Zach chuckled at Isabella's words and eagerness.
"Honey, let's concentrate on one thing at a time. How about we concentrate on getting better first before we talk about living together, hm?" He asked and Isabella nodded happily in agreement
"Great! Now why don't we call the doctor right now and find out how you're doing." Zach said and reached out to press the bell beside Isabella's bed.
"Doctor, tell my dad I'm better now so he can take me on a ride in his helicopter" Isabella said as soon as the doctor walked in through the door.
"Wow, okay Missy." The doctor laughed. "Let's give you a check up then to find out how strong you are" The doctor checked her vital signs and saw everything was okay. She wasn't showing any adverse reactions to the blood she was receiving
"Actually dad, princess Isabella is getting better. I'm surprised at how fast she's recovering" The doctor said to Zach.
"The transfusion will be completed in an hour's time then we'll watch her for some few hours more after which she can be discharged so you can take her on that helicopter ride you promised her"
When the doctor finished talking to Zach, he turned to address Isabella...
"When we're sure you're completely okay then dad can take you to see his helicopter tomorrow, how about that?"
"Okay... Isabella said, nodding cheerfully to the doctor before she turned to her father.
"You promised you'd take me to see your helicopter tomorrow right?"
"Sure honey. I'm taking you on a ride tomorrow." Zach happily replied her. The happiness her face was radiating alone makes him want to do more than take her on a few minutes helicopter ride.
He can't wait to introduce both his daughters to each other. He knew Samantha would be elated when she finds out she has a sister and surprised by the striking resemblance they shared with each other.
When Cora and Lisa arrived back from where they went to get coffee, they saw the doctor coming out of Isabella's room. Cora hurried forward to meet him. "Doctor, I just went to get some coffee. Is everything okay?"
"Everything is perfect actually..." The doctor replied with a smile. "I must confess, your daughter is such a fighter. I never knew she would have such speedy recovery. She was already pleading with her dad to take her in a helicopter ride. You can go right in to see them" He chuckled and went on his way.
"She's awake Lisa!" Cora happily said to her cousin before giving her a fierce hug.
"I told you severally that she will be okay, didn't I?" Lisa replied while hugging Cora back
As soon as they opened the door and Isabella saw their faces, she called out cheerfully "Mommy, aunt Lisa, see my daddy is back from heaven and he promised to never leave me again!"
Cora faltered in her tracks towards her daughter. She wouldn't have had the courage to continue if not for Lisa that nudged her forward.
"That's great!" Cora manages to say with a smile. She stole a look at Zach who just went back to where he was sitting wíth out meeting her eyes.
"My dad explained to me that he was in heaven because he was always flying around to work in his helicopters. He promised to show me his helicopter tomorrow when I'll be much better..." She said happily to the women before directing her gaze towards Zach. "Isn't that right dad?"
"Yes honey" Zach replied warmly making Isabella turn back to her mother and aunt.
"See I told you, didn't I" She said with so much satisfaction that Cora and Lisa couldn't help but laugh.
Zach had brought out his phone and was now looking with interest at something that Cora couldn't see from where she was standing. Even though he looked like he was preoccupied with what he was looking at, Cora could tell he was angry from the way his body was so tense
Later after the transfusion was done and Isabella was sleeping. Cora swore to Lisa that she could feel the heat from Zach's anger as it radiated towards her.
"He was angry quite alright. Who wouldn't be after hearing his daughter told him she thought he was dead but as for feeling the heat of his anger? I'm sure that was your imagination playing tricks on you. Thank God that Isa is fine now and the guilt of keeping her from her father has finally been lifted from your chest." Lisa said
"Yeah thank God" Cora repeated to herself and made a mental note to thank Zach for not making her seem like a liar in front of her daughter. He made the lie she told better for Isabella's understanding and she was grateful to him for that.
Ryan soon arrived and left with Zach to talk somewhere private. Before Lisa leaves, Cora gives her her house key to help her and Isabella bring toiletries and change of clothes the following morning. Soon Cora was left alone with her sleeping daughter.
★***★***★***★***★***★***★***★
"Another daughter, huh?..." Ryan said as he walked with Zach to the hospital cafeteria.
"Yeah..." Zach answered with a smile. "What a wonderful surprise"
"Yeah... How are you feeling though?"
"I missed out six whole years of my child's life, Ryan! How do you think I feel?... How do you think I feel knowing she could have died if I hadn't gotten here on time!? What if this happened in another place in the world and they couldn't find a donor fast enough!? How do you think that makes me feel!?" Zach asked furiously, his blazing eyes burning into Ryans
"I am angry! That's how I'm feeling right now!... So fucking pissed with her!"
They arrived at the cafeteria and went straight to the counter to order. Zach ordered juice while Ryan ordered coffee and some snacks. They picked a table besides the window where they could look down on the activities happening on the street below them.
"Maybe she thought you might not want the because you're getting married"
"That's not a good excuse Ryan! My getting married does not give her the right to keep my child away from me! Irrespective of how we parted, she should have at least let me know and if I decided I don't want to be part of the baby's life then she would know that she tried at least!..."
"Yeah! You're right about that." Ryan agreed
"Guess the excuse she gave Isabella for my absence in her life all these years?"
"Tell me"
"She told her I was in heaven!"
"That you died!?" Ryan asked in disbelief
"Yeah... She told my daughter, I died! 'Can you just believe that!?"
She must really have hated you so much" Ryan said and chuckled. He took a sip from his coffee before setting the cup down on the table.
"I would hate you too if I was her you know. I mean one moment you told her you love her and the next, you left her for another woman..." Ryan said with a shrug
Zach exhaled loudly... "But that wasn't intentional!" He said with frustration "and it still dosent give her the right to keep my daughter away from me! What the fuck was she thinking, that I've had it easy all these years!? Sitting with her family to judge me! Hate me! Deciding to keep my daughter away from me when they had no clue of what actually happened!? Well the feeling is mutual! I hate her too.
"Woa..." Ryan said and chuckled when he heard what his friend said. He looked up from his cup of coffee and was surprised by how Zach's jaw was clenched tight in determination.
"Common man! I know you don't mean that. You couldn't have been serious about that!?"
"Does it look to you as if I'm joking Ryan!?" Zach asked, his voice was so cold, Ryan almost shiver with it's chilliness
"You can't blame her over what she had no clue about Zach. You can't do that!"
"If she could keep my daughter away from me for six whole years then I can also do whatever the fuck I like too!"