Sensation

Chapter 36 - Azalea

I had fallen asleep sitting up in the chair holding Franky's hand. Two days had past and I was still waiting for her to wake up. I had Laila take Mateo to her house so he could get out of the hospital. What can I do?

I gently knelt down on my knees next to her bed and began to pray, her hand still in mine.

"Lord, I'm coming to you now in my time of need. You know what's going on right now. Your daughter, Francesca, she needs you. And I need you. She means everything to me; I'm not ready to lose her yet. Please just -" I was interrupted by Franky's hand squeezing mine.

"Oh my God, Franky!" Her hand was squeezing mine and tears fell from my eyes. I stood up so quick, too quickly, causing pain in my head but I didn't care. Franky's eyes were open. She was blinking repetitively to adjust to the lighting in the room.

"Aza," she tried to speak but began coughing from not having talked or drank recently. I quickly grabbed my bottle of water and carefully pressed it against her lips for her to drink.

"Baby," hearing Franky say my name filled my body with warm and reassuring comfort. She tried to sit up but quickly winced in pain. She lied back down gently and told me to come closer. I was scared to touch her because I know how much pain she was in.

She ran her fingers along my cheek and held my face in her hand. I closed my eyes, embracing the moment then opening to lock onto hers. I moved closer to her, my lips gently pressing against hers.

"I love you, so much my angel. I wouldn't have been able to pull through hadn't it been for you." Franky spoke as tears fell down her cheek. I wiped them with my other hand because I just didn't want to let her hand go.

"I love you so much, too baby. I'm sorry about all this, this is all my fault. Hadn't we got into that argument, hadn't I wanted to find out who Mateo's sperm donor was, we wouldn't be here." I dropped my head.

Franky lifted my chin so that I'd look at her. "Baby, this isn't your fault. It's not like you made this happen, it's not like you purposely put me here. Accidents happen, I'm still alive. I'm going to be okay. God has a plan and He brought me back to you and Mateo. I'm home."

I kissed her lips once more and just sat there looking at her.

"No, I don't care that Jeremiah is his biological father. He could never be the parent that I am and plan to be to Mateo. I know I'm not -" I pressed my finger to her lip to shut her up.

"Baby, you just woke up, we don't have to talk about that. All that matters is that you're alive and that WE are Mateo's parents. That's how it has always been and how it will always be."

I lifted our intertwined fingers and kissed her hand. "Now baby, get some rest. I'll be still sitting right here when you get up." Franky carefully nodded her head, knowing she was exhausted.

"Baby, come lay with me." She very carefully scooted over; I could see all the pain written all over her face. I stood up and gently crawled onto Franky's bed. I laid my head on her chest and then lightly laid my hand on her chest. I'm home and could finally fall asleep. My wife is one of the two best things to ever happen to me and I have her back. I'll forever hold on to my blessings and cherish every moment with them. How could I do anything other than that?