Chapter 15

When they got to the hospital, they parked in the open space.

You head right over to the lab. Ken commanded, "And no diversions." Ken made his way to the isolation ward. He arrived at his location, and the doctor left the room.

"How is he doing?" Ken inquired. She said, "Mr. Brown, we had to sedate him." Ken entered the room after quietly opening the door. Tyree gave him a bloodshot look as he looked up. He had been crying, that much was clear. When Ken gave Tyree a hug, he started crying once more.

"I feel like I'm losing my soulmate," he continued, holding back more tears. "My first mate died when my daughter was born,"

"He just lost two children in less than a year," Ken said. "He's dealing the only way he knows how," he said.

5/9/2041

Thomas and his family were released from the hospital after the cure was administered. They were relieved to be home with their two-month-old daughter, but their hearts ached because Luca had to stay for a few days for observation. Since his son's death, Luca has built an invisible wall to protect himself from reality. Tyree stayed by Luc's side but was scared to death because the hazel eyes that once shone with happiness had lost their emotion.

Adrian took Angel inside and sat down on the couch. Thomas came with their bags and went to their bedroom. When Thomas entered the living room, he noticed Adrian deep in thought.

"Are you still thinking about Luca?" he sat down beside Adrian and asked.

"Yes," he said, nodding his head. "What if he doesn't recover from this?" Adrian asked.

"He will," Thomas said. "He needs time to heal," he said.

5/16/2041

While Tyree drove to his house, Luca sat and stared out the window. Luca's doctors did everything they could to help him, but he refused to show any emotion. They made the decision to send him home.

Tyree had stated, "He can live with me and my daughter."

"Perhaps you can reach him because we can't," Dr. Newton had said.

"Babe, we're picking up your stuff, and then you'll come to my place," Tyree said, lightly touching Luca's bandaged hand. Tyree had been told that the healing process would take time, so he shrugged off Luca's blank expression.

Tyree said as he drove, "I love you, babe."

Ken and Thomas greeted them as soon as they pulled into the driveway. Tyree exited the vehicle, walked around to the opposite side of the vehicle, and opened the door.

"Let's get you inside," he suggested.

"It's great to see you," Ken said, stepping forward and hugging both of them. Ken followed Tyree inside and sat Luca down on the couch.

"We're here to get his stuff," he explained. Tyree turned as he heard Thomas gasp in surprise.

"Why?" Thomas inquired.

"Because he's not getting better," Tyree explained. "I'm bringing him home with me," he said. "You can come to visit," Tyree said, after taking a deep breath.

Adrian entered the room, carrying Elena. He had a depressed expression on his face.

"We apologize for everything," Adrian said.

"Do you have enough room in your car for everything?" Thomas inquired. "We can follow you with everything while you drive," he explained.

"Thank you, we could use the help," Tyree said, nodding. While the others packed everything, Adrian sat down next to Luca. Elena extended her tiny hands to Luca.

"Luca," Adrian explained, "I'm going to position your hands so Elena can lie in your arms." Adrian placed Elena in Luca's arms, which were in a cradle position. Luca was so deep in his protective bubble that he didn't feel Elena tugging at his hair.

Adrian caught Elena just in time when Luca's arms collapsed to his sides. Elena started crying.

"It's alright, your mommy is just tired," Adrian said, rocking the infant. Tyree noticed the scene and took the baby.

"Don't worry," "The doctor said that he'd be this way for a while," he said. They continued to pack and load boxes into the truck. Thirty minutes later, everything was in the truck, and Luca sat buckled up in the passenger seat. Elena was buckled in her car seat. Tyree noticed Luca shivering and covered him with his denim jacket. When they pulled up to the two-story house, the front door opened and Alicia came out.

"Daddy," she said, bouncing down the stairs.

"Hi darling," Tyree said, kneeling down and hugging her.

Alicia stood up and walked over to the passenger side of the car. Her eyes sparkled with delight.

"Daddy, you brought Luca to see me?" she inquired.

"Baby, he's coming to live with us," Tyree explained.

"Really?" Alicia inquired, looking at Luca, then back at her father. Something seemed off to Alicia. "Daddy, why is Luca not smiling?" she inquired.

"He's broken baby," Tyree said. She looked at her father, puzzled.

"I'm perplexed, papa," she explained.

"You see, he's hurting here," Tyree said as she placed her small hand on his beating heart.

"Did something make him sad, Daddy?" Alicia enquired.

"Yes," he said, nodding.

Alicia stood there watching Tyree open the passenger door, unbuckle Luca, and help him into the house. She came to a halt a few inches away and watched her father place Luca on the couch. Alicia peered around the corner as she heard the front door open. She stood there watching Ken and Thomas enter the house, carrying boxes. Thomas knelt down and ruffled her hair when he noticed her spying on them.

"Hello there, little one," he said, his face sad. She went to investigate after hearing her father talking to the men. Alicia came to a halt and listened to the closed door.

"I appreciate you taking him in," Ken said.

"Just give us a call if you need anything," Thomas said.

"I just wish that all of this hadn't happened," Tyree said. Just as the door opened, Alicia raced to her room.

When they finished bringing in the boxes and crib pieces, they sat down for a few moments and drank something to cool off.

"Where will the crib be located?" Thomas inquired.

Tyree replied, "In our room." "I think Elena needs to be near Luca or he'll flip out," he said.

"Did you inform your daughter?" Ken inquired.

"I'm thinking about telling her when she starts asking questions," Tyree said. "She is three, after all," he pointed out. After they had relaxed, Tyree helped Luca into their bedroom and placed him on the king-sized bed.

"We're going to put Elena's crib together right now," Tyree said quietly.

Elena was placed on the bed while the crib was being assembled. Tyree would occasionally glance at Luca to ensure that he and his daughter were fine. Tyree's heart broke seeing Luca so withdrawn, but he focused his attention on putting the crib together. When they were done, the three of them stood in the corridor.

"Now, if you or Luca need anything, just give us a call," Ken said.

"Yeah, don't be a stranger," Thomas agreed, nodding. "After all, you are family," he said. They hugged before Ken and Thomas left to return home. Tyree was disappointed that things had ended this way, but he was relieved to have Luca back.