Her little angel

Hearing Michael's cry in the next room symbolises to me that he's hungry. I sluggishly walked into the room with a sigh.

"Hey lil' man, you hungry?" I said softly as I gently picked Michael up and held him to my chest, his whine echoed throughout the room as he blinked once and then screeched again. I hushed him softly, bouncing him, while I walked into the kitchen.

Placing the bottle in Michael's mouth, he welcomed the milk hungrily. "You look just like your mum baby boy..." I cooed in awe. After drinking most of the milk I was told it was enough by the gurgle of a happy baby. Placing Michael back in the cot I sighed in relaxation. "Go to sleep lil' man...I'll see you soon."

Plodding tiredly back into my bedroom I stared at the empty bed. Running my hand through my hair I shake away the tears. No more. No more. I laid down and allowed sleep to consume me.

***

"I love you."

"I love you too." Her smile flashed across her face, before it slowly melted away and was replaced with concern.

"What if something happens...then what do we do?"

I sighed.

"Nothing is gonna' go wrong honey...I promise, everything will be okay."

"But if something does happen you'd be happy, right?"

"I'll be happy forever, so long as I have you and our baby." I promised, kissing her forehead.

"Your gonna' be an amazing dad, Stuart."

"So will you be Lily...so will you." I laid there for hours, even when Lily fell asleep, thinking about holding my little boy in my arms, imagining Lily holding a toddler in her arms. I can't wait.

If only I knew that would never happen.

***

"Push Lily!"

A scream priced the air with force as I cringed. I felt terrible. I did this to her. She's going through this - because of me! It seems pointless now. Why did we want this baby? Why is it causing this much pain.

Another scream was released.

"Push!"

"If you tell me one more time to push...I swear I'll kill you!" She threatened through her teeth.

"One more..." The doctor urged.

"Come on Baby, nearly there...you can hold him soon... Nearly there."

She never held him.

"Push!" Lily let out one more scream before her body convulsed in tension.

There's where I heard it, the most beautiful sound in the world: my baby's cry.

Lily relaxed, slumping in the bed.

"You did amazing honey! God you were so good!" I cheered as I rested my forehead against hers.

"Stuart..."

"God we're parents honey! I'm a daddy!" I laughed.

"Stuart..." That time I heard it. My smile stopped.

"What's wrong...aren't you happy baby?" The room exploded with a repetitive noise - a noise which will always haunt me the repetitive 'BEEP BEEP BEEP' of the heart monitor.

"Oh god! " I gasped. "Doctor! Help!" I yelled, before I grabbed Lily's hand.

"Stuart..." She groaned. "I need you to promise me something..." She said in a small voice.

"No baby...the doctor will help..." I urged as I repetitively pressed the button for a nurse beside her bed.

"...Stuart listen to me...know that I love you...god I love you so much..." Tears rolled along her cheeks as her voice croaked. "...be happy Stuart...look after our little angel...be the father I know you will be...but most of all be happy...tell him is mum loved him so much..."

The beeping continued. Before I knew it I was thrown aside by doctors who were uttering words I couldn't even start to understand.

I looked at Lily, seeing her hazel eyes glitter in the light. The tears continued to roll. I watched a single year fall. Down her cheek bone, beside her nose, down her mouth. I saw her final words "I'm sorry...I love you." And she was gone before I could even reply.

***

"Mr West?" I was snapped out of thought by a tired looking nurse. She offered me a small smile of condolence.

"Yes?" I said in a lifeless voice.

"Would you like to see your son now?" My mine jumped. Son? I forgot the reason why I was here. My son... A baby... Mine...hers...

I dried my tears and nodded softly.

"Follow me..."

I walked down the dull corridors, listening to our footsteps echo.

"Wait here," she instructed.

Seconds later she brought a blue, bundled blanket. She positioned my arms for me and gently slide the baby into my arms. There I saw him. Those hazel eyes, much like hers - beautiful. At that glance I made one promise: protect and love him no matter what.

"Do you have a name in mind?" The nurse asked by my side.

"Michael..." I uttered. "Her little angel..."

This is a short story. Bit sad - sorry.  Tell me what you think?