“How’s she doing?” Franco asked the receptionist.
“She’s still in surgery. They have delivered the babies. As soon as they can, the doctors will be out to talk to you.”
Ric felt a rush of relief. The news report was wrong; the pregnant lady from the park hadn’t died.
“Good, good. I want her and the babies to have the best care.” Franco tried to keep calm; they were all going to be okay. He continued to fill out each sheet as the nurse handed him the papers.
When he was finished, the nurse instructed him to wait in the waiting area. The two men sat down.
“I’m glad you’re here, Ric.” Franco put his face in his hands and wiped down. “It’s weird, huh? But I need you. I need my friend.” He reached over and put his hand on Ric’s leg. “I’ve been upset with Gini—and you, for that matter—but I certainly didn’t want anything to happen to her.” He turned and looked at Ric. “You are my best friend, for God’s sake, and so is she. How can this be happening?”
“I should have been with her,” Ric said, his voice shaking. “I always walked with her just for this very reason, so I could protect her. But I had to work this morning.” He sat back and looked up. “So she went alone.”
Franco realized this was just as difficult for Ric as it was for him; both were in shock, suffering the same sorrow. Franco had the urge to call family, but who? If only Mama Elizabeth were still living. She’d know how to comfort both him and Ric. She’d take care of all three of them, just like the old days. They needed each other. “Honestly, Ric, if Gini was going to be with anyone else but me, I’m glad it’s you.” Franco patted his leg again. He wasn’t good at comforting people; he could see his friend was hurting deeply—feeling responsible. What could he say or do to ease his pain? The words blurted out, “Don’t beat yourself up too much. You didn’t know. How would you know?”
Dr. Young and Dr. Nelson had finished the surgeries and together were going to talk to Franco. They were notified he had arrived and filled out all the paperwork. He was now Gini’s legal guardian since she wasn’t capable of making decisions.
Just before the doctors walked through the double doors, Linda held out her hand to stop Robert.
“Before we go out there, I have to give you some information.”
Robert was puzzled.
“See those two gentlemen sitting next to each other? The stout one is Franco, her husband. The tall one is Ric.” She stopped and thought how she could best explain the situation. “Ric and Gini are living together. We don’t know whether he or Franco is the father of the children. It’s a complicated situation. Both men love her very much.”
Robert looked again through the small window in the doors. “I can only talk to her husband. That’s hospital policy.”
“I know, but since they are together, I just wanted you to know the situation. Believe it or not, Franco told me they are—were—best friends.”
“Well, let’s get this over with. I hate this part of the job.”
The two doors swung open, and the doctors walked into the waiting room. Ric saw Linda first and stood up. Franco immediately followed.
Robert walked to Franco. “I’m Dr. Young, your wife’s neurosurgeon.”
Franco shook his hand.
“Let’s step into this private waiting room, so we can talk.” Robert looked at Ric. “I’m sorry, sir, due to hospital policy, I can only talk to her next of kin.”
“No, no,” Franco said quickly. There were grim looks on both of the doctors’ faces. He couldn’t face this alone; he just couldn’t handle what was surely more bad news. Besides, he knew Ric loved Gini as he did. They were too close to let anger come between them, especially now. “Anything you have to tell me, you can tell Ric. This is Riccardo Santini, a close family friend.”
“You’re sure?” Dr. Young asked.
“Yes, I’m positive.”
The four walked into a small room with six chairs.
“Please,” Robert motioned with his hand, “take a seat.”
Ric sat closest to the side wall. Franco sat next to him, and the two doctors sat directly across from the men.
“First,” Robert started, “I’m so sorry for what has happened to Mrs. Legotti. She has sustained a serious wound to the back of her head. From what I understand, she was hit, as a pedestrian, by a motorcycle that was propelled into the air when it was broadsided by another vehicle. Unfortunately, your wife was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was thrown into a heavy metal park bench. Part of the bench impaled her skull and severely damaged the lower brain lobe on her left side. There’s also damage to the lower right lobe. Brain matter was lost.”
Ric turned toward the wall and started rubbing his mouth with his thumb and forefinger.
“What does all that mean?” Franco moved forward in his chair.
“Mr. Legotti, basically what it means is your wife won’t recover from this injury. Her quality of life has been significantly altered. She’ll be in bed the rest of her life on life support.”
Ric lowered his face into his hand with his fingers on his forehead.
“Does she have a living will?”
“A living will?” Franco repeated the question.
“A request to not be kept alive by artificial means.”
“No,” Franco said emphatically. “No living will.”
“Then you may want to consider—” Robert started to say.
“Are you going to say pull the plug?” Franco said, very animated. “No way am I going to kill my wife. If Gini doesn’t want to live any longer, she’s going to have to die herself. I’m not going to pull the plug.”
“I know this is a difficult decision, and this all happened so suddenly, I’m sure it’s hard to get your head around it. You don’t have to make the decision right now. But I hope you will give it real consideration. She’ll have no meaningful life.”
“Listen to me, Doc. I will not kill my wife.”
Ric said nothing, his fingers back to his lips. Robert had observed Ric’s deep feelings. He could tell he was strongly attached to Virginia. It was hard not to reach out to him, but that wasn’t his job. He could only deal with Franco.
