Chapter 318 - We Must Continue - meters
Roland
The celebration of the children's baptisms was carried out simply; now Jacobo, Daniela, Demetrio, and Dayana had received their sacrament. Veronica and I were Dayana Delgado's godparents.
Fifteen days had passed since Anibal's funeral, and the priest was leaving tomorrow. We all gathered at my ranch, waiting for lunch to be served. Kevin arrived with Carlina, and I pointed to his seat at the table. He smiled at me.
Then Alfredo arrived, who was staying at my house and would remain here for several months until he decided to get married. I didn't know what was going on with Patricia; it was a constant back and forth, but I think he did it to annoy Gustavo's younger sister, who, by the way, was sitting next to Gladis. I pointed to the seat next to Patricia, who rolled her eyes, and he kissed her in front of everyone.
"Don't push it!" said Gustavo, and they stopped kissing.
"I thought you had already accepted me." We all laughed.
"He accepted you! Can't you see you don't have a bullet in your head? Remember, he can shoot from miles away, and no one would know it was him," said Arnold.
"I know," said Alfredo, looking at his brother-in-law. "We're good, right, brother?"
"I just see you two always fighting." Alfredo pointed at Patricia, and she rolled her eyes.
"She can't handle a joke."
"If they're like your jokes," Kevin intervened, and Carlina burst out laughing. "I won't forget; someday I'll get you back."
Slowly, we all settled into the gathering. It felt as if Anibal wasn't missing, as if he were in that empty chair next to Shirly. She was stroking her belly, sharing with us, but her mind was elsewhere. She looked at each of us, discreetly wiping away tears, never stopping to caress her belly.
"They definitely don't know how to appreciate a clean job," said Alfredo indignantly.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ines clinked her water glass. "Now that we're all gathered, I want to share that the latest results I received yesterday show that the treatment has stopped the growth of my tumor."
I closed my eyes. Finally, some good news. The gathering continued, without music, in a quiet, family atmosphere.
Weeks passed, and everything began to fall into place. In two months, it would be Arnold's wedding. Lobo and Carlina lived together in San Antonio, where she was studying nursing. Patricia would also start her studies next year. Arinka was working with us. My little ones were getting more restless every day; sometimes, I felt time was so sinister.
"Daddy."
It was Enrique, bursting into the office and running towards me. He knew that at this hour, I was designing, and he loved that. He climbed onto my lap.
"Let's draw, Daddy, yes." I kissed his forehead, dear God, how I love them.
I kissed my wife's shoulder. Today, we had to get up earlier; a large batch of cattle was arriving, and they were coming for three of my stallions. I went into the bathroom and got ready as quickly as possible.
"Do we need to vaccinate that batch?" she said, still half-asleep.
"Yes, I need my star veterinarian." She smiled, and at that moment, my phone rang. Veronica and I looked at each other. It was Alfredo.
"Shirly just arrived with Karen; Gregorio is about to be born."
"You know what to do."
"What's going on?" I gave her a kiss.
"Gregorio is about to be born. Talk to Jacinto; we'll vaccinate tomorrow. I'm heading out." She smiled. "What are you laughing at?"
"With no father around, now Shirly has to deal with eight dads."
"It was our brother's wish. I love you, kiss the kids for me, I'll call you."
Instead of heading to the clinic, I turned the car towards the hidden entrance to go to the headquarters. When I arrived, Lobo was already awake and had the big screen on, and we watched what Alfredo was doing as Shirly entered the delivery room. He would accompany her, but Dr. Jones would bring our nephew into the world. Shirly was shouting curses that were terrifying.
"This shit hurts!" she screamed.
"Calm down..."
"Don't tell me to calm... Ahhh." She started breathing rapidly. "You should be the ones giving birth or at least feel the pain! Ahhh! Anibal Grueso! You're lucky you're dead."
Kevin and I burst into loud laughter. Our brothers arrived one after the other, taking seats to watch the screen. Simon arrived with coffee and milk for everyone, and Arnold came in with empanadas made by Guadalupe, which were delicious.
"How's it going?" asked Arnold.
"She's about to give birth," I said.
"Shirly," said the doctor. "Push."
"What more can I push if my hips are breaking! My God! Giving birth hurts." We laughed again. The birth was approaching, and I looked towards the bed.
"Now I understand why you liked your woman, she's a wild mare. Let's keep quiet so you can hear your son's cry."
Simon turned up the volume, and after more curses, we heard the cry of life. We looked at Anibal, still connected. I made a pact with God, and I won't falter for a single day because I know what I felt that night when they were about to disconnect Veronica. I know your greatness, and I'll fulfill my part. Now we just have to wait for his time. The guys started congratulating him as if he were conscious.
"When you open your eyes, you'll see him."
"Yes, but I'll tell you in advance, he's a little rascal like his father," Arnold whispered in his ear.
"God," said Shirly through the screen, kissing her son. "Thank you for sending him just like his daddy."