Eriol watched the hours tick by at the silver clock on the wall. He had been waiting exactly two hours for Syaoran and Sakura to arrive and still they hadn't appeared. Tomoyo so far still hadn't gone through real labour, which was a sign that the baby would be born the next day. Eriol stood from his seat and entered his wife's room, finding her reading a novel by her bed, holding onto the front of her stomach protectively. He smiled and closed the door behind him. Tomoyo glanced up at the sound and put the book down.
"Are they here yet?" She asked worriedly.
He shook his head. "No, but I'm sure they're just caught in traffic or something."
She nodded.
"How are you feeling?" He sat on the chair and took her hand in his.
Tomoyo managed a feeble smile. "I'm doing ok, the nurse said. She injected some painkillers a few minutes ago, so the pain's slowly easing away."
"That's good. I don't want this kid to hurt you, even if it is going to be our baby," he grinned and bent down to kiss the mound.
She giggled, and then the sound faded in the background at the sight of the visitor.
The doctor entered the room with a folder in one hand, but that wasn't what got Eriol and Tomoyo to stop talking. He wore a very dismal look on his face. Tomoyo's heart bumped hard in her chest, sorely afraid for her baby. She clutched onto her stomach tighter as Eriol gripped her hand, his heart squeezing tightly.
"I need to talk to you, Mr. Hiiragizawa, for a moment, if neither of you don't mind," he said grimly.
"Uh, sure," he replied and turned to Tomoyo. "Don't worry, ok? It'll be all right." He assured and kissed her cheek.
"Eriol…" she whispered as he walked out of the room.
"What is it, Doc?" Eriol asked as soon as they were in a private area.
The old man put on his glasses and straightened the clipboard in front of him. "Do you know a man named Syaoran Li?"
Eriol nodded, guilty for feeling such relief that it wasn't about his baby. But what was going on here? Eriol decided to ask. "Did he call the hospital or…?"
He shook his head. "I can't reveal information to none other than relatives, I'm sorry. Do you know where I may contact his parents?"
"You can't," Eriol replied quickly. "His mother…she's in Hong Kong."
"Oh," the doctor lowered his eyes. "Well…"
"I'm his only contact, doc. Please tell me."
A little doubting, the doctor looked at Eriol hesitantly. He gave a sigh. "He and a woman known as Sakura…" he turned to the folder, "Kinomoto were admitted an hour ago. The paramedics found them in a car crash just a few miles from here-"
He froze. "Wait, wait. Did you just say…car…?"
"I did," the doctor repeated solemnly.
Eriol suddenly felt a beginning headache burn his head as he grabbed for the nearest support, which was the wall. "Oh my god…" he kept repeating to himself. Eriol's face already pale with grief added to his heart that pounded heavily as lightning crashing.
"Their doctors have explained to me their situations. As far as I know, it happened just outside the city. However, he has been checked by a few doctors, and they've concluded that his injuries aren't very severe, but does need some medical attention."
Eriol tried to get a grip, but found it hard. Focusing on the doctor's words, he processed them in his head. "W-what…" He breathed a heavy breath. "What about Sakura?"
"From her doctor, I understand that her injuries need some few days of healing as well, and it's a little more serious for her because of the large cut she received on the side of her abdomen. Other than that, she's very lucky. If the contact of both cars were stronger, they might have done permanent damage to their bodies, or possibly even lose their lives."
Eriol massaged his throbbing temples. "How-how are they now?"
"They're both unconscious, but breathing fairly well. I suspect that Mr. Li will be awake within 4 hours or so. About Ms. Kinomoto, I'm not quite positive, but I think more than 12 hours, I would say," he weighed his predictions, "more or less."
"All right…uh…can I see them?"
"I'm afraid we're not allowing visitors right now."
He couldn't say anything.
"Oh, and I have some news about your wife," the doctor flipped to the following page of the clipboard. "She's doing well, and I doubt she'll be going to labour anytime soon. We'll keep her for another day or so, but if she doesn't go into labour at this time, then it's safe to release her."
He nodded. He didn't remember nodding as many times as he had today. "Doc?"
"Yes?"
"Could we not mention this to Tomoyo? About…Syaoran and Sakura?" He asked, hoping to hell they wouldn't say anything.
The man reflected a confused look.
"I…I just don't want her to deal with this stuff now…and if she hears about this, she'll get worried and overstressed." He said quietly.
The doctor finally nodded and took off his glasses. "I understand," the man put a hand on Eriol's arm. "I'll bring a nurse over if there are any news about your friends or your wife."
"Thanks," he whispered.
