"Are you really just learning now that my brother is an alcoholic?"

Emanuele had hardly managed to contain a sarcastic snort when I brought the subject up, hardly appearing concerned for Enrique's well being.

"I just said that things are getting out of hand," I continued, taking a seat on couch and setting my hands together in my lap. "I'm worried." I had expected more concern from his twin, currently not appearing as though he even wanted to bother with the inconvenience of helping in some way. "I was wondering if you and your parents or siblings had ever discussed it with him, he's having a child for goodness sake, you can't possibly be telling me that none of you care."

"It's not that we don't care, Oliver… but Enrique is, well… Enrique. He's never going to admit he has a problem and if you asked me, my nephew would be better off without him. He's not going to settle down or step up, you know that."

"He's just scared. Anyone in his situation would be; he doesn't feel like anyone believes in him."

"My brother went off the deep end a long time ago. Everything is a fight with him now. No one is ever allowed to call him out on his shitty behavior because if we do he accuses us of wanting him to be perfect."

"You must admit, Emanuele, your mother can be hard on him. He was a good kid when we were growing up. Energetic and a bit over the top, but good. He had morals and wanted to make your family proud."

An almost sad sounding sigh came from his twins mouth as he averted his eyes from me. He seemed to know that I was right, Enrique made bad decisions… but he wasn't a bad person.

"Our mother is never going to admit he has problems he can't help. He doesn't sit still very well and he can't ever seem to focus; in his own way I do think he tries hard in school, but I don't think he wants to acknowledge any more than she does that getting better grades isn't going to happen. How do you admit that you're trying your hardest when your hardest doesn't even look like trying?"

"I've helped him with his homework before, he's smart when he's kept in line."

"School will never come before social interaction for him, though. Partying is really all he has that he looks forward to. Hell, look how toxic he and that Rosetta girl were, they didn't have shit in common outside of being loose and relying on alcohol. He's honestly lucky that Bianca is the one he got pregnant, she's at least a sweet girl he has some sort of genuine bond with, not that it's stopping him from cheating on her."

Although I had never given Bianca much thought before, in a way I could see that Emanuele was right. She was closer to what was more genuinely his type than Rosetta was, a rather dainty blonde who played the roll of innocent beauty quite well. Rosetta was what most men would view as hot or sexy, but Bianca was cute, even I could see that.

"I want my best friend back." I said sadly. "I feel like I don't even know the person he's become within the last few years."

"And you think what exactly? That I don't want my brother back? He's an addict, Polanger… if it wasn't alcohol it would be something else. Would you rather he start shooting up heroin?"

"How can your entire family possibly just accept this? You're allowing him to be your scapegoat when you don't have to. He can be a good father if he has support, but if all anyone ever tells him is that he'll never be able to do it or that he's going to be a deadbeat, he's going to start letting his lack of self worth win."

"Enrique's ego takes up our entire mansion."

"Enrique doesn't think he's worth jack shit to any of you and if you can't see past that mask he wears, then you have no right to even call him your brother."

"You don't get to dictate the relationships within my family. Why do you suddenly care, anyway? Where was this concern last year?"

I wasn't sure exactly how to answer his question, mostly because I myself wasn't sure. We hadn't been growing apart per say; we did things together semi regularly- or at least we had before the kiss had happened, I still couldn't seem to stop myself from avoiding him, but our overall relationship was different and I didn't entirely understand why. I struggled to trust him the way I had when we were young, back when I told him everything and he did the same to me. I didn't even currently have the confidence to confide that I was attracted to men.

"I'm calling Johnny and Robert." I said. "If you and Lorenzo don't want to be a part of it when I talk some sense into him then that's fine. I'll do this with or without you."

"I never said I wouldn't be a part of it." Emanuele huffed. "I'm just saying that he won't listen… what makes you so sure the other two will care, anyway?"

"We're his friends."

His face fell sad; defeated in a never ending game of hope that something could be done in order to get Enrique's head out of his ass. I wasn't sure if he held shame for not being the one to take this step, or if he had tried and given up a long time ago. He loved his brother, I knew he wanted what was best for him the same way that I did.

