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Alex and Xander shook their heads. Sternly, Alex corrected her. “That’sStar Trek. Not Star Wars.”
Xander added, “As if we would dive in withStar Trek. That’s for the next set of twins.”
“What?” Madison gasped, eyes the size of dinner plates.
From out of nowhere, Stassi appeared, dressed in a candy-striper outfit, armed with a stethoscope and rubber gloves. “Someone call for a nurse?”
Stone turned red as a beet. He lowered his voice, though everyone could hear. “Not now, Chérie. That’s forlater.”
Xander slammed his eyes shut. Alex gagged. And Jordan smirked. “Not even gonna ask what the rubber gloves are for.”
With a tsunami of sharp agony hitting deep in her gut, Madison dug her nails straight into Paco’s good hand. Simultaneously, they both wailed in pain. “Argh!”
The church doors burst open. Two women entered in a rush, one carrying a doctor’s bag, the other on her heels.
“Who ordered the special?” the one with the bag asked.
“The woman spread eagle on the floor,” Jordan said, pointing to Madison, theduhwritten all over her face.
The two women settled to each side of her. “I’m Doctor Brenda. This is Nurse Lee. I accessed your files on the way over and spoke with your doctor. You’re early, but we’re well prepared.”
The nurse took a peek under the hood, and made an assessment. “An hour max, doctor.”
The doctor faced Madison, determined. “I’m not going to lie. With twins, I’d like you closer to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but we don’t have time. We need to do this here and now. It’ll take too long to get to the nearest hospital, and the nearest chopper is ninety minutes away.”
“No, it’s not!” AJ shouted from the phone. “I’m twenty minutes out, max.”
The nurse stared blankly at the phone. “Is that a kid?”
Alex smiled proudly. “Yup. And a whiz-bang at stealing choppers.” He spoke sternly into the phone. “Watch your speed. Feather down the landing. And for heaven’s sake, don’t forget to shut it off.” Before AJ disconnected, Alex added, “And tell Mark this time.”
AJ saluted smartly. “See you soon, bro.”
Madison watched as Alex beamed into the phone. “See you soon.”
CHAPTER37
ALEX
Alex stood mesmerized, his gaze locked on the nursery window. His world had just doubled in size and his heart swelled tenfold, surging with affection. How could two little miracles fill him with boundless love—so thoroughly, so fast?
In the sea of wailing newborns, his son, Jackson Robles Drake, was the conductor of the choir. His tiny lungs belting out a symphony of life, causing the room to erupt in indulgent chuckles.
“Sounds like the name of a high-end vineyard,” Paco chimed in, teasingly twirling his unlit cigar.
“Or a prestigious law firm,” Jordan added, her hand fondly resting against the cool glass.
Amused, Alex shook his head, his grin broadening. “Everyone’s a critic.”
“I like it,” AJ said, scrutinizing the golden band on his own celebratory cigar. It was a token of the occasion—symbolizing not just the birth of Alex’s children, but the rebirth of his brother.
Each cigar would remain unlit—a promise awaiting the completion of a future resurrection. When that moment came, they’d all light up in celebration and set the world ablaze. AJ, too. For the puff or two he could tolerate, at least.
Alex lowered to the seat beside him. “So, a little bird told me you go by Xander.”
With a sad smile, his eyes met Alex’s. “So, a little bird told me you’re not my dad.”
Ouch.
