Chapter 18

©S A F I E

CHAPTER 18

GABRIEL

I hesitated, standing in front of the operating room, my eyes puffy as I look back at Neola and Luke. The pair looks nervous yet hopeful, I gave a nod at Luke and was about to approach Neola when the doctor approaches me.

The doctor nervously smiled at me before saying, "I am glad to inform you, Mr. West that the baby and Mrs. West are stable." Neola squeaked next to me, her face splitting as she smiled. " It has taken us a while to be able to proceed with the operation because we needed to regulate their vitals. There have been some clotting because of the scarcity of oxygen on their system and we cannot let her give birth naturally because she is so weak to do so. Additional to that, she's unconscious, which results to us performing the caesarean section, come on inside now for the cutting of the cord." The doctor returns in the room without waiting for me. I stole a glance back at the pair before following him in.

A nurse appeared beside me and handed me a hospital gown, a cap cover and some mask. She also instructed me to remove my watch before I went inside and settle beside my wife.

Elle looks so pale under the surgical lights and I glance at the concussion on her head, the bruise on her cheek. Her eyes are closed as she breathes through the tube on her mouth. She lay so still that I'm afraid she's already dead, and I held her hand with mine, not resisting to have some contact with her, some assurance that she is still with me - that she is still alive. With my heart thudding in nervousness, I tighten my grip on her hand, not removing my gaze upon her face as the doctors continue working on her. After a few minutes, the doctor called me next to him, handing me a pair of scissors, "In about a minute, your son or daughter will be out."

"She didn't-" I began but the doctor smiled at me, "No, she wanted it to be a surprise." He looks down at Elle and sighs, "I ask you to be prepared and cut the cord quickly once we pull the baby out, alright?"

I zeroed out on his speech as I stare back at my wife, repeating the words of the doctor inside my head 'your son or daughter'. Son or daughter-She wanted the gender of our baby as a surprise but she's not awake to see it for herself.

I focus back on the two doctors as they spread the skin on Elle's lower waist, the incision is bleeding out so fast, the nurse wiping it off quickly. I watch as the doctor pulled the baby out from her stomach and laid it on top. I stared down at the baby as my tears spilt down my cheek, "Mr. West. It's a boy." My hand is shaking as I cut the cord and stared back at the doctor who was a bit shifty, his eyes wide as he stared, "What's wrong?"

"He's not crying." He stated as he pulled the baby up by his legs. The action surprised me. He hit the baby's bottom but there is no cry. The doctor checks the baby's pulse and stared back at the other doctor. "My god, Jenny, get the tools..."

I just stand there, watching as the doctor takes something made out of rubber and put it in the baby's nose, sucking the blockage if there is any. He massages the baby's back while he lay the baby on his hand, shaking him before laying the baby on his back and pumping the baby's chest with his two fingers. The baby cried, it was so low but we are thankful, for he had cried.

"Oh, geez." The doctor breathes out a sigh and lay the baby inside a small bed, connecting him to a machine. I wanted to hold the baby's hand but couldn't for they have already wheeled him away.

"Sir, I'm so sorry to say this but we need to transfer your son to the neonatal unit, quickly. I am afraid that his lungs are not yet fully developed. If you'll excuse us..." I was lead out of the operating room, my thoughts running wild as I watch them shut the door behind me.

*

NEOLA

I stared at the nurses as they rushed inside the operating room, alarms blaring inside. I raise from my seat watching as my brother went out of the door, his face ashen; his jaw tight, wringing his fingers as his scowl deepened. He walks away before settling himself down on the seat across Luke, who wakes from his slumber and is directing a questioning look at my direction.

"Gabe," Luke muttered as we approach my brother, "What happened inside, mate?"

Gabriel frowned at us, biting his lip. He didn't give me an answer for a while but as I lean closer to him, I can hear him muttering as tears continue to flow down his eyes, "Neo, the baby it is a boy." He stated smiling up at me, "But they are critical. She is still unconscious and the baby...his lungs are underdeveloped. Both of them are still at risk." I reached out as he grabs my arms, making me hug him tightly. "I wish the baby is mine, Neola, I wish he is mine. He is so pretty...I want to be his father."

"Shh, Gabe. Everything will be alright." I hug him close to me, my heart clenching at his words. “Gabe, don't you ever worry about the baby not being yours. You'll never know unless you prove it, Gabe. So go, and ask them to prove it to you,”

*

"Oh, you poor little thing..." I cooed keep my emotions in check as I look at the baby behind the glass, his body occupying one-third of the bed; several plastic tubes inserted on him, sustaining him enough oxygen that he needs for survival.

