Chapter 43

“What did he say?” Debbie asked the moment the call ended.

“He said he would be here in 5 minutes.”

“Good. And I’m so sorry I raised my voice at you earlier. I just couldn’t believe you were starting to compromise. I mean, your son’s life is at risk here.”

“No, that’s not it. Cole and I haven’t been on good terms. I felt it was disrespectful to dump this news on him out of the blue. And it’s late; I don’t know if he is sleeping or busy with work.”

“You need to stop overthinking. Cole wouldn’t think of you that way. I know you like things going a certain way, just like how you have mapped them out in your mind, but I want you to know that sometimes things don’t go in the direction we want.”

“You have single-handedly taken care of the boys for four years, and I can testify that you have done a great job. But now that their father is in the picture, you need to give yourself some slack. You should learn to share your worries and burdens with him.”

“Not that. I just don’t know how to break the news to him. He has to be tested, and there could be a surgery. I feel so useless knowing that I am not a match for Enzo. What if Cole isn’t a match too?” Hailey was almost crying again.

“This might be a lot of information for Cole, but I don’t think he is going to blame you for anything. The last time you brought Enzo for a check-up, the doctor said he was fine and getting better. It is just unfortunate that we have to be here again.”

“And please stop worrying. I have a feeling that Cole would be a good match, and if he isn’t, I am sure we will all figure it out. Enzo will be fine. I strongly believe it.”

“I feel so sorry for my little boy. He is too young to go through this trauma.” Hailey sniffled, wiping tears from the corner of her eyes.

“He’s strong. He will be okay.” Debbie pulled her best friend into a warm hug.

They pulled away from the hug and went back to their seats. Ollie had stopped crying but still looked sad and worried. Debbie made the little boy sit on her lap and cuddled him.

The trio sat in silence, waiting for some sort of miracle to happen soon.

“Daddy!!!” Ollie exclaimed, getting everyone’s attention. He got down from Debbie’s lap and ran towards Cole, who was still trying to locate them.

Cole saw Oliver in time and crouched to the little boy’s height, hugging him tightly as though his life depended on it. They finally pulled away from the hug, and Ollie started crying again.

“Enzo is sick, Daddy. Please save Enzo. I want my brother.” Cole’s heart went out to his son. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped Ollie’s face.

“Please don’t cry. Your brother will be fine, okay?”

He nodded.

Cole rose to his feet and picked Ollie up in his arms. Oliver instantly rested his head on his father’s shoulder.

Cole approached Hailey, who was already on her feet. Just like Ollie, she was in her pajamas. Her hair was a mess, and her face was blotchy. Beside her was a lady who Cole guessed to be Debbie.

“Hi,” he said when he got to where they stood, and before they could even start any conversation, the doctor approached.

“Are you Enzo’s father, ma’am?” He directed the question at Hailey.

“Yes, Enzo’s father is here. I don’t know if he is going to be a match. Please give us some seconds,” Hailey said to the doctor, then turned to face Cole. She gestured for him to come with her, so they took a few steps away where they could talk in private.

“I found out about Enzo’s sickness when he was two. But then it was minor. We’ve been taking medications and all. At some point, it got worse; Ollie and I were tested, but we weren’t the perfect match for a bone marrow transplant. Suddenly, he was well again, and it seemed like he wouldn’t be needing any surgery. But here we are now. They are going to carry out some tests to see if you are the perfect match for him, and if you are… I don’t know if you would be willing to…”

“It’s fine; you don’t have to be nervous about it. Enzo is my son. Of course, I would give my life for him if I have to.”

Hailey had no idea why, but she started sobbing again. “Thank you.”

“You have nothing to thank me for. And please don’t cry. Enzo will be fine.”

Hailey nodded, wiping tears from the corner of her eyes.

Then they went back to where the doctor stood. “I’m ready to take the test.”

“Come here, Ollie.” Hailey wanted to take him from Cole, but the little boy declined, clinging tighter to his father’s neck.

“Is it okay for him to come with us?” Cole asked the doctor, who nodded. “We just need to get your blood sample for now.”

“We will be right back,” Cole said, then followed the doctor.

“The resemblance is insane.” Debbie voiced out in shock the moment the men were out of sight.

“Yeah, sadly you carry them in you for 9 months, and they end up looking like someone else.”

“Are you being jealous of Cole right now?”

“It hurts a bit, but I think I would have to get used to it. I used to be the only one in their lives, so I am used to getting all the love, but Cole is here now. I think I have to learn to share.”

Debbie nodded. “He seems calm.”

“He is. I am grateful he is willing to do this. I really hope he is the perfect match, because I don’t know what I would do if he isn’t.”

8:03

“Please stay calm. I have hope in this. Everything will be fine.”

Chapter 23 (There's a discrepancy here; chapter numbers are out of order. I've left it as Chapter 23 to reflect the original text.)

“I hope so.”

In ten minutes, Cole was back with Ollie. They all sat on the couch in silence, with Ollie sitting on his father’s lap. They were waiting for the results, but Hailey was dying of anxiety, thinking of what was going to happen if Cole’s test came back negative. The last thing she wanted was to be at the mercy of some extended family member.

Doctor Connor returned, holding a chart, and they all rose to their feet in unison. Cole was still holding Oliver, trying to be strong for his little family.

“Great news. You are the perfect match, and if you don’t mind, we would love to begin the transplant right away.” Dr. Connor said.

