Chapter Two
Roy coughed, sending a shot of pain throughout his entire back. He groaned aloud waiting for the spasms to stop. There was still no sign of a coming rescue, and he began to lose hope.
They think I'm dead, that's why there are not coming. Roy thought to himself.
Roy gathered up as much strength as he could so he could use his voice. When he finally spoke, his voice cracked and little sound came out.
I'll never see her beautiful smile ever again. Roy thought as a single tear ran down his cheek.
May 1966
Roy stood nervously at the end of the aisle. He looked around at all of his friends and family who were sitting neatly in the church pews. He fidgeted with his hands and feet, trying to keep his nerves down.
Suddenly, Music began to play and the doors at the end of the aisle opened to show a flower girl, holding a small basket. She was wearing a light purple dress that flowed when she walked. She made her way down the aisle, stopping every now and then to throw tiny petals on to the carpeted floor. She was followed by three sets of grooms men and bridesmaids. The men were clothed in black tuxedos and the women's dresses matched the flower girl's dress. They all looked flawless as they made their way to the front of the church.
Finally, the Bride entered.
Roy looked up to his JoAnne's radiant smile illuminating the entire room. He had never been so sure of something then that of the decision to marry JoAnne. She was perfection to him, with her bright beautiful hair, her calming eyes, and that smile, that took his breath away every time.
He took her hand and they faced the priest. The day they were married was the happiest day Roy could remember.
1 Year Later
Roy awoke to find JoAnne sitting on the side of their bed grasping her stomach. She was nine months pregnant and it seemed to Roy that the day had finally come. He sat up and took immediate action. He swiftly moved JoAnne and an overnight bag into the car and drove to Rampart General Hospital.
Two hours after the DeSoto's at arrived at Rampart Roy was told by a doctor that JoAnne would need a C-Section. Roy followed the gurney up to the OR, but decided it would be best to wait outside and let the doctors do their work.
He was asleep in the waiting room, when Doctor Tate finally came out to see him.
"Doctor Tate, how is she?" Roy asked.
"Fine, they both are just fine." He replied.
"What is it?" Roy asked hesitantly.
"It's a boy. A healthy and handsome baby boy."
Roy got tears in his eyes.
"I'm…I'm a father?" He asked to no one in particular. Suddenly, he felt woozy and had to sit back down. He stared off into the distance, trying to make sense of the last six hours.
Roy didn't realize how long it had been, but came to senses when he was tapped on the shoulder.
"Are you Roy DeSoto?" She asked.
"Yes, m'am. You are?"
"Dixie McCall. I believe you just became a father?" Dixie asked.
"Yes…I did." Roy still couldn't believe it.
"Well, do you want to go and see him?"
Roy hadn't thought about this part, the first meeting. What if his son didn't like him?
Dixie saw the concern in Roy's eyes.
"Mr. DeSoto, if I may, I have seen many new fathers pass through those doors all thinking the same thing, "What if my kid hates me?" but the answer is that your kid is gonna love you no matter what."
Roy looked up to the women and smiled. She was right.
"Why do I get the feeling you're always right?" Roy asked.
"Because I usually am, now come on." She smiled as she held out her hand.
Roy took it and she led him to the room where his wife and son were. He walked in quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping baby.
He looked at JoAnne, who looked beat but happy. She smiled up at him and motioned him to come over.
Roy walked to the edge of the bed and looked down at the bundle that JoAnne was holding. Inside was the cutest baby face Roy had ever seen. He gently touched his son's rosy cheek and a tear slid down his.
"Roy, I'd like to introduce you to Christopher Michael DeSoto, your son."
Roy now had many tears falling down his cheeks as he thought about some of the happiest times of his life. He was interrupted by a slight buzzing noise coming from under his head.
He lifted his arm as best he could and felt around for anything that could be making that noise.
He finally found it about three inches away from his head and pulled. It turned out the buzzing was coming from a radio and it was people talking. Roy listened hard to recognize voices.
"Roy….where…location….Repeat…whe…is…cation." the radio crackled.
Roy pressed the call button in hopes it would still work.
"Cap? It's Roy. I'm trapped under rubble and I don't know where I am." Roy said with all his might.
Johnny Gage looked up as he heard the radio finally say something back.
" 'Ap? It's Roy. …Trapped under rubble….where I am." It said.
Captain Stanley quickly pressed the call button.
"Roy? Are you ok?" he asked.
"No…" The radio stuttered.
Everyone's face fell as the news spread. Johnny Gage was the most affected. In the collapsed building in front of him was his best friend, who was hurt, and Johnny could do nothing for him.
He sat on the bumper of the squad as another transmission came through.
"Please…'Elp" Roy said.
"We're trying to Pal, just hold on." Captain Stanley said.
"K…" was the only response.