06

« Sure, I would really like some alone time with them. » she says, as she hugged the girls, placing kisses on the top of their heads.

Sadie left the room, and headed back downstairs and into the kitchen. She began looking inside the kitchen pantry, and the fridge, trying to figure out what to make them for dinner. She found stuff to make lasagna and started to get everything ready, boiling the water, heating the sauce and browning the meat, she then grabbed the cheese out of the fridge and set it on the counter.

She was starting to get a little nervous that Antonio wasn’t home yet, she looked up at the clock that was on the wall and saw that she had to work in an hour. She debated on calling him, but figured since Harlow was awake that it should be OK if she had to leave. Once everything was ready to prepare, she began layering the noodles, meat, sauce and the different cheeses, then placed it inside the oven.

She was busy getting dinner ready that she didn’t hear Antonio come home, after she closed the oven and stood up, she turned around quickly and bumped right into him letting out a loud gasp as he held onto her arms when she was about to fall.

« You scared the crap out of me ! » she said loudly, while looking into his eyes. She was mesmerized by how crystal blue his eyes were, just gazing into his eyes made her melt inside, and felt like her stomach were full of dancing butterflies.

« Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. » he laughed, as he let go of her. « I was just coming in here to let you know that I was home. I’m sorry it took a little longer than expected. »

« I was starting to get a little nervous that you weren’t here yet. I made lasagna, and it should be done in about an hour. » she says, as she walked over to the sink, and rinsed the dishes off that she left in the sink, trying to calm herself down. « I can set the timer for you, so you know when the food is done. »

He leaned against the counter with a smile. « How did you know that was my favorite meal ? »

« I didn’t???I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to make dinner tonight, it was getting close to dinner time so I looked to see what you had. I saw you had everything to make for lasagna, and made it. Hopefully it tastes OK. » she smiled, and began loading the dishwasher.

« I’m sure it will taste just fine. » he says, looking behind him. « Are the girls still napping ? »

« No???they wanted to lay next to Harlow, so they are in the room with her. Harlow did wake up, asking for water and her medication. She sounded like she was in a lot of pain when I had talked to her. »

« OK, thank you for your help. »

« You’re welcome, but I do have to get going. » She set the timer, and walked to the entry way, putting her shoes on.

Sadie was just walking out the door when Antonio called for her, he walked quickly over to her, holding keys in his hand.

« I forgot to give you these??? They are the house and garage keys. I have each of them labeled for you, until you can figure them out. »

« Thanks. » she says, taking the keys from him. « I’m sure I’ll be needing these tonight. I do have to close, but if you need anything, give me a call. »

When Sadie left the house, she couldn’t help but think about Antonio, wondering why she looked at him in the way that she did. She thought he was extremely sexy with those blue eyes, and dark hair of his, that it had her melting in ways, she knew that she shouldn’t have been.

Antonio walked up the stairs and took a deep breath before walking in the bedroom, he couldn’t help but think of what Harlow was going through, and felt bad that he couldn’t do more for her. His heart broke when he saw the girls cuddling with their mother, and Harlow with tears rolling down her face.

« Are you OK ? » he asked, as he walked towards her.

« I’m just scared, I’ll never be able to watch them grow up, never be able to experience seeing them with their first boyfriend, comfort them from a heartache after a breakup, never see them get married, nothing. » she cried, squeezing the girls tighter against her.

Antonio sat down on the bed next to her, curling his finger under her chin. He lifted her head up to look her in her eyes « Listen to me, you need to fight this, you can fight this, and you need to be strong for those two right there laying in your arms. » he says to her, feeling frustrated. Frustrated that she was already giving up.

« Are you able to get up and get out of bed ? Sadie made dinner for us, and it should be done soon. »

The girls climbed out of bed, ran out of the room and down the stairs. « I think I could use some help getting up, I feel a little weak. » Harlow says, trying to sit up.

He helped her out of bed and walked her down the stairs, sitting her at the table. « Smells good, what did she make ? »

« Lasagna. »

« You must have told her that was your favorite meal???where is she anyway ? »

« She had to work, and no???I never told her that was my favorite meal. » he says, wondering why she sounded jealous.

« Work ? » she asked, giving Antonio a confusing look.

« Yes, she’s still waitressing at that new burger joint in town, The Royal Burgers. »

« You’re telling me that you hired a waitress ? » she said, sounding bitter. She rested her elbows on the table and placed her face in her hands, groaning at the thought of Sadie being a waitress, and not a caregiver.

Antonio could sense hostility in her, and let out a loud long sigh. « Harlow, the kids love her, and she’s been really good with them so far. Who cares if she’s not a licensed nanny, she’s a natural. »

« I suppose your right. » she sighed. « I was no professional either when I became pregnant with twins. At the time I knew nothing about kids, and she seems to be good with them, from what I have noticed so far. »

« Just give her a chance, she might surprise you???us that is. »

The timer dinged, Antonio pulled the lasagna out and grabbed the garlic bread out of the freezer, putting it in the oven while the lasagna rested, so he could cut into it without it falling apart. The house was beginning to smell like garlic once the garlic bread began to cook, making his stomach growl, making him hungrier than ever.

After the garlic bread was done cooking, Antonio got everyone’s plates ready, set their plates in front of them, and ate. Harlow was amazed at how good it tasted, and enjoyed eating the home cooked meal rather than the hospital food that she had been eating.

« Well that’s another bonus, she can cook too. » he says.

Later that night after putting the girls to bed, Harlow was feeling sore and tired, and ready for bed herself. She went to bed, with Antonio following behind. He stripped down to his boxers, and climbed into bed, pulling her in his arms.

« When I die, promise me that if you find someone else to love, that they will love the girls just as much as I, and one who will take good care of them, just as I would have. » she said sadly. He felt bad hearing her talk that way, and didn’t know what to say to her. He just held her tighter and leaned over to her, kissing her lips.

« Just know that I love you, and that I don’t want to think about that right now. You’re all that I’m worried about, and all that I can think about. « he said softly.