"I can arrange a jet but we shouldn't waste any time waiting for the end of the week. I don't know if he'll be able to handle staying at the mansion for the entire time he's supposed to, our father says things have already been getting heated, he wants to come back to school."

I gave a slight nod, hoping to conceal the sadness that threatened to overtake my face. Even if Enrique didn't realize it, he needed us now more than ever. All of us.

"Johnny is with Robert right now so I can get in contact with them at the same time."

Answering in no more than an empty sigh, Emanuele hardly acknowledged my words, reality setting in on what it was we needed to do and how draining it was going to be. He would be helping us to plan an intervention on the sibling he shared identical DNA with, the closest relationship he would ever have in his life. It wasn't going to be easy.

"You're a good friend, Oliver."

All I could do was shrug as I turned my back to one more relationship I'd had for far too long, even if Emanuele had never been as close with me as Enrique had.

"That's nothing I've ever lacked confidence in." I said.

Xxx

I had been having a rather pleasant dream, even if I no longer remembered the details after Johnny had decided to awaken me by throwing his bag directly at my head, something I was rather confident he had done on purpose no matter how much he tried to claim otherwise.

"You were snoring." He explained with a blank face, clearly not caring whether or not I believed him. "You'll count yourself lucky I didn't hit you with something heavier."

"How benevolent of you." I smirked, resting my cheek on my open hand without bothering to fix my posture. "I do owe the two of you my gratitude, though. Thank you for coming with us."

Robert hardly bothered with a response, huffing slightly at my words and focusing his attention more on Emanuele and Lorenzo, who seemed unsure of what to say. It had been a long time since we had all been the same place at the same time.

"I can't say these are particularly pleasant circumstances."

"You need to understand how bad it's gotten this year, I wouldn't have asked the two of you to accompany me if it wasn't serious."

No one dared comment on the irony of all of us currently cradling some sort of alcoholic beverage in our hands, hoping to take the edge off of our clear discomfort. At most given times we enjoyed one another for company, having several inside jokes and stories we tended to fall back on. Everything about today felt awkward, though. None of us were laughing and even when we smiled it did little to camouflage our emotional status.

"You don't need to remind us that Enrique is an idiot, Oliver." Johnny shot back without missing a beat. "Hell, even before he knocked up his current fling it wasn't exactly uncommon knowledge. He thinks with his dick, which would be fine if his head had any brains."

"You speak as though you didn't attend the same juvenile outings." Robert huffed. "If I remember correctly, the two of you took part in many the same shenanigans that have been creating problems this time around."

"I'm a Scot, I know how to hold my liquor."

"The maid who was tasked with cleaning our living room floor during the last new year may have a different opinion on that."

It was hard not to smile at their antics, which seemed to currently only come at the others expense. Even Emanuele and Lorenzo were on the verge of hiding small grins. It was how all of us had always spoken to one another, appreciating a good witted comeback even if we found ourselves at the receiving end.

"Actually," Johnny smirked, "If we're already planning on having an intervention, would now be a good time to go around the plane and each give our opinions on Oliver's damn hair? I mistook you for your sister at first glance."

The smile I was holding back faded rather immediately, a warmth filling my face as I blushed at the sudden less than positive attention which came my way.

"He has a point." Robert responded in a rather annoying agreement. "I can't say I see your family approving of your current fashion decisions. A haircut really would suit you."

"I don't remember asking either of you for an opinion." I huffed.

Appearing happy that the conversation was currently off of their brother, Lorenzo and Emanuele took the chance to join in what they viewed as having fun at my expense.

"I think he's been letting it grow because Julia likes it." The younger brother giggled. "He's been fancying that one this year."

"Isn't Julia the one who lives in the male dorms?" Emanuele asked. "There still doesn't seem to be a definitive answer regarding whether or not she's a girl or boy. You haven't by chance shagged her yet, have you? Did you get a look at what's happening down there? Hans told me she has both, like Lady Gaga."

Johnny erupted in laughter, slapping himself hard on the knee as his chin fell to his chest. It was annoying… there was nothing funny about this conversation.

"Damn, Oliver are you really in that deep? You're just gonna date a girl with a willy and call it good enough?"

