... We All Fall Down

After almost a month in the hospital, because Dennis was premature 4 weeks, I'm finally back home. "I need to loose this baby fat as soon as possible."I said to myself as I put Dennis on his crib for the fifth time this afternoon. I turn on the baby monitor and closed the window. I leave the door wide open and went to the kitchen and start making dinner. "I'm home!" Genesis said as she enters. "Kitchen." I yelled and put the potatoes on the oven. She enters and smiles. "Smells delish.. Where's Dennis?" "Sleeping." I replied and start to make the rice. "Where are the boys?" "Stayed with Mike and the rest. Some kids are still there." "I miss my class." I admitted. "I'm going to visit them soon." "You should. I know they miss you too." I nod and sat down on the counter and she sits down on the table. "NITA!" The door slams open and I quickly go to the front. Owen comes to me and grabs my arm. "Owen... You're hurting me.. What's wrong?" "We have to go.. Like now." "Wait why?" I managed to get my arm back. "It's...." He pauses and catches his breath. "We have to go.. Get Dennis ready.. Or something. We have to leave." "Owen! I'm not moving till you tell me what's wrong." "It's Mike.... He's been shot." "What do you mean shot? Weren't you just with him?" "I was... This guy.. I don't know.. He just came inside the building and asked for Tony... Tony meets with the dude and he lifts a gun... Said something and Mike jumped infront of Tony... Getting hit. The guy ran off." "GENESIS! TURN OFF THE KITCHEN! WE HAVE TO GO!" I yelled and went to my room and got Dennis's diaper bag and then went to retrieve my son. He was wide awake, which surprised me he wasn't crying. I tuned off the lights, and went to put Dennis on his car seat. "I'll follow you!" I yelled to Owen, who nods and him and Genesis enter the car. "Be okay Mikey.. Be okay." I kept on repeating the whole way. __________________ "Michael Fuentes." I said as I reached the informational counter. "In surgery miss. You can wait on the waiting room." He points to a little room. "Thank you." I enter the room. Tony was sleeping, head on the chair. Jaime was sleeping as well and Vic was wide awake, his eyes bloodshot. "Vic." I said softly and his eye meet mine. I go up to him and he stands up. I wrap my arms around him and start crying. "Any news?" I said. He shakes his head and sobs. Owen and Genesis sit down and start talking. "He can't leave me Nita.. He's the reason I'm still alive." He said through his sobs. "He can't." "He will Vic... He's a strong man." He nods and I sit next to him. Tony groans and stretches. He opens his eyes and land on the stroller, than at me. "Hey..." He said. He walks up to me and kisses my forehead. "You okay?" I nod and then look at Vic who was now sleeping. "It's tough." He said and I nod. The baby starts to cry. "Guess he knows I'm here." He goes to the stroller an gets Dennis. The doctor comes in and we all stood up. "Michael Fuentes?" We nod. "Relationships." "Brother, And best friends." I said. "I need to speak to the brother." He said. "We're all like family to him doc." Tony said. "We." He points to Jaime. "Grew up with him... She's my girlfriend and they are her siblings." He said pointing to Genesis and Owen. "Okay... Mike's surgery was successful." We all sighed in relief. "The bullet didn't hit anything major, but he's very lucky. He's sleeping at the moment. I suggest you come back tomorrow at visiting hours." He smiles. "He's adorable." He said and pointed to Dennis. "congratulations." "Thank you." Tony said and the doctor leaves. ------------------ "I'm going to check on Mike." I said as I put on a jacket. I kiss my three favorite men in the cheek and my mother goodbye. "Tell him I'll stop by later." Tony says a "I will." "Be back soon Sweetie." My mom said. "I will." I said again. I grab the keys and blow kisses to them. I go to the car and make my way to the hospital. ---------- "You know you're one asshole." Mike said. "Why?" "You're enjoying some freaking French fries in front of me when I have to eat this..." He picks up his tray and let's it drop. "Stuff." I laugh and feed him a fry. "I love you woman!" He says as he begins to eat it. I laugh and pour some fries into his tray. "I'm glad you're okay Mikey. Vic was devastated and I couldn't sleep all night... Dennis wasn't helping either." He smiles and frowns. "But thank you... You saved the love of life.. Although you go hit... But still. I can't thank you enough." "He's not only my best friend's boyfriend... But he's also my brother." I smile and grab his hand. "I had too." ------------- I put my finger on my lip to tell Tony to not say anything. He smiles and continues to teach my private class. I had left Dennis with my parents, and they encouraged me to come visit my class. Brianna, a ten year old, raises her hand. "Bri." Tony said. "When is Ms.Nita coming back?" He looks at me and smiles. "Well I think pretty soon Brianna." I said and the whole class turn their heads. "NITA!" They all put their guitar down and ran up to, giving me a hug. "Hey guys." They let me go and start shooting me a lot of questions. They started cheering and dancing. Tony was recording the whole thing. "Nita!" I see behind me and Xavier was smiling so wide, he was actually tearing up. I open my arms and he runs to them. "I missed you." "I missed you too Xavier. How you been?" "Great." He looks at Tony. "Mr.Tony is a awesome teacher. Are you coming back Nita?" "Maybe sweetheart. I have to take care of my son." "You had a baby?" I nod. "Really? Can we meet him?" Brianna asked. "If the daddy lets him." I said and pointed to Tony. "Can he? Pretty please Mr.Tony?" They all begged. "If you guys learn two new chords by next week.. I'll bring him next Friday." Tony said and they all cheered. They all ran to their guitars and opened their binders, trying to learn the new chords. "They are sooo eager to meet him." "They're like our kids." He said. "One of them.. The younger one called me the second daddy. I'm a dad for many kids." I chuckle. "Many kids.." I repeat. "Oh yea."

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