Chapter 4: Jonathan's POV

Crap.  What am I going to do?  Jonathan was stuck.  He just finished another shift at the hospital.  It’s been a week since hearing about the death of the twins’ parents, and he still didn’t know what was going to happen to them.  All he knew was that he had to fight to keep them in this hospital.  He checked his watch: 7:00 a.m.  Great.  Another 20 hours gone.  I guess it just goes with the job, but still…Jonathan knew that he was getting on in years, granted he wasn’t even 30 yet, but he knew that he wouldn’t be able to keep up the constant hours of work for much longer.  Maybe, I should ask for some time off soon…but what would I do? 

Jonathan grabbed his jacket, and was almost out of the front door, when he heard his phone start to ring.  He pulled his Galaxy S4 out of his pocket and checked to see who was calling him at this hour.  When he saw the name flashing on his screen, he quickly answered, “Bailey…what are you doing calling at this hour?”

“Sorry, I just assumed that you would be awake at this time.  So what’s up?”

“Working, nothing different from when you called last week.  How’s school?”

“New York University is so cool!  I love school!  It’s going great, and I totally love all my classes!  Have I mentioned that I love this school?”

“You may have forgotten to mention it.  Why are you calling?  You only ever call me monthly, and if you call in between you need money.  So how much do you need and for what?”

“Actually big brother.  I don’t need any money this time.  I’m actually coming home for the weekend.  I’m coming in on Friday morning, and I was just wondering if you would pick me up from the bus station.”

That caught Jonathan by surprise.  “You’re coming home for the weekend?  Is Thomas coming with you?” he asked his younger sister. 

“I asked him, he said that he has too much homework piled up, so he can’t make it down.  But he is definitely coming home in two weeks to visit.  So can you pick me up?”

“Of course, you know that I can.  Just email me the details and I’ll pick you up.”

“Thanks!  You’re the best big bro in the world, did you know that? 

“Yes.  I do know that.  You don’t need to point out the obvious.”

“Okay!  I gotta go to class, but I’ll see you in a couple of days!”  The line went dead.

Jonathan placed his phone back into his pocket.  He would never admit it to anybody, but he was very excited to see his little sister, even with the problem of the twins hanging in the air.  He practically raised his younger siblings since they were born when he was a 15 year old back home in Germany.  He allowed himself a small smile as he walked back to his apartment. 

A couple of days passed, and Jonathan found himself waiting in his car at Union Station waiting for the bus from New York to show up.  Bailey had written in an email that her bus should show up around 8:00 a.m. shortly after his shift ended, which worked out perfectly for him. 

He found himself humming along to the song on the rock station that was set to his car radio.  Whenever people asked him what his favorite genre of music was, he challenged them to guess.  Everybody always guessed classical music.  They were always shocked to learn that while he doesn’t really hate it, classical just wasn’t his thing.  The song “Everybody’s Fool” by Evanescence started to play, and Jonathan found himself getting excited.  This has been his favorite song that has played on the station by far.  Amy Lee sang the lyrics for the song so powerfully, that he couldn’t help but get lost in the song.

Just as the song was finishing up, Jonathan noticed a bus coming up.  As the passengers came out one by one, he finally saw a young 18 year-old girl, with a giant hot pink backpack, walk off the bus.  The young doctor immediately got out of his car, and when Bailey spotted him, she quickly ran and gave her older brother a hug.  “Bailey!  Look at you!  You’ve changed so much.”

“Don’t joke around…I’ve only been at school for like a month and a half.”

“First of all…just shut up and enjoy the compliment.  Second of all…you had long hair when you left for school, now you have a pixie cut.”  She punched her brother in the arm, and then they climbed into Jonathan’s car and drove to his apartment. 

“So, do you have anything planned for me this weekend, bro?” Bailey asked, as they walked through the door of Jonathan’s apartment.

Jonathan looked at his younger sister like she was crazy.  “No…you sort of sprung this whole trip on me a few days ago.  Besides I have something at work that I need to resolve.” 

Bailey looked disappointed.  She went to sweep her hair over her shoulder, completely forgetting that she had chopped it all off.  “But…” she began to argue.

“No, Bailey…I don’t have anything planned.  I did, however, talk my boss into giving me a weekend of peace.  So if you want to do something, then just tell me,” Jonathan answered.  Although as the words came spilling out of his mouth, a twinge of guilt was beginning to knot in his stomach.  Nikki and Levi and their future were still swimming around in his mind, and he felt both guilty because he still hadn’t come up with a way to save them, and because he wasn’t able to provide his little sister with the undivided attention that she obviously wanted. 

However, at Jonathan’s comment, the young college student’s face immediately lit up.  “Yes!  Ok, so listen to this.  The real reason that I wanted to come home, not that I don’t love you or anything, but my roommate has a friend that goes to school around here, and she set me up on a blind date with him.  I’m supposed to meet him at this nightclub somewhere around here.  And I thought since I was going to hook up with someone tonight, maybe you would like to…you know…”

Jonathan saw where this was going.  “Bailey…you know that I don’t like nightclubs.  It’s a waste of time and money.”

