Hindsight chp9
***Hey Guys, sorry to have taken so long to update. I've been away on vacation. I spent a lovely couple of days in Oman, and while it was wonderful, sadly there was really no internet access. But with a lot of free time on my hands I was thinking about this story and I think there is at least a little more to come. So I hope you guys enjoy ***
Dante watched her through the hospital room window. He felt truly helpless, as he stood waiting for the doctors to finish checking her over, he just wanted to hear that she was alright. From her exasperated expression and her constant objections to the doctors tests and treatments, he was fairly certain she was okay, but he still wanted a medically trained professional to make sure that she and the baby were just fine.
Baby, that still felt strange. She was pregnant, carrying his child. Even through the frumpy hospital gown he could make out the tell-tale bump. He felt giddy with excitement and terrified at the same time. Was he ready to be a father? That felt like such an adult thing to be, and most days he didn't fell much like an adult. Yes, he had a job and his own place, but he often felt like he was still a child, that he was fooling everyone with his grown-up act.
As Dante continued to watch the doctors work, he thought back over what had happened in the Metro Court's ballroom. He remembered the fear of watching the Balkan hold a gun to the most important part of his life. He had very mixed emotions over the whole thing. He was furious, angry at himself for letting Lulu slip away and become a target. Pissed that the Balkan had dared to point a gun in her direction, but he was also still scarred. He still felt the remnants of the panic he felt watching Lulu scarred for her life, for their baby's life, while he could do nothing.
But then she had taken care of herself, just like she always did, Lulu took control of the situation and saved herself. Dante almost laughed now, thinking about how she had head butted and elbowed her way free. That was one of the things he really loved about her, she wasn't one of those helpless girls who would lose their head in a bad situation. No, Lulu stayed focused and got the job done.
Brenda had nearly lost her mind when she was attacked by Alexander and forced to defend herself, but not Lulu. When Lulu had pulled free of Dante's arms in the ballroom she was pissed. She damn near went after the Balkan again. She had cursed the whole way down to the ambulance about how she was going to make him pay for touching her. Dante had agreed whole heartedly, but it wasn't Lulu who would make him pay. Dante wasn't letting him anywhere near Lulu again. The Balkan should just cross his fingers and pray that Dante didn't come across him in a holding cell at the PCPD.
Finally, Dr. Lee came out to report that Lulu and the baby were fine. Lulu's blood pressure was a bit elevated, but considering what she had been through that was to be expected. Dr. Lee wanted to keep her overnight to ensure that her pressure didn't get any higher.
After speaking with the doctor Dante cautiously entered the room, Lulu refused to make eye-contact with him. In the ambulance he had told her that he still loved her, and she had returned the sentiment, but now he could tell that she had decided to be mad at him again.
Determined as ever, Dante made his way slowly to the side of her bed and carefully sat down on the edge. He took Lulu's hand in his own and was pleased when she didn't pull away.
"I wish you had told me about the baby."
"Why should I have? It's not like it's any of your business" Lulu spat.
"How is our child none of my business?"
Lulu fixed an icy stare on him for a few seconds before responding. "Who says it's your baby?"
"Don't do this Lulu. We both know that this is my baby." Dante placed a gentle hand on Lulu's belly. "I know that you love me, that you were not unfaithful."
Dante watched as a single tear rolled down Lulu's cheek. She took a shaky breath before speaking again.
"I was going to call you when I got to Phoenix."
"Why would you go to Phoenix?"
"Dante, I need a fresh start. I need to get away from here. I want to make a new life for myself, for my baby. Everything here reminds me of something painful."
"I know that you are hurt right now Lulu, that you're angry with me, but this is my child too and I want to be a part of his or her life. I grew-up without a father and I would never let my child experience that."
"I'm not saying that you can't be a father to this baby, you can still be there for him. You'll just be a long distance kind of dad."
"Him? Is it a boy?"
"I haven't found out really, I just have this feeling that it's a boy."
Dante felt so overwhelmed, a boy, he would have a son. Now Dante felt tears prick his eyes. He knew no matter what, he was going to keep his family together. He would convince Lulu to stay, and he would never let them out of his sight again.
"Dante, I'm tired. I need to sleep." Lulu's soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Okay, but I'm going to stay. I need to know that you're alright, that my son is alright."
Lulu must have really been tired, because she didn't even try to argue. She just nodded her head and slid over a bit and rolled onto her side.
Dante was feeling really tired himself. He looked down at Lulu for a few minutes, before reaching up and pulling the cord for the light. The room grew a bit darker, though light still came in from the hallway.
Dante wasn't sure if he was pushing his luck but, he too lay down on the bed beside Lulu. He laid on his side and pulled Lulu towards him a bit. Wrapping a protective arm around her stomach, he felt her tense for a minute, but then settle into his embrace.
Dante quickly fell asleep and for the first time in months he slept through the night. Everything was right with the world when Lulu was in his arms.
** Okay, so a little wooing will be needed to convince Lulu to stay, and Dante's gonna need to work hard to keep her. Hope you guys enjoyed it. P.S – I love reviews 3