----
Syaoran squinted as the immensely bright light his eyes when he opened them. He shifted on the bed and tried moving his body, but found that it was an impossible job to do. He groaned and slowly opened his eyes. As soon as he was used to the light, he relaxed back when he felt a zapping pain shooting through his brain when it touched the pillow. He groaned again and touched the back of his head, finding a cloth on it. "What the hell…?" He asked himself. Looking up, he noticed his bangs a little farther away from his forehead. He glanced at the rest of his body beneath the blanket and saw bandages everywhere. He did feel incredibly pained as he tried to move. But he had no memory of what happened. Where the hell was he??
"Mr. Li, you're awake." A warm voice asked.
His eyes shot to his left and saw a nurse entering his room with a clipboard in her hand. "Uh…am I in a hospital?"
"I'm glad you noticed," she smiled good-humouredly and checked the IV. "Do you remember what happened?"
"No," he said gravely, his mind completely blank. "What…what did happen?"
She sighed softly and leaned on the side of his bed, sending him a sympathetic look. "I regret being the one to tell you this, but you and Ms. Kinomoto were in a car accident and…-" Suddenly, flashbacks of the night before shot through his mind within seconds. The fuzzy scene of Sakura trapped in place with blood staining her clothes. The throbbing pain pushing at his stomach. Her voice that began so quietly and then faded.
Fear caused Syaoran's hand to automatically grab the nurse's arm. "Where is she??" Almost desperately, he asked.
The nurse was staring at his hand. "U-uh, Mr. Li-"
"Where the hell is Sakura??" His desperation grew. "Tell me!"
"S-she's still recuperating!" The nurse cried. "P-please let go of me, Mr. Li! Y-you're hurting me!" She pleaded.
He stared at his pale hand and released his hold, shocked at his own actions. Not able to speak for seconds, he only muttered an apology.
"That's…that's all right. I understand," the nurse backed away a few steps. "Would you like me to call the doctor…?"
He wasn't even listening. His mind stayed on and would no longer think of anything but Sakura. How was she doing? Was she hurt? What exactly happened to her? The nurse was about to exit when Syaoran interrupted the silence, almost reaching out with his hand. "Wait." She turned around, a little afraid of what he would do, but saw indescribable pain and fear in his chestnut eyes. A wave of sympathy passed over her yet again.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Li?" She asked softly, pausing at her place.
"How…how is she?" he asked, forcing his mind to keep thinking positive.
"She's…in a coma-like state. I can't let you see her until the doctors give permission." The nurse opened the door. "In fact, I'll be back with your doctor in just a moment."
He looked down, lying back on the bed. He dragged a shaking hand over his face. Physical pain momentarily forgotten, Syaoran shut his eyes. "Sakura…" he whispered only to himself.
----
Some hours later, Eriol left Tomoyo with the doctor and went up two floors to where Syaoran and Sakura were. As he walked to Syaoran's door, a doctor came out with a neutral look in her face. Eriol's heart sped up as he nervously walked over to the woman. "Doc, what's the matter? Is Syaoran all right??"
She looked up at his navy blue eyes and a confusing look appeared on her face. "Who are you?"
Eriol ignored it. "Is Syaoran all right??" His voice had suddenly just turned frantic.
"Calm down, sir. I can't give you any information unless you're related to the patients," she explained attentively.
"All right, fine, but can I just…can I see him??" Eriol's eyes reflected desperation and pleading.
The doctor looked at him thoroughly, a little exasperated. "What's your name?" She repeated.
"Hiiragizawa Eriol. I'm Syaoran's best friend. How is he??"
"I…you're not a relative, I'm sorry. I can't reveal any information of my patients to anyone, but family." The doctor replied firmly.
Almost at the brink of exploding in frustration, he kept in his emotions. "Look, my doctor already told me about his condition. Could you just please-?"
"Your doctor??" The woman stared. "What is his name?"
He sighed exasperatedly. "Can I just…just let me see him!" His voice strained his anger, and then he just felt tired. "…Please."
She saw clear concern in his eyes. Sighing quietly, she nodded and made a motioning sign for Eriol to follow her. They entered Syaoran's room, where he was lying on the bed with his eyes closed. The doctor said that she would give them a few minutes, but that was it. Eriol walked to Syaoran's bedside. He thought the guy looked fine compared to others who went through a car accident. Eriol dragged a seat over to his bedside. Syaoran woke up in an instant at the sound, his eyes darting to the man beside him.
"Eriol," Syaoran began, starting to sit up when Eriol stopped him.
"Just stay down," Eriol sent him a grave look. "How you doing?"
He adjusted his position. "What do you think?" Syaoran laid back his head. "I don't know what the hell happened last night. All I know is that Sakura's hurt and it's all my fault. The doctors won't even let me see her, those bast-"
"Hey, don't worry about that now. Just try to get some rest. You have to get your strength back to see Sakura later, right?"
