Shattered - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Not one world was clear from the hiccups or sniffles on the other side of the line. "Skye, you need to calm down and tell me what's going on." She has tried to explain to me once but she started speaking so fast that it was barely utterance and incomprehensible.
What is going on?
"Alina," she cries my name, with all her crying I am still left standing here on the phone without a clue as to why she's crying.
"Are you okay? Did my dad do something to you? Did he relapse? Skye, you have to talk to me with coherent words." My instructions managed to get her to stop speaking and catch her breath, from my perspective, it sounds like she is about to past out from not taking a proper breather.
"I-I, y-your, h-he's—" the millionth attempt to tell me was a mess again.
"Tell me what's going on in one phrase." I tell her hoping she would be able to do so.
"Y-your father had a stroke when we were coming to surprise you with a visit, and he's in the hospital now." Definitely was not expecting to hear that, my mouth gasped open trying to process what she told me. Forgetting how to breath for a moment until my body let the air out of my lungs, is he okay?
"What happening now? I-is he okay? Skye you need to talk to me."
"He's in with the doctors and no one is informing me right now." She says with a tint of fear of the worse in her voice.
"I'm going to come to the hospital now, text me which hospital and I'll be there."
"See you soon Alina..." Skye says weakly and tiredly. Probably feeling drained from the crying earlier.
Going upstairs to change in comfy clothes and pack a small bag of my things just in case, I never know what can happen and it would be better to be prepared then to not be ready for what life is going to throw at us. My fingers were trembling just thinking about this happening, nothing was more important then my dad's health. We've fought for years to get him where he is now and he was having the best life, being the happiest he's ever been.
A tear slipped down my cheek as a cold sweat was starting to coat my skin, nothing else really mattered in this moment because this could be the last time. While putting some extra clothes, my tooth brush and my phone charger in my bag. I didn't hear Nathan walk in, "Alina, what's going on?" I turn to face him, "why are you packing?"
"N-Nathan, m-my dad's in the h-hospital right now, he had a stroke when coming to surprise us." I break down in front of him not being able to hold it together.
"Baby," he moves forward to comfort me taking me into his arms while I sobbed harshly. "Let's not worry ourselves yet okay? The doctors are doing what they can, we don't know what's going on but we cannot act like this. You have to be strong for him, that's what he would want for you to do especially."
"I'm scared Nathan, I don't want to lose him. I really don't." He leads me to bed for me to sit which I protest and get up.
"Just come sit for a bit and relax, you can't go like this."
"I have to go! H-he's—"
"Alina, baby, I understand but you have to understand that if you are like this. You are in no condition to leave or let alone drive yourself to the hospital. I'm going to ask John to drive you and he would take a little while to get here." He whips out his phone to contact our driver for me.
"You're going to stay home and with Leo?" I ask him.
"Well, it's too late to call Daryn in and my parents are out doing whatever. He's also sleeping, I'll take him to school tomorrow and come see you. I don't want you to worry about these things at home, I've got them covered and I want you to spend as much time with your dad because you guys need to." Him being so considerate and thoughtful made me feel good that he was here to be my support. "John will be here soon."
"Don't cry Alina, I don't like to see you cry." He wipes my tears away with his thumbs gently caressing my temple. "I don't want you to cry unless something really does happen to him, because he is out there fighting for himself and you being like this is the opposite of what he wants. Be the strong woman that you have been ever since we've gotten back together, don't stress yourself out if there is a chance he'll make it out."
Hugging him tightly, he wraps his arm around me tightly. I have to be stronger then this, he made me realize that and I can't get caught up in the possibilities. That would truly mess me up. Having him talk some sense into me was a refreshing reminder to not think the worse in every situation, try and find the positive light in the given circumstances.
There is always hope in a moment of despair.
Trusting his words which calmed me enough to get myself together, he helps me put my items in my bag again. This time, he puts it in neatly for me as I just sat quietly thinking about my dad every second. Images of what he could look like are trying to enter my mind while I try my hardest to keep them out before it overwhelms me.
"You're all set to go when John comes around, let's go eat dinner before you leave." He gets up to go downstairs with me.
"Im not hungry, I don't want to eat anymore." I tell him not wanting to indulge any source of nutrition.
