Love me again

Cried on His Shoulders

Due to proximity, Gabriel reached the hospital in a few minutes. As he opened the door, he saw Anna crying silently. Enzo is sleeping on the bed. IV fluid is attached to his hands.

Seeing this scene made his heart ache as if there was something heavy on top of his heart.

Anna turned her head and saw the worried Gabriel.

"Anna..." Gabriel said. He was lost of words at the moment.

Anna is crying again.

"He fainted at school. I was so worried, so afraid..." she was crying.

"Come here." said Gabriel and pulled her into an embrace. Her hate for Gabriel was forgotten for a while, she found a shoulder to cry on. He was also sad.

That moment, the door opened and Matthew came in. He witnessed the two hugging. Although he knew this is for their son, it made his heart tighten. He didn't want anybody touching his Anna.

Startled, Anna pushed Gabriel.

"Matthew..." she walked towards him. Still crying, she hugged the man.

"My Enzo..." she continued sobbing. He didn't make a sound instead. he kissed her head and patted her back.

Gabriel didn't like the scene very much. It made his heart hurt even more.

The three of them seated, Matthew and Anna on the couch while Gabriel sat on the single chair beside Enzo's bed. Matthew was holding Anna's hand.

Gabriel was just observing them from the corner of his eyes.If not for his sick son, he would have left the room the moment Matthew arrived. Now it was very clear to him, he still loves Anna, very much.

After an hour, the doctor and a nurse arrived. The nurse checked on Enzo's pulse rate while the doctor stopped in front of Anna. Gabriel stood up and came near them.

"Doctor, how is he?" Anna stood up and asked the doctor.

"Well, based on his blood test, he lacks red blood cells. He has too many white blood cells. This is why I would recommend conducting a bone marrow aspiration." the doctor looked from his chart to Anna.

"Doctor, what do you mean?" Gabriel asked. Confused.

"His blood counts are quite not normal. I don't want to give an early diagnosis. I wanted to be sure, that is why I will recommend a bone marrow aspiration. It means we will get a sample of his bone marrow to conduct a test. Let us just hope this turns out negative." the doctor said.

Anna burst into tears again. She was hugged by Matthew.

Gabriel was stunned at the moment. He couldn't believe what he heard. He faced his son and tears silently fell from his eyes. This time, he needed a hug but Anna is on another arm. That made him more sad deep inside.

After a while, he said...

"Why don't you go back first and get things you needed here. I will stay here while you're home." he suggested.

Matthew agreed and left with Anna. His driver drove his car to Anna's house.

When they went inside the house, her tears flowed again. Matthew hugged her.

"He will be fine. Enzo is such a brave and strong boy. Don't worry, baby." he kissed her head and let her cry on his shoulder.

After her emotion subsided, she started preparing her son's things and some toiletries and eating utensils they may be needing inside the hospital.

While she was preparing, Matthew prepared some soup and sandwiches. They haven't eaten their lunch. Good thing they had snacks during the meeting but he knew she was hungry now.

He went to Anna's room. She was busy preparing things.

" Go take a hot shower, baby. It will make you relax. Then we can eat and go back to Enzo." he hugged her from behind and gave her a soft kiss at the back of her head.

Anna just gave a slow nod and went inside the bathroom.

4pm.

Anna and Matthew came back to the hospital. Gabriel was sitting at the chair beside Enzo. He was carefully touching the child's hair. He loved his son very much. Seeing him like this breaks his heart.

" Gabriel, thank you. You can go back and rest first." Anna said to Gabriel.

"I will call you, if Enzo needs anything. I promise." she assured the man.

Gabriel gave Enzo a quick peck on his forehead. He glanced at the couple and grab his keys.

"Okay." he nodded and left. He didn't even take a look at Anna's eyes. Anna was saddened because she knew that like her, Gabriel was also worried and adamant. She stare at the retreating figure of Gabriel until he closed the door.

...

" We really have to do the bone marrow aspiration as soon as possible, Anna. It has been three days but his platelets hasn't improved. Until we knew what the problem was, that was only the time we can treat him properly." the doctor explained.

"Okay, doctor. If that could make my son better." Anna said.

Enzo's doctors performed the procedure the following day. On this day also, Matthew went back to America for important business meeting. He promised Anna he will come back as soon as he can.

Anna went to the hospital chappel to pray for his son.After a while, Gabriel came quietly and sat behind Anna. He silently uttered his prayers as well.

Gabriel noticed her sobs and slight shaking of her shoulders. He contemplated whether to approach her or not. In the end, he sat beside her.

He patted her shoulder gently. Anna looked at the man beside her. With too much contained emotions, Anna cried even more. Gabriel hugged her and let her cry on his shoulder.

They stayed like that for minutes without a word. Gabriel felt as if his heart was ripped apart. He felt heavy in his chest, he blamed himself for everything - from Anna's heartache to Enzo's illness. If he was only man enough to love and cherish his family back then... Tears finally escaped from his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Anna. All of these were my fault. I am a failure." he said with cracking voice.

Anna looked up and saw his misty eyes. The hatred in her heart somehow vanished on the sight of lonely Gabriel.

"No... Don't blame yourself. Blaming won't make us any good. Lets just pray and hope Enzo is okay." she said.