Chapter 36 - Calm Before The Storm

Isabella's heart pounded as she walked to Mickey's room, she entered quickly seeing Mickey on the bed, unconscious, his eyes closed , unconscious, his face was pale.

Her heart leap as the constant beeping of the monitors provided little comfort, a reminder that despite everything, Mickey was alive and stable.

To her surprise, Xavier remained calm throughout the doctor's explanation. He introduced Isabella to the doctor as Mickey's mother, his voice steady and composed.

The doctor gently explained Mickey's condition, Isabella listened feeling grateful he was the one with him at the time.

"Ms. Ricci," the doctor uttered, his voice calm, "It's a blessing that Mickey's condition is stable. Even though the wound is minor, the main issue was a lot of blood loss due to his rare blood type."

Isabella's eyes brightened up when she stared at Xavier, he was standing near Mickey's bed. His face was arched with exhaustion and worry, but something else too.

Something like, affection in his eyes as he looked at Mickey that made Isabelle's heart warmed up.

The doctor continued, "Fortunately, Mr. Stone here shares the same rare blood type as Mickey. So we were able to perform a transfusion immediately. Which was key. If we were to find a suitable donor, the situation could have been much worse." He explained.

Isabella gulped hard. "Thank you," she uttered, trying to stay calm, her voice low. “Thank you for everything done, doctor.

The doctor nodded with a slight smile. "Mickey is a strong boy. He's going to need a lot of rest now to fully recover. I suggest you both rest as well." With that he left the room, leaving Isabella and Xavier in charged silence.

A moment later, Ava entered with Skylar. The little girl's eyes widened at the sight of her brother and she ran over and hugged him. "Mickey!" she cried, tears falling from her eyes. "Wake up Mickey! Please wake up!"

Isabella moved to comfort her daughter, but Ava was already there, gently leading Skylar out of the room. “Come on baby,” Ava murmured. "We'll let Mickey rest. We can come back later when he's feeling better."

When the door closed behind them, Isabella found herself alone with an unconscious Xavier and their son.

There was a dead silence, the air was thick, everyone lost in their thoughts.

Isabella walked and sat on Mickey's bed, she placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "You can do it Mickey. You're so strong, little man, a fighter" she whispered, her voice about to break. "Mommy's here now. Everything's going to be okay." She added.

Xavier was still silent, watching her every move, his expression was unreadable. The silence made her uncomfortable.

Isabella fidgeted with the hem of her blouse, her head racing. She was terrified of what Xavier might say or do. Would he yell at her for keeping it a secret? Would he threaten to take the twins away?

Isabella, can't take it anymore, she took a deep breath. "Xavier," she said softly, "we should talk. But not here. Let's… let's go outside."

Xavier just nodded and walked behind her as they exited the room and sat in the small, empty waiting room. Isabella's hands twitched now and then in her lap as she tried to find the right words.

The silence between them was . Her heart pounding in her chest, Isabelle could feel Xavier's eyes on her, waiting for him to speak. But he was still calm, she plucked up the courage to look at him.

"So," she started, her voice was low "now that you know… what's next?"

The words were huge. Isabella's mind was filled with random thoughts, each more terrifying than the last.

Before Xavier could say anything, she continued making sure he didn't try anything.

“If you insist on taking them from me, I'll bring my lawyer and—” she uttered but was cut off.. "why?"

"Why would I do that?" Xavier asked, feeling a little hurt.

Isabella blinked in astonishment. "What?"

Xavier's expression softened, confusion and pain in his eyes. "Why would I take them from you? I don't want that at all."

Isabella felt as if the ground beneath her feet had suddenly shifted.

This was not the reaction she expected, not from the Xavier she remembered. "What… what do you want then?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

Xavier leaned forward, his gaze intense and sincere. "You, Isabella. Your forgiveness. Your acceptance. To be a family again."

The words hit Isabella like a physical force. She felt her breath catch in her throat, her heart skip a beat. This was definitely not the Xavier of five years ago.

The man who sat in front of her now was different – softer, more vulnerable, yet somehow stronger.

"I…" Isabella began, then stopped, lost for words. She braced herself for anger, for threats, for a bitter custody battle. But this? This open, heartfelt plea for reconciliation? It left her suffering.

Xavier seemed to sense her confusion. He grabbed her hand in his. "I know I've made mistakes, Bella. Real Fxxcked up! Terrible mistakes that hurt you deeply. But now, finding out about the twins, seeing Mickey in that hospital bed… I want you back."

Isabella's eyes swelled up, tears welling up in her eyes. She wanted to believe him, she wanted to believe in the sincerity of his words.

But after he spent years after years, he can't let it stop. "Xavier, I… I don't know what to say. It's all happening so fast."

He nodded with hope in his eyes. "I know. And I'm not asking for everything to be fixed overnight. I just… I want a chance, Bella. A chance to be the father our twins deserve and the man I was meant to be for you in the beginning."

Isabella's heart softened even though she tried to put a wall against him. This Xavier is different, changed to the better after all those years, he's now soft, focused, and his heart is capable of emotions.

But still doubts gnawed at her. "You need to rest," she said, shaking her head. "You gave blood, you've been through so much stress. You should go home, get some sleep. I'll stay with Mickey."

Xavier's grip on her hand tightened slightly. "No," he said firmly. "I'm not leaving. I've missed five years of my son's life. I'm not missing another moment."

Isabella's heart warmed up as the sincerity in his voice. She nodded, unable to argue anymore.

"Okay," she whispered. “We should… then we should get back to Mickey.

As they walked back to their son's room, Xavier grabbed Isabella gently by the arm. "Bella," he said softly, "I know it's a long journey but I'm willing to start.... I'm not angry that you kept it from me. I'm sad, yes. It hurts, even But I understand why you did it and I grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their lives.”

Xavier's words touched Isabella's cold heart. She just nodded, unable to speak because of the emotions clogging her throat.

Together they returned to Mickey's room, with a newfound understanding between them.

they sat down in the chairs next to Mickey's bed, Isabella felt her thoughts whirling. She arrived at the hospital expecting the worst - anticipating anger, blame, and possibly a court case.

Instead, she discovered she was looking towards a future she had never imagined possible.

She observed as Xavier softly held Mickey's tiny hand in his own, never taking his eyes off their son's expression. His tender expression caused her heart to ache with a blend of happiness and sorrow for all the times he had overlooked.

The night went by, Isabella started to feel sleepy. She resisted it, resolved to remain awake and alert next to Mickey. But, she became drowsy as her eyes became heavy, gradually falling asleep due to the constant beeping of the monitors and Xavier's calm presence.

Before falling asleep, the final thought on her mind was a prayer, wishing that the sudden change in circumstances would bring the much-needed healing and happiness to her family.

In the peaceful hospital room, Isabella slept while Mickey rested, leaving Xavier awake and deep in thought about potential plans. He was given a new opportunity to correct past mistakes and create the family he had always desired.

While gazing at Mickey's serene expression and Isabella's slumbering figure, Xavier made a quiet promise. He was willing to do everything necessary to gain their trust and be the father and partner they deserved.

The path forward will be tough, with hurdles and tricky discussions. For the first time in years, Xavier experienced a sense of being truly alive, brimming with purpose and optimism for what lay ahead.

The night seemed endless, a new day dawning on the horizon. And with it, the promise of a new beginning for the unexpected family brought together by fate and long-buried truths.