Tessa mumbled incoherently. She winced from the unfamiliar pain around her pelvic area. Her hand slowly shifted below her tummy and met with an adhesive bandage. Her brain switched on. Her senses registered activity around her. Her eyelids opened curiously, darkness surrounded her. The smell of medication tinged the air. Her throat felt course, the after effects of the anaesthetic. Every instinct within Tessa responded to a baby's muffled cry, a soothing male voice, a rather familiar male voice.
OMG! I am alive. My baby is alive.

'Brad! Darling!'
Tessa tried to get up into a sitting position. Bad idea. She groaned painfully.  Her middrift felt like it had been pummelled, but what the hell. She was alive and she wanted to see her adorable husband, her unfaltering pillar of strength and their new born baby.

'Tessa!'
She heard Brad's elated voice. Her eyes blinked in the dark room, she had no idea what the time was. A soft lamp was glowing near a standalone cot.

'Brad!' she cackled and stretched her only free arm out to her husband. The other was restricted by a needle in her arm attached to an IV drip.
'Darling,' tears of joy ran down her cheeks. Her fingers traced over Brad's face as if making sure he was real. 'We made it,' her voice was a whisper. 'Baby and I, we survived,' happy tears rolled down her cheeks.

'Yes,' he hugged her fiercely. 'I have you back,' he growled huskily.

'I can't believe it.  I'm alive,' she laughed. 'Our baby is alive.' She kissed Brad and hugged him one more time. 'Let me hold baby,' she smiled proudly.

Brad watched as she tenderly undid the shawl. She stripped the sleeping baby of all its clothes, conducting a thorough examination from head to toe. Tessa lifted the tiny fingers and pressed it to her lips.

'We have a gorgeous baby boy,' Tessa kissed her baby's lips and his rosy cheeks.

'You're not disappointed?' Brad spoke softly. He draped his arm around Tessa.

'No, darling. He's our baby. We made him,' she laughed happily. 'Oh, Lyndon is going to be so ecstatic.'

'We can't call him Jessica,' Brad laughed, 'and he won't be called Jack.'

'My baby,' Tessa hugged him and again kissed him on the mouth. Baby seemed to bond instantly with his mum. He made some complaining noises and his doll size hand reached out to Tessa's face. 'Look at him, he is so big,' Tessa smiled up at Brad.

'He's going to drain my pockets. He's hungry every hour,' Brad complained.

'Oh darling,' Tessa cupped Brad's cheek. 'You must be tired. You should get some rest.'

'He very near killed you Tessa,' Brad spoke gravely.

'Oh he did not mean to,' Tessa could not stop admiring her and her husband's newly created miracle.

'He weights almost four and a half kilograms.'

'What!' Tessa laughed. 'No wonder I looked like an elephant.' She tried to look down at her body, but the room was too dark. 'You're feeding him a bottle,' Tessa's voice held a little disappointment. She knew once babies enjoyed the ease with which milk came out of a bottle, they were too lazy to work at sucking on mummy's nipple.

'He could not wait for mummy,' Brad smiled. 'The nursing staff kindly came to the rescue with a bottle.' As Brad spoke of the bottle, the little guy seemed hungry again.

'I want to nurse him,' Tessa spoke in a pleading tone.

'You can try my love, but I warn you he is one impatient customer.'

With the support of only one hand, Tessa tried unsuccessfully to position baby against her breast. 'Will you help me please?'

'I want you to be careful darling,' Brad unbuttoned Tessa's gown. Taking great care, he helped guide Tessa's nipple into baby's mouth. 'There you go tiger,' Brad murmured. Both mummy and daddy expected resistance, but the blighter hungrily suckled on the nipple and drank to his heart's content.

'Darling, I am so, so very happy,' Tessa reached up and cupped her palm over Brad's face.

'I am happy that I have my wife back,' Brad's voice was hoarse as he hugged Tessa.

Tessa looked up into Brad's eyes slyly. 'I take back the ... allowance I extended to you before the op,' she bit on her lower lip.

'Oh,' Brad grinned. 'But you made me promise and I would like to honour it.'

