Chapter-73
Riccardo's POV:
I checked the time as the alarm went loud, I heard Cherish's annoyed voice, I was quick enough to stop the alarm from doing any more damage to this morning.
I smirked seeing her sleeping on her stomach hugging the pillow. I sighed, I should sleep in a little.
I crawled to her embracing Cherish, she was quick enough to get comfortable.
I didn't knew my dream would take this beautiful shape and let me live like this forever.
I can't believe we are so far from those early days of this relationship.... I love her so damn much
But I almost lost them all.... I am glad it didn't happened, I was ready to do anything to save them, but at last, as if gods wanted to save them... they are all here near me. I cannot be enough thankful.
Flashback,
4 years back.....
I stood out of the icu looking at her, the doctor were checking her while I stood there by the glass helpless.
It is my fault all my fault.... I should have taken care of her.... I failed.
Cherish got serious suddenly in middle of the night, the delivery date is month away, yet, she got up crying in pain in middle of the night. It's just start of her 8th month.
This cannot turn out like this.
The Doctor had to deliver the babies in emergency, Cherish was bleeding already, but she couldn't push them out, they said she was not dilating... and the bleeding was too much to ignore.
An emergency c section had to be done, she is hanging in between life and death. What went wrong?
The Doctor walked out, she looked at me, she said, "We will try our best.... She isn't in good condition, her BP is dropping, she bleed too much... we need blood...."
I said, "I will arrange.... but you must save her.... Do whatever you can, I will give you everything.... just save my wife..."
The Doctor sighed, she said, "I understand Mr. Valentine.... You are worried..... I assure you I will try my best... please arrange the blood, the hospital doesn't have a match of her blood type...." I nod.. I need to be quick.
My blood?... I will give it all to her, but our blood type are different.
I heard from behind, "I am her brother.... I think my blood will be a good match..." Isaac Derosa spoke. I looked at Fred, maybe he called Isaac.
But whatever it's good... she needs help right now... I need his help.....
I will be his slave if he does me this favor, right now... I can't even think properly.
The Doctor said, "Nurse... Please... check if he is a match..." Isaac walked away from there, ignoring me.
My fist was tight, I cannot do anything right now... I am so helpless.
The Doctor said again, "The twins.... they are too weak, they are born early than they are suppose too... the girl is little too underweight...."
I looked at her I almost begged, "Please.... Save my wife..... and them..." My eyes got moist.
She sighed, She said, "I will try.... and one important thing.... Mrs. Valentine was bleeding too heavily... and her uterus has damage... I am afraid she won't be able to have any more kids....." I gulped, I hated myself at that moment.
I was barely able to breathe, I said, "Just save my wife.. I don't need anything other than that...." She nod.
I begged her, "I know she has to be fine, and wake up... and when she does... never mention that in front of her.... She doesn't need to know..."
The Doctor said, "BUT..."
I warned her, "She won't handle it any good right now.... Just save her... I will take responsibility of the rest...." tear dropped from my eyes. I have never felt so helpless.
Hours later,
Fred was behind me, I stood out of her room for hours. I hope I see her smiling again at me. I will trade anything for that.
Fred said, "Won't you see the twins once.... They are in worst condition on her...."
I hated to hear this, I said, "I will not move till she is fine.... and... No one matter to me other than her right now...." She is like this because of me... I should have looked after her better... there must me my fault somewhere....
I heard Fred, "Isaac went to see them earlier..." I am glad he hasn't told the rest of family yet... but he will sooner or later, I know he doesn't want this situation get any messier than this.
Fred said, "of course they didn't allow him in.... but he said they are too tiny to survive.... even he heard Nurses whisper... and they are unlikely to survive...." My fist got tighter... How dare they!!!
Fred said further, "They said... how pitiful these children are.... if they.. they don't make it, they won't even see their parents once....anyways...."
Fred warned, "You will regret this...." I looked down.
29 minutes later,
I was all dressed in mask and hospital gown, to just have a look at them. Fred was right, I cannot regret... because I will not lose them.
I looked at them, they are small, all red. The diaper looks too big on them, the hospital tags, the pipes on their nose, made my heart crash down.
I never felt this kind of pain.
I am too scared to touch them, they are too weak. They did let me see them after lot of pressure and full safety measurement.... I knew the hospital staff won't go against me.
I noticed the baby boy was sleeping peacefully, he look bigger than his sister. She was looking at me with her big eyes. My eyes flooded, I feel like she might be in pain. She is so tiny so new to this world and already fighting to live.
My little angle.... she doesn't deserve this.
She started crying all of a sudden, I panicked, the nurse rushed to us. She tried to comfort the baby. But the baby girl started to cry louder.
I was getting frustrated, I said, "Give her to me..." The nurse looked unsure.
But she passed me the baby. I had her in my hands, and I swear my heart was running miles away, it felt like she was too tiny to be held with both hands.
She kept crying, I begged her, "Shuuu.... My angle... shuuu.... Daddy is here...."
She slowed her crying looked at me, I smiled at her as I said, "Valerie.... Daddy is here... Daddy is not letting you suffer anymore.... I promise...." The child kept looking at me with her curious stare.
I kissed her forehead as I promise, "You both will be fine.... and see mommy soon...." I looked at the baby boy too, I know they won't understand, but I promise.... nothing will happen to 3 of them, I swear on my life...
Few weeks later,
Cherish was resting her head on my shoulder, she is sleepless since the babies got home. I am so relieved that everyone of them is healthy now. There are still some measures and precautions, but at least they are out of the hospital.
I haven't slept much too, both of them cry a lot during the night, and sleep like a competition in day time.
Cherish whispered, "ah!.... I can't even think.... look at those monkey heads having time of their life after ruining our night...."
I chuckled a little, I whispered, "I don't know... but they seem to be in good shape...."
She whispered, "Where is mom?" Her mother and Aunty, and my Mother are here living with us to take care of the kids.
They did suggested to babysit the twins in night too, but my wife said, she can't let them sleep away from her. They don't sleep at night, she realized. now she can't go back on her words.
How much in trouble we both are? It's funny though.
I said, "I will ask Mom to sleep with the babies for few nights... You need rest.... I don't want you to be hospitalized due to exhaustion..."
She hugged me falling asleep, she whispered, " I agree... just make those monkeys sleep..." I kissed her forehead.
I fixed her hair as I said, "You need to sleep..... they are sleeping too.... come on go rest...."
She looked at me annoyed, I felt her pulling me close to herself, she whispered, "I need to cuddle...." I smirked.
I whispered, "I have a meeting... I am sorry, Love...."
She started glaring the next second, she pushed me out of the bed as she said, "Go!!!.... you won't even fulfill my simple wish.... just go!!!..."
She got under the cover, I sighed. Do I have any other way? I am afraid not.
She whispered, "You don't love me anymore...." I sighed.
I called Fred the next second, he was quite late to answer the call. I said to him as soon as I heard his voice, "Cancel the meeting.... postpone it to tomorrow..."
I ended the call before he could argue, She was not looking at me. I crawled in the bed, getting closer to her.
I hugged her, but she tried to move away, I trapped in her using my legs, she was quite angry I guess. I grabbed her face squishing her cheeks, I said, "Now... Happy...."
She glared at me, I kissed her lips, as I whispered, "Anything for you....." A big smile crawled on her face, I felt her arms around my neck, as she embraced me. I smiled, she is getting cuter and cuter day by day.... will I survive this cuteness.
End of flashback....
Cherish's POV:
I smirked seeing Riccardo saying sorry to Valerie on yesterday's paint incident. Isn't it funny, he is slave to her.
Valerie say, "NO!!!... NO!!!.... Daddy made my.. my hair pink!!!!.... Balerie (Valerie) don't like it!!!" I chuckled, she can't even say he name properly, isn't she too cute?
He said grabbing her tiny hands, "Valee... you won't forgive Daddy.... Daddy is going to be sad... and cry..."
She thought for a moment, she asked innocently, "Daddy... you will cry?" Her head tilted a little.
Riccardo pretended to wipe his tears a little, such a drama queen he is.
Valerie hugged him as she said, "No.. Daddy... don't cry... Balerie... loves you.... don't cry...." I saw Riccardo smile, isn't he enjoying it little too much.
Dave stood in front of me as he said, "Momma... chips...."
I asked, "Chips?..... but you had lunch few minutes ago.... what if Davey's stomach hurts after this?....."
He thought for a moment, he said, "Momma... I want chips!!!..." He started whining....
I gave up, I know it's too soon to give up. But I don't want to see him cry, he is really a sweet kid, yea.. a trouble maker.
I said, "Fine.. but not too much....." He smile cheek to cheek.
I heard Valerie, "Ice cream!!!!"
Dave agreed, "Ice cream!!!!"
Riccardo picked Dave in his arms too, he was already carrying Valerie, he said, "Anything else?... Daddy will get it for you..." I smiled at them, as I remembered that day.
Flashback,
4 years ago,
I was sobbing as my pain became unbearable, I was clutching my hands tight with his. Everything so painful, I think I will die.
I don't know after how long I woke up from the emergency c section, but now as the medicines are fading away, the pain as got worst.
Riccardo kissed my hand, he whispered, "Be strong for me.... please...." I noticed his red eyes, did he cried?
The nurse was injecting fluid in the iv, I haven't seen them. None of them, he won't tell me how are they. Is he hiding something?
I looked at him, I cried out, "It hurts... so much..." I was sobbing, his hand went to my face, he said, "I know... I am sorry, but believe me, you will not feel it in few minutes, they are giving you meds... ok?"
He kissed my forehead as he said, "I love you... for me, be strong..."
He wipes my face as tears stained them. I asked, "Babies... how are they?"
He said to assuring, "They are fine... healthy..."
I asked, as I can see the lie he is creating, "where are they?... I want to see them.... for once... if I die..."
He stopped my word, "Cherish, they are ok.... you need to recover, and then... you can see them... I promise I will bring them to you...."
I whispered as tears fell down my checks, "You are a lair... a big lair... Riccardo, but.... I know they are not good.... I can feel it...."
He looked down silent, He looked at me as he said, "You are over thinking ....You should"
I begged him, "I know... I can feel... it..."
Riccardo sighed, He said, "They are fine... they will be fine... I promise.... Both of them are underweight, and they are born early..... the girl... she needs little more care...." I couldn't help but cry more, I covered my face, it's all my fault... if I was careful then... then my baby won't be suffering...
I sobbed, "It's all... all because of me... all is my fault..."
I felt my hands got pulled off my face, Riccardo said serious, "I told you... They will be fine... I promise... Don't worry, just trust me... Trust me, I will not let any harm to them..."
few days later,
I was holding them for the first time, I am so scared yet happy, they are so tiny. Riccardo sat in front of me, while both of them were in my arms.
Dave was looking at me with big eyes, while Valerie was so curious of her surrounding, I can feel the weight difference in between them. But... Now both of them are out of danger, what else matters now?
Nothing....
I am so happy.... I can hold them now.
I kissed Valerie's head, she looks so confused on this. I chuckled, she is so cute. I couldn't stop myself from kissing Dave's head too, my poor boy has no hair yet.... but Valerie has a lot of them.
Dave started crying as I kissed his forehead, I got scared to be honest, did I did something? is he in pain?
Riccardo felt my panic, He said, "Let me hold him?"
He took Dave from me, he kept crying louder. I am so worried, my eyebrows furrowed, I am so scared. Riccardo whispered, "Little man.... you are fine"
I just heard his louder cried, Valerie started crying too. I tried to sooth her, I asked Riccardo, "Is he in pain?"
Riccardo looked at me with the same confusion, he whispered, "I will call the doctor...."
He got up still holding Dave in his arms, suddenly Dave stopped crying. I looked at Riccardo little confused. He looked at the baby, then at me...
He whispered, "Wait.... a minute..."
He sat down on the bed and Dave started whining again. Riccardo got up instant, he looked at me as the baby stopped crying.
He chuckled looking at Dave, "My trouble maker... You almost gave me a heart attack"
I sighed, then couldn't help but chuckle, Riccardo whispered, "He is going to be moody..."