Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
As the day transcends into the night, Isaac leaves the hospital from his visit with his girlfriend. Fabiola remains in a coma, leaving Isaac's heart feeling heavy. He takes a walk through the park to take away from his heartache for a little while. It is a clear evening, and the stars are out that night. The street lamps in the park do their part in giving off their glow to the park's greenery. After walking in the park for a while, Isaac takes a rest on one of the park benches. As he looks up at the heavens, adorn with stars, thoughts of Fabiola cross his mind. He begins to weep. Isaac wonders if he will ever be with his love again. Then he hangs his head down and folds his hands.
"Lord…," he begins, "I won't ask why you did the action you did. I will not ask the reason you allowed this to happen because there was a perfectly good reason. I don't know the reason, maybe, but I trust you. I…slowly accept the fact that I may never be a father, but I will not and cannot accept the fact of living without my Fabiola. Please, bring her back to me. We'll find a way to have a family, but…please don't take the woman I love…"
Suddenly, he hears, crying. Isaac picks his head up and looks around until he sees from his far-right that there is a cardboard box, sitting next to him on the bench. He slowly creeps closer…and closer to the box. It looks like a pink blanket, moving and crying, but when he slowly leans over the box, he sees a baby. She is still dressed in her hospital's nursery garments. Isaac cannot believe his eyes; he picks the baby up to quiet her down.
'How could anyone leave a helpless baby like this,' he thought.
He takes one look at the baby girl, and his heart melts instantly. Besides Fabiola, she is the most beautiful creature he has ever seen. Isaac thinks that there is no way he can leave the baby in the park. He is also afraid that if he turns the baby over to the authorities, he will never see her again. He knows he has to do something, but what could he do?
"No llores, mi niña," Isaac says to the baby, trying to soothe the baby, "…I'm going to take you home."
He travels home carrying the baby in the cardboard box. As he goes home, people look at the young man with curiosity, but he does not care. Isaac only cares about getting the baby to a safe place. When Isaac arrives at the door, he has to put the box under his arm to get his house keys.
"¡Mama! ¡Mami! ¿Estás aquí," Isaac cries out, after opening the door?
"I'm in the kitchen, baby."
Isaac peeks into the kitchen and finds his mother preparing dinner. He goes into the living room and places the baby on the plastic covers couch Isaac rushes to the kitchen.
"Hola, mamita," he greets, kissing his mother on the cheek.
"Hola, cariño. ¿Qué pasa?"
"…A surprise."
"A surprise? Where is it?"
"In the living room."
"Ok," Loisaida said, cleaning her hands.
"Oh, wait! Close your eyes."
"Ay, niño."
"Please. It won't be much of a surprise if your eyes are opened."
"Ok. Fine."
Isaac takes his mother by the hand a guides her into the living room. He then places her in front of her couch.
"Ok, mama. Open your eyes."
When she opens her eyes, she is bewildered, "It's a box of blankets."
"Yes, but the surprise is inside the box."
"What is it? I only see---Oh! My goodness. It's moving," She suddenly exclaimed, "I told you not to bring stray animals to my house, Isaac."
"Mommy, it's ok. Listen."
She listens to the box, and she cannot believe her ears.
"Angel of Mercy. It can't be…"
Loisaida pulls back a piece of the blanket.
"Isaac…," Loisaida says, "it's…it's a baby. Where did you get a baby?"
"I found the baby on a park bench."
"The park bench?"
"Yeah!"
"Who on Earth would leave a baby on a park bench?"
"I don't know. Someone who doesn't want the baby."
"She's beautiful," Loisaida says, "She's is an angel."
"Can we keep her? I will take good care of her, I promise."
"Mi amor, you are talking about her as if she is a pet."
"Mami, I meant…I will be her father."
"You? A father?"
"Claro, mami."
"You could hardly take care of yourself. I'm sorry, Isaac, but that baby cannot stay here."
"But, mami."
"What if the mother finds her baby missing? Did you think of that?"
