Chapter 76

ZAVIER

I dont know how long that passed. I don't care because my mind was occupied with the thoughts of my wife who's fighting for her life in the other room.

The sisters arrived an hour ago, and they've been praying severely. Miranda and Morris are here too. Morris have been consoling Miranda, taking her up in his arms.

For the first time ever, they held each other. At a point Miranda started praying, and Morris joined her too. Morris is no stranger to prayers because he's been living in our house for months. There's always Lani and Miranda to keep us in track.

I was pacing restlessly and at a point, Sister Benedetta stared at me tenderly.

"Come and pray with us, son." She invited softly.

The request only reminded me of who I always pray with. Lani.

I shook my head at the sister, "Truly, I don't think I'll be calm enough to---"

The Sister got up from her chair and walked towards me. She took my hand gently into hers and started leading me back to the space where she and five other Reverend Sisters occupied.

I couldn't help staring at her hand she held mine with, until we got to the chair and she sat, expecting me to do the same. I did.

She gave me a Rosary. "Here, try it. Nothing brings peace more than saying the Rosary, son."

"My hands are stained with blood. I'm the most horrible sinner in the world." I told her truthfully.

She doesn't look surprised. Instead she smiled, "Let God be the judge of that, son. Here, take this...."

I stared at the beads familiarly. "I've not learnt completely, Sister. Lani has been teaching me, but I've not learnt it all." I answered truthfully.

"Alright son. Here, let's say other words of prayers together and then later, you join us in saying the Rosary. Close your eyes and you'll be fine."

Her voice was hypnotic, I found myself doing the things she said. I closed my eyes, realizing that it's the first time I have to pray on my own, alone. Lani was always there, and we did it together.

And now, she's battling for her life. Lani always prayed. She said that there's nothing God cannot do, even the priests at the church say so. What's that word again....

Miracle. They call it Miracle.

For the first time in my life, I had the true urge to pray to God. On my own. Without guidance. With all my black heart. With all sincerity.

And so, I did.

I closed my eyes and started words of prayers in my heart. I prayed and prayed to God above for Lani and for my kids.

I don't know how long passed. My heart took on a different kind of peace as I placed. Truly, saying words of prayers brings peace.

Before I knew it, I was even saying the Rosary. Going through the beads as much as I knew how. So, what if I don't know how to say it correctly? God still sees the intention in my black heart---

"Where's Sheriff Zavier?" The doctor asked, removing his mask as he came out of the room.

"I'm here, doctor." The sisters and I stood up at the same time, staring at him expectantly.

"We've used medications, uterine massage, blood transfusion, increased her hydration and oxygenation. She's during better now but she's very weak. We're trying to deliver the babies but she's more complicated because she can't push and her cervical dilations are slow." He explained.

I don't understand half of the words he's saying because they sounded so foreign but I do know that he said she's doing better.

"She's truly doing better?" I asked, my chest swelling.

"For now, but it's still bad, Sheriff. We would have used C-section but it would have been more dangerous for her at this rate. The babies aren't out yet, she's too weak. It's too much for her; the pain, the complications. With the state she's in, it's unadvisable for her to push, and that is why I came to take you in. Go in, talk with her so she doesn't give in to the overwhelming urge to push and so she doesn't give up."

He doesn't have to say it twice. I lead the way already but he stopped me with his hand. I turned and stared at his hand on mine.

He shifted uncomfortably. "Please, do well not to terrorise the doctors and nurses, Sheriff. We understand your situation but we don't work so well under pressure."

"I promise, doc. I will never do anything to further endanger my wife." I vowed and I meant it too.

After the long hours and the prayer, I feel....calmer. More at peace.

He nodded once and we walked into Lani's room. I can only see her face to her chest. The rest of her was covered in a big blanket, her legs hanging high on some kind of poles, spread wide. Two female nurses crouched there.

My eyes went back to Lani's sweaty face as I entered. Her eyes were closed but as I entered, she opened them and stared at me. Pain and tiredness dripped from her features.

"Zavier...." She breathed.

I rushed to her and sat down on the chair besides her. I took her hand and squeezed lightly, leaning closer to kiss her forehead and reassure myself that she's here with me.

"My baby, my Lani. I'm here, baby. I'm right here." I kissed all over her face.

"My....body hurts...badly." Her voice was laced with hoarseness and she leaned into me.

"I'm so so sorry, baby. You're doing good...you're doing so good."

"I'm so tired, Zavier. I'm so tired..." She cried, her lips barely moving.