Chapter 47 - Grave Danger (PLEASE SKIP!)

The bloodcurdling scream of the ambulance tore the peaceful afternoon sky, the sound of quick hurried footsteps resounded on the cemented pavement outside the Crawford Mansion, panic voices were coming from everywhere as the stretcher pulled into a sudden halt in front of the waiting ambulance and carefully loaded inside.

I got lost amid chaos as I lay there on the stretcher with my eyes firmly closed, and my consciousness drifting back and forth. The car jolted before it finally roared to life. Moments later the Ambulance was hurriedly making its way to the nearest hospital with sirens wailing commanding the highway to clear so it could swiftly pass.

Hard, calloused hands were holding my left hand firmly, giving it a bit of warmth it needed. The gentle gesture filled my heart with comfort. Even if I wasn't seeing anyone, I feel his presence beside me, calling my name over and over again with tears spilling down his cheeks.

"Papa... Papa...Papa." I whispered the words repeatedly each time the spasms of pain relentlessly arrives to torture my body. Cold sweat formed on my temples, even my dress was soaked with my sweat. 

Ragged pants escaped my lips while I tried to steady my breathing but failed to do so each time the intense contracting pain ignited from my lower back then moved to my hips and into my stomach as if something was twisting from inside.

I was wondering when this torturous pain would stop because if it continues, I might not know if I would be able to handle the pain. A soulful prayer moved my lips as I prayed for the safety of my child. If God chooses, I'll let my life be taken in exchange for her safety.

"Beatrix... Beatrix... I'm here. Papa will not leave you alone." His tone was filled with pain and anguish. His fingers tightened on my palms. I relaxed by the sound of his voice. "Please be strong my child...please... I will die of heartache if I lose you again." He sobbed.

The Ambulance reached the hospital, and I was taken immediately to the operating room where a nurse helped me change into a hospital gown. I don't know how long I'd been lying there twisting and turning from pain, I lost count of time. 

My lips continuously chanted fervent prayers and it drew tears to my eyes. All I could pray for is for my daughter to be alright. I couldn't afford to live if I lost her. My baby has been my source of strength this past few months when I'm on the verge of giving up. If I lose her probably I will lose all my sanity and the will to live too.

The door flung open. From my hazy vision, I saw as two doctors wrapped in surgical outfits emerged from the door, following behind them were two nurses to assist with the delivery, and before the door to the operating room closed, two additional hospital staff entered.

Aside from me, there are a total of six medical staff in the room and it only made my heart hammered nervously inside my ribcage. Three would be fine but six isn't it too much unless I'm in critical danger?

"Will my baby be fine?" I asked in a hoarse whisper and watched the doctor checking my vitals in between half-open eyelids.

"You are inside the best hospital in all Cordova Ms. Crawford. You have nothing to fear. We will deliver your baby through cesarean. You have a weak heart and a healing wound in your chest that is why you couldn't give birth naturally. Please take a deep calming breath. I assure you, your daughter will be alright. C-section is the safest way to deliver your baby." The Obstetrician-gynecologist explained smoothly and I nodded in understanding.

The anesthesiologist came to my view. I fluttered my eyes and bit my lower lips as he moved swiftly to sink the syringe to my flesh. I don't know if it was the aftereffect of anesthesia or I was just too tired when I suddenly became groggy. My eyelids grew heavy until I couldn't open them anymore.

"Mama!"

I was still in a daze when I heard a child's angelic voice calling me. It was so soft, and sweet that my eyes began to flow with uncontrolled tears.

"Vien," I called her name but it came out into a barely audible whisper. My heart lurched at the sound of her name, it made my heart ached with longing.

I badly want to see her but she's nowhere to be seen but I knew she was there, watching me, guiding me.

"We will be together soon Mama. I promise you. God is so good. He gave me a second chance to live." The angelic voice whispered close to my ears filling my heart with warmth.

I stopped fighting to keep myself awake allowing the swirling darkness to swallow me up. The sound faded into my background. 

Then there was an overwhelming peace surging from within me as I finally fell into hours of slumber.

I was awakened by the alarming sound of voices weeping. My eyes snapped open to investigate the confusion scurrying in my hospital room.

My fingers flew into my stomach, it was now flat, but the flesh was still tender from the fresh sutures.

The Obstetrician-gynecologist was there standing beside my bed, doing her rounds, and checking on me. When she saw I was awake she came to my rescue and told me to lay still after my painful attempt to get up.

"M-my b-baby? Where's my daughter?" I said the words aloud than I intended as my searching eyes glared at her impassive face.

"Please calm damn Ms. Crawford." She said that almost sent me weeping after dodging my inquiry aside.

"I won't calm down unless I see my daughter." I threatened and threw a sharp dagger in her direction. It must be the aftereffect of the surgery that made me surprisingly grumpy.

The sound of a deep breath she exhaled made my heart sink and when my gaze had fallen to her ashen face, I almost died. "I'm sorry Ms. Crawford but your baby wasn't breathing anymore when she was taken from your womb."

"No! No! No! That's not true! You're lying!" I screamed but the words came only as a hoarse whisper.

"Beatrix wake up! Beatrix wake up!" 

The muffled sound of my tears came to my consciousness and the desperate voice of a man pulling me awake welcomed my ears.

I gasped and slightly opened my eyes. The first thing that came to view was the worried look on Alexander Crawford's face as he looked at me.

"Where is my daughter…. Please…." Abundant tears washed my cheeks. As I waited for his response I already braced myself from the heartbreaking news.

Alexander Crawford smiled, gentleness sprung at the corners of his eyes while he looked at me. "Congratulations Beatrix, you gave birth to a healthy baby girl." There were tears in his eyes that gleam with pride. "You're a brave and strong girl Beatrix. You made me the happiest grandfather today."

A warm stream of tears flowed on my cheeks once more, when I couldn't contain the emotions anymore the silent tears turned into sobs that shook my shoulders uncontrollably.

I thought I'd lost another child again. I thought I wouldn't be able to see her again. I thought I'm going to lose my mind all over again.

"Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!" I mumbled in between sobs while Alexander Crawford placed an arm around my shoulders.

The door pushed open, a nurse entered carrying a wailing baby into her arms. I almost leaped out of the bed if it weren't for Alexander holding me still.

The next few seconds were the longest as I waited for her to reach my side. When I finally held my daughter into my arms she simply stopped crying as if she felt she was in her mother's warm embrace.

"Baby, Mama's here," I whispered in between tears. I was trembling as I rocked her into my arms. Slowly her small lips stretched into a smile and it tugs straight at my heartstrings.

"Isn't she adorable? Looked at those dimples on her cheeks. I wonder where did she get that from." Alexander said he was grinning from ear to ear.

As if the baby understood what his grandfather meant she flexed her deep dimples so they could see them once more. We stared in awe and I couldn't help but land a soft kiss on her cute, upturned nose. 

"Have you thought of a name for her yet?"

I nodded at him without tearing my gaze at the beautiful angel in front of me. She gave me faith in the future and made me believe in life again. And I knew the suitable name that would even more beauty to this seraphic creatures.

"Her name would be Faith Vienne Crawford," I replied, sending a tear sliding down Alexander's cheeks.