Chapter 10
Will You Forgive Me?
A week had passed before they receive a call from the hospital that families can visit for a few hours. As soon as Gabriella was brought home by Shaun….Greg was already waiting for her at the foyer. "Hey….you're home early?"
"We're going to the hospital…..mom will met us there at the lobby….so hurry up baby sis!"
"Really we can see dad?" suddenly she freeze and Greg threw her a questioning look "Greg….am I showing…..I mean for dad to see my belly?" gazing at her brother anxiously
"Gabriella….we have to tell dad once and for all…he maybe be angry but mom and I are here for you!" kissing her on the forehead "I know it was an accident because I believe you to be responsible when it comes to this matter…..it's just you slipped and got pregnant." leading her to the car
Maria was already pacing the lobby anxiously waiting for her children checking the clock on the wall. Each family was only given an initial of 2 hours a day so as to avoid stressing the patients who are now slowly recovering. "Oh thank God ….you're finally here!"
They went up the elevator to the 3rd floor Isolation Wing. Walking towards these long immaculate white corridors gives Gabriella the creeps it was deathly quiet only the humming of some instruments and the soft voices of nurses can be heard. They pass by almost identical looking doors until they reach to the one bearing the name Montez on the slot located at the right side of the door.
Greg gently pushes the door inward seeing their father's eyes close they slowly walk towards the foot of his bed. He was still hook up to some monitoring machine that gives a steady beeping breathing on an oxygen tube and an IV drip on his left arm. He still looks a little pale but unlike the first time they saw him at the airport. His eyes flutter when he senses somebody on the room. A grateful smile was drawn on his face
"Hi there!" he uttered in a hoarse voice
"Hi Paul…..how are you doing?" Maria came closer touching his hand "You seemed to look a lot better…..how are you feeling?"
Taking a long drawn breath "I'm looking forward to go home…..I miss you guys…" looking up at Gabriella and Greg who was still standing at the foot of the bed "Gabriella…..how's my baby girl....you seem a little quiet in there?" her hands absentmindedly balled on the blanket staring at the bed
"Gabie….Gab…. dad is talking to you…."
"Huh uh…..sorry dad I must have spaced out…what….what did you just said?" her father motions her to come closer Gabriella hesitated but Maria nodded her head for her to move closer to his side. Drawing her hoodie closer and putting her hands to its pocket to hide the baby bump
"You're looking good…..I've heard from Greg that you enrolled at the university…" beaming at her "if you like you can stay here with me till you graduate from college……but that all depends on your mom!" looking up at Maria
"Well it's up to her…..since I think she already made friends with the neighbors and at her school…..if she likes it here…well then she can stay!"
"Is something wrong Gabie….you seem a little on edge here….what's wrong?" looking at her full of concern
"Nothing dad….I'm perfectly fine…..I'm glad to see you…yeah so glad to see you again!" looking away from him as her eyes starts to tear up
"No Gabriella….there must be something wrong with you?" his voice weak but determined as he glance between Maria and Greg for some answers. Mother and son looks at each other helplessly both feeling the anxiety Gabriella is experiencing right now in front of her father
"She couldn't take the questioning looks her father is giving her anymore as the room was swallowed in utter silence. She feels the walls crumbling down on her as her throat tightens making it difficult for her to breath. Tears flow freely from her eyes she let go of his hand and run out of the room "Gabriella….." but she didn't hear his pleading voice anymore
"Oh God…..I cannot do this….I cannot face my dad!" slowly she stop feeling hazy groping for support on the wall. Sliding gently on the floor drawing her knees as much as she can to her chest as waves of emotions flows through her body making it tremble. "I'm a big disappointment to this family….I brought shame to them in spite of all the love and support they gave me….I failed him…."
