[RACHEL02189]

"But how did you know about me and your daughter for one reason?"Criss asked. "Well the pictures of you guys in the papers and magazines. I even saw you with Antonia when you came to see her in New York" she remarked. "When we walked around New York she would always get a feeling someone was watching her I guess she was right"Criss stated. "Criss I know you have like a thousand questions and so do I about my daughter even my grandson". "You saw Antonia when she was pregnant didn't you". "Yes but there were times where she looked sad"she remarked. "It's because her father wanted her to give Nathan up for adoption but she fought hard to keep him" Criss replied. "Dennis can be a P.I.TA. sometimes"she said. "P.I.T.A?"Criss asked. "Pain in the " as Criss chuckled. Then somehing came to Criss's mind. "Were you the one who told Antonia to come back to me and Nathan" Criss asked. "Yes I have a friend at the hospital that Nathan was born at she told me what her father did and that she left Nathan. I didn't want Antonia end up like me regretting abandoning her child so I made her see that she needed to go back to her son and to the man she loved"she replied as Criss smiled. "So you know that Nathan got sick too"Criss said.

"When my friend told me what happened I knew Nathan needed some help from his grandmother so I left a cross that Dennis gave me a long time ago. When Nathan finally comes home can you give that necklace to Antonia for me?" she asked. "Why don't you give to her yourself I know Antonia would love to meet her mother" Criss stated. "No I just can't do it" she remarked. "I asked Antonia to marry me and she accepted. Listen even thou Antonia may think you're somewhere in a mental ward she still misses you and I can tell it everytime my mother comes to visit so why don't you go see your daughter" Criss suggested. "Mom" a voice called out. Coming out of the shadow with tears falling down was me.

[RACHEL02189]

I walked over to her as Criss stood there feeling like an odd man out. "You know what why don't you two talk while I exit stage left"Criss suggested and left as we sat down. "You remind me so much of me Antonia"she said looking at me. "Mom why did dad say you were in a mental ward for?" as I wiped the tears away. "I don't know baby maybe he couldn't let you know the truth that I left you because I got scared about how I'd be a good mother to you" she replied. Outside Criss was looking at a magazine when his mother walked over. "Christopher I thought you were working on some new illusions for Believe are you on a break?". "Sort of it's something I think Antonia should explain to you and her family"he replied. "Don't tell me she's breaking up with you"she stated. "No mom we're still going to get married just something from her past has come back"he replied. "Christopher I do hate it when you go vague on me" Dimitra stated. Criss chuckled as they went into the production office.

After about an hour I came out and walked over to the production office where Criss was working on some stuff. I walked in and sat down. "So how was the family reunion?"he asked walking over to me. "It's weird all my life I thought my mother was in an asylum but she was somewhere else". "So are you going to tell your father you know the truth about your mother?"Criss inquired sitting next to me. "Honestly Criss I have no clue on how to tell my dad about this" as I put my head on Criss's shoulder. "Don't worry Antonia I'm here for you if you need me"Criss stated. "Thanks baby". A knock came to the door and saw it was my grandmother. "Come on in Wilma"Criss said. "I was wondering what was taking you so long sweetie"she asked. "Sorry I kind of got caught up in something" wiping my eyes. My grandmother sat down and saw how red my eyes were. "Is everything all right with Nathanial?"she asked nervous. "He's fine grandmom I met my mom for the first time today" I admitted. My grandmother looked shocked. "Your mother did she escape from the mental hospital she was in?". "No Wilma it seems she left thinking she wasn't going to be a good mother I guess Dennis made up that lie to cover for her or something" Criss remarked.

"That must of been a shock to you sweetie"my grandmother stated. "Yea but we talked and I told her that Criss and I are going to get married she wants to be apart of it". "Well I think that's a good idea baby" my grandmother stated. "Now we just have to tell dad that mom is back in town"I said.

[RACHEL02189]

On the plane I kept thinking of meeting my mom. I couldn't believe that she was alive but why didn't my father tell me when I got older about her. "Antonia you all right?" my father asked. "Just thinking dad"I replied looking out of the window. "About what?"he asked. "Mom"I replied. "I know you wish your mom was here to help you with your wedding" giving me a kiss. "Dad if mom wasn't in an asylum but she left when I was a baby you'd tell me when I was old enough to understand," I asked looking into his eyes. For once in his life my father was speechless. "So would you?". My father said nothing and that spoke volumes to me. When we landed we went to the house to drop off the luggage. "Honey can we talk for a minute?"my father asked. We sat down on the couch as my father looked at me. "So what do you want to talk about?". "What I should of told you when you were older but I didn't know how to tell you. Your mother isn't in an asylum she abandoned you and me when you were just a baby" he replied.

