Anita
I woke the next morning and Raven was still beside me, her left arm and leg elevated. Thinking back to last night, I broke into relieved sobs, hiding my face between her neck and shoulder. She's still here, I'm not dreaming. I feel her hand slip up the back of my shirt and shutter a calming breath at the contact. I lay a kiss on her neck and move my head over her chest. Her heart beat was soothing to me and I'll never get tired of hearing it. I trace my finger over drawing Amelia did on the cast on her arm, a heart with a bandaid. "Anita," Raven asks with concern and I look up at her. "I know I normally wait for you to express your thoughts, but this morning you woke up sobbing." "I thought I was in a dream yesterday and didn't want to go to sleep or wake up and you'd be gone," I say in a wavering whisper. "I'm sorry," she says feeling bad, but she has nothing to apologize for. "Don't apologize for being alive Ray," I choke quietly as her mother walks in. "Can you help her to the kitchen? I want to make her something for breakfast." She gives me a knowing look and nods without question. I kiss the nearly healed cut on Raven's forehead and head to the kitchen. Lexi was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. She sees me walk in and puts the paper down. "Where's Raven? I thought you'd stay with her until someone..." "Her mother is bringing her out. I wanted to make her breakfast," I say quietly and start taking out the pancake mix. "I know it's a stupid question but are you okay," she asks with concern. "No, I'm not. I'm extremely emotional and trying not to break down every five seconds," I choke quietly and she gets up to walk over to me. "Please don't. I already had a breakdown this morning, I just want to have breakfast with my fianceé and daughter." She nods with understanding and sits back down. Raven is wheeled to the table and watches me mix the batter. I knew she could tell I was still emotional by the concerned look on her face. I could tell she felt bad she couldn't get up and comfort me, but little did she know her presence was comforting enough. Amelia comes into the kitchen and immediately comes over to give me a hug. I help her on the counter and let her help me mix the batter. She and Raven both like extra chocolate chips so I let her put them in until she feels they're enough. She nods in satisfaction and it makes me laugh. I kiss her forehead before helping her off the counter and a wave of dizziness makes me sway on my feet. "Anita," Raven's mother says with concern as she steps next to me. "I'm...," I say as the room starts spinning faster and lose my balance. "Anita," Raven exclaims with fear as I collapse in her mother's arms. I woke up with my head spinning, beeping sounds in the background. I groan at the white walls spinning making me nauseous. The beeping was giving me a headache and I squinted to see a heart monitor. The alarm on the machine goes off as I start to freak out being in the hospital with my heart racing. The doctor runs in followed by Raven being pushed in by her mother. As soon as I made eye contact with Raven I relaxed against the pillows and the beeping slows to normal. She's wheeled closer to me and takes my hand. Her eyes were wet from recent crying, but they held relief. "Your blood pressure was high when you were brought in," she chokes quietly, squeezing my hand. "They think it was due to being upset about my accident. They want to monitor you and the baby for the day, to see if everything is good for you to come home." "Where's Amelia," I ask in a scared whisper. "With my father and Lexi in the waiting room. They wouldn't let anyone in until you woke up," Raven says in a soothing tone and I let out a calming breath. "That's another thing stressing you out, isn't it? What Joe said?" "He threatened her, how can I not stress about that," I ask in a choked whisper. "Lexi didn't tell you," she asks confused and I shake my head. Anger flashes in her eyes a moment before she says softly, "He's heavily guarded by officers loyal to your parents, in his own block. He can't take a shower without having a dozen officers guarding him. He's basically in his cell when not in the shower. Food gets brought to him and he has no contact with anyone from outside." "What about..." "They found him dead," she says in a soothing tone, rubbing my knuckles. "His mother said she hadn't seen him since my accident and asked the police to check on him. No one is going to hurt Amelia." "I want her in here," I choke quietly, unable to calm down. "Miss Ramirez, you need to calm down," the doctor says in a soothing tone. "She won't until our daughter is in here," Raven says in a calm whisper and kisses my knuckles. The doctor nods before leaving the room, hopefully to get Amelia. Tears fill my eyes as I know that I scared Amelia. I can only imagine how she'll react when she's brought in here. Raven must have picked up on what I was thinking because she kissed my fingers. The door opens moments later and Amelia runs in up to the bed. Her sobs were out of control and Raven's father helps her in the bed on my left side. As soon as my arms were around her, we both calmed down. The doctor was amazed by what he witnessed and says, "I've been a doctor for years and never witnessed anything like this." "Their bond is strong," Raven says in a soothing tone as Amelia falls asleep on my chest. "They need each other to calm down." "She was scared when she couldn't wake you," Lexi says in sympathy and I look at her with a hint of anger. "Can you please leave," I ask quietly and she looks at me with a hurt expression on her face. "You with held information that could have avoided this from