Darwin paced back and forth in front of the intensive care unit. He had been anxiously waiting for further updates about Veronica, who was currently undergoing examination.
In his heart, Darwin continued to pray, asking God for a miraculous recovery for his wife so that her condition could return to stability and normalcy as it used to be. Meanwhile, next to Darwin, Damian was also present. After witnessing Veronica’s response and informing the medical team, Darwin immediately contacted his father-in-law. So now, both of them were anxiously waiting right in front of the room.
“Veronica will get better, Dad,” Darwin tried to reassure. Despite his extreme anxiety, he felt obligated to provide comfort to his father-in-law to prevent him from worrying excessively, which could lead to stress.
“Dad knows that too, Win. Dad is confident that Veronica will soon wake up and recover just like before.”
Darwin nodded. He reached out and gently patted his father-in-law’s back to further reassure him.
“Darwin is also sure that soon we will all be reunited as before.”
After waiting for more than thirty minutes, the doctor who had examined Veronica finally emerged. At the same moment, Darwin and Damian hurried closer, eager to hear the news the doctor would deliver.
“How is my wife, doctor? Is she okay? Has something serious happened?”
The doctor smiled and slowly began to provide an answer.
“We can all be thankful because the patient has passed the critical phase. Her consciousness has fully returned. Right now, further observation is being conducted to check for any trauma or other issues.”
Darwin visibly sighed in relief. He repeated words of gratitude in his heart, as God had just answered his prayers. The hopes and prayers he had continuously offered recently had finally been answered, bringing peace to his heart.
“Thank goodness. In that case, can the two of us visit the patient?” Darwin asked hopefully. He couldn’t wait to hug his wife and hear her voice again after days of not being able to communicate. Don’t even ask how much he missed Veronica.
“Of course, Mr. Darwin. After the observation is completed and it’s confirmed that there are no serious issues, the patient will be transferred to the ward. There, you can meet and talk with the patient freely. However, I would ask that you not overexert her. The patient still needs plenty of time to recover.”
Darwin nodded repeatedly, understanding that his wife needed time to adjust after the previous critical and worrying situation.
“In that case, I’ll leave for now. Later, when the patient is transferred, I’ll come to the ward right away.”
Once the doctor left, Darwin chose to take Damian to the baby’s room first. He was sure that his father-in-law was also eager to meet his newly born grandchild.
Upon entering the baby’s room, Darwin and Veronica’s son had just finished being bathed. Stepping into the room, Darwin immediately asked the nurse for permission to hold the baby so he could show him up close to his father-in-law.
“Dad, take a look. This is Veronica and Darwin’s child. The grandchild you’ve been asking from both of us.”
Damian looked on in amazement. He hadn’t expected to have a grandchild from his beloved daughter. You can’t even ask how he felt right now. Of course, he was incredibly happy. In fact, Damian asked Darwin to take turns holding the tiny baby.
“Wow, God. If you look closely, his face really resembles Veronica,” Damian murmured as he cradled the baby in his arms.
“He’s got some of Darwin’s looks too, Dad. Look at how handsome he is,” Darwin protested, making Damian laugh.
“Of course, he resembles both of you. But Veronica’s features still dominate,” Damian debated playfully.
“Alright, Dad, you win. Darwin won’t argue. I don’t want to jinx it,” Darwin teased.
Damian laughed again, entertained by Darwin’s banter.
“So, have you chosen a name for this cute baby yet? If not, let me suggest a name,” the middle-aged man offered.
As far as Darwin knew, he and Veronica had already prepared a name for their baby long ago. Even though they knew their baby’s gender was male, they had still prepared names for both genders.
“Actually, Darwin and Veronica have prepared a suitable name for our baby a long time ago. When Veronica’s condition allows it, we will announce the name.”
Damian nodded in agreement and began to understand.
“Alright then. I can’t wait to call this cute baby by his name.”
The father-in-law and son-in-law then appeared to chat for a long time in the baby’s room. They took turns holding the baby, and time passed without them realizing it. And shortly thereafter, one of the nurses approached, informing them that Veronica had been transferred to the ward.
***
With confidence in Veronica’s gradually improving condition, the medical team finally moved her to a regular ward. From the Holter monitor to the oxygen tube, they removed each medical apparatus from Veronica’s body, leaving only the IV tube that she would still need for some time.
After receiving the latest update on his wife’s health, Darwin hurriedly went to the room where she was being treated. Upon arrival and seeing Veronica, who was fully conscious, Darwin couldn’t help but call her name softly.
“Veronica…”
At that moment, the woman in the bed slowly turned her head and gazed at Darwin while offering a faint smile. Her gesture seemed to reassure her husband that she was alright.
“Win…” Veronica weakly replied.
Darwin immediately rushed into a hug with Veronica, who was lying down. He was overwhelmed with joy because his wife had finally regained consciousness and could even call his name.
“For God’s sake, I missed you so much,” Darwin whispered and then released the embrace. His eyes were teary from the overwhelming emotions.
“Are you crying?” Veronica asked, concerned to see her husband crying in front of her.
“How could I not cry, my love? I was so afraid of losing you. Without you, who will accompany me and our child in the future?” Darwin confessed honestly. His facial expression clearly showed how genuinely afraid he was of losing Veronica.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Veronica reassured him with a smile. “See? We’re together again now, aren’t we?”
Darwin nodded, reaching for Veronica’s free hand and gently kissing it.
“You really need to wake up soon. It’s such a shame that you can’t see our handsome baby, just like his daddy.”
Veronica smiled. She suddenly became curious about the son she had struggled so hard to give birth to.
“So, where’s our child? I want to see and hold him.”
“Please be patient, okay? The nurse will bring him in shortly.”
And as if on cue, after Darwin finished saying that, a nurse indeed came into Veronica’s room carrying their baby. Damian was also present, standing by.
As soon as he entered and saw his daughter was awake, Damian rushed over to do the same. He embraced her tightly, not hesitating to shed tears of happiness at being reunited with the person he loved most.
“Dad missed you, dear. Why did you have to sleep for so long? Your child has been searching for his mommy everywhere,” Damian protested while wiping away the tears that had fallen on his cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Veronica, Dad.”
“It’s okay. What matters is that you’re awake now. And Dad prays for your speedy recovery to be back to your usual self.”
Afterward, Darwin approached while holding the tiny baby in his arms. He intentionally sat right beside the bed so that Veronica could have a clear view of the handsome baby she had given birth to.
“May I hold him?” Veronica asked with a pleading expression.
Darwin didn’t immediately hand the baby over to her. He turned briefly to the nurse, as if seeking approval. He wanted to make sure he didn’t make any mistakes.
“What do you think, nurse? Is it okay for my wife to hold our baby?”
The nurse approached and shook her head.
“I’m sorry, sir, but for now, it’s better for Mrs. Veronica to recover her condition first. If you want to get closer, you can lay the baby next to Mrs. Veronica.”
Darwin nodded, understanding the need to follow the medical team’s advice. That’s why Darwin chose to gently lay the tiny baby in his wife’s arms, right beside her.
Meanwhile, Veronica looked enthusiastic as she caressed the tiny sleeping face next to her. She hoped that her condition would improve soon so that she could hold, embrace, and kiss her handsome son in the near future.