The Broke Legacy (Part 4)
It was so odd, seeing my son for the first time. Something inside me told me that Bella was right, but it was so unbelievable.
This wasn't supposed to happen yet! I was barely 23! I wasn't ready to be a father yet!
It was still cold outside (it was early morning. after all), so I asked Bella to come inside.
I constantly shot nervous glances at the baby.
"Do you want to hold him, Cosmo?"- asked Bella.
"Eh... I don't know..."- but before I could decide, she handled me the baby.
My hands were shaking, and I had no idea how to hold Andrew properly.
It'd been so long since I last held my baby brother and sister.
But as soon as I got used to that... it was wonderful.
It really is true that babies smell different. And feel different.
And now I was sure that Andrew was mine... holding him felt just... right.
I took out Icaro's old crib from the basement. My parents were still asleep, so it was a bit difficult to do that without waking them up.
I needed to talk to Bella before anyone noticed the existence of Andrew.
"Wh... What happened, Bella? Why did you leave me like that?"
"I'm... I'm so sorry, Cosmo. I don't know if you'll ever understand my reasons but...
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I just had to run away.
When you told me you had contacted Alexander, I couldn't handle it.
How was I supposed to face my son after many years?
That'd always be a reminder of the horrible things I did back then.
No one deserved me...
So I just got up from your bed and... ran.
I had no money or possessions with me. Only the firm idea of going away.
I eventually arrived to Oasis Springs, not far from here.
I was able to get a job as a cashier
In just a couple of weeks, I had enough money to rent a small apartment.
Just what I needed for my new life.
I spent most afternoons writing in my diary.
Soon, my whole life was on paper.
From my happy days as Mortimer's wife to my adventures with the Graslaxians.
And of course, the incredible years with you.
Ever since I arrived to Oasis Springs, I felt ill.
I had constant headaches and was tired all the time.
And I spent most afternoons throwing up.
At the beginning, I thought it was my stress acting up.
But soon I began to throw up during the day.
I still remembered when I had Cassandra and Alexander... it was crystal clear.
So I suspected I wasn't just stressed.
And that thought terrified me even more.
It didn't take long before I realized what was really going on...
I was devastated
This isn't what I wanted.
I didn't want any more children!
I had already abandoned two of them.
But the harm was already done, so I had nothing else to do than to get ready for the baby's arrival.
I started reading a lot of books. I was surprised by how much parenting had changed in the last 50 years.
As Andrew grew stronger, I could feel his movements more frequently.
I stopped being afraid and actually enjoyed my pregnancy.
Perhaps this wasn't just an accident from our only night together.
Perhaps Andrew was a present from life, so I wouldn't be lonely ever again.
Three months ago, I went into labor.
I had no friends at Oasis Springs... and hardly any money, so I gave birth alone.
Before I knew it, I had a healthy baby boy in my arms.
When I first looked at his eyes, my heart ached: It was as if your own eyes were looking back at me.
That's when I realized that no matter what I did, you'd always be in my life.
Besides, I didn't want Andrew to grow up without knowing his father.
It wouldn't be fair for both of you.
So, I packed my things and returned to Strangetown.
"I'm currently living at the town's motel. I'm not here to ask for money, Cosmo. I knew pretty well what I was getting into when I slept with you.
You are just starting your life... I'm sure you already found someone else. You don't need this burden. I can handle Andrew on my own. I just wanted you to meet him..."
"Are... are you out of your freaking mind, Bella? Of course I'm gonna help you with Andrew! He's MY son too!"
I moved close to her and said- "We can work this out, Bella. You can't live with Andrew at the motel. It's a dangerous place. I won't allow it. You should move in with us. Ever since I started College, my parents have been building a bigger house not far from here. There are plenty of rooms there, so you can have one of them. Don't worry... everything's gonna be fine!"
Bella hugged me tightly- "Thank you, Cosmo! Thank you..."
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And so we moved into our new house.
Mom and Dad had designed it to be as comfortable as possible for any future Brokes that would be born inside it in the following generations.
Bella moved into a spare room upstairs with Andrew...
While I slept on the room across the hall.
It even had a small balcony where I was able to play my guitar without bothering anyone.
The house was also the perfect place for my parents to grow old together.
They'd been married for almost 20 years... but had been friends for an even longer time.
I secretly envied them...
Dad was promoted to Dean the week after our move.
First thing he did as soon as he arrived to his new office? He created a huge scholarship program.
He said that he wouldn't let any poor teen to suffer like Uncle Dustin and himself did.