“But, Jon!  You’re 30, and you’ve never been with anyone.  I thought that maybe back in college you would’ve hooked up with Alex, but that never panned out.  I mean, seriously…” She continued to complain until her big brother could no longer take it.  Jonathan finally had to draw the line when she resorted to pouting.  Her lips quivered and her giant, sea-green eyes were staring straight into his blue eyes.     

“Fine!  Just stop complaining!”  He hated how she knew exactly how to get a reaction out of him.  “Which club are you supposed to be meeting at tonight?” 

“Hang on, let me have my roommate text me the details.”  She quickly grabbed her phone out of her pocket, and ran off into the guest bedroom with her giant backpack. 

Jonathan sighed.  He dragged his weary body to the couch, and he flopped down.  God, I’m so tired.  He checked his watch.  It was almost 11 in the morning.  Assuming that he wouldn’t have to go until at least 10 or 11 later that night, he estimated that, if Bailey would let him, he could at least get a few hours of sleep.  He closed his eyes, allowing them to rest for a second.  He heard his sister starting to talk to him, but sleep began to tug at him, pulling him further into unconsciousness.

Darkness surrounds Jonathan.  He can’t see anything.  Can’t hear anything.  Surrounded by nothing.  Just blackness all around.  Slowly choking the life out of him.

Suddenly, a flicker of light appears far ahead.  Jonathan tries to move toward the light, but his legs feel as if they are made out of lead.  He wills himself to walk, but he could only manage one step every few minutes.  After what feels like a few hours, the doctor has made it closer to the light. 

Something’s wrong, he thinks to himself.  The light isn’t warm.  It doesn’t comfort him, as a light in the middle of the suffocating darkness should.  As the light grows larger, he sees that it transforms into the outline of a door. 

No…no…no…a horrifying thought suddenly occurs.  Not this nightmare again. 

He knew that he shouldn’t, but his curiosity always gets the better of him.  He had to open the door, in hopes that the horror would take a different turn this time.

It didn’t. 

The doorknob was hot to the touch.  Shortly, after placing his hand on the metal handle, Jonathan flinched and pulled back quickly.  He tried again, this time, quickly turning the handle, only slightly burning his palm in the process.  The door swung open, and a blazing inferno welcomed him into its room. 

Familiar tables set ablaze by the fire, slowly being reduced to ashes before Jonathan’s eyes.  The once lovely white curtains slowly disappearing into the flames.  The Persian rug no longer in its usual place, having left this world long ago.  By the window, he sees two armchairs facing outside; they are the only objects in the room that are not on fire in the room.  He approaches the chairs, slowly and cautiously.

He finally reaches the chairs, and no matter how many times he has this nightmare, Jonathan is never prepared for what he sees. 

Two corpses.  A man and a woman. 

The woman is propped in the chair.  A large gash deforming what was once a graceful neck.  Her blood, still in the process of drying, stains her white tee shirt and jeans, forcing them to change colors in the process.  Her eyes, now glazed over, were still wide open with shock.

The man was lying at her feet with a large knife crudely shoved into his back.  His black long-sleeve shirt denying that any trace of blood is flowing out of his wound at that moment.  His right arm reached out, as if he was trying to write something out.

Jonathan cranes his neck in hopes of catching what the man had scribbled with his blood.  All he manages to see is J-O-N scribbled out.  My name?  Why do they look so familiar?  Who are these people?    

Suddenly he heard something.  “-than!”

A voice?

“-athan!”

Why did it sound so familiar to him?

“Jonathan! Wake up!”

The young doctor slowly opened his eyes to reveal the form of his younger sister in front of him.  He looked down and noticed that he had been covered with his fleece blanket. 

“Bailey?”

Bailey’s eyes flashed concern for a split second before asking, “Was it that dream again?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”  He didn’t want to worry her before her date.  He checked the time on his watch.  8:00 p.m.  “About what time were you planning on dragging me with you to this club?”  Avoidance.  Obviously the healthier choice.

“About 10.  Jona-” she started, when he felt his phone begin to vibrate in his pocket. 

He held his index finger up.  “Hold that thought,” and he stood up.  As he walked to his room, so he could take the call in private, he looked down to look at the caller id.  An unknown number?  Jonathan didn’t normally make it a habit to answer unknown numbers, but something compelled him to drag the green answer button across the screen. 

He closed his bedroom door behind him and said, “Hello?”

“Hello, is this Dr. Jonathan Becker, head pediatrician of Children’s Hospital of Washington D.C.?” asked a female voice on the other line. 

“Speaking.  May I ask who this is?”

“Oh…that’s right.  My name is Lilian Riddle.  I got your number from your supervisor at the hospital.  I believe that you have been the primary physician for my nephew and niece for the past four years…you know, Nikki and Levi Walker?”