'I will not allow it Blakely,' Tessa declared passionately.

Brad laughed. A beautiful, throaty laugh. 'Welcome back, my darling wife,' Brad's eyes locked with hers meaningfully. 'I pledge my love to you and to you only, forever,' Brad slipped Tessa's ring back on her finger.

'I do too,' she whispered. 'I am yours forever,' she spoke the words that were inscribed on both their wedding bands.

A contented sigh escaped baby's lips. He again fell into a deep and restful sleep. Brad gently lifted baby over his shoulder to aid his digestion before placing him into his cot.

'We need to talk,' Brad lifted Tessa's hand into his.

'Okay,' she lifted her face up to Brad and patted the bed for him to join her.

Brad removed his shoes, slipped in next to Tessa and draped his arm around her.

'Tessa you had to have vascular surgery,' Brad murmured.

'What!'

'Dr. Leighton said it's a miracle that you were still alive. You lost a lot of blood, your blood pressure was fatally low. It seems an abdominal vein ruptured causing all the distressing pain and the blood clotting.'

'How---how did that happen? I took great care. I did not exert myself. I did not once carry Lyndon, for fear of harming baby.'

'Why didn't you talk to me Tessa. Why? Why did you hide from me in the bathroom?' Brad's face was filled with torment. 'Am I a monster?'

'I'm sorry-- I'm sorry,' Tessa sobbed. 'I was so frightened---I thought I was losing the baby.'

'Am I not the one you were supposed to turn to at a time like that?' Brad was devastated that she had shut him out.

'Please ... forgive me,' Tessa implored, looking up into his eyes. 'I was not thinking. I was confused. It was too early for me to be in labour.  I just didn't know what was happening.  I am sorry,' she pleaded.

'Dr. Leighton says most pregnancies are trouble free. Sometimes there are complications. You happen to fall in the "sometimes" category. The surgeons had you in theatre for more than five hours,' Brad sighed.

'Oh dear Lord, I can imagine what you went through,' Tessa hugged her husband.

'Luckily the vascular surgeon came out to talk to me. Twenty eight minutes after you were knocked out, baby was born,' Brad smiled. 'They said he was healthy and fighting fit. I had to wait another hour for the surgeon to assess your damages and give me a report. The surgeon told me, your life will be saved, but it would be a slog to mend the ruptured veins.'

'I thank God it's over,' Tessa whispered.

'So do I my love. I intend to wrap you up and smother you in cotton wool.'

'What time can we go home?'

Go home?

Did his wife not realize she was still receiving high care? There were machines monitoring her vital statistics. A gadget was attached to her thumb monitoring the pulse of her heart, another at her ankle gauging her blood pressure.

'You're going to be here for a few days---.'

'No! I'm going home with you today,' Tessa pleaded. 'I want to see Lyndon.'

'I'm not going anywhere. We're in a family suite here,' Brad informed her. 'Stacy will bring Lyndon through in a few hours. He will stay here with us too. Big brother must be assured he is not loved any less because of junior,' Brad grinned.

'You are the most amazing daddy,' Tessa laughed softly.

'And husband,' he corrected.

'Without a doubt,' Tessa agreed.

'I guess we will have to wait another year or two for our Jessica.'

'No Tessa, no more children,' Brad spoke with finality.

'What!  That's not fair.'

Brad could see Tessa was tired and in a lot of pain after her surgery, but she was preparing to do battle with him, and she was spoiling for an argument. This was one argument he was not going to lose.

'I almost lost you,' his tone was raw with emotion. 'I am not going through that ever again. Neither will you be subjected to that again.'

'But. ..'
Tessa would love a little daughter, perhaps two or even three years from now. She would be fit and healthy to fall pregnant again.

'I asked Dr. Leighton to sterilize you ---.'

'You did not! It is my body!' Tessa was indignant. 'You had no right. I am only twenty eight years old!'

'And Dr. Leighton agreed with you for all those reasons, especially because it is your body. I do not want another baby darling, if that is going to put your life at risk.'

'Let's park the discussion for a year or five years,' Tessa murmured. Clearly her husband was in a non negotiable mood.

