"Open the door, Benedict." I wave an arm at the closed door. Benny takes his time inserting the key and turning the lock. My eyes fall closed, and I give myself this moment. I don't think about the first time I met Ruby or the way she looked at me. I don't indulge in all the memories I shouldn't hold close but do anyway. Instead, I focus on the last time I saw her and the hate that filled her eyes and her words. She promised to destroy me if I took the twins. She said she would kill me with her bare hands. I'm not supposed to show weakness, I'm not supposed to be afraid, but I was then and I am now. Ruby is tough. She knows how to survive.
I open my eyes and give my wife a look. She is stone-faced, callous even. I don't know how twin sisters could end up being so different, but I don't dwell on it. I let my hate for the woman at my side settle and burn in my chest. I let it consume me until all I can think of is making my life bearable once again. I loathe the man I see in the mirror, but I hate the woman in my bed even more. There is no divorce, no getting out. There is only one way to make this end, and that's by doing exactly what my family expects of me--by getting rid of the woman I love.
I kick open the door so hard that it bounces off the wall behind it. The room is small, with a variety of cheap pieces of luggage strewn about atop the old, worn furniture. A secondhand stroller sits between the bed and the wall. It's clean but a total piece of shit. I hate the idea of my children riding in that thing. On the other side of the bed is a sizable pile of plastic bags filled with a bunch of baby shit. Judging by Esmeralda's recent shopping trips, babies are expensive and need a lot of things. I wouldn't be surprised if the money I gave Ruby is almost out by now. She won't be able to support three kids for much longer anyway.
"Ruby," I shout. "I know you're here."
Esmeralda takes a step forward, but I put up an arm to block her movements. Benny keeps guard at the door, knowing better than to move. Having both my wife and my soldier in place, I move deeper into the room. I should draw my gun, but I don't. Maybe if Ruby shoots me, she'll put me out of my misery.
At the back of the room is a bathroom sink and mirror affixed to the wall. To left is a small closet that blocks the rest of the bathroom from view. It's a typical motel room setup, which is good, because there's only one place she could be hiding.
"We could make this easy, Ruby," I say with ease, taking a few more steps toward the bathroom. Still, she says nothing. Just when I'm doubtful that she really is here, I remind myself of the stroller. The twins are only a few weeks old. She can't get around without the stroller, especially with her son Ian in tow.
"Come out, Ruby. I won't hurt you."
A few more steps toward the bathroom and I stop. I crane my neck and open my ears as much as I can. Soft whispers are coming from the bathroom, followed by the choked sobs of a child. I walk as delicately as I can around the closet and focus in on the closed bathroom door. I can hear him much better from here. Ian is whispering to his mom, telling her everything is okay and he'll protect her. My stomach sinks.
I have to do this.
"Ian, dude. It's Uncle Mike," I say in my best kind voice. He's a little boy and he trusts me. I've known him since he was just a toddler, and we've always gotten along. Hell, I even like the kid.
"Mommy, it's okay. It's Uncle Mike." His little boy exuberance is almost too much to take. Despite his excitement and relief, Ruby lets out a frustrated sob.
"No, baby, no," she says.
"I'm here, buddy. Let me in."
"We're safe. Uncle Mike will make it better," Ian says. His little feet thump against the wall while he goes about talking to his mom. Soft baby whimpers quickly turn to loud screams. One baby at first and then two. They're in there. Right on the other side of the closed door. I just need Ian to open it for me. Even if Ruby does have a weapon, she won't use it with Ian in the way.
The knob turns, and then the door opens slowly. Ian's small, pale face peeks out from the crack. There's a hopeful smile at play. When I smile back, he throws the door open and rushes toward me. I welcome him into a hug, lifting him up and holding his small body against me.
The door creeps open. And there they are. My family. Ruby's wide brown eyes stare up at me from beneath a thick head of reddish-brown hair. Her cheeks are red and splotchy with fallen tears. She visibly swallows and clenches her jaw. Her body tenses as the cries from our children deepen and grow more concerning. Esmeralda's read up on babies in preparation for this day. She says a mother knows her baby's cries. Does Ruby know why they're crying?
"Please." Ruby's voice is shaky, breaking at the end. "Don't do this."
"I have to," I say. My voice is quiet, weak even. It's the one thing I can't afford--weakness. "Just put them down, okay? Get out of the tub and put them down."
"I can't," she says. The babies scream in her arms as she bounces them to try to calm them down. It doesn't work. I can't see their faces or who's who. Each of the twins are bundled in bright yellow blankets. But there they are. My children. My legacy. Father will be proud.
"You have to."
"No," she cries. Her eyes bounce between me and Ian, whose body tenses as he picks up on the fact that this isn't a friendly visit.