Syaoran's face hardened, his eyes betraying him by showing undeniable fear and worry. "It's all my fault." His voice didn't sound warm. It was breaking. "She's hurt because of me! Why would she want to marry me now? I can't even protect her," he replied dejectedly.
Eriol protested. "That's not right. You couldn't stop that from happening. But, Syaoran, look…stop beating yourself up about it. Just…just hope that she'll get better."
"That's all I can do anyway," he said with hate for himself. "I was about to propose to her, you know. I was about to do it right when you guys called. This…stupid accident made me realize I'm definitely not the right man for her. Hell," he cried angrily, "I put her in danger! Who the hell kind of guy would let his girlfriend get hurt??"
Eriol knew Syaoran was fighting hard to keep back his emotions through his bloodshot eyes. Though Syaoran didn't tear up, his eyes said everything.
"I want to know how she's doing, Eriol. I can't sleep knowing that she's hurting somewhere. I have to see her. It's tearing me apart not knowing how she's feeling…not being able to be with her and hold her," he confessed to his friend quietly, but with much emotion. "You've known me my whole life, man. You know I don't say this stuff to anyone, much less another guy."
Eriol gave a small, strangled laugh.
"But I love Sakura…a lot. That's all I can say," Syaoran began to sit up.
He protested, putting a hand over him. "Syaoran-"
"Look, they won't even let me out of this place. I just want to sit," he sent Eriol a tired look. "Come on."
Eriol hesitated, but nodded and helped him. "Fine." He put an arm around Syaoran and helped him sit up. "But don't overdo it. Your sutures haven't been healed that well yet."
The brown-haired man nodded.
The doctor came back in with her clipboard in one hand and a firm look on her face. "Time's up."
"Ok." Eriol turned to Syaoran. "Listen, I'll try getting some information out of Sakura's doctor, all right? I'll see you later."
"Yeah," he replied, and then remembered something. "Wait, Eriol, what about your baby?"
"What about my baby?" Eriol asked with a confused look on his face.
Syaoran recalled the phone call he had with Eriol before. "How is he?" He asked again. "Did Tomoyo deliver yet?"
"Oh, about that. No, she's still going through some contractions. She's not in labour yet," Eriol replied with a small smile, "but thanks for asking, man."
"Hey, I feel bad for not asking sooner," Syaoran said, managing to feel an ounce better than minutes ago.
"Mr. Hiiragizawa," the doctor called impatiently.
"I'm going, I'm going," Eriol replied once again, sending Syaoran a comforting smile. "I'll talk to you later."
----
"Syaoran…" Sakura murmured in her sleep as she moved around the bed. "Syaoran…" She envisioned a man drenched in blood nearby a heavily shattered car. Sakura's heartbeat unconsciously pounded harder. She then saw another man inside caught between his seat and the wheel, trapping him. Suddenly, a shooting pain travelled down her head and all over her body. Her eyes shot open and she cried. Realizing the vision she had was Syaoran and the man who was lying beside the car they hit. At this realization, her fears and anxieties tripled. "Syaoran!" She managed a weak voice. "Syaoran!" She called again, this time stronger. The doors of the room burst open as a doctor and a nurse walked to her.
"Miss Kinomoto, please calm down!" The nurse coaxed.
"Stay still," the doctor ordered, about to inject something on her arm.
She shook her head in fear and moved away from the needle. "No, no," the nurse held her arms and pushed her down back to her lying position. She fought. "No!" Tears pooled in her eyes. "Where's Syaoran?? I need to see him!! Syaoran!" She called helplessly.
"Syaoran…?" The woman asked in confusion, sending the doctor a glance.
"Miss Kinomoto," the doctor began. Sakura kept on crying. "I need you to calm down and listen to me," he ordered. "Miss Kinomoto!"
Sakura's heart wouldn't stop beating erratically. All she could do was to just let go and listen. Her watery eyes travelled to his.
"You are immensely hurt from the car accident that you and your partner were in. Your wounds are still fragile and are in need of time to heal. I'm cautioning you right now that if you continue to act this way, there is a sure possibility that your wounds will open again, and it will die. Do you want that?"
Sakura swallowed at his words. Her eyes shook. "No…I…I promise I won't…but…I've…I've just got to know," her wavering eyes held his strongly. "How is he?? How's Syaoran?" Her voice held desperation.
The man's serious look softened just a bit. "I'm not his doctor, but I know of his situation. Apparently, he is doing much better than you are. Right now, he's resting and you need your rest. Maybe tomorrow, we will allow him to visit you," the man explained.