When she looks up again she saw Greg coming towards her full of concern and pity stooping at her side. "C'mon baby sis….let's talk about this…..dad say's whatever it was that's bothering you he's got the right to know!" helping her up giving her a gentle hug "You know it's not good to the baby when the mother is under stress right?" she nodded smiling shyly "That's my girl…"
"Gabriella….come sit beside me!" Paul motions her to the chair beside the bed as he instructed Greg to adjust his bed to a reclining position "You know that I love you….right?" Gabriella nodded but still not looking at him he lifts her chin as their eyes connected "Now whatever is bothering you….I need to know….I must know….how can I help if you'll keep me in the dark…please…."
Gabriella's tears stream down her face again shifting uncomfortably on the chair. She heaves a sigh before looking up at her mother, Greg and to her father "Dad…..I'm so sorry for disappointing you…..for breaking my promise to you!" he looks at her skeptically but encourage her to go on "Do you still remember Troy…..my boyfriend...." his facial expression changes from curiosity to a little bit annoyed Gabriella balled the blanket into a fist
"Go on….." intently waiting for her to continue inhaling a long breathe
"We made it clear that we have to be extra careful about this matter for we are both looking forward to graduate in college. Dad……it was an accident….we both got carried away…" Paul shut his eyes fisting his hand on his chest "I'm sooo sorry daddy….so sorry….I knew I've failed you terribly and I don't deserve to be forgiven!" her body shook with torrents of emotions as tears flow freely from their eyes.
There was an eerie silence in the room only Gabriella's sniffle is audible as if time stood still for a few minutes till Paul reaches for her hand and gave it a squeeze "Gabriella…..I know you made me a promise that you will finish college before you get married……but it seems that it wasn't meant to be!" his voice soft and reassuring she began to breath normally "I'm supposed to be disappointed in you for being irresponsible and getting yourself pregnant…..well in a way I am." lifting her chin to look him in the eye.
Gabriella swallows hard when all she saw was love and concern on her father's eyes not a bit of anger was written on his handsome face "Dad…."
"And the father…did he knew about this?" Gabriella shook her head
"It was only here that I discovered that I'm pregnant." she's now gaining confidence talking to her dad while their mother and Greg comfortably smile at each other. They knew by the way that they're talking that Paul had already accepted her pregnancy knowing that he's a very positive person who does not believe in holding a grudge against another person. "He doesn't even know where I am right now. He's probably so mad at me for suddenly disappearing from him without any reason but I didn't want him to get involve with our problem."
"Do you plan on telling him about the baby?"
"I don't know dad….I was planning to do it maybe when we return to the States….that I'm gonna do it personally…" inhaling a long worry breath
"Don't stress yourself too much it's not good for the baby…..take care of your self Gabriella and take care of my grandchild." seeing a sincere smile from her father's face Gabriella smile back and nods at her mother and brother exultantly
"Thank you daddy…..for everything!" she stood up and embraces her father careful not to quash her baby bump
"Oh….. there's obviously a growing baby in there huh? So how far along are you…when are we gonna become grandparents?" she pulls back lifting her hoodie a little exposing her shirt and her slightly swollen belly. Gabriella giggles making her parents and brother laugh together
"I'm on my 20th week dad and I can already feel little movements inside!" smiling at them proudly rubbing her belly gently
"That's good to know……well you must start to shop for baby's clothes and things before you grow even bigger…..Maria you better help Gabie with the baby's needs…..everything…..I want my first grandchild to enter the world comfortably!"
"Thank you daddy……I love you and don't worry I'm gonna take care of my baby just like how you and mom took care of us!"
"Oh don't worry about that Paul it's already been taken cared of…..you better help heal yourself before the baby's born….so that we can all go home!"
"I'm certainly gonna do that for my grandchild….." looking proudly at Maria as Gabriella smiles at her parent's interaction in spite of them being divorced they still feel like a family
Greg who went out a few minutes ago peeks at the door "We better get goin visiting hours is almost over…..we'll see you dad tomorrow!" Gabriella hugs her dad and Maria kiss him on the cheek Greg nods at his father
"Greg….thank you!" Paul nodded "Gabie….take care of yourself….I'll try to be home soon…."