Hailey burst into tears. This time around, it was tears of relief. Debbie smiled at the good news.

“Sure, no problem,” Cole said.

“But Daddy needs to go,” Cole said to Ollie, who shook his head, hugging Cole tighter. “I don’t want you to leave me.”

“He is not leaving, Ollie. He wants to go save your brother. Your Daddy will be right back.”

Ollie pulled away from the hug and stared into his father’s eyes. “I want to come too.”

“I don’t think that’s allowed, honey. But I will be right back, and you, me, and Enzo will play together.”

“Promise?”

“I promise, my love.” They exchanged a hug, after which Cole gave Ollie to his mom.

“Thank you,” Hailey said to him.

Cole leaned closer to Hailey and kissed her forehead. Then he approached Debbie, who stood beside Hailey. “Please take care of them.”

“You have nothing to worry about.”

Cole nodded.

“We can wait behind, right?” Hailey asked the doctor before they left.

“It could take about two hours or less, and you won’t be allowed to see them immediately because they will be under strict monitoring. You all can go home to rest for the night. By the time you come in the morning, you will be able to see them.”

“Let’s go, Mr. Mathis.”

Cole left with the doctor.

“I know your heart and mind are here, but I think we should go home and come back in the morning.”

“If you stay back here, you would be here in the reception going crazy with different thoughts,” Debbie said.

Chapter (The chapter number is missing again)

“I don’t think I would be able to sleep at home either,” Hailey answered.

“Ollie has to sleep, and you know he won’t go to bed without seeing you. Besides, look at your outfit!” Hailey stared slovenly at herself and saw that she was in her pajamas.

She sighed. “You will get to have a proper bath and change into comfy clothes, and we will bring some food when we come in the morning.”

“I know you are worried about your boys, especially Enzo. But he will be fine. He adores Cole, and I am sure Cole’s presence would calm him.”

Hailey sighed. “It’s fine; let’s go.”

The trio exited the hospital. Hailey drove her car, and Debbie drove in her own car. They got to Hailey’s house in thirty minutes.

Oliver was still awake but was evidently fighting his sleep.

“I don’t want to sleep in my room,” the little boy said when Hailey was about to take him to his room.

“Enzo isn’t there. I miss him.”

Hailey sighed and crouched to her son’s height. She kissed his forehead. “It’s fine, baby. You can sleep in my room,” she said, then they all went to Hailey’s room.

“Mommy, Aunt Debbie, will you pray with me?”

Both adults looked confused, staring at Ollie.

“Elma says God listens to children’s prayers. She asked if I was ever worried; I should pray. I’m really worried about Enzo and Daddy. Please let’s pray.”

Hailey stared in shock as her son spoke, while a proud smile crept to Debbie’s lips. “I’m really having a proud godmother moment.”

Ollie went to the bedside and knelt down.

“God’s going to be angry at us if we keep the little boy waiting,” Debbie said to Hailey, then went to kneel beside Oliver. Hailey eventually joined them, then Ollie brought his hands together, closed his eyes, then led the prayer.

“Hi God. It’s me, Ollie. Thank you for everything. Please, God, take care of Daddy and Enzo. Don’t let Mommy cry again. Let Mommy and Daddy get married and give us a baby sister. Amen.”

“Yes, God. Amen.” Debbie said a louder “Amen” while Hailey stared at the duo in shock.

Ollie opened his eyes and stared at his mother, who didn’t say anything.

“Mommy, please say ‘Amen’ so God can answer our prayers.”

“Come on, Hailey!” Debbie cheered.

“Married? Baby sister?”

14:32 Sat, 20 Apr

Chapter 4 (Again, the chapter numbering is incorrect)

“Amen!”

The little boy smiled. He rose to his feet and climbed onto his mother’s bed, covering himself with the duvet.

Debbie and Hailey rose to their feet too.

“Goodnight, Mommy. Goodnight, Aunt Debbie.”

“Goodnight, my love.” Debbie sat on the bed beside him, kissed his forehead, and caressed his hair until he fell asleep.

Debbie then rose to her feet and went to join Hailey on the couch.

“What’s bothering you?”

“The prayer request?” Debbie said with a small smile.

“That’s one hell of a request. God definitely answers kids’ prayers faster, so I would advise you to start getting ready for another baby.”

Debbie ignored the glare Hailey was giving her.

“I’m just being sincere. Where’s Elma, by the way?”

“She’s on a week’s break.”

“I just don’t understand where Ollie got those thoughts from. I thought he and Enzo always tell me everything.”

“That should be your least concern. We all have dreams and wishes. Both boys go to school; I am sure their classmates talk about their fathers, the same way some of their classmates have siblings that they talk about.”

“No doubt your boys want a happy family with their mom and dad. I was almost emotional about the baby-sister part. I really want that part to come true. I am just discovering how much I want a goddaughter too. She and I have lots of girl outings while you and Cole are away on some honeymoon or something.” Debbie continued daydreaming, ignoring Hailey’s confused look.

“This is just a reminder that you are going to have a very beautiful and happy family. Please don’t throw that away for anything in the world,” Debbie pleaded.

Note: Several instances of apparent typos and inconsistencies were corrected (e.g., "use to" changed to "rose to," "entavates" corrected (likely a typo), various spelling and punctuation errors). The chapter numbers were also highly irregular; I have preserved the original numbering, but clearly this needs to be reviewed. Consider using a consistent naming convention.