Us Against The World

Happily Ever After The Taylor's

Zac finally snapped out of it. For a moment, he couldn't tell if his ears were deceiving him or if he had truly heard the words spoken out loud.

Fatima's alive.

He repeated it under his breath, then louder, as if saying it enough times would make it real.

"Fatima's alive."

His heart, which had been beating uncontrollably, finally slowed—just enough for him to breathe.

Zac held Zaya tightly in his arms as they followed behind Madame. Zaya stirred, lifting her sleepy head from her father's shoulder, her small fingers gripping his shirt like she was afraid to let go.

"Is Mommy here?" she asked softly. "Are we gonna see Mommy?"

The question nearly broke him.

"Yes, princess," Zac replied, forcing strength into his voice. "We get to see Mommy."

Madame stopped at the doorway and stepped aside, her expression unreadable but heavy. She gave Zac privacy, knowing this moment belonged to them.

The second Zac stepped inside the room, he broke.

Fatima laid in the hospital bed, machines softly beeping, wires and needles attached to her fragile body. The steady sound of the monitors reminded him just how close he had come to losing her. His knees nearly buckled.

He didn't know what she had endured while she was gone—and that thought alone crushed him.

Zac rushed to her side, leaning over her, wrapping his arms around her carefully as if she might disappear if he held her too tight. He kissed her forehead, her cheek, her lips—anything he could reach.

Tears poured freely.

"I thought we lost you," he said through sobs. "I thought you were never coming back to us. I don't ever wanna have that feeling ever. I didn't even have the courage to tell Zaya what was happening, afraid that she may not understand."

His voice cracked as reality settled in.

"I'm so glad you're still here with us."

Zaya quietly removed her coat and shoes, climbing into the bed without being told. She laid her head gently on Fatima's chest and held her hand, as if instinctively knowing exactly where she belonged.

Time passed slowly.

Hours later, Zac sat in the chair beside the bed, watching his two sleeping beauties breathe in sync. For the first time in days, the room felt peaceful.

Then—

"Zac..."

The faint whisper sent scared him.

He jumped up instantly, rushing to her bedside. "Fatima, you're awake—let me go get the nurse."

His hands trembled as he stepped into the hallway.

The nurse entered moments later, her tone calm but reassuring.

"All right, Mrs. Wilson, glad to have you back with us. You are one lucky woman. A combination of what you were injected with was not formulated properly, and luckily the dosage wasn't harmful to the baby or you. The drug did drain you of all your energy, and that's what caused your heart to stop just for a little bit, but luckily you got here just in time for us to operate on you."

Fatima's hand immediately went to her stomach, fear flashing across her face.

"So the baby's OK?"

"Yes," the nurse smiled. "We've run an ultrasound and the baby is doing just fine. Would you like to know how far along you are in the pregnancy?"