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~ Day Dreams ~
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~ Epilogue ~*~ Part Two ~
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~ Gloomed Circumstances ~
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~ Twenty-Four-Years-Old ~
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Two-Years-Later ~
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~ July-Thirteenth ~
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~ Hazel's POV ~
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"La, la, la... Honey, Honey, Honey. La, la, la... Honey, Honey, Honey!" Noah repeats in a sing-song voice, bouncing in the back of the immobile, vibrating car playing with his teddy bear, Teddy.

"Is Noah excited to see, Honey?" I reply in a calm manner.

"Yay! Honey!" Noah exclaims.

"Okay, time to settle down now, Noah. Here, drink some water. The sooner we visit, Honey the better," I giggle passing Noah's water bottle from the passenger seat.

Hazy sunshine beams through the tinted windows of the Jeep, warming my skin. Reflecting through the smudged review mirror stands Jake locking the barn doors as the strong wind sweeps through his messy golden brown hair. All that can be heard outside are the dogs barking and birds singing in the trees.

"Look, Noah. Here comes daddy." Jake opens the car's back door and buckles the bouncing Noah safely into the booster seat. Jake shuts the door taut and enters the driver's seat, buckling himself, as do I. The car gears into drive and rolls forward over the sandy, grass driveway as we descend downhill from the meadow property.

"What time is your ultrasound appointment again, Carrots?" Jake said.

"Uh... umm..." I pause, thinking, "...around 10 AM, I think. So, we'll have enough time to visit Honey before the appointment." I have an appointment at Seaside hospital to ensure the baby's health. While there, we plan on visiting, Honey. Both Honey and I have been best of friends since our first encounter in college, and nothing tore us apart. Except for the accident...

"Yay...!" Noah exclaims.

The icy aircon hits my skin, causing goosebumps and shivers throughout my entire body, in the process my thoughts descend. The alluring nature and breathtaking ocean view drift by as the windy breeze flows through clusters of forest trees, and scorches over the wild, sea waters in the distance. Gloomy clouds hover above mountains, and rivers on the outskirts of Seaside, Florida.

"Mommy. Daddy. We there, yet?" Noah questions.

Jake laughs, "Ha-ha... not, yet cheeky, man."

A half an hour passes as Noah's loud voice asks, yet again. "We there, yet." I cannot help but beam ear to ear.

Seaside hospital entry sign lingers by as an empty parking lot comes into plain sight, Jake parks the car within no time. Meanwhile, everyone already exists the vehicle into the fresh air. But the pregnant woman with back pain struggles to step foot upon the sloping gravel pavement below. With Noah's and Jake's much-needed help, I recover, and we walk hand in hand with Noah swinging between us. A dense Seaside, breeze caves around us, causing sudden wild leaves and windswept hair as we struggle towards the hospital's entrance.

Through the massive automatic glass doors, the wild wind refrains itself as soon as the doors shut behind us. We zigzag along the never-ending, white corridors and finally reach the check-in, front desk. The lobby has a bland design and dimming lights. It is freezing and quiet apart from the reception ladies.

"Hello, Hazel and family. It's lovely to see you all again. Bright and early as always. Come on through and I'll grab you a wheelchair, Hazel." Kate, one of the reception ladies, smiles kindly at us. "Oh, and you just missed Ethan."

"You too. Thanks, Kate," I release Noah's and Jake's sweaty hands and half-wave towards the lady, "And really?"

"Yeah, he's been visiting very early lately. But anyway, here we are," Kate said, emerging through the doors rolling in a wheelchair.

Is Ethan avoiding us? Because it hurts too much? I thought and shrug my shoulders.

I thank Kate and rest my weight in the uncomfortable, leather chair. Noah makes himself comfortable on my lap as Jake guides us through the narrow hallways. We stroll down another winding passageway, passing by endless rooms as we amble further towards the extended stay accommodation area. We enter an empty elevator for thirty seconds, as it abruptly halts at level two. We continue our journey through the mass of busy people, and we arrive at Honey's compartment door, number 24.