"So you just kept up with the lie instead of the truth". "I guess I was so angry at your mother for leaving you when you were just a little baby I had to make sure you never wanted to see her but I realize now that was selfish of me"he stated. "I'm glad you decided to come forth with this because before we left I met her". My father looked like he was ready to jump. "Are you sure it was your mother"he stated. "The ring Uncle Johnny gave Criss to give me she noticed it she told me it was her wedding ring. Only Criss and the family knew that dad she knows about Nathan and that I'm getting married"I stated. "So that cross was hers wow". "Dad I'm going to let you soak this in so I'm going to go to the bakery"I said. I grabbed the keys and left

[RACHEL02189]

When I got to the bakery the place was crazy so I decided to sneak in the back. After I parked the car I went in to find my uncle baking some pies. "Hey unc"I said. He turned around to see the biggest smile I could have on my face. "Tony what are you doing here I thought you'd be in Nevada with your son"he replied giving me a kiss on the check. "Well for your information Nathanial is doing wonderfully he's out of the NICU and should be home soon but I do have some good news to add" I stated. "What your father finally get that lobotomy we all know he needs" my uncle joked which made me chuckle. "I wish but I am getting married"I replied. My uncle dropped the tray he had in his hand as he turned around in shock. "You serious?"he asked. "Yes Criss asked me to marry him and I accepted" showing him the ring. "Can I ask one thing is Criss still breathing?". I laughed. "Yes Criss is still among the living dad didn't try to kill him lord knows that went through my mind"I stated. "I'm so happy for you your aunts will be going nuts when they hear this" giving me a hug that took me off the groud. Right on cue my Aunt Carol and Rosa came in. "Johnny you all right I thought I heard a pan drop".

My Aunt Rosa nearly fell when she saw me. "Oh my god Antonia what are you doing here?" she asked giving me a hug. "Don't tell me your father made you come back because I'll beat him-". "Relax daddy didn't do that I came back to deliver some good news about Nathanial and my self"I stated. "Nathan must be doing good for you to be here"Aunt Carol remarked. "Yes and I'm getting married" showing them the ring. My aunts let out a scream that only dogs could hear my uncle even put his hands over his ear to muffle the sound. "How did your father reactted to this did he hurt Criss in any way" Aunt Carol inquired. "No he shook Criss's hand and said welcome to the family. Also for his wedding gift he's making my wedding cake"I replied smiling. "Oh baby I'm so happy too bad your mom couldn't be here"Aunt Rosa stated. "That's another thing dad finally told me the truth about my mother"I remarked. "Are you all right with it?" my uncle asked putting his hand on my shoulder. "Yea"I stated. "Well we should get back I'm so happy for you" and my aunts left. "So what are you going to do now that you know the truth have Criss hire a PI to find her" my uncle asked cleaning up his mess.

"Exactually I've met her already Uncle Johnny she came to The Luxor wanting to see me so she went to Criss for help. I kind of walked in on it and was just in shock when I saw her"I said. "Are you sure it was her and not someone claming to be her"he asked. "I thought of that but she left a cross at Nathan's bedside and I heard grandmom say that dad gave that to her for her birthday. Do you remember when you gave me that picture of mom and me when I was a baby and I told you that a woman came to me and told me to go back to Nathan and Criss. It was mom who did that so unless someone is playing a dirty trick it has to be mom"I said.

[RACHEL02189]

When I finally got back to Las Vegas I felt great. I got my wedding dress and when I called Criss he told me that he has a surprise for me which I love. At the airport a limo was there waiting for me. The door opened and Criss got out looking as handsome as I met him. I gave Criss the biggest kiss and hug I could give him. "I missed you while I was gone"I remarked looking into his eyes. "So did I" he replied as I push a piece of his hair from his face. "So what's the surprise?"I asked. "Come on"he remarked and we got in. As we drove Criss was telling me that his mother was thrilled when he told me that we were getting married. "When I told my uncle he dropped a sheet of pies onto the floor". "I think my mom dropped a glass on the floor when my brother JD got engaged" Criss replied. "So what's the surprise Criss I'm dieing to know" getting ansty. "We're almsot there just relax before I have to put you into a straight jacket" Criss joked.

