Falling For You [ Ryan Rees - Twin Paranormal ]

29

The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the apartment. Winter sat up in bed, watching Ryan with CJ.

Ryan was busy changing CJ out of her cute little nighttime romper. He carefully dressed her in a cozy woollen green cardigan, brown woollen trousers, and a matching hat. The sight of his daughter in the tiny outfit made his heart swell with love and pride. He picked her up gently, cradling her in his arms as he walked around the bed to Winter.

"Hey, you," Ryan whispered, leaning down to press a tender kiss to Winter's lips. He then kissed CJ on her forehead, eliciting a soft coo from the newborn. "We're heading to the hospital now."

Winter looked up at Ryan, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Ry. I wish I could come with you."

Ryan shook his head, giving Winter a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. You need to rest and we'll be back before you know it." He carefully placed CJ in her car seat and secured her in place.

River appeared in the doorway, keys in hand and a warm smile on his face. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, we're ready," Ryan replied, picking up the car seat and giving Winter one last kiss. "Take it easy, okay?"

Winter nodded, his eyes following Ryan as he and River left the apartment. As the door closed behind them, Winter let out a sigh, feeling a mix of relief and worry. He trusted Ryan and River completely, but he couldn't shake the anxious knot in his stomach. Something about CJ's unusual behaviour over the last three days had been nagging at him, but he pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on resting and recuperating.

~

At the hospital, Ryan signed in for the appointment, giving the receptionist CJ's name. They were soon called by a nurse into a small, brightly lit examination room where the doctor awaited them. Ryan's heart pounded in his chest as he placed CJ on the examination table. He couldn't help but feel a growing sense of dread.

The doctor, a kind-looking woman with a gentle smile, began her examination. She explained the various tests they would conduct to check CJ's eyes, heart, hips, and ears. Ryan watched anxiously as the tests were performed, his worry deepening with each passing moment.

When it came time for CJ's hearing test, Ryan's heart was in his throat. He had noticed something off about her hearing. CJ rarely cried, and when she did, her cry was unusually high-pitched, almost like a newborn kitten. She also never seemed to be startled by loud sounds, something that had been gnawing at his mind.

The doctor completed the hearing test and turned to Ryan with a serious expression. "Mr. Rees, I'm afraid CJ has profound hearing loss."

Ryan felt his world tilt on its axis. He had suspected something was wrong, but hearing the confirmation from the doctor made it painfully real. He struggled to find his voice, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts. "What... what does that mean for her?" he finally managed to ask.

The doctor explained patiently, "It means that CJ has little to no hearing. She may not respond to sounds or voices, and she'll need specialized care and support as she grows."

Ryan nodded numbly, trying to process the information. The doctor continued to speak, but the words seemed to blur together. All he could think about was how he was going to break the news to Winter. How could he tell the love of his life that their precious daughter was deaf?

River placed a comforting hand on Ryan's shoulder, bringing him back to the present, both of them attuned to each other's emotions. "We'll get through this, Ry. CJ's strong, and so are we."

Ryan took a deep breath, drawing strength from River's words. "You're right."

Back at the apartment, Winter rested in bed, his mind drifting in and out of a light sleep. Wyatt was by his side, ever the protective brother. When he heard the door open, Winter's eyes snapped open, and he looked towards the entrance, relief washing over him as he saw Ryan and River walk in.

Ryan approached the bed slowly, carrying CJ in her car seat. He set it down gently and took a seat beside Winter, taking his hand in his. "Hey, Win. How are you feeling?"

Winter searched Ryan's eyes, sensing something was amiss. "I'm okay, but you look like you've seen a ghost. What's wrong, Ry?"

Ryan took a deep breath, squeezing Winter's hand for support. "Win, there's something we need to talk about. The doctor... she confirmed that CJ has profound hearing loss."

The room fell silent as Winter absorbed the news. His eyes filled with tears, but he remained composed, focusing on his daughter. "What does that mean for her, Ryan?"

"It means she'll need special care and support," Ryan replied, his voice trembling slightly. "But we'll get through this. We have each other, and we'll do everything we can to give CJ the best life possible."

Winter nodded, tears spilling down his cheeks as he reached for CJ. He held her close, feeling a surge of love and determination. "We'll get through this together," he whispered, kissing CJ's forehead. "Our little girl is perfect, no matter what."

Wyatt and River joined them, forming a protective circle around the new family. In that moment, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united by their love and determination. Clarity June, their beautiful daughter, was a new dawn in their lives, bringing with her a future filled with hope, love, and resilience.