The Doctor’s Promise

by Love, Michelle

  “It’s not that I—” Zani broke off. He stared out of the window. “I can’t go back, is all.”

  “Why? Why not?”

  Zani just shook his head, and Rafa had finally had enough. “We’re not getting anywhere,” he said, “and I have actual work to do. I’ll see you at home later, Zani.”

  Rafa was glad Zani left without arguing, but he couldn’t shake the irritation he felt. Zani’s behavior was nothing short of a spoiled rich boy, and that wasn’t going to fly anymore.

  Rafa sighed and rubbed his eyes, feeling a little overwhelmed by life. About to be a father of twins by his dead lover’s doctor? Did he really have the right to judge Zani on his willful behavior? No. Totally different situation, he told himself. He loved Noemi and was overjoyed about the babies. Bepi, too, would love siblings.

  There was one thing he still had to do, however, and he picked up the telephone now. “Mom? Hey, Mom, how are you? Good. Listen… I have something to tell you and Dad and it’s pretty, well…big. Life changing. I don’t suppose you and Dad are free for dinner later this week, are you? Good, I’ll book a restaurant—and Mom? I’m bringing someone with me. I’ll tell you more later…”

  Noemi had also decided to go visit her parents and talk to them. She needed to tell someone about the pregnancy, and when she got to her parents’ house and found her mother alone, she was relieved. Marian, always the gracious host, fussed around her adoptive daughter as Noemi sat, plucking up the courage to tell her the news.

  “Mom?”

  Marian Castor smiled at her daughter. “Yes, sweetie?”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  Marian sat down with a thump, shocked. For a second, she couldn’t speak, and Noemi waited, her heart thumping. Finally, Marian took her hand. “You can’t tell Leo. Not yet.”

  “I know.” Even though Noemi had been expecting that answer, she was still filled with dismay. “Mom… it’s twins.”

  Despite her shock, Marian beamed. “Oh, how wonderful, Noe. I’m assuming Rafael…?”

  Noemi nodded. “Good,” Marian said approvingly, “he’s a good man.”

  They sat in silence for a few moments, Marian stroking her daughter’s hand. Noe looked at her mother. “Do you think she’ll ever be ready to hear about the twins?”

  Marian sighed. “Sweetheart… how do you get over something like that? Jack? He was her everything.” She squeezed Noemi’s hand. “I’ve never told you this, but the year before we adopted you, I had a miscarriage. A late one, almost full term. It was a girl, and I had to give birth to her. We held her for hours before they took her away. She was so perfect; we could hardly believe she wasn’t just sleeping.”

  “Oh, Momma, I’m so sorry.” Noemi’s eyes filled with tears. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

  “We didn’t tell either of you. Leo was too young to understand. I don’t even think she remembers I was pregnant, to be honest. We didn’t explain things to children the way they do now. We just told Leo she was getting a baby sister. And she did. God, Noe, the moment they told us you were ours…”

  Noemi burst into tears, and her mother wrapped her arms around her. “Momma, I’m so lucky to have you as parents. So, so lucky. I wish I could do something to help ease the pain for all of you. I can’t bear it…. Poor Jack. Poor Leo.”

  Marian’s eyes were wet, too, as she released Noemi. “I know. Listen… she’ll obviously have to be told when you start to show. Until then, how about we keep it our secret?”

  Noemi was napping when Rafa got home, and she stirred as he pulled off his tie, kicked off his shoes and lay down beside her, tucking his arm around her waist.

  “Hey, handsome.”

  “Hey, pretty girl. Go back to sleep.”

  Noemi shook her head. “No, my head is groggy. Wake me up, Rafa.”

  He smiled and kissed her. “My pleasure.” He moved to cover her body with his, parting the robe she was wearing and kissing her throat, moving down to her breasts as she stroked his curls.

  When his lips reached her belly, he suddenly blew a raspberry on her skin, and Noemi burst out laughing, the sudden release of tension welcome. Rafa grinned up at her. “Hey, you think they can hear me if I talk to them?”

  “I don’t think they have ears yet, baby.” Noemi chuckled then sighed happily as his tongue traced a circle around her navel. His fingers hooked into her panties and drew them down her legs, and he hooked her knees over his shoulders.

  He nipped gently at her clit with his teeth before lashing his tongue around it, teasing it until it was rock-hard and ultra-sensitive, and Noemi was writhing beneath his touch, giving herself over completely.

  Rafa’s tongue dipped deep into her sodden wet cunt, and Noemi cried out. His thumb began to stroke her clit as his tongue slid along her slit and down inside her, and she felt a wave of unstoppable pleasure as she came, shivering and breathless.

  She couldn’t wait any longer and demanded that he strip, freeing his demanding cock from his underwear and guiding him inside her. She lived for these moments, their bodies entwined, so close, so intimate. Rafa smiled down at her as they made love, his green eyes shining, so full of love, that she forgot anything else existed and just concentrated on him, her love.

  Afterwards, they showered together and went to the kitchen to find something to eat. Bepi, already in bed when Rafa got home, began to cry—a childish nightmare—and they sat with him, reading to him until he fell asleep again. Rafa kissed his son’s forehead and smiled up at Noemi. “See,” he whispered, “you’re already a Momma.”

  They were walking back to their bedroom when they heard the commotion at the front door. Rafa sighed. “It’s Zani. Go to bed, sweetheart. Let me deal with this.”

  Noemi waited for him in the bedroom, and when he returned, she saw his face was grim. “He’s drunk and possibly high. Who the fuck knows? I put him in a cab and sent him to a hotel. No way is he staying here in that condition, not with you and Bepi in the house.”

  Noemi held out her arms, and he went into them. “I swear to God,” he said, his voice muffled as he buried his face in her hair, “if I never saw him again…”

  “Don’t say that,” she said gently. “Look, he’s obviously an addict. How about I talk to him, try to get him into rehab?”

  “No.” Rafa looked up at her, his eyes cold. “Let him take responsibility for once. He needs to hit rock bottom before he can see it for himself.”

  But what Rafa didn’t know was that when Zani hit rock bottom… he would take them with him.

  Chapter Twenty

  Noemi walked into the coffee shop on Fifth and saw Drew Ballentine waiting for her. He stood up and shook her hand. “Coffee?”

  “Decaf, please.”

  He was dressed more casually than last time, a vintage T-shirt and jeans—expensive designer jeans, but still, it was less ‘car salesman’ than when she first met him.

  “I’m glad you decided to do this,” he said when he returned with her coffee. “Although I don’t want you to feel as if—”

  “Drew, I’m having a sexual and romantic relationship with Rafael Genova.”

  Rip off the Band-Aid. She watched the emotions on his face: surprise, shock, unease. Then he sighed and nodded. “Thank you for telling me.”

  She couldn’t figure out how he felt. “I assure you, it only began recently, and had nothing, nothing to do with my relationship with Thomasina. I adored her; she was my patient but also my friend.”

  Drew nodded, but the look in his eyes was less than warm. “I see.”

  “I’m telling you this now because it was only fair that you know before you offer me any… counseling. I thank you for the offer, but I really don’t think it would be appropriate.” She tried to smile at him. “But I would like us to be friends, if that’s something you could consider? We have a common link in Bepi.”

  Drew nodded. “We do, that’s obvious. Look, again, thank you for telling me. I think you’re right, I’m probably not best placed to
advise you.”

  “Look,” Noemi said. “I’m a big girl. If I feel I need counseling, I’ll seek it. I know how these things work. I know both you and Kit meant well, but I’m an adult. I have my family, my loved ones.”

  “Are you in love with Rafael?”

  She nodded, meeting his gaze steadily. “Very much so.” She gave him a half-smile. “If your next sentence is something like ‘then you should know the truth about him,’ I warn you, I’ll take it with a grain of salt.”

  Drew laughed. “There is something you should know about Rafa: he made my sister very happy. He’s a terrific father and a good man.”

  Noemi smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  “As for the other thing, you’ll have to forgive my presumption. To be honest with you, since Tomi’s death, I’ve been struggling. I should have been here more, should have spent more time with her. I regret that.”

  “Then spend more time with Bepi now. I’m sure he’d love to know his uncle.”

  Drew smiled at her gratefully. “I will, thank you.”

  Noemi went to the hospital afterwards and told Lazlo she wanted to come back to work. “It’s time, Laz, time to get back on the horse.”

  “I’m glad, Noe. We could do with your help around here. Finn resigned.”

  Noemi was shocked. “Oh, no…”

  Lazlo nodded, his expression unhappy. “He’s not dealing with Jack’s death well.”

  “It wasn’t his fault.”

  Lazlo smiled at her kindly. “I remember saying something similar to you many, many times. Finn, like you, will believe that when he believes that.”

  “I guess.” Noemi shook her head. “Ever wonder if it’s worth it? This career? For the loss?”

  They looked at each other and then smiled. “Yes,” they said in unison.

  “Although, I should tell you, Laz… I’m going to need some time off in about seven and a half months.” Noemi was nervous now, but Lazlo laughed.

  “Oh, sweetheart, congratulations! I take it you’re not telling anyone yet?”

  “Not yet. Obviously, Laz, if you do see Leo… we haven’t told her yet so…”

  “Gotcha.” He got up and hugged her. “I hope you and Rafael are very happy.”

  “Thank you, Laz.”

  Noemi went back to Rafa’s mansion, feeling more settled than she had for a while. One thing at a time, she thought now. She dumped her purse on the bed, but it fell off and the Polaroid photograph that had been left on her windshield fell out. She picked it up, studying it. She hadn’t told Rafa about it or the one sent to her phone, distracted by other things but now she felt foolish. It was weird, right?

  She put it back in her purse and resolved to talk to Rafa about it when he got home. She drove to collect Bepi from kindergarten, singing and chatting with him as they went home. She served him milk and cookies as they sat in the kitchen.

  “Nommy?”

  “Yes, bubba?”

  He looked at her with wide green eyes, so like his father’s. “Do you remember my mommy?”

  Noemi felt her heart ache. “I do, sweetie, very well. Your mommy was so lovely. She was funny and kind and she loved you more than anything.”

  “More than Pa?”

  Noemi smiled. “It’s a different kind of love. You’ll understand when you grow up. But she loved you both with all her heart.”

  Bepi was silent for a long moment, drinking his milk. Then he put his glass down. “I can’t remember her much anymore,” he said, his little face ashamed, and Noemi hugged him, pulling him onto her lap. “It’s not nice to not remember Mommy.”

  “Darling, you were very, very young when Mommy died. It’s not your fault; this is what happens. In a strange way, it happens so that you can feel less sad. I promise, Pa and me, we won’t let you forget her. Not ever. Okay?”

  Bepi nodded and snuggled into her as she held him. They stayed there for a while, just hugging until there was a large crash, and they both jumped out of their skins.

  Shocked, Bepi started to wail, and Noemi tried to comfort him. “It’s okay, baby.”

  She heard Zani laugh from the foyer, and her face set with anger. “Whoops!” Zani cackled as he almost fell into the kitchen. He grinned widely at them both, and Noemi felt her heart sink. From his pinpoint pupils to the strong whiff of alcohol emanating from him, Zani was out of control, and Noemi didn’t want Bepi to see his uncle like that.

  She got up, clutching the little boy. “Zani, grab yourself some coffee and stay here.”

  “I smashed a bottle out there.” He waved in the general direction of the hallway.

  “I’ll clean it up. Just let me settle Bepi.” She hurried Bepi, who had gone very quiet, up to his bedroom. “Sweetie, just stay up here for a while. I’ll come and see to you when Pa gets home.”

  Bepi’s eyes were wide. “Is Uncle Zani okay?”

  “He is, darling. He’s just tired.” She kissed Bepi’s forehead and went back down stairs. She saw the bottle of champagne smashed on the marble floor and gritted her teeth. Rafa would go insane that his security let Zani into the house in that condition.

  She picked up the biggest pieces of glass then went back into the kitchen to find something to clean up the alcohol and small pieces. Zani was standing, facing away from her, bent over the counter. Noemi couldn’t believe it, but he was snorting up a line of white powder.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” She was yelling, but she didn’t care. She dumped the broken glass in the trash and pushed him away from the counter. Remnants of white powder were stuck to the granite as well as around the edge of Zani’s nostrils.

