Chapter 19

7/3/2041 (Elena is 3 months old)

Luca. Tyree and Alicia stood in front of a fireworks stand. Luca cradled Elena in his arms.

"Are we going to get pretty colors, Daddy?" Alicia

"Yes, baby," he said, "we'll pick them out right now." "Are you going to pick some, Mommy?" the little girl inquired.

"Yes, but no loud ones," Luca said. "They'll scare me and your baby sister," he predicted. Tyree stepped up next to Luca and asked, "Are you sure about this?"

"I'm fine," Luca said, nodding his head. "I just don't like the loud ones," he said. Before they started looking over their options, Tyree turned to Alicia and said, "Now, these are to be watched, not touched." "You're still too young to hold them," he said.

They walked around picking out various items for the next day's festivities.

"Are you alright?" Tyree noticed Luca lagging and asked.

"I'm fine," he said. "Elena was being fussy," Luca said.

"Are you sure?" Tyree asked. "You have bags under your eyes," he said.

"I was up late getting the drawings done," Luca said. "I'll take a nap when we get home," he said. An hour later, they drove up and got out of the car.

"You get some rest," "I'll get Elena," Tyree said, who noticed Luca's eyes drooping.

Tyree carried Elena inside the house, while Alicia assisted by carrying the baby bag.

"Alicia baby, please watch your sister while daddy brings in the stuff for tomorrow," he said.

"All right, papa," Alicia said as she sat down in front of the carrier on the floor. Tyree went to his car, got the box, and returned inside. He entered the living room and found Alicia talking to Elena about her school and teacher. Tyree stood and smiled as he watched his daughter interact with the infant. Tyree walked up to the carrier and picked up the fussy baby.

"Baby, can you grab daddy a bottle from the bag?" he asked.

"Okay, Daddy," Alicia said, as she reached in and found the bottle.

"You're a big help," he said, as she handed it to him.

Tyree filled a small pot with water, sat the bottle inside it, and heated the bottle. A couple of minutes later, Tyree tested the temperature on his wrist, then fed Elena, who drank hungrily.

"Alicia, can you bring me the bag please?" he asked.

"Okay Daddy," she said, heading into the living room. Alicia came back seconds later and sat the bag on a chair. "What does Daddy need from it now?" she asked.

"Elena's pink burp rag," he said. Alicia lowered her head to the bag and then lifted it a few seconds later.

"Is this it?" she asked, showing Tyree the stained rag.

"Thanks baby," he said, nodding his head.

After Elena had been fed and burped, he went to his bedroom after he turned on the cartoons for Alicia. When Tyree placed Elena in her crib, Luca was snoring softly. Tyree thought to himself as he lay down next to Luca, "He must have been exhausted." Tyree wrapped his arm around Luca as he nuzzled into Tyree's chest. He closed his eyes and focused his attention on Luca's gentle breathing. Within minutes, Tyree was fast asleep.

When Luca opened his eyes, it was 6 p.m. The peach curtains reflected the last rays of the setting sun. As Luca traced circles on Tyree's bare chest, he smiled. When Luca looked up, he saw chocolate brown eyes smiling down at him.

"Hi," Luca said to Tyree, smiling.

Tyree said, "Hiya, love." "Did you get enough sleep?" he inquired.

"Yeah, I needed it," Luca said, nodding.

"Don't push yourself or you'll burn out," Tyree advised.

"All right," Luca said.

"You and the kids must be hungry," Tyree said. "Let's fix some dinner," he said.

Luca got out of bed, dressed in his pajamas, and went to check on Elena.

"Come on, she's sound asleep," Tyree said from behind, hugging him. Luca took Tyree's hand in his and followed him into the kitchen.

"Hi, Daddy," "Hello, Mommy," Alicia said as she walked into the kitchen. Luca picked up Alicia and said, "Hello, Baby," before placing her down and hugging her.

"I'm hungry, Mommy," she announced.

"We're about to start dinner right now," Tyree said. "Play with your toys until it's finished," he advised.

"All right," Alicia said as she exited the kitchen.

Tyree started a pot of water while Luca browned the ground beef.

"Mommy, my sister is crying," Alicia said as she entered the kitchen.

"Thank you for informing me," Luca said. While Tyree heated up a bottle, Luca went out to get Elena. Luca reappeared, carrying a hungry Elena. Tyree resumed preparing dinner while Luca sat at the table and fed Elena.

"Did I do good, Mommy?" Alicia sat down and asked.

"You did very well," Luca said, nodding his head and smiling at her.

A few moments later, three bowls of spaghetti appeared on the table. Each bowl was accompanied by one piece of garlic bread. Tyree drank water while Luca and Alicia drank orange juice. After saying grace, everyone began eating. While feeding Elena, Luca nibbled on his bread. Luca repositioned Elena so he wouldn't drop her while eating.

"Will we see grandpa tomorrow?" Alicia asked.

"Yea, tomorrow after lunch," Tyree said. After dinner, they watched TV for a couple of hours before retiring for the night.

7/4/2041

Luca awoke drenched in sweat. He was aware of what it was, and it worried him. Luca jumped out of bed and dashed into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. Tyree was startled awake by the sudden movement of the bed and the slamming of the bathroom door.

"What's the matter, babe?" Tyree inquired as he rapped on the door. There was a lot of breathing coming from the bathroom.

"Shit, I was on my medication," mumbled Luca. Tyree's nose was filled with the scent of lilacs.

"Babe," Tyree said, his voice concerned.

"Take the kids and stay with Dad for a few days," Luca suggested.

"What's the matter, babe?" Tyree inquired.

"I'm not sure how or why, but I'm in heat," Luca explained. The heat suppressants had stopped working.