Ballers 2: His Final Play

by Blue Saffire

  She has to be okay. Uri and Val are too calm for this to be really bad. I lift my head and look at Val again and just as I thought. I was right. She may not be looking at me, but I can see the smile on her lips. My brows furrow and it hits me like a ton of bricks.

  I really can’t breathe. I clinch my chest as my thoughts have their way with me. I don’t even want to dare think of the thoughts that are nudging my brain. I don’t want the hope that could crush me if I am wrong.

  The car finally pulls to a stop. I stumble out without waiting for Uri and Val. I don’t even know where I’m going. Sim appears at the door to the hospital and falls in step beside me. She leads me in the right direction without saying a word to me. In this moment, I am grateful to Sim for being Sim.

  My heart drops to my stomach as Sim leads me into a private room. My world stops, tilts, and starts spinning again as Reese comes into view. Our eyes lock and I feel whole again for the first time since she left me.

  “Nico, you’re here,” Reese says tiredly in Italian. It is the first time she has started a conversation with me in Italian. Something about it warms my heart. “I’m ready. Tell the doctor I’m ready.”

  My eyes drop to her stomach and my knees almost give. My suspicions are confirmed. It all makes sense now. I’m going to be a papa.

  I do the math in my head. Reese has been gone long enough for our babies to have developed. I don’t know when she became pregnant, but I am so hopeful right now.

  I don’t know how I reach her side, but I get there. I wipe the sweat from her forehead. I want to kiss her trembling lips, but I stop myself. She has run away and hid this from me. I am even more pissed now. Actually, I don’t know what I am. I want to be pissed, but the thought that I could be meeting my son or daughter has me vibrating with joy.

  “Nico, I’m so sorry,” Reese pants after grunting her way through a contraction.

  “Shh, Cara, we have time for that. How far are you?” I ask as my brain catches up with my mouth.

  “A little over seven and a half months,” Reese smiles. “We’re going to be parents. I did it, Nico. I held on,” Reese says through tears and it breaks my fucking heart.

  I place my forehead to hers and close my eyes. “I just wish you would have let me do this with you,” I whisper.

  “I couldn’t watch you hurt. You said it would kill you if I lost another baby,” Reese says with a quiver in her voice.

  “Oh God, Cara, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I breathe.

  “It’s okay, Nico. I had to do this my way…,” Reese gasps and groans.

  I pull back to see her face pinched in pain. To think, I almost didn’t come. She did this for me. Reese went through this all alone, because of me. If I loved this woman before, there are no words to describe how I feel about her now.

  “We’re having a baby,” I mutter when her contraction passes.

  “No Nico,” Reese says with a tired smile. “There was no way I was doing this without you. I’ve waited nine hours for you to get here to meet our babies. We’re having twins.”

  ~B~

  Reese

  I prayed and held on as long as I could. Michael promised that Uri said they were on their way. I was relieved when we arrived here at the hospital and the doctor said that the babies were fine. They were just ready to make an early appearance. About a half hour before Nico and the others arrived my water broke.

  I had been hoping and praying since then that Nico would walk through that door soon. I didn’t know how much longer these babies were going to wait. Yes, I am having twins.

  It has been the icing on the cake. Nico looked just as shocked as I felt when I found out. The tears of joy that filled his eyes, when I told him were worth it all. Better yet, the tears his shed when they placed his little girl in his arms was priceless.

  Nico Jr. came out roaring his entry into the world first. Premature or not Nico Jr. is a whooping eight pounds three ounces. Lanya is her daddy’s little peanut at six pounds eight ounces. Both of my children are healthy with heads full of dark curls, ten fingers and ten toes.

  I give God all the glory for my two precious gifts. Dr. Hashem left a few weeks ago and his parting words were. ‘Let spirit guide you, and you will birth the desires of your heart.’ I couldn’t agree more.

  I listen to Nico finish telling the tale of our story to our son. I can’t keep the smile off my face. I know I hurt Nico. There was no way to avoid that, one way or another he was bound to be hurt.

