Chapter 39: Yes or No?

(Narrator POV)

Even though Edgar was technically a stay at home dad, only going into work at the school at 3:00 for practice, Olivia still felt overwhelmed. Past few days were rough. They noticed that West has extremely sensitive skin, so he got a small rash on his stomach and butt. So they had to buy new sensitive diapers, wipes, baby wash, etc; which had Olivia paranoid for some time but eventually he healed.

Two weeks into having the twins at home Olivia felt like she had to do everything on her own and care for them like Edgar wasn't around. Or even Noah. Noah tried to help a lot and he did here and there while he'd watch his iPad or was just chilling around. He would help his mom with his little brothers. And Edgar would too, but there are other things that Olivia needed help with. While she was working off the baby weight, she was also juggling with laundry, breastfeeding, keeping the house clean, making sure everyone ate something for dinner. Olivia had a lot on her plate.

Early in the morning at 2:00 West started crying and Olivia was already up so she picked him up, hurried out of the room and up stairs to the nursery so Karter wouldn't wake up. "Shhh, it's okay baby. It's okay." She cooed. Upstairs Olivia sat in her chair to soothe her baby boy to sleep. "I know you're tired. Mommy is too! Mommy can't seem to get a break anywhere. But I love you and your brothers so much that I keep doing it. And daddy he's a good guy and he's really trying to learn how to take care of you guys but mommy is so tired, I just need some more help. Before you guys were born, daddy was such a prince. He always made sure that we all were okay all the time. I don't know what happened." By the end of her rant West was sound asleep.

Edgar down stairs heard the whole thing, he set up the baby monitors even though they didn't need them at the moment. He really needed to step up, Olivia shouldn't feel like she is all by herself. He unlocked her phone, cancelled her morning alarm to drop Noah off at school, right before she walked back into the room with baby in hand. "You're up."

"Yeah I woke up when you took West upstairs."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you. I tried to get him out before he woke you guys up."

"It's fine, I just missed your presence." He opened the blanket for her to get back under, instantly engulfing her in his arms. Something they hadn't done in a while. "Go to sleep, you need your rest. I love you."

"Love you too!"

In the morning, his plan worked out very well. He packed Noah's lunch got the twins dress and ready to go. Packed the diaper bag with everything that was on the list that he made. Got ready himself, without Olivia even budging.

After dropping Noah off at school he went to the firm to do the taxes, pay bills, things of that nature. Of course La'Mai, saw him come in with babies and instantly took one of the baby carriers. "Awe my little baby." She uncovered the carrier revealing Karter's face. "Olivia make you take care of them today?"

"No, I really need to pick up the slack. She is very tired and I'm doing my daddy duties. I'll be the first to admit I haven't been as involved as I should. But I've learned how to change a diaper which helps a lot."

"Yeah, you really need to help her. And never let her forget how much you love her. Especially right now, getting closer to the wedding date. It's only three months away."

"Okay mom! I know."

"No need for the name calling."

"That was a good comeback."

"Well I have to make some phone calls, so you can take him back and I'll see you later."

"Okay see ya!" When he got past the mob of people wanting to see his kids and into his office he got through everything he need to do done by 11:00 since he had to stop so many times to feed, burp, and change his little fellas. That's when he got the call from Olivia. "Hey babe!"

'Where are you!'

"I'm on my way to the grocery store."

'And the kids?'

"Well 1 is at school, 2 & 3 are with me."

'You dropped of Noah at school?'

"I even packed his lunch."

'And now you're going the grocery store? With the kids?' Olivia was very suspicious and surprised by Edgar's behavior.

"You would be correct."

'Hmph. Can you come pick me up, I wanna come.'

"Sure I'll be on my way."

'You know what never mind I didn't do my laundry yesterday. I don't have anything to wear.'

"Your clothes are folded on the chair in the nursery."

'Okay, thanks. I'll be ready when you get here.'

"Alright we'll see you when we get home."

On the way home Edgar played some nursery rhymes for the boys, not that they understood it at all. But to keep them familiar with it. Since Edgar sung to them while Olivia was pregnant. He shot a text to Liv letting her know that they had arrived.