A few minutes later we got there. We got out and I saw it's the hospital Nathan was at. Tears fell down my face when I realized we were bringing Nathanial home. I gave Criss a hug. "Are we bringing our son home?" I asked. Criss nodded. "The doctor told me yesterday that we could bring him home but I wanted to wait until you came home so we could do it together" he replied. I wiped my tears away as we went in. As we went up I felt so happy that everything was coming together. We got upstairs and one of the nurses saw us. "Christopher Antonia it's so good to see you are you happy that Nathanial is finally coming home" she asked. "I'm ready to hold my son and not let him go"I stated with the biggest smile on my face. "We both are" Criss remarked. "Well the doctor is giving him the once over than you can take him home" she replied. After we finished talking the doctor came out. "So is our son all right can we take him home". "Why don't you come with me for a minute" the doctor stated. We went to his office and sat down. "I really don't know how to tell you guys this after everything Nathan has been through". Criss and I held hands. "Doc you're scaring us what's wrong with our son?" Criss inquired. "

It seems a rare reaction to the dosage of antibodics that Nathan was on has taken some of Nathan's hearing away"he stated. "You mean Nathan's deaf?"I asked. "I'm sorry to tell you this but this is rare for this to happen". "Will he ever hear?"Criss asked. "I don't know here's a number of a specialist that deals with hearing"he stated. The doctor left the room as Criss and I let what the doctor just said sink in. Back at the house Costa, JD, and Dimitra were putting together a little surprise party for Nathan and me. "Thank god Nathan is coming home after everything he's been through" Dimitra stated. "I wonder how Antonia reactted when they went to get Nathan" Costa wondered. As we drove home we couldn't stop looking at Nathan as he slept wondering what step to take next with him.

[RACHEL02189]

When we finally got home Criss looked upset. "What's wrong Criss?"I asked walking over to him "I just feel like I got punched in the stomach knowing that Nathan may never hear our voices" he replied. I gave Criss a hug. "It's going to be all right Criss after we get him into the house and situated we'll call those doctors and set up appointments for Nathan" I stated. "Thanks I needed that pick up" and gave me a kiss. I got Nathan as Criss grabbed my luggage. We got to the door but as Criss put his key in the door opened and JD was there. "JD what are you doing here?"Criss asked surprised. "Do you really think that we let you come home to an empty house when you're bringing your son home from the hospital". He opened the door and standing there is his mom and Costa. "Surprise"they said as we walked in.

"Mom Costa what a nice surprise" Criss replied as Costa took my suitcase and brought it upstairs. "Why don't you sit down and I'll take this little fighter upstairs" Dimitra stated as she took Nathan. We sat down as JD went into the kitchen. "Did you know about this?"I asked Criss. "No I swear I'm just as surprise you are but we won't tell them about Nathan until we have all the facts"Criss replied. "All right" as everyone came back. "So how was New Jersery Antonia?"Dimitra asked. "Good my grandmother told me that she's been saving for when I get married as a wedding present"I replied taking a drink. "Good Criss won't go bankrupted” Costa joked as Criss snickered. "What about your wedding dress?"Dimitra inquired. "I got it my father wanted to come and had tears coming down his face when he saw it on me"I stated. "Christopher you all right you look like you're somewhere else" Costa asked.

"I'm fine just thinking"Criss said. "About what?"JD inquired. "It's nothing excuse me I need to use the bathroom" and Criss walked off. "Antonia what's up with Criss he looks like someone told him Believe is shutting down and he's been fired from The Luxor" JD asked. "He's probably got a lot on his mind about the wedding and stuff". "I'm going to see what's taking him so long" and JD got up. Criss snuck into his office and made a call to one of the doctors.

[RACHEL02189]

"They're saying that the antibiotic my son was on damaged his hearing. All right we'll see you Friday" and hung up. "Criss". Criss looked up and saw JD standing there. "How much did you hear?"Criss asked. "That Nathan could be deaf why didn't you tell us?"JD asked. "I just found out myself all right but don't tell mom or Costa Antonia and I want to get all the facts together before anyone starts worrying"Criss stated. "Criss I can tell just by looking at you and your body language that you are worried about your son". "I am scared that Nathan will be deaf and he'll have to fight with his disability" Criss replied. JD gave his brother a hug and told him everything would be all right. "Now let's forget about Nathan maybe being deaf and enjoy this little party" JD remarked smiling. When they came back Dimitra was bouncing Nathan on her knee. “Look who woke up from his nap” I stated as Criss sat next to me.

“He looks so good before you know it he’s going to be talking” Costa stated. “Great just like his father a motor mouth” JD joked which made Criss chuckled. “So have you guys decided on where you’re going to have the wedding yet?”. “Not yet my father wants me to be married in New Jersey and I know Criss wants to get married where you got married Dimitra” I stated as Criss blushed. “Well you guys got plenty of time since you haven’t even set a date yet” JD said. “Yea” Criss remarked. With out warning a big noise hit the house making everyone jump. “What the hell was that?”I asked. Criss got up. “My neighbor he’s blasting so he can make a garden for his wife” closing the door to the back. I looked at Nathan and he didn’t let out a cry. “That’s odd Nathan didn’t even make a peep” Dimitra stated. “That loud of a noise would of made any baby cry or scream” Costa said. Criss and I looked at each other. “Christopher is there something wrong with Nathan’s hearing?”Dimitra asked as I picked up Nathan.

