THE TIES THAT BIND-Book 3 In The Sexy As Series

Chapter 17

Kaia gripped Louis' hand as they walked down a long corridor.  She looked up and saw a sign that read 'NICU' department.  She stopped and her feet couldn't seem to move.  He stopped and turned to look at her.

"Why Louis?" She asked. "Why didn't she tell me?" New tears began to form in her eyes.   "That damn fiance of yours is a stubborn pain in the ass!"

Louis saw a few chairs along the wall and pulled her to sit down.  "Because she is stubborn and she didn't want you to worry and she knew that if you would've known, you would not have gone to the States."

"Well she's right," she said.  "I would've canceled the whole damn thing!  She is more important that a stupid media tour!"  She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes as tears fell down her face.  "I could've cared less if I knew she was sick."  She opened her eyes and could see the pain in his face.  She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek.  "Oh God Louis, I'm so sorry," she said and pulled him close to hug him and they cried together.  "We can't lose her," she sobbed.  "I can't lose my sister."

"No, we can't," he said quietly.  He pulled back from her.  "I.....Kaia, I'm going to lose my son," he said letting his walls collapse even more.  "Oh God, what am I going to do?" He began to sob, unable to control it.

Kaia hugged him again.  She couldn't even imagine what he was going through or feeling.  The thought of losing her children terrified her.   She honestly had no idea what to say to him.  "You're going to be strong and we're all going to help you.  No matter what happens.  I promise you that."

He merely nodded and took a hold of her hand.  "Come on," he said and pulled her to her feet and they continued on their way to the NICU.  Once there, Kaia was dressed in a gown, mask and gloves and the nurse led her to where William was.  She turned back and saw Louis standing at the window watching.  She gave him a small smile.

"Mrs. Malik," the nurse said and gestured to a rocking chair.  Kaia sat down.  "I'll go get young Master Tomlinson," she said with a sad smile.

Kaia watched as the nurse took William out of his breathing chamber and and attached a small oxygen tube to his nose and wrapped him in a blanket and brought him to her.

"He can only be out of the chamber for no more than ten minutes."

"Of course, I understand," Kaia said and her hands shook as she took her nephew in her arms.  She could see how sick he really was and how it was hard for him to breathe, despite having oxygen helping him.  And when he began to cough, she tried to fight back her tears.  "Oh Will," she said quietly.  "Oh my sweet angel, I'm so sorry," she whispered to him as she kissed his small head, even though it was through the mask.  She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.  She took some pictures of him because she had a feeling that Marian was going to want some of him, despite the situation he was currently in.  It broke her heart to see him like this.  This wasn't how she wanted to remember him, to see him.  She knew his future was very grim and bleak at the moment.  "Your mummy and daddy love you so much," she said.  "We all love you so much.  Even your uncle Harry.  He'll never admit how much he does, but I know that he does.  You've made your mummy so happy.  She's never loved anyone like she loves you."  She sighed heavily and kissed him again.

"Mrs. Malik, just a few more minutes," the nurse said quietly.

Kaia nodded her head and looked back at the small bundle in her arms.  "Auntie has a gift for you," she said.  "I wrote you a song.  Uncle Niall helped me.  It's a lullaby, but I never thought I would sing it to you here."  She said and smiled down at him.  She lowered her mask but the nurse didn't scold her.   She scrolled through her phone and found the music that she was looking for and pressed play.  It was just the instrumental, but she remembered every lyric.  She was planning on 'giving' it to him for his first birthday, but she knew deep down in her heart, that he wasn't going to be on the Earth for much longer.  "Oh sweet William," she said, her voice shaking.  She wasn't sure if she could do it or not.  But she didn't know how much longer she would be able to hold this beautiful child.