  “So that is how you came to be, my Son,” Nico whispers. “Now what do we do? I don’t want to push your Mama away again. So what do I do now?”

  I wipe at my tears before I shift to turn and face Nico. He is nuzzling our son’s little neck. I smile as our little boy looks so tiny in Nico hands. He is so much bigger in mine.

  Nico’s eyes lift and meet mine. “Hey,” I say through dry lips.

  “Hey,” Nico says back with a small smile. He shifts our son in his arms and reached for a cup of water for me.

  I take the cup and take a few sips. It is the most delicious water I have ever had. I feel like it is my first drink after being out in the desert. I gulp it all down and Nico takes it to fill it up again.

  I take the second cup and sip a few times. “Thank you. Nico, I…,” I’m cut off by Lanya’s cries and Tam, Stacey, Alee and Brad walking into the room.

  I gasp as I see my friends. Tam, Stacey and Alee all burst into tears as they see Nico Jr. in his father’s arms and Lanya, crying in her bassinet. Brad walks up to Nico and gives him a pat on the back as he peeks down at our Nico.

  “Nice work, Donati,” Brad croons.

  I am still in shock; I can’t believe my friends have stopped their lives to fly all the way here, to Italy for me. Tam goes for Lanya and Stacey and Alee rush over to hug me. I am pulled out of my shock when Alee squeezes me tight.

  “I’m so proud of you,” Alee whispers in my ear. “If I didn’t know that that man loved you before you disappeared, I am sure of it now. Don’t let him go, Reese. Fight like you fought for these babies. Nico’s mom is in awe of you. She is telling anyone that will listen.”

  I giggle. “Really,” I ask as Alee pulls away.

  “Girl, Uri and Donatella are proud of you. Michael said you scared him a little, but you are his new hero. Oh, and that little baby out there, Vita. She is so precious, she has been thanking God for her new cousins since we got here,” Alee explains.

  That brings a smile to my face as I remember Vita praying with me before I passed out. I came to on the ride over to the hospital. When I did, I just knew everything would be okay.

  “Okay, so let me get this straight,” Tam says as she walks over with Lanya and hands her to me. “You…Stacey lied to me. You knew Reese was pregnant and you knew that Uri already knew where to find her. So, my question once again is, how is it that you told Stacey and not me,” Tam lifts a brow at me and places a hand on her hip.

  “Correction,” I smile sheepishly and bite my lips. “In Stacey’s defense, she didn’t know Uri knew. She only knew I was pregnant and why I left. I wanted to see your wedding so bad. Michael helped me get in contact with Stacey. It was too risky to try you or Alee.”

  “Oh no you didn’t. So you only told me by default,” Stacey huffs.

  “Sorry?” I shrug and stifle a laugh.

  “I need new friends,” Stacey pouts.

  “Who exactly do you think will put up with you, other than us. Girl bye,” Alee snorts.

  “Well, I for one feel Reese has some kissing up to do. I move back to New York and she wasn’t even there to greet me,” Tam pouts and crosses her arms over her big belly.

  I smile and point to her baby bump. “I’ll babysit,” I offer sheepishly.

  “Girl, what are you going to do with two sets of twins,” Tam smirks.

  “Really,” I gush. “You are having twins.

  Tam nods and we squeal as she comes closer to give me a hug. Lanya fusses so we pull apart laughing. Nico come
s and reaches for Lanya. “Come to Papa, Principessa,” Nico coos.

  I stare up at him dreamily. Being a papa looks good on him. His blue eyes are brighter and that smile of his that I love the most is back. It has been so long since I have seen Nico smile like this.

  I look over to see Brad holding Nico Jr. or N.J. as Nico has seemed to name him. I can see the joy on Brad’s face. It reminds me that he never had the opportunity to hold Ellie when she was a baby. He forgave Tam and he loves her so much. Just him being here says that.

  Moving back to New York is going to be great. I miss everyone and now my girls have returned from Texas. The moment I heard Tam had moved back home, I knew Stacey would be soon to follow. Her father gave up trying to control her years ago. I think she only stayed in Texas as long as she did, because of Tam and Ellie.

