Chapter 43

L I N D Y

When Harry and Louis left for London, I was gutted to see them go but then I needed to understand that they had their priorities to handle too. Harry apologized for not being able to tell me right away since he was caught up in the situation with my mother. But I wanted him to know that I understood.

I stayed with my mother inside her hospital room while my father was assisting Avery’s needs. She needed support and I was beyond happy to see my own father volunteering to help Avery. It means he had forgiven her and I am really glad that they have managed to put the bad things behind them.

On the other hand, as much as I worry for my mother, I was worried for Avery’s condition too since she was really bleeding earlier. She was even crying when she saw the blood running from her leg and it was truly heartbreaking to witness. She wanted the baby to live and I love how she takes full responsibility of this as a mother to her own child even though what happened to her.

I am proud of Avery’s strength.

I am glad that we have managed to patch things up and I guess we can now move forward in life together finally as siblings.

I stare at my own mother who looks terminally weak, I have been worrying about her since she was first rushed to the hospital. She looks skinnier the last time I saw her and it’s kind of heartbreaking to see her going through such pain. Then there’s another thing I worry about, the hospital bills aside from mother’s surgery.

Mother needed an aortic valve replacement. We were given options, the first one costs about six thousand dollars for standard bioprosthetic aortic valve and then there’s the thirty thousand dollar Edwards SAPIEN valve system. Those prices doesn’t include the doctor’s fee and the additional hospitalization fees. Let alone, that’s only for my mom. Then there’s my sister’s which is another problem.

I thought that maybe I could work part-time jobs but then I am pregnant and it’s too risky for me to go anywhere knowing Griffin could potentially just be around watching my every move. I needed the money and the only thing I have in mind is to ask some from Harry which is so embarrassing to do or make a GoFundMe account to ask for donations from people.

Despite everything that I am going through, I take my strength from Harry the most since he has utterly been there whenever I need him. Even if he is always away, he made sure that he is there and never forgets to check on me all the time. He has done everything he can to be here for me despite the distance and I truly appreciate him.

He told me to take care of myself while he is away again and promised that he will check on me from time to time on his way back to London. I held onto that because I knew he would never fail me and his kids.

I sit here next to my mom’s bed, the television was on but I was not really listening nor watching it. I just turned it on because I needed some noise in here to keep me distracted and to pull me away from crying again. Dr. Fox told me that I need to stop being sad and I need to stop myself from crying all the time during pregnancy because it would cause me and my growing babies stress.

I sigh heavily and thought that life had been pretty much difficult these days which makes me want to give up on everything.

But then I’m reminded of my family, my babies and Harry which pushes me to get going no matter how many times life throws boulders at me.

Everything that’s happening in my life now will pass and I need to manifest it.

I have to be strong.

Around nine in the evening, a doctor making his rounds came into our room to check my mother. He asked about my mother’s condition and told me that my mom’s pretty much been holding on and that was reassuring. He checked mom’s vital signs and listed down things on his pad which makes me wonder what he wrote down.

“Everything that is needed for the surgery will be ready tomorrow morning at eight and I want you and your family to be ready as well.” The doctor tells me.

My brows creasing, “Surgery?”

“Yes.”

“But doctor, I think there’s a mistake. We still haven’t scheduled that because we still lack funds.”

“Oh no need to worry, I heard from Doctor Sacks that the arrangements has been done and the surgery for aortic valve replacement using Edwards SAPIEN valve system is already fully paid.”

I paused and was surprised with his words because this is indeed a miracle or either a mistake. “But… how…”

“Miss Swanepoel, that’s something you shouldn’t worry about. All you need to do is pray for your mother’s successful surgery tomorrow and be thankful that an anonymous donor was generous to shoulder your fees including your stay prior balance.”

Anonymous donor?

There’s no way anyone would know about this.

It’s got to be Harry. He’s the only one who I told about the fees and there’s no way it’s someone else. He must have paid for this without telling me.

He’s too kind and too generous.

My tears started streaming down my face and felt embarrassed that my own boyfriend is shouldering all the expenses for my mom’s surgery and prior hospital balance. I am already too indebted to him because of the house he bought me and now this.

I can’t find any words to say how blessed and thankful I am to have him.

When the doctor left, I hurriedly tried to message Harry with my tears blurring my vision. I typed: Please call me as soon as you get this.

At night, around eleven, I visited Avery in her room while dad was guarding over mom. I had told him about the surgery and he was flooded in tears when he found out about it. Avery on the other hand had been resting to gain her strength back because she had a difficult delivery.

In a split second, my phone begins to ring and Harry had finally FaceTimed me. He smiles, looking sleepy while he was resting his chin over his pillow. “Hey baby. I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to call when I landed. I was so tired and sleepy. I crashed as soon as I got home.”

I smile, “It’s okay. Isn’t it late there?”

“Around four in the morning.”

“I see.”

“What was it something you wanted to talk about?”

“Should we really talk about it now?”

“Yeah, sure.” He smiles tightlipped.

“Well…. It’s about my mother’s surgery.”

“Yeah? What is it about?”

“Did you pay for it?”

He purses his lips, “No. Why?”

“Are you sure?”

He nods.

“Are you really sure?” I ask again.

“Yes. Why?”

“There was an anonymous donor and… you were the only one who I talked to about it.” I say. “Did you pay for it?”

He sighs, “Okay, I did pay for it.”

“Harry--”

“Lindy, I know what you are going to say.” I cut him off. “I don’t mind spending my own money the way I want it to. It’s my money and I want to help your mother. You don’t have to worry anything about what I am doing for you. I am your boyfriend. I need to take care of you because I love you.”

