LAST BREATH II

I took Allan's hand and said:

- You can't talk like that. We need you, Casavelha.

He laughed, with difficulty:

- Only you to make me laugh, Babi...

- I'll always be here, Allan... Always. I love you. ' I laid my head on his shoulder.

- Ah, Babi, if you only knew how much it makes me feel good... Hearing that you love me – his hand smoothed my hair – I'm so grateful for God having put Bia's daughter in my path. He laid his head back against the back of the seat. The breathing was spaced and it seemed that he sucked in air with difficulty.

I stayed there, my head lying on his chest, listening to his heart beat, his body warm, his skin rough. He had visibly lost weight in recent weeks.

- Do you know what I think? That I stayed in overtime... Every day more than expected was a profit.

- Don't talk like that, Casavelha. – I joked.

- I saw my granddaughter reach almost two years old... My son met the woman who made him change completely, which I thought would never happen... - He coughed with a little difficulty. “And now I know a Casanova is forming in here.” He placed his hand on my stomach.

I lifted my head and glared at him. His green eyes were really tired. I was confused by his words. I touched my belly, wondering if that could be true.

God, I'm so surrounded by love! Did you really put a little baby, the fruit of my love with Heitor in here?

I felt the tears run thick down my face. I would live it all over again, second by second, every tear shed, every pain suffered, every sigh of anguish, from the moment I set foot in Babylon, walking through the back door, using a card borrowed from my best friend, Salma. Meeting Heitor Casanova was the best thing that happened in my life.

POV HECTOR

I heard my father's words perfectly: " And now I know that a Casanova is forming in here". I couldn't pay attention to anything else. It was as if that sentence kept echoing in my head. Was Barbara pregnant? But... did she tell my dad before she told me?

I looked back and saw that she had her head lying on his shoulder. The old man's face looked terrible. I always thought I would be prepared for when that moment came. But now he wasn't sure.

He liked her, perhaps because it brought back memories of his mother. I could criticize the fact that he didn't lie that Beatriz Novaes had been the only woman he loved, discrediting my mother. But today I was a fucking man who knew that drug called LOVE came out of nowhere and took over you like a cancer.

Bárbara was really looking more rounded lately. And threw up out of nowhere minutes ago. Yes, they were pregnancy symptoms. We never used condoms and her periods were irregular. But knowing all the problems she had gone through due to endometriosis and the surgery, the possible pregnancy was not so easy. There was still the issue of vasectomy reversal, which...

- Sir, is everything okay? – I felt Otávio lightly patting my arm, the car door open and my father already on the stretcher.

'Yes, yes…' I shook my head, confused. I had thought too much.

The nurses took my father. I stood at the front desk, not knowing exactly how to act. Barbara hugged me and laid her head on my chest. I smoothed her straight hair and took off my coat again, putting it over her.

I never considered myself a jealous man. But that didn't apply to her. Just the thought that any man might want her made me want to kill.

I remembered that I had bought two tickets for Bon Jovi's concert in Noriah South, which was due next month. And he had already asked Ben to call his publicist and schedule a visit directly in the dressing room, where he would only receive her. I would be in for a surprise. But now, with the possibility that she might be pregnant, he wasn't sure the trip was feasible. We would have to talk to the doctor.

- Are you okay? She looked at me, her arms still wrapped around my body.

- You are pregnant? – I didn't contain the question.

- I... I don't think so. She frowned, really confused.

- But... I heard when my father spoke.

- He imagines that I am, I think... Maybe because of the seasickness...

- What do you think?

- I hadn't thought about that... Until he said so.

- Is your period late?

- You know I don't care for that... It's completely irregular. But... Maybe I haven't had my period this past month.

- When are we going to take the exam?

- Do you want me to pick up the test at the pharmacy here at the hospital? She let go of me, wrapping her arms around her belly.

- No, let me get it. Stay here with Octavio.

Until she took the fucking test, I wouldn't be satisfied. I couldn't even think of anything other than the possibility of her having my child inside her.

I was a fucking man who never wanted to be a father. Until he met Maria Lua and Bárbara. It was as if they brought back everything I'd run away from my whole life.

Bought 3 tests. If one came back negative, we had two more.

I went back to reception and asked:

- And then... Any news?

- Not yet. - She replied, sitting in the armchair, with her legs out, completely covered with my blazer. “I called Nic and everything's fine with them. Mandy goes to our house until we arrive.

I handed her the bag, which she opened:

- Three tests? He arched an eyebrow. – Why three?

- Just to be sure.

- What the fuck, Hector! Do you want me to pee three times here at the hospital? – She got up.

- Does it work like that? – I asked, impressed.

- Yes. “She walked away.

- Hey, where are you going? – I asked.

- Peeing in this thing. I will be back in a moment.

Fuck, was I prepared for the outcome, whatever it was?

I sat on the couch. Otávio was reading a magazine. I lifted. I looked at the clock. I sat down again.

- Sir, is everything okay?

- I... I think it's fine... - I said. “Maybe Barbara is pregnant. – I heard myself saying.

- Sir, calm down. Leave this anxiety for childbirth.

The doctor came and said:

- Good night, Mr. Casanova – he extended his hand towards me – We had to take your father to Intensive Care. There's not much else to do. I'd like to see you? Not sure how much time he has left...

- But... He was fine less than an hour ago. – I heard myself saying.

- No, he wasn't well. And he knew it. I did not want to continue with the treatment. I said the trip was not recommended. Distant, tiring and stressful. But since when does Allan Casanova listen to anyone?

- Never hears. – I said, heading to the Intensive Care Unit.