Through the white door and into another bland white room is where Honey lays hospitalized, breathing ever so slightly, in a deep slumber. Her chest rises and falls as gravity allows her heart to. Countless numbers of cords and tubes scatter over Honey's fragile body. The echoing machinery beeps filling the room in silence as Honey appears out of place and blue to the naked eye.

"Mommy. Why auntie Honey sleeping again?" Noah questions.

"Auntie, Honey is very tired and needs her rest." I could not dare tell a two-year-old son that his only non-biological auntie is in a coma fighting for her life on life support for two years now. Honey has never met Noah in person, and I pray that one day she will. Jake and I decided two years ago to put our wedding on hold because we needed Honey alive and well.

Long story short Honey ended up in a coma because she was a thrill seeker and has a crazy, wild side to her. "I love the thrilling rush I get." Something Honey once told me before the tragic incident... Honey's paralyzed from the waist down and will never walk again... so they say.

"Daddy, what Honey dreaming about?"

"Who knows, little man. You will have to ask her when she wakes."

"Okay," Noah said with a smile, his dimples showcasing within his cheeks.

A sudden knock on the closed door squeaks ajar as a nurse appears through the doorframe. "Hazel, sorry to interrupt, but may I speak with you in private?"

"Yes, of course," I inform the nurse. I kiss Noah on the top of his blonde curls of hair and tickle him. "Mommy needs to go talk to the nice nurse now."

Noah laughs nodding, leaping off my lap and into Jake's arms as he tickles Noah even more. I guide the wheelchair out of the overwhelming hollow room, now full of Noah's laughter filling the silence. I approach a crowding hallway and lean the back of the wheelchair against the brick wall.

"I'm Amber, one of the registered nurses working on Honey's case. We still have no new records on Honey's current condition. She's already been two years under and hasn't shown any significant improvements since then." Amber glances downwards reading the medical report of the clipboard glued in her hands. "Eventually the hospital will have to take action if there are no improvements met within the next couple of months. I'm very sorry, Hazel, for this shocking news."

"I understand, but Honey's like a sister to me. We can't lose her, yet. Please, tell me that something can be don—" I say but my words fumble as my eyes are glazed with tears. Heavy pain strikes within my thumping chest. Intense, emotional feelings arise within me and take captive of my body.

"I know, it's a devastating situation to be in with you and your family, but unfortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Shores have legal rights in making the final decision whether or not to disconnect Honey Delilah Shores' life support."

Commotion complications arise from within Honey's room. "Daddy! H-Honey, no b-breathing!" Noah exclaims, his breath shaking.

"Hazel, quick! Honey's flatlining!" Jake shouts, informing us.

"Get the toddler out of there. I'm notifying the emergency team right away!" Amber talks into a portable intercom as she bolts away towards the medical information desk.

Noah leaps onto my lap crying, as Jake stands beside the wheelchair, comforting Noah and me. Staring into the distance as Amber's frame emerges within view with a crew of nurses and doctors rushing by. Amber explains the sudden situation, but I was unable to understand a single word. Cloudiness swirls my vision and numbing pains tingle through my veins like a heavy waterfall flowing, as Noah fathoms my disconnection. "Mommy! You o-okay?"

My head spins like a roller coaster and blood thins and begins to drip from my nostrils. A wet substance forms between my legs and pain hits me hard in the pelvis. Am I in labor? But that would mean I am two months early...

Amber immediately informs Jake and Noah to give me space. "I repeat we have a 'Code Blue.' level two, south wing!" Leaning the back of my head against the cold, brick wall in agony as my surroundings become a hazy mess. Moments later, nurses are rushing the wheelchair in the direction I assume towards the emergency, birthing theatre.

"Hazel, dear. Stay with me. I know it hurts," Amber whispers, reassuring me. "You're in labor, Hazel. I need you to take deep breaths with me." Amber inhales and exhales as I fail to follow and lose consciousness.

*    *    *

I lay awake in a fetal position on an uncomfortable hospital bed. Violent contraction pain strikes through my pelvis inch by inch. I sweat in a draped gown as a heart rate monitor scorchers across my belly bump measuring the baby's heartbeat rhythms. Another monitor broadcasts my rapid heart rates as I am wired to a cannula that is measuring the flowing liquids and fluids through an IV drip.

