So part 3 is up. I hope you'd like this installment. Btw, the explanation of Tyler's condition in this chapter was taken from One Tree Hill. (; Please R&R.
You've always been my baby
Chapter 3
It has been a week since the adoption and Chandler was already getting the hang of it. He was now able to predict when Tyler would cry, when he needs to be fed or when his diaper needs to be changed. It all seems too fast but Chandler learned to be Tyler's father a little too quickly. Chandler was slowly falling in love with Tyler albeit his constant reminder that he's not his and that in less than 1 week, Tyler would be away from him. It pained him to even think about it but on a brighter side, at least after the surgery, Tyler would be safe and he could live a normal life. Chandler thought that it would be better not to think about these things; instead he'd just live his everyday as if not knowing when Tyler would be taken away from him.
Chandler went down to Central Perk to meet with his friends. Nora was babysitting Tyler for a while since she was in the city.
"So, how's the grandmother?" Ross asked knowing that Chandler wasn't really on board with Nora as Tyler's babysitter.
"Fine, I hope so. I just really hope that Tyler won't end up twisted after my mom's babysitting sessions." Chandler quipped.
"Oh c'mon, it just for an hour. What harm could your mom do to that angel?" Rachel asked.
"Never underestimate my mom, she's quite unpredictable. You might be surprised at what would happen to Tyler after this." Chandler said sarcastically.
"Don't worry Chan, we'd fix him up after Nora leaves." Monica tried her best to comfort Chandler. Since the time that little Tyler was handed to Chandler in the airport, Monica seemed to be attracted to Chandler. She never knew that Chandler had a fatherly side, and it turned her on. She stopped her virtual scorecard because she was too busy admiring Chandler's traits. Even his flaws turned her on. She was, no doubt starting to fall for Chandler. Maybe the next time Chandler asks if she'd want a baby with him, she would just grab him and kiss him all over.
"Thanks Mon, anyway, I'm going to the doctor's office tomorrow for Tyler pre-op. Does any one of you want to come with me cause I'm really nervous about the whole thing." Chandler sheepishly admitted.
"I could come with you; I have my day-off tomorrow so I'm free." Monica volunteered not only to provide support for her friend but also to have a little 'Chandler time' as what she calls it.
"Really? That'd be great. Thanks Mon, you know if you weren't here, I don't know what'd happen to me."
"No problem Chandler."
"No, seriously, thank you so much. You're really a great friend, despite the fact that you doubted my fatherly skills, you're still the best." Monica just chuckled feeling a little regretful for even doubting him. "So I'll see you at around 4 pm at my place?
"Sure, I'll be there."
--
The next day, Monica was on her way to the boy's apartment because she and Chandler would be going to the doctor's office. She entered the apartment and saw Chandler fall asleep at the barca lounger with little Tyler sleeping at his chest. It made Monica teary eyes seeing this sight. They looked so peaceful; as if they were a real family. She didn't want to make them up but Chandler stirred after a few minutes.
"Hey." Chandler greeted with a sleepy voice.
"Hey."
"Is it 4 already? I think I overslept."
"No, no, it's just 3:45. I came in earlier 'cause… I don't know, maybe you'd need help with something." Monica couldn't think of a reason why she came 15 minutes earlier. She couldn't admit to Chandler that the real reason why she was early was because she wanted to be with him longer.
"Oh… well, there's really nothing much to prepare I guess? I just have to wait for Joey 'cause he's still in his audition."
"You're really leaving Tyler with Joey alone?"
"Yeah, as bizarre as it may seem, Joey quite a good babysitter." Chandler quipped.
Just then, Joey entered the apartment. "Hey guys, sorry I was late. Traffic was really bad."
"Traffic? But you took the subway?" Monica asked in confusion.
"Oh, yeah… right." Joey gave them a confused look. "So um, you guys better get going and I'll take good care of Tyler."
"Okay Joe, thanks." Chandler said while motioning to the door.
"No problem man." Joey said and then the door closed.
--
"Hi, I'm Dr. Quitin, you must be Chandler Bing?" The door amiably said and held out his hand. Chandler shook his hand and introduced himself.
"Yes, I'm Chandler and this is Monica Geller." Chandler pointed to Monica and the doctor held out his hand to shake Monica's.
"Oh, so you're his…" the doctor wasn't even able to finish when Chandler cut in.
"Oh, no. She's just a friend." Chandler said with a smile, but hurt was written in Monica's face. She was hurt with Chandler introducing her as just a friend. But what was she expecting. They really have nothing so it was crazy for Monica to get hurt.
"Tyler's operation is this Saturday. Are you familiar with Tyler's condition?" The doctor asked Chandler.
"Yeah, he has a hole in his heart."
"Actually, he has a lot of holes in his heart."
"What? I thought there was just a hole?" Chandler's face turned from happy to terrify. There was silence for a while until Monica broke the ice and asked the doctor.
"So, how will the operation work?" She knew Chandler pretty well. If he runs out of words to say, it only means one thing –he's scared. She knew why Chandler asked for her to come and that was to comfort him in times like these. Monica got Chandler's free hand and squeezed it tight to let him feel that everything was going to be alright.
"We'll be putting Tyler under general anesthesia and then I'll do the repairs." The doctor explained the surgical procedure.
"You'll be stopping his heart? For how long?" Chandler asked.
"For 2 or 3 hours, depending on the extent of the damage. We'll be putting him in a heart and lung machine to facilitate his breathing and blood circulation." Chandler felt the world collapse before him. He knew that Tyler was in such condition, but stopping his heart was something he could not comprehend –it was too dangerous –even a non medical student would know that it was dangerous.
Chandler tried to swallow the lump that formed in his throat. "I know I'm in no position to ask this, but what if Tyler doesn't undergo in this procedure?"
"He'll only have about a year or two to live." Chandler feel silent for a long time then the doctor assured him. "Don't worry, he'll be fine."
"Okay." Chandler answered weakly.
When the doctor left, Chandler turned his face to Monica. "How can he undergo such a procedure? I mean he's really small and weak to handle all those stuff. Even I wouldn't be able to handle that kind of procedure." Chandler was terrified and tears were starting to form at the corner of his eye.
"It'll be okay Chandler; Dr. Quitin looks like he knows what he's doing. I know Tyler would be fine." Monica tried to be strong to comfort her friend. She knew she had to be strong for him even if she herself doubted if Tyler was capable of handling such a procedure. Monica then welcomed him into a hug, giving her shoulder for him to cry on; Chandler on the other hand, accepted it and the both were locked in that embrace for quite a while.
--
Chandler couldn't sleep much that night because tomorrow morning, Tyler would be brought to the hospital for his operation. He got fed up knowing that sleep wouldn't creep to him that night so he decided to get up and stare at Tyler who was sleeping soundly, oblivious of what he'd be undergoing the next day.
"Hey champ; you know what'll happen tomorrow? They'll be fixing you so that you'll be better." Tears were once again forming at Chandler's eyes. "Be strong okay, I know you'll make it. You're Tyler, my little Tyler." Chandler wiped the tears that were flowing from his eyes. "You do know how much I love you, right? Even if we've been together for 10 days, it was the best 10 days of my life. You've changed me, and I'm glad that you came into my life. 4 more days, big guy, and we'd be parting ways. I just hope that I could get to see you when you're all big and strong." Chandler again wiped his tears and carried Tyler out if his crib. He wanted to be near him on his last day in their apartment. Chandler lay in bed and placed Tyler, who was still asleep, on his chest. He just marveled at his little son who moved up and down while he was breathing in and out. ". I love you little Tyler and I hope you know that you'll always be my baby."
TBC.