Milani could feel Chris' grip on her shoulder, his touch was like a firework. Sparking a thud in her chest. Milani could hardly establish eye contact with Chris. She couldn't concentrate on anything other than her thoughts. His lips formed words but was cut off by Milani's legs that gave up causing her to stumble backwards. She could feel his arms catch her, not by pulling her up but ensuring she meet the ground on his lap. The scene was like those moments in hallmark Christmas movies where the guy would save the clumsy girl from falling on her face.
"Hey are you ok? You've been acting strange these last three weeks." Chris paused observing his girlfriends every move, waiting for the big truth to come. Sitting on the kitchen stool, head slumped onto her palms Milani watched as Alana and Romeo slept inside their playpen. "Do you remember three weeks ago the day I got discharged, the guy that was mocking me and the kids," He slouched on the chair next to her. "Oh yeah that dick, it sounded like he knew you, how do you know him?" An ugly laugh burst from the tip of her tongue. "Quit it, he's my ex-husband's brother please don't call him a dick. Hearing that sounds weird," Chris' eyes rested on Milani as if she'd disappear at any second.
Milani stared at her small necklace and clutched it tight to her chest. "Ah I see, so why are you conflicted suddenly." He caressed her hair staring right into her eyes. It was tough for Milani to not glance in his eyes when his attention was all on her. "Well, I may or may not have wrecked his relationship with his wife/fiancée whatever she is to him." Chris nodded his head and got up, stretching out his arms which to her amazement moved up his shirt showing his abs. "Don't worry about it too much I'm sure he's fine." Before Milani could say anything he left the room with her sitting on the floor confused and tired.
Milani had a bad feeling in her gut that she jumbled up her ex brother-in-law's life. Sighing, she picks up Romeo and Alana from the cribs, strapping them inside their Elmo stroller. Picking up her keys Milani sauntered out the house. She'd concluded that she would go to Masons' house and apologize to him. The ride to his mansion wasn't long, Milani remembered coming to his house every day when Ceaser was working, they would call themselves paper and pencil. It was strange for her, being there again after so long.
Despite how long she'd been gone, Milani could still remembered everything about the place; the blue and white roses planted in the front garden, the mellow tinkling of the wind chimes that reminded her of the summer days. The golden painted gate had become taller since she'd last been here, but she recognized it. It looked like the color of the sky after dawn. Her legs walked her up to the door, she pushed the stroller front of door.
It relieved Milani; it had been months since she was last at Masons home yet his gate keeper still recognized and was sympathetic enough to let her go through with no trouble. Raising her fist she tried to knock but stopped. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Taking in a deep breath, Milani forced herself to press the doorbell. Ding-dong. The sound coming from inside, and the noise of someone stomping to answer the door caused a shiver to run down her spine. It opened, and Masons dull, emotionless face was exposed.
Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. Before she knew it Milani embraced him in a tight hug, uncertain why she hadn't returned in so long. Milani missed his hugs so much. "Why are you here Milani?" He dryly asked. "I came to apologize for what I said, It blurted out and I'm just so so sorry," by the time she was done talking they both were in tears. "Come inside."
Happiness flooded inside her as she looked around the house. Wow, this place hasn't changed one bit. The only things that look different are the: broken mirrors, vases are shattered, and it's chaotic. She thought walking down the hallway. "I know it's messy I can't bring myself to clean anything. How could she do that Milani?!" He muttered angrily, turning over in defeat and uttering a heavy sigh.
"I would ask you why you were at the emergency room that day but that's not an important question right now. What's important is that we apologize to each other and become friends again. Please i know what this feels like, to feel so hollow inside to feel heartbreak." Milani pleadingly said.
"At the emergency room, I went there because Sarah was in labor. I was so thrilled I wanted to be a dad for so long. God, I thought I would break down because I loved her so much. But after you told me that she cheated my heart just died." Mason said, not looking up from the floor as he whispered. Uncontrollable tears rolled down his face as he remembered that day. "I'm so sorry Mason that you had to find out this way, nobody should have to go through what you went through. I know it's not my place to tell you this but I think the baby might be your brothers. The day I got back from the hospital I saw them having sex in our bedroom." The look of sympathy spread across her face.
