Dr. Han gestured toward a set of double doors. “If you come with me, a nurse will get you prepped for a visit.”
The thought of holding his son was comforting. “Yes, of course.”
He followed the doctor through the doors, anxious to meet his baby boy.
16
CATO
Nick laughed out loud when he pulled the bottle from his son’s mouth and his little lips kept smacking. I guess he figured if he kept sucking, another milk-filled nipple would magically appear.
He rubbed his soft, dark hair and whispered, “You are just too perfect.”
“Have you come up with a name for Baby Cato?” asked one of the younger nurses.
“Yep. He’s a junior,” he responded with a grin.
He placed the bottle on a table and raised his son to his shoulder. He was thankful the nurses were nearby as he attempted to get a burp out of him. While gently patting his back, he swallowed the sadness of knowing Vera would never hold their son, and he would never know his mother. Mercifully, sadness turned to pride when the burp that escaped his son sounded like it could’ve come from a much bigger person.
“That’s my boy,” he congratulated.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Cato. They’re ready for you to sign the papers,” the nurse informed with her arms outstretched for his son.
He didn’t want to let him go, but he knew he had more unpleasant business to deal with. Now that Nick Junior had entered the world, it was time for him to say goodbye to his wife. But before he signed papers, consenting to take his wife off life support, he would make sure that Little Nick got a chance to bond with her. The nurses would lay him against her bare skin. His son would hear his mother’s heart beating before it stopped.
Nick kissed the side of the baby’s face and handed him over to the nurse.
“I’m just gonna give him a quick change,” she told him. “I’ll have him ready in a minute.”
“Okay.”
He pulled off the hospital gown and tossed it into the designated basket. When he walked out of the nursery, Dr. Thantos was waiting.
“How are you holding up?”
“I’ve never been so happy and so sad in my life,” Nick admitted.
“I understand.”
Nick shook his head. “I don’t think you do,” he disputed while fighting back tears. “My son’s birth means the end of my wife’s life.”
“I know.” The doctor’s voice was soft, and his tone was sympathetic, which only made Nick sadder.
“My wife will never know her son, and my son will never…” Nick sobbed, unable to finish his thought.
He inhaled a sharp breath and fell against the nursery window. He covered his face and wept into his hands. Dr. Thantos grasped his shoulders and pulled him into a hug. Without an ounce of shame, he cried like a little boy in the man’s arms.
Nick took a deep breath, trying his best to regain his composure. He gave the doctor a pat on the arm and took a step back. He used the bottom of his T-shirt to wipe the tears from his face.
“I’m sorry, Doc.”
“Please don’t apologize for grieving. In fact, I must apologize in advance for being the one to deliver more bad news.”
Nick’s heart sank. More bad news just might kill him. “What is it?” he asked with reluctance.
Dr. Thantos placed a hand on his shoulder and sighed. “It’s Rebecca.”
Nick was instantly smacked by a rush of panic. “What about Rebecca? What happened?”