“The doctor told us that because of the dosage of the antibiotics a rare reaction happened Nathan lost some of his hearing” Criss remarked. “How much?” Costa inquired. “We don’t know the doctor gave us some numbers to call to find out just how much of Nathan’s hearing is gone” I stated. “We were going to wait to tell you until we knew more” Criss replied looking at the floor. Dimitra got up and gave her son a hug. "Christopher we’re here for you” Dimitra told him. “For whatever you need Criss” JD added putting his hand on Criss’s shoulder. “Same with you Antonia” Costa said. “Thank you” and we gave them all hugs..

[RACHEL02189]

That's enough for now

[RACHEL02189]

A week had pssed and Criss was at The Luxor trying to work but Nathan kept popping into his head. "Christopher". Criss turned and saw John and George. "Hey guys didnt see you come in"he replied. "Criss we've been calling you but you weren't answering your phone we were afraid something happened" George remarked. "Sorry just got a lot on my mind" he apologized. "You have been somewhere else mentally everything all right with you and Antonia?"John inquired. "We're fine"Criss said. "You'd tell us cous"George asked. "Yes guys I would"Criss replied. "All right" and they left as JD came in. "How's everything going seriously?"JD inquired sitting down. Criss sat back in his chair. "Not good Nathan has about a seventy percent hearing lose so he's going to need hearing aids". "What about sign language you and Antonia going to take classes in it". "Maybe" as Criss sighed. "Well don't worry Criss kids Nathan's age can pick sign language like that" snapping his fingers.

"Also Antonia's nervous about telling her father about Nathan she's afraid he may blame me somehow and make Antonia call off the wedding"Criss remarked. "If he tries too Antonia will fight him like you did with me and Costa" JD assured him. "Thanks bro" giving him a hug. Back at the house I was teaching Nathan some sign language I knew. "See Nathan this mean hungry" showing him. "This means mommy". He just smiled. "Come here you" picking him up. We went into the kitchen to get something to eat. "Apple"I stated showing him. Then I heard the clock chime noon. "Looks like daddy will be home soon for lunch". I went back into the living room and put him on the floor as Hammie walked by. Hammie gave Nathan a rub which made him giggle a little. "You be nice to the kitty"I stated. Outside Criss pulled up but instead of going in he sat in his car thinking. He wondered if Nathan could still hear him when he talked to him or would Nathan just be a deaf child that couldn't speak well. His phone rang bringing him back.

"Hello"he said. "Christopher are you ever coming in or you like your lunch delivered to your car?". Criss looked at the door and I was standing there with my cell . Criss smiled as he shut off his phone. He got out and walked over to me. "Sorry just started thinking about Nathan"he stated. "Well come on he's in his high chair ready to have lunch with you and me". Criss put his arm around me and gave me a kiss. "I love you Antonia" he remarked. "Come on before Nathan starts crying" and we went in.

[RACHEL02189]

When we came in Nathan was banging on his high chair. "All right sweetie" as Criss sat down across from Nathan. "So how is Nathan today?" Criss asked. "Good he's been looking outside a lot at the birds and he's trying to walk but he mostly falls on his butt"I remarked. "Well at least he's trying" as she gave Criss his sandwich. "Criss what's wrong you've been somewhere else since the doctor told us about Nathan"I asked. "I don't know sometime I wish it was dream and Nathan wouldn't be deaf he'd be a normal child not disabled" Criss remarked. "Christopher I know this is hard but it's going to get better as Nathan gets older". "Why does it feel like it won't to me"he replied. "Why don't you feed Nathan before he goes nuts" I suggested giving Criss some apple sauce. Criss sighed. "All right buddy time for some apple sauce". Nathan opened his mouth and Criss put some in. Nathan let a little fall down his mouth which made Criss giggle. "You're funny sometime" he said. I watched as Criss fed his son and Nathan kept drooling apple sauce a little which was making Criss giggle. Then Criss took a bit of the apple sauce and did a bit of drooling himself making Nathan laugh. Me I tried not to laugh as he did that.

Like father like son I thought as Criss wiped his mouth and Nathan's. "There we go now it's time for me to have some lunch before I go back to work". Then Nathan did something with his hands which I saw. "Criss Nathan just signed to you"I stated smiling. "What did he say?" Criss inquired. "Hungry". Criss smiled. "Should we count that as his first word?"Criss wondered as I picked up Nathan. "I really don't know Criss". Then Nathan smiled and Criss saw something. "It looks like he cut his first tooth too" as I looked. Criss took out his phone and took a picture of Nathan smiling.