They just finish collecting the samples from Gabriel and my nephew. I'm pretty much sure that Gabe is now bidding thousands just so the doctors could hurry up with the results. He is a ball of nerves and so to keep me from saving the last ounces of sanity I have left, I ask him to leave the hospital and get us some dinner while keeping the paparazzi out of the news. We cannot afford to involve them in this mess, there is so much that we have on our plate, we won't want them joining in this dog's dinner.

It's been almost eight in the evening now and we're still here in the hospital. I'm starving as hell, I could eat a cow right now.

"He really is a strong little nipper...I mean, baby." Luke interrupted my thoughts as he taps the glass, pointing down at my little nephew. "Maybe after dinner, I can go and ask the doctors if we could go in and see him closer." I couldn't stop myself as I slowly move towards him and wrap my arms around him - Galloping Gargoyles! I am hugging the brit guy. We were both shocked that we stand there, both eyes wide. After a while, Luke cleared his throat as he slowly removes my hands off his neck and stared at the glass, his face unreadable, "Oh, I'm uh-sorry, Luke. I'm just--"

"It's 'kay" his voice emotionless as he struggled for words, putting a distance between us. I averted my gaze, nibbling at my fingers.

Well, I guess I'm now allowed to say, AWKWARD!

No words are spoken between me and him as Gabe arrived with our food. We all ate in silence with Gabe occasionally staring at Luke who completely shut himself off after our little incident. I thought we're not going to see the baby given that Luke seems to be pissed at me but right after we are finished, Gabe stands and we followed him. At first, he was practising his best convincing look as the elderly nurse sat by her desk. Gabriel hastily puffs his cheeks and makes his way towards her but not much of a negotiation should be done as my brother flash her his signature smirk and flashes his black card in front of the nurse face.

Of course, money solves everything.

The three of us are called in, entering the neonatal unit at that moment with a strict instruction from the nurse of a time limit of fifteen minutes only. Removing my watch and studs, I slipped in a laboratory gown and mask just as the nurse instructed.

I look around the room to see a few more angels that are struggling for their life. At first, I didn't notice my nephew but the nurse leads us on the far corner situated near the glass. I was surprised to see my nephew up close, his little hands on his side as he laid on his back, eyes closed.

"Mr. West," the doctor from earlier called out from the door as we stand beside my nephew's bed. Gabriel left and began to converse with her as she holds an envelope on her hand containing what I assume is the test result. She gave it to Gabe telling him a few words as my brother frown back.

I watch intently as my brother hesitated, his hands lingering on the opening of that damn thing.

C'mon, Gabe. Open it now!

My hands are trembling as I watch him struggling with himself.

With a gulp, he stared at me and back to the doctor. He pulled the paper off the envelope and I watch as his eyes widen; he smiled before saying thank you and jogging back to us-his face ridiculously splitting in two because of that smile he had plastered on.

Of course, it's yours...stupid.

I watch him as he smiles proudly at his son and all of a sudden, I am off the floor as he carried me up in his arms, "Neo, he's mine!" I roll my eyes at him, smiling at how he felt so happy.

It's just very unusual to see my brother this joyful because he always has that permanent scowl and frown on his face ever since our mother died. I guess this is a start for him to finally let us in his life.

Gabriel put me down on my feet as he gave me another tight hug, "Thank you, Neo. Thank you because you're there for my wife and son. Please, help me. Help me so I can properly give them the loving they deserve in order to win them back." Gabriel stared at Luke before he offered a hand to him, Luke accepted it and gripped it tightly shaking hands together.

"Thanks, mate. You save my wife and my son," Gabe whispered before he let go. Luke just smiled, muttering a small 'no problem'

After the exchange, Gabe leaned down on my nephew's bed and began to stroke his little head, though their little moment is again interrupted by the nurse from the lobby.

Gabriel turned at the nurse with a scowl and a strained, "Yes?"

The nurse just stared at us then turning her eyes down at my nephew, "Uhm, I just wanted to ask if, uh would rather have Mrs. West to wake up and give his name," Her gaze lingered down at the baby before bouncing back unto Gabe, "Or would you do the honour to name him, Mr. West?"

"Me? But I don't know if Elle would be happy to hear that I name him, she hated my guts." My brother stared down at his son and me, his eyes asking for some help. I bit my lip and recalled the conversations I and Elle had back at that little diner when we are eating her favourite vanilla pistachio ice cream.

"Jacob. Name him Jacob...Gabriel. Elle loves that name and dad's name, Carlos. She would like both," I muttered. My brother and Luke just stared at me, shocked when they heard my answer. "She always insists to name that to her baby if she will have a son. She loves how gentle and sincere both names sound that's why she put it on her list." Gabriel just nodded his face unreadable as he contemplated. "I'd like to make Carlos as his first name, in honour of our dad." He whispered to me and I can't help but nod at his suggestion. Gabriel turns to the nurse. "My son will be named Carlos Jacob West."