Mason sobbingly cried, "Why Lani, why did you have to tell me?" Drawing a deep breath Milani looked at his dried up tear filled face. "Jesus, you need to clean up for the sake of your sanity, I wasn't expecting you to be like this. For God's sake you need to forget about her and live your life. If Sarah was willing to cheat on you, then she never loved you to begin with. I know It's been a real long few weeks for you I get it but that doesn't mean you should sit around and mourn a failed relationship." Hypocrite. She thought to herself. "Oh, and clean this place up it's a wreck and I'm sure a hazard."
Mason raised an eyebrow. "I can see that." He responded with pure sarcasm. For a moment his face lost the pained look, and Milani can almost see a grin on his face. "Is that a smile I see," His eyebrows lifted and his lips curled up slightly at the ends. "This is a start, now do you want to meet the little ones or not." Walking up to him she picked up Alana and handed him Romeo.
After thirty minutes of them laughing and joking around Milani's phone buzzed. She looked at the contact name and realized that it was Chris. She wanted to answer it but she knew he could wait, right now she was hanging out with her brother.
"Hey baby how's mommy's milk," Alana's bright hazel eyes found Milani's, and she giggled. a babies laugh, such a sweet sound unbothered by the cruelty of life. Her little chubby face glowed from a light beaming within the room, and her mini fingers grasped her mom's, holding on tight. Milani held her baby to her chest, she promised herself that she'd never let her precious bundles of joy go no matter what the futures to come. She would protect Alana and Romeo, even to the extent of a life or death situation.
"Aww they're so adorable," there was a silent pause between the four. "I'm sorry for what I said about them. I should have never said anything like that or even thought of something like that. I'm genuinely sorry please forgive me Lani." The way his lips lifted upward showing one of his dimple, the way his teeth widened in a smile, showing his shiny teeth. The warm glow his happiness gives. Milani was so happy that she could see his smile again after all those months. "It's ok I forgive you. That's what best friends are for." Hours soon passed of them playing with the kids and sharing everything that's been going on those past months. "And that's how I found out I was pregnant." The look of shock ran across Mason's face.
He laughed hysterically.
"What's so funny?" Milani asked puzzled.
"I didn't think my brother could be so naïve, and to think everybody in the town thinks that you cheated and got pregnant by someone else. Only an idiot would believe that you'd do such a thing. I've never regretted anything in my life more than these last months, I shouldn't have believed him so quickly."
Milani brushed his apology off, playfully punching him on his shoulder. "I told you it's okay, no worries at least we're together again." Romeo stirred in Masons arms as he rocked him back and forth. "Do you know anyone who doesn't believe it?" Milani pleadingly asked him after thinking about his last comment.
"Who knows," he shrugged his shoulders rocking Romeo back to sleep. "Why?" Sighing Milani picked up Alana and laid her inside the stroller. "Do you realize how many hundreds of people live in that one town?" Mason nodded following her footsteps and laying down Romeo. "Yes, I think we can fix that and prove your innocence. Some of them are very nice people, Milani. Not all of them could have believed the rumors." For a second she proceeded what he was saying. "I mean come on you're the Milani Kekoa, You single-handedly helped put our high school soccer team in the finals. You were the schools best player, prom queen, cheer queen, and you even beat the semifinals for the chess club. They will believe you if you tell them and show them that you didn't do what they accused you of."
They sat in silence once more,
A few minutes went by and Milani checked the time. "Wow, it's already eight pm, listen I have to get them to bed before they wake up or I won't have anymore sleep left. I would love it if you came to the beach with us this weekend," Milani told him as they left the house. "I would love to come," Mason reassured her as the two waved at each other as Milani started her car.