  Now I will have all of my family. I look over at Nico and I whisper a prayer. I hope I will have all of my family.

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  Home

  Reese

  Four months later….

  “I’ll get them,” Nico says sleepily, as the twins’ cries come through the baby monitor.

  I can only groan in response. I am too tired to do anything more. Why didn’t someone tell me that twins would be twice the work and none of the sleep. I feel drained and wrung out, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, at least not where my babies are concerned.

  It has been four months since Nico arrived here in Italy to find me pregnant and ready to give birth to our babies. We have stayed here in Italy for now. We didn’t want to fly right away with the new babies. Lanya was so tiny in the beginning. Now she eats so much she is just as big as her brother.

  I roll over and huff. As tired as I am my mind won’t let me sleep. Nico may share a bed with me but that is all. It is like having sleepovers with my best friend. Granted, I am usually too tired to do anything more than look at him, but Nico hasn’t acknowledged me as a woman since we’ve reunited.

  Sometimes his hand will absently land on the small of my back, but then he remembers himself and it is gone just as fast. I hate this wedge that seems to be between us. I don’t know how to fix it either. I have tried to talk to Nico, but we never have a moment alone.

  We are now staying on the other side of the estate from Uri’s home. This is where Nico, Michael and Annabella call home. The place is huge and right now it is filled with loved ones. Donatella is in heaven with all of her grandchildren here in Italy.

  We never have a single moment to ourselves with this madhouse. Not to mention, I have gained a shadow in the form of a little girl named Vita. Uri and the rest of his family are staying in his home, but you wouldn’t know that with how much Vita is here.

  I don’t mind at all. I love her and she is enjoying being a big cousin. I think it is more of the fact that it is her Uncle Nic-nic’s kids. Vita is still attached to Nico like I have never seen her with anyone else.

  I just know I have to do something. I miss Nico. I miss being in his arms. I would be happy with a small kiss at this point. I know I have wronged him; I just need to figure out how to make it right.

  I thought we would be fine when Nico moved me to this house and into his bedroom. Boy, was I wrong. I am at the end of my rope now. I feel like we are becoming strangers. It is a feeling I don’t like. I have been here before and I refuse to repeat the past.

  I don’t know how long I lie here in my thoughts, when Nico crawls in bed and falls face first into his pillow. I turn onto my side to look at him as he turns his face to me. He looks as tired as I feel. Nico is an amazing father. He has been there to help every step of the way.

  I find myself falling in love with him all over again. I want to reach out and brush his hair from his face, but I don’t know how he will react. I try to build the courage to say something. That dream I had months ago, has haunted me and is one of the reasons I have been holding back from saying anything.

  I am tired of holding back.

  “What is it, Cara,” Nico murmurs. “I can feel you staring at me.”

  “Is that a problem,” I whisper.

  Nico cracks his eyes open. He stares at me for a beat. “Never,” he says simply. “Say what is on your mind.”

  “Have I ruined us, Nico? Will you ever forgive me?” I ask.

  Nico turns onto his back and for the first time he reaches for me. He pulls me to him and against his chest. His hand draws up and down my arm. I simply melt into him. It feels like coming home after a long battle.

  “You could never ruin us. With us, timing is everything, Cara mia. Tonight we rest,” Nico yawns.

  I frown, not really satisfied with his answer, but too sleepy to protest. Now that I am in his arms sleep rushes to arrest me. I can’t even fight my lids to stay open.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  I’m Trying

  Nico

  Reese has no idea how hard it has been for me to keep my hands off of her. I will not allow history to repeat itself. I wanted to be married when my children entered this earth, but that has not happened. I respected Reese’s wish and this is what we have.

  Two babies out of wedlock. I am not a happy man about that. This is not what I was taught, it was not what I had planned. I plan to fix it though. I am just letting everything fall into place.

  Reese had a hard time in the first two weeks after giving birth. My son really tore his Mama apart. My little Principessa was much gentler on Reese. Once she was feeling better I had to plan around everyone else. One more week. I just need one more week.

