Chapter 42

The last 24 hours are the longest and the most painful in my life. I was in my daughter's room, but my mind is with the love of my life, fighting for her life in the ICU. I prayed so hard for her to wake up and look at me the way she used to.

Aunt Agnes is sleeping on the other bed while I stayed on the chair next to my daughter's bed. It's currently 3 am, but I am still wide awake. Suddenly, Sophie stirred in her sleep and cried for her mom. I climbed the space beside her and held her in my arms.

" Ssshhh, sweetheart, daddy's here. Daddy's here. You're alright. I got you." I whispered to her and kissed her head. I was cautious not to touch or hold her tight because she is still in pain.

" Daddy, mommy is crying. She is crying in my dreams. She is very sad, daddy. Please go to her." She said, crying, and I bit my lip so hard not to let out the sob I am trying to hold.

" I will, baby. I will go and see mommy. Go to sleep, sweetheart. Daddy will stay with you for a while." I told her and got down from the bed. I caressed her wet cheek and kissed her hand. Slowly she went back to sleep. I stared at my little girl for so long and wept. Then I stood up and went out of there.

My heart is beating so fast, and I was dragging my feet to the ICU. I am nearing the glass window, but I can't seem to will myself to look at her. I leaned on the wall beside the glass and took a deep breath, and prayed to God to give me strength.

Slowly I got near the window with closed eyes. I placed my forehead on the glass before slowly opening my eyes. What I saw inside gutted me. My poor baby, my Bella, is hooked to more wires and a life support machine.

She looked so fragile. She is covered with bandages from head to foot. Her face is the only visible part, and it was badly bruised, and there are cuts all over it. I clenched my fist on my heart. It felt like it's been squeezed so tight, I can't breathe.

How could an angel, like Bella, go through all these pains? How could someone hurt this kind, caring, and most loving woman? Whoever he is, I will make him pay. I took hold of the door handle and wiped my tears.

I need to be near her. She needs to know I am still here, that I am not leaving. I want her back to me, back in my arms, and see those big innocent hazel eyes stare back at me. As I drew nearer, I saw the damage it made to her sweet, beautiful face.

I stared at her with a heavy heart and tears flowing from my eyes. I touched her face softly and held her hand.

" Hi, baby. I am mad at you. You stood me up for our dinner date, babe. After all the efforts I made, you stood me up. You need to pay me for that. I need your lips to compensate me, baby." I whispered to her brokenly.

" Baby, please wake up. I want to hear your voice again. I want to hear your laugh and see your beautiful smile." I sobbed in her hand.

" Come back to me, baby, please. I am sorry. I am so sorry for not recognizing you that night. I am sorry you suffered because of me. I know. I know now that Sophie is mine, and I was over the moon knowing that we made that beautiful princess." I told her and keep looking for a sign, even how small, that she can hear me.

" Our little girl is okay, baby. She is doing fine now. It's a good thing my blood matches hers. We were able to save her, and she was asking for you. So, please, sweetheart, wake up and come back to us. We need you. I need you. I don't know how to function without you, Bella. I can't lose you again. Please come back to me, baby." I sobbed my heart out in that empty ICU room with only the beeping sound of the machine be heard.

I don't know how long I stayed there crying until I can't cry anymore. A nurse came in to check on her vitals and smiled at me sadly. It's advantageous to be a doctor here because they allowed me to stay in the hospital and get in the ICU without a problem.

I'm going to file for leave until Sophie gets better and until Bella wakes up. I will never leave her side, never again. I kissed her cheek fleetingly then decided to go back to my little girl.

" Baby, I'll go and check on our Sophie, okay? I will come back and revisit you. I want you to open your beautiful eyes when I come back, babe, or I won't tell you the surprise I planned for you. I love you so much, Bella." I whispered in her ear and kissed her temple. I looked back one more time before going out the door.

I guess I stayed there longer than I thought because the sun is shining brightly outside my daughter's room. She is still sleeping soundly. Aunt Agnes is up and about fixing the small table.

" Good morning, dear. Did you go and visit Bella? I haven't really gone there. I don't think I can handle seeing my darling girl in that situation." Aunt Agnes asked me and wiped her tears. I nodded and went to hug her.

If I am suffering and in agony seeing Bella like that, what of the mother who carried her in her womb and nurtured her as she grows? I can't imagine the pain Aunt Agnes must be feeling right now.

" We will get through this, Aunt Agnes. Bella will wake up. I know she will. She has too much to lose if she won't wake up. She can't bear to leave you and Sophie." I murmured to her and rubbed her back as she cried silently in my arms.

" Good morning, guys." Collette appeared at the door with my parents. They brought spare clothes for me, and they brought breakfast.

" Good morning, son. How are you holding up?" My dad embraced me and tapped my back.

" Morning, dad. I'm hanging there. I am positive Bella will come back to us." I told him emotionally.

" Good morning, sweetheart. I brought you some clothes and things you need, and there are food and fruits as well. Come, Agnes, Let's have breakfast. How's my angel?" My mom informed me and came to Sophie's bed. Just then, Sophie stirred and cried.

She must have felt sore and in pain due to her wounds. I rushed to her and calmed her down. Collette rushed to the other side as well and whispered to her to help cal her down.

" Nana? Is mommy awake? I want to see mommy. I want mommy." She sobbed, and everyone is getting emotional. I choked up and kissed her little hand.

" Sweetheart, mommy is just waiting for you. When you are fully healed, we will go and see mommy, okay?" Aunt Agnes told her, and she stopped crying, but the hiccups didn't stop. My mom went to get the doctor to check on her.

" How are you, sweetheart? You are such a brave little girl. Dr. Jones, you can feed her soft food and fruit juice. No solid food yet for two days, but she can have fruits. I will give mild pain killers for her wounds, and the nurse will come to change the bandages." The kind doctor instructed me. I nodded my head and thanked him.

" As for your girlfriend, she is out of danger, but unfortunately, she is still in a coma. We don't know what's causing this, but we are positive that she will wake up anytime soon. I will take her off life support since she is breathing on her own." I gave a deep sigh, and I hear gasps and a silent cry behind me.

We will keep on monitoring her progress, but right now, all I can say is, she is just taking a very long and deep sleep. So if you are truly her Prince Charming, kiss her with all you got so she will wake up." The doctor jokes and I smiled at him, so relieved that Bella is out of danger.

Baby, I will annoy the heck out of you every day if you don't open your eyes. I will kiss you openly even with people around if you don't wake up, you hear me? So hurry your butt and stop sleeping, baby. We miss you already. I miss you.