"I'm not discussing this with you."

"Is yours at least bigger?"

Even Robert, who tended to remain no nonsense, couldn't seem to help muffling a small giggle at the inappropriate question. They had really run me into a corner, though. Julia and I were not dating and I didn't plan on being a part of the current rumor that we were but if they tried to question why not, I lacked any sort of answer that wouldn't throw one of us under the bus. If I explained that she was trans I would be getting into a topic that wasn't my business to share, yet if I simply explained I felt nothing romantic toward her, Johnny would continue his playful banter regarding my own sexual preference.

Then again, maybe this was the time for me to admit to my friends that I liked men. They made jokes at my expense, sure, but I was confident they wouldn't hate me for it. They understood that it wasn't something I had chosen for myself; it was how I had been born and there wasn't anything I could do to change it. Hell, they were harder on me for being French than they were on me for possibly being in the closet.

"What Julia has between her legs is irreverent." I said snidely. "I'm sure whatever is there is still twice the size of anything Johnny has."

I managed to join in on their playful game, taking part in on conversations and an occasional laugh throughout the remainder of the short plane ride. I think all of us felt more at ease after being able to just spend some time together again, even if not everyone understood the way our friendship worked. It wasn't until we actually landed and Emanuele called his families usual chauffeur that the reality of what we were even here for made its way back into my head. I began hoping that I was still only dreaming and that once I woke up I would realize I didn't actually need to deal with anything that was currently happening.

I was about to betray my best friend and he wasn't going to forgive me very easily…

Silently I boarded the freshly polished limousine with everybody else, the current fear very much visible on my face.

"The idiot is going to be fine." Johnny said, elbowing me gently. "He just needs someone to pull his damn head out of his arse."

Only Emanuele and Lorenzo seemed to hold the same uncertainty on their faces as I did, being the only ones beside myself who were able to see how out of hand things had gotten.

"I think he just wants someone to acknowledge that he's trying." I spoke quietly. "I don't think anyone has ever told him they think he even might be a good parent. All Enrique has heard since the start of all this drama is how much of a failure he is."

"I'm not sure it's actually possible to be seventeen and a good parent; I think it's more realistic to just say he's been dealt a damn unlucky hand."

"You weren't much better than he was when it comes to partying." I reminded Johnny. He too had taken part in drunken shenanigans and had at least one instance of a girl doing the walk of shame out of his room in the morning.

"I don't go looking for sex," He grinned cunningly, "Sex finds me."

"There are no rules saying you need to be loose in order to get someone pregnant; I'm just saying it could have easily been you."

"Maybe it's just his punishment for giving us all mono two years back."

"We made a pact to never bring that up again." Robert chimed in, "It sends the wrong message."

"Strong words coming from the guy who once asked the nurse if she had anything to help with your herpes outbreak."

"I've told you more times than I can count that it was a language barrier issue! I forgot the English word!"

"Cold sore, Robert… you had a cold sore."

"You are a cold sore."

"You were in bloody Switzerland, you didn't need to speak English in the first place."

"The nurse was British."

Leaning back into my chair, I smiled. As much as I was dreading what was about to happen, it was nice having them around again, bickering as though we hadn't been apart for even a month. I missed the socialization that came with having close friends at your side. I had Enrique still, and next year I would have Julia and Raul… hell, even Lorenzo, but the relationships just wouldn't be the same. I was still never sure how to respond to Julia when she mocked me, normally finding myself offended instead of giving it back to her the way I did if Johnny spoke to me with a crude banter.

"Part of me," I spoke with a sigh to the others, "Is honestly still in disbelief that Enrique is having a kid, you know?"

Johnny let out a sardonic snort and although Robert said nothing, I could swear I actually heard his eyes roll.

"He made his bed, now he has to lie in it."

"Nah, the maid probably made the bed, 'Rique just shagged some poor lass on it."

"It's a figure of speech, Johnny..."

What could I say?

I really had missed them.

Xxx

"It's lovely to see you boys again." Enrique's mother spoke, kissing me on the cheek as she led us into their mansion. "Although I hardly think it's necessary for you to be missing school on my sons behalf."