"Did you lock the door already?" Edgar asked out the window.

"No, why?"

"Because I dropped Karter's binkie and forgot to pack an extra for both of them."

"I pretty sure I have some in my bag." She looked in her bag and found a few. Got in the car and said. "I have three in my bag. How have they been?"

"Actually pretty good. Westley drank his whole bottle this morning and Karter almost finished. And they slept for a while, while I was at the office. Ever since then the have been up and playing with their toys."

"That's good. Thank you for taking Noah this morning. I really needed the extra sleep." She held his free hand. He just gave her a nice smile.

Once they entered the store they each got a cart to carrying each baby. They both looked at each other to see who was gonna take the lead. "I'm following you."

"Okay I know you like to be in charge in this type of environment."

"Nope I am only here to enjoy time out with my boys." Edgar started to fill up both carts

When they walked past the baby section. Before Olivia could get a would out Edgar quickly said "no."

"But please?"

"We have so much stuff at the house we don't need anything."

"I won't get a lot I promise. Just some cute little items." Olivia never begged but she loved baby clothes so much.

Edgar huffed, "go ahead. Just don't take forever."

"Awww you really love me. You hear that Westley, daddy is gonna let me but you and your brother some new clothes. Isn't he nice, yes he is." Olivia wasn't seeing any appealing clothing so she went and picked up so towels, blankets, and bottles.

"Really? More bottles? I think we have enough."

"Some of the ones we have at home are too big, I'm just getting a pack of 8 small ones."

"Alright, you know more than I do." They proceeded to the checkout. At home when all the groceries were put up. Olivia and Edgar sat on the couch with their three kids when Edgar got a phone call. "What's up D?" D as in Davion from the basketball team.

"Coach! I- I need help. Your wife she's a police officer right! My mom- her boyfriend- she's bleeding an- and she not breathing. He was beating her-" he wasn't forming complete sentences.

"Davion, slow down! Did you call 911?" Now Olivia was interested.

"I called 911 already, I think he's coming back. I can't fight him- he's too strong! Coach I need help!"

"You need to get out of there-"

"I can't just leave my mom!" Then there was some cluttering and yelling. Then two gun shots rang out. Then there was silence.

"Davion! D!" He kept the phone on call. "I need to go, I'm sorry today was supposed to be just us but you know better than anyone else..." she knew what he was saying.

"What's going on?"

"One of my players... gunshots- his mom he wasn't talking in full sentences. His mom is all he had left. His dad passed away when he was young. Look you can be mad at me for leaving right now but- I'm leaving!" He said out the door. She called fin asking if there had been a domestic violence called and there was he gave her the run down of what was happened. But she wondered why Edgar thought she'd be mad if her left.

About two hours later Edgar returned with Davion. He couldn't stay by himself, not in this state. And he had nobody else. It took a while for Davion to let go of his mother. His parents were everything and now they are gone. "Hey babe." Edgar greeted Olivia. Davion just waived at her. Feeling that he would breakdown at any moment. He had blood all over his clothing, shocking Olivia. This hadn't been the first time Davion had been over here. After school before the season started his mom would drop him off at Edgar's house so he'd stay out of trouble, get his homework done.

Davion was a tough kid. And talented. He is 6'2 and still growing because he's only a freshman. He already had offers from D1 colleges. And Edgar loved being his coach, seeing Him improve everyday. But right now wasn't about basketball, it was about Edgar being a father figure in his life. Upstairs Edgar escorted him to the first guest room. "I'm gonna go get some soap and towels for you. You need anything else?" He shook head. After Edgar came back with the soap he sat down on the couscous in silence, ran his hands across his face. Edgar didn't know what to do, what to say, but he couldn't just leave Davion hanging.

"Edgar? I just got the boys down. Noah is asleep on our bed at the moment too. How is he?" She pointed up the stairs.

"I don't know, he hasn't said a word since we left the hospital. I don't know how to talk to him. Can you try? Or tell me what to say."

"He trusts you that's all that matters. Just talk to him like you would Noah. Just like a father." She looped her arms through his. She had never referred to Edgar as a father figure to Noah. Which meant a lot to him in that moment. Gave him the strength and courage he needed to talk to Davion. 25 minutes Edgar heard the water shut off upstairs and shortly after Davion made his way down stairs.

