Page 14 of I Survived and will rise again

Sadie heaves a weary sigh. “I just got him back,” she murmurs. “What if something happens again, and he disappears?” Her little hands ball up into tight fists, clutching tightly at the fabric of Donnie's hoodie. “What if he never heals? What if...what if he doesn't survive this time?” she asks, her fear raw and palpable. “I won’t be able to bear it,” she whispers. “You saw how I was when I thought he was dead.”

A heavy knot forms in my stomach at the thought. She's not just seeking confirmation, she's grasping for reassurance—the reassurance that even if the danger has passed, Jo won't be able to save himself from his demons.

Donnie's expression is full of love, like he has become an anchor for her. “He's tougher than you realize. It’ll take time, but he will get through this.” Donnie pulls her closer against his chest, holding her tightly, resting his chin on her head. “I can't let anything happen to you, Shorty, or our baby. Neither will Jo,” his eyes locking with mine, conveying the intensity of his sincerity. "Or Javi,” he adds.

I nod in agreement. “Donnie's right, Sadie.”

She turns her head toward me, tears brimming in her eyes, and offers me a faint smile.

“You are both so fucking strong. You fought for so long and survived, and you’ve weathered all the storms,” I remind her, my voice steady and unwavering. “You and Jo can rise above this shit storm. But have faith in Jo that he will overcome this—in time. And when the clouds finally part, both of you will find the peace and closure you've been searching for.”

“You guys sound pretty sure of yourselves,” she says, looking lost and vulnerable. “I hate feeling so helpless,” she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. “I feel like I've lost control of everything.”

I tilt my head and tuck my hands into my pockets, trying to find the right words to comfort her. “I know it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” I confess. “But even in the darkest of nights, the stars still shine. The uncertainty and struggles make the moments of joy and triumph all the more worth it.”

“It's okay to feel that way,” Donnie says softly. “But you got this, Shorty. You and Jo will rise above this.”

Sadie takes a moment to compose herself before finally nodding. “Okay, you winthisround.”

Donnie and I both let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank God.” Donnie chuckles. “I seriously thought I would have to spank your ass bare for being so damn stubborn.”

“Dude.” I shoot him a look. “I don't need to hear that shit.”

He laughs, and Sadie joins in.

“It's good to see you smile,” I tell her, returning the grin.

“You drive me crazy, hermano, but I love you, Javi," she says with adoration.

“I love you too, sis,” I reply, feeling warmth spreading in my chest at her words.

Donnie nods slightly, lifting his chin as he looks toward me. “Take care. We’ll see you later,” he says casually.

I return the gesture. “See you,” I reply with a small smile.

Sadie and I exchange waves as she steps into the elevator. I watch the doors slowly close, then turn around to return to the room. As soon as I enter, my eyes instinctively land on Abi. I cautiously approach the incubator, my pulse quickening with anticipation and trepidation. My tiny, fragile baby girl lays inside, swaddled in soft blankets, and connected to monitors with delicate wires. My eyes fill with tears as I reach out to touch her hand.

The nurse takes this moment to walk in. “Do you want to hold her?” she asks with a kind smile as she steps closer.

I nod in response, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

The nurse gently lifts Abi from the bed and places her in my arms. I carefully cradle her, feeling her warmth against my skin and the weight of her tiny body. The nurse gestures to a nearby chair and instructs me to sit down.

As I sit, the nurse adjusts Abi's position in my arms to ensure she is comfortable and secure. “I'll be back,” she says, checking Gabby's vitals and walking out of the room.

As I sit there with my newborn daughter, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the love I already have for her. Tears start to roll down my face. “Hey, little one, it's me, your daddy. I've been waiting for you,” I whisper. “You're so perfect, so beautiful.” I choke out the words as emotions flood through me.

I lift my gaze toward Gabby, who watches me with tears streaming down her face, her expression full of love. I turn my attention back to our little girl. “I need you to fight, baby girl, okay? Fight.”

Gabby and I sit silently for a moment, lost in our thoughts but comforted by each other's presence. Finally, she breaks the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are you going to talk about it?"

I know exactly what she's referring to—the events at the warehouse—but I try to feign ignorance because I don’t want to think about it, let alone talk about it. "What do you mean?" I ask.

She rolls her eyes. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, Javier Luis." Her words hang heavy in the air, and I can feel the weight of Jo’s situation pressing down on me.

I take a deep breath and try to steady myself. Her strength and comfort are exactly what I need right now.

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