"Well, the mother isn't going to care because she left this note."
Isaac's mother takes a note from him. It reads…
Please take care of my baby girl. I'm not fit to take care of her. I pray that the Lord places her in good hands.
Thank you.
Isaac picks the baby out of the cardboard box.
"No, se todavía," Loisaida says, folding the letter, "We cannot keep this child. I know you don't understand, but people will consider this is a form of kidnapping."
"Mami, please," Isaac begs, holding the baby in his arms "this baby has nowhere to go tonight. Put yourself in this person's shoes. What if this baby was me? Would you like it if someone found me but then threw me away like garbage?"
"No mi amor…pero---"
"Leerla," he says, opening the letter, "This person had high hopes of this baby being placed with good people. We are those good people. We can take care of her."
Loisaida is beside herself. She thinks that they will get in trouble with the law for kidnapping, but she does not want to abandon the child.
"Fine. The baby can stay."
"Thank you, mami. Thank you---"
"Hold on a second, Isaac! The baby can stay for the night. Tomorrow we are taking her to the orphanage."
"The orphanage? They'll treat her like a "throw-away" kid, like every other child."
"No, they won't. The baby will be fine. Besides, who would mistreat a newborn baby?"
Isaac looks at the newborn with misty eyes. He gently places a gentle kiss on the child. The baby softly coos at the young man. It touches his heart.
"Mama, no puedo. Ella es Inocente. Please let me keep her. You won't regret it mamita."
"Isaac, escúchame bien. If we keep this child here any longer, we can get into serious trouble with the law. Do you want that?"
"No, mama."
"We are taking this baby to the orphanage tomorrow."
Loisaida takes a deep breath.
"Well, it looks like I have to go to the store and get some things for the baby. Meanwhile, get that box off of my couch. I sprayed the plastic with glass cleaner a couple of days ago."
"Sorry."
Then the baby starts to cry again.
"Aw, don't cry, sweetheart," Loisaida says to the newborn.
"Belen."
"Who?"
"Belen. That's her name."
Loisaida rolls her eyes and gathers her things to go to the store.
"I'll be right back, ok? The two of you stay here. ¿Comprende?"
"Yes, mami."
As she leaves for the store, Loisaida mutters to herself in Spanish. When she locks the door behind her, Isaac sits with the baby in her arms on the loveseat. He looks at the baby with a warm smile.
"Belen," Isaac says to the baby, "…my Belen. I don't want to let you go. I want to take care of you, …protect you. You know...we might have something in common. You lost your parents and…I lost a child. I don't know the gender of my child. Just when I think the Lord has blessed Fabiola and me with a child, I have to leave you in a dirty, loveless orphanage. You're too precious to a place that. I don't want to leave. I…I have fallen in love with you… as a father falls in love with his child at first sight."
It is the middle of the night. Everyone is asleep in the Newkirk household, except for the patriarch, Christopher Newkirk. The ambient lighting illuminates the kitchen as Christopher sits at the kitchen table with a bottle of beer, contemplating his last stand with Isham. Over and over, Isham's words play in Christopher's mind like a recording. Every time it plays, it is like repeated shots to his heart.
'Was Isham for real? Am I the cause of my own best friend's downfall,' Christopher wonders, 'Did I ruin my Nevin's life?'
He takes another drink of his bottle of beer and continues to contemplate.
'I thought I was helping him. Nevin needed help. How was I supposed to know people were going to get hurt? Could it be true? Was Isham right?'
He sits back in his chair and takes a deep breath. Suddenly, his wife, dressed in her baby-blue nightgown, appears at the threshold of the kitchen looking at her husband from behind, with her arms folded.
"…So, are you going to finally tell me what is bothering you," Valentine asks?
Christopher turns his head to see his wife standing at the threshold of the kitchen. He turns back around and continues to drink his beer.
"…I fired Isham," Christopher replies.
"You did what?"
"I fired Isham!"
"SSSHHHHH, you will wake up the children," Valentine says in a low, stern voice, "…and I heard you the first time."