Ric turned, facing straight. “Dr. Young, I’d like to be with Gini, if I may.” His voice was quiet.
“Yes,” Franco said in a louder voice. “I want to be with her.”
“Dr. Nelson needs to speak with you. As soon as she’s done, I’ll give them instructions so you can be with your wife.”
He paused for a second. Then he turned to Ric. “I’ll tell them you may see her, as well.”
“Thank you, Dr. Young, thank you for all that you have done.”
The doctor stood up. Ric immediately stood and shook his hand. Franco did the same without getting up.
“Ric,” Dr. Nelson instructed, “please, sit down.”
He sat back down and looked at Linda. He knew the news she was about to give them wasn’t good.
“We delivered the babies.” She looked at her watch. “About two hours ago. They’re small, two months-plus early. I believe Jason took a direct hit protecting his sister. Jennifer is especially tiny.”
She stopped and reached out a hand to both men; Ric immediately took one. She laid her other on Franco’s knee. “They aren’t going to make it. It’s been just too much for them. I have ordered a paternity test. We’ll have the results in the morning.”
A tear ran from Franco’s eye. Ric squeezed Linda’s hand and then lowered his head.
“If you want to hold them, you can. They’re both still alive, maybe holding on to meet their father.”
Franco quickly wiped his eyes.
“Yes,” Ric said moving to the front of his chair. “I want to hold them.”
Linda led the two men to the neonatal ICU. The two babies were wrapped in blankets, not hooked up to any machines. Ric went over and looked at the two infants lying next to each other. He first picked up Jennifer. She nearly fit in the palm of his hand sh
e was so small. He held her up and kissed her on the forehead.
“Hello, sweet girl.”
“You can rock her if you like,” the nurse said.
Ric sat in the rocking chair. The nurse pulled the tiny knitted cap from her head. She had dark curly hair. Jennifer made a little squeaking sound and then sucked her lips. The dimples went deep into her cheeks.
“You have dimples, just like your mama. She loves you so much, sweet girl, so much.”
The nurse unwrapped Jennifer so he could see her whole body. She was petite and fair-skinned like Gini. Jennifer threw up her arms and legs. He quickly wrapped her back up. The baby started coughing, and he could tell she was having a hard time breathing. He pulled her close to him, stroking her cheek with his finger.
“I love you, Jennifer.”
He rocked her for a few minutes, knowing she had stopped breathing.
Franco only stayed in the room for a few minutes and then walked to the hall. Dr. Nelson followed him.
He leaned back up against the wall and slid down to a squatting position. “My whole life is being taken away.”
Linda was watching him carefully to make sure he was okay.
Ric handed the baby to the nurse. He went to Jason and picked him up. He was small but not as fragile as Jennifer. The nurse took off the baby’s cap after Ric sat back in the chair. His hair, skin, and eyes were dark. Without the cap, Ric immediately saw that Jason looked just like Franco. There was no doubt; these babies had been fathered by him.
He pulled Jason to him and kissed him on the cheek. “I know your mommy would love to hold you. She has wanted a son for so long.”
The nurse unwrapped the baby. Ric smiled at Jason’s stout body, just like his dad’s. He wrapped him back up and held Jason in his arms. “I love you.” He kissed him again.
He rocked Jason for a while and then handed him to the nurse. “I can’t have another one die in my arms.”
“I understand,” the nurse said taking the baby. “They are handsome children.”
Ric went out into the hall. “Franco, you need to go hold Jason. You need to hold your son and your daughter.”
“I can’t; it’s just too much. Ric,” he looked up with tear-drenched cheeks, “we’ve wanted children for so long. I just can’t bear the thought that they will die. I can’t hold them. I’m losing everything dear in my life.”
“This will be your only chance. They’re so sweet, Franco. Don’t miss your chance.”
Franco put his hand on his head. “I can’t.”
“I just heard from ICU,” Linda said. “You may visit Gini now.”
Franco stood up, and they all left the nursery. When they got to the ICU floor, Dr. Young met them and asked them to step into a room surrounded by glass. He looked at Linda. She shook her head, indicating the babies both had passed on.
“You’ll need to sign in at the nurse’s station,” Robert said. “And sign out when you leave. You may both go in and see her for a few minutes one at a time. I’ll see about getting you on a schedule tomorrow. You can touch her, just don’t interfere with any of the monitors or equipment. And you can talk to her. It will help you feel close to her, and she’ll sense your presence. I’ve had patients tell me after they came out of comas they heard their loved ones and could feel their love. She isn’t going to look like herself. Her face is swollen, partly due to the injury, partly due to surgery. She has two cracked ribs and a sprained wrist. We think she might have a fractured hip. We’ll check that later. We have stabilized the leg. She’s not in pain.”
The room was very quiet.
“Mr. Legotti, come with me, please,” Dr. Young requested.
Franco stood up, rather hesitant, and followed the doctor to the nurse’s station.
After he signed the clipboard, Robert took him to Gini’s room. Franco got no farther than the end of the bed and gasped. The male nurse attending Gini turned and looked at him.
