The Widower's New Bride

Six

Her long slender fingers clasped tightly around his joined hands as her gynaecologist smeared a transparent gel on her protruding stomach, he felt a shiver before her voice broke his tense form, "El, it's so cold."

He bit his lower lips in worry, his brows meeting in a furrow, "Is it discomforting you? Do you want me to wipe it off?" He asked, his tone soft and gave out worry.

A wide smile grew on her full lips glossed in a red gloss complimenting her little makeup, which made her less fierce and more innocent. Different from the woman he feasts his eyes on at the office, wearing her signature black pencil skirt with a sleeved top today she wore a light blue gown with her hair tied in a low loose bun.

"El, I am not hurt or discomforted, " she replied amused.

He gave a little nod feeling quite awkward he overreacted.

He watched as the skilled hands of the doctor rolled the transducer over the swell of her belly, going around the slope.

It was Audrey's first trimester in her pregnancy, she seemed radiant and happy unlike him who was ridden in fear over failing in his new fatherhood role.

He felt the need to be prepared before a child happens, he felt the need to know what to do, when to do and how to do it when he becomes a father but destiny has a different option for him.

After her regular examination with the doctor, the first imaging of the ultrasound the doctor performed was produced. At Audrey's request, she provided some of the images which she fawned over distracting her when the doctor invited him to her office.

He followed the middle-aged doctor, who had grey strands falling on the side of her stern face it gave a glimpse of her experience in her field and how disciplined she was in it.

Once in her office, he made himself comfortable following her request. He felt nervous at her discreet call as she ensured Audrey was not aware of their meeting.

He suspected it was something serious, something about Audrey and their child.

"Mr Clement, I am glad you are here," she raised her gaze from the file she studied to his face, observing him before she continued.

"Do you have any idea why I called without the knowledge of your wife?"She asked probably seeing through the weak mask he wore over his nervous expression. Her professional gaze let little sympathy flow in them, a small emphatic smile smearing her lips.

"I can guess, "he replied, hating the croak his voice carried. He awaited her response after a little pause but got nothing from her, so he continued.

"My wife, is she okay?"

His question caused quite a reaction from her, a reaction that caused his heart to fall to the pit of the stomach.

A deep breath exuded from her lips as her folded hands dropped gravely on the polished desk. Her eyes strained on him, "I'll go straight to the point, Mr Clement."

"Your wife is in a high-risk pregnancy."

He looked straight at her, confused by her words, actually he chose confusion because it gave him a chance to doubt her words and try to wrap himself in delusion, but she wasn't falling for his act.

"She has a very early case of preeclampsia, which is dangerous for her health and the child in her. In early cases such as this, complication can occur and both lives of the mother and child can be at risk."

Those words kept echoing in his head as he was suffocated by the smell of the hospital Ivan was admitted to, the stench of disinfectant and septic cleaning agents overpowering.

That was for the physical aspect.

Emotionally, he was choked from breathing as memories of Audrey lying weak and sick flashed in his memories torturing him. Her healthy slender shape now looking skeletal, full cheekbones now a hollow of what they usually were.

He closed his eyes to drown them, disdaining the little recollections he just had.

Hospitals were not his favourite places to be, they held memories that continuously torture him.

Deciding to move his attention from his sickening reminisce, he cast a look in the direction of the door of the wardroom where the red-haired and the doctor was present with Ivan.

A worried look formed on his face over the hypothesis that his son might have pneumonia.

He worried for his wealth and wanted to believe it was a hoax from the red hair, an unwarranted alarm.

Prior to this moment, Abigail tried to reduce the growing fever of Ivan's body temperature while at home. He watched as she massaged his little body with some cold towel.

An anxious furrow grew on her forehead with her red curls stuck to sweat beads forming at the side of her face.

But, she hardly cared about herself as she focused more on Ivan. His wheezing was more prominent now, even Elliot could hear the disturbing breathing noises coming out from his child's chest and it worried both the adults.

He stopped her from massaging the cold towel on his body to reduce his fever, his finger clasped tightly around her wrist.

"Don't, I am taking him to the hospital, " he announced dropping her arm gently by her side.

He picked Ivan from his cot, and it woke him who started his wake with a cry, expressing his discomfort.

Abigail stood and watched as Elliot tried to coo him rocking him relentlessly but it wasn't calming Ivan down, so she came to him, "Let me, " she offered, for a moment she thought he would refuse but surprisingly he obliged handing Ivan over to her.

It felt like heaven holding him in her arms again, it made her feel temporarily at peace after so long. Making him look directly at her, she snuggled her face in his.

His cries subsided immediately and were reduced to little babbles as his little finger rested comfortably on her shoulders, some tiny fingers toying with her red strands falling close to him.

Elliot watched in awe as Ivan's cries reduced instantly, he saw the recognition he has in his green irises for Audrey and for the first time today, a little toothless smile grew on his lips.

Abigail dressed up Ivan since he was calm with her, it was so early in the morning about two am and she prepared him to go to the hospital to address his struggled breathing and an ever-growing fever.

Despite the fact he is calm now, Abigail can still feel his discomfort over his declining health, he looked pale and struggled a lot when breathing.

"Can you hand me a different shirt? A cardigan perhaps, to protect him from the cold but light enough for his fever?" She requested and for the first time, he found himself cooperating with her as he agreed the night was cold and Ivan needed thicker clothes.

His mind hardly crossed there.

With the truth glaring at him now, he can't help but agree, Ivan truly share a bond with this red-haired lady. He marvelled at how extensive her knowledge of child care is despite the fact she isn't a mother.

Something a true parent like himself constantly failed at.

After preparing Ivan for the visit to the hospital at this odd hour, he changed into some casual jeans and a plain cotton shirt taking Ivan from her arms.

A little sad pout formed on her lips, and Ivan seemed to notice the detachment from her.

He let some sad mumblings, his arms stretching back to Abigail but Elliot held him firm ignoring his little protest.

What worried Elliot was the wheezing sound coming out of his chest plus his fever, the trip to the hospital was needed now to know what was wrong with him.

As he was about leaving, he was about order the red hair to leave his house only for her to shock him with her request, "Can I come along?"

The door of the ward came open breaking his recollections as Ivan's physician walked through the wide space, Abigail in her pyjamas following her.

The doctor halted in front of him as he was sat on top of the waiting bench.

He stood acknowledging her presence, "How is Ivan?" he asked, hoping she understands how plagued he was by the issue.

"And what's wrong with him?"

"Since you are both his parents, I suggest you follow me to my office. We can't discuss it here."

Elliot hazed thoughts paused for a minute at her insinuation, he and the red hair shared a similar look, confusion expressed properly on hers.

While on his a frown etched there, "She is not his mother, "he corrected.

"I am his only parent."

An apologetic look grew on the doctor's face, "My sincere apology, I assumed she was your wife..."

He waved her off, "I would like to know about my son's health?" He requested.

The female doctor gave a little nod, and led him in her office, leaving Abigail alone.