“Yes, I know them quite well…” Jonathan didn’t know what to say next.  Luckily for him, this “Lilian” decided to continue.

“Then you might know that about a week ago, my sister and my brother-in-law suffered from a fatal accident, and the future of my niece and nephew are in question.”

“Yes.  I’m well aware, in fact, if it’s possible, I would like to speak to you about that.”

“Please, let me speak first.  My sister had expressed to me that if anything happened to her and her husband, that she wanted me to be the ones to look after them.  We live in Northern Virginia, roughly 30 minutes to an hour away, you know, depending on traffic.  And my husband has expressed that it would be much easier for us, if we moved them to a hospital that was closer to home.”

Jonathan felt the cold sweat starting to form on the back of his neck.  He didn’t like where this conversation was going.

“However, I believe that would be a horrible idea.”

He was speechless, too stunned to say a word.

“Dr. Becker, are you still there?”

“Yes…I’m sorry.  I’m still here.  Not that I don’t mind, I mean, I love Nikki and Levi as if they were my own kids, but do you mind explaining why it would be horrible to move them closer to home?”  Why am I asking?  Isn’t this basically what I wanted?

“Well, you see…you have been their primary doctor for the past four year.  You know them inside and out better than probably their late parents.  We went to visit them at the hospital the day after their parents regretfully left this world, and while they were too sad to really say anything, when we brought up the idea of moving them to another hospital, they spoke with so much passion about wanting to stay.  They obviously trust you.  Please, if it’s not too much of an inconvenience, do you mind if they continue their treatment at your hospital, and they stay in your care?”

Jonathan could feel the tears beginning to build up, but he quickly pinched himself in order to keep calm.  “Of course we don’t mind.  Like I said, we have been taking care of them for the past four years.  We would love for them to stay with us at the hospital.”

“Thank you Dr. Becker. Have a good night.  We will be visiting the twins tomorrow, I hope that we will get a chance to meet you.”

“Not at all.  Please have a good night.  I hope that we see each other as well.”  He quickly hung up the phone and took a deep breath.  They won’t be taken away…I’m so glad.

Suddenly, he hears a soft knock from behind him.  “Jonathan.  Are you gonna get ready soon?”

Shit.  That’s right.  I’m supposed to go to the club with Bailey tonight.  Jonathan quickly grabbed a nice, blue button-up shirt and pair of black pants from his closet and opened the door.  “Yeah…yeah…let me just get a quick shower in.”

A little after ten o’clock, Jonathan and Bailey were making their way down the streets of Washington D.C., choosing to walk, instead of taking a car only about 10 blocks from Jonathan’s apartment. 

            His younger sister had on a simple pair of thigh high, black shorts and a ribbed-back black tank top.  Her feet adorned the most beautiful pair of four inch black, strappy stiletto heals.  Bailey was so giddy, that the young doctor could’ve sword that his younger sister would have skipped on her way to her blind date…if it weren’t for her fear of looking stupid in front of complete strangers.

            After a few blocks, they began to hear the loud, catchy club music ripping through the silence of the night, while right lights blasted its way through the darkness.  And Jonathan hated everything about it. 

Why am I so soft when it comes to Bailey?  There was no reason to ask a question like that…because Jonathan already knew the answer.  He could still remember like it was yesterday. 

He was only 15 years old at the time, which means Thomas was 5 and Bailey was 3 years old.  His parents trusted him to babysit them while they had to go to work, since he had a snow day and therefore didn’t have to leave for school.  His teachers had this weird idea, that even it was a snow day, their students should still have to complete some form of schoolwork.  Each of Jonathan’s teachers had sent their own individual emails explaining what they had to complete and by what time they had to email the assignment back.

His younger brother, with his usual messy sandy blonde hair, suddenly came bursting into his room. “Hey big brother…when are mommy and daddy coming home?”  

            “They’ll be back when they’re done with work,” Jonathan answered, slightly annoyed, since this was literally the 20^th time that Thomas had asked the same question.

            “But I’m bored!  I wanna go outside and play in the snow!” he complained even louder than before.

            “Well too bad Thomas.  Mom and Dad said we could go out once they get home.  And that won’t happen until at least 4:00 if they get here on time.  Why don’t you just watch T.V. like every other kid on this planet?  I only have until 2:00 to finish these assignments.”

            Thomas pouted at the response, and he quietly left the room.  Jonathan heard the T.V. in the living room start to play the theme song from Spongebob Squarepants.  He sighed and went back to focusing on his assignment for his Pre-AP English 9 class.  They were studying the Jane Schaffer method of writing.  His assignment wasn’t hard, which is why he picked to finish it last.  He had 5 paragraphs that his teacher had emailed them, and he had to identify the topic and closing sentences with the color black, the concrete detail with red, and the commentary with green, and then he had to explain on the side, why he identified them as such.

            He was almost finished with the last paragraph, when he suddenly heard yelling from the living room.

            “Give it back to me!” he heard Thomas screaming at the top of his lungs.

