CHAPTER 33
Epiphany arrives to update Patrick
Patrick: Epiphany, please tell me something he begs...tears falling...it's been hours...
Epiphany: I know...Drake, Jr...here, sit with me.
Patrick: I don't want to sit...I want to know about MY WIFE AND CHILD!
Epiphany: (Takes his hand) We had to deliver the baby...she says solemnly.
Patrick: (Trying to process the information-Shakes his head) I'm sorry, I thought you just said you had to deliver the baby? He says with a nervous laugh. Sabrina is only 5 months along...I don't, he says between tears.
Felix: How is the little one? He asks trying to be hopeful.
Epiphany: (Trying to hold back tears and be professional) Believe it or not, she says as Patrick looks at her unbelieving about what she is about to say....He is holding his own. Obviously he is extremely tiny and on machines...
Patrick: Did you say he?
Epiphany: I did Dr. Drake...
Patrick: How is it possible that he survived he asks relieved?
Epiphany: He is obviously resilient and determined like his dad...she winks...
Patrick: Can I see him, he asks unable to control his tears. Felix puts his arm on his shoulder.
Epiphany: In a little while...I'll come and get you when you can meet your son.
Patrick: How's my beautiful wife? He asks
Epiphany: She's still in surgery, I need you to sign this...she says handing him Sabrina's chart.
Patrick: What is this? He asks reading the forms...not really fully paying attention to what it says.
Epiphany: Felix...can I have a minute...
Felix: Sure...I'll go and watch the surgery and make sure Bri is doing ok...
Patrick: Thank you Felix....he nods.
Patrick: What is it? Just tell me, he says to Epiphany knowing that she had something bad to tell him.
Epiphany: Please, you may really want to sit down for this.
Patrick: Fine, he sits....happy?
Epiphany: No, she sits next to him.
Patrick: What is it?! Dammit, Epiphany, just tell me what I need to do to save my wife!
Epiphany: Okay, you're right...I don't need to beat around the bushes with you...Okay, here goes...she takes a deep breath...
Patrick: A hysterectomy? Are you sure?
Epiphany: It's the only way Patrick...if we don't Sabrina may not make it...I know this is an awful decision for you to have to make for your wife and I know it's not what she would want...BUT it's the ONLY chance of her surviving and being able to raise Noah and your beautiful new baby boy!
Patrick takes a deep breath...
Patrick: How much time do I have to make this decision?
Epiphany: The sooner the better...I'll give you a few minutes and come back to get the forms...
Patrick: Can you get Elizabeth for me?
Epiphany: You got it Drake, Jr.
A few minutes later, Elizabeth arrives at the waiting area.
Elizabeth: Patrick, she says gently touching his shoulder as he has his head down in his hands.
Patrick: Hey, he says and she hugs her friend...
Elizabeth: Epiphany just told me...
Patrick: What do you think? I don't want to chance losing my wife...I love her and can't go through that again. I know its selfish, but I can't live without her, he says in tears.....I need an opinion from a woman's point of view.
Elizabeth: Patrick, she takes his hands...You are not being selfish...You love your wife more than anyone I've ever seen love their wife. I wish every husband was as amazing as you! Patrick smiles a little. If it were the only way to save my life as is Sabrina's case, I would hope that my other half would do what was best for me...I would want him to sign those papers...she says nodding her head over at the table.
Patrick: I thought so...but...We can't have anymore children...She's going to be upset and probably angry at me when she finds out. She's never been angry with me, he says with a little laugh...Elizabeth laughs as well.
Elizabeth: When she realizes that you did it so she could live to see her sons and Emma grow up, I'm sure she will thank you...
Epiphany comes back telling them it's time to decide.
Epiphany: Patrick, I don't mean to rush, but they are at the point of surgery where this is needed NOW...
Patrick: Here, he picks up the chart...signs his name on the line and approves for the hysterectomy in order to save his wife's life. I'll deal with the fallout later....he says able to make a joke.
Epiphany: You can see your son, by the way...she winks....Elizabeth can take you too him.
NICU
Elizabeth: Here, put this on she says handing him protective scrubs. As you can gather he is going to be very tiny...and on machines to help his lungs develop.
Patrick: Unable to hold back tears...do you think he has a chance? He says peaking inside the nursery at his tiny baby boy.
Elizabeth: (crying as well) He has the best possible chance Patrick, she rubs his shoulder. He has the best nurses in the state taking care of him...and I will personally make sure he stays strong and continues to grow even though he's not in his mommy's tummy.
Patrick: Where he should be, he breaks down completely now.
Elizabeth catches him and hugs him until he calms down a bit.
Patrick: I'm sorry, he says clearing his face.
Elizabeth: You don't have to be strong for me...how long have we been friends? She say trying to make him laugh.
Patrick: A long time, he finally smiles. I really don't know what I'd do without you! He winks and sniffles.
Elizabeth: Go meet your beautiful son...I'll check on Sabrina...
Patrick: Elizabeth...thank you...
Elizabeth: You bet, she are friends for? She smiles and goes to check on her best friend.
Patrick takes a deep breath and goes in to the nursery to meet his son.
Nurse: You must be this little guy's father?
Patrick: I am, he smiles proudly...how is he doing?
Nurse: Holding his own....she replies with a smile. Does he have a name yet sir she asks looking through the baby's chart.
Patrick: Staring at his baby boy...Um, no...his mother and I hadn't come up with one yet...I'm going to let her be the one to decide, he says trying to be hopeful.
Nurse: No rush...you can touch him by the way...she says seeing how anxious Patrick was.
Patrick: Really?
Nurse: Absolutely...we encourage it...it makes the baby feel comforted and that he's not alone.
Patrick: Thank you...he says sitting on the chair next to the NICU unit...Hey, little guy....he says covering his mouth shocked at the size of his son...The nurse steps out quietly admiring father and son.
Patrick: Hey, he says nervously putting his hand in the crib...Daddy is here...Shhhh, He gently rubs his tiny back that is about the same size as Patrick's hand. I know you are probably very scared...Can I tell ya somethin? He whispers close to his little ear...Daddy is terrified! That will be just between us guys, okay? I really need you to do me a favor.. pauses like he was waiting for the baby to respond...I need you to pull through and stay so very strong so mommy and I can take you home to meet your big brother and sister....he says with tears flowing. Can you do that for me? He asks closing his eyes...There was a knock on the window...
Patrick: I'll be back son...I love you so much. He slowly takes his hand out of the crib and sees Felix. It's your Uncle Felix, he smiles...maybe he has some good news about mommy...I'll be right back...
Felix: Hey, He's just beautiful Patrick.
Patrick: (Closes the door behind him quietly) He really is taking a glance through the window. Any word on our girl?
Felix: She is in recovery...
Patrick: Felix, what aren't you telling me? He sees the look on Felix's face.
Felix: Okay...I was going to let Elizabeth tell you, but I guess it would be better coming from me.
Patrick: Tell me what!
Felix: Breaking down in tears...we almost lost her Patrick...twice...
Patrick falls to the floor
Patrick: No! He shouts...
Felix: She came back to us, Patrick, he says between tears...Look at that beautiful boy in there, do you really think she'd abandon him now?
Patrick: No, of course not....he takes a deep breath...
Felix: Epiphany said you can go see her...
Patrick: Thank you Felix...can you...
Felix: I won't leave his side...I promise, he smiles...putting on scrubs.
Patrick: Thanks! He gives his friend a hug...I'll come back as soon as I can.
Felix: Give my favorite girl a kiss for me....he says with a tear falling down his cheek.
Patrick: I will...he closes his eyes and goes to see Sabrina.