Crossroads

by Alexie Aaron [Aaron, Alexie]

  “Mom, Varden has the baby names,” Brian said.

  “Oh dear, did you have something to do with them?”

  “No. Dad said we can’t name the babies after smelly fish.”

  Varden walked over and waited until Mia gave him her full attention. “Genevieve Tommy Martin and Maeve Andie Martin.”

  “Tom and Andy will be honored,” Mia said. “I’ll have to watch Andy. I think he’s smitten with Maeve.”

  “I’ll protect her,” Dieter said from the doorway. He was standing there holding a giant arrangement of flowers. He set them down and walked over and hugged Mia. He whispered, “Idra is on her way.”

  “Oh dear. What do you think of your sisters?”

  “Excellent souls, but they are so small. I thought, as big as you got, they would be bigger.”

  “I assure you, they are plenty big,” Mia said.

  “The flowers are from the Leightons and the guys at the Veterans Rehab,” Dieter told her.

  “They are beautiful. Uncle Burt is taking the boys out for ice cream and then a sleepover.”

  Dieter walked over and shook Burt’s hand. “Don’t allow Brian a lot of time in the bathroom; he can’t resist investigating the toilet. Varden likes to cuddle.”

  Burt smiled. “I’ve got this. Come on, boys, let’s let your mother rest.”

  Dieter waited until they were out of the room. “Grandpop Cooper is on his way from New Mexico. Ralph and Bernard will be arriving in an hour, depending on traffic. Grandpa and Grandma Martin have rented an RV. I fear they plan on staying awhile.”

  “It’s family, Dieter, what can we do?”

  “I was looking forward to it being just us.”

  “Me too,” Mia said, grabbing hold of his hand. “However, I imagine, after they get their fill of diapers and the new-baby smell wears off, it will be just us.”

  “I hope so. I’ve been offered a summer job at the rehab facility. I’m not sure it’s going to be a good fit.”

  “Too much Mark?”

  “Not exactly, just too many souls.”

  “Ah. I think Acalan is looking for help. Grandma Z is planning on taking some time off. I could give him a call?”

  “No, I will approach him. If he sees merit in me working for him, I’ll take the job. I don’t want you getting a job for me.”

  Mia looked at her proud son. “What else is going on?”

  “There are these guys at school who hassle me for being a rich kid.”

  “But you’re not.”

  “They read that article about Dad, and most of their fathers worked for Cid in getting the house built. They say I don’t have to work for stuff; it’s just handed to me.”

  “They don’t know you. Sometimes kids take out their insecurities on someone else. I get the feeling that you don’t want the job at the rehab because you feel Mark’s mother is handing it to you, instead of her seeing a hard-working young man.”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t let the opinion of others determine the course you set for yourself. Take some time and think about what you want,” Mia advised.

  Ted walked in. He was flushed as if he’d been running.

  “What’s wrong?” Mia asked, worried.

  “I was calling everybody and everyone about the babies. I just got ahold of your grandfather and Audrey in Greece. Audrey asked how you were, and then I realized I hadn’t seen you since Dr. Walters tossed me from the emergency room.”

  “I’m easily forgotten,” Mia teased. “After having four kids, I guess I’ve lost the new-wife smell.”

  Dieter laughed.

  “How are you?” Ted asked, walking over to her.

  “She has two broken fibulas. They must have taken the brunt of the collision,” Dr. Walters said, striding in. He was followed by a nurse. “I’d like to get some pain meds into her, but she wants to nurse the babies.”

  “Let her nurse them first, then dope her up,” Idra said from the door. “Hello, Doctor, I’m Idra. I’m Mia Martin’s health advocate. Mia, you can let them be fed formula until the pain meds wear off. We’ll just toss the bad milk.”

  Dr. Walters looked at the fierce-eyed, slim black woman and back at Mia. “She’s special too?”

  “Yes. She’s the one who got me through those turbulent early months.”

  “So, I have two scary women here at the hospital and only one of me,” he confirmed.

  “Yes, but you have the final say,” Mia said.

  “Bring the babies,” he said to the nurse. “You may notice a very large woman there staring in at the nursery. Bring her along too.”