            “Mine!” he heard from Bailey.

            Jonathan groaned loudly, and he stood from his seat to check out what the commotion was all about.  He just managed to walk through his door, when he heard a loud crash.  He felt his panic begin to rise, and he rushed his way through the hallway and down the stairs to the living room. 

            Earsplitting crying and frantic “sorrys” were the only identifiable sounds coming out of the small living room.  Jonathan rounded the corner to see his baby sister sitting on the floor, her small hands clutching her forehead.  There was a small trickle of blood slowly making its way down her face.  Her eyes tightly shut, tears streaming down her cheeks, and nose completely stuffed.  Thomas was hovering above her, also crying, and apologizing over and over again. 

            “What happened?” Jonathan asked his little brother, anxiety completely taking over as he ran to his sister’s side.  He picked her up and walked her over to a nearby bathroom.  Thomas followed his siblings into the small, cramped bathroom.  Jonathan grabbed the first aid kit that was hidden under the sink, and quickly pulled out bandages and antiseptic.  He looked down to his younger brother.  “Explain,” he demanded, coldly. 

            “Sh-she…I d-didn’t…I m-mean…” was all little Thomas could muster through his crying.  He proceeded to cry even harder. 

            “Thomas, just go to your room.  I’m going to talk with you later,” Jonathan said, after he couldn’t stand the crying any longer.  Thomas quickly scurried out of the bathroom and ran up the stairs to his bedroom.  Jonathan quickly turned his attention back to his baby sister, who was still crying her head off. 

            Jonathan tried to soothe his baby sister by talking as calmly as he could, “Hey, hey, sweetie.  There’s no need to cry…why don’t you let big brother see?  I’ll try to make it feel better.”

            Bailey’s crying immediately downgraded to a small sniffle as she slowly removed her hands from her forehead.  Jonathan was relived to see that it was nothing more than a small cut; he was afraid that it was a large gash, and he was going to have to take her to the hospital in the snowstorm.  He quickly applied antiseptic to the small cut and put a pink, Hello Kitty Band-Aid over the small wound.  “See, didn’t I tell you that I would make it feel better?”  He placed a small kiss on her forehead, and let her run out of the bathroom, laughing. 

“Hello?!  Big Brother, is anyone in there?”

            Bailey’s voice brought Jonathan out of his reverie.  He saw his younger sister’s hand waving repeatedly in front of his face in order to get his attention.  “Huh?  Oh yeah…sorry Bee.”  He looked up and noticed that the music was considerably louder, and the lights much brighter than they were a few blocks back.  “Is this the place?”

            Bailey nodded enthusiastically.  Jonathan had to admit that the building looked very nice from the outside.  The words, The Lounge, sit proudly on top of the building in bright pink neon lights, blaring the name of the club for all to see.  The front of the building was made completely of windows, so people passing by could see the clubbers dancing along with the rhythm of the music.  Jonathan could already see a few people grinding against each other.  Seriously?  This early in the night? 

            “Come on, Jon!” Bailey yelled while pulling his arm, so he was basically being dragged by a girl nearly half his size.

            As soon as they walked past the bouncer, only one thought came to Jonathan.

            Let’s get this night started.

Chapter 3: Daniel's POV

After his eventful meeting, Daniel was forced to head out to work.  With everything that has just happened, he really didn't want to grace the Rojas, Inc. headquarters with his presence.  However, he knew that his secretary would tattle on him to his father, and he didn't really want to deal with his dad calling him out on something at his tender age of 27. 

Walking into the sleek building on 31^st Avenue, he was suddenly grateful for the invention of the air conditioner.  Daniel had completely forgotten that he could’ve called for the limo to meet him at the hospital, but he completely forgot, and he was forced to walk, yet again, to headquarters, which was roughly 20 blocks away.  I don’t think this day could get any worse. 

Not stopping to say hello to the front secretary, he silently shuffled across the lobby towards the elevator so he could head to the top floor where his office was located.  He stood there for five minutes before hearing the familiar ding that the elevator had finally arrived.  Stepping into the small cube, Daniel immediately regretted not fixing the size of the elevator as soon as his father had given him the CEO position.  Since he was young boy, Daniel hated small, enclosed spaces, and if his office wasn't located on the 25^th floor of the building, he would've been content taking the stairs. 

Lucky for Daniel, there was only one elevator that went all the way to the top floor, and it was only for his use and his use only, which meant that he only suffered for about 5 minutes as his private elevator rushed to his targeted floor.  When he finally heard the second familiar ding, indicating that the elevator was about to open its doors, Daniel quickly scrambled out of the enclosed space. 

“Good afternoon, Mr. Rojas,” he heard from his secretary, Johanna, in her usually quirky voice.  Daniel smiled when he saw her.  She wasn't what society called “pretty,” in fact, as far as looks go, with her shoulder-length, bushy brown hair, tied back haphazardly in a low ponytail and her large round glasses, she could be described as an average-looking young woman.  What she didn't have in looks, however, she completely made up in personality.  Johanna was a sweet, albeit awkward, girl, but she could make Daniel laugh whenever he felt as if he was having a bad day.  Her only flaw was that she follows instructions very well, and since Daniel’s father, Francisco, instructed her to keep him updated about his son, she keeps him informed about his every step…and that included whenever he decided that he wanted a day off. 

“Good afternoon, Johanna.  How does my schedule look today?”

She quickly types something into the keyboard, while keeping her eyes on the computer screen.  “Hmm…It seems like you have nothing else scheduled today…”

Daniel nodded curtly walked into his office.  Why did I come in today?  He sat in his comfortable, leather swivel chair behind his desk, and then he picked up the phone.  “Hello, Benjamin.  Yes this is me.  I need you to send a car to pick me up from headquarters at 5:00.  And I need you to do something with my car…”

After hours of working, Daniel decided that he needed to blow off some steam by going to the gym.  Lucky for him, his family owned their own chain of gyms, where he had his free membership, and it was only a stone’s throw away from Rojas Inc. 

He walked into his gym around 5:15 and scanned his membership card.  He started to head in the direction of the men’s locker room when he suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out to him, “Daniel!”  He turned around to see his old friend, and ex-boyfriend, Christopher Reinos, heading in his direction.  He was wearing his workout clothes: a pair of black and yellow shorts, that were tight on his nicely toned legs, a damp, grey wife beater that did its job perfectly by showing off the muscles that he has worked on over the years, and a pair of black Adidas tennis shoes.  His black hair was only made more perfect by the sweat from his workout, and his stunning green eyes looked excited to see the young CEO. 

“Chris!  Oh my god!  How have you been?  I haven’t seen you in like what…a month?  I thought you've fallen off the face of this planet.  How’s the family?”

Christopher walked up to Daniel, fresh sweat glistening on his tan skin.  “They’re doing great.  Michelle’s still getting into the swing of becoming a mother.  Can you still believe it?  I’m a father!  And you should see Baby Stephanie…she’s the most adorable thing in the world.  But don’t tell Michelle that.  She’ll be so furious.  But I can’t help it!”

Daniel laughed at his old friend, and asked, “How’s the job?  Last time I heard from you, you were being put in charge at the firm.”

“Yeah, I’m one of the lawyers in charge at Berkley’s Law Firm.  I still can’t believe it.”

“Why not?  You were one of the top students in our undergrad class, and you were one of the top students at Stanford Law School.  Stop thinking so little of yourself.  You totally deserved that position.”

“I know, everyone tells me that.  But it’s still hard to believe, you know?”  He looked down at his watch, and said, “Crap.  It’s 5:30.  I've got to go home now, but you should totally come over one day.  We’ll make it a party.  Bye.” 

Daniel waved goodbye.  I still can’t believe that he’s got a kid.  I remember when we were roommates and he would always claim that he would never have kids.  Now look at him.  A doting father, who could’ve guessed?  Daniel shook his head, walked into the locker room, changed, and he promptly began his workout by running on the treadmill for about 30 minutes.

Daniel finally returned to his home around 6:25 that evening.  He heaved a big sigh as he turned the key in his lock and walked into his small, one story home.  Dropping his key into the small bowl on the mahogany side table by the door, he quickly closed the door behind him.  He dragged his body across the house, until he found himself in his bedroom.  As he walked through the door, he slowly pulled his tie off from around his neck, threw it on the floor by his dresser, and undid the top button of his dress shirt.  He sat his weary self on the edge of the bed and lifted his right leg up to he could remove his shoes and socks; he repeated the same process with the left side.  He lied back, legs hanging off the side the bed.  

Eight o’clock couldn't roll around faster for Daniel.  The young CEO was excited that he was about to have dinner with one of his greatest friends from high school.  After the “small incident” with Jonathan earlier in her office, Alex promised that she would explain everything that night.  All she had told Daniel is that it was a sensitive issue that she had to figure by herself. 

He wanted to help his best friend, but he couldn't get that doctor out of his head.  His blonde hair and his icy blue eyes were completely stuck in Daniel’s mind.  All the young man could picture at the moment was how the shirt gave shape his muscular upper body; how those khaki pants clung to his toned legs; he could feel his imagination beginning to run wild.  Suddenly, Daniel realized that his pants were becoming a bit too snug for his comfort.  He quickly undid the button on his pants, shook them off, and resumed his daydream. 

He imagined the doctor’s figure towering over his own; the blonde shirtless, showing off those muscles that he obviously works hard to maintain, and the top button of his jeans undone, Daniel himself completely naked.  Jonathan’s tongue skillfully teases his body before he moves back up, and with his hot, experienced tongue, he begins to play with his sensitive nipples.

God…this feels so good.  His breath hitched, when he suddenly felt the doctor bite down on his nub.

