It’s been about three hours and we are still outside the operating room, when suddenly a nurse came out rushing. He stopped and bowed for a bit when he saw us and left running.
“Oh dear, heavens, what’s happening to my daughter?”
Seeing the nurse rushing out made me more anxious. I just hugged Via, who’s still sleeping, tighter.
An hour later, the doctor finally came out.
“How’s my wife? Is she okay?”
“Your wife had a cardiac arrest earlier, but she is now stable. She was at a critical stage earlier due to blood lost, but we manage to save her just in time. However, we still need to monitor her vitals as she could have a cardiac arrest again anytime. We’ll transfer her to the Intensive Care Unit for further monitoring.”
The doctor left and I just sighed. In shorter context, Savannah is still not out of danger. She’s basically at the death’s door given that anything could happen to her anytime.
“Cassandra,” I called out my sister as I face her. “Tighten the security inside and outside the hospital. Guard the ICU at maximum level, and make sure that only authorized medical staffs can enter the ICU.”
“I’ll do that.” Cassandra walked away. I turned and faced my mom, I also glanced at my youngest sister who’s sleeping at her lap.
“Mom, you should go home with Clarisse so you could rest. Take Via with you too.” I turned to Savannah’s mother. “You too should go get a rest, mom. I will stay here with my wife.”
They grabbed Aviana from me and left the hospital. Dad insisted on staying but I told him to leave with mom. While Savannah’s brothers didn’t budge even when I said that they should leave.
We are sitting and waiting at the lobby, when Stephen Harris, my father-in-law, arrived.
“Dad? Why are you here?” Stefano asked.
“What’s your sister’s current situation?”
“She’ll be transferred at the ICU for further monitoring.”
“Your mom?”
“She just left with Via. Why are you here?”
“I wanted to check on your sister.” I heard a scoff, and I didn’t need to turn around to know who was it.
“You’re now concerned about her? When this happened because of you?!” Sylvester angrily shouted. “If you didn’t choose to cover up for Jackson five years ago, that bastard is at jail for years already and wouldn’t have the chance to follow Sav here in Casterdale! All of this is happening because of you!”
I grabbed him as he tries to attack his own dad.
“Blame me all you want, but even if you do, nothing would be undone—” Skyler suddenly punched his dad which made me gasped.
“What kind of father – no, are you even worth being called a father? Blame you? We are not blaming you because we are stating facts! ALL OF THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF YOU! BECAUSE OF YOUR SELFISHNESS!”
“Skyler that’s enough! Calm yourself down!” Stefano shouted. “I think you should leave, dad.”
Their dad glanced at me and turned away but stopped when I spoke.
“I don’t know why your own children hates you so much, but I vowed that I will make everyone who is accountable, in putting my wife in danger, pay. Regardless on who they may be. I’m sincerely hoping that you have nothing to do with this as I respect you as my father-in-law, but you are not an exemption in what I just said.” He didn’t say anything and just left.
“You shouldn’t have punched dad! He is still our dad, whether you like it or not! Besides, will punching him wake our sister up?! You should act more rational and logical at this situation!”
“It’s a good thing it was Skyler who punched him. If it was me, I wouldn’t settle for one punch.”
“You too! Stop acting so reckless! I’m tired of cleaning up your mess! Will it help Savannah—whatever you’re doing?!”
“Stop fighting you three. Calm—” I was trying to stop them but Sylvester didn’t even let me finish.
“Tired of cleaning up my mess?! Did I even ask you to do that?! You’re tired? Then stop cleaning it because no one asked you to do it!”
“What?” I immediately went to the middle of this two when Stefano walked closer. “Stop cleaning? If I don’t do it, then where would end up?! You’ll be fucked up once no one else cleans up your mess!”
“THEN LET ME FUCK UP! Don’t pretend like you’re concerned about me, because you’re only concerned about yourself! Whatever mess I make will reflect you that’s why you try hard to clean my mess!”
“SHUT UP THE THREE OF YOU!” My voice echoed the whole lobby when I shouted. I can feel people in the hospital looking at us. “If you have sibling issues, get out of the hospital and fight outside! My wife, your sister, is at the death’s door! Is it really the right time for you to act like children?! Fight after I see my wife wake up, or just fight somewhere out of my sight!”
I stormed out and left them. I calmed myself down before dressing up to enter the ICU.
I sat on the chair beside Savannah’s bed and held her hand.
“Babe, your brothers are already fighting when it hasn’t been that long since you left them unattended. Wake up before they start stabbing each other.” I tried to joke to avoid myself from breaking down. I kissed her hand and held it tightly. “I know you’re tired, but this is not the right time and place to sleep. Can you wake up faster? We’re not even done cutting and tasting the wedding cake. Please wake up, my love.”
I stayed inside the ICU for an hour, hoping that she’ll wake up. I want to be the first person she sees when she opens her eyes. I want to be the first person who’ll greet her when she wakes up. After few hours, I had to exit the room as they will check her.
I went back to the lobby and didn’t see my wife’s brothers. I sat down and took my phone out as I scan the photos we took together. While I was scrolling, I saw an unfamiliar video.
“Hello, my dearest husband! Since you and Aviana are sleeping, I’m going to record this video since I’m bored.” Savanna’s voice and face immediately appeared as I open the video. “Wow, I still can’t believe we reached this far. It started when, my bodyguard took my virginity and got me pregnant, and soon I’ll be that bodyguard’s wife. Our story is really something. I wonder how would Aviana react if she finds out, when she’s older of course, that she’s a product of one-night-stand. Am I weird to say that?” Her laughs and giggles made me smile and cry. “But I want her to also know that because of her, I found you. Maybe if I wasn’t afraid to raise her alone, I wouldn’t take the chance to fall in-love with my bodyguard. You know my mindset before, right? I was selfish spoiled brat. But now, I would go back in time and still make the same mistake all over again, with you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Cameron. I’m so thankful and happy that you didn’t stop pursuing and waiting for me. You brought me Via, and I will thank you forever because of that. I love you so much! I can’t wait to be Savannah Harris-Zach!”
The video ended and more tears escaped my eyes.
I love you too, so much, Savannah. Please wake up and come home with me and Via. I’ll wait for you... I will.