"Where is uh...? Where is umm...?" I mumble. Thinking is unbearable as the pain takes over my body.

"Your fiancé and your son are out in the waiting room with two other people," Amber said, planting my mind at ease. "Hazel, the medical team needs to give you an epidural for you and your baby's safety."

I nod and let the pain take possession of my body, "Okay, thanks, and what about Honey?"

"Honey's still in theatre," Amber rests a gentle hand on my shoulder. "There's no further news about her state." 

"Alright Hazel, I'm going to have to ask you to sit up," a male doctor said as Amber helps me up, "I will now perform the epidural injection. You'll feel mild irritations, not to worry."

"Ahh...!" Escapes my lips. Extreme pain vanishes from existence after the drug takes full effort over my body. As everything falls dark and silent...

*    *    *

Vision blurs as I drift in and out of consciences. "We're losing her. She's lost too much blood. She's far too weak to push and displays low blood pressure. We need to perform a Cesarean Section pronto ensuring the baby's safety," a male's voice, the same as before, informs his medical team.

"Hazel, sweetie. Can you hear me?" a female nurse's voice echoes and explains the current situation. "We need to perform a C Section to ensure your baby is safe." I nod in agreement and fall into a dense, restless slumber as sweat coats my forehead. My surroundings go dark again.

*    *    *

"It's a boy..." Echoes through my distorting dreams and transforms into a black and white cartoon nightmare.

"The infant's showing complications with its immature lungs capacity, difficulty maintaining constant regular body temperature, less activity than normal including movement and coordination problems, inability to feed, low weight gain and low body fat and it appears pale with yellow undertones. The infant needs medical treatment and needs to be put into an enclosed incubator right away!" the male doctor explains.

"Yes, of course, Sir. I'm on it," a female nurse says, following the doctor's orders.

Breathlessly, I question aloud. "Can I hold my baby boy?" There's no reply, then I fall into another deep slumber.

*    *    *

Stiffness hollows throughout my entire, exhausted body. I pray that my little one stays strong. The door flies open and multiple footsteps approach the bed. "Shh... Noah, remember we have to use our inside voices," Jake said in a calming voice filling the room.

"Okie, daddy," Noah replies.

"Doc, why did Hazel have premature childbirth? She did not have any warning signs nor contractions pain prior." Jake's voice brings me back to reality when he asks the doctor questions. I listen closely as I cannot manage to open my eyes due to my exhaustion and throbbing head.

"Well, let's see... does Hazel have poor nutrition either before and during her pregnancy?" the doctor questions him with another question.

"No, Hazel's healthy!" Jake said, his voice cracking.

"Did she smoke, use illegal drugs, or drink alcohol during her pregnancy?"

"No, of course not!"

"Does Hazel have any infections, such as urinary tract and amniotic membrane infections?"

"No, what?"

"Did she have a premature birth in a previous pregnancy?"

"No, Hazel had a natural birth with Noah!"

"Are you aware if she has an abnormal uterus or a weakened cervix opening?"

"What! I have no idea what you just said!" Jake's voice begins to break.

"Does Hazel have chronic stress at all? Or been diagnosed with mental disorders?"

"Yes, Hazel's diagnosed with chronic anxiety, depression, and stress. She had been dealing with a lot of stress lately. Well, all of us have. Especially what happened with Honey Shores."

"Anxiety-related pregnancies can cause all kinds of chronic stress that might have increased Hazel's risk of preterm labor."

"Right. Will Hazel and the baby be okay?"

"Hazel will be fine, but she will have to stay overnight for observation purposes, and as for the infant, we'll try our best. We'll keep you and Hazel posted," the doctor ensures.

"May I ask the gender, doc?" Jake questions the doctor.

"The infant's a male. Press the button for assistance on the remote if there are any complications." I assume the doctor left the room.

"Thanks for the sympathy, doc," Jake mumbles dryly. The door closes behind the doctor unaware of Jake's directed comment.

My eyes finally manage to flutter open as they squint in the process, due to the bright ceiling lights above.

