HOLD BACK THE RAIN - PART TWELVE

PREVIOUSLY

“It’s as if we’re standing in the middle of a storm and the rain is falling down all around us…” she said softly imitating his nose kiss.
“Can’t we have a moment’s peace? Can’t we…hold back the rain?” he whispered.
He began to rub his cheek against hers.
“We can try…” she replied.
Slowly, they made their way to the bed, falling asleep in each other’s embrace.

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Hold Back The Rain – Life According to Trevor D. Manning

May 2001

Trevor Delgado Manning felt the light of morning on his eyes. He rubbed them gently and looked around. His door was ajar and he could hear his Mommy and Daddy laughing. Ever since Daddy came, Mommy smiled a lot more. She laughed a lot more too. And Mommy and Daddy did a lot of kissing too. He should check on Mommy – just in case.
He had recently gotten a new bed – one without rails so it was easy to slide out of this one. He slid off his bed and made his way to the door. He peered outside into the hall. His parent’s bedroom door was ajar and that’s where the giggling was coming from. Slowly, he made his way down the hall and peered inside.
Mommy and Daddy were in the bed. Mommy was on her back and Daddy was facing her. They were talking and laughing.
“Mommy!” he cried as he ran into their room. They looked at him.
“Trevor!” said Mommy.
“T.D.!” said Daddy.
Trevor jumped on their bed and got between them and gave his Mommy a kiss on her cheek. She returned it. She was wearing a flannel top and Daddy… well… he thought Daddy had on some underwear. He got close to his Daddy, sniffing his Daddy’s neck. Daddy smelled clean, fresh, like he had just gotten out of the shower.
“What are you sniffing T.D?” asked Daddy.
“You,” said Trevor laughing.
Daddy went to tickle him and Trevor turned away, toward Mommy, accidentally kicking her with his foot.
“Ooowww!” said Mommy making a face, “I get kicked by all three of them!”
Daddy’s face turned serious, “You o.k?”
“I think so Todd,” said Mommy, “I just wasn’t expecting it…”
“Sorry, Mommy,” said Trevor, “Why do you have to get so big?”
Mommy and Daddy looked at each other and made a face.
“Well, Trevor, you know Mommy and I…we’re having more kids…right?” asked Daddy putting his arm around Trevor sniffing him back.
“Uh huh,” replied Trevor giggling.
“Well, Mommy’s getting big ‘cos that’s where the twins are at,” explained Daddy.
“Oh,” said Trevor with a confused look on his face.
“T.D.,” said Mommy, “Do you want to feel them?”
“O.k.,” said Trevor.
Mommy pulled the covers back revealing her tummy. Daddy took his hand in his huge one and placed it on Mommy’s tummy covering Trevor’s hand with his. Trevor could feel something wiggling inside his Mommy. His mouth dropped and his eyes turned wide.
“Oooowwwwwwww….” said Trevor with awe.
“Do they…hurt Mommy?” asked Trevor.
“No, T.D.,” replied his Mommy softly.
Slowly, Daddy removed his hand and Trevor did too.
“You’ve got to big day Trevor. Today is your checkup with Dr. Hart,” said Mommy.
“Uh huh,” said Trevor.
“Téa, why don’t you and Trevor meet me at the office and I’ll go to the appointment with you?” asked Daddy looking at Mommy.
“All right,” said Mommy, “T.D., go get your toothbrush and we’ll start to get ready, o.k?”
“O.k. Mommy,” he said crawling over Daddy and sliding off the bed.
“That boy is growing like a weed!” he heard his Daddy say as he went racing for his toothbrush.
When Trevor came back in the room, Daddy had on some pants and was buttoning a shirt. Mommy had on a robe and was holding her toothbrush. They went into the bathroom and began to brush their teeth.

The Sun…

Trevor held his Mommy’s hand as they walked into Daddy’s office at work. No Daddy.
“Hi Téa. Hi Trevor,” said Kelly looking up from some papers.
Trevor ran up to her, “Hi Kelly.”
Kelly gave the boy a hug. Fiona stood next to Kelly.
Trevor looked up at Fiona. Mommy put her hand on his shoulders.
“Hi,” he said timidly holding out his hand to Fiona. Fiona bent down and shook his small hand, “Hi, Trevor.”
“So, what brings you guys here today?” asked Kelly.
“Trevor has a checkup today and Todd wanted us to pick him up,” explained Mommy.
“Time for shots?” asked Fiona standing up.
“No, not yet,” said Mommy.
Trevor looked up at Fiona, “I get sick a lot,”
Fiona raised an eyebrow.
Mommy bent down and brushed the bangs off his forehead.
“My son has hemophilia,” said Mommy.
“Hemophilia?” questioned Fiona.
“Uh huh…” said Trevor nodding his head.
“You know what that is?” asked Mommy.
“Yeah, I do,” said Fiona softly.
“Hey, Trevor!” yelled his Daddy walking into the office.
Trevor bolted towards his Daddy and Daddy picked him up in his arms.
Trevor gave his Daddy a hug.
“Ready Téa?” asked Daddy.
Mommy stood up.
Fiona lightly put her hand on Mommy’s arm, “I admire you,” she said softly.
“Don’t,” replied Mommy.
Kelly made a face.
“C’Mon guys, let’s go,” said Mommy walking up to Trevor and Daddy. They left.

