Natalie
The wait seems endless. Noah is being operated on, and I'm staring down at the floor. I haven't even touched the cola Frank bought me from the vending machine. Neither have I eaten anything.
I pull my legs to my body, hugging them while other people receive good news about their loved ones.
What if I won't receive good news about Noah?
Fear and panic are crashing over me like a tidal wave, again and again, until it gets heavier to breathe. My heart is throbbing, but I can only sit deathly still as the tears fall.
"Why did I ask Noah to go to the pharmacy for me..." I whisper. Guilt is gnawing at me. "This is all my fault..."
"It's not your fault, sweetheart," Frank sighs. "It's no one's fault. Accidents happen all the time."
"What if Noah won't make it?" I ask.
"I'm sure Noah will be fine," Frank says, but even he doesn't sound convinced of his own words. "Your dad and Cynthia are taking a flight back to the city tonight."
I swallow plenty of tears. My brain can't focus on my dad and Cynthia. I don't even care if they are here or not; all I want is for Noah to open his eyes. Nothing else matters in this world.
Noah is my everything.
I love him.
Fuck.
Why didn't I tell him I loved him when I had the chance?!
I'm so stupid!
What if I never get the chance? Then I will live with that regret for the rest of my freaking life!
"I don't know what I would do if Noah died. I've never been this afraid in my entire life... His smile and his light—he is too young to die, Frank. This is totally unfair."
Frank seems to be fighting tears too. "I know, sweetheart. We can only pray Noah is strong enough to get through this. Like you said, he is young; there is a big chance he will pull through. I have faith."
My hand travels to my stomach, and I whisper. "I might be pregnant with Noah's child. I've only ever done it with Noah, and I was nauseous this morning. Not kidding; I felt like shit. So Noah was supposed to buy me a pregnancy test, and that's when he..."
Frank buries his face in his hands, exhaling. "God... I'm so sorry, Natalie. This is tragic, but you have to remember it's not your fault. It's not like you planned for this to happen, and people will always drive cars."
"I know, but it's hard to not think like that... And don't say you're sorry—you're in pain too. We both care deeply for Noah."
"He is a good man," Frank says. "Just like his father before him. Hugo was a wonderful man when he was alive. Warm enough to thaw the ice around even lady Cynthia's heart. He made her a better person, even though I've always considered that woman a snake."
I laugh through my tears. "You seem to dislike Cynthia more than I do."
"I do," Frank says. "Honestly, I don't like Cynthia at all. I've worked for the Parker family for years, and Cynthia is an abusive woman with a temper. I saw her hit you in the kitchen that morning—it surprises me you don't hate her with your entire heart."
"It's because I'm used to people not liking me," I admit and smile, glad to think about something else other than Noah for a few seconds. The ache in my heart is killing me. "My mother abandoned me, and I've had trust issues ever since. I never consider myself good enough. I understand if Cynthia doesn't like me; my own mother didn't love me."
"Even if Cynthia doesn't like you, it doesn't give her the right to slap or abuse you. And the way she talks to you is unacceptable too. I said nothing because I wanted to keep my job. But that woman is inappropriate and out of line."
I giggle. "That's true."
"And..." Frank studies me. "I'm sorry to say this, but I also don't like your father very much. I would never let the woman I'm dating touch any of my daughters."
I smile. "Do you have children, Frank?"
"Three sons—no daughters, but I wouldn't let Cynthia touch my daughter if I had one."
"You must be a good father."
"My sons say I'm too strict, but they all come and visit me weekly. I live in a worn-down apartment with my wife, but all my sons are doing great in their careers; I've raised them well."
"I think so too..."
Silence falls, and I peer down at my stomach again, caressing it. The tears aren't far away now, and I bite my lower lip. "If I'm pregnant, the baby will need their father. Noah would make such a wonderful dad, while I'm cold and heartless—I need him."
"You're not cold and heartless," Frank sighs. "Like you said, you have trust issues, but you will love your own child."
I laugh through my tears. "I already do. I've fallen in love with the idea of being pregnant. The timing isn't right, but I don't care. This child will be a very loved one. I'm already coming up with names."
"You will be a wonderful mother."
"Thank you, Frank."
"And you can always study later, Natalie. There is no reason for you to worry about that. You're still young, and Noah loves you. He will take care of you and the child. I'm thrilled that you and Noah have found each other. You're both beautiful people."
I blush. "Thank you... I hope Noah makes it through this. I'm so worried about him. It sounded to me like he had a severe head injury."
"Yes, the doctors worry he might be in a coma for a while, and it's not uncommon for an injury like this to come with consequences. I don't want to worry you for no reason, but Noah..."
"Might wake up as a vegetable." I'm tearing up again. "I know... I've seen Grey's Anatomy too many times..."
"It might not happen," Frank says. "Let's hope for the best and be ready for the worst."
"Yes." I blink away my tears and dry my face on my sleeve. A smile plays over my lips. "Do you think the staff mind if I sleep in the waiting room? I don't want to head home."
"I would assume that's perfectly fine," Frank says. "And I'm not leaving either. I've called my wife already. She is aware of what is going on."
"Great." I get comfortable in my seat. "I think I'm going to close my eyes for a couple of minutes."