“Oh, you like that don’t you?”  His voice was raspy, and filled with lust.  Daniel barely managed to nod.  Jonathan chuckled – God, what a beautiful sound – and moved up further and taking over the young Colombian’s mouth with his own.  That kiss was the most intoxicating thing that Daniel had ever experienced in his life.  The suction was just right, and their tongues playfully intertwining with each other; they were in perfect harmony with each other. 

Daniel felt Jonathan’s hand start to move down towards his hard member.  He quickly grabs onto the doctor’s hand in order to stop him.  “Jona…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make you feel better.”  His hand abruptly gripped his erection, and he began to pump slowly.  It was a bit of relief, but it was also torture for the younger of the two.  Daniel let out a shameful moan of pleasure, which he tried to suppress by bringing his hand to cover his mouth.

“No.  I want to hear your voice as you come in my hand.”  Removing his hand from his mouth, his moans continued as the doctor continued to pump his penis slowly.    

God…“Jonathan…please…faster…” he managed to gasp out between his moans.  The blonde was only happy to comply.  As the pumping became faster and more frantic, and their breathing becoming more and more ragged by the minute, Daniel could feel his orgasm starting to build up.

“Jonathan…I’m…I’m going to come…” he managed to choke out.

“Come for me, Daniel.” 

His voice was too much for the Colombian, as he came hard.  His vision went white for a split second, as he could feel his seed being milked out of him slowly.    

Daniel took a minute to regain his breath as he was coming down from his high caused by his moment of delusion.  Oh my god…I didn't just do that, did I?  I don’t even know this man.  Why am I having sexual fantasies over a man whose first words to me were an insult?  For all I know, he isn't as experienced as I’m making him out to be.  I mean, no one can be that good…can they? 

                He was definitely confused.  He didn't know what to make of it.  Ever since freshman year, when he was caught with one of the football players in the school, he has been wary about dating men.  He knew that he was attracted to men, as well as women, but he felt as if he has been traumatized by the entire football incident. 

                Daniel lifted his left arm to take a look at his watch.  It was only 6:47.  I don’t have to pick up Alex from her house until 8.  According to her address, it would only be a 30 minute drive even with traffic.  Daniel still had about 45 minutes to get ready for his “date” with his best friend. 

He decided to stand up off the bed and head for the bathroom to take a nice, cold shower.

After spending 20 minutes after his shower deciding what he was going to wear tonight, he finally settled on a simple pair of black, boot cut jeans, an ironed crimson red dress shirt, and a pair of black sneakers.  He looked in the mirror hanging on the back of his bedroom door, and he approved of what he saw.  He checked his watch to check the time: 7:28.

Daniel decided that it was time to leave his home.  He hopped into his newly purchased, black 2014 BMW i8 and turned the key in the ignition.  When it roared to life, he was thankful that he told Benjamin to sell his old 2006 BMW 330i and told him to buy another model before he got home that afternoon.  He quickly sped out of his driveway. 

Thirty minutes of navigating the streets of DC, and Daniel was finally able to find Alex’s house.  It was a quaint, little house, located more towards the suburbs than in the actual city.  Daniel noticed that the fenced off lawn was littered with dolls and toys everywhere, and a tree stump in the center played the role of a table for tea parties as he walked up the path from his car to the front door.  He rang the doorbell once, and he heard the loud bark of a dog coming from inside.

“Ripper, calm down!” he heard Alex yelling.  “Samantha…Emily…I want you two to behave for Tammy tonight, you hear me?”

A simultaneous “yes” came in after the question.  Daniel chuckled, as he stuck his hands into his pockets.  The large, blue door swung open at once to reveal Alex, with a skin tight, knee-high, black halter dress, four inch charcoal black stilettos, and her long, blonde hair tied up into a tight bun with loose strands of hair framing her delicate face.  Daniel had to let out the stereotypical whistle for when males see an attractive female walk by.  “Damn, Alex.  You look amazing!  You seriously have not changed since high school.  You have to tell me your secret.”

Alex laughed, and suddenly Daniel noticed two little girls standing behind his old high school friend.

He crouched down to their eye level.  “Why hello there.  My name’s Daniel.  What’s yours?”

The little girl with the black hair and glasses, shuffled to hide further behind her mother.  Shy one, huh? However, the tiny, blonde girl stepped out and said, “My name is Samantha.  Sam for short.  I’m 6 years old and I would like to be queen cheerleader one day!  This is my twin sister, Emily.  She’s 6 too…you know because we’re twins and all.  She’s not as fun as I am…”

“Samantha!” Daniel heard Alex say in a surprised tone.

“What mommy, you know it’s true.  She’s quiet, and all she does is read all day.  She’s so boring, some days, I can’t believe that we’re sisters, let alone twins.  But you want to know something, Daniel?”

“What is it, Samantha?”

“First of all, call me Sam…Samantha is only for when I’m in trouble with mommy, or with Tammy, our babysitter, or with Mrs. Reynolds…my teacher, just FYI.  But you know what?  Even though, she’s the most boring person in the universe, I still love her!”  She went back around Alex’s legs, and grabbed Emily by the wrist and pulled her forward until she was in front of Daniel.  “Say hi, Em!  He’s really nice, and mommy guess what?”

