It was still dark and I awoke to my cell ringing. Ignored it and went tried to go back to sleep. It rang again. By this time the ringing also had woken Nico. “I’m sorry about my phone I can’t imagine who is calling me at this hour.” I got up still naked and grabbed my phone. I didn’t even look to see who it was I just answered the phone with my groggy sleepy voice.
“Hello?” “Alex!? I’ve been calling you why haven’t you picked up?” Oh great… my ex wife Katie. What the fuck does she want calling me at this hour?! “I was asleep Katie, what is it that you’re calling me about halfway across the world. You know I’m in Greece.” “Alex…” I heard that scared tone in her voice. I knew it well. Something had happened and she was calling me to tell me. “Katie… is it the boys? Carter. Logan are they ok!?” I was practically yelling. “Alex…” by now I could hear her crying and taking a bit to get things out. “Katie what happened!?” I asked her again. By this time Nico was wide awake and behind me rubbing my back. I heard someone else grab the phone and start talking. Oh great Charlie…as they “decided” to make it official after the divorce… “Alex?” “Yeah Charlie what happened?” I was full on freaking out but trying to remain calm. “The boys got in an accident. They were in Logan’s truck and a drunk driver hit them and caused Logan to lose control and the truck to flip. My eyes shot open and my breath hitched and tears were at the corners of my eyes. “No no no no no no no… my boys not my boys…” “Alex. They’re still alive…but both are in the intensive care unit and we know you’re in Greece but we had to..” I took a deep breath. “No Charlie you and Katie did the right thing calling me. I’m on the first flight out of here back to Houston. Please text me updates when they happen!” He told me he would and put Katie back on the phone. “Alex…I’m so sorry I don’t know what I would do if…” I went full dad mode. “They are going to be ok you hear me! I’m getting on the first plane back to Houston from here and I’ll be there as soon as I can!” I hung up the phone.
Tears that I was holding back burst and I was a mess. Not my amazing boys. How could this happen to them? I felt Nico caressing my back and being supportive. How the hell did I meet someone so great in the first three days that I’m here!? “Alex. Is everything alright?” I shook my head no. “My boys were in a car accident. Drunk driver hit them and flipped Logan’s truck and now they’re both in the ICU right now. I need to get back to Texas. I need to see my boys.” I sniffled and he just hugged me and let me cry. “Let me see if I can pull some strings…” He got out of the bed still naked from our fun before. I just watched him go find his phone and was amazed by how he was just there. I didn’t ask him for any favors for flights or anything he just did it for me. So much for my trip to Greece, oh man, I’m so glad I bought the travel insurance for everything, not that it mattered but it should was going to come in handy trying to rush back home.
We got dressed and he helped me pack up all of my stuff. We quickly brushed our teeth and out the door we went. “Checking out early this morning Mr. Alex?” The front desk clerk asked me. “Yes. Yes. Family emergency back in Texas so I need to get back home.” “Oh no sorry to hear that sir…here just let me…” He was typing away on his computer. “Done.” I looked at him. “You’re all checked out and I was able to get the rest of your stay credited back to you. I do hope everything is ok and once it is you get to come back and enjoy your stay. Good luck!” That was amazing of him. I was fully prepared to just lose money and speed home.
It was a 20 minute drive from my hotel to the airport and I was frantically tapping my fingers on my knee while Nico was driving us there. He reached over with his hand and grabbed my hand and held it still. Calming me down in a way I didn’t really know I needed until it was done. How…how did I meet this guy and we’ve only known each other 4 days now and it’s like he knows how to calm me down and make me feel ok even in this tough time worrying about getting back home to my boys… “Thank you. Thank you so much Nico…. I have had an amazing time with you and now this and…” I started spiraling again. He squeezed my hand tighter and smiled at me. “Me too Alex. Me too. Let’s get you back home to those amazing boys of yours! I’m sure seeing dad and knowing you’re there will help them get better faster.” I smiled and kissed the top of his hand while are fingers were intertwined.
We pulled up to the airport and Nico parked and got out to help me with my bags. “Thank you again for a wonderful time. Thank you also for rushing me here and getting me a flight out…I owe you so much for this Nico…” He smiled. “Don’t mention it Alex. I’d do it again and again if I needed to. I had an amazing time as well. I hope we can see each other again soon.” He pulled me close and we locked eyes. Those sexy green eyes made me melt and forget everything just for a second. He kissed me and I felt weak in the knees and kissed him back. I broke apart and just looked at one another. Fuck he was the perfect guy. “You better get going Alex. Don’t want to miss that flight.” “Yeah I don’t want to do that. Thanks again Nico. I’ll miss you but text or call me anytime you’re not working!” We smiled. “Will do. Alex. Take care and hug those boys. Hopefully one day I’ll get to meet them and tell them how proud their dad is of them.” I smiled. He wants to meet them someday huh? I liked the sound of that. We kissed goodbye one last time and hugged and I grabbed my bags and sprinted to my gate.
