Chapter 14
Cesca
I woke up thinking when will this drama end? It had been a week since the meeting at school. Ruth still hadn't gone home and Jonah found out she is staying with Joe. There was going to be a meeting at school as mediation and I was going so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm going on maternity leave soon as it won't be long until the babies are born, I can't wait!
Jonah and I drove in school really not looking forward to the day. We were in very early for once so no one was around. Jonah and I walked to my classroom and I got on with organizing myself for the day and Jonah was texting someone on his phone. I thought how nice for him to relax but I knew he was just as worried about Ruth as I am. Adanna appeared in the doorway ten minutes later and said 'I need to speak to you about something Cesca.' She noticed Jonah at this point and said 'Don't worry I'll speak to you later.' Jonah and I shared a confused look. Pretty soon, it was time for the meeting which I really wasn't looking forward to. Jonah and I shared a kiss before he went to meet his friends and I walked up to Karen's office.
The door was open so I walked in as I was the first to get there and Karen smiled at me and said 'This shall be a long meeting!' I nodded my head. Everyone slowly came in with Ruth arriving last. Adanna didn't attend though, I asked where she was and didn't get a response from Marcus. We started the meeting but Karen asking where Ruth was living which didn't get a response. Karen then said 'Ruth you have to speak also I know where you are currently living but I wanted you to confirm it. None of us are happy you are staying at your boyfriend's house especially when there is no adult there at the moment.' Ruth rolled her eyes then inquired 'So how do you know for sure that I'm staying at Joe's?' Karen continued and said 'I was informed by Cesca, though that has nothing to do with it.' Ruth cut Karen off then and said 'How did you know?' I replied 'Jonah told me as Joe mentioned something, which gave away you were staying with him, when they went out to the pub.' Ruth just sat there not happy so I decided to say something 'You can't carry on like this Ruth! I know you aren't happy but right now you are causing unhappiness for everyone around you, which I don't think was ever your intention. You're hurting your Dad as you won't come home and won't tell him what is hurting you. You're hurting Jonah as you really upset him the other day when he was only trying to help. You know you're hurting Adanna as I know that you heard what she said to me when she didn't realise you were there. I think I have made my point but you are hurting everyone!' She just sat there staring at me in disbelief and said 'What do you want me to do?' I said 'You need to tell your Dad what your problem with everything is, go back home and apologise to everyone.' Ruth nodded her head and said in a small voice 'Fine.'
Karen said that the meeting seemed to be over for now so we all left after Ruth promised to return home that evening. I walked to my classroom to find Adanna sitting there with tears flowing down her cheeks. I went over and gave her a hug and asked her what was wrong. She told me that her and Marcus had been constantly arguing over Ruth and Marcus ended things last night. I couldn't believe it as I didn't think Marcus was like it. Adanna was saying she didn't know if she could be a single parent as she was already scared about becoming a parent I didn't know what to say then the bell went and she quickly hurried up. The day dragged on so much. Then lunchtime arrived.
I went up to the staffroom to see Adanna. I got up to the staffroom and everyone but Adanna was in there. Karen told me that Adanna had gone home as she wasn't well, so I texted her to see if she was okay but received no response. Marcus spent the whole of lunchtime looking rather unhappy and didn't talk to anyone. I had Jonah's class last, they were all noisy today but I didn't really care for once as long as they did some work. Though Ruth remained quiet and stared into the distance for most of the lesson, I left her to it. At the end of the lesson both Jonah and Ruth hung back, Ruth spoke first and said she had told her Dad everything and he said not to worry about it as him and Adanna were finished anyway and Ruth said she never meant to split them up and didn't know what to do. Jonah sat there stunned as it was new news to him and I told Ruth I didn't know what to do. Ruth said goodbye and left then Jonah and I decided to go home. I texted Adanna to ask her round for dinner and she texted back to say yes she would come round. She turned up twenty minutes later and we talked for an hour. Then someone knocked on the door which Jonah went to answer as he had been sitting in the kitchen cooking and doing his homework. I didn't listen to who it was until Jonah appeared and said that it was Marcus and Ruth and he didn't know whether to let them in. Adanna said she would leave then but I tried to stop her but she said she had to leave. She walked out into the hall and straight out without another word. Marcus didn't say anything but Ruth followed her out of the door. I said to Marcus 'Hello, what can we help you with?' Marcus replied that Ruth had come to apologise and I said she didn't need to apologise to me but she did need to apologise to Marcus. I walked outside then to find Adanna listening to Ruth apologizing when Ruth finished, Adanna said she accepted her apology but it didn't matter anymore. She then walked off, Ruth and I stood there not knowing what to do and both of us wanting to fix it. We eventually walked inside and Ruth apologised to Jonah for what he said. They left shortly after that.
Thank God, tomorrow was my last day at Waterloo Road before I went on maternity leave. I woke up late the next morning and got ready for school. Then Jonah drove us both to school. I walked up to the staffroom for some coffee and found an unbearable tension as only Marcus and Adanna were in there. I went and got a coffee and sat down. Adanna asked me how I was and I said I was fine and asked her if she fancied going shopping later as I wanted to pick out a few little bits for the twins. She said yes as it sounded like fun and I mentioned Ruth was coming as well and she just nodded her head.
I left not too long after that as I could not stand the tension. The day was very average and I saw Jonah as I had his class. Then in the middle of Period 4 when I was teaching the Year 8's there was a loud explosion and then the fire alarm went off. We all hurried out as smoke was quickly filling the corridor. We eventually got outside and everyone was lining up and taking a register of their forms. Everyone in my form was there. I looked around and noticed that Jonah wasn't with his form group, most of them were missing which included Joe, Ruth, Jess, Vicki and Ronan. I knew Jonah had Adanna teaching him this period and she wasn't there either. I spoke to Karen who said that all of the English corridor was engulfed in flames and no one could get out. I was so scared then knowing that my husband, my brother, my sister (Ruth) and my best friend were stuck in there also Tom and Grantley were in there and were good friends. I couldn't believe it, Marcus looked just as scared as I felt. I felt a jolt of sharp pain in my stomach then.
Jonah
We were stuck and couldn't get out, there was no way of escape from this fiery hell. All I could think of was Cesca and the twins, how I would never get to see them or even meet my children. I was jolted out of my thoughts when Adanna collapsed. I didn't know what to do as I knew she was pregnant, I shouted at Joe and Ronan we had to do something quickly. I whipped my phone out of my pocket and pressed green after I found Dad's name. 'Jonah, are you ok? Are you able to get out at all? I responded 'I'm fine Dad. Adanna has collapsed and I'm extremely worried about her and the baby, there doesn't seem to be a way out except jumping out of the windows which we will have to smash.' Dad said 'I will let the fire brigade know…' We got cut off then as my phone died. I didn't know what to do now, hopefully the fire brigade would be able to help everyone nut the flames were getting furiously close, rather quickly. All my thoughts were of Cesca and how much I loved her. Ronan declared then that the only route out was for us to jump out of the window. He went over to one of the windows and smashed it and Joe along with me went to help. Ruth sat with Adanna trying to make sure she was ok as she could be.
Cesca
I stood outside with Marcus waiting for news on the people we loved. I kept having a jolt of sharp pain every few minutes. Marcus got me to an ambulance where there were paramedics who said I was going into premature labour so put me into an ambulance to get me to hospital. Marcus stood with me until it was time to go and just as we were about to leave I said 'Tell Jonah, I love him.' A tear trickled down my face when I said that and Marcus nodded his head. I couldn't believe this as I was going into labour on my own whilst Jonah was trapped in a burning building. I thought of everyone trapped in there and started crying. I got my phone out and I dialed my sister's number as I needed her there with me. 'Hello.' 'Maria, it's Cesca, there's been a fire at the school I got out so did chris but Joe, Jonah, Adanna, Ruth and many others are still stuck in there and I've gone into premature labour.' She was shocked into silence and she said 'I will meet you at the hospital Ces, I will be there for you.' She hung up then. All I could think about was Jonah.
Marcus
I stood there helpless as I watched as everyone I loved apart from Cesca and the twins were in the building which was engulfed in flames. I had told the fire brigade what Jonah had told me. My mind was alight with many thoughts such as I had been an idiot to end things with Adanna, what I would do if she or the baby didn't survive, how I had never told Jonah how proud I was of him, how I never told Ruth how much I loved her, hoping and praying that everyone survived including the twins. I had to do something but I didn't know what. I had a flash of inspiration to get the caretaker's ladder as it had been behind the canteen earlier. I got Rob to come and help me and we quickly ran around with it. I went up the ladder first and they were all standing there so scared. We got Adanna down the ladder first then Jess came out and she ran to get medical help. They all came out a few at a time. Jonah was the last out. Adanna was still unconscious and Ruth had smoke inhalation. The first thing Jonah said 'Cesca…?' I had to tell him then 'She's gone into premature labour and has gone to the hospital.' Jonah ran off towards his car then as he needed to get to Cesca. I didn't want to leave Adanna's side but Ruth wasn't well and was now unconscious. Joe came up to me then and said he would stay with Ruth and would let me know of anything. I stayed with Adanna praying that everything would be alright.
Joe
I was so scared as my girlfriend was unconscious and was really ill plus my sister had gone into premature labour so could lose the twins. I felt so helpless when all I could do was hold Ruth's hand and all I could do for Cesca is wait for news. I'd been at the hospital an hour with Ruth. I decided to get a coffee as it was going to be a long time until Ruth woke up by the looks of it. I roamed the corridors looking for the canteen when I saw Maria sitting on chairs. I walked over and startled her when I said 'Is Cesca alright?' She shook her head and said 'She is in theatre at the moment, they were talking about how the babies may not survive and Cesca might not either.' I was glued to this spot as I thought she would be fine and the babies would be fine. I walked away as I had to get back to Ruth. As I walked by the front desk I saw Ronan, Vicki and Jess stood there who all seemed fine but disheveled from our brush with death earlier in the day. Mrs Fisher spotted me and asked of any news and I said Cesca was in theatre and they were saying that her and the babies may not make it. She stood there shocked and I walked away to be at Ruth's side. Two hours later, Ruth had woken up and I was sitting with her and she asked about Cesca and Adanna but I didn't want to answer so I went to get her a drink while the doctors made sure she was ok. I walked over to Maria who I saw sitting in the same place but Mr Mead was there now. 'Hello.' I said to them, Maria looked up and said 'No news Joe, I'll let you know soon as. How's Ruth?' I replied 'She's been given the all clear and they'll discharge her in about an hour's time so we'll come and sit here.' Maria nodded her head before burying it in Mr Mead's chest. I walked to see Mr Kirby and let him know, he was sitting with Ms. Lawal. He looked up and said 'News?' I said 'Ruth is being discharged in an hour and is now fine and no news with Cesca.' Marcus looked at me and said 'The odds for Cesca aren't great, are they?' I nodded my head as I didn't want to tell him this as it would mean it was actually happening. I went back to Ruth with a cup of coffee for her. Not long after, the doctors let her go and we walked to the canteen to get some dinner as by this time it was five o'clock. I couldn't believe what had gone on today but Ruth was okay and I was praying for Cesca. At that point I decided to contact Dad to see if he could get me in touch with Mum. I pressed dial and he picked up and I said 'Hi it's Joseph. I nee to find Mama as it is urgent do you know where she is? Cesca is in labour and they're saying the odds aren't great.' Dad said 'I haven't seen your Mama since she went to England and I'm sure Francesca will be fine.' With that he hung up.
Jonah
I stood helplessly with Cesca as she experienced so much pain. I hated standing helplessly by. Cesca was losing lots of blood but they couldn't operate due to past complications in an operation. She screamed in pain for what seemed like days and months but must have been mere hours. I held Cesca's hand the whole time, the nurse said she thought it would be another two hours before Cesca was fully dilated. I didn't want to leave her side at all and I sat with her and kept telling her how much I love her and how amazing she is. I decided a while later that I better check how everyone else is so I rang Joe. 'Jonah, how's Cesca?' 'She's doing great, lost a lot of blood but I won't let anything happen to her. How's everyone else? Ruth? Adanna?' 'Ruth is fine and has been discharged and is sitting here with me but she's asleep. Maria was sitting with us but went to get some food with Chris ten minutes ago. Adanna is still unconscious and it isn't looking too great from what your Dad told me about an hour and a half ago. Everyone else who was brought to the hospital is fine.' 'Thanks for letting me know, try and reassure everyone Cesca is fine, bye.' Talking to Joe relieved me somewhat apart from to do with Adanna, I couldn't tell Cesca as it could affect her majorly so I told her everything was ok but she still asked about Adanna but I changed the subject and Cesca went along with it. She seemed a little more distant after that. Seemed we would be waiting a little longer for these babies and I sat and held Cesca's hand.