"Everyone deserves an education, Cosmo. And if they can find one at La Fiesta Tech, I'm gonna help them as much as possible"
Bella tried to win my parents approval.
She first approached Mom.
Of course, Mom was skeptical.
She had grown up listening to the Bella Goth scandal. So it was hard to accept that she was alive... and living under her roof.
"I remember Mary-Sue clearly" - Bella told Mom - "She was a very intelligent lady. I'm pretty sure that wherever she is, she must be proud of what you did."
I have no idea how... but in the end she won tough Lilith Broke's approval.
They even became friends in the process.
But it wasn't as easy with my Father.
She spent countless afternoons in the reading room, telling him stories about his grandparents and Grandma Brandi.
She told him she was sorry.
She even told him that she had taken care of him while he was abducted by the Graslaxians.
Dad was silent all those afternoons, not taking his eyes from his books.
Eventually, he looked at her and said- "I want to believe you, Bella. But how can I be sure you won't hurt Cosmo again?"
"Trust me, Beau. Cosmo has told me about you... You believe in second chances, right? Give me one! Please! Don't judge me because of my past... because of my name..."
That seemed to hit a chord inside Dad, for he didn't say anything else.
But ever since that day, he treated Bella like part of the family.
Mom said that Dad's change of heart was also because of Andrew.
They both loved their grandson very much.
I know that Andrew wasn't Mom's real grandson, but it didn't matter to her.
Their help was appreciated, for Andrew wasn't an easy baby to handle.
He constantly had cramps and cried non-stop.
But that didn't matter to me. There was nothing I enjoyed more than taking care of my son.
There was nothing I wouldn't do for my son. Nothing at all.
I eventually forgave Bella and moved into her room. Soon, I was madly in love with her all over again.
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Life was blissful in the Broke home the following year.
Andrew was now an adorable toddler. The splitting image of his mother.
I still remember one day as the best one of my whole life.
First, Dad arrived home cheering and laughing out loud.
I'd never seen him this happy.
He had been elected as the new minister of Education!
But the best news of that night came from Bella.
"We are having another baby, Cosmo"
And as I placed my hand on her tummy, I decided that life could only get better one way.
"Would you marry me, Bella?"
"Of course I will!"
Bella had a difficult pregnancy. She was constantly tired and hungry.
Therefore, it was hard for her to take care of Andrew.
And boy... he demanded attention constantly!
Of course, his grandparents were always there for him.
When she felt strong enough, Bella spent some time with Andrew.
Most of the time, she read stories to him.
It was my responsibility to teach him all the necessary skills.
I potty trained him... and I think karma is tough, because it was a little hard.
And soon, I was able to teach him to walk.
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One day, Bella invited a very special guest.
It was Alexander Goth, her second son.
Bella said it was so strange to see her son all grown up like that. It was as if the weight of all the years she missed suddenly fell on her shoulders.
She was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle that fact...
But Alex wasn't there to reproach her that.
What was important was that his mother was alive... and in front of him.
So he hugged her tightly.
"I always dreamed about someday meeting you, Mother. I'm so lucky that it became true... nothing else matters..."
I'll always admire Alex for the way he handled such an awkward and complicated reunion.
Since his visit, Bella was much happier with her life.
They spent that afternoon talking about the past. They both exchanged stories about Mortimer and Cassandra.
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SIM CITY TIMES: Simtember 15th, 2o04.
Minister of Education's Son Marries Mortimer Goth's Wife.
by Simelissa Jones.
In a story that seems out of the craziest of all soap operas, Cosmo Broke, son of the Minister of Education, Beau Broke, married Bella Bachelor.
The same Bella who was married to Mortimer Goth, chief of the Goth Pharmaceutical Company and also a well known philanthropist, and who mysteriously disappeared for more than fifty years.
When asked about his bride's obscure past, Broke said- "I'm aware of Bella's past. But I don't mind it at all. In my family, we firmly believe in second chances and I promised Bella when I asked her to marry me that she'd have one at my said. There's nothing more to be said."
The ceremony was small and private, following the couple's wishes.
Only family and close friends were present.
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Bella and I spent our first night together as husband and wife at home.
But the following day, we left Andrew in the hands of my parents and went to our Honeymoon.
We went to Pleasantview, following Bella's wishes.
I was finally able to visit my Granfdparents. And Dad's childhood home.
We visited my cousin Sandy, her husband Goopy and their children.
Uncle David and Aunt Meadow were also great hosts during our holidays.
We visited Alex, Lucy and Hermes at the Goth Manor.
Bella spent a long time at the family cemetery, greeting Mortimer and Cassandra.