Valentine is slightly surprised by this news. She knows it will happen, but she had no clue when it was going to happen.
"Well…," Valentine says, walking towards her husband to sit at the table with him, "Wow. It happened. How did he take it?"
"He did not take it too well, Val. We argued."
"Wow…I am sorry, baby. I know he is like family, …but he was hurting the business. You said so yourself."
"I know! I know. I also told him I was replacing him with "L.C.."
"Ok. Are you having second thoughts about the decision?"
"No. "L.C." is excellent."
"So…everything should be fine. Don't worry your head over Isham."
"Val, not only was he upset about getting fired but the fact that I gave the job to "L.C."
"He has a problem with "L.C."?"
"Yeah."
"So…what's the problem?"
Christopher shakes his head with disbelief.
Chris says, "I…, I couldn't believe it myself."
"Chris, tell me," Valentine insists.
"Ok. Ok. "L.C." is a woman."
"Are you telling me that he is upset that a woman is bartending? I bartend all the time with Isham, and he did not mind."
"Yes, but you were not his permanent replacement. Plus, I think he is intimidated by "L.C." because…well…she might be better than him."
Valentine rolls her eyes with disgust.
"He'll find another job," she says, "There are many places who are looking for a bartender."
"His punctuality and disregard for the business with be his downfall if he does not clean up his act. Besides, as strange as it may sound…I fired him because I love him."
Valentine takes her husband's hand and gives him a warm smile.
"There is nothing strange about that. Sometimes people need tough love now and then."
"Ish didn't see it that way," he continues, "He told me…he told me that I virtually started the ball rolling for Nevin's depression, alcoholism, and death."
"Are you kidding me????"
Christopher hushes his wife.
"Oh, …sorry."
"No, I kid you not," he replies.
"That is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard."
"I have been trying to convince myself that for the past thirty minutes."
"Sweetheart, you did what you had to do for the sake of the business and our family's livelihood. If Isham doesn't seem to understand that, that is his problem."
"I cannot help feeling that…perhaps…"
"Perhaps…what?"
"It's my fault."
"What's your fault?"
"Nevin. Now, I begin to feel the way Yvonne-Leigh felt."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Like her, I want Nevin to come back here too. I have so much to tell him. I wish I can turn back the hands of time and do things differently."
Valentine sighs and says, "Well, I hope one of those things is not an "I'm-sorry-I ruined-your-life" conversation. You did not kill Nevin, Chris."
"…but baby…"
"Chris, Isham only says that because he is sore about losing his job and the fact that you give his job to "L.C." What kind of sexist crap is that, anyway? You had no heads-up of the series of events that resulted in Nevin's demise. Even though he went through a lousy path during his final days on this Earth, you were a great friend to Nevin. If anyone is to blame, is that bitch, Sabine. She tickles me. When Nevin was alive, Sabine uses the triplets as a pawn against their father. In death, she brings those babies to the funeral, making herself look like the "grieving widow" when in actuality, Sabine did not give a damn about that man. "
Christopher shook his head and took another drink of beer. Valentine stared at Christopher as he continued to drown his sorrows in alcohol.
"Hey, how about a glass of water," Valentine suggests.
"No, thanks, baby. Believe it or not, I am enjoying my buzz," Christopher says.
"Fine. I am getting a glass of water," Valentine says.
She rose from her chair and went to the cabinet to retrieve a drinking cup. After retrieving a glass of water, she sat back at the table with her husband.
After taking a drink from her cup, Valentine said, "…now that L.C. is…second in command of the bar, I hope you and she, keep it professional."
"Huh?"
"Your relationship with her. Keep it strictly professional."
"Valentine, spear me. I had a hard day, I am getting buzzed from this hard day, and the last thing I need is pointless nagging from my wife. I don't need more crap on my plate."
"Look, all I am saying is that the two of you will be working side by side."
"So…"
"So…keep it professional."
