Kitten

Chapter 58: Miracles do happen

2 weeks later

James

"Old McDonald had a farm, e i e i o. And on that farm he had a pig, e i e i o. With an oink oink here and an oink oink there. Here an oink, there an oink, everywhere an oink oink, old McDonald had a farm, e i e i o".

"Wow Dad, you should audition for X factor".

My cheeks reddened as Alexander and Lily walked towards us hand in hand both with wicked smirks on their faces.

"Hey as a matter of fact, my little kicker enjoys my singing. Some of the other mums in the ward want me to come to their room to sing to their little ones. But my gift of singing is reserved only for my little Lyla". 

Lily shook her head and stared up at Alexander who was looking straight at me with a smile on his face.

I was still over the moon about their engagement. Some may say it was quick, but love is love and the love he has for her is real. He is a good man and deserves her heart and my blessing. Isabella was of course thrilled about it, but she could barely express it. She was growing weaker and weaker every single day. 

"Granddaughter privileges right?". 

"Right" I confirmed as I lifted Lyla up to show Lily and Alexander the new baby grow I had brought for her.

"Be careful what you say to me, my Granddad is crazy and I'm not afraid to tell on you. What a baby grow James". 

Alexander seemed to understand my humour, but judging from the look on Lily's face, she was not impressed.

"Right, can I have my daughter back please" Lily walked towards me with her arms outstretched but I shied away from her and cuddled Lyla closer to my chest.

"Mr Richardson, may I have a word?". 

The same doctor that had been overseeing my wife's treatment came out from her room and beckoned me over away from my family.

I looked up at Lily to see her smirking at me as she lifted Lyla out of my arms before walking back to Alexander. 

"I want her as soon as I come back, understood?".

"Whatever Dad" Lily yelled back before walking away with Alexander.

Rushing over to the doctor I slowed down as I examined his face that showed nothing but unease. It wasn't going to be good news, but I expected it. I had been by her side for a week and nothing had changed.

"How is she?".

The doctor's face began to change and he smiled up at me from his clipboard.

"We've closely observed her and looking at her test results she's making remarkable progress. The antibiotics seem to be very effective. W-We are all amazed at how she's getting on. She had severe sepsis and the likelihood of stopping the infection was slim, but your wife is one hell of a warrior and the course of strong antibiotics has done miracles. Forgive me for being so blunt, but with the lateness of her admittance to hospital and the severity of the sepsis, she's a miracle case. Now, if we keep up the treatment then it's most likely she will get over this infection. And then after that are next priority is finding alternative treatments for her cancer. Chin up Mr Richardson, your wife is very strong". 

I felt a huge weight fall off my shoulders. Every single day I spent with her, I felt like I was a step closer to losing her. If she died, then I would have died too. My heart wouldn't cope with losing the love of my life. Isabella Richardson was the strongest woman I had ever known. She was a bloody fighter and she was my wife. She was the one that kept this family together. She was our strength and now my queen was slowly on the road to recovery.

The Doctor patted me on my shoulder and I laughed in relief as the news fully sank in. 

We had nearly overcome this obstacle and by God above, we were going to defeat the next one.

"You may go and see her. Just, go slow with her. She's recovering but she is still very weak. We will give you some privacy". 

"Thank you so much doctor".

The doctor excused himself before tending to other patients on the ward. 

Without sparing another second, I rushed into my wife's room and stopped as my eyes fell on her lying in bed looking around the room like lost child.

"Hey you".

Isabella's eyes softened as they landed on me and reached her arm out begging me over with her eyes.

"I'm coming love". 

Sitting myself down in the chair next to her bed, I reached my arm out and stroked her hair softly. 

"Hey, no. Don't you cry. I don't ever want to see you cry baby". I wiped away at the lone tear trailing down her cheek delicately.

"You're going to carry on fighting until the end. The doctor told me how strong you are. You're on the road to recovery baby. He said you were a miracle case, and that's what you are. My miracle, my world, so don't you ever give up". 

Tears poured down her cheek even faster, but there was no hint of sadness on her face. They were tears of love, tears of relief, tears of strength. 

"I love you James". Her voice was so quiet, a gentle yet soothing whisper in my ear. 

"And I love you Isabella, more than you'll ever know". 

**************************

Alexander

"Hey, what's on your mind kitten?".

Lily had put Lyla down for a sleep, but she hadn't left her side. I knew something was on Lily's mind, but she was too damn stubborn to say anything.

Lily glanced back at me but turned back around almost instantaneously and simply shrugged her shoulders.

"Hey, talk to me".

Walking over to Lily, I knelt before her and grasped both of her hands into mine.

"It does no good to keep it all bottled in sweetheart. We are partners in this life and I want you to share what's bothering you with me. Let me into that crazy little mind of yours". 

Lily sighed heavily and hung her head down low.

"We're looking at all the wedding magazines and starting preparations, but all I can think about is the thought that my mum might not be able to attend the wedding. She's dying and there's nothing I can do about it".

I cupped her cheeks and stared deep into her eyes.

Just as I was about to talk, Lily's phone began to ring and I instantly knew who it was. Lily seemed unwilling to answer it, so I reached into her jacket pocket and grabbed it. Pressing the green button, I held the phone to my ear and listened to James speak.

I remained silent throughout the call, James was too frantic and didn't give me a chance to respond. But told him we'd be there as soon as possible.

Switching Lily's phone off, I slipped it into my pocket and stood up from the floor. 

"What's going on Alexander?". 

"I'm going to get the car going and pack some bags. You get Lyla ready. Your Dad said your mum is making amazing progress and is on the road to recovery. Seems like you don't need to worry. Your mum is a fighter, I always knew she was. Now, let's go".