"Guess what, Noah. Did you hear what the doctor just said," Jake whispers, "You now have a baby brother."

Noah smiles with excitement in his eyes then says, "Really!" Noah said, unable to wipe the gigantic smile on his face as he looks over towards me. "Mommy. You's wake, yet?"Noah exclaims.

"Shh... remember, mommy needs to rest," Jake explains. Noah crawls on top of the hospital bed and lays next to me.

In a horsey mutter, I caress Noah's forehead. "Hmm... hey, buddy."

"Mommy's awake," Noah's eyes light the room enveloping around us. "Mommy. Daddy. Where baby brother?"

"He has been taken for medical care. I assume he's very small," Jake directs his last comment at me.

"Poor little man," my expression saddens. I try sounding hopeful, but I ultimately fail. "Another boy, I knew it! Carter Rivers." Excitement washes through me then my face instantly turns hollow.

Jake smiles down at me. Loving the name we chose for our second son. "Carter will be okay, Hazel. If he's strong like you, he'll make it. I know he will," Jake apprises, noticing my mood change.

My voice wonders aloud, "How do you know for sure?"

"I just do. Trust me, Hazel," Jake guarantees.

Changing the subject I ask my oldest son. "Noah, are you excited about your new brother? But you have to promise us to always protect him?"

Noah looks me in the eye. "Okay, mummy. I promise."

*    *    *

I wake in a daze still laying in the uncomfortable hospital bed, wired to an IV drip. The night falls as the moon and stars darken over Seaside. A floor-to-ceiling window in the center of the hospital room casts a small shadow, but not enough to overcast the moonlight within the hollow room of the young of the night. Jake and Noah are asleep in the corner of the room with Noah in Jake's lap holding Teddy. Emma and Anne are both on the other side of the room near the window, also asleep.

Without a knock on the door, nurses and doctors flood into the private hospital room. "Sorry, for the disturbance," a male doctor said. Emma, Anne, Jake, and Noah jolt awake, yawning.

"Mommy, is baby brother here?" Noah says rubbing his tired green eyes. I glance at Noah but the doctor interrupts.

"Sorry, for interrupting. But I'm her inform you that the baby will make a full recovery but stay in hospital until healthy." The doctors leave the room except for Amber.

"Is baby brother coming home?" Noah says with a confusing expression.

I cover my mouth sobbing into my hands as arising of emotion pain with the thoughts of almost losing my baby. The pain rushes to my chest as it crumbles open, leaving an open wound as relief consumes me. Jake stands from his seat and hugs me tight and cries happy tears into my shoulder. Emma and Anne stand to their feet grabbing tissues for everyone and themselves.

"Where baby brother?" Noah said, louder this time.

"C-Come here, Noah," I sniffle. Noah jumps up onto the hospital bed and lays his head on my chest.

"I want baby brother now!" Noah mumbles.

"I know baby, me too. But he will be okay but he will have to stay here for a little while until he is better," I said, warm tears rolling down my flustered cheeks.

"Okay," Noah whispers, holding his teddy bear close to his heart. "Why are you sad, mommy?"

"Mommy's, not sad I'm happy," I explain, "These aren't sad tears there happy ones. I promise."

Amber lays a gentle hand on my arm where the plastic, medical wristband lays. "I'm glad to hear the wonderful news," Amber said with tears swelling in her eyes. "But I have more good news. Honey's awake."

* * *
The End
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Please, tell me in the comments what you thought about Epilogue ~*~ Part Two? 🙈 I'll be greatly appreciated, thank you, you very kind soul!
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~ Epilogue ~*~ Part Two ~
~ Dedications ~
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HeliiBoh
DebMorey
PeterPetruzzella
CaitlinWoodward9
DaniJones_14
ChloeMayerhofer
savvvy1998
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You guys should totally check out PeterPetruzzella short story! Lighthouse. It's amazing! Please also go check out Peter's YouTube account pure56 for awesome content on movies, tv-shows, and game reviews!
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You guys should totally check out ChloeMayerhofer story! Fallen! It's awesome!
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C.Morey 🥕 xoxo
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