Epilogue 4
EPILOGUE 4:
Rita climbed the bed, wrapping her hands around her husband and resting her head on his chest as though she was meant to be there. Finn, on the other hand draped an arm around her stomach, gently touching her big baby bump.
For a while, they remained in this position, a comfortable silence descending over them. Finn was never this quiet in bed. Was something bothering him?
“What’s wrong with you Finn?” Rita asked.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
Finn sighed heavily after staring at her for a while. Without uttering a word, he leaned into her to claim her lips but she pulled away.
“What’s bothering you Finn?” She asked again, her voice came out soft, laced with concern.
For a moment, he was quiet but then, he spoke.
“Nothing,” Finn replied with a weak smile. “I’m just a bit nervous about becoming a father. I mean, what if I’m not good enough? What if I mess up?”
Rita laughed softly. “You’re already the best husband and friend anyone could ask for. I have no doubt you’ll be an incredible dad too. And remember, you won’t be alone in this. We’ll be in this together, raising our little one.”
Finn relaxed slightly, leaning against Rita’s bump, feeling his baby kick.
“You’re right. We’ve got this. And you know, I can’t wait to meet our little children” Finn said, echoing the thoughts that had been whirling around his head.
Rita nodded, her brown eyes shimmering with contentment. “Me neither,” she said, resting her head against Finn’s shoulder. “We’ve got so much to look forward to.”
For a moment, they sat in peaceful silence, the dim lights of the bedroom casting a warm glow over the couple.
Suddenly, Rita’s body tensed up. A sharp, searing pain shot through her abdomen, causing her to cry out. “Finn,” she gasped, her hand gripping his arm tightly. “It’s happening. Our babies are coming.”
Finn’s eyes widened in surprise. “Already? But it’s not due yet,” he stammered, his heart pounding.
“I know,” Rita panted, her voice strained. “But the babies has other plans. We need to get to the hospital, now.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Finn grabbed the hospital bag they had packed weeks ago. “Okay, let’s go. I’ll call the doctor on the way,” he said, his voice shaking slightly with adrenaline.
Rita struggled to her feet, her legs wobbly from the pain. Finn helped her to the car, his own nerves frayed as he tried to stay focused. He could feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, but he knew he had to be strong for Rita and their child.
As they sped towards the hospital, the contractions came faster and more intense.
“Almost there,” Finn murmured, willing the car to go faster. Rita was moaning in pain now, her eyes squeezed shut.
Finally, they arrived at the hospital, Finn parking the car haphazardly in the emergency zone. He helped Rita out of the car, her body wracked with contractions.
A nurse came rushing out, a wheelchair in tow. “Let’s go, quickly,” she said, wheeling Rita towards the labor and delivery unit. Finn followed closely behind, his mind spinning with worry.
Rita was wheeled into a private delivery room, and Finn was asked to wait outside while the nurses prepped her. He paced back and forth in the hallway, his hands clenched into fists. The moments seemed to drag on endlessly, each second feeling like an hour.
Finally, a doctor came out, a serious expression on his face, Finn froze in place, his heart racing.
“Mr. Finn Lakston, your wife is doing well, but there’s been a slight complication. You know your wife is carrying twins in her womb, we need to perform an emergency C-section. That would be best for her”
“A C-section?” he repeated, his voice little more than a whisper. “Is Rita okay?”
The doctor nodded, his face grave. “She’s stable, but we need to act quickly. It’s a common procedure, and she’s in good hands, but I understand this is a lot to take in.”
Finn took a deep breath, struggling to keep his emotions under control. “Do whatever you need to do, doctor. Just make sure my wife and babies are safe.”
With Finn’s consent, the nurses and doctors whisked Rita into the operating room. Finn was left to wait, the minutes stretching into what felt like hours. He paced back and forth, wringing his hands together as he prayed for the safety of his wife and unborn children.
Finally, he heard a faint cry from the operating room, followed by the sound of a baby’s wails. His heart skipped a beat. That was one of his children, he realized, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. But there was still no news of Rita, and he began to panic.
It felt like an eternity before a nurse came out of the operating room, her face breaking into a relieved smile as she saw Finn. “Mr. Lakston,” she said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Your wife is awake and stable. Both your babies are healthy and are being cared for by the doctors right now. You can see her in just a few minutes.”
Finn felt a wave of relief wash over him, his legs suddenly weak. “Thank God,” he breathed, closing his eyes in silent gratitude. “Can I see them? Can I see my babies?”
The nurse smiled.
“Of course, Mr. Lakston. But first, I need to bring you to your wife.” The nurse gestured for him to follow her, leading him down the hall to the recovery room where Rita was being monitored.
Rita was lying in bed, an oxygen mask on her face, but her eyes were open, her face tired but glowing with happiness. As Finn entered the room, she reached out a hand to him, her fingers trembling.
“Finn,” she murmured, her voice weak but full of love. “They’re here.”
“I know, I know,” Finn said, his voice choked with emotion as he took her hand in his. “They’re safe, Rita. They’re healthy and beautiful, just like their mother.”
Rita smiled through her tears, her eyes never leaving Finn’s face. “I love you, Finn,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for being here for me, for being here for our children.”
Finn leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead. “I’ll always be here for you, Rita. I love you more than anything.”
Just then, a nurse entered the room, carrying two small bundles in her arms. Finn’s breath caught in his throat as he saw his children for the first time. They were so tiny, so fragile, but so perfect.
“They’re perfect,” Finn murmured, his voice filled with wonder.
Rita nodded, her eyes never leaving the babies. “Can we hold them?” she asked, her voice eager.
The nurse smiled and carefully placed one baby in each of their arms. Finn cradled his child, staring down at the tiny face, marveling at the miracle of life.
As he held his child, Finn felt a wave of love and protectiveness wash over him. He had never experienced anything like this before, this intense, overwhelming feeling.
He gazed down at the tiny, perfect features of his son, marveling at the tiny fingers, the tiny toes. He was struck by the realization that he would do anything, absolutely anything, to protect this child, to keep him safe and loved.
Beside him, Rita was cradling their daughter, tears of joy streaming down her face. “They’re so beautiful,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe.
*****
To Be Continued