As I got on the plane my phone beeped a few times. I got a text from Nico. “I miss you already. Safe flight. Let me know when you get back! :)” I smiled as I shoved my carryon in the overhead compartment and took my seat. Another text. This time from Katie. “The boys are stable and seem to be doing a little better right now but the doctor wants them to rest and run some tests and make sure they are ok. Have a safe flight back.” I texted Katie back first. “Thanks for the update I appreciate it. Just got on the plane about to take off. Will text once I land in Houston and get to the hospital.” I sighed I don’t know what I’d do without those two. I opened Nico’s text again. I smiled and replied… “I miss you too. So much. Is that crazy to say after only this short period of time? Thank you. Just sat down in my seat. I will for sure let you know. Even though I’m sure you’ll be watching my flight the entire time on your phone. :) Text later!” I hit send just as the announcement to fasten seatbelts and turn off electronic devices during take off came on overhead. I turned my phone off and took a deep breath. This is going to a long 13 hour flight home.
Once we were in the air, my mind started to wonder, I was thinking about a million things at once. Does tin my thoughts were of course my boys and how I wish I could have teleported there in an instant. I hope they’re ok and I hope they pull through. I hope there’s nothing else happening and no one is telling me until I get there. Ugh. I told myself, no that’s not happening and everything will be better once you get there Alex and see them. I calmed myself down from that worry.
Then my mind wondered back to Greece and Nico. My god that man was not only sexy and a wonderful lover. He genuinely cared about me and was there for me. Sure he could have just been in it to hookup with a hot passenger and move on. But that’s not what happened. I didn’t go to Greece to find love or whatever you’d call this. I did go to find myself and even though my trip was cut short. I can say I found myself pretty quickly and also found someone. I don’t know what the future of that is, if anything, who knows maybe Nico was just a one time thing. Something put in my path to make me realize what I’ve been hiding and missing my entire life. But that last thing he said to me… about someday he hoped to meet Logan and Carter… someone who was in it just for the sex with someone from across the globe, wouldn’t say that would he? I asked myself. Well we will see I guess. I sighed. Only three hours passed ten more to go.
I ended up falling asleep finally and the rest of the flight flew on by. Next thing I know I’m being woken up my a flight attendant taping my shoulder saying that we are getting close. I heard that all too familiar sound “Ladies and Gentleman please fasten your seatbelts as we begin landing. Good Morning everyone it is Monday August 18th and I want to welcome everyone to Houston, Texas.” Oh how fitting… with everything going on and my rush to get back to my boys I didn’t realize the date. Well shit… Happy 40th Birthday Alex! Nothing like flying overnight back home to your boys in the hospital to celebrate your birthday. I just sighed and waited to be able to get off the plane. I turned my phone back on and of course, everyone who didn’t know I was back was texting and telling me Happy Birthday and hope you’re enjoying Greece!
I texted Katie that I just landed and was grabbing my stuff, getting in my truck and heading straight to the hospital. I then texted Nico and told him I was back in Houston and headed to the hospital to see my boys. I also thanked him again for a wonderful few days and helping me get the flight booked and me back home.
I threw my bags into my truck after the long shuttle ride at Houston Intercontinental to where I had to park. And I sped to the hospital. I don’t know how I got there or remembered the trip from the airport to the hospital but soon I found myself parked and running to the ICU.
“Hello I’m Alexander Darkos. My twin boys Logan and Carter Darkos are here in ICU…” “Why yes Mr. Darkos we were told to be expecting you. Follow me I’ll show you to their room. Remember one on visitor at a time is allowed in the room.” “Yes ma’am I understand.” She led me to the room and I saw Katie sitting outside the room leaning up against Charlie. Wound still was fresh and I cringed seeing that but I can deal with that later. “Hey…” I said as they both saw me walking up. “Oh my god. Thank god you’re here Alex!” Katie said walking up to me and hugging me tightly. A tad awkward as this is the first time we’ve really seen each other outside of a courtroom pissed off at each other. But our boys are what matters now I can deal with this. “Thanks again for keeping me up to date both of you. That was a long thirteen hour flight home that’s for sure.” I said. “I could only imagine…” Charlie replied. “How are they doing?” I asked both of them. They looked at one another and sighed but gave a look that scared me. “They…they’re stable right now but Alex… be prepared. They’re pretty banged up and…” Katie said but started crying again. “I’m going in to see them…” I stated. Scared to death of what I was about to walk into.
I opened the door and my heart sank as I saw my boys, I was not prepared for what I saw and the tears just fell from my face.
“Why…” is all I could say as the door closed behind me.
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