  “Thank you, Doctor,” Ted said. “See, Mia, I told you he went to medical school.”

  “I just thought he was a very smart charlatan,” Mia said. “Dieter, when you get home, give your dad ten dollars from my purse.”

  “I’m a very smart and handsome charlatan,” Dr. Walters said. “You, Mrs. Martin, have a date with me. I’ll bring the Demerol. You bring the fractured fibulas.”

  Mia saluted.

  “I do hope you get more respect than I,” Dr. Walters said to Idra as he exited the room.

  “He’s cute,” Idra said. “If only I were two hundred years younger. Time to open up the hood and see what’s really going on down there.”

  “Dieter, that’s our cue to leave,” Ted said and kissed Mia tenderly. “I’d milk this hospital stay as long as possible. Chaos is waiting when you arrive home.”

  ~

  Margret Mary, or M&Ms as she was called in pediatrics, walked in to see Mia nursing Genevieve and Maeve receiving attention from the woman introduced earlier to her as Nanny Berta. A beautiful black woman of indiscriminate age was looking at Mia’s bruised eye.

  “This is how healthcare should be,” M&Ms said wistfully. “Makes my job a lot easier. Mia, I’m going to hang around until you’re finished being examined by your health advocate. I’ve been told to stick to you like glue until Dr. Walters gets ahold of you.” She walked over to the bedside. “This little one has had a hard time of it.”

  “She led the charge out of the womb,” Mia said. “This is Genevieve.”

  “Hello, sweetheart,” M&Ms said. “According to the staff, she is very calm, unlike her sister who has the staff petitioning for earplugs.”

  “We’re thinking opera is in Maeve’s future,” Mia said.

  “Or rock,” Nanny Berta suggested.

  “They have two very distinct personalities,” Idra said.

  “Margaret Mary, this is Idra. She’s the head of the Gray Lady healers.”

  “Mia has mentioned you before,” M&Ms said. “I have a feeling you’re the one who has been keeping our girl in one piece.”

  “Me and a few others,” Idra said. Idra picked up Genevieve. “I think this one has a burp left in her.”

  Genevieve responded, causing everyone to laugh.

  M&Ms called for the nursery nurses. “Ladies, thank you for your assistance. I’m going to take Mia to have her legs set, if you haven’t already done so,” she said, winking at Idra.

  “They are simple fractures. I’ll let the cute doctor do it.”

  “Oh Lord, Dr. Walters’s head will swell,” M&Ms said, excusing herself.

  The nursery nurses came in and out. Mia looked at Idra and Nanny Berta and held her hands out. “Now you can speak plainly.”

  Idra started, “Angelo will have to put the charm into place. Both girls have indications of future wings. It can wait for a week but no longer. I have alleviated a little of Genevieve’s bruising. I’m going to have a supplement made up to put into her water bottles when you return home. She has your body type and will be smaller than Maeve who has Ted’s. Maeve is thriving and needs no other care. I want to see both girls in six weeks. I’ll come here. Nanny Berta can handle most everything else.”

  Mia looked at Nanny Berta.

  “I’m going to move a cot into the nursery until Genevieve is back on t
rack,” Nanny Berta told her. When we have you up and running, I suggest you sleep there. With twins, we want them to communicate independently. Right now, Maeve is speaking for Genevieve. Genevieve is calm because Maeve is communicating her distress.”

  “Mia, no matter how tempted, your body has gone through a trauma, and you must rest. Let your harem of men take care of any paranormal problems,” Idra pointed out.

  “My harem?” Mia squeaked.

  Nanny Berta laughed. “She’s putting you on, Mia. Although, you do have a lot of broad shoulders in your nest. Genevieve’s dark hair is interesting. Perhaps Angelo or Victor?”

  “None of the above!” Mia said, outraged.

  “Now Nanny Berta is teasing you,” Idra said, patting Mia to calm her down.

  “I’m not sure I like being teased,” Mia pouted. The pain in her legs was becoming overwhelming. She was worried that, soon, she would say something she shouldn’t.

  “Mia would have had dark hair if Abigor didn’t open her eyes,” Idra explained. “A lot of sensitives have white hair. We’re not sure why this is.”

  “So, I have Abigor to thank for my white hair. I’m going to be cross with him if I ever see him again.”

  “Speaking of Hell, I’m going to have a nice gossip with a few friendly demons and let slip that these children are human/birdman hybrids. That should calm the zealots,” Idra said.

  “I didn’t know that was still a problem,” Mia said.

  “Not a problem, just speculation. Ever since Angelo let slip, he didn’t think Brian was the Chosen One after all, the gossips are working on other theories for why the fallen still watch you,” Idra told them.

  “Don’t worry, Mia, all is well,” Nanny Berta said. “I sense Margaret Mary approaching with an IV. We’ll leave you now. Don’t worry. I’m going to take good care of you and your family.”

  “I know you will, Nanny Berta.” Mia angled her head towards Idra. “Friendly demons?”

  “One can’t have a good game of poker without including a few,” she said as she gathered her things. “After all, they bring the gold.”

  “She’s beginning to scare me,” Mia said to Nanny Berta.

  “Me too.”

  ~

  The doorbell rang. Burt opened the door and Murphy appeared.

  Burt was very amused. “Such formality.”

  “I felt bad about scaring you earlier. I’m concerned about the young woman who fell in the river,” Murphy said, walking in.

  The boys, who were busy playing a video game with Enos, just nodded and waved instead of rushing over to greet the ghost.

  “We’ve tracked her down. Miss Gilbert went to City Hospital. They have a good hypothermia department,” Burt said. “I’ve looked her up. She has a blog about the environment. If you promise not to touch the monitor, I’ll show you,” Burt offered.

  Murphy nodded and followed him. They both gazed at the Earth Angel blog.

  “She’s not an angel.”

  “No.”

  “Then how can she identify herself as an angel?” Murphy asked.

  “In this case, I think she means, one who cares.”

  “Then why use angel?”

  “Most humans think that all angels do is care and protect,” Burt explained.

  “Then they are wrong. Some hurt.”

  Burt looked at the ghost and started to see a new side to Murphy. “Stephen, Mia’s experience with the archangels is singular. In most religions they exalt angels, and from what Mia tells me, most angels are wonderful caring beings.”

  “I’m sorry, you were showing me the site.”

  “Yes. She writes blogs…er… articles about different environmental issues. She’s quite a fan of trees.”

  “A tree saved her life.”

  “No, you saved her life,” Burt corrected.

  “Not for long. I have my limits.”

  “Don’t we all,” Burt said. “I sent her some balloons from PEEPs. I made sure our phone number was on the card. Maybe she’ll contact us. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

  “Thank you. How are the boys behaving?”

  “Varden’s missing his mother, but Brian seems to be enjoying himself.”

  “Maybe let Varden sleep with you tonight,” Murphy said. “He can feel Mia through your heart.”

  Burt didn’t know what to say.

  Murphy looked at his old adversary and decided to take the high road and explain. “She put a lot of herself into your heart when she was fighting to keep you alive. You probably have noticed that you’re kinder than normal to all the beings Mia loves, including me.”

  “Maybe,” was all Burt would admit to.

  “Sheriff Braverman has part of me in him, as Mia does. In a way, we’re all related. One big dysfunctional family as Mia is fond of saying.”

  Burt looked at Enos and the boys. “It’s not bad being part of a family, is it?”

  “For me it’s a treat. I just disappear when things get crazy.”

  “That’s not what I heard.”

  “I don’t do diapers,” Murphy insisted.

  “I do,” Enos said, popping up and walking over. “Nanny Berta had me practice on a doll.”

  “The thought of a warrior like you changing diapers…” Burt began.

  “Nanny Berta’s tough. She raised Nicholai, Victor and Varden Ahlberg too,” Enos said with awe. “I’ve seen her shut Victor up with a stare.”

  “Mia’s pretty fierce too. I hope the two don’t butt heads,” Burt said, putting his hand through is hair.

  “Me too,” Murphy said.

  ~

  Ted sat waiting for his wife to be returned to the room. Earlier, he had helped bottle-feed his daughters under Nanny Berta’s watchful eye. It’s not that he hadn’t participated in feeding Brian and Varden when they were babies that made him nervous; it was the idea that these were his little girls, and he didn’t want to cause them any discomfort.

  Both Genevieve and Maeve seemed to know he was their father. They calmed down when placed in his arms. He spoke softly to them about the promise of future tea parties and jokes they could play on the boys. Each girl looked up at the talkative man as if he was the most important being they had come across after their mother.

  Genevieve burbled and Maeve giggled.

  Nanny Berta sighed. “This is going to be a hard battle.”

  “What is?” Ted asked.

  “Maeve is still communicating for Genevieve. It’s more prevalent with identical twins. You see, they are used to being in close quarters. If I can’t get Genevieve to communicate directly to us, she may decide that she doesn’t need to speak at all.”

  “That would be something, a child of mine that didn’t talk paint off the wall,” Ted said.

  “Brian is a little pontificator, isn’t he?” Nanny Berta said fondly. “Varden talks a lot when Brian isn’t around. He worships his brother.”

  “I envy Brian. I didn’t have anyone hang on my every word until Mia.”

  “Surely Cid.”

  “Cid sees me in a whole different light. We’ve been friends a long time.”

  “My best friend is still alive,” Nanny Berta said. “Her name is Augustina, and she raises cashmere goats. She lets me stay with her when I’m in between households. We butt heads from time to time, but the friendship lasts because we take turns letting the other be special.”

  “Ah, this is your subtle way of telling me I should let Cid win an argument or two.”

  “Only if he’s right.”

  “Which I am frequently,” Cid said, walking into the room. He looked around. “Did Mia leave you already?”

  “She’s getting her legs casted,” Ted said.

  Cid approached Ted, and Genevieve looked up and smiled. “She knows me.”

  Nanny Berta didn’t want to burst his bubble, so she stayed silent.

  “May I?” Cid asked, holding his hands out.

&nbs
p; Ted reluctantly handed him Genevieve.

  “Thank God, she looks like me and not you,” Cid said.

  Nanny Berta was caught off guard and gasped.

  “Nanny Berta, he’s just kidding. Garrett children are inherently ugly.”

  “Says the nerd with an oversized nose.”

  “Mia says my nose is distinguished.”

  “She needs glasses. Hello, Genevieve, I’m your uncle Cid. I used to feed your brothers.”

  Maeve squeaked.

  “Is that Genevieve or Maeve talking?” Ted asked, getting up and picking up his talkative daughter. He lifted her up so Maeve could check out her father’s nose. “You have to let Genevieve speak for herself. Otherwise, she’ll end up slow like Uncle Cid.”

  This time Genevieve squeaked.

  Mia yawned and opened her eyes. She tried to sit up.

  “Here, let me help you,” Ted said, moving the back of the bed up. “I worked on this while you were away.”

  Mia’s eyes opened wide. Ted couldn’t help tinkering.

  “I heard you had a death grip on Dr. Walters’s ear,” Ted said.

  “He started to wrap my cast in bright pink. He wasn’t listening to me.”

  Ted shook his head. “Mighty Mouse, you have to understand that he probably thought he was pleasing you. Most…”

  Mia glared at Ted.

  “Some,” he corrected, “women like pink. You’re so dainty, it’s natural for a guy to mistake you for a girly-girl.”

  “Don’t dig yourself any deeper,” Mia warned. “When can I go home?”

  “He’s keeping you here overnight. He knows we have a lot of support at home. Cid’s renting a wheelchair with Ralph, who will be here in an hour,” Ted warned.

  “These are supposed to be walking casts.”

  “I imagine the farthest Walters plans on you walking is to and from the bathroom.”

  “I guess so.”

  Ted got up and leaned in and took Mia’s hands in his. “I know I’m going to seem like a traitor, but I agree with him. I want you to take it easy as long as you can. You’ve had a hard year. When Chambers called me to tell me about the accident, I couldn’t breathe. I can’t lose you, Minnie Mouse, you’re my everything.”