Chapter 17

Tyree returned to the bedroom, which was empty. His nose was filled with the stench of vomit. Tyree became concerned when he heard retching from the bathroom. He fiddled with the knob, but it was locked.

"Babe, please unlock the door," Tyree said. After he waited for thirty seconds, the lock clicked. Tyree opened the door and walked into the bathroom. Luca was slumped on the floor with his knees pulled up to his chest. Tears filled his hazel eyes.

"I'm sorry," Luca said, sniffling.

"You didn't do anything wrong," "Your body is adjusting to being fed again," he said, wiping Luca's face and neck with a wet rag.

Elena awoke and began crying. Tyree stood in the doorway as Luca turned to leave the bathroom.

"I'll feed her," she says. "You take a bath and clean up," he explained. While Tyree cared for Elena, Luca sighed softly and filled the tub with warm water. When the tub was full, Luca turned off the water, removed his stained clothes, and stepped into it. Luca mentally beat himself up for throwing up the food that was given to him.

"If this was because of the virus, what else could be wrong with me?" he asked himself.

Tyree knocked on the bathroom door ten minutes later.

"Are you okay?" he inquired as he opened the door and entered.

"Ty, if this is the result of the virus, what else could be wrong with me?" he wondered. Tyree didn't want to scare Luca, who was thinking the same thing.

"If anything else comes up, we'll deal with it together," Tyree said as he kissed Luca on the lips.

"Please bathe with me," Luca begged.

"You don't have to ask twice," Tyree said as he undressed and walked in behind Luca.

Tyree squirted some classic clean shampoo into Luca's hair and lathered it up.

"I'll make your hair shine," Tyree said.

"It probably looks bad," Luca said.

"There's nothing ugly about you," Tyree stated emphatically.

"Even my body?" Luca inquired.

"I didn't fall in love with your body," Tyree admitted. Luca lifted his head and kissed Tyree.Luca moaned as Tyree reached down and cupped his buttocks. Luca broke the kiss and said, "I thought you didn't love my body."

"Sorry," Tyree apologized, "I couldn't resist."

Luca and Tyree dressed and went into the kitchen after they had finished cleaning each other's bodies. When she saw Luca smile, Alicia's green eyes lit up.

"Hello, Mr. Luca," she said cheerfully.

"Hello sweetie," Luca said as he hugged her.

"Are you better?" she asked, breaking the hug.

"I'm a little better," he admitted. "But I'm still sick," Alicia said, wrapping her arms around Luca's neck and saying, "Please get better."

"With our help and love, he will," Tyree said.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Luca carried Elena into the living room and sat on the couch with Tyree. Alicia sat in front of the couch on the floor, playing with her doll.

"I'd like to watch TV," Alicia stated.

"All right, sweetie," Tyree said, turning on the TV and finding the Disney Junior channel. Alicia's eyes twinkled with delight when Doc McStuffins came on. Elena lay in Luca's arms, gleefully playing with his long hair while they watched the show. Tyree looked down and smiled at the baby. Elena squealed and extended her arms to him.

"She adores you," Luca said, smiling.

"How about her mother?" Tyree inquired.

"You know I do," Luca said as he lifted his head for Tyree to kiss him. They became aware that Alicia was watching them.

"Does momma Luca love me as well?" she inquired.

"Of course I do," he replied, nodding.

Luca wanted to savor this moment for the rest of his life because he felt like he was part of a real family. Luca was happy because he felt safe and loved. Luca had known he could trust Tyree since they first met.

"Where are my drawing supplies?" Luca asked.

"In the bedroom closet," Tyree said. Luca stood up and handed Elena to him.

"I'd like to draw you guys and Elena," he said. Luca went into the bedroom, rummaged for the art supplies, and returned to the room.

Luca opened his sketchbook and spread out his pencils.

"Alicia, remember how I said I'd draw you?" Luca inquired.

"Yes," she agreed with a nod.

"Well, I'm going to draw you, your father, and baby Elena," he explained.

"But you're not going to be in it," Alicia stated.

"I draw what I remember," Luca explained. "So I'll be there," he explained. Alicia joyfully clapped. As he sketched, Luca concentrated on every detail. When he finished three hours later, he smiled at them.

"It's all done," Luca said, holding up the photo of them all on the couch.

The priceless moment was not captured on paper. "I want it in the studio," Luca stated.

"I'm going to make a copy for us and frame the original," Tyree explained.

"Can I tell my teacher that I now have a mother?" Alicia inquired. Luca cast a suspicious glance at Tyree. Tyree returned his gaze and nodded.

"You can, baby," Tyree said.

"Oh goodie," she exclaimed cheerfully. "I have a daddy, a mommy, and a baby sister," Alicia smiled.

"Your birthday is in two months, isn't it?" Luca enquired.

"In fact, it is," Tyree stated. "I forgot with all of this chaos," he smacked himself on the forehead.

Tyree stood up, still holding Elena, and entered the dining room. He opened a drawer and took out a calendar. Tyree slid the drawer shut and sat back down on the couch.

"We're all going to put our birthdays on this calendar," Tyree said. "Alicia, because yours and Elena's are one day apart, she can celebrate hers with yours," Tyree said, writing down 3/29.

"I like that idea," Luca said. "And mine is 4/12," Luca noted on the calendar.

"And mine is 8/4," Tyree added, adding his birthday. "Now, where do I hang it?" he asked.

"How about on the wall near the television?" suggested Luca. "Everyone can see it there," he said.

"That's a great idea," Tyree said. When the day ended, the calendar was tacked up on the wall for everyone to see.