"Davion." He tapped a spot on the couch. "Are you ready to talk about?" He shook his head. "Well when you're ready I'm here for you kid. In the meantime is there anyone, in-state or out that we can contact?" He shook his head. "You can't think of anyone?"

"Look it was me and then there was my mom!" He cried. "She was pregnant too. A little girl. Her name was gonna be Alaeyah. My baby sister, she deserve what he did to her. He's never like that, but he came home drunk and it was so awful!" He started bawling, putting his head down. Crying for his mother and baby sister. Edgar held him while he cried. "It should have been me. It should have been me." He kept whispering. "I wish he would have killed me too. Or just me instead."

"Davion don't think like that-"

"You'd feel the same if something- God forbid- happened to Someone you loved that much. You could never understand! You have all I have ever wanted and needed. Both your parents, a sister, a family! I'm all alone and I have nowhere to go. They are going to put me in foster care. Nobody is gonna wanna adopt a teenager!" Davion never had much stability in his life and now his world was in shambles. Davion had too much going for him in life to give up.

"I do." Edgar spoke without thinking. Even though Edgar would do it in a heartbeat. He knew that he has other children and a soon-to-be-wife to consult with. But he was sure this was at he wanted to do. Davion was already like his son. Why not make it official, he needed someone right now. Who better than him.

"What?"

"You heard me. You need someone- a family. Mine already loves you, why not make it our family. I love you kid. You've been my favorite from the start, I can't not do anything to help you."

"You've done enough to last a lifetime. I can't expect you to do that. What about Ms. Olivia?"

"I'll talk to her, I'm sure she'll be fine with it. She loves adoption she thinks everyone should do it. That's how she got Noah. Look I will go talk to Olivia right now just stay out here." He got up and ran upstairs to the nursery. "Hey babe, so can we talk really quick." She wasn't doing much except folding baby clothes.

"Sure."

"So me and Davion were talking, he said something about not having anyone- foster care, and adopting a teenager. And I said I do." She turned around and gave him a crazy look like -you did what- face. "Look I know everything just happened but he's a great kid. Never been in trouble has amazing grades, he just needs someone to take care of him. I'm not saying we adopt right away, not that I'm opposed to doing that. But we can foster him first talk more about it later but this is something I really want to do. He needs stability."

"Edgar I don't know. We just had twins not even three weeks ago. I mean come on Edgar you gotta learn how to do one thing first." Olivia immediately wanted to take back her words. Edgar's Face dropped.

"What is that supposed to mean, Olivia?" He knew exactly what that meant.

"Honey, didn't mean it-"

"Don't honey me. What does it mean? You don't think I can take care of our children. I know you don't think I can. I'm new at this and I don't know everything but neither do you. I know how to love a child and that's all that boy wants. But I see why you don't want to foster him. I don't even trust me enough to adopt Noah. Or even look after the babies without you calling every damn minute!"

"It's just my instincts Edgar. It's not that Don't know how to love them it's just-"

"It's just that you don't trust me. I took care of your son when he was sick, every damn time he has gotten the smallest fever. Oh here's another example how about that time Westley had a sinus infection and I stayed up with him all night everyday just so you could get some rest. I'm not the greatest dad in the world but I try!"

"I know Edgar, I can't-" she touched his arm and he immediately shrugged it off.

"Don't Olivia, don't- you've said enough! If you say anymore. You might say more words than you can ever take back. But while I go tell Davion that I'm not FIT to take care of him... why don't you think about if you truly trust me because if not you might want to reconsider marrying me. I trust you with all my heart. But that's not reciprocated back. What is love without trust? It's not a damn thing." Olivia messed up bad. And she knew that Edgar had the right to say everything he did. One of the babies started crying. "Our kid is crying do you trust me enough to care for him." He walked out the room and immediately notice Davion was gone. He ran Dow the hall to the room he was using. All his things were gone. He obviously heard them talking when he left. "Liv I gotta go! Davion is gone! I'll get the baby on my way out!" He yelled white running down the stairs.

