Chapter 44: Chapter 44
"She looks just like you," said Davion, beaming at Sofia. "Angelic and gorgeous," he whispered, as he admired his newborn baby girl. Sofia was mesmerized by the overwhelming love that she saw in his eyes. The pain and trauma of childbirth started to take a toll upon her body and she struggled to stay awake and watch her husband and baby bond with one another.
"But she has your eyes," whispered Sofia, tired and her eyes closing from exhaustion. The nurses took away Celestine and Davion stroked Sofia's forehead and planted a kiss.
"Are you okay, baby?" he asked, looking worried. Sofia nodded as sleep started blocking her senses
"I'll see you in your room. I'm waiting outside, okay?" He whispered tenderly. Sofia nodded as the doctor and nurses tended to her. Soon they transferred her to her room and Davion came over to check up on her.
"I love you for being so strong. Rest now. I'll come back later," He said tenderly stroking her head. Her parents too came to see her. She nodded at Davion and smiled weakly at everyone, her eyes drowsy from the exhaustion.
"Get some rest, Sofi. We'll come back later," said her mom. Sofia dozed off when they left.
Davion however didn't rest. He returned home and summoned his physiotherapist. For the next two hours, he overcame all his inhibitions and started taking one step at a time to walk. He wanted to lead a normal life and take complete responsibility for his little family. After repeated failures finally, Davion was able to walk using a walking stick.
"I don't want to use a stick," grumbled Davion with frustration.
"Initially you will need it, Davion. After your muscles get adjusted and stronger, you can get rid of the stick. It's a gradual process," explained his physiotherapist. "At least it's better than the wheelchair, " he coaxed. Davion nodded. He was right. At least a stick was better than being tied to a wheelchair.
So on his next visit to the hospital, Davion walked into Sofia's room in the hospital, looking proud and happy. Sofia looked at him too shocked to speak. She hadn't expected this miracle this soon and was spellbound to see his progress. There was a confident smile on his face and even if he though he hobbled using a walking stick, Sofia opened her arms out to him and he grinned widely and gave her a tight hug.
"You did it, baby. Today's the most special day for me," said Sofia, with her eyes brimming with tears of happiness. She couldn't control the sudden surge of happiness in her heart. It was a day when two of her dreams had come true.
"For me as well," admitted Davion, still holding her close.
"Did you check up on Celine?" Asked Sofia. Davion gave her a puzzled look.
"Now who's Celine?" He asked confusedly.
"Celestine's nickname of course, " said Sofia with a laugh. "You can't call her Celestine all the time. She needs a smaller nickname," pointed out Sofia.
"Yeah right. Well, I thought of surprising you first and then Celine, " said Davion with a wink. He spent the night in the hospital in her room, watching her feed baby Celestine every time she was hungry. It was a new experience for him and he was glad to have them in his life. He was now complete, his life was complete.
The next day Sofia and Celestine were released from the hospital and brought home. Greta was the busiest woman at home, fussing over Sofia as well as Celestine. Davion appointed a nanny to take care of Celestine and relieve Greta as well as Sofia.
Colton came over to meet Celestine and Sofia noticed a change in him as she interacted with him. He seemed more mature and reserved than before. He didn't mention his dates or women as he always did in the past. He touched Celestine's cheek and asked after Sofia's health. Then he met her parents and after a brief discussion about their business issues within Davion, he left.
"What's wrong with him?" Sofia asked Davion. He shrugged. Being busy with his own struggles, he and Colton hadn't been able to catch up for a long time. They only met one another for work. Although Davion too had noticed Colton's reticent behavior, he just didn't get an opportunity to talk to him.
"I have no idea. Ever since Victoria left, he has changed a lot. Maybe this has something to do with Victoria. Even she has disappeared and not contacted you for the last three months," pointed out Davion. Sofia nodded, agreeing to him.
"Yeah, mom said that she too had changed a lot. I promised to call her but then Celestine was born and I couldn't, " said Sofia feeling guilty. Sofia remembered how Victoria had stood by her in her times of need and now that she was going through some sort of emergency in her life, she was too busy with her own family.
"Do it now. It's better late than never. I think I'll talk to Colton as well. He has always gone out of his way to help me," said Davion, leaving the room. Sofia considered his words and went to the nursery, deep in thought. She remembered how adamant Victoria was to win over Colton. Did Colton hurt her? She fed Celestine and after putting her to sleep, came back to her room to talk to Victoria. There was only one way to find an answer to her questions.
She called her twice but Victoria didn't receive her call at all. Her phone was switched off as always. Sofia wondered if she changed her number. She needed to get her new number in that case from her mom. Deciding to try later, she lay down to take some rest. After Celestine was born, she felt too exhausted to do anything else but sleep. Maybe after getting adequate rest, she would try again to talk to Victoria.