Chapter 66 The Release
Hospital parking lot. Zephyra in the wheelchair. Kairo loading the last bag.
Contractions four minutes apart now. Strong. Getting stronger.
His phone buzzes in his pocket. Information alert.
He pulls it out absently. Look at the screen.
Then freezes absolutely.
Face draining of all shade. Hand gripping the cellphone until his knuckles flip white.
"What happened?" Zephyra asks through a contraction. "Kairo, what is it?"
He can't talk. Cannot move. Just stare at the headline.
She grabs the telephone from his shaking hand. Reads it herself.
"GERALD LIONE RELEASED FROM PRISON - EARLY LAUNCH BECAUSE OF OVERCROWDING AND RIGHT BEHAVIOR"
Her blood runs cold.
"No." The phrase comes out broken. barely audible. "No, this can't be occurring. Not now."
Another contraction hits. Harder. Longer. Reality crashing back with brutal force.
The babies don't care about timing. Don't care about threats or fear or Gerald being free.
They're coming. Right now. Regardless of everything.
"Get in the car," Kairo says. Voice hard. Controlled. Dangerous. "Now."
He helps her in. Gentle despite the urgency screaming through every movement.
Then he's on his phone. Multiple calls. Rapid fire.
"Gerald is out," he says to security. Voice clipped. Professional. "Hospital lockdown protocol. Immediately."
"Police presence required," to another call. "Labor and delivery floor. Full protection detail."
"Mom," to Dalia. Voice breaking just slightly. "Gerald's been released. We're heading to the hospital now. I need you there."
"Percy," another call. "Emergency situation. Gerald is free. Mobilize everything we have."
Zephyra breathes through contractions. Listening. Terrified.
Gerald is out. Free. Hunting them.
And she's about to give birth. Vulnerable. Exposed. Trapped in her own body.
"He can't touch them," she grabs Kairo's arm. Desperate. Fierce. "Promise me. He can't touch our babies."
Kairo takes her hand. Brings it to his lips. Kisses it fiercely.
"I swear on my life," his voice is steel. "He'll never get near you or them. Never."
He starts the car. Drives fast but careful.
Every second counts. Every moment matters.
Security calls back. Protocols being implemented. Teams mobilizing.
Police confirm. Units being dispatched. Hospital already notified and preparing.
Dalia is already en route. Percy coordinating resources from the office.
They arrive at the hospital. Emergency entrance.
But not chaos. Organization.
Security perimeter already established. Private floor already secured. Police presence visible everywhere.
A fortress. As safe as they can make it.
Wheelchair waiting. Medical team ready. Moving with purpose.
Up to labor and delivery. Private wing. Locked doors. Controlled access.
Guards posted at every entrance. Credentials being checked. No one enters without verification.
Into the delivery room. Monitors beeping. Equipment ready. Safety.
Zephyra breathes. Trying to focus. Trying to be present for this moment.
But her mind keeps circling back. Gerald. Free. Out there somewhere.
A nurse enters. Warm smile. Professional demeanor. Reassuring presence.
"Let's check how you're progressing," she says gently.
The examination is quick. Then the nurse looks up. Genuinely surprised.
"Eight centimeters already," she announces. "You're moving very fast."
"How fast?" Kairo asks.
"These babies will be here within two hours," the nurse says. "Maybe less. Let me get the doctor."
Two hours. Maybe less. Soon they'll be parents.
Soon Adrian and Isabella will be here. Real. Breathing. Needing protection.
The doctor arrives. Experienced. Calm. Checks everything thoroughly.
"Progressing beautifully," she confirms. "First baby is in perfect position. Everything looks excellent."
"How long?" Zephyra manages between contractions.
"Not long at all," the doctor says. "Your body knows what to do."
Contractions intensify. Closer together. Stronger. Overwhelming.
Transition approaching. The hardest part. Almost there.
Kairo never leaves her side. Breathing with her. Supporting her. Anchoring her.
"You're incredible," he keeps saying. "So strong. So amazing."
She can't respond. Too focused. Too consumed by labor and fear combined.
Then. A knock at the door. Hesitant. Nervous.
A different nurse enters. Young. Clearly uncomfortable.
"Mrs. Draven?" She says quietly. "I'm so sorry to interrupt."
"What is it?" Kairo stands immediately. Protective. Alert.
The nurse glances between them. Swallows hard.
"There's a man in the main lobby," she says carefully. "Claiming to be your father."
Zephyra's heart stops. Everything freezes.
Time suspends in that moment between heartbeats.
"Gerald Lione," the nurse continues. "He's demanding to see you. Saying he has rights as grandfather."
"No." The word tears from Zephyra's throat. Raw. Desperate. "Absolutely not."
Another contraction hits. Brutal. All-consuming. Perfectly timed.
She grips Kairo's hand. Crushing it. Breathing through pain and terror.
"Get him out," Kairo says to the nurse. Voice dangerous. Deadly calm. "Right now."
"Security is already handling it," the nurse says quickly. "But he's insisting. Very loudly. Says he has grandparents' rights."
"He has no rights," Zephyra manages through the contraction. "None. Keep him away from us."
The nurse nods. Leaves quickly to relay the message.
Kairo is already on his phone again. "Gerald is here. In the hospital. Remove him immediately."
Zephyra can hear shouting through the phone. Distant but clear.
Gerald's voice. Demanding. Entitled. Furious.
"My daughter is giving birth to my grandchildren!" His voice carries even from floors away. "I have every right to be here!"
"You have nothing!" Another voice. Security. Firm. Final. "Leave now or police will arrest you."
"The police can't stop me!" Gerald shouts back. "I've served my time! I'm a free man!"
Zephyra is crying now. Contractions and fear blending into one nightmare.
"Make him leave," she begs Kairo. "Please. I can't do this with him here."
"He's leaving," Kairo promises. Fierce. Certain. "Security will remove him. Focus on the babies. Only the babies."
But she can't focus. Can't breathe properly. Can't think.
Gerald is here. In this building. Trying to reach her. Trying to reach her babies.
"Nine centimeters," the doctor checks quickly. "Almost time to push."
Voices outside grow louder. More urgent.
"I can see my grandchildren!" Gerald screaming. "You can not hold me from them!"
"Sir, you need to go away right now. Police are right here.”
Sounds of war. Gerald bodily resisting.
"You'll regret this!" His voice echoing down the hallway. "I have rights! Legal rights! I will take them from you!"
Then. In the end. Silence. He is gone. Forcibly eliminated.
But the harm is done. Zephyra shaking. Terrified. Traumatized.
"I can not do this," she says. Voice breaking. "Can't bring them into this world with him accessible hunting us."
"You will," Kairo says fiercely. Taking her face in his fingers. "You will.”
"Ten centimeters," the medical doctor publicizes. Ready."Time to push. Right now."
"I can not—" Zephyra starts.
"You can," the doctor says firmly. "Your babies want you.
Another contraction. The urge to push overwhelming.
And as Zephyra prepares to carry her youngsters into the world whilst Gerald rages someplace out of doors the building, one devastating question pounds through her mind
—will the security they have built be sufficient to keep him away, or has his cautiously deliberate medical institution visit three weeks ago already given him the access he wishes to fulfill his threats?