The Boss's Daughter [Richard Armitage fanfic]

Chapter 48 - I need you to live

(Richard's POV) 

Step by step, I walked along that corridor. Air flowing in my head, only air. Sophie, Ian and Evans stayed behind, waiting for news. The doctor opened the nursery and I saw her. My wife, looking better than before, holding a baby in her arms. Her smile was tender and sweet, but there was sadness in her eyes. I kept holding my tears in my eyes, I needed to be stronger than a rock. I walked closer to them slowly. Olivia noticed my presence and she looked at me.

-Hello, dad... -she whispered, smiling. «Dad» echoed in my head the moment I locked my eyes on my baby. Rosy pink, eyes closed. Tiny wet lips, hands resting outside the blanket. I lift my hand and touched her hand softly. That was when my world fell to the ground. I collapsed completely into tears of joy. Olivia laughed, crying at the same time.

-Oh my... -I couldn't speak. Livy looked at me, lifting that small creature in her arms and handing her to me. I was so afraid to pick her up, I had a feeling that she would break in a million pieces. So small and delicate. When I held her close to me, I knew what my full time job was. Not a writer, not an office worker, but a father. To be there to catch her if she falls and love her more than anything else in the whole world.

-Hi princess, it's daddy... -I said, crying like a baby. She moved her arms and legs, nodding softly. Olivia laughed at me, but she was loving that scene more than ever. I couldn't contain my happiness...

-She recognizes her father. It was the same with Olivia, when she heard her mommy's voice for the first time. –the nurse said, smiling at us.

-How did we make something so perfect? –I whispered, kissing that tiny forehead softly. So warm and delicate. Her skin was softer than silk, it made me chills all over my body. So small, but already so precious to me. My princess, daughter of my one and only queen. I handed her back to Livy's arms carefully. She started to cry loud and It just melted my heart completely. My daughter... I kissed Olivia's lips softly, our tears mixing with each other.

-I'm so proud of you, my love... -I whispered, cleaning her tears with my thumb. She smiled, while little Autumn slowed her cry down. Olivia looked at me, sadness in her eyes.

-Autumn is fine, but James is not... The doctor told you? –she said, tears coming back to her eyes. I kissed her nose and then Autumn's forehead. I composed myself, dried my tears and took a deep breath.

-You know I love you, right? I will do whatever I can to save little James. I promise you this with all my life. –I said, before leaving the nursery. I knew Olivia was confused with my words, but I knew what I had to do. I looked for the doctor and he took me to a special nursery where they keep week and injured new born babies.

-Be prepared, Mr. Armitage. He is very small and, like I told you, we can lose him at any moment. -the doctor hesitated, before opening the door for me. The nursery had a big window where I could see Olivia on the other side. She looked at me confused, but I just smiled at her.

-James Tyler Rogers Armitage, right? –he asked, taking a paper in his hands. I nodded and he took me to the incubator where he was. When I looked at him, I realized how important he was to me. A tiny little baby that could hardly be the size of my arm, from my hand to a bit longer than my wrist.

-Can I hold him? –I asked the doctor. He said I could, so I gently picked him up in my arms and put him against my chest. I looked to the monitor beside the incubator and I saw his heartbeat so weak and slow. He was fading... I didn't know how I was going to save him, but I knew I had to do something.

-Can you leave us alone, please doctor? And open that window a bit so my wife can hear me. –I asked, and he friendly did what I asked for. When I noticed Olivia looking at me at the other side of the window, I smiled.

-James, I know you won't understand a word I'm saying, I don't even know if you're listening to me, but I'll speak as if you would. I'm your dad... It's me, the touch you've been feeling since you were in that big round belly, the voice you heard so many times too. Do you know how much time I've waited for you? I dreamed of the day we would play with cars and trucks, the day I would teach you how to ride a bike and how to make girls blush with one kiss on the cheek. So many dreams I built for us, but there is a big reason for it. First, because I am your father and I can't wait to educate you and love you. But because there is a lady I love that needs you here... You know, she's your mommy. You will love her, I'm sure of it. She is the most beautiful lady in the world and she really needs you more than anything. You know why? Because she had another boy before. Two, to be exact. She loved her boys so much, but the world is mean, James. The world took their life and they flew to the heavens, and they never returned... That is why she needs you. You won't take the place of the other boys, but you will bring happiness to mommy first and then daddy. She needs you, little boy. There is also your sister, Autumn. If you could see, she's right there waiting for you. She's crying, I think she misses you punching her. Please, my love, my little star. Don't leave mom, dad and sister here alone without you. Please, live... Live, James... -I spoke, word after word slowly in a low voice. I kept holding him next to my neck, while I rubbed my hand gently on his naked back. Olivia was crying like a waterfall. She heard every word I said, even when I couldn't finish my sentence. I too fell into a deep cry. I held him some more time in my arms, then I put him back in the incubator. The doctor came in the room and stared at us in silence. I kissed his forehead slowly and rubbed my thumb in his cheek once more.

-I love you... Please don't go, you're my little warrior... -I whispered. I left the room and tried to calm down before going back to Olivia. The pain was so big, it was taking care of my heart.

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An hour passed and I stayed with Olivia and Autumn all the time. That was when the doctor came to the nursery with a happy face.

-It's a miracle! James Tyler is recovering! He cried, his heartbeat got stronger and faster, he opened his eyes... I don't know what happened, we are 100% sure he'll survive this! –he said, word after word.

-What?! Really?! –Olivia gasped, tears coming to her eyes again. I felt like I took an elephant out of my shoulders. It worked... He listened to me, God listened to my prayers... I turned to Olivia and hugged her, trying not to squeeze her or Autumn.

-He heard you... You saved him, my love. Your love and devotion is so strong that he felt you... He felt you, Richard. –she said, looking deeply into my eyes.

-How? –I said, trying to control my breathing.

-It's the bond. The love of a father and a son. 

I must say that I cried like a waterfall when I finished this chapter. I was living every moment with Richard and Olivia and this is, with no doubt, my favorite chapter of all. 

The next few chapters will be all happy things... <3