"Oh, Carlos Jacob? Baby Carlos Jacob West...lovely." She smiled and shook our hands "Thank you. We will print out his documents and record his birth; shortly we may also put the teddy with his name." She smiles and went out of the doors.

Gabriel turn back to his son and spoke, "Carlos Jacob...my son. I'm so sorry if daddy has been so insensitive all this time. I have been so stupid. Just know that I love you, though. I will make it up to you and your mother." I smiled at the bond that is slowly developing between my brother and Jacob, thankful that Gabriel was able to prove Jacob was his son. I stared at Luke who stands across me, his eyes serious, focused on Jacob.

"Why Jacob?" Luke asked me, his voice echoing around us as his jaw, clenched.

"Huh?"

"Why did you suggest the name, Jacob?" he stared at me his eyes blazing with something.

Is that anger?

"Haven't you heard me the first time? It's Elle's request. That's her true father's name-Jacob. Elle wanted to name the baby after him because she loves her father no matter what happen in the past. I know that deep down she'll love the name as she has always stated..." I answered, looking at him in the eye. Without giving me an answer, he continued staring down on the child, before nodding at my brother and me before telling us goodbye as he goes out of the door across the room, changing back to his clothes.

I take a deep breath and let it out, grabbing Gabe's shoulder and hugging him as I hear his whisper, his hands on the glass. "Hush now, my son. I'm here now. I won't leave you..."

*

GABE

"Eric, I'll be going home now. I'll just meet with you later, would you mind watching over for now?"

I catch a glance in between the space of the bed and sigh, After two hours of waiting, finally, they're going home!

"Not at all. And oh, grab me some coffee,"

"Yep,"

"Don't forget my doughnut too!"

"Of Course!"

I jumped out of my hiding place as soon as the door closed behind the doctor. Neo went back home right after Luke had left. That guy seems mysterious but not for long, I have Joe searching about his identity and whereabouts, I can't let him hanging around my family without identifying him. I just need to know. It seems like he is drawn her towards my wife and sister. I can’t let a stranger linger that long without investigating him.

No matter how I wanted to forget about him being a stranger, he's now tied to our family because of the act he did, that's why I need to know him better.

As for Cherry, the doctor who fooled me, she suddenly disappeared out of the blue. Yes, she might have protected the child from me but still, she lied. She told me that the baby was dead but he's not. I asked my security agents to keep their eyes open for anything that may come on their way because that bitch is unpredictable.

Like Victoria.

A bitter taste filled my mouth as I remember the girl's face. She's just a fucking whore from my past for all I care; all that matters to me now is my wife and son. Stretching my arms and legs, I walk down the hall, searching for that particular auburn girl I'm in love with.

"Hello, Elle..."

Now I'm here again.

Back in the same situation- as though I were in the same room before I had left for Italy so she can have her life back. I stared at Elle - the girl who have stolen my heart and soul, the girl who is strong and capable to make me bow but is now lying so still with tubes supplying her oxygen, her chest rising up and down by the beep of that machine.

"Gabe. You idiot, you-" I pulled my hair and kicked off the chair on the side, my knees buckling as I collapsed on the floor, "I'm going crazy, Elle."

The machine bleeped, making me look back at her bruised face, a gash on the side of her cheek. "I'm sorry, I mean, I don't want all this to happen--the divorce, the accident...everything! This wasn't supposed to happen if I just let you be." I pulled my hair and stared at her unmoving form," I'm so fucked up, Elle...and I hated ruining your life because of my actions"

"I've ruined the both of us," I want to hold her, pull her up that bed and to my lap. I want to hold her close to me that it's killing me to watch her there, lying so still. I hold my hands together to avoid any contact with her, afraid that I will hurt her.

I've done enough chaos to last me a lifetime.

A couple of minutes have passed before I lean beside the bed of my beloved wife, watching her.

"I wanted the divorce at first because I wanted to distance myself and let you have your life back but finding out about our son made me change my mind. I will be with you, Elle." I couldn't help it, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, "Did you hear me? It's a baby boy! We have a son. You both are very important to me. Very. The contract is done but I would want you to marry me again, yet this time I won't force you. I want you to accept me as your husband, willingly. I promise that I won't let you do something that you do not want. I love you, so much, believe me or not." I sighed, confessing my feeling to someone I love so much even if she can't hear me.

"Elle," I cannot help myself as my hands moved, slipping down on her wrist, warming the cold veins beneath her skin, "he's really my child...I finally saw the results and it's all true. He's our miracle, my heir. Seeing as he is mine, then I'll do everything in my power to make you love me. Even if it means that I have to plead and kneel and worship you...I love you. Forever."

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