"For your information, we will hardly see each other. I work in the afternoon, "Lacey-Crystal" works until closing time and vice versa, except Sundays, of course, because the bar is close."
"Wait a second. What is this woman's name?"
"L.C. stands for "Lacey-Crystal."
"Oh, my goodness. That name is worse than the name "Candy."
"Look who's talking, "Valentine"? What the hell is that supposed to mean, anyway? Don't tell me those pretty piercing blues eyes are turning green."
"I'm not jealous," Valentine replies, defensively, "I'm cautious. Besides, as your wife, the mother of your children, and co-owner of Newkirk's, I have every right to be. "L.C." has a great smile, big brown eyes, curves like an hourglass, and…"
"…and what?"
"…The woman is pretty, ok? She is beautiful and…"
"…and…"
"Watch yourself with her. She is attractive, and you are a charmer."
"Hey, I can't help if I am charismatic and effervescent. That's the secret to my success, baby."
"Now, you want to be a jerk?"
Christopher sits back in his chair again.
"No, babe! Ok, it's true. She is pretty…but she could never capture my heart like you. Plus, she may be the second-in-command of the bar, but you are still the owner. Make no mistake about that."
Valentine blushes and hangs her head.
"Shut up, Chris," she replies, looking back up at him.
"You shut up, Val. Quit illin'. You know you're everything I want and need."
"Like what," she asks, leaning forward with a coy smile?
He leans forward to his wife and says, "Well…you're my soulmate…my best friend…"
"…and…"
"…my wife…the mother of my children," he continues, slowly getting up from his chair and walking to his wife.
"…and…"
Christopher kisses Valentine passionately.
"…a real sex machine," Christopher finishes, gently pressing his forehead against hers.
"Mr. Newkirk?"
"Mrs. Newkirk."
"In that case, let me show you the things this sex machine can do."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
Valentine takes her husband by the hand, and they both leave the kitchen.
"Oh! I forgot something," he remembers.
He rushes back into the kitchen, grabs the rest of his beer, and turns off the kitchen. Christopher rushes back to his wife and takes her hand.
"Ready baby," Christopher says.
Valentine shakes her head and smiles.
"Let's go, silly," replies Valentine.
As planned the next day, Loisaida Gonzalez and her son, Isaac Gonzalez, take the baby girl to Saint Nicholas Orphanage. With sadness in his heart, he gingerly carries the baby in his arms. He bundles the baby with the blankets that fill her handmade, cardboard bed.
As the mother and son walk down the street, Isaac stops to prolong his time with the baby. Isaac stars at her sweet little face. She looks so angelic; looking at her brings tremendous pain in his heart. Tears begin to stream down his face.
"Ay, mi nena," he says to the baby, "I don't want to let you go. You filled the void in my heart so quickly. ¿Que voy hacer sin it, mi bebe? ¿Que voy hacer?
After a few steps ahead, Loisaida turns around and realizes that Isaac is not walking along with her.
"Isaac," Loisaida calls, "¡Vamanos! You have to do this."
"Por favor, mami. No puedo. I love this baby."
Loisaida walks towards her son and wraps her arm around his shoulder.
She says, "I know…but I cannot take the risk of you going to jail for kidnapping."
"You know I didn't kidnap her," Isaac protests, "A monster threw her away like…like garbage…but she, not garbage. I would never treat this beautiful angel-like garbage. Please, mami, don't make me take Belenita to that orphanage. They won't treat her right."
"Belenita, Isaac?"
"Yes. Belen Milagros Gonzalez," he says proudly, looking at her.
Loisaida rolls her eyes.
"Why the name Belen," she ask?
"You know that signing group called the "Go-Gos"?
"Of course not."
"Anyway, the lead singer's name is Belinda Carlyle. She's my favorite."
"Why not name her Belinda?"
"I want her to have a piece of my Hispanic heritage."
"I see. Why did you name the baby "Milagros"?
"Mami, she is my "miracle baby."
"Isaac. Isaac. Isaac," she says, "I should have known this was bound to happen, the minute you brought that baby home."