She just felt a huge weight lift from her heart. Her hand swiped away at the tears. In a glorious smile, Sakura rested on her bed. "Thank God," she whispered in a breaking, yet very relieved voice. 'Syaoran…' She felt drained, and then suddenly, words echoed in her mind. It will die. It…it? "It?" She repeated.
"Yes," the doctor replied, his stern look softening. "Or have you named him or her yet?"
"Him? Her?" Sakura asked, completely puzzled.
"You mean…you don't know?" Now it was the doctor's time to react.
"Know what?" Sakura pressed. "Doctor, what is…" she stopped. It. Her. Him. Oh…my God. "Doctor, am I…" she breathed, "Am I pregnant??"
"About a month long, actually," a smile brightened his features. "Congratulations, Miss Kinomoto."
A shaking hand travelled to her mouth as Sakura burst in tears again, this time in the bittersweet moment. Her other hand immediately went over her stomach, as if feeling the life inside her move. "Oh my god…" she whispered again and again. "I-I'm pregnant…" Did that mean she was pregnant before Yelan arrived?? "I-I thought I was just getting a fever or something," remembering the two days she just didn't stop puking. Syaoran had also believed she was just getting the flu.
"I'll come back later with the results from your tests," the doctor continued. "Just take her blood pressure and check the wounds," he said to the nurse. "And also call for an OBGYN for her."
"Yes sir," she replied and helped Sakura down to her bed.
He then exited the room with a small goodbye to the women.
"How do you feel?" The nurse asked with a grin.
"I-I…I don't know what to say…I can't believe I'm pregnant…" Sakura said in disbelief. "This is…probably the best and worst day of my life all in one…" she laughed through her tears.
The nurse laughed. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. You and your baby are very lucky. You received a large cut on your side. If this cut were anywhere close to your stomach, the baby would have died."
Sakura stared down at her cut. "This is…just…" she felt drained from all the surprises, all the emotions coursing through her. "I don't know how to describe this feeling…"
"That's all right. Just rest as much as you can and regain your strength. I'll be back with food," the nurse smiled once again and left Sakura alone.
She stared out the window, her hands shaking as it rested overtop of the new life living in her. "I'm going to be a mother…and Syaoran's going to be a father…this is unbelievable," she whispered. After knowing she, Syaoran, and her baby could've died, Sakura was immensely relieved and felt so incredibly lucky to live another day. This time with not only Syaoran, but a baby too.
----
Early the next day, Tomoyo began contractions again. This time, they were stronger and came every 3 minutes. In his heart, Eriol knew already that she was going in labour. While on another floor, Syaoran felt better than before, but still the worry for Sakura continued to make him lose his mind. Sakura rested well for 12 hours over the night and a little more than a few hours in the morning. By the time she woke, lunch was dawning. Eriol managed to get about two minutes of time to visit Sakura and find out how she was doing.
"Hey, pretty lady." Eriol grinned when he entered her room, finding her awake and looking bright.
"Hi, Eriol," Sakura hugged him and smiled, though it didn't do much to conceal her anxieties.
"Sorry I didn't get a chance to visit you last night. How are you, though?" He sat on a nearby chair.
"I'm doing better. I've still got some bruises and my wounds are still delicate, but compared to yesterday, I feel better."
"That's good-"
Sakura gasped between his words. "How's Tomoyo?? And the baby??" Sakura asked immediately after remembering the events before the accident, which led to Syaoran of course. "Did you see Syaoran?? How is he??"
"Whoa, whoa, calm down. One question at a time, all right? You've been doing well until now. You got to relax," he instructed gently with a smile.
Sakura reddened. "Sorry. I've just been caught up in everything. But tell me, how's Tomoyo?"
"Actually, she's going into labour right now." He scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed grin. "She had contractions about an hour ago, and the Lamaze teacher arrived, because she didn't trust me as her Lamaze coach. I got a ten-minute break from the pinching and the yelling and the insulting," Eriol replied playfully.
Sakura nodded and smiled. "That's Tomoyo, all right. Is she feeling ok, though?"
"Compared to you and Syaoran, she's doing really well," he honestly answered. "And speaking of Syaoran, I did visit him yesterday. He looks…acceptable, I guess. I mean, at first, I thought he looked bad, but after finding out from the doctor where his situation was, he was a lot better off than you."
Sakura's hopes rose high. "So does that mean he's ok? He can walk…move…?"
"He can, but the doctor won't let him out of bed for another day or so."
She nodded.
"How 'bout you? When can you get out of bed?"
"I don't know…I honestly don't care." Sakura admitted. "I just want to see him," she said with a sigh. "I mean, all the things you and the doctor have said about Syaoran makes me feel better, but it's just…not the same if I got to look at him and hold him, you know?" She whispered, her mind far away.
Eriol grinned. "I know that look. That's the look Tomoyo always sent my way before she started contracting."