"I'm a straight A student." I reminded her, ignoring my discomfort at her use of the word 'boy'. "I think I'll be able to manage fine."

"I've always respected you, Oliver. You have a good head on your shoulders, like your mother and father." She ruffled my hair. "We really ought to do something about your hair, though."

"Can we just see Enrique?"

Emanuele and Lorenzo had run off as soon as we entered the house for reasons I wasn't sure of, though I suppose it's possible they were already a step ahead of me.

"Yes, I was going to ask what this was all about. It seems a bit unusual for all of you to show up so suddenly, is everything okay at home?"

"Oliver thinks your boy is an alcoholic." Johnny stated without a care. "He brought us all over here to check up on him."

Her face dropped somewhat, the no nonsense look I had seen many times throughout childhood now coming back with vengeance.

"Excuse me?"

"It's not like that." I lied, glaring at him with every intent on him seeing me. "Listen, we're just worried. Enrique hasn't really been himself lately and I think it would do him good to spend a little time with us before the baby is born, I want to maybe just pick his brain a bit regarding everything, make sure he's okay."

"My son does need a talking to, gentlemen..." She sighed. "The partying is really the least of my worries right now, though. If he doesn't begin taking this seriously he's going to end up dragging our family name through the mud. We don't need this sort of negative attention right now and his father and I are more than capable of fixing his mess."

"I don't doubt you're doing what's best for your family." I said gently. I needed to butter her up if I was going to get anywhere. "He is our friend, though… I would appreciate if we could just spend some time with him at the moment."

"I wouldn't disagree with you… if I knew where he was."

"Pardon?"

"Our video surveillance caught him sneaking out but unfortunately it isn't able to tell us much else and I've been undecided on what information I should ask Bianca for. She's been in such a good mood since he came home, how am I expected to pull that rug out from under her? Breaking a girls heart on my sons behalf does not fall under my duties as a mother, especially when the poor girl could go into labor at any time, her damn blood pressure has been through the roof. Not that Enrique finds any of this to be his problem… clearly he has other things that need his attention."

"I think he's just scared." I said. "It's a lot of weight on his shoulders."

"Ah, yes… on his shoulders. Never mind all the work I've done to help his girlfriend. Her parents damn near shut the door on us altogether, because that's what we need right now, a publicity story about my teenage son abandoning his child to be raised by the girls parents. Excuse me, Oliver, but I'm absolutely sick of it. I've birthed and raised five children and four of them seem to have bright futures ahead of them, yet I've continued watching Enrique find way after way to embarrass us and allowed him to get away with it. He's my son, I love him like no other, but I should have put my foot down the second he began having problems. I figured the compulsive behavior was due to immaturity… He and Emanuele are the only set of twins within our family and it was hard to know what to expect, I shouldn't have been so against medicating him, though."

I caught a glimpse of Emanuele through the doorway as he gave a stealthy wave in my direction, causing me to excuse all of us in order to follow him. Their mother didn't seem to mind, looking like she has said everything she needed to.

"Your mum sounds pissed." Johnny huffed to the twin, appearing more annoyed than concerned.

"You think? Look, this situation was already tricky to begin with but if Enrique ran off it may be best for you to all get home before all hell breaks loose…"

"You don't think he'll be gone long, do you?" I asked.

"Nah, if I had to guess I would say he's probably at a party. It's unfortunate, though… I'd heard he was doing well since getting here. Him and Bianca even named the baby."

"Where is Bianca?"

"Probably the second floor guest room, down the west hallway. She stays in the guest house sometimes but with our brother being at school the maids have been helping to take care of her, especially with being on bed rest."

Robert gave a disappointed sigh and Johnny began to fidget, scratching at the back of his head.

"Maybe we should go ask if she's okay." I suggested.

"I'm not barging into some lasses bedroom," Johnny scoffed, Robert nodding in agreement.

"I'll have to agree, it feels less than ideal regarding the situation. Not to mention rather rude."

"And it's not like we even know her, I'm not claiming I'm uncomfortable around pregnant women, but I wasn't planning on conversing in the same room as Enrique's fully cooked cream pie."