"Know what?"
"It has been less than twenty-four hours, and you are already attached to this baby. This is not good."
"No, mami. THIS is not good. This situation."
"What is not good? What situation?"
"The fact that we are doing the same thing her mother…or whoever did to her. I love Belen like she was my daughter and now…I can't keep her."
Although she is looking out for her son's best interest, Loisaida's heart goes out to her son. His girlfriend is recovering in the hospital from a car accident, which results in her being barren. Now, she is forcing him to give up a baby who he has fallen in love with at first sight. Isaac's heart was broken, then healed, then broken again.
Loisaida says to Isaac, "Chulo, I…I am so happy to see that my little boy has grown to be a loving man, and at this moment, I wish your father was as valiant…but you are still too young to take on this responsibility."
"You were my age when you had me."
"Si…but, it was not my choice to get pregnant. I was accepted to a well-renowned nursing school when I found out I was pregnant with you. I told your father…"
"…you told my father and…then what?"
Loisaida takes a deep breath and says, "He said that he was young to be someone's papi. I tried to contact him, but…his family told me he no longer lived in Puerto Rico. I never heard or saw him again. Thank the Lord, I had my family. If it was not for them, I would not be where I am today."
Isaac shakes his head.
"I don't get it," Isaac replies, "How could people be so heartless in abandoning their flesh and blood?"
"No se, mi amor. However, parenthood is a huge responsibility and a lot of work. Furthermore, you haven't finished college yet, and I WILL NOT allow you to throw your education away. I worked my ass off to give us a decent living and you a decent education."
"Yo se, mami. I'm grateful, and I love you for that. If my baby survived that horrible car accident, maybe we would have made way for Fabiola and me to finish college and take care of him…or her…or them...."
"…Isaac, I have to ask you this question."
"Ok," Isaac replied, checking on the baby.
"Are you trying to fill a void?"
He looks up at his mother.
"What void," he asks?
"Fabiola is in a coma in the hospital. If she wakes up from this coma, she may not have children."
"No, mami. The doctor told Don Carmelo and me that she could never have children. I thought…mi Belenita was going to be our "miracle baby," but she is only…a "false hope"…mami, please, don't make me," Isaac exclaims!
His yelling has upset the baby. Isaac soothes the baby by cradling her in his arms.
"I'm sorry, mi amor. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Isaac repeatedly says, as he began to cry.
"Damela, Isaac," Loisaida demands.
"Mami, no," the son pleads.
"Give me the baby, Isaac. I can't have you upset with a baby in your arms."
"Ok. Ok. I'll relax," Isaac surrenders, "I'll relax. Please let me keep holding her in my arms."
"…Bueno. Entonces vamos."
They continue to walk the rest of the way to the orphanage. The closer they come to the orphanage, Isaac's anxiety and apprehension also begin to grow. The fear makes his muscles tighter and tighter. They finally approach the orphanage. The orphanage is a building made of blocks of gavel which are also attached to a small church. Loisaida tries to open the door, but it would not open.
"Maybe it is close," Isaac assumes.
"Are you sure this is the place? I don't see any sign," Isaac says to his mother.
"Yeah. This is the place."
Loisaida looks at Isaac and says, "Don't be silly. The orphanage is never close. There has to be a way to open this door."
She tries to look through the window, but it is not transparent.
"Damn," she says softly.
Isaac can see the frustration on his mother's face. Maybe this means Isaac can keep the baby…until his mother finds the doorbell on the side of the door.
She rings the doorbell. After a few seconds, the door buzzes open. Loisaida opens the door for Isaac and the baby.
"So much for wishful thinking," Isaac thinks to himself.
When they go inside the orphanage, they come across another flight of steps which they climb. After climbing those flights of steps, they come across another set of double doors, but these are swinging double doors. They finally reach the front desk where an elderly woman is a receptionist. She is dressed in plain clothes and sensible shoes with a simple sterling silver crucifix and chain around her neck.