Sakura laughed, but couldn't help blushing again. "Tomoyo loves you. I love Syaoran."
"Us too."
Sakura hesitated to tell him her good news, but then just went for it. "You know something, Eriol?"
"Yeah?" His blue eyes stayed on her.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered in delight.
Suddenly those eyes widened like saucers as the words rung in his head. "Preg…nant?"
She nodded. "I didn't even know until the doctor said I was so lucky that it was alive," she carried on.
"Oh my God…this is amazing news!!" Eriol laughed and hugged Sakura again. "Man! Congratulations, Sakura!"
"Thanks," she smiled. "I've been going through a whirlwind of emotions since I found out." She felt nervous, yet really happy. "If that's how you reacted to this news, how do you think Syaoran will?"
Eriol warmed and put a hand over hers. "Don't worry, honey. He'll love it."
"Thanks, Eriol," Sakura patted his hand. "But you've got to go back to Tomoyo and be there for her when she gives birth. I wish I could be there too, but unfortunately," she looked down at herself guiltily.
"Don't worry about it," Eriol stood up. "I'll come back once I have news about Syaoran or Tomoyo, ok?" He kissed her cheek. "Feel better."
"Thanks," Sakura sighed in contentment. At least a special man in her life visited her, even if he wasn't the most special guy. She needed it.
----
When the clock had turned 7:30 of the night, Tomoyo finally started the immense contractions. The whole day was crazy for her, especially because Eriol managed to disappear off for more than 5 minutes, which got her feeling really lousy. At 7, her contractions finally gave way and she was dilated 10cm. The obstetrician began the procedure while Eriol stayed at Tomoyo's side, replacing the Lamaze coach who left an hour before for a class. Holding her hand tight, Eriol wiped her perspiration and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Come on, baby. He's coming, Tom. You've just got to keep pushing, all right?" He uttered soothing words in her ear, which didn't sound as if they were helping at all, but Tomoyo did feel soothed inside.
She cried and pushed hard. After having done so, she fell back on the bed, her purple hair mussed up. "I can't do it! I'm so tired," she claimed exhaustedly.
"No, no, you can't give up now," Eriol replied, pulling her back.
"Miss Tomoyo, you've got to keep going. The baby's head is crowning," the doctor announced.
At that, Tomoyo started pushing. "Aahh!!"
"Ok, just push a little more," the doctor said calmly.
"I'm pushing as hard as I can!!" She yelled through gritted teeth. She breathed small breaths and blew them out. "Get that thing out of me!!"
Eriol kept on pushing her hair away from her face and placed a cold towel over her forehead. "Come on, Tom. Just keep pushing. He's coming. Just think…minutes after this, you'll be holding little Syao in your arms," he said softly with a smile.
Tomoyo wanted to rip that smile out of his face, but just nodded, picturing the scene. "But it's so…painful!!" She cried as she felt pain on the small of her back. Clutching onto Eriol with one hand and the other clutching the blanket at her side, she pushed one last time.
Moments later, "And here he is," the doctor declared happily, holding the baby delicately, the nurse preparing the scissors.
"Would you like to cut, Mr. Hiiragizawa?" The nurse asked with a smile.
He sent a look towards Tomoyo, but she was flat out tired and just sleeping. "Should I?" He asked in wonder.
The doctor grinned and passed him the scissors. "Right here," he directed.
Eriol grabbed the scissors and gently cut the umbilical cord. Then he passed the scissors to the doctor.
The nurse gathered the baby in her arms and cleaned him. Once she was done, she put him in Eriol's arms. "Gentle, now. There you go."
Eriol held his son, noticing a slightly bald head with tiny dark hairs waving around. The baby was crying his head off, but his eyes were large and amethyst like his mother's. Suddenly, the baby grabbed onto Eriol's finger that was on his cheek and tightened his hold, which didn't do anything, but make Eriol feel such lightness and heaviness in his heart. Pride and happiness and disbelief circled around Eriol's head once he kissed his son's forehead. "I'm a father," Eriol whispered, and then after a moment, he stared at his son's eyes. "I'm your father, little buddy."
----
Syaoran woke to the soft sounds of the machines buzzing. He glanced at the window on his right and saw through the curtains that the moon had settled in place of the sun. After finally getting some good sleep, he began to think about Sakura. Hell, no point in lying now. He continued thinking about her. He imagined her lying on a bed like his, several parts of her body wrapped in bandages, her entire physicality looking beaten. His hands tightened to fists at his side. Thinking about Sakura made him want to get out of that bed, rip out the cords on his body, and run to her.
