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THE HOSPITAL
Gabi stood motionless in the hallway. Her heart wrenching with sobs as Antonio lay dying in his hospital bed. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She backed up against the wall for support. Ricardo came through the door to the stairway and headed towards Antonio’s room. He looked up to see Gabi leaning against the wall crying hysterically. He rushed to her and took her gently by the shoulders. She looked up at him and he didn’t have to ask. "Oh my God, NO!" he shouted as he pulled Gabi into his arms. She trembled violently as he held her tightly. Ricardo looked to the ceiling as the tears spilled from his eyes. "Why? Damn it, why?" he called out. Ricardo and Gabi stood locked together in the hall. There was a lot of commotion in Antonio’s room. Doctors were frantically trying to revive him with CPR. They got the paddles charged and commanded everyone to clear the bed. A strong volt of electricity shot through Antonio’s body. His entire body jolted as the doctors searched the monitor for a heartbeat. "Again!" the doctor yelled as he held out the paddle for more jelly to be added. He placed the paddles back on Antonio’s chest and called for the clear. He shocked Antonio again and searched for the heartbeat. "One more time...pushing 300!" The nurse quickly adjusted the machine and added more jelly to the paddles. The doctor placed the paddles back to Antonio and called clear. Antonio felt a jolt through his heart as the white light began to fade quickly. He could hear the doctors yelling orders to the nurses as they all ran frantically around his room. He searched for Gabi, but couldn’t see her. He felt his body being pulled back to the hospital bed. He was back - he was coming back… "We’ve got him," the doctor called out handing the paddles back to the nurse. The nurse quickly administered a shot through Antonio’s IV line as the doctor put his stethoscope into his ears. "Heartbeat sounds good. What’s his blood pressure?" "90/50 and rising," the nurse called out. "Good. Let’s get his IV changed and move him to CICU, stat." The doctor pulled off his gloves and headed for the door. "Good job, everyone." The door opened as the doctor stepped into the hall. Ricardo and Gabi looked up quickly as he moved towards them. They stood silently never moving an inch. "We’ve got him back," the doctor began. Gabi cried out and put her head on Ricardo’s chest. Ricardo closed his eyes tightly and quietly thanked God for this miracle. "It was a close call, but his blood pressure is coming back and his heartbeat sounds good." Ricardo and Gabi were now looking at the doctor with wide eyes. "We’re going to move him to CICU to keep him under close observation. You can see him when he gets settled." Ricardo reached out his hand to the doctor. "Thank you, thank you Doctor." He shook his hand fervently. "Thank you so much." Gabi couldn’t say a word. She just stood in Ricardo’s arms and felt her heartbeat begin to slow down to normal. She was aware of Ricardo staring down at her. She looked up and found his eyes piercing hers. Ricardo raised his hand and caressed her soft cheek. She closed her eyes with his touch, he always did make her feel soft in the knees. She felt his lips brush hers gently, his arms tightening around her. It felt good to have his warm lips against hers again, his strong arms around her. But there was something about his kiss that wasn’t the same. Antonio never kissed me like this before, she thought. Suddenly, she realized she was kissing Ricardo, not Antonio. She pulled herself away from his kiss quickly, "Ricardo…" "Gabi, I need you," he whispered softly into her hair. "Antonio needs me," she said abruptly and pulled herself out of his arms. Ricardo stood staring at her silently. She could see that his mind was processing the emotion with which she had just spoken and she decided she needed to cover. "Ricardo, you promised we wouldn’t get into this now. I came here for Antonio." She looked down at the floor quickly to avert his glare. His eyes softened and he touched her shoulder. "I know you did, Gab. I’m sorry. It just felt so good to hold you like that..." Maria and Carmen rushed up to Ricardo at that moment. Carmen was surprised to see Gabi with Ricardo. Maria knew why Gabi was there – Antonio had told her what happened between them in the cave-in. She knew Gabi would not be able to stay away. "Mi hijo. What has happened? We came right away," Carmen’s voice was filled with anticipation. "Mama, Maria...everything is fine now," Ricardo said calmly. "What do you mean, now, Ricardo," Maria prodded her brother. "Well, things got rough for a while...Antonio’s heart stopped." "Dios mio, no!" Carmen yelled as she fell into Ricardo’s arms. Maria looked quickly to Gabi with fear in her eyes. "It’s alright, mama. Everything’s fine. They brought him back, mama. Antonio is alive." Ricardo’s voice was filled with hope. "Si, si. God has saved my baby. Where is he...I want to see him." Carmen headed for Antonio’s room. Ricardo stopped her and explained that Antonio would be moving to CICU and they could see him when he was settled. Maria stood next to Gabi and put her hand on her shoulder. "You okay?’ Maria’s concern was so genuine…she knew that Gabi loved her brother. "Yes, I’m fine...now." "Gabi, you look a little tired. Do you want to sit down for a while?" Maria cocked her head to the waiting room chairs. "Yes, actually, I do need to sit down. Thank you." Gabi moved to one of the chairs and sat down heavily. She realized it had been several hours since she ate anything and she was feeling a little light-headed. Maria sensed she was uncomfortable. "Let me get you some water, Gabi." She headed off to find a drink for her. Gabi was relieved to have Maria there. She always liked Maria – she had never judged her about her feelings for Antonio. The doctor came into the waiting room. "Antonio is settled in CICU. You can see him now." They all jumped from their chairs. "One at a time, please. And don’t stay for too long. He is still unconscious, but he needs to rest quietly." The family headed to Antonio’s room. Gabi passed the chapel on the way and quietly slipped away from everyone and went inside. The chapel was quiet and dark except for the glowing candles on the altar. Gabi walked slowly up the aisle and took a seat in the first pew. The stained glass reflected the glowing candlelight and Gabi was overcome with a serene, peaceful calm. She sat alone for almost half an hour. She gave thanks to God for saving Antonio’s life. She prayed that he regain his strength and be able to fight off the infection that ravaged his body. She thanked God for blessing her with this life that grew inside– Antonio’s life. She prayed that she remain strong enough to tell Antonio about his child. After almost losing him tonight, she knew she needed him with her always. She knew he would want to know about their baby, this life they had created in love. She knew that together, they could handle Ricardo’s reaction to the news and whatever effect it would have on his family. She closed her eyes and cried silent tears…tears of joy that Antonio was alive, tears of anticipation of their future together.
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