"I'll get him, go find him!" Edgar ran out the front door on foot knowing that he couldn't have gotten too far even though he was a star cross country running and very fast. He screamed his name for blocks before collapse on the sidewalk. He couldn't believe this was happening. He tried calling again straight to voice mail. Then he got a call from Olivia.

"What is it?" He said out of breath.

"There's a knife missing from the knife block."

"Oh my God!" He hung up the phone and threw it. He should have never raised his voice then none of this would have ever happened. He got up and started running towards the bus stop. Going to place he knew Davion would go.

Once he arrived he saw the front door wide open. Davion was sitting in his room with the knife next to him. "How'd you find me?"

"I knew you'd come here. Why did you take the knife?"

"I can't live if they aren't here. I have no one. I heard you guys screaming upstairs. She doesn't want me!"

"But I do! You are coming home with me tonight and we'll figure something win the morning. But you have to tell me and be honest if I didn't get here when I did would you have..."

"No, I decided that long before I got here. I just feel that way. But everything I do now if for them. Thank you coach!"

Hours past and it's time for dinner Olivia and Noah cooked for everyone. Noah and Davion have talked ever since they got back. Dinner time was awfully awkward Edgar and Olivia talked to the kids avoided conversation until they talked later. And later was now, Noah, Davion, Karter, and Westley were all upstairs in the guest room. On the other side of the house were the not so happy couple.

"I really don't feel like talking right now." Edgar said.

"Okay then just listen, I'm sorry about what I said. I know you're trying your hardest and I should have said those horrible things to you. I didn't want you to get your hope up and get denied the adoption. All the paperwork is treacherous and the process is even worse. I just don't think you are-"

"But what you don't know is that I've already been approved for adoption I put in my papers a few years back because I thought I'd be alone. I wanted adopt a baby girl. I was chosen for the baby but I didn't have much time with her because she passed away. I never told anyone ever. No one knows, and I wanted to keep it that way. But maybe if you didn't completely shut me down I could have explained that."

"I'm sorry honey. What was her name?

"Anastasia. Her mother chose it. They obviously thought I was fit to care for a child. If you don't want to adopt him I will myself."

"That's not how this works Edgar!"

"It's what you're doing with Noah!"

"I had Noah way before we even met."

"And?"

"It's totally different Edgar."

"How?"

"Because we are together. We have to make these decisions together!"

"You've decided time and time again that I can't be Noah's dad! And we're about to get married."

"I'm his mother!"

"And I'd be his father!"

"Why don't want me to be his legal guardian? And I'm not talking about Davion anymore!"

"I'm gonna be 100% honest. Because if we break up I'll still have him."

"Olivia are you kidding! I tell you over and over again I'm never leaving you! This is the angriest I have ever been with you but I still love you more than anything. We have the twins what were you gonna do about them?" She was silent. "Look you're still holding back, if you're not ready just say so. But don't marry me if you have any doubts in your heart. That's pains me to say but I was so ready to get married to you. But I understand if you're not."

"Edgar I didn't say all that!"

"You didn't have to, Olivia. You don't get it. It's not about what you did say it about what you didn't. You still refuse to say I'm a good father. But I don't want you to say it if it ain't true." He was quiet for a moment. Then he laughed, "ya know Olivia you say a lot of things that I let roll off my shoulder but this one cut deep." The doorbell rang Edgar got up it was the bouquets of roses he order for Olivia tonight. Sadly things took a turn for the worst. He still wanted her to have them. He wasn't mad at Olivia but he was deeply hurt. "Do you think I'm good with the kids?"

"Edgar-"

"Yes or no?"

"Yes."

"That's all I need to hear. I'll know you mean it later. Tomorrow I'll arrange for children's service to pick up Davion-"

"Don't, he can stay here. I mean this from the bottom of my heart. I want him to stay. I trust your judgement. If you say this is good for us then he stays." It's the first time Edgar had smiled in hours.

"Alright, but I want to finish what I started. I planned to take a shower with you and watch a movie with you and the kids. I'm tired of fighting. I just wanna move past this." He grabbed her hand and gave her a good kiss. After their hot and steamy makeup shower, all the kids gathered in the room to watch the movie. All falling asleep one by one.