Michael's Point Of View
Later on that evening, Elise and I left Sasha's house with the twins and went back to my place. Before I left, I made sure to tell Sasha that she had nothing to worry about regarding me and Elise. It's strictly about the kids.
Even though Sasha kept telling me how much she didn't care about me going to my place with Elise, I knew deep down she did.
The only reason why I brought Elise to my place with the twins is because Mother and Joseph wanted to meet them. I don't feel safe bringing them over to Hayvenhurst just yet so I told my family they could come to my house to see them.
And they did exactly that.
I watched as my Mother, Joseph, Jackie, Marlon, LaToya, and Janet gush over the twins.
I haven't seen Mother this happy in a very long time.
Everyone was having a good time and enjoying the twins in the living room but I noticed Elise sitting by her lonesome in the kitchen. She was secluded away from the rest of us and seemed deep in her thoughts.
I left my family in the living room and went over to her.
"Everything alright?" I stuffed my hands in my pockets and walked around the counter to stand next to her. "I didn't even notice you weren't out there."
She chuckled, "yeah, everything's fine. It's just been a very eventful day."
"You don't look as happy as you were earlier today. If you're feeling uncomfortable—"
"I'm fine, Michael," she smiled but I could tell there was pain behind it. "I'm just very tired."
"You could go rest in one of the guest rooms upstairs if you want."
"I don't know. . ." She tucked some hair behind her ear.
"It's fine," I said, gently. "You need your rest. I can hold it down with the twins."
As soon as I said this, we heard one of the twins burst into tears in the living room.
"It's time to feed them again," Elise smiled. "I'm sure that's the hungry cry."
Elise and I went over to the living room and grabbed the twins so they could get fed. Everyone was getting ready to leave anyway, so the timing was perfect.
We went upstairs with the twins while everyone was leaving and went into one of the guest rooms.
"I need to buy a breast pump," Elise said as she sat on the loveseat, holding baby Gio. "It'll be easier for me."
"I'll have one purchased and sent here for you." I rocked Gia in my arms as I watched Elise pull out her breast to feed Gio. For some reason my eyes automatically squeezed shut and I turned around. "Should I give you some privacy?"
All I heard was her scoff and chuckle. "Michael, turn around. Please don't act as though you've never seen my breast before. I'm breastfeeding our babies. It's not that deep."
"You sure?" I felt the need to validate.
"Turn around and let me get Gia."
I turned around and saw her shaking her head with a smile on her face. I handed over Gia and watched as she fed both twins at the same time. One on each breast.
The sight was touching to me. It reminded me how beautiful motherhood truly is.
After they were fed, we sat and burped them, hoping they'd fall asleep so that Elise could get some sleep herself.
"I know you might've not thought about this yet but. . ." I cleared my throat, "I was wondering how we were going to do this whole co-parenting thing. I want to be with them every single day."
Her eyes were closed and I could see a smile play on the corner of her lips.
"What are you thinking?" I asked her.
She opened her eyes and looked at me. "I'm thinking you're going to be an amazing father."
That statement put the biggest smile on my face but it didn't stay there for long once I saw the sadness on Elise's face.
I so badly wanted to address it but I was afraid I'd make her more sad if she actually was sad.
I looked at my babies faces and noticed that they had fallen asleep. I was purely in love with them.
"We really had two very beautiful babies," I beamed.
"Michael," she sighed. "I have to go back to the DR. I can't stay here."
I looked at her and frowned. I stared at her as though I didn't hear what she said even though I heard her loud and clear.
"Elise," I tried to stay as calm as possible especially with my sleeping baby in my arms, "you're not going back to the Dominican Republic. Especially not with my children.
"I'm safer there, Michael," her eyes misty with tears forming in them. "My Mother and all the rest of my family is there. I can no longer live in the states."
"What are you—" I scoffed and stood up, placing the baby in the center of the bed next to me. "What do you mean you could no longer live in the states?" I turned back to her. "Jermaine is in prison and so is everyone else involved with him. I can provide you all the security that you need. Our babies are here now. If I have to hire the military to protect you guys, I will." She said nothing and it irritated my soul. "Your Mother has a home here, Elise. You guys are just going to leave—"
"We're selling the house," she cut me off.
I huffed and raked my fingers through my hair, trying to process what I feel Elise is trying to tell me.
I sat down next to her and just kept my head down till I spoke up again. "Elise, I swear I will fight tooth and nail to make sure you never see them again if you take them away from me. And I won't lose."
"You don't have to threaten me," she scoffed and wiped a tear from her eye. "I'm not taking them with me."
"What?" I looked at her, puzzled.
"I want you to have full custody."
"Elise, it doesn't mean I don't want you in their lives. You're their m—"
"I'll bring their abuela along whenever I visit," she slightly smiled as she looked down at Gia in her arms. "I know she's dying to meet them in person."
I was confused with what she just told me. She'll give me full custody? Just like that?
I looked at my babies and imagined the life I always wanted. But what if Sasha doesn't take me back? I can't see myself being a single father trying to do this all on my own.
"When do you want to leave?" I asked.
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" My eyes widened as I tried to keep my voice down. "Elise, you literally just gave birth this morning. How are you—"
"If I could get that breast pump before the night ends, I could pump tonight and tomorrow morning so you can have some extra milk stored for them for at least a few days."
"Then what?" I was sort of nervous.
"You'll figure it out," she smiled, wiping a tear. "You have Sasha, Lauren and your sisters to look to for help. They got you."
"Elise, I don't think this is a good idea," my jaws clenched in frustration. "Why would you want to detach yourself from them so early? What mother—"
"What mother what?" She snapped. "What mother would want to protect her children so much that she's willing to give their father full custody? What kind of mother, huh?" There was pain in her eyes. "You don't understand the sacrifice I just made for them. So don't you ever put in your mind that I'm less of a mother to them all because I chose to love them from afar. So, please," she wiped her eyes and got up, placing Gia on the bed next to her brother, "if you'd excuse me, I'd like to get some rest with my babies."
I said nothing and just slowly backed out of the room, leaving her to rest.
For some odd reason, I just went straight into my room and cried. It was neither a sad cry or a joyful one. It was as though all of my bottled up emotions finally burst out of me.
Everything was happening so fast.
I knew it was time to man up, commit to one woman and have the family I always dreamed of.