Two excruciating hours passed in the quiet hospital waiting room. The clock on the wall ticked steadily while Marcus paced back and forth across the tiled floor.
Finally, the double doors of the trauma unit swung open. Dr. Vance walked out, pulling off his blue surgical mask and wiping sweat from his forehead.
Marcus: Doctor! How is my wife?! Is my baby alive?!
Dr. Vance: Mr. Sterling, take a deep breath. Your wife suffered severe tissue bruising across her abdominal wall and a minor placental tear due to the direct blunt force impact.
Marcus: Oh God... and the baby?!
Dr. Vance: Because of the placental detachment risk, we had to perform an immediate emergency C-section to deliver the child safely.
Marcus's breath caught in his throat, his hands trembling violently.
Marcus: Did he make it, doctor? Please tell me!
Dr. Vance: You have a son, Mr. Sterling. He weighs four pounds, six ounces. He was born a little early, but his lungs are fully functional and he is currently breathing completely on his own in the NICU!
Marcus sank to his knees on the hospital floor, letting out a loud, joyful cry as tears poured down his face.
Marcus: Thank you, Lord! Thank you!
Margaret: Oh, thank God! My grandson is alive!
Dr. Vance: Your wife is resting in recovery right now. The internal bleeding was stopped successfully, and she is expected to make a full physical recovery within a few weeks.
Marcus: Can I see her, doctor? Please, I need to hold her hand.
Dr. Vance: Room 208. She just woke up from the anesthesia and is asking for her husband.
Marcus practically sprinted down the recovery wing hallway, pushing open the door to Room 208. Chloe lay in the hospital bed, her face pale, an IV line hooked to her hand, but a soft, tired smile spread across her lips when she saw him.
Marcus: Chloe...
Chloe: Marcus... did you see him? Is our little boy okay?
Marcus: He's perfect, Chloe. He's in the nursery right now, breathing on his own. He looks just like you.
Chloe let out a soft tearful sigh as Marcus leaned down, pressing his lips gently against her forehead and holding her hand with both of his.
Chloe: What's going to happen to Evelyn, Marcus?
Marcus: She's sitting in a Dallas County jail cell right now, sweetheart. And I promise you on my life, she will never step foot near our family ever again.