My Only Exception

Chapter 15

She continued working and carried his child. Seff was always there for her and despite the feelings he has for her, he kept his silent distance and maintained his relationship with her as a friend and a brother's wife. Well, almost.

She bought items for her baby and on the sixth month, they found out it was a boy. She has her regular check up and Seff was always with her when she goes to her OB-Gyne. On the seventh month, all of the kid's items were completed, from the bottle down to the crib and rattles, from the mittens down to the bathrobe. Seff was like an acting husband and did what the father was supposed to be doing. She hadn't given birth yet and he was already spoiling his nephew. She attended birthing classes and Seff was with her.

She was due in six weeks and she was already prepared. She was still working that afternoon when she felt contractions getting stronger. She was told it was normal for woman who are nearly getting birth, depending on the interval, but she wondered why she was having it. She rested for a while, thinking it would go away but all of a sudden, her bag of water broke. She immediately called Seff as she was rushed into the hospital.

She was brought to a private room as soon as they got in and was closely monitored. They were expecting her to have a normal delivery but were ready for emergency ceasarian should it be necessary.

Still at that time, no one knew about her pregnancy other than Seff. They hadn't seen her tummy when they talk online and she didn't tell them anything about the baby.

She was still going on labor for the past twelve hours and she wasn't fully dilated yet, just 5-6 cm open. They gave it another three hours and finally, she was ready. Her OB-Gyne prepared to deliver the baby. She had a hard time getting the baby out and the doctors were already starting to get ready with emergency ceasarian delivery. Every second that passed was becoming critical. She eventually got the baby out after three more cries but the baby didn't cry like what babies do.

She was scared for the baby's life and at the same time, had no idea what was going thru. Seff was inside the operating room and did not know if he would attend to Raffy or her kid.

They resuscitated him and shortly, she was relieved when she heard a weak cry. She then allowed herself to be drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up, she was back to her room. There were balloons and flowers inside. Seff was leaning on the bed with his eyes closed.

"S-Seff..."

He immediately opened his eyes.

"Where's Cali?"

He smiled and held her hand. "So Cali's the name."

She smiled and nodded.

"Add Alexander to his name please. I'd like to name him after Alexander the Great. Your kid's a strong one. He fought real hard for that cry," he smiled.

"Cali Alexander it is then."

"He's at the nursery. He's being checked. They ran some tests and his pedia would get back to us about the results," he said.

"Do you think he'll be alright?"

Seff became serious and took a deep breath. "I hope so. Cali was... Sort of turning blue until they got him breathing steadily," he told her what the doctors did until he became stable. "But he did it. He's fine and kicking."

"Thank you Seff for being here for us. I couldn't thank you enough," she cried.

"Raffy, Paul called and I answered it. He was looking for you and you were having labor," he interrupted.

"What did you tell him?" she asked him, concerned.

"That you are having labor," he answered. "I do not know what else to tell him. I was preoccupied with Cali and I was thinking that at least, whatever happens to him, Paul knows. He was dead surprised and I know, if he was around, I would have been killed by now."

She didn't say anything.

"It's your call as to how and when you will tell them about this," he said.

She thought that they would be going out of the hospital altogether but they couldn't. Cali was required to stay longer for more tests. They found a heart defect that was affecting his functionality. A part of the child's heart did not close which normally should after birth and it was affecting the circulation of blood on his fragile body. The doctors needed to do heart resection. She got scared and Seff was her wall and foundation.

Despite her reluctance to have Cali undergo operation at an early age, she finally allowed them to save Cali's life. She stayed at the hospital and prayed real hard for the success of the operation.

She was on their private room while waiting for it to be finished. Seff stayed and after a while, the doctor went out and told her that it was successful. It went thru smoothly and that Cali was on the Neonatal ICU for further observation.

Eventually, they allowed Cali to go home but it required them constant monitoring and follow up check ups. She was missing work and when finances become tight, it was Seff who provided. When she maxed out her credit card because of Cali's medicines, Seff bought it. When she couldn't pay for Cali's health insurance, Seff took over. When she needed to work and no one would look after Cali, Seff was there. After a long, tough time, he had his first birthday, his second, his third, his fourth. He grew up knowing Seff as his Dada, questioned why he wasn't home always, been given some white lies to, and loved well. He met his grandparents online, grew up as a happy kid, responsible, and sweet. Her Nanay was extra careful when dealing with him, taught him good manners, read parenting books, and gave what her son needed.

She thought it would be enough and Cali would always be okay.