Chapter 12

4/29/2041 (Continued)

Luca lay down because his entire body hurt. He was given medication to alleviate his aches and pains. When Luca awoke that afternoon, the voices around him were faint. Then he realized he hadn't contacted Tyree. Luca was about to panic when he noticed Tyree sleeping in a chair. His brown hair was a tangled mess. Alicia was sleeping on a makeshift bed next to Luca's. Luca noticed a bandage on one of the girl's arms.

"Ty," Luca said hoarsely.

Luca's heart raced as brown eyes opened and focused on him. Tyree was standing next to his bed, as if time had stopped then restarted. Ty's eyes were filled with tears.

"I thought I'd lost you," he admitted as he kissed Luca on the lips.

"I'm ill, Ty," "My baby boy is sick as well," Luca explained, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I know," he admitted, "Ken told me."

"I might infect you," Luca warned.

"Neither I nor Alicia are Omegas," Tyree stated. "We can't get sick," he said emphatically.

Luca then remembered that Adrian was an Omega. His hazel eyes became sad.

"Adrian and his daughter could be infected," he cried. Hearing them, a doctor approached Luca.

"They're being tested right now," she said, "and they're not showing any symptoms."

"Is there a treatment?" Tyree inquired.

"We're looking into past records to see if there was a cure," the doctor explained.

Luca then remembered that Adrian was an Omega. His hazel eyes became sad.

"Adrian and his daughter could be infected," he cried. Hearing them, a doctor approached Luca.

"They're being tested right now," she said, "and they're not showing any symptoms."

"Is there a treatment?" Tyree inquired.

"We don't know right now," the doctor admitted. "If we knew what caused the virus, we could develop a cure," she said.

"I hate to say it, babe, but we need to talk to your ex," Tyree said. "We need to know if he has imported anything," he said.

"I'm not sure if he'll be willing to help since our breakup," Luca said after a few moments of thought. "But it's worth a shot," he said.

"I'm willing to try anything," Tyree said. "You've only recently entered my life," "I will not lose you to a virus," he said.

"Um, papa, to whom are you speaking?" Alicia inquired, raising her head and rubbing her eyes.

Tyree said, "To Luca, baby girl." Alicia looked over and smiled broadly.

"Momma Luca, you're awake," she exclaimed cheerfully.

Tyree rose to his feet and kissed Luca on the cheek.

"I'm going to talk to your ex," he said. "He's got to know something," Tyree reasoned.

"Be cautious," Luca advised. "He has a bad temper," he admitted. Tyree knelt in front of Alicia. "Daddy needs to go for a while," he explained. "You behave," he added.

"All right, papa," Alicia said.

Tyree pulled into the driveway ten minutes later and parked the car. He approached Patrick's door and knocked. Patrick frowned as the door opened.

"What exactly are you doing here?" Patrick inquired angrily.

Tyree said, "I'm going to ask you one question, and I want an honest answer." "Did you import anything?" he inquired.

"What if I did?" Patrick inquired coldly. "What's it to you?" he asked.

"Because Luca and Tyson are sick with a deadly virus that kills Omegas," Tyree declared emphatically.

"Why should I believe you?" Patrick asked. "You might be lying," he said.

"Go ask your dad," Tyree said. "He's the one who told me that they were sick,"

"If they die because of your stubbornness, I'll never forgive you," Tyree said, as he walked away.

Patrick left his house and went to the main house. Ken walked out of his office as he entered the house.

"Dad, are Luca and the baby sick?" he inquired.

"So, Tyree told you," Ken said.

"So, is it true?" Patrick enquired.

"It's true, dumbass," Thomas said as he entered the hallway. "Plus, my family could get sick as well," he added.

"Now, answer me honestly," Ken said. "Did you have anything imported?" he inquired.

"It was just a flower," Patrick explained. "I thought if I got a flower, Luca would forgive me," he explained.

"Just because Luca found someone who cares for him doesn't mean that you have to condemn him and your son to death," Ken said before returning to his office. "If you truly care about his happiness, please bring the flowers to me by tonight," Ken said. Ken then entered the office and slammed the door shut. Patrick stood there fuming. His father had yelled at him over a flower. Patrick had ignored the warnings when he purchased the flower.

Luca began to experience severe headaches and whimpered in pain whenever his head throbbed. Tears streamed down his cheeks and landed onto the pillow.

"It's too bright in here," Luca complained, turning away and covering his face. Tyree, who was sitting next to Luca's bed, stood up and turned off the lights.

"Does that make it better?" Tyree inquired as he reseated himself. Luca nodded and lifted his head.

"That's a lot better," he agreed. Luca heard Tyson cry and slowly rose from his bed. Tears formed in his eyes as Luca stepped up to the incubator. Tyree stepped up behind Luca and hugged him.

"He'll be alright," Tyree said, trying to calm him.

"But I can't hold him," Luca said, his voice cracking.

When Luca heard his friends' voices in the hallway, he stood frozen in front of the door. He then heard a baby cry. What happened next broke his heart.

"It'll be fine, babe," "They'll figure out how to cure it," Thomas said as they entered the next room. Tears flowed as Luca faced his boyfriend. Tyree pulled him close and wrapped his arms around him.

"They're sick, too," Luca sobbed in Tyree's embrace. While Tyree fought the urge to break down and cry, he held Luca close. Tyree knew that he had to be strong for the both of them.