Llanview General…

Trevor smiled at Dr. Hart as they walked into his office. He saw Dr. Hart a lot. Trevor went up to Dr. Hart and extended his hand for the ‘Hi’ handshake.
Dr. Hart smiled at him, “Hi, Trevor,” he said shaking Trevor’s hand, “Hi, Téa. Mr. Manning.”
“Hi, Doc,” said Daddy.
“Hello Dr. Hart,” said Mommy.
Trevor followed them into the next room.
“How far along are you?” asked Dr. Hart.
“I’m starting my third trimester,” said Mommy.
“Well, you wear your pregnancy well,” said Dr. Hart picking up a ruler, “Trevor, I need you to stand against the wall so I can take your height.”
Trevor did so. Then the doctor made him get on a scale. After that the doctor sat Trevor down on a table. Daddy just stood there watching with his hands in his pockets.
“Thank you, Doctor Hart,” said Mommy.
“O.k., Trevor, we’re going to draw some blood from you and test your reflexes,” said Dr. Hart.
Trevor nodded his head. He knew he had to be a good by and sit still. He always tried to a good boy for his Mommy. Doctor Hart stuck him with a needle but he didn’t flinch. He was used to needles. Then, he drew his blood and put it aside. Doctor Hart had him open his mouth and go “awww.” He also put a bright light in Trevor’s eyes and poked something into his ear. Trevor waited patiently as the doctor wrote something’s down. Then the doctor checked his elbows, knees, and ankles.
“So, Doc, how is he?” asked Daddy.
“He’s all right,” said the doctor, “He’s a little short and underweight for a boy his age…”
“Why?” asked Daddy.
“The effects of the hemophilia. He’s all ready had two very serious joint bleeding episodes, one in his ankle and one in his knee. It wears and tears on the developing tissue. Slows down growth. I also happen to know Trevor has a very high metabolism. He burns a lot of calories without even realizing it,” explained Dr. Hart.
“Is there anything we can do?” asked Daddy.
“Not really. Ensure his diet is rich in carbohydrates and always be aware to notice a new bruise or if he complains of pain,” finished Dr. Hart.
“Oh,” said Daddy.
Dr. Hart pulled out a lollypop from his pocket.
Trevor’s face lit up.
“Is this o.k?” asked the doctor.
“Sure,” said Mommy.
Dr. Hart gave Trevor the lollypop.

Later that evening…

Trevor was in his bed, dressed in his PJ’s and snuggling his frog he got for Christmas while Daddy was reading him a story. Daddy sat next to the bed in a chair.
“…And the handsome prince kissed the princess and she woke up,” said Daddy.
“Are you the hand-had-sum pince Daddy?” asked Trevor looking at his father.
“Why do you ask? Do you believe in fairytales, T.D?” asked his Daddy.
“Be-cuz, you kiss Mommy a lot,” replied Trevor smiling.
His Daddy laughed, “I’m the Prince of Darkness, T.D.”
Trevor wrinkled his brow.
“It was a joke, kid,” said his Daddy.
“Did the pince and the pincess live together like you and Mommy?” asked Trevor.
“I think so. They probably even had little princes like you T.D.,” said Daddy.
“Ooooowwwwww…” said Trevor pointing to himself, “Pince T.D.”
“Rigggghhht,” said Daddy.
“Do you love Mommy like the pince loved the pincess?” asked Trevor seriously.
“Yeah,” said Daddy, “Don’t you love your Mommy?”
Trevor nodded his head ‘yes’.
“Your Mommy is pretty special, huh?” asked Daddy.
Trevor nodded his head, ‘yes’. He sat up and put his frog aside – and then he reached out to his Daddy and gave his Daddy a big hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.
His Daddy’s mouth fell and his eyes grew wide and then his Daddy gave him another hug – one that was very tight. Trevor began to cough. His Daddy let him go.
“You o.k., T.D?” asked Daddy.
Trevor nodded his head ‘yes’.
“T.D. likes it when you make Mommy laugh,” said Trevor sincerely.
His Daddy was silent for a bit. Slowly, his Daddy put the book down. “Time for bed, T.D.,” his Daddy said tucking him into bed.
Trevor looked up at his Daddy through his sleepily eyes and saw Mommy next to Daddy. She bent over and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
“Te quero.”
Trevor drifted off to sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED