Life in itself is puzzling. You live your whole life trusting people, people you basically think are family, people you call your everything, and then as quick as a whiplash this mirage ends. All for what? Money! Lust! Power! Earthly joys that would stay behind.
We ponder on the ups and downs; the brutalities of hard life; yet stay confined and adamant to our belief system relying on the lust of wealth; and hence killing emotions.
The beeping sound of machines makes me wake up but my eye lids refuse to open. I feel too tired and weak to move.
I hear people whispering, talking but I can't respond back.
"I don't know what I'd do without her dad, she doesn't deserve the pain that she is going through, not one ounce of it. I-I couldn't even tell her, that I love her".
I hear my husband's soothing voice but my body doesn't respond, I want to wake up tell him that I love him too, but my body doesn't manage to cooperate.
~ Adrian ~
Its been almost two days since I rushed Ailey to the hospital. Her vitals showed that her body was responding to the treatment, which was a good sign.
When asked about our child, doctors had informed me it was too soon to say anything. I may sound like a grade A prick, but I wanted my wife to be okay regardless.
I sit beside her bed holding her hand as my father walks in. He has a solemn look. I stay quiet, there is no doubt he was the first one to have reached the hospital and be here for me.
"How is she?"
"She is responding to the treatment, but still very weak, doctors aren't sure what to say at the moment".
"I see".
"How did things at the funeral go". I reply, trying to put my facade back on. The thought of my mother's betrayal is still something too heavy and painful to wrap my head against.
"It's handled son. Don't let the pain of the past keep you burdened". My father replies trying to soothe the continuum of emotions I am feeling right now.
"I don't know what I'd do without her dad, she doesn't deserve the pain that she is going through, not one ounce of it. I-I couldn't even tell her, that I love her". I reply getting up and moving closer to my father.
"I know son. I know. I can't ask for forgiveness much from both of you, if only I had known what Emma was going through, I know I can't justify myself ever; but I promise to repent from my mistakes - forgive me son". He says as he looks at the ground broken and miserable.
I stay stone-cold. Unknowingly, an older version of myself wouldn't have cared what my father had to say. In fact I might've even asked him to leave. This makes me smile satirically.
"You know the irony of the situation dad, if it weren't for Ailey, today I might have not had the heart to forgive you or mother, but that's just the thing, this beautiful woman gave me something I will always be indebted to her for; the gift of resilience and kindness, her purity gives faith to me as well... ironically you both failed to do anything like that... which is why I forgive you... but this is the last you will see of us".
"What? Son, please don't do this... you are the only I have..."
Before I could tell him off, I noticed Ailey trying to move. Rushing to the bedside, I hold her hand, hoping that she would wake up.
"Ailey baby... please wake up... open your beautiful eyes".
~Ailey~
I feel Adrian's warm presence as his lean fingers curl around my hand. My entire body is sore from the pain. I slowly open my eyes trying to adjust to the light.
"Water..", I mumble, as my voice is all croaky.
Adrian helps me up and I drink a little water. Once I put down the glass Adrian kisses my hand.
"How are you?"
I nod still feeling a little tired, but give him a smile anyway, Adrian kisses my forehead as he moves forward and comes beside me in bed. I lean my head on his shoulder.
"God... Ailey you scared me... I am not letting you out of my sight ever again... you hear me... NEVER... I can't f—ing live without you Mia Bella... I love you... so f—ing much!" He holds me close and rests his head on my chest. I slowly run my fingers in his hair. I still can't believe that I am this close to him again.
He pulls my body closer as he puts his head on my chest.
"Never again Ailey... never again". He keeps on murmuring. I smile and look down at him. There are bags under his eyes, a bruise has formed on his left eye and his lip is also cut. I run my fingers on it and Adrian opens his eyes and looks at me, I can see the pain in his eyes, all raw and fresh.
And it all comes rushing back to me; Cade kidnapping me, hurting me, violating me and, Emma! Flashbacks of the horrors I had encountered blur my vision and then fear consumes me. I feel like the walls are closing in on me and I can't move. My immobility or the overflowing tears might have made Adrian look up.
He holds me in his arms as I cry out. Holding my face in his hands he soothes me but I can't stop over the brokenness that has taken over me.
