What Becomes Of Us (An Anthology)

Rare Star - 5

Allen and Mae walked on either side of the gurney as Ethan was moved to the Operating Room.

Allen stayed with them last night and helped watch Ethan. He also prayed with them for the success of the little boy's operation.

The orderlies and nurses stopped just in front of the OR door. Doc Ricky then approached them and talked to Mae.

"We'll take it from here, iha. We'll take care of Ethan. Don't worry." He assured her.

"Thank you, Doc. I'll just talk to him."

"Sure, iha. And please just call me Tito."

"Tito, thank you."

Mae leaned down to whisper to Ethan. "Mama has to stay here, baby. I can't go with you. Only doctors and nurses can go with you inside." She started. She blinked to stop the tears from falling from her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. Her heart felt so fragile at that moment, it was ready to break to a million pieces but she had to keep the pain hidden from Ethan.

She took a deep breath, held her little boy's hand to her lips and kissed it then pressed it on her cheek. "My love, you have to be brave and strong, okay? They will take care of you and after a little pain, it will all get better. You will get better. You can ride your bike again and we can run around in the park. You like that right?"

"Don't leave me, Mama." Ethan said. Mae bit her lip to suppress a sob.

"Oh, baby, I won't. I promise. I will be right here when you come out, okay? I'll bring you whatever you want. What do you want, baby?"

"Chocolate cake." Ethan said.

"Okay, love, you'll have that cake when you come out later. Remember, your guardian angel will stand by you the whole time and Papa Jesus is watching over you."

"Yes, Mama."

"I love you, my baby."

"I love you, Mama."

Allen then moved to Mae's back and touched her shoulder.

"Ipapasok na nila si Ethan, Mae."

She looked at him and nodded. She kissed Ethan's forehead one more time.

As they started to roll the bed away, Ethan grabbed Allen's hand.

"Daddy..."

Everyone who heard the boy, stopped and looked at him in surprise except for Allen who acted like it was the most natural thing in the world.

He just smiled and leaned down to talk to Ethan.

"Yes, Ethan?" He asked. Mae watched them in utter confusion.

"Daddy, doctor?" Ethan questioned Allen as he touched the doctor's white coat.

"Yes, buddy, I am a doctor."

"You go with Ethan?" The little boy asked with a little smile.

"Wow. See. That's pretty smart right there how you figured that out, buddy." He said with a chuckle as he playfully pinched Ethan's nose.

"See how smart he is Mama?" Allen candidly asked Mae who still stared at them in shock and disbelief.

"Ye... Yes, very smart." She managed to stutter.

"Dad? Can I?" Allen turned to Doc Ricky who just nodded at him. The elder Reacher couldn't seem to find his words because of the scene he was seeing.

Allen smiled at Ethan and said, "Yey! I can go with you, buddy. Say thank you, Lolo Doc."

("Lolo Doc? What the hell is happening? What are you doing, Allen?) Mae thought.

"Thank you, Wowo Doc." The little boy smiled at Doc Ricky who smiled back with uncertainty still evident on his face.

"Buddy, you go ahead. I'll be right behind you, okay?"

"Promise?" The boy asked.

"Promise." Allen said as he stuck out his pinky finger and the two made a pinky swear.

"Okay, Daddy." Ethan smiled. "See you, Mama."

"See you later, love." Mae replied as tears brimmed her eyes.

As the orderlies and nurses rolled Ethan in the OR, Mae let her tears flow and the sobs took over her body. Allen immediately put his arm over her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. She hugged him back and snuggled on his chest as she cried.

She knew what they looked like. She knew what those who saw them could be thinking. She knew what the nurses who saw them as they passed by could be saying in their hushed conversations but she was too overwhelmed by her emotions to even care.

At that moment, she needed Allen and he was happy to be there for her.

When she calmed down a little, Allen led Mae to sit on the bench in the waiting area.

"I need to go to Ethan before they put him to sleep, okay? He has to see me there so he knows I kept my promise. I'll be right back, Mae."

Mae nodded. "Allen, wait. I have to ask you something."

"About Ethan calling me Daddy?"

"Yes."

"Well, we were watching The Incredibles last night and there was this scene with Mr. Incredible and the baby, then Ethan suddenly called me Daddy and hugged me." Allen narrated animatedly.

"Why did you let him? I mean you're not... we're not..."

["A couple... I know."] Allen thought with some bitterness.

He took her hand and enclosed it between his palms. "Mae, I know what you might be thinking. Don't feel pressured. We don't have to go where you're not ready. We can stay friends. Being just friends doesn't mean I can't be a father figure to Ethan, right? He really needs a Daddy and I want to be that for him. You don't have to think about how our relationship should be. We could just be friends."

["You're sure about being JUST FRIENDS? Why are you in so much pain right now, Reacher? It's because you love her and you don't have the guts to tell her. YOU ARE IN LOVE with her. Damn it!"]

"Thank you, Allen. You are a great friend. I don't want us to impose on you more than we already have. Sobra sobra na ang ginagawa mo para sa amin ni Ethan. You even waived your professional fees for him. I don't understand why you're doing all these, Allen. Siguro sobrang buti mo lang talagang tao at hindi ako sanay na may totoong mga taong kagaya mo."

("This is really confusing, Allen. I wish you could say something to clear this up. Dahil naguguluhan na din ako sa feelings ko para sa'yo.")

"You're not imposing. Masaya ako sa ginagawa ko, Mae. Sandali ko pa lang kayong nakakasama ni Ethan pero sobrang importante nyo na sa buhay ko. I can't imagine my life without you in it."

["Tell her you love her. JUST TELL HER. You're confusing her more."]

"What if ma-attach sa'yo si Ethan? What if you can't spend as much time with us anymore. What if..."

Allen suddenly kissed her hand which surprised enough to make her forget whatever else she wanted to tell him, and said, "Like I said, I am not going anywhere as long as you and Ethan need me. I'll be here. I promise."

("But why, Allen? Why?")

["Because I love you..."]

"Allen, I..." Mae started.

"Doc, hinahanap na po kayo ni Ethan." A nurse said from behind Mae.

"Okay. I'll be right there." He answered. "Mae, babalikan kita dito ha? Once the procedure is done, babalitaan kita agad. Are you sure you'll be okay here?"

"Yes. Thank you, Allen. Ikaw na bahala kay Ethan."

"Promise. Don't worry. Dad is the best in what he does. Our Ethan is in capable hands."

("Our Ethan?")

Allen took a few seconds to stare at Mae before he stood up, still holding her hand. He leaned down as she looked up at him.

"I'll be right back. " Allen said softly and kissed her forehead before he let her hand go and walked to the operating room.

Mae buried her blushing face in her hands and drew a deep breath, feeling more anxious and confused than she has ever been her whole life.

With a deep sigh, she closed her eyes and prayed for clarity and for Ethan... Most specially for Ethan.