Page 55 of Until Delilah

“I wouldn’t demand it. I’d do it proper,” I bite out.

“Would you? Did you plan on asking with her in a hospital bed after being attacked?” I shake my head because he’s right. “No, you didn’t, so you’re going to wait, and then she’ll say yes.”

“What if she doesn’t pull through? I’ve never seen anyone as messed up as she is.” Deep down, I know it was Stanton. What if he keeps coming back until he gets the job done?

“She’s strong.” He moves to squat down in front of me and locks eyes with me. “I know it’s hard while we sit here waiting, but you have to believe in how strong she is.”

“Is this what being in love is like? Always fearing the worst is going to happen?”

“Somedays, but for the most part, it’s spending your life with the person you love most in the world. Your best friend, lover, and confidant. It’s having someone there to share all of your good moments with, but also your bad.”

“I want to be in there for her,” I say hoarsely.

“I know you do, Son, and you will be. You said she was unconscious, so she doesn’t know if you’re there or not.”

I know he’s right, but that still doesn’t make it any easier.

“When I tried to get back there, I told them the baby is mine,” I confess, making sure no one overhears.

“She is yours. She may not have your blood, but that little girl will always be yours, blood or not.”

The door swings open, and this time I don’t have it in me to stand. A woman in scrubs looks around the room as she takes off her mask. “Mr. Black?”

“Here,” I jump up and rush the short distance to her.

“I wanted to inform you that your daughter has been born. Right now, she’s in the PICU being checked out. As soon as you can visit her, someone will be out to bring you back.”

My daughter.

“It’s too early,” I argue.

“It is, but she’s breathing on her own. Like I said, someone will be out to get you as soon as you can meet her.”

“What about Delilah? Is she okay? We’ve had no word on her.”

“As you know, she was badly beaten up. One of the complications was the placental abruption, and we had to perform a cesarean. Ms. Williams is in recovery and once she’s awake and asking to see you, you can see her.”

“Is she going to be okay?”

The nurse looks around and then leans in to speak quietly. “I’m not supposed to give you any information, but I can tell you this. She’s going to be sore after the c-section and the bruises. There are a couple of fractured ribs that will make moving around more difficult, but give her some time and she’ll be fine.” She moves back a step “I need to get back in there. It’s a busy night. It must be a full moon or something.”

“Thank you, doctor. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.” My body sags with relief and now I feel drained.

“You’re a father.” My dad pats me on the back. “How does it feel?”

“Exhausting.” I chuckle humorlessly. “I missed her birth. She’ll always know I wasn’t there.”

“But you can tell her how much you wished you were. That you were right outside the doors. She doesn’t need to know the rest. At least not for a long, long time. I’m going to step outside to call your mom and tell her the good news.”

All I can do is sit down and nod. My mind is whirling with the news. We haven’t even decided on a name yet. We thought we had time. We should have stayed home and then none of this would have happened.

Pulling my phone out, I dial her dad’s number. He answers on the first ring. “Hello? Max?”

“Hey, I just wanted to let you know a doctor came out said they had to perform a c-section so the baby’s here. She’s in the PICU and Delilah’s in recovery.”

“Have you seen either one of them yet?”

“Not yet. She made it sound as if I’ll get to see the baby first. I don’t know if Delilah ever woke up. When I found her, she was—”

---