Doctor Peters nodded and said "And I'm afraid she might not live for too long." She said and tears finally fell from Samuel face.
"During her pregnancy she hadn't been eating well which is one of the reasons why this poor baby was born premature." Doctor Peters said as she glanced at Samuel who was still in tears before she continued.
"Vera went through a lot. She is an orphan. Even with her heart condition, she worked multiple jobs so she could get enough money to keep up with her medications. That was until she became pregnant. It was hard for her. She was always falling sick that she even was giving a sack letter to quit from two of her jobs, which were the cleaning job, and bar job. She was able to manage the waiter job which was during the day but the pay she got there was very low. She had to forgo buying her medicine to pay her house bill.
She could not afford to buy healthy food or prenatal medicines or even go for check up. She also said she called you one time to ask for help but you shunned her. She told me all these few hours after she woke up from the delivery and decided I should call you if there will be any luck. She does not have much time to live and want her baby boy to be in safe arms. Her other option was that if you refuse to come, I should help her find a caring family who will adopt the baby." Dr Peter said. She whispered the last part as she wiped a tear off her face.
As soon as the she finished her statement, the baby in the incubator moved his left hand and opened his eyes, which made Samuel cry the more. His got an answer to his question. All his doubt disappeared. He did not need any DNA test to prove anything. He could see that the baby was his. His eyes had the same colour as his, his dad and younger brother. No doubt, he is the father to the little one in the incubator.
Samuel could not control himself as his tears started getting louder.
"It's time for him to be fed." Doctor Peters said and she called a nurse over and gave her some instructions after which she dragged Samuel who was reluctant to go, out of the room.
Immediately they got out of the children's ward, Samuel plopped down on a chair and cried his heart out.
Doctor Peters took a seat beside him as she squeezed his shoulder, assuring him that everything will be all right.
"This is my entire fault. If only I had believe Vera when she called me. If only I had listened to what she had to say. If only I had helped her, she and my child won't be going through what they are going through." Samuel said in tears, feeling guilty.
"I was enjoying life somewhere without even thinking that my baby and his mother are somewhere suffering. Ah, God I am so stupid. Look at what I have done. I will never forgive myself if anything happen to both of them. I will never forgive myself." He said as he wept bitterly.
After about fifteen minutes, when Samuel had calm down a little, Doctor Peters asked him if
he would like to see Vera and he said yes.
They both got up and he took her to Vera's ward.
She took her leave to give them some privacy, as she knew they had things to talk.
Immediately Doctor Peters walked out, Samuel began to take few steps towards Vera who was on the hospital bed with her eyes shut. She looked very pale and one could conclude that she was very sick. Her hair wrapped with a sky blue scarf, which matched her sky blue hospital wear. She had drips connected to her right hand.
Samuel took quite steps to where she was. He was not sure if he should wake her up or not. He eventually took a seat that was beside her bedside and kept on watching her sleep. Unconsciously, he caressed his right hand with her own, which caused Vera to blink her eye. She is a very light sleeper.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up." He mumbled, Guilt evident in his voice. "You came?" She whispered, with brimming tears.
Vera was surprised he was here as she was already thinking her child would end up in the orphanage when she is no more.
"Yes Vera. I'm here." He managed to reply. Things were silent for a while between both of them as they kept on staring at each other before Vera broke the Silence.
"He's so beautiful." Vera whispered with tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Vera. Sorry I was never there when you both needed me. I am sorry. I should not have replied you the way I did several months ago. Please forgive me." Samuel begged as he started crying also.
Vera just nodded her head positively as she bit her lower tongue in order to stop the sound of her tears.
"I never wanted to call you. But again, I felt you had a right to know about the existence of your child." She spoke as she wiped away her tears with the back of her palm.
"And I was so stupid for not believing you." He replied
"Perhaps if I had reacted to the whole situation in a very matured manner, you and our child will not be going through all these."
"I saw him Vera. He is so tiny and looks very weak. I will never forgive myself if anything happens to him. I will never be at peace if anything happens to both of you." Samuel whispered.
Vera had a sad smile on her lips as she took Samuel cold hands into hers and said, "He will survive this. He's a fighter."
She said as she looked into his eyes and said again, "he has your beautiful eyes." Samuel chuckled and said, "I know right."
"So how did you cope all these while?" he asked her as he helped her into a sitting position on the bed and he took a seat beside her on the bed.