New Beginnings

Testing Times

      "Dad, what happened?" Victoria asked, she and Nicholas hurrying to Victor. Victoria gave Victor a hug. "Is Mom ok? Nicholas asked, following Victoria and giving Victor a hug. "Your mother is in surgery right now,she was shot in the stomach." "Oh my God,how? Victoria said, her voice rising. She's going to be ok ,right?" Nicholas asked becoming more worried by the second. "How did this happen?" Victoria half asked, half demanded. "I don't know," Victor started, looking down at the floor with his hands in his pockets,"Jack Abbott came to the house drunk and had a gun, he was still angry about your mother leaving him for me. I tried to take the gun away from him, and when we tumbled to the ground he got a shot off. The doctor said the bullet hit her abdominal aorta, and her left kidney. Her aorta can be repaired, but her kidney was severely damaged." "What happens if the surgeons can't repair her kidney?" Nick asked. "I don't know son, all I know is it doesn't look good at all," Victor replied with a sigh. "Where is Jack now?" Nicholas asked already knowing the answer."The police took him to the station, and I haven't heard anything since,but I'm not the least bit concerned about him,right now all I care about is your Mother." "So, how long until we know something? Victoria asked in complete shock at this point. "We have to wait until she gets out of surgery," Victor told them. "Sharon rushed over, after hearing the shot, and stayed to watch Christianson. I'm going to called her, and check on Christianson." "Of course, Dad," Victoria reassured him. Nick turned to Victoria, and put his arms around her "Mom is going to be ok, Vic, she has to be." "I hope you're right," she whispered.

     Victor called the Sharon's cell phone.

      "Hi Victor, how is Nikki?"

     "She is in surgery now, the bullet damaged her kidney"

     "Is she going to be ok?"

     "We don't know anything yet, but she should be out soon...I hope"

     "How is Christianson?"

    "He's getting kind of fussy, I think it's because he isn't used to me"

    "It looks like Nikki will be in here for longer than tonight, so can you keep for over night, and I'll             have Victoria pick him up tomorrow"

     "You don't even have to ask"

     "Thank you, Sharon"

     "Of course Victor"

     "And Sharon?"

     "Yes, Victor?"

     "Will you put the phone up to Christianson so I can talk to him"

     "Sure....here he is" she put him on her lap.

     "Hi, my boy" 

     Christianson's mouth gaped open, and he hollered baby noises- making sure he was heard. And for the first time since his Sharon began watching him,  seemed to be happy, and less fussy.

   Victoria and Nicholas were secretly watching this special moment, with bittersweet grins on their face.

     "It's daddy, Christianson" Now realizing who was on the other end of the phone, he started to                smile a bit, and gave a look of curiosity.

     "I love you, Christianson" "Me and Mommy will see you soon, you hear?" "Sweet dreams, my boy"

     "Hearing that Victor was finished, Sharon brought the phone back up to her ear, but before she              could speak Christianson burst into tears- and put his hands out wanting the phone back.

       "Don't cry Christianson, your daddy will be home soon," Sharon said to him. Then said to Victor "I          don't think he wants you to go, Victor." "Put him back on the phone," Victor told her for the first          time in a while, actually smiling.

      "Christianson," Victor said calling his name. Christianson stopped crying, and chuckled. 

      "That's my boy, you cheer up now" "Daddy doesn't want to hear his baby cry"

      Christianson was listening, and just a grinning as Victor carried on talking to him.

      "Daddy's got to go, but when Mommy and Daddy come home, we will all go to the ice cream                   parlor. And when Mommy's not looking I will sneak you a few bites. How does that sound?"

       Christianson just laughed and grinned, loving the sound of not just any familiar voice, but his Daddy's voice.

Nicholas interrupts their chat, when he tells Victor that Nikki is out of surgery, and the doctor has news.

"Daddy has to go baby, but I will talk to you after I find out how Mommy is ok. I love you." Victor hangs up. Christianson started to whimper, and realizing his voice wasn't coming back he started sobbing. Victor quickly hung up, knowing he would break down it he heard his son in that much pain, crying for him again.

"It's ok, Christianson, he will call back soon," Sharon tried to reassure him, rocking him in her arms.

    Meanwhile, the doctor was ready to give the latest, to the three of them on Nikki's condition