“Bruce,” Dr. Young said. “Bed pan, please.”
The nurse quickly handed Franco the pan; he threw up. The nurse took a wetted towel to him. “Are you okay now?”
Franco handed the nurse the pan. “I can’t be in here.” He turned to the door.
“It’s okay,” Dr. Young said.
They both went out when the door automatically opened.
“I’m sorry, I just can’t see her like that.”
“Thank you for letting me be with the babies,” Ric said to Dr. Nelson in the glassed-in room, waiting his turn to see Gini. “They were so sweet. Jennifer tugged at my heart. She looks so much like her mom. I wish Gini could have seen them.”
There was no need to tell the doctor Franco was the father. The test results would confirm that in the morning. It didn’t matter. Ric had loved them before he knew, and he would always love them as his own.
“You’re welcome. I hope it helped you find some solace.”
“It did. I just wish Franco could find the same peace.”
Dr. Young motioned for a nurse from the nurse’s station to take Franco into the restroom.
Robert walked to the waiting room. “Mr. Santini, you may see Mrs. Legotti now.”
Ric followed the doctor to the nurse at the station.
“You’ll sign in and out here every time you come into the ICU. Tomorrow when you come, go to the main entrance of the hospital. They’ll give you a wristband, then come up here and sign in.”
After Ric filled in the information, the men went into Gini’s room.
Ric walked to the opposite side of the bed from the attending nurse. “Sweet Gins, what have you done?”
He picked up her hand, leaned over, and kissed her on a spot on her cheek that was clear of any tubes, wires, or electronic connection pads. “I love you, Gini.”
Robert reached over and moved a rolling stool over to Ric.
“Gins, I held the babies. They’re so precious. Jennifer looks just like you. Believe it or not, she has dimples deeper than yours. And Jason, oh, Jason, you wouldn’t believe how strong he is. I wish you could have held them. They are really special.”
There was a moment of silence. Ric was still holding Gini’s hand. He stroked the fingers of his other hand gently down her cheek.
“Sweets, I know you have been through a terrible ordeal. And I know you are hurt really bad. If you want to go with the twins, I understand. But if you want to live, then fight. And if you’re willing to fight, I’ll be right there with you, all the way.”
He lowered his head, and there was silence in the room. Robert felt like Ric was praying, so he said nothing.
Linda met Franco as he came out of the bathroom. “Are you okay?”
He took in a deep breath. “I didn’t expect her to look like that.”
“I know it’s a blow. Tell me what I can do to help.”
“I need a place to stay tonight, and I’ll need a vehicle tomorrow.”
“Let’s go down to admin. They keep a night staff. I’m sure they can help you. If not, I’ll help you find a room and a car.”
Dr. Young and Ric walked out of Gini’s room.
“Thank you for letting me see her. I appreciate it.”
“There’s a small chapel down near the main hospital entrance if you’re a spiritual man.”
“Thank you,” Ric said. He shook the doctor’s hand.
When Ric walked into the chapel, he saw Franco in the second pew kneeling with his hands folded in front of him, his head bent down. He walked to the front and sat next to Franco. He closed his eyes and laid his hands one on top of the other in his lap.
Dr. Nelson was sitting in the back. She was very concerned about Franco and wanted to make sure he got safely where he was going that night. Reverend Gilbert walked in the door.
“Dr. Nelson,” he whispered.
She smiled. “Thanks for coming.”
“I was in the hospital.”
Linda explained the situation with Ric and Franco, and how Gini was hurt, how the babies died. “These tw
o men are best friends from what I see. Even though I believe they were at odds over Gini, I can see their friendship is still strong.”
“That is fortunate,” the reverend said.
“We don’t know who fathered the twins. We’ll know tomorrow.”
Reverend Gilbert walked to the front of the chapel and stood in front of the two men. Franco had pulled himself up on the pew and sat almost in a daze, staring at the cross hanging on the front wall of the chapel.
“Good evening,” the reverend said. “Well, I guess it’s way past evening. I’m Reverend Gilbert. I’m here to help you find peace through our Lord.”
Both men acknowledged the reverend.
“Dr. Nelson has told me of the babies and their mother. I would like to say a prayer.”
The men agreed.
“Dear Lord, please take those precious little souls into your hands and lead them into heaven to live an eternal life in your love. They are so innocent yet so full of your spirit. Be with their mother and guide her through her trials and tribulations. Put your healing hand on her heart so she may know you are always with her. And light the path for her to follow. We trust in you, Dear Lord, for all you are. Help these men understand their love for the babies, the mother, and themselves for this will surely comfort them. And hold the bond of their friendship tight and everlasting. Let them seek forgiveness, so they may heal their broken hearts. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us. Amen.”
“Amen,” Ric said.
Franco began to shake with grief. Ric reached over and around his friend then gently rubbed up and down his arm. Franco pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and quickly wiped his face.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” the reverend asked. “Have arrangements for the babies been made?”
“No.”
“I would be more than happy to help with that. We have a wonderful funeral parlor here in New Haven. It has been family owned for many years. They are good people. I can set up an appointment for you tomorrow.”
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