"Ailey I am so sorry for everything you had to go through".
"I am sorry.... I tried to... but he.... Cade.... he.... I am so sorry".
"Stop! It's not your fault my love, its not your fault".
I hold on to him. He keeps murmuring apologies between kisses. Moving a little back, he looks me in the eye, holding my face in his hands so delicately, as if he didn't I might break.
"Adrian... I never thought I would see you again". I murmur between my sobs.
"Shhh... its all over now baby".
Baby. BABY!!! My child! Adrian and I are going to parents. Oh God what if! I wanted my child to be okay no matter what. I wouldn't live a day, if something happened to my unborn child.
I look at him with complete horror and fear evident in my eyes. Adrian understands my looks and nods with assurance.
"I'll call the doctor. It's going to be okay Mia Bella".
~A Few Hours Later~
Dr. Gwen is middle aged doctor in her early forties. She kindly prepares the equipments for my first ultrasound and I feel my heart race with anticipation. I just want my child to be okay. Adrian holds my hand and runs small circles on it with his calloused fingers. I look up him and see his beautiful face covered in bruises. His lower lip is cut and there is a small bruise formed on his temple. It makes my heart break to see how much we went through and that too thanks to Emma.
"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Vittorio, say hello to your little one, let me just adjust this so you can hear the heartbeat... you're baby is fine".
Tears well up in my eyes as I look at the small screen, which shows my baby's heartbeat. So small, like a little pea. Just like that a new life begins, a true miracle isn't it? I look up at Adrian who has tears glistening in his eyes. He kisses my forehead with a smile breaking on his lips.
"You are beautiful Ailey. Beyond beautiful. I love you so much Mia Bella".
"I love you too Adrian".
Dr. Gwen leaves us for a while and we look at the copies of our little bundle of joy. Life seems full and complete but there is still too much to go over. It's a true miracle to see that our child survived the trauma that we went through. Not only was my little pea able to survive but he managed to stay strong. I could tell he would be strong spirited person.
Regardless, I knew we would love our little pea no matter what!
Back in my room, Adrian sits with me. He runs small circles on my hand with his thumb. I look up at him. His eyes don't leave mine. After my persistence he had finally gotten his lip cut and bruises treated.
I nudge him closer and he lies down with me. I run my hand on his face and he softly kisses my fingers.
"I thought I had lost you Mia Bella... before anything.... before I could've cherished you.... given you the love... the respect... the adoration and so much more that you deserve....I".
"Adrian.." I try to shush him to which he places a finger to my lips.
"Mia Bella let me speak... I have to make ends meet... to tell you how sorry and regretful I am for the harsh things I did to you". He pleads as I feel tears again gathering in my eyes.
"Since the day I first saw you, I tried to avoid you. Your presence made my heart skip a beat, I would get lost in your innocent brown eyes, but I felt guarded, I hated what you did to me or the control you had on me, so pure, so naive, it felt good to be around you, but I was scared, that I might scar you, simply like I scarred everyone else in my life; so started to put on a cold demeanour, so that you would leave me on your own".
Adrian looks so heartbroken that I just want to hold him, kiss him, make his heartache better.
"But... Ailey... everything I said to hurt you was a lie... every time I tried to create a distance... your beautiful innocent eyes would seep into my soul deeper... I couldn't stay away from you even I tried... I fell in love with you... with every moment that passed by... because you... Ailey Vittorio... are the most amazing and beautiful woman I have ever met..and I promise to cherish my Rose Mia Bella... for the rest of my life".
I let go of the breath I had unknowingly been holding in. Oh Adrian, you beautiful broken soul! I pull my husband close and kiss him. He holds me delicately and kisses me with so much love and passion that I melt completely in his arms.
Someone enters the room and coughs uncomfortably. We break apart to see a nurse with a writing pad in her hand standing there awkwardly. This makes me blush and I hide my face under my hair.
Adrian holds my chin and gazes in my eyes.
"This isn't over Mia Bella.." he winks and I blush another shade of red, while a smile falls on my lips.
Well! I hope you guys like the chapter. Also I might be adding one or two more chapters till the Epilogue. Until then! Ciao