"Good afternoon. How may I help you?"
"Good afternoon, sister," Loisaida greets.
Loisaida nudges at her son.
"Oh! Good…good afternoon, sister," Isaac says sheepishly.
"My son and I found this baby on the park bench, and we would like to place the baby in the care of the church."
"Oh my. Well, let's take a look at the child."
The nun gets up from her chair and walks around the desk to get a better look at the baby.
"She is a darling child. Do you know if she has a name?"
At the same time, Loisaida says, "No," but Isaac intercepts, "Yes."
The nun asks, "Which one is it? Yes or No?"
Just when Loisaida was about to say "no," Isaac intercepts, "Yes! Yes, she does. Her name is Belen."
"Do you have any proof that the child's name is "Belen"?
"No, sister."
"Well, I am sorry, young man, but you cannot claim ownership of something or someone who is not rightfully yours."
"Yes, sister, but with all due respect, the person who left the baby on the park bench, left a note with the baby."
"Do you have the note?"
"Yes, sister. Mami, hold the baby, please."
Isaac gives the baby to his mother and pulls the note from his pocket. He hands the letter to the nun, and she proceeds to read the note.
"Well, the note is not giving much information. No signature. No name of the child."
"Please, sister. Please name the child, "Belen." Please. It's my little gift to her."
"Very well. We shall name the baby "Belen."
"Thank you, sister."
"Come on, Isaac," says Loisaida, "The baby is in good hands now."
Isaac's heart is breaking, but he leaves the orphanage with his mother.
"Don't be sad, mi amor. A loving family will adopt her, and she will have a wonderful life," Loisaida assures Isaac, but it does not ease Isaac's heartbreak.
Before they reach the double doors to leave, the nun calls out to them.
"Just a moment," the nun cries!
The mother and son turn their attention to the nun. She walks towards them with the baby still in her arms.
"…You both look like good people, especially you, young man. Before you leave, feel free to get information on adoption."
"Adoption," they both ask?
"Yes. I can tell already that you love this baby, and it's probably breaking your heart to part with her like this."
"Yes, sister. It is, sister."
"Excuse me, sister," Loisaida interrupts, "I am well of the attachment my son has with the baby, but he is a baby himself."
"Mami…," Isaac says, feeling embarrassed.
"¡Ya! Isaac. My son is still attending college and…I don't want him to get distracted with a responsibility which he is unprepared for."
"I see," says the nun, "An education is critical, and the adoption process is long and concise. We want to place children in a loving and safe environment. Therefore, we do a thorough investigation, such as home visits, background checks, and drug tests."
"Wow," Isaac replies.
"Indeed. We love children, the way God loves us," the nun says.
The wheels in Isaac's head are turning.
"Sister, since the process of adoption takes a while, I would like information on adoption now," Isaac decides.
"Wonderful," replies the nun, "The office is straight down the corridor."
"Thank you, sister."
As they walk towards the office, Isaac begins to see a ray of hope, and so does his mother.
"You are tenacious about being a father to that little girl."
"Yes, mami. I see this baby as my daughter already. She gives me more motivation to get myself established. I am studying the information about adoption, I am going to find a job and save my money to get my apartment."
"What about Fabiola?"
"Fabiola is part of this plan. Belen is not only my daughter, but she is also our daughter."
"I hope you are right."
"Why would she have a problem with Belen?"
"She might feel that you did not have a bother to mourn the loss of the baby she carried. She might feel that you replacing that baby with…this baby."
"Mami. She will fall in love with Belen, like me. As soon as this adoption process is over, the three of us will be one big happy family."
"Ojala."
"Hola, mi amor," Fiorella says, sitting by her daughter's bedside, "Soy yo, tu mamita."
Fabiola lays in her hospital bed, still lost in a coma. She looks so frail and lifeless; it breaks her mother's heart.
"…My Fabbi, I prayed that you wake up someday. You have to wake up. You are so full of promise. The world has yet to see your many talents. Some people love you and want you well."