Rolling my eyes, I began walking toward where Emanuele had said, knowing the layout of the mansion well enough where help wasn't needed. Hell, I'd slept in the exact room he was talking about before; we all had. Taking the elevator to the second floor, I made my way down the corridor until making it to the room he'd said she was staying in, knocking gently.

"Come in." A girls voice called, giving me the confidence to open the door.

"Bianca?" I called, trying to sound as though nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

"Yes?"

She was perched on a vanity stool, eyeing herself in the mirror while bringing a comb through her loose blonde curls that I was confident weren't real and were instead made with hot rollers.

"I'm not sure you remember me, I'm one of Enrique's friends."

"You're that little French boy. Oliver, right?"

"Si; I was wondering if you had seen him yet today."

"I haven't actually. He's been gone most of the day." She was smiling, appearing quite unconcerned at anything out of the ordinary that was currently happening. One of her hands brought itself to her swollen stomach, running a finger along the watermelon sized bump. "He's been acting a bit sneaky the last few days; I think he may be planning something."

Although I took in her words, my eyes couldn't seem to take themselves off of her belly.

"Planning something?"

"We had such a good time the other day… it's like I finally have him back, you know? I understand that becoming a father has him scared; hell if I'm gonna pretend I know what I'm doing either, but he loves me and I know he's gonna love his son too." Her eyes held onto so much hope, as though nothing that happened the past few months mattered. "I think he may be getting ready to propose…"

In what was likely less than an instant, my stomach dropped. Her sudden willingness to forgive made sense now…

"Do you really?" I asked, hoping she couldn't hear the absolute doubt in my voice. "He's never struck me as the type to let himself be tied down."

"We're going to be a little family, it would only make sense."

"I just mean… He's made it seem like you guys were having some problems."

"I'm not going to pretend things have been perfect. If I had it my way he would be seeing a therapist, but it's clear he wants to change for the better. I mean, he's been sober the entire time I've been with him since coming home. He's been sweet, caring, willing to talk about baby things with me… he's terrified but he's trying so hard."

I immediately questioned some of the words she spoke, even if I only did so internally. Had he truly been staying sober since coming back to Italy? If that was the case, was it possible that he wasn't out partying and that Bianca may be right in trusting him?

"Emanuele said that the two of you named the baby." I said gently.

"Luca." She smiled. "Luca Gian Tornatore."

Even midst my doubts I couldn't help but smile. I had grown accustomed to the idea that Enrique really had gotten a girl pregnant, but something had gradually changed as time went by. It had long ago stopped being a mere concept and instead sat directly in front of my face. Almost fully grown inside Bianca's body and due to come out potentially any time was my best friends child. I would be able to meet him soon.

"So you don't know at all where Enrique might be?" I asked.

Although she appeared as though she was going to answer me, a sudden shift in atmosphere caused my face to drop in concern. She suddenly appeared uncomfortable, leaning hunched over onto the vanity and groaning as she attempted to breath.

"He should be home soon..." She mumbled.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah… braxton hicks… totally normal."

I had absolutely no idea what she meant and although I wanted to trust she knew what she was talking about, her current state had me worried.

"Should I get someone? Is there a nursemaid around?"

"Nah, I've been having them all day."

Deciding to ignore her statement, I went to the intercom and paged the downstairs area, suggesting that a woman be sent up. Although I was rather confident about who I truly was, it didn't mean I had any understanding of sex or childbirth outside of the things we had learned in school. Much to my surprise, it was actually Enrique's mother who came to the door several moments later, a clear look of concern filling her face.

"What's wrong?" She asked, touching a hand to Bianca's clammy forehead.

"Nothing," She smiled. "Just some contractions."

"Often?"

"No, not at all. Every half hour or so." She brought her eyes to me, blushing slightly as she learned in to whisper in hopes I wouldn't hear. Something about peeing herself that morning and believing that it had set something off.

"We need to get you to the hospital." Mrs. Tornatore stated, helping Bianca to her feet. "Oliver, dear… I need you and the boys to see if you can figure out where my son is."

"Is she okay?" I asked. "Is something wrong with the baby?"

"No."

I wasn't sure what question she was answering.

"No?"

"She's in labor."