Just as he thought about it, he started thinking it wasn't a bad idea. He guessed it was well over 9pm and the doctors may just be in their offices, resting for some nap. Syaoran sat up despite a little pain he felt buzzing at his abs. He grabbed the clipboard by his feet and read over the nurse's cursive writing. It said check in 30 minutes. Good. Syaoran placed the clipboard back to its place and shifted in his seat. If he had to get out of his room, he had to make sure no one saw him out on the hall. He didn't care about anything. He just had to see Sakura. Just to see how she was doing. It drove him crazy not knowing how she was.
As he lifted the blanket off of his legs, a nurse entered the room. Syaoran stopped at his place, cursing inwardly, and stared up at the narrowed-eyed nurse. "What do you think you're doing, Mr. Li?" The nurse asked in a clipped tone.
"Nature calls," he said in a calm voice, though feeling incredible frustration towards the woman. "I haven't gone to the bathroom in two days."
She stared at him doubtfully and then gave a small sigh. "Fine. Let me help you."
He accepted her help and he carefully walked to the bathroom. "Can't I get out of this stupid…what the hell do you call this anyway?"
"It's a gown, Mr. Li, and no you can't get out of it."
He rolled his eyes and entered the bathroom. After peeing, he opened the door just barely and looked through. The nurse was sitting on a seat facing his bed, which was exactly the opposite view of the door. Now, if he could just sprint over before the bathroom door clicked shut… agh, no, it wouldn't work. He was too damn weak and he knew he wouldn't be able to go. Reluctantly moving back to the bed, he made a small groan, having just finished planning a really stupid plan. The nurse turned immediately and helped him up, but he turned on her and grabbed her arms in a tight grip.
"Look," he said in a dangerously low voice. "I need to see my girlfriend. After I do, I promise I'll go back to bed and I won't get out until the doctor tells me."
The nurse stared through her blue eyes. "I can't let you do that, sir. The doctor gave me strict orders that I'm not allowed to let you leave. Your wounds are still healing and-"
"I don't care!" He kept his voice neutral, but the words were sharp. "Dammit, I haven't seen her in two days and it's driving me crazy! Just let me see her this one time! That's all I'm asking for!"
She avoided his dark gaze and tried to get out of his grip. "Let go of me, Mr. Li. I'm sorry, but I just…I can't…I'm sorry. I can't let you do that!"
"Come on!" He urged again, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"Mr. Li…"
"Please." He made emphasis on each word. "You've got to let me."
She fought an inner battle and moments later, finally gave up. "Fine," she said powerlessly.
He let go of her hands. "Thank you."
"But," she began, "on one condition."
"Fine. What?"
"You go," she walked over to a nearby closet and grabbed something, "on this."
Syaoran's gaze travelled down to the wheelchair. "You're kidding me."
"Then I guess you're staying here," she replied.
Emitting a low growl, he flopped on the chair. "Fine. I don't get why the hell I should. This makes me look like a wimp."
"It's for your own safety, Mr. Li." The nurse started pushing the wheelchair out of the room.
"Right." He muttered, but his mind had already travelled far since she said 'fine.' Sakura. He'd see Sakura again. God only knew how fast and hard his heart was pounding at that moment.
----
Sakura adjusted to the bright lights around her as she shifted on her bed. Her wounds hadn't healed yet, but they were getting better at least. Surprisingly, after her 12-hour rest the night before, she couldn't find herself getting any rest at all. It seemed as if she couldn't stop thinking and just let sleep take over. Sakura lowered her head on the pillow gently and looked towards the IV beside her. She glanced at the translucent wires attached to her right hand.
She sighed softly as her mind drifted to Syaoran. 'I wonder how he is,' she began with a sad feeling waving over her heart. 'When will I see him again?' Pictures of his chestnut brown hair blowing against the wind, his dark brown eyes darkening and turning husky at the sight of her, his voice vibrating his Adam's apple with that deep tone. Sakura ached to see him. Without even noticing it, she began tearing up. Ah…so the tears were the signs of her pregnancy…the many emotions she felt in one moment captured through her tears.
Suddenly, she heard a creaking noise. Turning her eyes sharply to the door, she noticed a man's foot on the pedestal of the wheelchair. She wiped away her tears with her hands and shaped up. Then, her gaze travelled to his amber eyes that stared directly into hers with such intensity and power. Her heartbeat raced, her breath seized, and her face flushed. One word came out of her lips sounding breathless and wispy that neither heard.
Without thinking, Syaoran jumped out of his wheelchair despite the nurse's cries. "Sakura," he said full of heartache. Crossing over the space between them within 2 seconds, he snuck his arms around her and brought her in a tight hug. He let his head rest at the crook of her neck, taking in her scent. He felt her slender arms around his neck, gripping him tightly. He heard small sobs coming from her, his name like a chant coming out of her sweet lips.
