"Ms. Johnson, if you need anything, don't hesitate to press this button." Nurse Garcia motioned to the white button on the wall.

"Thank you Nurse Garcia."

"Please call me Josie."

"Thank you Josie."

"Anytime." She left the room, quietly closing the door, but not before shutting the blinds. I had just been moved to recovery after my surgery. I'm still numb, the anesthetic hasn't worn off yet, but I know when it does I'll be in a lot of pain. But, it's better to deal with this pain now when the kids are young then in 10 years when it could be too late. I started thinking about the kids. Luke and EJ were with Ms. Mia. Rosa had taken Matty home with her. I was hoping she'd have come before my surgery but I guess she didn't want to. I have faith she'll come later though, at least, that's what I am hoping.

I lay back and turn on the television. Nothing good is on really. I finally settled on a spanish soap opera. All of sudden I start crying because the girl reminded me of Rosa. Then suddenly Dr. Norris walked in the room. She was on the phone.

"Hey Lyric, how are you feeling?"

"Nothing right now." I gave her a small smile.

"There's someone on the phone for you, are you up for talking?"

"I guess so." She handed me the phone and I put it to my ear.

"Hello?"

"LYRIC! BABY ARE YOU OKAY!?"

"Rosa?"

"BABY I'M SO SORRY I DIDN'T COME SEE YOU. MATTY WASN'T FEELING WELL."

"Rosa, babygirl, I need you to calm down. I'm fine, I promise. I was a little worried that you weren't gonna come. I thought you were mad at me."

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Yesterday, you seemed a little bothered by what I said, and you just left with Matty."

"Oh. I'm so sorry baby, I just was really worried and I'm not really sure if I can handle the kids by myself."

"Rosy, you do it all the time!"

"But my mom is always here. She hasn't been around for awhile. I even heard her talking on the phone saying she wanted to move out. Lyric she is never home."

"You can do it babygirl! I believe in you. Plus you can always ask Ms. Mia or Eli and Chelsea to watch them if you need a break."

"I don't wanna keep asking them, they have been watching them a lot lately."

"Baby, I promise you that they don't mind."

"Promise."

"Love, I just promised."

"Promise again please."

"I promise 1000 times over. I swear, if they minded they would tell you. They are some very opinionated people. Partly the reason I love them so much."

"That's so cute Lyric."

"I try."

"How are you feeling Lyric?"

"I haven't felt any pain yet."

"That's good."

"The anesthetic just hasn't worn off yet."

"Oh no."

"Josie said it will soon."

"Who the hell is Josie?"

"Nurse Garcia. She said since I'll be here for awhile that I should just call her Josie."

"Mhm."

"Chill, babe. I only have eyes for you."

"She better not try anything or I'll go loca Mexican and Panamanian on her a-"

"Rosa!!" I shouted into the phone. I hadn't realized that Dr. Norris kind of ducked out and was standing on the other side of the window looking out of my room.

"Yes baby?" Rosa said trying to be innocent.

"You don't have to worry about it. I don't want anyone but you. There is no one good enough besides you. There is no one half as good as y-" I got interrupted by sharp pain coursing through my body.

"Lyric?"

"Ow!"

"Lyric, baby what happened?" Dr. Norris ran in because Rosa was screaming through the phone. She quickly gave me some pain medicine which I consumed nearly immediately.

..........

"Mama!" Luke shouted from the door. He started running towards me when Rosa caught him.

"Luke, baby, Mama can't lift you right now. You can only hug her legs, but she'll have to stand, and she's going to do that in a little bit." Luke looked disappointed.

"Fine." He climbed into the small plastic chair next to the door looking out of it. Rosa sat next me as the twins slept in their car seats.

"How are you feeling since we talked yesterday?"

"I'm managing the pain. I'm suppose to start walking around today."

"That's great."

"How have the little ones been treating you?"

"They're not a problem." She looked down at the twins. They were starting to wake up. Rosa quickly took them both out of their car seats, and held them. They both had bandages on their arms and legs but Matty more so. I can't believe Jeremiah would try to hurt Rosa and the twins like that, they have done nothing wrong. I just wish that everyone would just stop taking out their emotions on my family. I really hope Rosa changes her mind about moving. We need to get away from this place, from these people, not all of the of course. We need a brand new start and it's better to do it while the kids are young. It's gonna be hard on all of us but I know we'll get through it.

I can't lose any of them, and if moving is the only way to ensure that, then that's what I'll do. Before it was just Luke and I, I could handle that. But with Rosa and the twins, I have too much to lose. I love them way too much to let anything happen. I can promise you that I will forever hate myself for this. I know what Jeremiah is capable of, yet I didn't believe he would do something like this. How could I ever let him into my life. The only good thing that came out of that was Luke.

"Lyric what are you thinking about?"

"Just, everything."

..........

"If you have any problems, do not hesitate to call me." Dr. Norris packed up a prescription bag full of pain medicine and gauze. "A nurse will be by every other afternoon to check on your recovery process."

"What nurse?" Rosa asked quizzically.

"Uh, Josie Garcia."

"That bi-"

"Rosa!" Both Dr. Norris and I shouted.

"Sorry." She said. I knew she wasn't actually remorseful but I let it slide because she kind of has to take care of me and the kids for six weeks. I should probably not anger her.

"Rosa, make sure you take good care of this one." Dr. Norris gave her a small wink that I probably wasn't suppose to see.

"Mama? Are you ready to go home now?"

"Of course, Luke. I've missed you all so much."

"Is Mama better now, Mommy?"

"I really hope so." Rosa gave me a small smile. Then Josie walked in the room.

"Hey Lyric! How are you feeling love?" I looked at Rosa. Her jaw and fists were clenched. I held her hand and she squeezed it quite hard.

"Why in the blue hell are you calling my wife love?"

"Chill midget. It's-"

"Excuse me!?"

"Oh, you didn't hear me? I said 'chill midg-"

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING MIDGET?" Luke ran over to Rosa and started pulling on her dress.

"Mommy! Bad words!"

"I'm sorry Luke."

"Yeah, that's right, back off and go be with your kids you illegal."

"Lyric, I'm taking the kids to the car, I don't need this right now."

"Lyric, you married a coward, maybe you would a strong confident woman like me." she said with a smirk.

"I already have one, and she is standing right there."

"Who? Is she standing behind this illegal? Because I don't see one."

"Dr. Norris? Will you be able to help Lyric to the car? I don't think I should be in the room right now, I don't want to cause any trouble between me and Nurse Garcia."

"Of course Rosa, just give me a few minutes, okay?"

"Of course."

"And Josie?" Dr. Norris turned.

"Yeah?"

"If I recall correctly you're Cuban."

..........

"Eli! Chelsea! We're home." Eli and Chelsea were watching the house while we were away. "Thank you guys for watching the house." Rosa said helping me and the kids into the house.

"Rosa? Do you need any help?" Eli said getting up.

"Um, can you sit the twins in their playpens and give them their toys? I'm gonna get Lyric something to eat." Rosa guided me over to the couch and I sat down.

"How'd the surgery go, Lyr?" Chelsea plopped down beside me.

"They said it was cut and dry. I just have to keep walking to make sure I don't get any blood clots."

"Baby? What would you like to eat?"

"Grilled cheese Mommy!" Rosa laughed.

"Luke, I asked Mama not you sweetie. But yes, you can have a grilled cheese. What would you like Lyric?" Before I could answer her I fell asleep.