- No for now
Annie
Despair gripped me as I listened to my baby’s erratic heartbeat during the fetal monitoring. My body started to tremble uncontrollably, and tears streamed down my face. I grabbed the call button beside the bed and
summoned the nurse.
“Please, call Dr. Summers,” I choked out.
She, too, had heard the alarming rhythm and hurried out to find my doctor, who returned shortly after.
“Annie,” he said, his face etched with concern, “I’ve already asked them to prepare the operating room. We can’t wait any longer. Your son doesn’t have enough amniotic fluid and is in distress. We need to perform an emergency C–section.”
I could only nod, words failing me. I bit my lip, trying to control the relentless trembling, but to no avail. The orderlies arrived soon after to take me away. As we exited into the hallway, I saw my mother and aunt, their faces etched with worry.
“Mom!” I called out, and she rushed to my side, taking my hand in hers.
“Doctor, what’s happening? Is something wrong with my daughter?”
The orderlies continued down the hallway at the doctor’s indication, the distance between us growing as they wheeled me away. He must be telling them about the surgery, about the risks of delaying it. My mother and aunt must be terrified, their faces stained with tears. I closed my eyes, unable to bear the imagined scene. Within minutes, I was inside the cold operating room, my body still shaking uncontrollably. They administered the anesthesia, and soon I was strapped to the table.
Everyone around me seemed calm, the procedure routine for them. But at that moment, I felt utterly alone.. Tears welled up again as I thought about everything that could go wrong. I knew I should be positive, but fear had me in its grip.
“Annie, we’re going to begin the surgery,” the doctor announced.
I closed my eyes, trying to picture my baby’s face. Who would he resemble? My family? His father? I hoped he wouldn’t look too much like Liam. A small smile touched my lips, but it felt hollow. It didn’t matter if he was his father’s spitting image. I would love this tiny being, a part of me and Liam, with all my heart. Regret washed over me. I should have told Liam sooner. If something happened, I’d never forgive myself for keeping this secret. He had the right to know. When I’d tried to tell him before, Maria’s reaction had made me retreat in pain. I should have insisted. I had been thinking of myself, not of him. My baby had the right to know his
father.
As I tried to relax, to will my body to stop shaking, the operating room door swung open. The last person I expected walked in. He came to my side and took my hand.
“Doll! I’m here now,” he said.
I nodded, my mind swirling with questions. But at that moment, all that mattered was Angel.
His words calmed me, and a wave of drowsiness washed over me. My trembling subsided, and I finally felt at
- No for now peace.
My son’s cries echoed in the small space. I turned my head to see Aaron’s face lit up with a joyful smile. He was as happy as if Angel were his own.
“Everything’s alright, doll. Our little one is here.”
His words brought me back to myself. I knew my son would need to be monitored, but I was sure it wouldn’t
be for long.
When they brought him closer, I couldn’t help but smile wryly. He was the spitting image of his father, a living reminder of Liam. I sighed. All that mattered was that he was healthy.
Hello, my love! It’s Mommy,” I whispered.
The tiny, blond baby squirmed in the nurse’s arms. I knew he missed the warmth from where he’d come, and my heart ached with tenderness. “Do you remember Aaron?” I teased, glancing at my friend.
“Of course he remembers me!” Aaron exclaimed, mock indignation coloring his voice. He took Angel’s tiny hand, and my baby grasped his finger, a proud smile spreading across Aaron’s face.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to step back. We need to finish with Mrs. Miller, and then she’ll be moved to recovery. She’ll be taken to her room in a few hours.”
I watched as they took Angel out of the operating room. Aaron gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and
followed after my son.
Darkness swallowed me once more. When I opened my eyes, I was in a pleasant, sunlit room. Someone was holding my hand. Aaron dozed in a chair beside me, his face etched with exhaustion. He must be tired after that long drive.
“Aaron?” I croaked.
His beautiful green eyes fluttered open, and he leaned down to kiss my cheek.
“Congratulations, doll! You’re a mother now!” His excitement warmed me. Despite not being related by blood, he, along with the twins, had been my most steadfast companion throughout this journey. I smiled at him gratefully.
“Thank you, Aaron. Thank you for being here for me. I’ll never forget it.”
He nodded, his eyes shining with emotion. “Well, you’ll have plenty of time to thank me when you’re my wife.” He winked, and I swatted at him playfully, but he was already out of reach.
He continued to tease me, but our laughter was interrupted by the arrival of Dr. Summers.
“Hello, Annie. Congratulations. And are you the father?” he asked Aaron directly.
Aaron grinned. “Biologically, no. But legally and morally, I certainly hope so, one day.”
His words clearly confused my doctor, but he didn’t comment. He proceeded to give me his instructions and
then took his leave..
“You goofball, why would you say that?” I hissed. “He’s going to think I’m promiscuous.”
Aaron burst out laughing. “Why promiscuous? You wouldn’t be the first or the last unmarried woman to have a child with someone she’s not with. Don’t be so dramatic. What matters is that everything went well.”
- No, for now
He was right. What mattered was that my son was born healthy, and soon he would be in my arms.
As we were chatting, the door opened again, and my mother entered.
“Sweetheart! How are you feeling?”
Aaron stood up and offered his chair to my mother.
“I’m alright, Mom. A little sore, but overall, I’m okay. Have you seen my son yet?” I noticed Aaron shifting nervously beside me.
“Not yet, dear. We’ll go see the baby as soon as we’ve all had a chance to congratulate you.”
Mom settled down to chat, and I saw Aaron practically vibrating with impatience.
“Aaron, where are you going?” I asked.
He gave us a sheepish smile. “I’ll let you two talk. I want to go see Angel. Is that alright?”
I nodded, and he practically skipped out of the room, unable to contain his excitement.
I was alone with my mother now, but her expression turned serious.
“What is it, Mom?” I asked, a shiver running down my spine.
“Sweetheart, something happened. Or rather, someone made something happen. Her voice was low,
hesitant.
“Something? What happened? Please just tell me.”
Her troubled expression made my heart pound. Whatever it was, it was clearly serious.
“Your father…” she began, then paused, choosing her words carefully. “Your father and your uncles decided that it was best to tell Liam about the baby. After all, he’s not a stranger, and he would have found out sooner or later. You can’t hide the sun with a finger.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. I couldn’t blame them. I knew they acted with the best intentions, but I wished it had been my decision to make. Still, I couldn’t fault them for their concern. If something had happened to me, he wouldn’t have found out in time.
“And where is he?” I asked.
My mother seemed to relax, relieved that I wasn’t angry. “He’s outside with his mother. I think he wants to see
you.”
I shook my head. No. He could see his son, but I didn’t want to see him. Not now.
“No, Mom. I don’t want to see him right now. It’s something I won’t be able to avoid forever, but not today.
Please.”
My mother understood. She embraced me, and I knew she knew how much I was hurting. “It’s alright, sweetheart. But sooner or later, you’ll have to face him.”
I nodded sadly. Yes, it was inevitable. I would have to talk to him, and soon. But not today. Not today,
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