"Syaoran…" She whispered, crying on his clothes. "I missed you so much!!"
"It's okay, babe," he whispered back, rubbing her back. "We're all right." He said it more to himself than to her as he kissed her neck, her cheeks, her eyebrows, her forehead, and her nose, savouring every kiss. "Are you feeling ok?"
She nodded while he kissed her tears away, sending her a small smile to say how inexplicably glad he was that she was alive. "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault that you-" A finger placed slowly over his mouth. Sakura smiled and hugged him again.
"I don't care, Syaoran. I love you too much to care," she whispered.
He pulled away and looked straight at her eyes. The fierce, rapid emotions coming at him scared the hell out of him, but it did help him realize what he wanted out of life. Before he lowered his face to take those beautiful lips, he uttered out the words he never believed he would say in his lifetime. "Marry me."
Her eyes widened at the two small words that suddenly just meant the whole world to her. "W-what?" She asked breathlessly.
"Marry me, Sakura," he held her tightly to him, his eyes not allowing hers to look away. "Be my wife. I love you so much…look…this is what I want and I know this is what you want. Please say you'll marry me," he didn't realize his voice had gone low and tight.
She shed tears once again, breaking down in front of him. Letting go momentarily, she buried her face in her hands. "Syaoran!" She cried in a muffled voice.
His heart stopped. His brain had also just repeated the scene. Was she crying because she felt forced? Or…did she not want to marry him? Syaoran soon felt his heart burst at the pain shooting at him. "Sakura…what…what are you…"
She looked up and instantly wrapped her arms around his neck, moving her face closer to his. "I never thought anyone would love me as much as you do…I love you Syaoran…more than you know…and the only thing I've been wishing since I met you was to be your wife…and to be the mother of your children…" By that, he took control of her luscious pink mouth and buried them both in a deep and sensual moment, one that they hadn't gone to for days.
Once they pulled away, they rested their foreheads against each other's. "And my wishes came true…" she added.
"Is that a yes?" He asked in breathless anticipation.
She nodded. "Of course it's a yes!!" She cried.
Syaoran's contented look then altered. Words seeped into his mind. '…To be the mother of your children…and my wishes came true…' His eyes travelled to hers, connecting in that intense way. He swallowed in fear and surprisingly, hope. "Are you…" He had trouble saying it out loud. "Sakura, are you telling me that you're…"
She nodded again. "I am."
"Oh my god," he whispered. "Oh my god." He couldn't find any other words to say. "We have a…"
"Are you happy?" She asked softly, finding his gaze with concern.
"Hell, I'm more than happy…I'm…" After moments, he closed his mouth, swallowed, and bent forward. "I love you so much." He plunged forward again and captured her lips in a breathtaking kiss.
"Mmm…" she murmured. "Syaoran," she sighed as she buried her face on the crook of his shoulder.
"This is crazy. I still…still can't…" his palm moved to her stomach, which didn't even grow. "There's a baby in here…"
"Isn't it wonderful?" She turned her head to look up at his eyes. "We're going to be a family…just like I've always wanted."
"I know," he kissed her cheek and wiped away the bangs travelling over her eyes. "I want this too. More than anyone knows possible," He took her left hand in his and kissed it. "The ring…" He glanced towards the nurse outside. "I'll give it to you-"
She shook her head. "I could care less if you had a ring or not. The most important thing is that I have you." She smiled.
"This wasn't how I expected or planned to propose to you, you know," he admitted quietly, his other hand stroking her hair.
"But it was perfect." She straightened and stared into his eyes again. "But can I ask you a question?"
He nodded.
"Do I deserve it now?" Her voice had dropped into a softer and lighter voice, almost shy.
At first, his face reflected confusion, but then realization dawned immediately after. "Sakura…" He began.
She offered a smile.
Thinking about everything that he received and got from this accident, it felt bittersweet. Syaoran stared back at her and held her close to him. Slowly, a full, boyish grin curved his lips, making his face brighter than possible. Sakura felt her heart cry and soar at the sight. Tears once again glistened her eyes for the smile on his face and in his eyes. She saw everything behind that smile; everything he felt, everything he kept in… That was when Sakura finally realized that one of the reasons, maybe the most important reason of all, why Syaoran never smiled, was because it revealed too much of him. "Thank you." Sakura replied, planting a kiss on those beautiful parted lips.
Then everything came back again. The nurse, the doctor, the surroundings, the hospital, everything. As happy and wonderful it had been just being in that moment they shared, both Sakura and Syaoran felt pained and tired. Syaoran let go of her as soon as the doctor ordered, and Syaoran returned to the wheelchair. He put up a fight as his doctor arrived, the woman lecturing him and the nurse about the fact that they were not allowed visiting a patient still recuperating and needing some rest. After several minutes of persuasion and casual pleading, the doctor gave up and allowed Syaoran to stay with Sakura, and made some arrangements so that his bed would be right beside hers.
