Chapter 293 - Being a Better Version - mdtres
Daniel
My daughter's cry after the little smack on her bottom made us smile. It was then I realized even Cereza was scared; that cry represents life. I don't know if it's because of what happened with the rescue of those children. Just imagining that they could be my kids or some of my nephews makes my chest feel strange.
I've been a bastard, but what we saw in that mansion... it was a rebirth. For three days, I've been pretty messed up, wanting to save as many kids as possible... yes, that's what I want.
They handed me Daniela, my little girl with rosy cheeks, my youngest. I placed her on Clari's chest, and she kissed her.
"You are beautiful, my love."
"I love you both."
I kissed Clari's forehead, then my daughter's, and they took her away to clean her up. They took me out to finish the tubal ligation surgery. I followed a nurse to the waiting room just as Gustavo and Gladis, also in labor, were coming in. Seeing my brother with mismatched shoes made me laugh uncontrollably. Yadira, who already worked at the clinic, took Gladis on a stretcher. She hadn't seen me.
"Calm down." She looked at me and hugged me.
"I can't wait to hold Jacobo. My son, Enrique's brother. I'm scared to death, what if something happens, if the baby chokes, in that class they say the umbilical cord could get tangled."
"Terrorism. Relax, Daniela is already born."
"Shit!" he said, looking at his sneakers.
"You just noticed?"
"As soon as Gladis said she had contractions, I freaked out. Literally, my wife and child's lives hang by a thread right now. I told her I wouldn't go in, not because I'm scared of the birth, but hearing her scream in pain throws me off."
"My sister will be with her. Just tell me to kill someone here, and I'll do it. No wonder our family messes with us, that's our weak spot."
He couldn't stop talking, a man of few words usually. An hour passed as we responded to family messages. Inés was already on her way with Miguel to meet their new grandchildren and nephews.
"Inés has been so busy she doesn't talk about the tumor anymore."
"That's true," I said. "Arnold's kids are due in four months."
"This Christmas won't be like last year's."
"Do you think the lady will let it slide? It might not be a big event, but she'll do something."
"Relative of Mrs. Gladis Vargas?"
"I'm her husband."
"Come meet your son."
I have three kids, and each one has been an incredible emotion, but the first one, the first will always be the first.
"Let's go, I want to see Jacobo."
My daughter was in the crib next to Gustavo's son's bassinet. He definitely took after his father. Gladis didn't dilate enough for a natural birth and had a C-section. With that big baby, she couldn't have done it naturally; no wonder she complained about the weight. Gustavo laughed while his lips trembled.
"This is my son." They handed him over while I gently caressed my daughter.
"He's a hulk," he chuckled.
"Not bad for a simple guy like me."
He kissed the baby's head, his eyes moistening. The new members had arrived.
"Dads, you can take your kids to their mothers." They handed me my girl. We both looked like proud peacocks.
"Not to brag, but these scumbags make beautiful kids," I said.
"No doubt, thanks to the women we have," we laughed, and Dr. Jones greeted us.
"Since you're the same family, you're in the same room."
"Thanks."
I greeted and congratulated Gladis, then went to my cabbage with Daniela in my arms. The crucial moment came when the baby asked for food. I saw the sadness in Clarisa's eyes when Inés prepared the bottle for the baby. Not caring at all if anyone was watching, I kissed her a couple of times on the spot where she would soon get implants.
"I love you, thank you for keeping me alive."
She clung to my neck and cried. Claudia, Inés, and Gladis were worried, but Dr. Jones said it was for the best, to let out her frustration.
"I love you, Clarisa."
After that incident, she gave the second bottle. The family started visiting us, and the gifts kept coming.
……
Roland
I arrived at the corral where Jacinto was finishing milking the cows. The Christmas festivities were pleasant, though not like last year. They were mainly for the workers, with a dinner and mass gift-giving.
We also had a dinner and nothing more. In a month and a half, Lupe is due, and I don't think Arnold will be there for the birth. Although, I don't trust him regarding that. He's very capable of getting into Germany by any means, which could be dangerous from any angle.
Carmela is traveling in a month to be with her, and the busybody Inés is also packing her bags. Keeping busy and useful in taking care of the bunch of grandkids we've given them has been a great help, along with the prayers her name has been subjected to. The only ones left to get pregnant are Aníbal and Shirly. It's strange that she hasn't been able to conceive, and Mrs. Josefina is giving her the same concoctions she gave her son.
"Good morning, boss."
"Good morning, Jacinto. How are they this morning?"
"Alive, and that's enough, so we're doing very well. And now with the news that Carmela is traveling, she told me to give her money to buy some things for the babies." I smiled; those babies come with thousands of gifts under their arms.
"Jacinto, I'm going to send an audio message to Guadalupe with Inés, explaining what happened with Arnold."
"Do you think it's a good idea?"
"I'm doing it because I want to avoid Lupe killing Arnold in the middle of labor. Something tells me that kid will get into that country."
"If he goes, could they kill him?"
"Yes, and if he doesn't go, he'll kill himself. He'll regret it his whole life for not being with his children. He might go, or he might not. I'll demand that he doesn't, even tell him as an order."
"Do you fear he won't listen to you?"
"If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't listen either. So, I won't force him."
"Does he have much left to finish what he's doing in Russia?"
"Let's hope he finishes soon. If I think like him, he'd have everything arranged before the birth of his children."
"Lupe is going to kill him."
"That's why I'm going to get ahead and help him a bit so the beating will be softer. Or maybe what she's going to see will make her forgive him."
"You know that, boss; we don't know what the young man is doing."
"Today they're coming for two stallions."
"Yes, sir, they're on the schedule."
"Good, we'll do the land tour later."
"Tomorrow we need to mark the new batch, the ones you want to take to the auction."
"Thanks."
"Is something wrong, boss?"
I had already asked Don Fausto for this advice, and he told me, if you have a gift and the ability to execute it, do it.
"If you have the ability and the means to correct the mistakes of some mentally ill humans, would you use them for the benefit of those who need them?"
"I think that's called being a hero. I have no idea, boss, what topic you're referring to, but I'll answer based on what I've seen. You all are good bad guys, killers with honor and word, something absurd and, at the same time, magical.
"What one hears about you, what one sees in your actions, what one perceives of your character, only leaves me to say that sometimes in the valley of our lives we are trained for our mission.
"Look at your past as a school. You decided to change for God and by your own choice. Use those means and resources to give a bit of peace to people who need it at some point. There aren't just spiritual angels; there are also earthly ones.
"Have you ever thought that those great world leaders who implemented an ideology at some point helped many people? Each became an expert in what they knew and loved, deciding to share with others without expecting anything in return.
"Don't miss the opportunity to do good. That's what Mrs. Verónica does innately, now with the schools she's creating not only in Blanco but in these places for the education of our children.
"Boss, if you found something that rejoiced your heart and felt a different sensation, keep doing it, because that's the call of God, life, divine providence, or whatever you understand by a Superior being."