47

Aaron walked through the burial grounds, which he was very familiar with it. Earlier in the parking lot, he saw Aamber's car there. Therefore, his sister and Laurel really were here.
He came here often, laid flowers on Laurel’s parents grave, and then spent hours there apologizing, begging them for forgiveness.
His steps stopped when he saw two very familiar figures in the distance. That's Laurel and Aamber. Aaron quickened his pace only to find Aamber screaming in panic while trying to guide Laurel who was limping.
“What’s happened?” Aaron asked quickly. Even so, when he saw Laurel's state, he immediately knew what had happened, even before Aamber explained it.
“The amniotic fluid is ruptured!” Aamber screamed in panic. “We have to get her to the hospital right away, Aaron!”
Aaron was pounding. Laurel was due to give birth soon and they were still here, in the middle of the vast cemetery, which to be had walked a few hundred yards or so before reaching the car park. He, however, didn't have time to think anymore. He swiftly carried Laurel.
“Just walk to the car, I'll catch up!” Aaron ordered Aamber who immediately ran to get her car.
With quick strides, Aaron half ran while carrying his wife, while still being careful not to hit the lined tombstones.
“I'm sorry, Aaron. I didn't know it was my time to give birth.”
“It is okay, dear. Hang on; I'll take you to the hospital.”
Laurel held on tightly to Aaron's body that was walking fast. The man looked a little breathless. Of course, with her being nine months pregnant, Laurel was very heavy, let alone Aaron carrying her while half running.
After a while, they arrived at the parking lot. Aamber was waiting at the far end with the rear passenger door open. Aaron went straight in and closed the door. Aamber drove her vehicle to the nearest hospital without further ado.
“How is Laurel doing?” Aamber shouted while glancing from the car window.
“She's holding on,” Aaron answered because Laurel was groaning feeling a contraction.
Meanwhile, the tires squeaked as Aamber avoided the overtaking driver from the left. “Focus on the road, Aam!”
Aaron felt Laurel's tight grip on his arm as she contracted. The distance between her uterine contractions was getting closer and Aaron was getting more and more anxious.
“Take a deep breath, honey,” Aaron reminded Laurel how to breathe, just as they had been taught during a birth preparation practice some time ago. “Well then, exhale slowly, inhale again. We'll be there soon.”
“I'm sorry, Aaron.” Laurel took a deep breath between her contractions. “I didn't know I was going to give birth now. If I had known, I would have stayed at home.”
Aaron smiled in frustration. “I've been keeping you at home so that when you give birth I can quickly get you to the hospital, but this baby seems to have a will of his own. Hang on, Laurel.”
Aaron grabbed Laurel's hand as the contractions came again. “We're almost there.”
They arrived some time later with the shrewdness of Aamber through the traffic jam. When they arrived at the ER, Laurel was placed in a cot and Aaron continued to hold her hand until she was transferred to the birth ward.
Devices are installed and the baby's heart rate scanner is plugged in. A loud sound immediately rang out, the sound of the baby's heartbeat tightening as Laurel contracted.
Aaron continued to hold her hand as the team of doctors and nurses prepared for the birth of their baby. He held Laurel's hand gently, encouraging.
“Come on, baby, let's bring our baby into the world.”
Aurel Silverwhite was born twenty minutes later with a loud, deafening cry. She was a beautiful, healthy baby, with rosy skin and thick, dark hair; slightly curly like her father's. Doctors cut the umbilical cord and the nurses cleaned it then hand the baby who was still crying loudly in her mother's arms.
Laurel was sweating after her grueling first birth. However, she was happy to hear her baby's loud and healthy cries filling the room.
She took her baby's soft and warm body in her cradle, her head tilted up at Aaron who was staring at his daughter in awe, equally amazed. This experience was extraordinary, bringing their child into this world.
They became parents now, of an innocent little baby. The responsibility of being happy rests on their shoulders, the responsibility of making their child happy; the fruit of their love.
How could Aaron possibly let Laurel go after all this?
Laurel brought her baby's mouth close to the nipple, and naturally, the baby's mouth searched, found the nipple, devoured it and sucked it. Her milk was gushing out. Aaron ran his fingers across the baby's cheek. His eyes were moistened unconsciously with emotion and happiness.
“She's my smart little daughter,” Aaron whispered, his voice strangled, not knowing what to say.
Laurel smiled at Aaron, feeling how much she loved her husband. Her husband is gentle, loving and loves her with all his heart. How cruel she was, lashing Aaron with cruel punishments, not forgiving him for his past mistakes. Aaron had atoned for his sins. He had tried. Laurel should have opened her heart and forgiven him long ago.
“I love you, Aaron,” Laurel whispered, making Aaron who was watching his daughter startle.
He looked at her doubtfully. “What, Laurel, what did you say?” Aaron had heard it of course, but his heart was too scared to believe it. He needed to hear one more time.
Laurel gave him her most beautiful smile and opened her mouth to repeat her declaration of love for the man, but the nurses suddenly interrupted them.
“Excuse me, Mr. White; we will clean up the mother. Maybe you can wait in the patient's room. We will take Mrs. Laurel and your daughter there later.”
Aaron was about to object, but then saw the nurses deftly complete the final stages of postpartum care for Laurel. Silently he stepped back and out of the room. His heart was still pounding, unable to believe Laurel's declaration of love when he saw Aamber and his mother waiting anxiously outside.
“We heard the baby's cry! How's Laurel and the baby?” Aamber stood staring impatiently at her brother.
“Both are fine. The baby… my daughter is healthy and so beautiful.” Aaron smiled, and then looked at his sister frailly. “She said she loved me.”
“What?”
“Laurel just said she loves me.” Aaron's eyes started to get wet and hot, his chest tightened with various turbulent feelings. He rubbed his face with trembling hands. “She loves me, Laurel loves me.”
Aamber looked at her brother with emotion and understanding. This is the time. This is the end of his wait. The man lived by bearing the guilt as unforgivable. The weight was unbelievably heavy on his shoulders, weighing him down every moment. Now, with Laurel's declaration of love, she forgave him.
Aaron was forgiven.
Aamber realized how much the burden had been completely removed from Aaron's shoulders. She gently hugged her brother. Aaron didn't reject the declaration of affection. He leaned his body against his sister, pouring out his overflowing emotion, making his eyes wet. His mother wiped his tears while rubbing his back full of emotion.
When Laurel was ushered into the patient room, Aaron was already waiting anxiously. Minutes passed as he waited and his heart pounded.
Was what he heard right, or was he just hearing wrong?
Laurel seemed so calm and comfortable. Her little daughter fell asleep contentedly in the small crib that was placed beside the bed. Aaron carefully walked over to the bed and sat on the edge.
“How are you?” he gently tucked some of Laurel's hair that dangled behind her ear.
Laurel glanced at her baby gently, then looked at her and smiled. “I'm fine.”
“Would you like to repeat what you said in the birth ward earlier?” Aaron immediately asked, unable to stand the wait that made his heart beat faster.
“What words?” Laurel frowned, teasing Aaron. It made his face turn pale.
“Laurel,” Aaron reminded her that he was serious, knowing she was teasing him.
Laurel smiled and sighed, her fingers brushing the soft creases between Aaron's eyebrows, rubbing them until they disappeared. “I love you, Aaron Silverwhite, my husband.”
“Laurel!” Aaron shrieked, and immediately bent down, hugging Laurel tightly in happiness.