Out of the Darkness - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 37

DJ sat back down in the armchair after closing the door, holding onto Kath's hand. It felt strange for her not to just lace their fingers together or even curl her fingers around his hand. It was later on in the evening and everybody had taken it in turns to be with DJ and Kath. They were all determined to stay until they knew what the outcome of the surgery was.

"You know, it was this hand that made me fall in love with you, right? This is the hand you cut to shit in that janitors' closet - you never asked me about my foot, by the way. I busted my ankle bursting into that room." DJ said with a light chuckle, playing with her fingers.

"I love you so much, whether you can see or whether you can't see after this... you're the love of my damn life and nothing is ever gonna change that... and you know that everybody is still here, right? My parents, Jordan, Marlann, Pamu... we all love you so fucking much - you and our peanut." DJ said with a small smile.

"Who isn't so much of a peanut anymore, but I guess the nickname has stuck." DJ chuckled, kissing the back of her hand and he ran his thumb across the back of it. He found himself watching the monitors, just making sure that nothing changed and that she and the baby were both still safe.

Doctor Brookes came to review both mother and baby every hour and was positive about how they were responding to the surgery - everybody had high hopes that the best possible outcome would happen, but DJ was trying hard not to think about that too much. He had to be strong for her, in case the worst were to happen.

"I asked everybody to give me an hour alone with you, by the way, if that's why you're wondering why it's just me talking to you... Jordan is still super upset and worried, so we're not letting him come back... he definitely has a die-hard crush on you. You're literally everybody's favorite person - well, besides Marlann and Pamu, who are more each other's favorite person but they don't count. They'd be fucking twenty-four seven if it wasn't for class and work." DJ said, smiling when he could have sworn he saw her mouth twitch slightly as if she would have laughed if she were awake.

"I knew your ass could hear me." DJ smiled, leaning in closer and he pecked her lips, but he dipped his finger into the cup of water Karla had gotten for him and he ran that finger across her lips, moistening them since as he was noticing they were dry and a little chapped. "You better get used to me waiting on you hand and foot, because this is how it's gonna be for a while after this surgery... then after the baby is born, I'm gonna be a slave for both my girls - you two are all that matters to me now. My family... our family." DJ breathed, blinking back fresh tears.

"But, speaking of the peanut - shut your ears because this is a father-daughter moment." DJ playfully ordered, before laying a hand over Kath's growing baby bump.

"Hey, peanut... today's been a big day, huh? But I know that Doctor Brookes and all the surgeons and nurses have been taking extra special care of you and Mommy - you're extra special, you know that? You both are... and I know it's super weird because Mommy hasn't been talking to you, or singing to you, or playing piano for you like I know she always does." DJ said with a soft, sad smile. He knew Kath would never admit it, but she always talked to her unborn daughter, sang to her, and played piano and guitar for her.

"I promise all of that will start up again soon... we just have to give Mommy some time to get through the surgery, but do Daddy a favor, okay? And wish with all your might that your Mommy will get the chance to meet you properly, to see you... because I know she acts tough and strong most of the time, but I know the second she found out she was pregnant, you were her biggest wish - the first thing she wanted to lay her eyes on... so, let's do all we can to wish and hope that this worked for Mommy's sake, okay? And be a good girl for Mommy and Daddy... let Mommy rest until you're here, then you can give us Hell, I promise." DJ chuckled lightly, but tears ran slowly down his face as he gripped onto Kath's hand with one and the other was laid over her bump.

DJ suddenly lurched forward a couple of minutes later when he felt Kath move, a whimper escaping her lips and Doctor Brookes froze from where he was checking over her monitors.

"Kath? Baby girl?" DJ stood up from the chair, caressing her cheek and his heart pounded against his chest, Doctor Brookes staying close by on the other side of the bed to DJ. Kath's fingers curled around DJ's hand and she very slowly opened her eyes. "Kath?" DJ breathed, tears running down his face as she let tears fall too - her eyes locked with his.

"I see you."