happening. You were there to hear what Joe said, that I've been stressing about it. Why would you keep that from me?" "I'm sorry. You were already stressing about Raven's accident. I didn't want to cause you more stress," she says in a choked whisper. "I've noticed the way you've been looking at me, the jealous look towards Raven. I have never seen you as more than a sister. Please just leave," I choke quietly and she does. Amelia's breaths shook as she continued to calm from her sobs as she slept. I tuck her hair out of her face and let out a calming breath. We should be at home enjoying the pancakes she helped me mix, not here in the hospital. From all the dizziness, I felt like I was going to be sick. I tried to climb out from under Amelia, but she only held on tighter. Thankfully Raven was quick to realize that I was about to get sick and hands me the basin on the table in her reach. "Can we turn the lights off please," I ask in a breathy whisper and close my eyes to avoid seeing everything spin. Raven I watch the doctor turn off the lights over her head and she groans with relief. He starts looking over her charts and when his eyebrows rise, I knew he was surprised at the difference of when she was first brought in. I watch as he does his exams and he tells me that everything on Anita's end is normal. "Miss Ramirez, can you roll up your shirt so I can see the baby on the portable," he asks softly, but she doesn't respond. "She's asleep," I say quietly with a smile. "I'll come back when she wakes up," he says quietly with a smile and leaves the room. "Can you call Lexi's Captain, I want to speak with him privately," I ask my mother quietly and she nods lightly, stepping out of the room. "Why do you want to talk with him," my father asks curious. "She's been acting weird around Anita since we told her about the pregnancy and the engagement. I've seen how she's been acting with her since my accident, like she's been trying to take my place like I died. I simply want someone else to take over the case and protect her from what we don't know about her family's murder," I say in a protective whisper. "She also didn't tell Anita about Joe and his accomplice or she wouldn't have been stressing about him hurting Amelia. We don't know all that was said when she interrogated him after my accident." A half hour later I was speaking with Evan, Lexi's Captain. Anita was still sleeping and Lexi was nowhere near the hospital. I told him about what was going on and he listened to everything I had to say. I even told him how Anita also noticed it and asked her to leave. He's been like a father to Anita since that night and I knew I could trust him with this. "I will personally take over the case, I owe it to James and Amelia for everything they did for my wife. Without their help paying her medical bills, my wife would have died," he chokes quietly with tears in his eyes. "Anita and Avery helped by watching our children while I spent days in the hospital with her while recovering." "I'm sorry to hear that. Thank you for helping us with this. I looked over the will her parents drew up, it was altered days before they died. Lexi was taken off," I say quietly and his eyes widen. "I'm beginning to wonder if she's a new suspect?" "Thank you for bringing that to attention. I'll keep a close eye on her," he says suddenly very protective of Anita. "I had no idea and I'm not sure if she knew about it." "The day the will was read, I remember her looking a little confused and shared a look with Joe...," I say quietly as everything hits me. "She's been in on it this entire time. She probably thought if she got rid of Joe and showed support to Anita she'd get out back on it by Anita herself. Anita altered her parents will a year after what happened. She left Joe on because she didn't know at the time, but added me and my parents." "You think that's why he ran you off the road," he asks curious. "Yes, Anita thinks the same," I say quietly. Tears fill my eyes and say, "She told Amelia the truth, but she'd overheard us one of the times I came home with a storm. Amelia said she didn't say she knew because Anita was the only mother she knew and asked if she could continue calling her Mommy." "I bet that was hard on both of them," he says with understanding. "They have been stuck together ever since. Amelia was scared when she couldn't wake Anita when she passed out making pancakes this morning," I choke quietly and tears fill Evan's eyes. "She and Anita are currently holding each other sleeping in the hospital bed." "Do you think it would alarm her if I visited her," he asks with concern about her and the baby. "Honestly I think she'd be happy to see you and hear from you directly about Lexi," I say quietly and he nods with understanding about what I meant. He helps me back to her room and she was awake. One look at Evan and tears fill her eyes as she smiles. "It's always good to see you," she says and thankfully in a calm tone. "Raven gave me a call, I hope that's okay," he says leaning down to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Of course, you've been like a father to me since that night, taking care of me and Amelia," she says with a smile. Her smile fades as she says with a sigh, "I'm actually glad you're here. I'm sure Raven already filled you in about Lexi?" "She did," he says softly sitting next to her bed. "We both came to realize that she may be a potential suspect with what happened to your family." "Because she was taken off the will," she asks curious and he nods. "I heard my parents arguing with her about something two days before it was changed, but when I asked why, they wouldn't tell me. "I don't want her