Chapter 216

“Gabriel?” Isla’s trembling voice called out again.

Her voice was weak, broken, and filled with fear. Sweat covered her face. Her hair clung to her forehead, and her hands shook as they held tightly to the bedsheets.

Another wave of pain rolled through her body, and this time, it was more excruciating.

“I am with you, my love,” Gabriel answered immediately.

His voice was calm, but his heart was racing. He stood close to her head, holding her hand firmly, as if letting go would make everything fall apart. “Just a second. I am here. I am not going anywhere.”

Isla tried to nod, but she cried out instead. Her body arched as the pain grew stronger.

“I am sorry, Mr Wyndham, but-” the doctor began.

“Talk to me,” Gabriel snapped, turning sharply toward him. His eyes were red, his jaw tight. Fear flashed openly on his face. “You don’t need to hide anything from me. Say it”

The doctor paused. The room suddenly felt too quiet.

Machines beeped softly, and nurses exchanged quick looks. The doctor took a breath before speaking again.

“There is no point apportioning blame right now,” he said carefully. “But your wife… she has two babies and not one.”The words fell heavily into the room.

“What?!” Isla managed to scream.

Her eyes widened in shock. Tears rushed down her face immediately. “What does that mean?” she cried. “Gabriel, what does that mean?”

Gabriel could not answer.

His body reacted before his mind did. He staggered backward, his two hands flying up to cover his mouth. His legs felt weak, like they could no longer support him. His heart slammed hard against his chest as his brain struggled to understand what he had just heard.

– Two babies?

That was not possible. Or so he thought.

They had agreed not to check the sex of the baby. They wanted it to be a surprise. It was just a joke or more of a challenge between them. Yes, they dreamed about it.

Planned names, and Imagined a future.

But this… this was not the surprise they expected.

Isla was almost eight months pregnant. Not even fully eight months. How could she be carrying twins?

Another strong pain hit Isla, pulling Gabriel back to reality.

She cried loudly and began to push again. Her fingers dug into Gabriel’s hand as if it was her anchor. The doctors and nurses moved quickly, their voices everywhere as they guided her.

“You’re doing well, Isla,” one nurse encouraged. “Just breathe.”

“Gabriel, I can’t do this again,” Isla sobbed. “lam tired.”

“Yes, you can,” Gabriel said, his voice breaking. He bent down and kissed her forehead again and again. “You are strong. I am here. We are doing this together.”

Isla screamed and pushed with everything she had left.

Moments later, a loud cry filled the room.

“It’s another boy,” the doctor announced.

Gabriel froze for a second. Then he laughed.

It was not a small laugh. It was a real laugh-loud, broken, and filled with disbelief. Tears streamed freely down his face as he shook his head.

“Another boy?” he repeated, laughing again. “Two boys?”

While Gabriel was still trying to breathe through his emotions, the nurses were already attending to the babies. They moved fast checking and cleaning them.

Then the doctor’s face changed again.

This time, there was no fear in his eyes. Just surprise.

Deep surprise.Then he spoke. “Another baby is coming,” he said calmly

That was all Gabriel heard.

Another baby.

His mind stopped working.

He stared at the doctor, his mouth opening slightly.” Another… baby?”

Ista let out a weak, breathless laugh through her tears.” Gabriel,” she cried, “I am so certain I won’t do this with you again. I will never allow you to touch me. Neve-.”

She couldn’t complete her sentence as the pain pushed through her spine.

The nurses laughed softly. Even the doctor smiled briefly.

“Focus, Isla,” the doctor said gently. “One more push.”

With the very last of her strength, Isla pushed again.

Moments later, another cry filled the room. The baby was out and alive.

“It’s a girl,” the doctor announced.

Another silence followed.

***

Outside, everyone had gathered in the hospital lounge.

Time felt strange there. It felt too slow, maybe too fast.

Every second felt heavy. Everyone knew it was not the right time for Isla to give birth. Fear filled the room like thick smoke.

But they still prayed.

They prayed for a miracle.

Diana and Gladys sat side by side, holding each other’s hands tightly. Their heads were bowed, lips moving silently as tears slid down their faces.

“Please, God,” Diana whispered. “Please protect my daughter.”

Gladys nodded beside her, whispering the same prayer.

John was the only one who could not stay still.

He paced around the lounge room, back and forth, running his hands through his hair again and again. His steps were fast, and restless.

“Why is it taking so long?” he muttered.

Landon stood quietly near the wall. Uriel’s arms were crossed tightly over his chest. Carl sat with his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor. Mia rubbed her arms nervously. While Betty and Maya held hands, their faces pale with fear.

The door finally opened and everyone stood up at the same time.There, Gabriel stood at the doorway.

He looked exhausted. His shirt was wrinkled. His hair was messy. His green eyes were red, and his face was pale. His expression gave nothing away.

Dozens of eyes stared at him.

“Why are you not talking?” John snapped, stepping forward. His voice shook. “You are scaring everyone.

Please, is Isla alright?”

It was clear. John only cared about Isla now. The baby no longer mattered to him at that moment. He just wants her to be alright.

“Gabriel,” Diana said softly, stepping closer. “Please… how is my daughter?”

Gabriel took a deep breath. Then another. And finally, he smiled. It was faint. Tired. But a real smile.

“Calm down,” he said quietly. “My wife is doing fine.”

The room breathed again. Relief washed over their faces.

“And the baby?” he continued, pausing deliberately.

Every eye widened.

“Isla has just delivered two boys… and a gir!.”

Silence swallowed the room.

No one moved. No one spoke.”We have triplets,” Gabriel added softly. “It’s a miracle they survived.”

Diana screamed.

A real scream. She jumped in shock, covering her mouth as tears poured freely down her face.

“Oh my God!” she cried: “Oh my God!”

John strode forward and pulled Gabriel into a tight hug.

His strong body shook as he wept openly.

“Thank you,” John cried. “Thank you.”

The room erupted.

People cried and laughed. The room was filled with joyous people. Their joy and disbelief filled the air.

Quickly, phones came out and calls were made.

Peter called Sofie, his voice shaking as he shared the news.

Benjamin called Betsy, praising God through tears.

It was a miracle. They hadn’t known it yet…. that the miracle was even greater than they imagined.