Alex looked surprised to be included in this conversation, but answered her daughter, “What Sam?”

Samantha motioned for her mother to kneel down to her level so she could whisper something in her ear.  After whispering something short, Alex turned beat red, and she stood back up.  “Alright enough of that.  Say ‘bye’ to Daniel, and you two behave for Tammy.  You know what’ll happen if I get another report like I did the last time I left you two alone with her.”

                Both twins stood there, and said, “Yes mommy.”

                She gave them both kisses, closed the door behind her, and Daniel led her back to his car.  As he opened his passenger door for Alex, he curiously asked her, “So what did Sam say that made you go completely red?”

                “Maybe I’ll tell you at the end of the night if you remind me...” she answered him, as her face went completely red once again.

                “What?  That’s not fair…was it something about me?  Oh my god!  It was, wasn't it?!  What did Sam say about me?”

                “Yes, it was about you…I’ll tell you at the end of the night.”

                “No…Alex, this is torture!  Why would you do this to me?!”

                “Daniel, please.  I’ll tell you later tonight.  I promise.  Can we get some dinner, please?”

                “Alright, but I’m holding you to that promise that you’ll tell me tonight, after I've dropped you off.”  Daniel finally let it go, and he shut Alex’s door, and went around the front to get in the driver’s seat.  He started his car, and they sped off together into the D.C. night. 

Daniel drove for about 40 minutes before he finally saw the restaurant he was looking for, Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant. 

                “I've never heard of this restaurant.  Is it new?” asked Alex from the passenger’s seat.

                “Sort of, it’s more of a family owned restaurant, and their food is amazing,” Daniel explained as he put his car into park.  He quickly got out of his seat and made his way around to the passenger’s side so he could open the door for his old high school friend. 

                “Wow,” said Alex in surprise, “I've never been on a date where the man opens the door for me.”

                “Well, you have been on dates with the wrong men.”  Both Daniel and Alex chuckled as they walked across the parking lot to the restaurant. 

                As they walked into the small restaurant, the immediate smell of pasta assaulted their senses.  The mouthwatering aroma physically caused Daniel’s mouth to start watering.  For a family owned business, the tiny restaurant was always packed. 

                “Hello, and welcome to Salvatore’s.  Table for two?” asked the young hostess from behind her small stand to the right of the front door. 

                “Yes, please.  And a booth by the window if you don’t mind,” replied Daniel, while flashing his beautiful smile to the young 20 year-old. 

A sudden dust of pink began to invade her cheeks.  She suddenly turned her face down to the floor, grabbed the menus from behind her stand, and said, “P-please follow me…”  She led them to the booth by the farthest window and placed their menus onto the table.  As Daniel and Alex sat themselves down, she mumbled, “Your waiter will be with you in a minute.  Would you like something to drink in the meantime?”

“Just water for me,” said Alex.

“Same here,” replied Daniel. 

The young hostess nodded and walked away.

When she was out of earshot, Daniel was suddenly surprised by Alex’s unexpected laugh.  “What’s wrong?”

“It’s just so cute how that girl was so into you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Seriously?  You didn't notice?  She was totally developing a crush on you.”

“What?  No way, I mean she’s like 18 years old.  I’m almost 30.”

“What?!  You’re only 26 stupid!”

“Not the point.  Anyways, can I ask you something Alex?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“What was up with earlier?  You know, when the other doctor came into the room, and started yelling…”

Daniel noticed how Alex’s face suddenly became quiet.  A sudden shadow was cast over her face.  She held her breath for what seemed like an eternity before she gave a curt response, “I can’t really go into that right now.  Hospital business and all…”

He understood immediately.  He knew that there were some things that just couldn't be discussed outside of work, and this one seemed to be pretty bad if it caused a reaction like that.  Daniel was about to ask another question about how her life has been since he last saw her, when the hostess suddenly appeared at their table with two tall glasses of water completely loaded with ice.

“Here you go sir, ma’am.  I hope that you enjoy your dinner tonight.”  She quietly snuck away.  Daniel was finally seeing what Alex was telling him earlier about the girl maybe having developed a small crush on him in the span of five seconds.  Are most people that way?  Although I guess I can’t say anything considering my fantasy from earlier, and that guy didn't even really talk to me.  Just insulted me…God what is wrong with me?  What do I find so attractive about that man, I mean other than the God-given looks…I mean no human should ever have the right to look that good in a simple doctor’s jacket. 

“Daniel?”