----
By early the next morning, Syaoran stood up and sat on the wheelchair beside Sakura. He held her hand warmly and kissed her upturned palm. "Love you babe." He whispered to nothing.
"Love you, Li," a small voice sighed contentedly.
He looked at her and saw her eyes still shut, a smile appearing on her face. Syaoran fought the urge to wipe that smile off with his mouth.
Someone knocked at the door. If it were a nurse or doctor, they would have just gone in without any knocking. Surprised at this, Syaoran stood up and walked his way to the door, which was quite a bit of trouble still. That didn't explain where he got the energy to cross over to Sakura with incredible speed. He opened the door and in came Eriol and Tomoyo. She was on a wheelchair as well, her face looking tired, but looking fine, nonetheless. Her stomach still had a slight bulge, but was slowly shrinking.
"Hey, Tomoyo," Syaoran couldn't bend down, but kissed her forehead. "You doing okay?"
She nodded. "Despite the unbearable pain of giving birth, I lived." She smiled. "How about you and Sakura?"
"I heard from the doctors you made some reunion last night." Eriol nudged him teasingly.
Syaoran blushed lightly and welcomed them in. "Yeah, well."
"How is she?" Tomoyo asked again, looking at her best friend.
"She's doing all right. Nothing very serious," he said with a smile in his eyes. "Big relief."
Eriol and Tomoyo nodded. "So care to tell us what happened last night?"
"I'm engaged and pregnant…" the soft voice responded again. However, Sakura was still in a deep sleep.
Eriol and Tomoyo stopped. "What?" They asked simultaneously.
"Uh…" He didn't know where to begin.
"Sakura's pregnant??" Tomoyo asked incredulously.
"You proposed to her??" Eriol asked with just as much surprise.
Syaoran took a deep breath. He sat on the wheelchair and began explaining from the very beginning.
Then later, when they knew the rest of the story, Sakura had already woken up. The four were in some deep conversation when the nurse arrived. Syaoran hid a deep growl threatening out of his lips. Somehow, this nurse always managed to ruin good moments. But this time, she had good news. Because Tomoyo and Eriol requested for Syaoran and Sakura to visit the nursery where the baby was. Tomoyo and Eriol left the room for a while, leaving Syaoran and Sakura alone.
"You feeling all right?" He asked moments after they were out, placing a warm hand over her forehead.
She nodded. "Just a little sore."
"Tell me this is for real," he murmured.
She laughed. "This is for real."
"I still can't believe it," he confessed. "I'm just blown away."
"So am I." She kissed his hand. "This is the way it's supposed to be."
"I know. Just weird how we got to this place of our relationship…we had to go through a lot of pain to get to where we are now…ironic."
"I agree."
Eriol and Tomoyo came back in with the beautiful baby boy gurgling. A gasp came out of Sakura's mouth, while Syaoran's was a halt of breath caught in his throat. Sakura sat up and stared at the baby's face. His eyes shimmered like his mom's, but his hair was growing to be Eriol's. Syaoran walked over to his godson, touching the kid gently.
"Unbelievable." He whispered. "A little life like this…"
"Do you want to hold him?" Tomoyo offered. "Just be careful."
Syaoran nodded and took the baby in his arms.
"Watch for the head." Eriol cautioned.
"I got him," Syaoran assured, holding little Syao with unexpected gentleness from a fierce man like him. "Hey kid…how you doing?"
He walked over to Sakura and passed the baby tenderly to her. "Oh my gosh…" Sakura whispered. "Hi, little guy. You're going to be so handsome, honey…" she cooed.
"I'm not even going to pretend to know how you're feeling," Syaoran said to the married couple. "Just holding him made me feel…different. Can't expect how you feel."
"I don't think I could even describe the feeling," Tomoyo mused.
"When he took my finger and just held it…made me feel on top of the world," Eriol admitted with bashfulness.
"Guys!" Sakura cried and laughed. "Here, Tomoyo," she handed the baby to Tomoyo as Eriol pushed Tomoyo up.
"What is it?" Syaoran asked, glancing over at the baby.
"He's smiling…" Eriol whispered.
"No teeth," Tomoyo pointed out playfully, "but smiling."
"He's so beautiful." Sakura murmured.
Syaoran's heart thumped at the sight. Little Syaoran was smiling. No words expressed the feelings he felt at that moment. Sakura turned her head back and beamed at him. He couldn't do anything, but return the smile. It reflected Little Syao's. Small, unsure, but worth more than anything in the world.
The End.