Marcus
I could do nothing but just sit here holding her hand. Adanna was unconscious and the doctors said her odds weren't great. The last conversation we had was so bad and I severely regret everything said and when I knew I was wrong I still didn't back down. Now I risked losing her forever and our baby, at that point the tears started flowing down my cheeks as even though we hadn't been together that long just over 7 and a half months, I couldn't imagine life without her. Karen had been in to see her so had Chris with Cesca's sister coming to see her on Cesca's behalf. I also had spoken to Joe who had informed me that Ruth was fine and being discharged. I felt bad about leaving Ruth especially after everything recently but I had to put Adanna and the baby first this time and Ruth had Joe so I couldn't leave Adanna on her own. I'm just sitting here waiting for something, anything. Just one scrap of news saying Adanna will be ok but they're still running tests. The tears keep flowing and I keep saying to Adanna how much I love her in the hope that she can hear me.
Joe
We're still sitting here in the corridor waiting for news and it is doing my head in. I know Cesca will be fine after speaking to Jonah as I trust him but I just want news already. I'm getting quite sick of Mr Mead's attempt at conversation with me as I don't like him purely for the fact he is my teacher and is dating my sister. Ruth just laughs at me when I ignore his attempt at conversation, I think it is the only thing keeping us all sane. I know Ruth is really upset as she caused so much trouble for her Dad and Ms. Lawal but she can't keep beating herself up for it. At this point, I said to Ruth 'I think we need to go home and get some sleep as there is obviously not going to be any news.' Everyone nodded in agreement and Ruth then said 'I don't want to stay at the house on my own and its ages away with no bus going anywhere near.' I said to her 'You can stay at my house, your Dad can't complain in these circumstances. Anyway there will be an adult there for once as Maria is around so it will be fine.' We left in Maria's car as Chris had left his at the school as Karen drove him. We pulled up outside the house and I let us all in and as soon as Maria saw the place she started to shout at me in Spanish about how bad it looked and I told her she lived here as well which shut her up. I walked up to my room then with Ruth not far behind, it was good she hadn't taken her clothes back to her house yet. I laid down on the bed and just prayed for my sister and Ruth prayed for Ms. Lawal as well.
Jonah
Cesca was finally ready to have the babies and was taken to the delivery room, I couldn't believe it. I stood there holding her hand, so proud of my wife at that point. Five minutes later, Cesca gave one final push and our daughter was born. She was gorgeous was my first thought when I saw her. She was swiftly taken off to be cleaned, checked and put in an incubator. Two minutes later, my son was born who looked just as gorgeous as his sister but he disappeared just as quickly as my daughter did. I gave Cesca a kiss as I was so proud of her, it was a joyous moment. They then said they had to give Cesca a blood transfusion so she was transferred too a different theatre. They told me to go home and get some sleep as Cesca wouldn't be awake until the morning after the transfusion. I was so happy then I remembered Adanna so instead of going straight home I went to find Adanna's room. I found it eventually to see Dad sitting there crying with Adanna looking lifeless. I spoke quietly which startled Dad as he hadn't noticed me and I told him how he was a grandfather now to twins. He smiled at me, a glimmer of hope showed in his eyes when he smiled now. I left to go home, I decided I wanted to tell Cesca' family and Ruth first. I drove to the Montoya's house and knocked on the door. I heard footsteps then the door opened and it was Joe with Ruth standing behind him and I said 'I have a son and a daughter! Ces is doing good as well, I am so happy right now!' Joe shook my hand and Ruth gave me a hug. I was so happy and went to go home then. I am so HAPPY!