Chapter 9: An Explanation
Caine's POV
The party eventually ended. Sam took me quietly to Nurse Temple – I mean my mother – 's house. Well our house.
"We've gotten a better house since you saw it," Sam told me. "It's not far from Astrid's, actually." I was tempted to roll my eyes. Astrid. Sam's love. Could I ever be like that with Diana? Talk about her in a love-ish way? I hope so.
"Have you talked to my…" I chose these words carefully. "…adoptive parents?"
He nodded. "Yeah, they said you could go back whenever you want. You're their special son."
I kept silent the rest of the way.
When we got there, I got nervous. N- Mom loves me, doesn't she? Then why did she pick Sam over me? I got out of the car. Ah, Coates Academy. She's still a nurse here. I looked over just a few yards, there was Diana's car.
I lead Sam to the Nurse's office. "You first," I told him in a hushed voice.
He knocked on the door. "Mom?"
She opened the door in shock. "Sam?"
He nodded and embraced her.
"You're alive."
He pulled away and laughed. "Yes, I am." He cleared his through and stepped aside. "Mom, I think you might remember him."
"Caine," she whispered. She pulled me into a hug and I awkwardly accepted it. "It's time to explain."
I caught Taylor walking past us. "Hey Nurse Temple." She said, then she stopped and looked at Sam. She gave a radiant smile. "Hi Sam."
"Hey Taylor," he replied.
"See you around!" she said gleefully as she teleported – or "bounced" as she liked to call it – away. I looked as my brother smiled and we walked into my mother's office. She closed the door behind us and we sat in silence.
"When I knew I was pregnant with the two of you," she started. "I wasn't sure if I could keep you both. I started looking for families willing to take two kids – I didn't want you to be separated. I couldn't find anyone who wanted twins, but there was this offer – from Caine's adoptive parents – who wanted to take one of the children. I didn't want you two separated. I knew I could take care of one, but not two. I wanted you both to grow up together so you wouldn't question why you felt like something was missing."
"That worked." Sam muttered.
He received a small glare from our mother, but she continued. "Your father – whose story we'll get to another time – said he didn't want these children. He left me a month after we found out. I was left all alone. When the time came for me to have you two, I was accompanied with some old friends. They helped me get through it. I didn't know how I was supposed to raise both of you. I knew if I did end up keeping both of you, we'd probably be on the streets. I agreed to the offer to take one of you. I didn't know which one to choose." Her eyes were starting to water. I looked at the ground. "So I let the nurse give you away, Caine. I looked into your eyes that last day I had you. You were only a few weeks old." Her voice was cracking. "I told you not to be mad. I wanted to explain, but I didn't. I told you I love you. And I still do." I had been mad at her for so long because it was Sam, not me. I had been so wrong. I hid my face in my hands. I heard her sob. "I-I regret it. B-but I had no choice."
"Mom," Sam said as I looked up. He gave me a look and we both stood up. We all embraced each other. This felt like family. The first time.
