Episode Eleven - Part Two

SHE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?! She damn well better talk about it! She had been gone all day with no phone calls or texts or anything. I mean, common courtesy. I told her as much.

She gets in my face, spouting nonsense. Some crap about prior commitments and needing to do what she had to. I had a feeling she was talking about Project X but I couldn't prove it.

What really made me mad was that she said she COULDN'T tell me what was going on. So in the end, I told her to keep her secrets, if she didn't want me to be part of her life.

I walked into the dining room and poured a quick drink. Nani followed me in. I sat simmering while she nervously pleated her dress. I thought for a moment that she might open up to me.

But a thin wail came through the baby monitor signaling that Toby wanted some attention. I held my tongue while she looked at me. Then she silently turned and walked out of the room.

I hate that my mind instantly thought of Chloe. How different my life would be if this ring had been put on by her. But it wasn't fair to compare Nani to her. To keep trying to make Nani measure up. My inner monologue was cut short by my phone ringing.

It was Ryder. He had something he wanted to pass onto me. He asked me to meet him at the old hotel bar. I walked into the baby's room to tell Nani where I was going. She nodded but didn't say a word. I leaned over the baby and pressed a quick kiss to her temple.

I drove away from the house and was ashamed to realize that I felt relief. Putting up with Nani and her shenanigans while trying to care for an infant was putting me on edge. I was glad to get away. As soon as I got to the bar, I ordered a double and opened my phone for more recent updates from T.

Brenda has aged into a young adult. That makes two orphaned teens that have been released into the public!

Horsey was seen out with Tommy, offering condolences on his recent break up with the youngest Gilbert girl.

Bina and L have both agreed that things aren't working, but are willing to keep trying for the baby's sake.

Simsgal shared the news with all her co-workes that her babies have just started their first day of school. (ELMER - twin) [Don Lothario - Father]

(ALECIA - twin) [Don Lothario - Father]

Jewels offered Zack Teen tutoring in math. Rumor is, that's not all she offered him!

PF got started dating Skip. She must be attracted to heart-breakers. 

I had just put my phone away when I heard the obvious sound of a camera clicking. It was then that I noticed Ryder standing in the back trying to motion me over.

Ryder said that Sean had called him in for a job. He didn't say what Sean had hired him for. He just wanted to pass along that Sean had some intriguing news that I should know about.

He handed me a wrench from his back pocket. I asked what it was for.

He looked over as Clay walked in. He put his hand on my shoulder and told me to never be without a means to protect myself or the ones I love.

As I staked out the local Stop-N-Go, my mind drifted. Ever since I had stumbled upon Project-X, my life has gone to crap. Nothing was as it seemed and I wasn't sure who I could trust any more. My meandering thoughts almost made me lose my target.

I could tell Sean was not happy to see me. When I asked what he had for me, he gave me a blank stare. I told him that Ryder had sent me after him and that he better talk.

He grudgingly shared that he had only mentioned to Ryder that he had seen Nani today. So someone HAD seen her! But I wasn't prepared for what he told me. I didn't say anything to him. I just walked back to my truck and drove home in a daze. 

I found Nani in the shower when I got home. Despite the open invitation I saw in her eyes, I couldn't bring myself to be with her. I felt like a snake as I thought of poor Chloe feeling the way I felt at this moment.

I walked into Toby's room and looked down at his angelic face. I tried to find my features in his face to assure myself that he was mine. That Nani and Silver didn't use me to keep their affair covered up. I took one last look at the unmistakable Drake nose then walked into the bedroom.

Nani was already in bed. I said nothing. I turned out the light and slid under the covers. Tomorrow, I would get answers. But first, I was going to track down Silver....

Episode Eleven - Part One

My first thought of the morning was that I couldn't believe that I was married .... to Nani. It's funny how things in life can change in an instant.

One minute I was contemplating throwing out Nani's weird cat statue ....

... the next Nani is rolling out of bed saying her water broke! Oh Crap! I just got married! THings are moving too fast for me! 

But they were moving much faster for Nani. She was puffing like a freight train before I could even get her down the stairs.

Living outside of town has its drawbacks and a long trip to the hospital is one of them.

But we made there in time. Nani didn't bother waiting for a wheel chair. No, she strolled right in and demanded a room. She opted for the epidural and things went smoothly for her. The wait seemed endless. Finally, the time came to push .... 

Seeing Toby being born was a miracle I couldn't describe. Watching them bundle him up and place him in my arms left me weak. I stared into the face of the child I had created and felt my whole world focus on something other than myself.

 

After a one day stay in the hospital, they released Nani and Toby. I called a cab to bring us home.

Nani had been strangly quiet in the hospital. I chalked it up to being tired from labor although I was told she did well. Still, the ride home was filled with an uncomfortable silence.

To try and ease things between us, I offered to keep an eye on Toby while Nani took a shower and changed.

I stared down at my son. Nani had refused to let him have the first name Francis, after my grandfather. But we compromised and let him use it as a middle one. So tiny.  

I was kinda afraid that I would break him when I picked him up.

Welcome to the chaos that is life, little guy.

After changing another diaper, I laid Toby down and headed to the kitchen to make my famous waffles.

I noticed that she looked a little dressy for just hanging around the house. But then she casually mentioned she had somewhere to go. What the hell?!

Movie star or not, she should stay home and take take care of Toby. But she refused to give details and I got tired of arguing.

I told her to do what she wanted. I would see to Toby.

As I started to clear the dishes, she took off for the door. Already, I could feel strain in this marriage.

I brought Toby a bottle and burped him real well. He fell asleep before he finished the whole four ounces. 

With time on my hands, I decided to take a dip in the pool. I set the baby monitor on my towel and started with freestyle laps.

My muscles were humming by the time I had put in a full fifty. And it had been two hours with out a word from Nani.

I checked my phone: no missed calls or voicemails from Nani. I didn't have time to worry as Toby's cries came through the monitor.

Yea, he's a cute guy. Aren't you a cute little bug? Yes, you are.

As the morning rolled on and still no word from Nani, I decided to grab a drink while I popped open the laptop.

It was after noon so that made having one drink ok. At least, that is what I told myself.

I realized with all the ruckus with Toby, I hadn't checked in with Twallan. And he had plenty to share.

Ace moved out and into my old place. She celebrated by meeting up with Arden.

A proposed midnight dip turned out ...

... not quite as planned!

Bina was let off for maternity leave. Rumor is, she is having second thoughts about the quickie marriage.

Today, Dina got word from her doctor that she is indeed pregnant. 

Kels is mystified how that happened.

Paisley surprised PF with the news of Kels quickie marriage and the supposed love child with Dina.

Erik Henderson was found hiding out at the local junk yard. When asked why, he said he was trying to stay way from ...

Mike Caliente-Crazy (Kels Crazy's now adopted son)! he was spotted leaving the Ashpie residence where ...

...Collin reported the loss of one of his prized collectable cars.

I tried to call Nani once again. Her phone went straight to voicemail. I wonder why T wasn't sending me any updates on what she was doing?

Although he was sleeping, I felt compelled to lift Toby up just to snuggle him. How could Nani just abandon him like this?

To kill some time, I switched into some wind-pants and pumped a little iron. But wimpers from the monitor cut my workout short.

Toby was being fussy, so I turned on the sports channel and paced with him. I heard feet on the walkway. Maybe Nani was finally home.

It wasn't!

I called for Chloe to stop but she drove off. She has a bad habit of doing that. Why can't I just stop these feelings I have for her?

I finally got Toby asleep when I hear Nani pull into the drive....

TO BE CONTINUE .....