Bella was a bit depressed when we returned home.
It was a huge shock to visit her daughter's grave, despite the many tales Alex told her about how great was Cassandra Dreamer's life.
Between that and the final weeks of her pregnancy, Bella was not the same.
She was worried all the time, talking to herself in the bathroom.
When she wasn't locked inside her room, Bella played a little with Andrew. But it was hard for her to pick him up with her huge belly.
I got seriously worried when I found her one afternoon talking to herself... and a sponge mop in our room.
She barely paid attention to me and kept talking to her "Mortimer".
She wasn't even aware that Andrew was watching her.
Finally, one day, just as I returned home from my shift as a Specialist at the ST Hospital, I heard loud screaming from inside the house.
It was Bella.
The moment had finally arrived!
The labor process was too difficult.
Bella suffered so much and I was worried that the baby wouldn't make it.
Somehow Bella was able to give birth to our baby girl.
We named her Wanda.
Exhausted, Bella handed me the baby.
"Take good care of her, Cosmo"- she whispered, breathless.
"Are you alright, Bella?"
"Don't worry, Honey. I'm just tired. I'm gonna rest for a little while..."
And so I looked after Wanda that afternoon, while my wife slept.
Or so I thought...
And it was until that night, when I was about to tuck my kids into their cribs when I listened to Andrew's anguished cry.
It came from my parent's bedroom.
Scared, I placed Wanda on her crib and ran.
And the sight that was waiting for me took my breath away...
Andrew was crying and asking for his mother's attention.
But Bella didn't respond... for she was lying on the floor.
She was dead.
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NO!
She can't be dead!
She just can't!
Those were my thoughts as I watched in absolute horror the lifeless body of my wife.
Mom cried out as she entered the room.
"Take Andrew away, Mom. I'll bring her back!"
I kneeled at her side and tried all the maneuvers I had learned at medical school.
I tried CPR, heart massage, everything.
But Bella didn't respond.
And that's when I felt a cold breath behind my neck.
I turned around, and I almost fainted as I stood face to face with no other than the Grim Reaper.
And he was here to take my wife away...
Ignoring that I was facing Death itself, I fell on my knees.
"Please! I beg you! Don't take her away! She's just had our daughter... she can't leave her alone!"
"I'll do anything! ANYTHING! But please save Bella!"
I wasn't even sure why I was trying to negotiate with the Grim Reaper.
I just felt the need to do it. Anything to save her...
Perhaps there was some way... a true miracle...
"Very well..."- said Grim, his voice deep and terrifying-"I've seen into your heart and I've confirmed that your feelings towards this woman are pure and sincere. I'll give you one chance to save her soul..."
I stood up.
Had I heard well? Would the Grim Reaper really give me a chance to save my wife?
That... that was incredible...
"Listen carefully, Cosmo Broke, for this is the only time I'll explain this little game to you. This is Bella Broke's soul. If you want to save her, just listen to your heart and find it. I'm going to hide it in one hand and you have to choose the correct one. You only get one chance: Miss it, and Bella will join her late husband and daughter for all eternity."
My heart pounded hard against my chest. My hands were wet and I felt like I would faint at any moment.
I'd never been so terrified in my whole life. This was it. This was the most important choice of my life.
Left or right? My children's future depended on my election.
"I choose the right hand"- I whispered.
The Grim Reaper opened his hand...
It was empty.
I chose the wrong hand. My heart couldn't listen to Bella's soul.
And now I had lost her forever.
"You've chosen the wrong hand, Cosmo Broke. Your heart wasn't connected to your wife's, after all. You've lost your chance... her soul is mine..."
But Death didn't listen to my cries and screams.
I'd lost my only chance.
Raising his scythe, he pointed it at Bella.
And took her away... forever.
Leaving her ashes in her place.
We buried Bella in the backyard the following morning.
The ceremony was as small as possible.
We didn't want any kind of media involved in it.
It was hard enough that Alex wouldn't be able to make it in time.
He was devastated...
Just as I was.
I was deeply depressed... and angry at myself.
I'd failed everyone!
In the end, the only ones present during the ceremony were my parents, Andrew and I.
As much as I wanted to stay serene, it was impossible.
After the burial, and once Andrew and Wanda were asleep in their cribs, Mom asked us to wait for her in the dining room.
She sat down in front of us and said, "I know this is hard Cosmo, but you must not let Bella's death destroy your family. You must be strong."
"I... I wish I could Mom but... how am I supposed to live without her? I miss her so much! And I have no idea how to raise them all by myself..."
