Against the Odds A Love Story

Chapter 30

A new day is never promised, but is welcomed beyond words.

Thirty

As I slowly began to awaken, I groaned from the pain of my sore muscles. Feeling something over my nose, I reached up and felt the oxygen mask. I pushed it away and slowly opened my eyes. Feeling a gentle pressure on my hand, I turned my head to the side, letting my eyes rest on Hayden's face.

“Welcome back, baby,” he said for the second time, his voice cracking, and his red-rimmed eyes filling with tears. He pressed a hand to my face. “Baby . . . I was . . . I was so scared I was gonna lose you.”

I looked at his face. His handsome features were haggard, and he looked as if he had aged several years. “Hayden,” I whispered hoarsely, “what's wrong? Is the baby all right?”

He nodded and swallowed. He answer came out in a sob. “The baby is just fine, darlin'. He's eight pounds, and he's beautiful.”

My eyes roamed over his face again and I squeezed his hand, startled by his emotion. “What's wrong?”

He again swallowed hard and continued to caress my face. “Raine, you have been in a coma for a week.”

I was completely stunned. “What do you mean?”

He sniffed and wiped his eyes. “You had a seizure and you just went unconscious. The doctor said there was a chance you might not wake up. He said that it happens sometimes with preeclampsia patients.” His eyes were full of pain.

I loosened my hand from his and pressed it to his face, suddenly understanding why he looked so worn. “I'm so sorry,” I said.

He pressed a kiss to the palm of my hand. “I was so scared, Raine. I was so scared. Just when I had everything I could ever want, I thought you were gonna be taken from me.”

I pulled him to me and held his face against mine, pressing my hand in his hair. “I'll never leave you, Hayden,” I breathed against his ear. “I'll be with you forever. I'm pretty stubborn that way.” I felt the sob that shuddered through him and choked back one of my own as tears stung my eyes. “I'm all right,” I continued to whisper as I stroked his hair. “I'm all right.”

Hayden finally raised up and looked at me. “I'm gonna be thanking God for that every day for the rest of my life.”

“So will I.” I sighed. “Hayden, I want to see our baby.”

He smiled and pressed his hand to my cheek again. “I'll go and let the nurse know you're awake. Then I'll get him.” He stood.

When he hesitated, I could tell just by looking into his eyes that he was afraid to leave. I squeezed his hand and again urged him closer. “I promise I'll be here when you get back.”

A sheen of renewed tears appeared in his eyes. “I know.” He smiled and a look of melancholy crossed his face. “We've beaten the odds so far, haven't we?”

“We have, and I have faith that we always will,” I whispered just before he softly touched his mouth to mine.

As the warmth of his love washed over me, one solemn truth burned brightly in my mind and heart that would forever be a testament to me of the impact of the choices we make in life. At one time, all had looked bleak for Hayden and me, and I made the choice to take a chance on him and his love. I made the choice to stay. And because of that choice, I was blessed with the deepest love and the most wonderful life I could ever ask for. I had gone through some hard trials, but the end results were priceless. I had my husband and I had our baby.

Now I knew without a doubt that whatever trials life brought my way, God would help me see them through.