Chapter 196 DECISION AND DETERMINATION
1678words
"Where's his mother?" The doctor asks with a straight face and I and Ann look at each other in hesitation before I am able to answer him. Ann interrupts, "He doesn't have one."
A layer of fury across my heart at Ann's words but somehow I try to keep my calm in front of the doctor.
"Oh, and what about his brother? Why haven't you brought him here yet?" He asks, looking a little displeased from our lack of indolence.
"Soon, we will bring him," Ann says cautiously and the doctor wrinkles his nose, looking fully unsatisfied by Ann's words.
"A week, I hope this soon will come in a week because after this I am not gonna ask again for his brother." He says in a tone that isn't harsh but too damn cold and serious that for a moment Ann looks at him in disbelief as he is the first person who could threaten her with his words.
Whoosh…
A big blow I guess.
But, at this moment, focusing on Aaron is a must.
"Is Aaron ok?" I ask him anxiously and he turns his attention to me.
"A child with Leukemia gets special care and a special diet. He is sobbing for his mother in his sleep, does that make him ok, no sir, it doesn't." He scolds me and I look at him offensively, is he trying to imply I am an irresponsible father?
Boiling with rage, I open my mouth to scold him back but the next words from his mouth made me swallow back all the words that I had in my mind to say.
"He needs his mother, if she is alive then kindly bring her back to him." At this moment only his serious face twitches a little and I notice sympathy on his face for my son.
A huge rock hits my chest crushing all my illusion of being a good father. I feel rage too the way he speaks pitifully for my son, my son is not pitiful for God's sake.
He has a mother, a father, and a brother. A whole family to cherish but because of our fate and my foolish mistakes, we are not able to get back together.
Sigh…
"I want to see, Aaron," I tell him ignoring his words and he silently leads me the way while in all this scenario Ann stays quiet.
"Aaron," I take a deep breath, feeling painful while looking at Aaron, again he has become a prisoner of this confined space, stuck between tubes and needles.
"The chemotherapy isn't showing any good improvement in his health and now I think it's time we should match him to his brother for the stem cell transplant. It's the only way after chemotherapy. I didn't want to opt for the transplant at first because it's a long and painful procedure but as his condition is worsening I think it's time we should start looking for his match and to begin with his brother is the best option."
Beside me, the doctor explains briefly and I couldn't help but admire his knowledge. After all, he knows what he is doing so that's the reason why he keeps asking for Cyrus on every visit.
I nod at him in affirmative, he is indeed the best for Aaron. "I will bring his mother soon," I say to him firmly at which he nods his head politely and then silently walks out of the NICU leaving me alone with my perplexed thoughts and dejected self.
*****
"She is in Chicago." Ann places a few sets of pictures at the table in front of me and looks extremely pleased as though she has won a lottery.
I look down at the pictures that show Tessa with a child, our son, Cyrus. Today, I am not afraid that she has found out about them because if she didn't I would have told her about them in a few days.
I have sacrificed a lot myself for Ann, my happiness, my blessings, my family everything but now as this matter is related to my son. I don't think I could allow her to take away his happiness too.
"I'll bring them," I tell her with determination and her pupils dilated in surprise.
"No, you don't need to. I have asked my men to bring the child, only." Ann informs me and I scoff inwardly, like Jethro's men would let you take my son away so easily.
Even though I am not with them, I have protected them fully and they are monitored by the people all the time.
"I am not asking permission, Ann. I said I will bring them both. That's my decision." I clarify my intentions to Ann.
Ann gets completely stunned by my words and even takes a step back while staring at my face in disbelief looking for any hint of hesitation and nervousness on my face but no, I am firm on my decision. Tessa and Cyrus have to come back in order to bring Aaron back to his life.
I couldn't disappoint my son and neither will I sacrifice his happiness for Ann's sake. I am obliged to Ann but not my son, Aaron.
"She couldn't step into the mansion, never." Ann stays stubborn as usual.
"Fine, then I will take them all to a new home. Would that be satisfying to you?" I start to negotiate and her face starts to fall in apprehension.
"You are not leaving me..." She states in a whisper.
"I am not, I will keep visiting you," I tell her and her face starts to pale from the stress and shocks that I am giving her at the moment one by one.
"Andrew, what's wrong with you? I said you are not leaving here and that is decided." She yells in demand and then stomping her feet she storms out of the room.
I shake my head in distress, It's useless to make her understand. Hence, I need to take a step by myself.
*****
"Hey, buddy..." I pat Aaron's head and then kiss his forehead.
He isn't angry with me but a little disheartened as I have not brought his mother yet but soon I will.
"Did you find my mother?" Aaron asks eagerly and I nod my head at him.
"Yes, and I am going to bring her," I tell him in a low voice secretly and his eyes light up with immense joy.
"Can I also come with you?" He asks and I shake my head in refusal.
"No, this is going to be a surprise," I tell him to add to his curiosity and he opens his mouth in an O looking overjoyed.
"And you know what?" I tell him and pause. He looks at me expectantly with his soft blue eyes as I lean down and then whispers slowly in his ear. "You have a brother, too."
BOOM
His eyes widen in complete shock and then he smiles widely, "A brother? I am a big brother..." He exclaims, his face shining like a twinkling star.
"No, he is older than you." I correct him and he makes a small pout. "Means he will order me around?" He asks childishly and I chuckle in response.
Ha ... Ha ...
"No, he will take care of you just like me," I tell him as I spoon him in my arms. Oh boy, he has turned too weak and light. I could even feel his bones.
My little son has suffered too much but not anymore, neither would he suffer, and nor Cyrus would suffer not as long I am here for them.
*****
"Where the hell are you?" I shout at Jethro not keeping my calm at all. That moron has gone to Italy, leaving the sight of Tessa and Cyrus to celebrate New Year with his new Mafia people.
God...
"Calm down, I have appointed people for them. They are safe." He assures me.
"They should be." I hissed in anger.
"Andrew, what do you want, huh? I will arrange it. Just order." He asks to calm my anger.
"I need a car to pick me up at the airport tomorrow. I will send you the flight details." I tell him sternly and he obliges like a good friend.
"Fine, anything else you want from me?" He prompts.
"Yes, go and f**k yourself." I snort and he laughs out loud.
"Life has already f**ked me a lot, but thanks for the reminder." He says in a joke and finally, my lips twitch, subsiding my anger.
"Happy new year, then, and stay alive," I tell him in concern.
"Haha... Happy New Year to you too... Hope this year will unite you back with your happiness." He blesses me and I smile at his concern, he knew how pathetic I was after Tessa left with Cyrus. He had been by my side like a strong pillar and I couldn't thank God more for sending him back into my life. I just hope, one day he will find his happiness too and leave this dark world forever.
Tonight, I couldn't fall asleep no matter what, so I decided to spend my night in Aaron's ward if he luckily would be awake at this time.
When I enter his ward it's utterly quiet but still, I enter silently and then sit beside him.
"In a few minutes, the sky will get lit up with fireworks," I say intentionally while stifling my laugh, and as I had expected Aaron sits up immediately in excitement.
"Firework??" He beams.
I laugh and then pull him to my lap tickling him. "Who was asleep just now?" I tease him and after a while, as he gets tired of laughing, I pick him up while taking care of the tubes that are still attached to his hand and then take him to the little balcony in the ward.
We both watch the fireworks together as it marks the new day of the year, the new beginnings of our life.