near my family if she's a part of this. If she's a part of this, I want... No, I need to know why," she chokes in a whisper, looking down at Amelia still asleep next to her. "I can't lose what's left of my parents. I have an unborn child to worry about. Please help me keep them safe." When she looks back up, tears were rolling down her cheeks with a pleading look in her eyes. Evan nods without hesitation and she lets out a calming breath. "Can you think of anyone else that might be part of this," he asks in sympathy. "I have my assistant, Marie looking into everything and everyone. I'm even having her alter my will again," Anita says in a wavering whisper and her face turned pale. "She needs the basin," I say in warning to Evan and he holds it in front of her to get sick in. "Amelia won't let her up. Every time Anita tries to climb out of bed, Amelia holds onto her tighter." Her doctor walks in moments later and asks, "Are you ready to see your baby?" "Amelia," she says softly, gently stroking her cheek and she opens her eyes. "Would you like to see the baby with me?" She gives a tired nod and watches with curious eyes as Anita rolls her shirt up. Before the doctor could apply the ultrasound gel to her abdomen, Amelia runs her stomach and says in her cute little squeaky voice, "Be nice to Mommy baby, I don't like when you make her sick or pass out." Anita breaks into uncontrolled sobs and Amelia scoots up to kiss her forehead. "Don't cry Mommy," she says wiping Anita's eyes. "Did you need a moment," the doctor asks in sympathy and Anita shakes her head, letting out a calming breath. He applies the gel, runs the wand for a minute before pointing to the screen. "Congratulations, you're having twins." Shock. The only word needed to explain the expression on Anita's face, the only word needed to express what I felt. Tears slowly slip down her cheeks and in that moment I knew exactly what she was thinking. I look up at the doctor as tears fill my eyes and say quietly, " Thank you for the news, but now she'll need a moment. Please?" "I understand completely, I knew her parents," he says in sympathy before leaving the room. "Is he the same doctor that monitored your mother's pregnancy," Evan asks Anita and she gives a slight nod of her head. "Do you want me to leave so you can calm down?" She shakes her head vigorously and he moves to sit on the bed next to her, taking her in his arms. Amelia hugs at her back and she meets my eyes. "I want to go home. I can't calm down here, it's just making everything worse," she says in a choked whisper. "I'll get her doctor," my mother says in sympathy. I could see the pain in her eyes, the emotional pain. It didn't take a genius to guess what was running in her head right now. I knew exactly what she was thinking, as soon as he mentioned she was having twins, it flipped a switch in her head. Thoughts of her twin Avery filed her head. Her reaction to Amelia talking to her stomach triggered a memory, one I didn't know about and I would wait for her to tell me. "I'll let you go home, on one condition," her doctor says in sympathy as he walks back in and Anita nods lightly without hesitation. "Come see me tomorrow, so I can give you a better ultrasound and we can hear the heartbeats." She nods vigorously, letting out a relieved breath and I say with relief, "Thank you Doctor Mathews." "I'm simply repaying a long lost debt to my dear friend's daughter," he says quietly and walks out.Anita At the mention of me having twins, my thoughts immediately went to Avery. I remember how we always stumped our parents because they could never tell us apart. We would apply to the same extra curricular activities and if one of us got rejected, we simply didn't join it. We literally did everything together. There wasn't anything we didn't agree on.We even consulted with each other before entering a relationship. She was the first I came out to and she was quick to accept me. I told her about my crush on the girl who lived next door, who at the time I didn't know was Raven. We would watch her from our backyard as she did yard work in her sports bra and baggy shorts. She was there for me when I came out to our parents and just as she was, they were quick to accept me.Then thoughts of that night flooded my head. The way she was huddled against me after our mother was killed. Her lifeless body pinning me down as I struggled to breathe passed the blood gushing from my mouth.Green
Anita I woke up the next morning in the hospital. Thinking last night was a dream, I look in the bed next to me and Avery was still asleep next to me. Tears fill my eyes as I realize she's really here. I move to lay on her chest and feel her slightly stir in her sleep. Her heart beat rhythmically in my ear and I silently sob as I hold onto her. A low rumble of thunder makes me jump. A loud rumble follows shortly after, bringing a scream from not just me but Amelia. I feel arms around me, but it's not Ray. I look up at Avery, but all I can see is her scared face from that night. "Anita, look at me," Raven says in a soothing whisper, holding Amelia in the spare bed. I meet her green eyes as tears fall from mine. "Keep your eyes on me." I lay my head back on Avery's chest, keeping eye contact with Raven. A rumble of thunder echoes, but I don't break eye contact with her. I feel as Avery strokes my hair and close my eyes. I let out a calming breath as more thunder rumbles. "Don'