  I’m trying. I am really trying to keep my hands to myself. Reese is the only woman that can make my soul burn. I know it won’t take much to snap my control. A simple kiss will cause my plan to go up in flames. So I have done nothing of the sort.

  Having her in my arms as I wake now, has my body on fire. I haven’t dared to make a single move. My body is hard for her and yearns for her in a way that I have never yearned for another woman.

  I sag into the bed in relief, when my cell phone buzzes on the bedside table. I slip from under a sleeping Reese and make my way out to the balcony of our bedroom. Looking down at the phone, I smile.

  “Hello Sir,” I say into the phone.

  “Hello Son,” the voice returns. “How is my baby and her babies?”

  “They are wonderful. I can’t believe how fast they get so big. Lanya has put on weight quickly. N.J. is going to be tall, his legs seem to grow more each day,” I say proudly.

  “Yes, before you know it, you will be sending them off to college and walking your baby girl down the aisle,” Mr. Bridges says.

  I give a full laugh. “I don’t know about the aisle walking. These little girls in my family will have a fight on their hands to even date. Vita will be ten and she is such a little lady already. I don’t think I will handle the boys well,” I say honestly.

  “You will do just fine, Son. I wanted to strangle a few in my day. I had to trust her after a while. I think she has done well,” Reese’s father pauses and sighs. “I am calling because her mother is concerned. She talked to Reese yesterday and she said Reese sounds sad. I know, I know. You are trying to surprise her, but do me a favor, Son. Do want you can to make sure she still knows you love her.”

  I sigh and nod as if he can see me. “Yes, I know,” I reply. “I am seeing this now. Time is not moving fast enough. I will handle this.”

  “Good, kiss my babies for me. Grandpa will be there this weekend, I plan to spoil,” he chuckles into the phone.

  “Will do,” I laugh back.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  Still Mine

  Reese

  I roll over and look at the clock. Something isn’t right. I gasp and sit up, it is two o’clock in the afternoon. How the hell did I sleep all morning? I rush out of bed and into the bathroom to do my business and freshen up as fast as I can.

  I step out of the bathroom to find Nico, shirtless, with a twin baby carrier strapped to his back and chest. Lanya is sleepi
ng on his heart and N.J. is on his back. In his hands, he has a breakfast tray.

  “Come, Cara mia,” Nico says quietly. “Get into the bed. We are serving you today.”

  A huge smile cracks my face. It does not escape me that this is the second time that Nico has called me Cara mia, and not just Cara. It causes hopeful butterflies to fill my stomach.

  I climb back in bed and Nico places the tray over my lap. It smells delicious and it is my favorite. Turkey bacon and strawberry covered French toast. I haven’t had this in so long.

  “A little birdie told me you gave this up to make sure our babies arrived safe. We thought you could use a treat,” Nico says with a blinding smile.

  “Thank you,” I say looking up at him through my lashes and giving him a shy smile.

  “Mangiare,” Nico commands and I dig in. I am starving and it is delicious. Nico chuckles at me as he rounds the bed and starts to release the babies from the carrier to place them on the bed. Nico then climbs in and places them both on his chest.

  “This was sweet, Nico. I appreciate it,” I say as I cover my mouth.

  “It is nothing less than I am supposed to do,” Nico replies.

  I don’t say anything. I just return to my food. Nico watches me the whole time. I try not to fidget under his gaze. It has been so long since Nico has been this intense with me. I sneak a peek at him and a shiver runs through me.

  I finish my food and place my knife and fork down. I take a fortifying breath and address the elephant in the room. “Nico, are we going to talk about us?” I say as I turn to look at him.

  “What would you like to talk about, Reese,” Nico says softly.

  “For starters, do you still want me,” I say and bite my lip. I might as well get it out there. Makes no sense beating around the bush.

  “I have never stopped wanting you, Reese. I believe you have been under the impression that you are no longer mine. This is not true, Cara mia. You are mine and will always be mine,” Nico says with conviction. “We broke a promise to each other. We once promised to talk things out. It was selfish of me to give up on you, so you in turn gave up on me. I do not blame you. This was my fault.”