Alex’s voice shook him out of his thoughts.  “Sorry, just spaced out for a second I guess…so anyways, I’m curious.  How did you end up with Samantha and Emily?  I mean I know you said you adopted them, but…”

“Well, you see about five years ago, I came to the realization that I really wanted kids, but at the time, the idea of settling down with someone else just wasn't appealing.  I actually made a friend back during school, although we don’t really talk much now because of work and such, but she got a job at an adoption agency shortly after graduating, and she helped speed the process up as much as she could.  When she found them…it’s so horrible, I don’t understand how anyone could do that to any child…I mean…” 

Daniel noticed how she was struggling to get her thoughts out, so he placed his hand on top of hers in an attempt to calm his best friend down.  “Alex, if you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to.  It sounds pretty bad…”

“No…I want to tell you, especially since they took such a shining to you.”  She took a deep breath, and tried to start her story over.  “You see, their mom was actually part of, you know, she was a high class society type.  She was rich, or rather, her parents were rich.  And one day, she disappeared…she had been kidnapped by a local street gang in an attempt to extort some money out of the parents…”  Daniel listened to the entire story.  He gasped in horror, when Alex explained that the leader of the gang, sedated and raped her mercilessly.  Her father had agreed to pay the ransom to get his daughter back.  But when he went to trade the money for his daughter, he saw what had happened to her.  He gave them the money, but shortly after arrive back to their mansion, he threw her out of the house.  He said that he didn't need “trash like that damaging his good image.”  Luckily for her, she had a few real friends that took her in while she was carrying the bastard’s children.  Her friend’s parents were happy to help in any way possible, even going as far as paying for her hospital bills.  After giving birth to her twins, she announced that she wanted to branch out on her own, and she started by getting a job so she could provide for her daughters.  But, what she hadn't told her friend was that she took a job as a prostitute at the local sex club.  She made good money there for about a year, but when her friend’s parents found out what she had been doing, they threw her out of the house.  She had enough money to rent an apartment, albeit it was too small for the three of them, they made it work.  Although sometimes, they wouldn't have enough money to buy food, and one time they even went a straight week without eating anything.  She was forced to leave the sex club shortly after that, and she was picked up by a pimp only known as “Big Daddy.”  Some nights, when he was in a bad mood, he would force himself into their small apartment just for the sheer pleasure of beating the poor girl in front of her daughters.  But, if that wasn't enough, he would turn his rage onto the two defenseless, and too skinny for their age, two year-olds.  Slowly, the mother started going insane, and started drinking to keep herself as sane as possible.  But it wasn't enough.  She eventually brought drugs-cocaine and heroin-into the equation.  And one day, she just took it too far, and she died while she was on one of her trips.  Her daughters were only four at the time, and they didn't know what was going on.  According to police records, they were yelling through the door for someone to help because their “mommy wasn't moving anymore.”  What horrified Daniel to the most was that nobody answered the call for help, and as a result, nobody found them for a month.

“A month?” Daniel asked, disturbed by the thought.

“Yeah, and the only reason that anyone found them was because the pimp was pissed off one night, and he decided to pay a visit.”

Daniel wasn't sure if he would be able to eat dinner after hearing such a horrific story such as that.  “And the girls…?”

“They don’t seem to remember much, or if they do then they do a great job at masking their emotions about it.  I've always told them that I’m always here to listen with any problems that they may have…but so far, they’re just normal 8 year-olds.  You know, going to school, making friends, competing with each other, wreaking havoc on the babysitter, you know, normal kid stuff.”

Daniel nodded.  He desperately wanted to change the topic to something else…anything else.  Luckily for him, the waiter decided to pop up at that moment.

“May I take your order now?  Or do you two need more time?”

“I’m good.  What about you Daniel?”

“I know what I want.”

“Okay, then I’ll have a lasagna, load that sucker with as much cheese as you can.”

“And I’ll have the chicken parmesan.”

The waiter wrote down their orders immediately and cheerfully said, “Okay, thank you!”

After an hour of eating, Daniel paid the check and they were on their way back to Alex’s home.  About 15 minutes into the drive, a thought occurred to the young CEO.  “Hey Alex…”

“Hm?” asked Alex, as she took a sip of water from the water bottle that they bought down the street from the restaurant.

“What did Samantha say earlier that made you blush so violently?”

Suddenly, Daniel hears a choking sound to his right.  He pulls the car off to the side of the road, and starts to pat Alex’s back until she has calmed down.  “Are you okay?”

Alex coughed up whatever water was still stuck, and when she sat upright, she said, “I don’t want to say.”

“Oh my god…please…you promised that you would tell me at the end of the night!”  Daniel knew that he could be the ultimate whiner if he didn't get his way.

“Take me home first, and then I’ll tell you!” Daniel noticed a blush starting to creep up on her delicate neck.  He complied and drove the rest of the way in silence. 

When Daniel pulled up to Alex’s house, he heard her mumble something under her breath so quietly that he couldn't catch it.   “What did you say Alex?” 

                His old friend went silent and opened the passenger side door of his car.

                “Alex?”

                She got out of the car, and right before she closed the door, she said, “Sam said that you were cute and that we should date.”  She quickly closed the door, and ran to her front door.

                Daniel could only sit with his jaw hanging wide open.