"I want you to, if I'm allowing you to go to the hospital, you better be eating properly and taking care of yourself. We both know that you will not take care of yourself at the hospital and I'm making it my job to make sure you're healthy, and to make sure that you're fine when you come home with us." He states firmly using a tone that meant that it wouldn't be up for discussion. "I want you to eat a little something everyday, doesn't have to be big. Just no skipping meals, you tend to do that when your anxious or scared."
"I don't know what I would do without you," I smile weakly. "Thank you for taking care of me when I need it the most."
"I love you." When my heart flutters at those words, it is still nice to know that he makes me feel like that. A indescribable feeling that feels good, a feeling that brings me joy as well mixed with something else. Something different.
"I love you too, Nathan Peterson."
We go downstairs to eat the plates that had food on them already, eating all of my food for him, he was satisfied to see my plate was cleared and that I made sure to eat something. "I'll stop by to bring you some food tomorrow, don't stress out too much tonight. Call me if anything, I'll have my phone near me all night and leave my ringtone on in case.
Nathan's text tone goes off and he looks at his phone, "is that John?" I ask calmly.
"Yes it is, he's in the front."
"Thanks again," he walks me out to the front. When slipping on my shoes Nathan leans down to give me a long kiss slipping his tongue in my mouth, I never want to let go of this type of feeling. The feeling of someone caring very deeply for me which shouldn't be taken for granted. Something which I am very grateful for, no matter what the situation would be, he would always be by my side supporting me instead of going against me.
"Stay safe, I'll miss you."
"I will, don't worry, I'll take care of myself" he wraps his arms around my waist to hug me while I wrap my arms around his neck. "Bye, make sure Leo eats fruits his vegetables, make sure he doesn't bring too many toys—"
"I've got this babe, don't worry about us. Please worry about yourself."
"Okay then," I breath out, "bye Nathan."
"Bye baby," I walk out the door to see the black SUV with the car lights on waiting for me. John gets out of the car to open the door before I got to it and made sure that I was seated comfortably, he asked me the location and I recited the hospital's address that Skye had sent me when I asked her for it. Pulling out of the driveway staring at Nathan who was standing at the door through the car window until he left my line of sight.
The car ride left me alone in the quiet to think deeply on this matter, I'm stronger then I've been before. There is light at the end of this path, Leo will get a chance to meet his grandfather in person this time, although not the ideal situation it should be.
Nothing matters more to me then family and it will always be my priority, the moment I got to hold my own baby Leo who grew on me for only seven months was the moment I knew that family would be the most important factor in my life.
The hospital where my dad was being treated was the biggest hospital in our city, the one place where it normally smelt of sanitizing chemicals and reminded me of the time when I wouldn't be able to step foot in here or come close. One con about my pregnancy was the nausea that came along, barely even able to make it through the building without puking all the nutriments.
Everyone would watch me as my body urged me to sprint to the closest bathroom to empty all of the contents into a toilet, beats vomiting in the garbage where the custodians had to discard of it the moment my body stopped propelling me to the bin. The scent of it was revolting and the people and workers in the building wouldn't have appreciated the awful smell.
Getting out of the car to rush into the building to the front desk, a lady was on the phone speaking to someone, standing in front of the bureau patiently and anxiously waiting for her to get off the phone to assist me. For one thing, the surroundings in a hospital will defer to the ambience of this area during the day. Throughout the day whenever me and Leo had waited in infirmaries for his doctor appointments, we have always been in an environment with crying kids, parents playing with their kids or with me their were adults who came in to get something checked up.
Tonight was just odd to me since my career doesn't necessarily take place in this environment, more offices and contact over the phone with clients. Doctors have to begin with a face to face encounter to find the root of the problem, whereas in my specialty we are presented all the information that is relevant to be able to fight against it lawfully.
"Hello, Miss, how may I help you today?" The lady who was on the phone a few seconds ago asks me.
Regaining my thoughts, "uhm, my dad was admitted here tonight because he had a stroke. Rick Carson," hopefully with his name she'll be able to find his room.
Typing away on her keyboard as she watches the screen intently, "he is in section C6, room 483."
"Thank you for your help, have a good night." I tell her walking away, while being directed by the sign indications on the walls and ceilings.
When finding my way around there was a few times that other families had passed me on my way to my dad, rooms which had a someone who is loved in the bed and in each room I would see their family staying by them. Sitting in the uncomfortable chair just to be with the person who unfortunately has to rest in the bed, or loved ones resting their head beside the person and sleeping very closely to them.