“Thank you so much Harry.” I begin to tear up. “I am embarrass to be receiving that kind of money from you but…. I would rather swallow my ego and accept it. My mother needs it.”

He nods and smiled widely at me, “I am glad to hear that from you.”

“It’s just… things are going crazy lately.. and… you’re just so constantly there for me, helping me and all that. Instead of saying no to it, I should say thank you.”

“Exactly baby. I don’t understand why it’s such a big deal for you.”

“Because it’s your money.”

“I’d rather spend it on you than other things.” He stares at me seriously. “I want you to know that ever since I hurt you and denied you to the whole world, I have been trying to make it up to you. You are my priority now. You and our kids.”

I smile as I nod at him, “Thank you baby.”

“You don’t have to thank me baby. Anyways, how is Avery?”

“She’s still resting. Her delivery went well, thank God, but the baby is pre-mature.”

He nods, “They need our prayers. I’m sure they will be fine.”

“I hope so.”

“You’re so strong.”

“Thank you. How are you?”

He groans, “I have a lot of things to do with the band today.”

“I should let you go back to sleep.”

“Okay, I love you. Take care.”

I nod and smiled back, “I love you too.”

The next day, my dad and I were feeling all tensed ever since the surgery started. I prayed with my dad I the chapel and tried to let the hours pass thinking about something positive. Harry calls em from time to time and checks on me when he is available and would show his concern and support. Avery was not allowed to be out of her bed since her condition was highly critical and she needed lots of rest.

After almost eight hours, the surgery was done an my mom was still unconscious on her hospital bed. I decided to stay with mom for the whole afternoon while dad went to check on Avery. Hours being inside a hospital makes me really sick from the distinctive smell of medicine in here. I hate being in a hospital, it makes me feel sicker than the patient.

I guarded my mom after her surgery because there is this constant fear in my head that there might be something wrong that will happen. Also, I wanted to be there the first time she opens her eyes. Night came and dad volunteered to buy dinner for the both of us. He offered to guard mom for the night while I guard over Avery who is in another room which was just right across mom’s.

“Hey mom.” I tell her as I hold her hand. “I miss you already.”

I try to swallow a cry, “Please, you have to wake up. I need you. Avery and I need you. Dad needs you. We need you mom. You have to wake up and see Avery’s baby and these twins that I am carrying.”

I press her hands against my mouth, “Mom please please I am begging you to wake up please. You have to wake up.”

My phone rings and it was Martha. I quickly caved in, “Hey Marthy.”

“Hey, how’s your mother?”

“She’s… still unconscious. But the doctor had mentioned that she’s stable now.”

“That’s good!”

“I know. Thank you for always calling and checking on me.”

“Of course. You’re my best friend. How are you?”

I sigh, “I’m tired.”

“Lindy, don’t forget you’re pregnant. There’s not only one in your belly but two. You have to be extra careful. Okay?”

“I know and I am.”

“Stop worrying too much and thinking too much okay?”

“I just can’t stop worrying about mom unless she finally wakes up. Then there’s Griffin who’s still out there and could possibly hurt me with his knife. Griffin could possibly be the person behind the gift. I just…” I groan.

I lowered my head and held my forehead with my hand, “I’m just so scared right now. There’s just so many things happening in my life and there’s this constant fear I have every single day.”

“I know he is out there but you have to be strong for yourself and your babies. The police are probably hunting him. We just have to think positive. Okay?”

“But what if they won’t find him? What if they won’t catch Griffin and he would finally have the chance to hurt me? He’s had two chances in taunting me with his knife and--”

“What?!”

I snapped my head back to the door and found my father standing there with wide eyes. Oh fuck, what a perfect timing. “Martha I will call you back.” I hang up right away. “Dad.”

“Someone has been threatening to kill you with a knife?!”

“Dad, it’s nothing serious.”

He begins to walk closer to where I am, “Not serious? Are you trying to fool me?!”

“Dad, I am fine okay?”

“Tell me what happened or I swear to God young woman!”

I ended up talking about everything to dad but changed the story about Jolene because I don’t want Harry to look that worst in front of him. He has already been disappointed with Harry and I don’t want him to hate Harry even more.

I told him that Jolene was Harry’s ex girlfriend and he got her pregnant three years ago but she opted for abortion but wasn’t able to make it through the procedure. I told him everything about Griffin and that he could possibly be related to Jolene, like a brother or ex-boyfriend, who is seeking for revenge.

“Dad?” I call out to him because he was just utterly sad.

He sighs heavily, “This was what you were going through on your own?”

I didn’t answer.

“You never told us that your life was in danger for this boybander?!” He continues.

“Dad! It wasn’t Harry’s fault!”

“What do you mean it isn’t his fault?! If he was man enough to stop Jolene from having abortion, then this Griffin guy won’t be after you now!”

“Dad, you are so unfair to Harry!”

“Unfair?! Aren’t you being unfair to yourself?!”

“We are indebted to Harry, dad! If you don’t know, he was the anonymous donor who paid for mom’s surgery! How can you even say that about him in front of me?!”

He breathes through his nostrils and stands, “I will find a way to pay him and you find a way to stay away fro Harry!”

I gaped in surprise, “Are you fucking kidding me?!”

“Is that how Harry has taught you?! And influenced you?!”

“It’s not about that dad! You know how much I love Harry! He is the father to my kids!”

He points his finger at me, “Stay away from Harry.”