Chapter 41

"How is Vince?" her father asked.

"He's a mess Pops," Liiani sighed.

"And you, baby girl?"

"I'm fine."

"We are on our way, Liiani," Adel said.

"Oh, you guys don't need to come all this way. AJ and I will keep you guys updated."

"No baby girl, we need to be there for all of you," her father insisted.

"Thanks Pops. Let us know when you get here."

"We are on our way," both Gerald and Adel said at the same time and then hung up.

When Liiani was off the phone she found AJ by her side, "How did your calls go?" she asked.

"Everyone wanted to come, but I told them to wait and we would keep them in the loop. How did your dad handle the news?"

"He and your sister are on their way. They want to be here for Vince and for us," she told him.

"Okay," he said. "What now?"

"I want to go back to the nursery."

AJ nodded and with his arm around her they went back into the building. They put the gowns and masks on again and stood next to the tiny baby girl in the incubator. The nurse came up to them and said, "You can touch her if you'd like." She showed Liiani how to reach into the incubator and stroke the baby's legs. Liiani eagerly reached in to do the same. "Welcome to the family little one," she said.

Liiani had a hard time leaving the baby's side, but AJ was concerned about her welfare. He insisted that she take a break and have dinner, then they would check on Vince and Collette. After that they could come back to the baby. Liiani reluctantly agreed, knowing that AJ was only worried about her and the twins she was carrying. She also suggested that they bring something back some food for Vince.

The short time away from the hospital probably was good for her, but all Liiani could think about was getting back to Vince's family. They had brought Vince a turkey club sandwich, even though he claimed he wasn't hungry. Liiani explained how he needed to keep up his strength so he could help his wife and daughter. Finally he managed to take a few bites.

Collette's condition was talked about, but sadly there was no change. Liiani told her brother that Gerald and Adel were on their way to town. Vince had a hard time keeping the emotion out of his voice when he heard that.

Liiani offered to switch places with Vince for a time so he could go and visit the baby. She would sit with Collette while he did that. She was stunned when he told her he had no desire to do that. He wanted to go back into ICU to be at Collette's side.

"Vince, are you saying that you don't want to see your daughter!?" Liiani gasped.

"No," he said clearly.

"But why? She is your baby! She doesn't even have a name! Vince why don't you go and see her and give her a name?"

"If it means so much to you, then you name her! After what she did to Collette, I don't want anything to do with her!"

"Vince, you can't mean that!"

"I do," Vince stated and walked away.

Liiani turned back to AJ with tears on her cheeks, "How can he feel that way about his own child?!"

AJ put his arm around her and said, "I'm not sure he's thinking clearly right now, Akaliiani. We need to give him some space to deal with his own way."

"I just don't know how he could treat his child this way AJ?!"

Kissing her forehead he wiped away the tear that was sliding down her cheek, "Everyone deals with tragedy in their own way. All we can do is be there for Vince and support him through this."

Nodding, she took his hand as they headed towards the nursery, "Should we choose a name for her?"

"Unless the hospital is insisting they need a name then I think we should wait to see if Vince will come around."

"Okay," she agreed.

Sitting in a chair next to the incubator, Liiani was once again allowed to touch her tiny young niece. She offered AJ the chance to switch places with her so he could touch her too, but he told her that she should stay there.

To be continued…..