Unexpected Love

Epilogue

Two years later.....

Cristiano

"Where is she?" I near shouted as I bursted through the doors of the ward.

"It's okay Cris. We got her here half and hour ago and they got her settled in down the hall," Izabella stopped me in the waiting area.

"You brought the kids?" I asked increduously, watching their little chests rise and fall while they rested on the little cot in the corner of the room.

"It was the two of us alone watching television with the children. Mathias barely got out of his car from work before Lina started feeling the pains. Selene and Xavi began crying because she was crying and Junior ran to call Dolores while Mathias got her to the car."

"Where is Junior?"

"Mathias took him downstairs to get something to eat."

"Cristiano?" Dr Wahima's head poked out from inside the room,"We thought we heard you. Come in, you're just in time."

"Good luck," Izabella clapped me on the back and I gulped audibly before heading towards the door.

The room had muted sky blue walls that went well with the cream recliners and white cupboards. A sink, weighing table, heart monitors were among the varying equipment that littered the room, along with numerous resussitation devices that left an eerie feeling in my gut.

"Cris?" Catalina's called out to me, her voice tired but determined. Her face shone with a light layer of sweat that made her hair stick to her face.

She looked beautiful.

"I'm here sweetheart," I replied as the nurse helped me into some scrubs, a pair of gloves and a mask,"I'm not sure I should come closer...are you going to curse me out this time?"

"I don't recall ever doing that," she joked, but her face contorted as the pain washed over her again. I held her hand and she gave me a grateful smile as she lowered her head back onto the pillow

"Nine centimetres dialated. I'll give you twenty to thirty minutes before you are fully dialated then we can concentrate on pushing."

"This is going much different than the last time." Catalina pointed out while the nurse checked on her IV.

"No two pregnancies are the same," Dr Wahima smiled,"This one is full term."

"And we know what we're having this time."

"Now that we're here," I rubbed her protruding belly," We have to finalize this business about a name. I don't think we can put it off any longer."

"You're right. It's 2018, we could name him something weird and get away with it." Catalina laughed.

"As funny as that would be, I already have something in mind,"

"So do I actually," Catalina sat up a bit straighter,"How are we going to decide which one to go with?"

"Rock, Paper, Scissors?" I offered.

"Why not?" She shrugged and extended her hand.

"I win," She smiled as she drew paper to my rock,"Yours can be the middle name."

"Oh why not," I laughed as I kissed her head,"What is the name though?"

"Rayad,"

"That's beautiful, a variation isn't it?" I murmured, brushing some of the hairs away from her face.

"Yes, that name just stuck with me since my trip to Algeria. I met a little boy named Riyad who was being adopted by this lovely couple and he seemed so pleasant and well mannered. He just reminded me to be positive at all opportunities and keep a smile on my face."