'Understand me very clearly Tessa. God help me, I wish it never happens, but if I must make a choice between your life and an unborn child of ours. I will not lose my wife,' his eyes were dark as charcoal.

'I wish I could see under these bandages,' Tessa sighed, wanting to change the subject.

Brad smiled, his fingers brushed her lips. 'The surgeon said he was in awe to scar your body,' Brad laughed. He was filled with pride. His wife was sexy, with a stunning body. He knew it. She knew it and so did half the world's male population. 'Apparently they've made an incision rather cleverly along the crease just below your bikini area. Again the surgeon reassured me, the incision is near invisible.'

Tessa gave Brad a half smile. She would be the judge of that once the bandages were off. One thing she was very positive about was that she was going to be spending mornings and evenings getting back into shape. In time she would begin a rigorous swimming regime and she would hire a personal trainer to supervise her fitness and cardio vascular workout.

'Did you call mummy?'

'Yes,' Brad looked down at his gorgeous wife and smiled. 'We've had a video call. Charlotte wanted to see you and baby. Joseph also wanted reassurance that mummy and baby were fine.'

'When will they be here?'

Brad caught the longing in her voice. He marvelled at his wife. She moved to another continent just to be with him.

'They should be landing by afternoon. Darling, I thought perhaps they should go home first, freshen up and rest before they come to the hospital.'

'Oh.'

Brad caught the disappointed tone.

'I feel tired,' Tessa murmured. 'What time is it?' It was not easy after the surgery to move freely. She winced when she tried to turn towards Brad.

'It's just after five in the morning,' Brad murmured.

'Try to rest darling,' Tessa urged.

'Junior will be screaming for another feed soon.'

'Let's rest, until he wakes us,' Tessa curled her free arm possessively around Brad's neck.

'I would like to call our son, Daniel,' Tessa spoke softly, 'if it is okay with you, darling.'

'My father's name?' Brad swallowed.

'Yes,' she inhaled deeply seeing the appreciation in Brad's eyes.

'Thank you darling,' Brad smiled adoringly at his wife.

'Bentley, who is it?' Keri asked, seeing Bentley looking at his mobile in shock.

'It's Mr. Blakely.'

'So,' Keri laughed. Their boss called Bentley all hours of the day and some nights.

'He's at the hospital.'

'Why?' Keri went white as a sheet? 'Is something wrong?'

'I don't know. He wants to see me there in an hour.'

'Should I go with you?' Keri hastened out of bed.

'No. Go to the office,' Bentley instructed.

'But---what if something's wrong with Tess---Mrs. Blakely!'

'Keri, don't be fooled by the courtesy Mr. Blakely affords you in the office. Out there he is all business and he guards his privacy more fiercely than the crown jewels are protected.'

'But, Mrs. Blakely was fine yesterday. She's not due for another five weeks. Why are they in the hospital? Something is wrong,' Keri exclaimed.

'Whatever the reason Keri,' Bentley spoke patiently. 'Mr. Blakely did not see fit to inform me.'

'I hope she's okay,' Keri's eyes were glassy. Her arms curved around Bentley's shoulders. Her tears dampened his chest. Bentley lifted up her chin.

'I will call you if Mr. Blakely gives me instructions.'

'Okay,' she whispered. Keri knew the boundaries. Any communications between Bentley and the boss were confidential, unless Mr. Blakely indicated it was for public consumption. 'If you see Mrs. Blakely---tell her I said "hi'', please.'

'If I get to see her,' Bentley acknowledged. 'Let me shower and be on my way.'

Tessa was awoken by hands prodding over her, checking on the area of her surgery. The bed next to her was cold and empty.

'Brad!'

'Here darling,' Brad walked up to her bedside. 'Dr. Leighton is just examining you.'

Tessa angled her head to greet the doctor. 'Hi.'

'How you doing?' Dr. Leighton smiled warmly.

'Okay, I guess,' Tessa half smiled. 'I feel . .. drugged.'

'Brad's given you a report on the operation?'

'Yes,' Tessa nodded. 'I want to go home, to Lyndon.'

'Morning momma.'