"Cosmo, sometimes life gives us challenges and it's at times like this one when you must show your true strength. You are going to be fine."
"And I understand your feelings, Cosmo. I lost my first husband, Dirk, when Henry was the same age as Andrew. But I wasn't alone. I had my family and then your father at my side. And I was able to raise Henry just fine. I'll always miss Dirk, but I know that he's happy to see me enjoy my life and to be able to raise our son into the fine man he is today."
"You are a strong man, Cosmo. Everything's gonna be fine."
"I know... thank you so much, Mom."
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Mom's words stayed with me the following months. It still hurt like Hell to wake up every morning and find Bella's side of the bed empty.
But it wasn't time to cry... it was time to live for my children.
And just as they said, my parents were at my side all the time.
Dad told me everything about his parent's story. He even let me read Grandpa Skip's diary and all his notes related to his experiment with Death.
"Don't get funny ideas, Cosmo. You can't play with the Grim Reaper. Just look what happened to my father. Promise me you'll just... let it go."
Don't worry, Dad. I'm gonna be just fine...
Wanda wasn't an easy baby to handle. She was constantly sick and her eyes were always bloodshot and irritated.
She cried in pain day and night and no matter how many doctors we visited (and I knew plenty of them), none of them knew what was wrong with her eyes.
I spent many nights awake taking care of her.
I must admit that those nights weren't pleasant at all...
With time, those tiresome nights gradually disappeared.
Wanda's eyes seemed to get better and she soon became a mellow and sweet baby.
I'm afraid I neglected Andrew a little bit during those first months.
He was almost three, and he didn't talk yet. I was worried, so I sat down with him one night and tried to teach him his first words.
It wasn't easy.
Seems that Andrew was so used to communicate his needs and feelings with gestures and by pointing at things, that he didn't think it was necessary to talk.
By the third unsuccessful night, I was feeling quite frustrated.
But I didn't give up.
One week later, my efforts paid up: Andrew's first word was "Daddy".
Listening my son's first words, must of them directed at my old Rabbit toy, was the best reward I could imagine.
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And so the years went by.
On the day of Dad’s 60 birthday, I asked him if he was afraid of growing old.
"Of course not, Cosmo. I've lived a very long life and, despite the hardship we've faced in the past, we've made it through.
I have everything I ever dreamed of as a kid.... so there's nothing else I could wish for now, besides enjoying my last years with my family"
Old age didn't change Dad too much. Sure, his eye-sight wasn't as good as it used to be.
But he was still as kind as always.
Soon after Dad's birthday, Andrew turned five.
And he was still the spitting image of his mother.
Finally, three years after Bella's death, it was time for Wanda to become a little girl.
I now knew the reason behind Wanda's eye illness: She didn't inherit Grandma Brandi's gray eyes.
She inherited Pollination Technician's 56 alien eyes.
It was such a shock to me to realize that at least one of my kids still showed her alien blood.
I had completely forgotten about my duties as a Graslaxian with everything that had happened these last five years.
I spent years focused on my children.
I wasn't interested in seeing other women.
Bella was the only one and that wasn't going to change.
Despite what Mom said about second chances (she had married Dad, after all), I wasn't ready to move on.
And following my knowledge streak, I made sure to teach them everything they needed.
Especially little Wanda.
Wanda was so sweet.
So mellow... but there was also an air of sadness in her smile.
Perhaps she missed her mother?
It broke my heart to think that she had no memories of her.
I tried to make up for that loss.
I wanted to give her all the love her mother couldn't give her.
Wanda and I spent all the time together.
So much that the only times I could study my medicine books (or a couple of paranormal articles I've borrowed from the library) was during her naps.
Grandpa Skip's notes had intrigued me. Not even the Graslaxians knew the stuff I read in that notebook.
There were actually people who were able to contact the Grim Reaper at will and bring back their loved ones.
Most people thought it was non-sense, but deep in my heart I knew it was true.
I had almost brought back Bella...
Of course, these studies were only done for the sake of knowledge.
Not that I would try that someday... of course not!
I spent a lot of time with Wanda... but I barely saw Andrew during the day.
Don't look at me like that! It's not that I didn't try!
But Andrew was... different. He was quiet and preferred to spent most of the time alone in his room.
And it was so strange to find him playing with his toys.
So much that the lone morning that I found him playing with a toy boat, I couldn't help it but take a picture.
The only time Andrew left his room was when Mom was around.
He spent countless hours watching her paint...
The rest of the time he played the piano.
Seems he inherited Icaro's love for that instrument.
