Page 34 of Nick

“I’ve been so excited to meet you. My name is Angie.”

“Hi, Angie. I’m Axel. I’m going to make you all better.”

“I’m glad. Mom has been so upset. I didn’t want to leave her yet. I’m sorry our father didn’t want you. He was an ass even if he was only sixteen.”

“That’s alright. I don’t hold grudges. How old are you?”

“Thirteen.”

“Well, Angie, shall we get started?”

“Are you scared?”

“No, I’m going to be a Navy Seal. We don’t get scared.” I almost laughed at that, but I was the proudest mom alive at that moment.

“You’re handsome. You look more like your mom. She’s beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful too. I will see you when this is all over.”

I was sitting in the waiting room when Nick walked in. He looked around and smiled when he spotted me. I got up and walked to where he stood.

“What are you doing here? You’re going to make yourself go back into the hospital. How do you feel?”

* * *

Nick

I kissedher lips and touched her belly where our babies were. “I’m fine. I’ll take it easy,” I told her.

I looked around at the people sitting in the waiting room. When my eyes met the younger woman’s eyes, I knew she was the girl’s mother. I walked over and took her hand. “I know your daughter will be doing cheers in no time. How could she not with Axel’s bone marrow in her.”

“Everyone, this is Nick Lombardi. He’s—”

“I’m Opal’s fiancé.” Opal looked at me, and I kissed her lips again. I saw the way her old boyfriend looked at her. Opal was wearing a skirt and a loose top. She looked beautiful. I felt Samuel’s eyes on me.

“Have you heard anything?” I asked as I sat down next to Opal.

“No, not yet.” I heard someone's throat clear, and we all looked at the man. Yep, I was now more sure it was Axel’s father.

“I wanted to say something,” he said, looking at Opal. “I’m ashamed of the way I behaved back then. I would give anything if I didn’t act like a fucking idiot. That’s my son, and I hate myself for not being there for him.”

“Axel had lots of love. His family never ignored him.”

“I knew he wouldn’t be ignored. You and your sisters were always close.”

I looked up, and Amber and Ruby walked into the waiting room. I looked at Opal. She stood up and walked to them. “Why are you two here?”

“We are here for Axel and you.”

She sighed as they hugged each other. “Come, let me introduce you to Axel’s grandparents.”

We sat there for another hour, and then the doctor walked into the waiting room. Everything worked out perfectly. “Angie will be asleep for a while. Axel is still sleeping, also.”

“Can you tell me where Axel is sleeping? I want to be in there with him,” Opal said, standing up. We all stood when she did.

“If you follow me, I’ll show you.”

“Opal.” We all turned when Wayne called her name.

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