christian, I'm certain," dad answered reassuringly. This was a sight that was meant to be looked at for years to come, so I made sure to capture it on my phone.

"Tobias Mitchell. I like it," mom slurred as she dozed off into a well-needed slumber.

I traced my baby brother's nose. Feeling his tiny hands wrapping around my pinky felt so phenomenal. He looked so adorable in his olive green noise. How could someone be so tiny?

"Hey, Toby," I whispered. "I'm your big sister. Your only sister. I'm going to love you forever little guy. You were born into the right family....even though Chris is a bit slow in the head."

"Hey!"

Shaking my head at Chris, I headed towards the door. "I'm hungry. You guys want anything?" They were all too infatuated with little Tobias to even worry about food.

"I don't see what's so adorable about newborn babies. They all look so weird. And how can you tell who they look like just after they popped out of the oven?" Chris balled his hands, placing them under his chin. He was staring intently at Toby's little face as if that would answer his question. "Honestly, he looks like a baby potato."

Dad face-palmed himself. "You know what? I'm hungry. Pumpkin, buy something where you'll need a lot of hands to carry. Bring your brother with you."

I dragged Chris out by the arm, accepting dad's credit card with eagerness. "You idiosyncratic mother-" My words were halted when I noticed my father's serious looks. "Anyways, vamanos you're stressing our old man."