  He laughed, then his eyes flared with desire as he looked at her. “God, I have to give it to my brother… you really are a gorgeous woman.”

  He lurched at her, but she sidestepped him, and he fell against the counter. “Aww, come on, Noe, gimme some sugar.”

  Was this guy for real?

  “I think you’ve had far too much sugar, Zani. Rafa will be home soon. You want him to see you like this?”

  She moved to grab a cloth to clean up the countertop, but he grabbed her around the waist and swung her around. “Dance with me.”

  “No… let me go!”

  Noemi struggled with him, but Zani was a big man, strong like Rafa, and with cocaine pumping through his system, her slight frame was no match. He grabbed her hand and ‘danced’ her around the room, quicker and quicker until she felt sick.

  “Zani, let me go now, please.” She pleaded with him, but he just laughed. He moved faster as she tried to free herself, but then Zani stumbled and they both fell, Zani’s weight on top of Noemi. She felt her back smash into the cold tile of the floor, Zani’s elbow in her solar plexus.

  Winded, she choked as she saw Rafa’s furious face from behind Zani’s prone body. He hauled his brother off of her and threw him across the room before scooping her up. “What the hell is going on?”

  Noemi caught her breath, opened her mouth to speak, but then saw Zani convulsing, frothing at the mouth. Fuck.

  “Rafa, call 911.” She darted to his brother, shifting him onto his side, making sure his airways were clear. Zani’s eyes were open and staring.

  “What the hell?”

  “He’s overdosing, I think. Zani? Zani, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand.” Noemi waited as she held Zani’s hand but felt nothing. “Shit. Rafa, get the paramedics here. I’m going to try to help him breathe.”

  She blew air into Zani’s lungs, feeling for a pulse. It was there but weak. She would have to keep him breathing until the paramedics arrived.

  “Pa?”

  Oh no. Noemi looked up to see Bepi, his little face terrified. Rafa, talking to the paramedics, picked his son up and hugged him.

  “It’s okay, slugger. Zani’s not feeling well is all.”

  “Take him out of here,” Noemi said softly, “because I can’t be sure…”

  She didn’t have to say the words. I can’t be sure Zani won’t di
e.

  Rafa nodded and went out of the room. Noemi kept up her efforts until the paramedics arrived and relinquished her control gratefully as the first responders treated Zani.

  Zani gave a cough, and with a painful gasp, regained consciousness and flailed around. “Zani, listen, it’s me, Noemi. Just relax.”

  She made the mistake of stepping too close, and he lashed out, his closed fist connecting with her cheek. She staggered back as one of the paramedics caught her. “I’m okay,” she said.

  “They do that,” the paramedic said sympathetically, steadying her. “We’ll put restraints on him before we take him to the hospital. You okay?”

  Noemi nodded. Rafa came back and put his arms around her as they loaded Zani into the ambulance. “We’ll follow you,” he told the paramedics. “Are you okay, baby?”

  Noemi nodded, shaken but calm. “I’m good. Listen, let’s get Bepi and—”

  She tailed off as she saw a car approaching the house. Leo’s car. What was her sister doing here?

  Leonora got out, his eyes full of concern. “I just saw an ambulance… is everything okay?”

  Rafa explained and Leo nodded. “Why don’t I come with you? I can look after Bepi while you’re with Zani.”

  Noemi was surprised and while Rafa was getting Bepi, she turned to her sister. “Why were you coming by?”

  “I was rude to you, and I wanted to apologize. I’m happy you’ve found love, Noe, I really am. Rafael’s a good man.”

  Noemi smiled at her sister. “That’s a popular opinion. Come on, let’s go.”

  They drove into the city, and Leo took Bepi to the Relative’s Room while Rafa and Noemi went to see Zani. To their great relief, he was conscious—rambling—but conscious. He reached out his hand when he saw them. “Rafa… Noe... I fucked up. I’m so sorry. So sorry.”

  The ER doctor nodded to them to step outside. “He’ll be fine. He’ll need rehab, but you probably already know that.”