Fiorella is becoming emotional again; she can feel her tears, fighting to flow from her face. So, she has to switch gears.
"…I brought something special with me," Fiorella says with a more upbeat mood.
She opens her bag and pulls out a storybook entitles, "Beauty and the Beast."
"I brought your favorite storybook…remember? I use to read this to you when you were a little girl. You use to beg to read it to you before, you went to bed."
Fiorella smiles.
Then, she says, "…Ok. Well, I hope you still like hearing it again."
Fiorella proceeds to read the storybook to Fabiola. After a few pages into the story, something unexpected happens. Fabiola's finger begins to slightly move…then another…and then another. Soon, her eyes slowly start to open. She is not able to see clearly. Fabiola's eyes only see a shadow, but she recognizes the voice. She wants to call out to her, but she is still too weak. However, she can make more noises from her mouth.
Fiorella continues to read, but she thinks she heard a noise. She believes it is her imagination running away from her, but Fiorella listened to the sound again. Fiorella looks around the room but soon discovers that it is her daughter. She springs from the chair.
"Fabby, are you awake????? Mi nena…."
Fabiola continues to moan louder.
"Mi amor!!!! You're alive!!!!! Gracias, por Dios. My baby is alive!"
Fiorella is so excited, she puts her hand over her mouth to detain herself. Fiorella then runs out of the room and grabs the first nurse she sees.
"Nurse! Nurse," Fiorella repeatedly exclaims to the nurse.
"Miss, please. Calm yourself."
She takes the nurse's advice and calms herself. Fiorella releases her grip from the nurse's arm.
When Fiorella finally controls herself, the nurse asks, "What seems to be the problem?"
"There is no problem. A miracle has occurred."
"Let me guess. The hospital food is now edible," the nurse says jokingly.
"What? No. My daughter…my daughter was in a coma, and she is awake. My baby is awake!!!!"
The nurse and Fiorella hurry back into the room and finds Fabiola still awake. The nurse immediately checks her vital signs.
"Mi amor. Baby, I'm right here," Fiorella calls to her daughter, "Mami is right here, baby. Please stay with us. Don't leave again, please. Stay with me."
Meanwhile, the nurse checks the young woman's vital signs, such as her pulse and heartbeat. Fiorella watches anxiously.
After checking her vital signs, the nurse concludes, "We going to need the doctor."
"Doctor? Why a doctor? What's wrong now? Is my baby ok?"
"There is no need to worry, Miss---"
"Castillo. Mrs. Castillo."
"Right. Mrs. Castillo, there is no need to worry. This is a normal procedure; we only have to conduct some more tests to see if everything is in working order."
"Fabiola will be ok, right? Right?"
"Mrs. Castillo, I am not sure yet. That is the reason we conduct this test. We have to keep the patient alert and in stable condition."
Fabiola's mother is a little disappointed, but the nurse gently places her hand on Fiorella's shoulder.
"Hey, take my advice and go home," the nurse suggests, "We will call to let you know any further details about your daughter's condition."
Fiorella's happiness turns into worry. What's, is happening to Fabiola? What will happen to Fabiola? She does not want to leave her daughter's side. She is there to see her daughter awake from her coma. However, a part of her feels that the nurse is right. Perhaps, it will be best to go home from all of the sudden excitement.
"….ok. I will go home…but please…you promise to call me about my Fabiola."
"Yes, Mrs. Castillo. We will let you know about Fabiola's condition."
"…Ok…but before I go, let me take one last look at her."
"Only for a minute."
Fiorella walks to the threshold of the door and calls to Fabiola, "Mami is leaving now, but I will return, baby. Mami loves you. We all love you."
Fiorella turns to the nurse.
"My family and I thank you all. Please call if anything happens to my baby."
"Someone will notify you about your daughter's condition."
"Thank you," Fiorella departs and starts her way home.
'Gracias, Senor,' Fiorella thinks to herself, 'Thank you for bringing my baby back to me."