The Billionaire's Secret Child.

Chapter 18

Grace's POV

There isn't a word that describes how I am feeling right now. My son is in the ICU, the intensive care unit, because of a unknown complication that Jackson will explain when we reach the unit.

Matteo and I are following the intern to the unit, we are holding hands. He offers a gently squeeze of my hand when my heart starts to race to quickly. It's reassuring knowing that I have someone other than Rebecca and Jackson to support me. We reach a set of double doors and the women in front of us, I can't remember her name, explains that before we enter the ICU we need to put on a protective gown, shoe covers and a mask.

I know the drill but Matteo seems horrified. I think it is sinking in just how serious the complication must have been.

We finish putting on the protective gear and head into the ICU. The walls are brightly covered with animals of all shapes and sizes, kingfishers to elephants! It is kind of calming. Again, we follow the intern and she takes us to a quiet room, with only 1 bed in the center. In the middle of the bed is my son, with all sorts of wires and cables attatches to his chest, head, hands and fingers. The wires lead up to machines that are beeping quietly and rhythmically. The quietness of the room is overwhelming.

Beside the bed stands Jackson. He has a serious, yet gentle look on his face.

'Grace, I'm sorry that I didn't come to find you and Matteo myself but I wanted to ensure Arloe was properly taken care of and there was no further complications...' Jackson breaks the quietness.

'It's ok Jackson, what happened?' I ask gently and walk over to the side of Arloe's hair, careful to avoid the wires and cables I smooth back his hair and stroke his cheek. Arloe sighs so quietly it would've been unnoticeable if I was any further away...

'Arloe experienced Cardiac arrest 2 hours into the surgery, we were able to shock his heart into beating again, then he went into cardiac arrest for a second time a meer 30 minuted later. Again, we were able to get his heart working. When the complication happened I had already opened his chest and was working on his heart. I had to continue with the surgery despite the complications and the reason I didn't notify you sooner was because I wanted all my fellow surgeons present is further complications arose. For now, he is stable. His heart is weak and since I was unable to resect the tumour in his brain today I hope that his heart will be strong enough in about a weeks time to operate'

Tears are streaming down my cheeks, I wipe them away and walk around the bed to Jackson. I stand on my tip toes and hug him, kissing him on the cheeks.

'Thank you Jackson. There is no one in the world I trust more with my son's life. I hope you understand how much what you've done for my family means to me. Even..." My voice breaks, 'even if he doesn't make it, I want you to know that I will forever be indebted to you for the service you've made to my family'

He returns the hug and says 'have faith Grace, and thank you'.

He steps away and says 'I am going to complete my rounds, I'll be back in a couple hours to check in on him. This button is the emergency button...' he points to a red button. 'I don't usually give this permission but if the heart monitor stops again or he goes into cardiac arrest and the nurses aren't here immediately, press this button...' he point to a blue button above the red one. 'This signals a code blue and will alert my pager.'

'Thank you Dr.' Matteo speaks for the first time.

Jackson nods before leaving the room.

***time jump***

It has been hours, 8 to be precise. Jackson has checked in on Arloe 4 times and says that his recovery is progressing nicely following heart surgery. Which is reassuring but Arloe still hasn't woken up.

'I'm going to buy a house' Matteo Says.

'What?' I say not quite sure what he said.

'I'm going to buy a house, here, in spain' he says.

'Oh, that's nice, any idea where?' I ask, half interested. I wonder if he is doing it so he can spend more time with the kids. What if he uses it as an excuse to take the kids off of me? What if he says that kids shouldn't be raised in a hotel because a house is safer? My mind is on overdrive...

'Close by, I hope that it will be a good place for Arloe's recovery and for both Arloe and Weaver to grow up, I will pay for everything, I'll make sure that it is close to the hotel and the kid's school and everything you will all ever need. I promise'

'Wait, you mean a family home? For you, Arloe and Weaver?' My heart rate is in a rocket on its way to space it is that high!

'No, not me, for you, Arloe and Weaver'

WAIT WHAT?!

'I'm confused Matteo. We are tired, stressed and anxious'

'I know... what I am trying to say is I'm going to buy YOU a house for the kids. Not because what you've got now isn't good enough but because I want you all to have everything you ever need, I care about you all so much and I need to know that I have done something for you that will make all of your lives a little bit easier'... he says looking diresctly at me.

I am in deep thought when I hear a tiny croak that makes my heart soar!

'Mama?'

Arloe is awake!