26/Brother v. Brother

Despite feeling tired and nauseous, Alex got out of bed at six the following morning in case Eric decided to go to the gym. He knew Lila had asked his brother to go to her house the day before and although Alex knew he was hoping against hope, a part of him believed Eric and Lila were going to discuss the possibility of her adopting his offspring.

However, when Eric got home, it was clear he was in no mood to talk. He stormed upstairs and into his bedroom and did not re-emerge the rest of day.

Alex couldn't stand not knowing what was happening. Time was ticking and he needed to have a game plan for the one that was growing in his cavity. His hand subconsciously drifted to his abdomen. He recognized he had been hoping Jane would want to raise it with him, however, after meeting Sebastian, he knew that was never going to happen.

A dissolution wasn't an option for him. He wanted a family, just not right now. Despite his brother's plans, he always planned on having it and giving it up but when he overheard Lila telling Eric she wanted offspring but could not produce any, he knew she was the perfect solution. He witnessed how gentle and caring she had been to Sebastian as he recovered.

Alex walked down the stairs, halting suddenly when he saw his brother sitting at the table with a shiny ceramic black coffee cup in front of him. He wore a gray robe open at the front, exposing the tattoos across his torse. He looked haggard and disheveled with dark circles under his eyes. He didn't bother looking up as Alex entered the kitchen area.

"Good morning," Alex said as he continued on his journey.

He heard his brother mumble something indiscernible in response.

Alex walked to the refrigerator for blueberries and orange juice. He grabbed a basket of strawberries, but opted to put them back when he smelled them and thought they smelled of death.

"Long night?" He asked.

Eric just shrugged.

Alex felt a pang of disappointment when it became evident Eric was not in the mood to talk.

He proceeded to make himself a refreshing smoothie, hoping the tanginess of the fruit calm the niggling feeling of upchucking.

He placed the glass on the table and sat across his brother determined to talk about the future of his child.

"So?" He prompted.

Eric continued to stare at the coffee cup. "So?" He echoed.

Alex sat up feeling slightly excited that his brother was finally interacting. "You saw Lila yesterday, yes?"

Eric sighed. He reached for the coffee cup with his right hand, grabbing it from the middle instead of the handle. "What of it?" He asked before taking a long swig.

"Is she going to adopt my offspring?" He blurted out. He hadn't intended to but anxiety got the best of him. He had waited long enough for an answer.

"Alex, please don't start. You're getting a dissolution and that's final." He stood forcefully, walking to the kitchen sink.

"I'm not having a dissolution, Eric." The younger Morgan spoke firmly.

Eric spun around walking back towards his brother, "A dissolution is easier for you and it's the quickest way your life can return to normal."

"Normal?" Alex echoed. "You call being sterile normal? I don't want to lose the opportunity to have a family of my own down the line."

Eric pointed a finger towards his brother. "Then you shouldn't have jumped into Jane's bed so quickly! You wanted to act like a grown-up, well little brother, grown-ups have to accept the consequences of their actions and a dissolution is in order for you."

"I'm dealing with my own consequences already!" He defended while raising his voice. "I'm dealing with daily body aches and nausea. And everything smells like either a rotting corpse or vomit! I don't imagine life expulsion is going to be a walk in the park either!"

Eric slammed a hand against the island. "It sure as hell likely won't be! Have you ever seen a natural life expulsion? Your body will split open exponentially! Do you even know how risky it could be for your life?"

"Dad did it!" Alex reminded him. "He went through it for you!"

Eric got in his brother's face. "And he had you removed surgically, causing his cavity to collapse. That should tell you everything."

Alex sighed, staring into his brother's eyes, as if challenging him. "I'm doing it."

He saw his brother's eyelid twitch. Eric exhaled rubbing a hand over his face. "Lila doesn't want your offspring so you're going to have to come up with a plan B." With that, he turned, climbing the stairs to his bedroom.

Alex ran upstairs too. He grabbed his phone, asking Lila to drive him to an appointment for a dissolution.