Tessa's head swung to where the sound of the voice came from. Lyndon was sitting upright on a large couch, his hands on his knees, patiently waiting to go to his mummy.

Tessa's face lit up. 'Morning my angel,' she extended her hand to Lyndon. He looked at his daddy for approval.

'Go ahead,' Brad smiled, but be careful.'

'Momma,' Lyndon rushed to Tessa. 'He lowered his face into the palm of her hand.

'Oh my angel, this is probably the quietest you been all your life,' Tessa laughed softly.

'I'm still your angel momma?' doleful eyes appealed to Tessa. She looked up at Brad. He walked to where Lyndon stood at Tessa's bed.

'I'll see you in a few hours,' the doctor tactfully left.

'Thank you Dr. Leighton,' Brad nodded. He lifted Lyndon into his arms and sat down on Tessa's bed.

'Son, mummy and I don't love you less, because we have another baby.' Brad cradled Lyndon in his arms. 'I love you tiger,' Brad looked to Tessa to reassure Lyndon.

'I love you too my baby, so very much,' Tessa lifted herself up with much effort. 'Come here angel.'

Brad raised an eyebrow at Tessa disapprovingly.

'I do not want to hurt you momma. My daddy said we have to take care of you because you are in a lot of pain.'

'It's okay,' Tessa pleaded to Brad. She tapped her lap, urging Brad to bring Lyndon a little closer.

'I love you momma,' Lyndon leaned his head against Tessa's chest, as Brad carefully allowed him a little closer.

'I love you too,' she smiled at him lovingly. 'Baby is so tiny. He just needs a lot of attention, but mummy and daddy will always have time for you,' she assured him.

'He must eat his cereal and vegetables,' Lyndon declared.

Brad and Tessa laughed. 'He will son, as soon as he gets his teeth. For now, he can only drink milk.'

'He's not sleeping in my bed,' Lyndon decided.

Tessa looked at Brad, she sighed heavily. Clearly Lyndon had not been adequately prepared.

'I thought you were looking forward to having a brother, to play football with,' Tessa probed.

Lyndon lowered his head, he fiddled with his daddy's fingers as he sat on Brad's lap.

'We named baby "Daniel," Tessa smiled. 'Do you like the name?'

'Yes,' Lyndon gave his mummy a sly smile.

'How about you sit here next to mummy and read her a story,' Brad thought some quality time with his mummy alone, may boost Lyndon's spirit.

'I can sit in your bed?' Lyndon's eyes lit up.

'Of course you can,' Tessa laughed.

Brad removed Lyndon's sneakers and tucked him in next to his mum. 'I'm just going to make a call,' Brad winked at Tessa. He left Lyndon to spend some time with his mummy and went to attend to Daniel. Brad's heart warmed as he heard Tessa's spontaneous laughter, probably at Lyndon's interpretation of the story from the pictures he was viewing.

'I hope you are hungry Tessa, breakfast has arrived.'

'I'm starving,' she groaned. Her last meal was lunch yesterday, probably her husband's as well. She doubted he'd eaten, while he anxiously awaited the completion of her surgery.

'Hey son, you want to help me serve mummy.'

'Yes, my daddy.'

'Okay, how about you push this trolley closer so mummy can reach it.'

'Thank you my angel,' Tessa helped herself to coffee. 'Shall I pour you some darling?'

'That's yours. Lyndon and I have a trolley of our own.'

'I'm not drinking milk,' Lyndon eyed the container of milk. 'I have teeth.'

'Here's your fruit juice,' Brad smiled.

'What are you eating my baby?'

Lyndon lifted the lid of the tray. 'I have an omlettee momma, and I have toast and a chocolate muffin.'

Tessa was still busy with her breakfast, when young Daniel decided he needed another course of breakfast. Brad got up to feed the blighter a bottle.

'I'll nurse Daniel darling.'

'Why don't you finish your breakfast? I'll give him a bottle.'

'Let me,' Tessa urged. Brad drew the curtain around Tessa. He took baby to her, positioned him in the crook of her good arm and helped her. Once Daniel was contentedly sucking, Brad joined Lyndon again.

    -end chapter thirty four-