Making it in front of the room made the events of tonight come back as a real situation, not that it wasn't earlier, obviously it is my real life circumstances. The explanation to my utterance is that when given a long period to be contemplative will dive you more profound into a trail of thoughts and possibilities. Later ending it when we have to face the adversity that was originally presented.
The door was closed leaving a crack open, standing in front of the door hesitating a little to enter where my father was resting. A part of me wanted to run back home cuddle with Leo and Nathan and hope that this problem want real. That my dad was well and healthy in a different country still building a house for other families in need.
The white board outside with his name written on to help the medical employees remember their patients were all filled with a name. It never occurred to me to think about how often the hospital beds are filled, they are constantly occupied. Using my weak hand with all the mental strength possible, the door slowly glided open to let me in and hit the back rubber door stopper gently. A very distraught Skye sitting on the chair with tear stained cheeks holding my dad's hand in her's and kissing it.
"Alina, you made it." Despite the tears that were trying everything they can to come out, Skye has stand up with confidence, walking over to me standing with her head held high and giving a shot at a smile that spoke more pain then happiness. "Thank you for being here."
"You know I wouldn't miss this, he's my dad and you are my family. Both of you two are important to me."
"We were excitedly getting off the plane... both of us grabbed our luggage to drop off at the house, but the moment we walked out of the airport everything just happened so quickly." She explains to me which doesn't matter, the only valuable thing is that she respected me enough to call me and notify me on it. If she hadn't, then a grudge would drive a wedge in my feelings towards her.
"I am just glad you called me and he seems to be recovering." I look down to him to see all the different lines attached to him, the image is quite disturbing to be honest, in general just seeing any of your loved ones in this given situation is distressing.
"He has another surgery tomorrow or the next day, on his clogged artery, they just want to make sure that he is fully rested and recovered to be operated on again."
"My dad's a fighter," I run my hand down his face smoothing his ruffled hair down with my hand. "I got that from him too."
"Your father missed you so much, always wanted to spend time with you, but with building houses around the world. It got really difficult." Her voice filled with contentment at their accomplishments in house building.
"Don't apologize, I get why you guys didn't and you have both tried to stay in contact with me over text and call." Stopping her from doing something that isn't needed, "you made my father so happy get I can't thank you enough. The house building is something so incredible and inspiring that shouldn't be apologized about. Both of you set a good example." With the time difference it would throw both of us off.
"That means a lot to me Alina, if Rick was awake, it would mean a lot to him too."
"I'm just glad that he had the best time with you and got a chance at happiest of his own." I respond.
Waiting a few hours beside my dad on the uncomfortable chair, my eyes were feeling heavy, probably I was exhausted from the tiring affairs of yesterday. The moment my eyelids shut there was nothing else to prevent me from falling asleep on the chair in the quiet room, with only the constant sound of the beeping which came from the machines.
"Mommy's tired?" I thought I was imagining Leo's voice until my eyes shot open and my body jolted up:
"Woah, Alina, calm down. It's just us," Nathan greets me with a small smile and comes to hug me.
"Sorry, I just got startled..." Leo hugs my legs as my husband keeps me in his arms.
"What time is it?" Why is Leo here?
"It's past three-thirty, almost four o'clock now." Looking at his expensive fancy watch.
"I slept for that long?!" How could I doze off? Why didn't Skye wake me up? "Where's Skye?" My dad was still laying in front of me.
"Skye didn't want to wake you up, she said that you looked tired and you do.. right now she went to get some coffee since your dad is getting surgery tomorrow instead of today." He fills me in.
"Is grandpapi going to be okay?" Leo asks, the names that he chooses to call his grandparents are completely out of the blue, where is he getting these names?
"Uhm, I don't know baby, I hope he will be though." Putting my hand on his cheek cupping it gently, his soft baby-like skin that will never get old.
"Did you eat yet?" Nathan asks me.
"No, I just woke up." I tell him.
"Let's go get some food, we can go quickly for a meal." He offers.
"I don't know Nathan... my dad really needs—"
"That's where you're wrong, your dad wants you to be healthy when he wakes up and making sure that you are taking care of yourself well. Remember what I said? I told you that this would happen and I wouldn't allow it, come on, you can spare half an hour." Staring at him a little speechless because he was right, "you've been here for a good twelve hours, I think you could take a break and switch with Skye. We won't be out too long."
I huff giving in, "okay, but promise that we will be quick?"
"Promise."