Anita It starts with the rain. It paralyzes me. Then the rumble of thunder cracks, sending me back to that dreadful night. The night that changed my life forever. The night I watched my family killed. The night I was left for dead, but survived. The night I wished I’d died with my family. I see it all happen as if I’m living it all over again, the scariest night of my life. Four men in black had us tied up, searching for something my father had been working on. A program worth millions, but if it fell into the wrong hands it would be chaos. They wanted the combination to the safe but my father refused. One of the men put a gun to my little brother’s head. Thunder rumbles as the storm outside picks up. Even over the loud rumble of thunder I could hear the loud BANG of the gun. My brother’s tiny form crumbled to the floor in front of me as blood poured from the small hole in his forehead. His lifeless eyes stuck open. The screams of my mother and my twin sister drowning out the plea
RavenSurprisingly Anita and I slept through the night without a nightmare. I was cuddled at her back while Amelia was cuddled against Anita's chest. Anita's arms wrapped securely around the small child. The peaceful look on her face told me she was content.I look out the window facing us, seeing gray skies. The first signs of rain falling loudly on our roof. Anita stirs in my arms, a light whimper coming from her. I whisper soothingly in her ear and feel her relax in my arms. Her facial expressions relax from her brief frowning in fear.A low rumble of thunder causes her eyes to fly open, breaths quickening. Amelia starts crying and it seems to distract the woman in my arms. "I'm here sweetheart," Anita says in a trembling whisper."Mommy, where's Daddy," the fragile voice asks in a choked whisper."I'm still here baby," I say in a soothing whisper, startling both of them. "It's okay, I'm here."Amelia carefully climbs over Anita and lays on top of me while Anita rolls to face me. I
Anita Little did Joe know, I moved the contents of my father's safe. The combination to the safe had been my parents wedding anniversary. I head back down to the basement where I had asked Raven's parents to put in a hidden safe in the wall. I frantically open the safe and take out the entire contents my father kept. Knowing what I was looking for and gathered the information needed, putting the rest back along with the USB that held millions of dollars of my father's work. I call the detective handling my family's murders. She was a friend of my mother and also skeptical about Joe. Though she's only five years older than me, her mother was friends with mine. When her mother passed away, my mother was the person she turned to for motherly advice. "Lexi, it's Anita," I choke quietly. "Everything okay, you sound like you've been crying," she says with concern. "I discovered something that you need to see. Can you meet me at the neighbors house from my parents house? It's urgent,"
Raven I woke with pain on my left side. Anita was still peacefully sleeping on my chest and thankfully a nurse was walking in. She looks in my pain filled eyes and presses a button on the machine to give me a dose of morphine. She smiles sympathetically at Anita before checking my vitals. She walks out and my parents, Amelia and Lexi walk in. My mother covers her mouth at the sight before her. Tears roll down her cheeks as she sees Anita is sound asleep in my arms. Relief fills her eyes as they meet mine and I give a light smile. Amelia was cuddled in my father's arms, asleep on his chest and I was relieved to see she was okay, that they were all okay. Finally, my eyes meet with Lexi asking a question without words. She gives a subtle nod and tears silently roll down my cheeks. She comes closer, showing me a printout of an ultrasound Anita must have done yesterday. I smile through the tears and kiss Anita's head. "She's eight weeks and they have a strong heartbeat," Lexi says with
AnitaI jolt awake from a nightmare, breathing rapidly. As I look around my surroundings, I remember I'm in the hospital. Raven lay next to me, asleep with her head wrapped and casts on her left arm and leg. Tears well in my eyes from relief that my nightmare was wrong. She's alive, not dead.My nightmares usually consist of the truth, they usually consist of the tragic night five years ago. I find myself lightly tracing over her lips until those green eyes meet mine. One look in mine and I know she can see something is bothering me."I'm still here," she whispers soothingly as if she could read exactly what I was thinking.I nod vigorously as the tears fall rapidly down my cheeks. I give her a kiss and feel someone tap my leg. I look behind me at Amelia and she had fresh tears in her eyes. "Can I lay with Daddy," she asks in a choked whisper.I nod, stealing one more kiss before climbing out of the bed. Amelia carefully climbs in and takes my place, sobbing in Raven's neck. Raven hol
Anita There was a huge storm coming in tonight. I didn't want to stay out in it and I didn't want to go home without Raven. I was torn between my decisions to make and it was making me emotional. Raven has been there for me with every storm since that dreadful night.The terrified look in Amelia's eyes when the storm was mentioned helped me make my decision. I put her before myself and I didn't want to see the scared look in her eyes. I meet eyes with Raven and knew she knew I was going home. Worry filled her eyes and looks to Lexi. Lexi gives an understanding nod and I watch Raven relax against her hospital bed.I walk over, caressing her cheek before leaning down to give her a kiss. As I turned to leave with her parents and Amelia, I felt her grab my hand. I look back at her, standing next to her bed. She kisses her fingers and places her hand on my stomach. Tears fill my eyes at the gesture and she takes my hand to kiss my engagement ring.Lexi places her hand on my shoulder and I