Meanwhile, I spent the first few days of that Fall teaching Wanda to walk.
Andrew's first day at school was near, and that made him very anxious.
One day, we were having lunch together.
As usual, I was the only one who talked.
Andrew looked so gloom and he barely ate.
"Is something wrong, Andrew?"
To my surprise, Andrew answered me.
"I'm scared, Dad. I don't want to go to school..."
"There's nothing to be scared of, Andy. You'll meet lots of kids and you are very smart too. I'm sure you'll do well.
And if you ever have trouble at school, remember that I'm always here to help you."
Andrew seemed happier after our little talk.
And so was I... perhaps with time, Andrew would learn to trust me.
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I'll never forget that night.
Andrew was doing his homework.
I was studying some notes for a surgery the following day.
Dad was reading the newspaper in the hall.
Mom was in the kitchen, making dinner.
Wanda had just finished eating and was waiting for Mom to take her back to her room.
It was bedtime.
Then, at around eight-o-clock, someone visited us from beyond the grave.
At first, no one noticed her.
But then Wanda, who was usually quiet and sweet, began to cry and threw a huge tantrum.
Dad said that Uncle David used to cry just like that when he was toddler.
Mom was going to take the roast out of the oven when,
"Wanda? What is wrong...?"
Her screams were heard all over the house.
The ghost's appereance left Mom in shock for a couple of minutes.
Long enough for the dinner to catch on fire.
Good thing that Mom had enough experience dealing with them.
Andrew was the first one to enter the kitchen.
"Grandma? Are you all right?"
My heart almost stopped when I heard Andrew's terrified screams.
"Stop her, Daddy!"- he screamed-"That mean lady! Stop her!"
I had no idea what he was talking about.
But then I heard a bone-chilling scream from the Studio.
"Stay right here, Andrew."- I said.
I found her waiting for me at the studio.
I couldn't understand what she was saying.
Just a lot of gibberish... a lot of angry gibberish.
She disappeared after our brief encounter.
The following morning, I asked for a day off at work.
I wanted to make sure my family was fine after Bella's visit.
Mom was so scared that she fell ill.
"Her face, Cosmo! She was... absolutely terrifying! Don't leave the kids alone ever again!"
Wanda was fine. She still played a lot in her room and was as cheery as always.
Except for a couple of nights when she would wake up in the middle of the night and cry.
But she soon went back to normal.
But Andrew... he didn't take things well.
Especially after Mom accidentally told him that the "mean lady" was actually his mother.
He constantly made a mess in the hall.
He didn't talk to no one at all.
He spent most of the time alone, reading.
And when he left his room or the studio, his face was... so sour.
He often spent hours just sitting in the hall.
And when I tried to talk to him... he just ignored me.
And his grades were everyday worse. He refused to do his homework.
Dad tried to make the kids forget that experience.
When I wasn't at home, he spent all the time with the kids.
Wanda was easy to handle.
But Andrew also ignored him.
He wouldn't react, not even when Dad prepared him his favorite meals.
Yet again, the only one he followed was Mom.
But she was busy writing her memories.
She wished to leave her experiences and teachings for the future Broke generations.
The death of Aunt Angela, a couple months before, also helped with that decision.
But she wouldn't finish them...
Mom didn't know what to do with Andrew.
He would just stand next to her and stare at the screen.
But he didn't talk to her either.
"I'm so worried about Andrew, Cosmo. He's acting strangely ever since... her visit."
"I know Mom! It's just... I don't know what to do with him! He's not interested in anything I had to say!"
"Maybe you could share some interests with him. He loves to read, perhaps you could share with him some stories?"
I wasn't sure it would work, but nonetheless I asked him to sit with me that night.
I took out one of Andromeda's old books.
It was "Out-worldly Tales from Graslax", a Graslaxian storybook.
It was one of the first books I read when I got interested in my culture.
Andrew was ready to know everything about his alien heritage.
And it worked!
I had never seen Andrew smile like that.
"So that's why you are green! I thought you were just sick!"
"Oh come on, Andrew! You already knew I was an alien... right?"
I told him everything. From the day Dad was abducted to my trips across space in the Graslaxian mother ship.
About his mother and how much respected and beloved she was by the Graslaxian culture.
He finally understood my odd costumes. The reason behind his sister's weird eyes.
I can't believe I was such a fool! Perhaps Andrew was only confused about who he really was!
Ever since that day, Andrew became closer to us.
And he even began to interact with little Wanda, whose black eyes always scared him in the past.
For the next couple of years, life was finally in peace at the Broke household.
But that wouldn't last...
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