Chapter 8

4/12/2041 (Continued)

Luca sat on his bed, facing the twins in their carriers.

"I'm sorry, babies," he apologized, "Daddy did something wrong." His laptop displayed a notification informing him that he had a message. Luca read the title after clicking it.

"I hope you're doing well," "When all of that happened, you worried me," Tyree said.

"I'm fine, thank you," "It just irritated me when he did that," Luca said in response.

"I wouldn't blame you for taking away his visitation rights," he said, replying back.

"If he does it again, I will," Luca wrote back.

After calming down, Luca and the twins went into the kitchen to get something to eat. He set the carriers down and went to the refrigerator.

"Are you okay?" Ken inquired as he entered and sat.

"I am now," Luca said as he reached into the crisper for some green grapes. "I'm just sorry my friend had to see that," he said.

"Did he take you home?" Ken inquired.

"He drove because I wasn't in any condition to drive," Luca confirmed, nodding.

"I guess that you have made a new friend," Ken said.

"I think I scared him though," Luca said.

Elena started to cry, then Tyson followed suit. Luca stood up and warmed up bottles for each of them.

"I'll feed Elena, you feed Ty," Ken said.

"Thanks dad," Luca said. Luca took Elena from the carrier and held her so she could drink from the bottle. Ken gave Tyson his battle. Even after being fed, the twins were fussy. They seemed to sense Luca's anxiety that threatened to overwhelm him.

"Why don't you go and lie down?" Ken said. "We'll watch them," he said. Luca let out a shaky breath and nodded his head.

"Just make sure Patrick doesn't step one foot in this house," Luca said, before leaving the kitchen.

Ken went to the living room and sat in the chair when Luca entered his room. Thomas and Adrian were relaxing on the couch.

"Guys," Ken said, "I think Luca is more upset than he is letting on." "This incident with Patrick really frightened him, and the twins are picking up on it," he explained.

"What should we do?" Adrian inquired.

"We will keep an eye on Luca and hope for the best," Ken said. "My grandchildren can't lose their mother," he said.

They didn't have time to contact their guests to explain that the party was over, so everyone showed up. Carl even showed up.

"I'm sorry, but the celebration has been canceled," Ken said.

"Let me check on him," Luke said. "Evan, you check out the infants," he said. Luke grabbed his medical bag and headed to Luca's room. When Luke knocked on the door, there was no response.

"Luca, it's Dr. Luke," he said quietly. The lock clicked, then there was shuffling from inside. Luke slowly opened the door and walked inside. Luca sat on his bed and stared at nothing. Luke recognized the signs.

"Evan, bring one of the babies," he called out.

Evan walked in, carrying Elena in his arms. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Luca is in the early stages of Lisis," Luke said. "Bring the baby and place her on his chest," he said. Evan did what he was told and laid her on Luca's fast beating chest.

"Is he alright?" Ken asked, stepping into the bedroom.

"We caught it early, but he's still at risk," Dr. Luke said.

"What do you mean?" Ken asked.

"Whatever happened today caused him to have a breakdown," he said. Ken explained to the doctor what Patrick did.

"I see," Luke and Evan said in unison. "When your son did that, Luca thought that he had lost his babies," Evan explained.

Ken looked at them with shocked eyes. "What do we do now?" he asked.

"For Luca's health and the sake of his children, Patrick needs to stay away," Luke said.

"For how long?" Ken asked.

"Until we feel that there is no danger to his health," Evan said.

"Thank you, doctors," Ken said. After Dr. Luke and Dr. Evan gave them two baby swings, they said their goodbyes.

"I'm sorry that this happened," Alina said. "He's my friend," she said, laying a baby book on the nightstand.

"Luca needs more friends like you," Ken said.

"What he needs is a mate who won't break their promises," she said.

Luca's condition had not improved in two days. He wasn't getting any worse, but he wasn't getting any better either. Ken took the initiative and canceled Luca's upcoming appointments. The explanation was that Luca was dealing with family issues. Readers expressed their condolences and best wishes. Tyree and his daughter arrived at their door as soon as they heard

"Can we see him?" he inquired. "I've been worried sick about it all," Tyree admitted.

"Go ahead," Ken said, nodding. "Perhaps he'll come out of his shell for you," he said.

Tyree held his daughter's small hand as they headed into the room.

"What's wrong with the nice man, Daddy?" she asked.

"He's sad, baby," Tyree said.

"Why is he sad, papa?" Alicia asked, staring at Luca. Tyree knelt down and said, "Someone hurt his heart, baby." Alicia's green eyes became sad. She got onto the bed and hugged Luca's neck.

"Please don't be sad, Mr. Luca," she said. Ken stood in the doorway and watched this little girl try to cheer Luca up.

Before they exited the house thirty minutes later, the little girl looked up at Tyree.

"Papa, can we see the nice man again?" She glanced up at him and asked.

"You might need to ask his family," Tyree said.

"Can I?" The little girl asked with begging eyes.

"Sure, as long as your daddy brings you," Ken knelt down to her level and said. Alicia's eyes brightened, and she hugged Ken's neck. Ken stood up and said, "It seems like Luca made an impression on your daughter," he said.

"I got worried when he stopped answering his messages," Tyree said. "If it's alright, I'll bring her tomorrow after she's done with preschool,"

"That'll be fine," Ken said. The little girl waved as they left.