Chapter 2: Circle of Life

My new living arrangements were amazing. I had Trent by my side to help me through my tough times. I found out I was pregnant from our little excursion in his office. I was excited and terrified to tell him. Our relationship had been progressing at lightning speed and I was afraid that my carelessness would push Trent over the edge.

Trent's eyes got really big and then he smiled.

"I wasn't really planning on a child, but I'll be here for you, Sicily. Besides, I do like you a lot and I don't plan on going anywhere."

"Oh thank Berry. I was scared you were going to bail on me since things are going so fast. I didn't know whether to spring this on you or not, but I knew you would find out eventually since you're living with me now."

"Ah, Sicily. Don't worry."

Trent left for work and I was relaxing on the couch when I got a phone call.

"Hello, Sicily Zenteri?"

"Yes, speaking."

"This is the Sacred Spleen Hospital. I have bad news. Are you involved with Trent Agosti?"

"Yes, he is my boyfriend."

"I'm sorry, Miss Zenteri, but Mr. Agosti has just been brought into the hospital with severe injuries. We are calling because you were listed as his emergency contact. He is in surgery now, but the doctors are not hopeful."

My heart dropped to the floor. I had just found this amazing man and now he was near death? What the berry?

"Miss Zenteri? Are you still there?"

"Yes," I stated abruptly. I was in shock and I didn't know what to say.

"I would recommend you come to the hospital right away so we can update you on Mr. Agosti's condition once he leaves surgery."

"Yes, of course, I'll be there right away."

I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I hailed a taxi since I was having a hard time fitting behind the wheel of my car.

"Where to?"

"The hospital, please, and hurry," I replied, holding back the urge to cry.

When I got to the hospital, I quickly asked the front desk where Trent's room was and if he was out of surgery. The nurse said he had made it out of surgery, but the doctors were still unsure of whether he would fully recover. I was allowed to go into Trent's room and sit by his bedside. I couldn't believe that just that morning, I had held him in my arms, and now there he was, lying on a gurney with bandages all over his body. I sat down quietly in the chair next to his bed and whispered softly, "Trent? It's Sicily. Can you hear me?"

"Sicily?" I cringed at how weak his voice sounded.

"Yes, Trent. I'm here."

"I'm glad you are here. Sorry I don't look better," Trent said weakly, trying to smile. I laughed softly, amused at how he was trying to make me feel better even though he was the one who needed it.

Suddenly his body started convulsing, the heart monitor beeping quicker and quicker. I jumped up in a panic.

"NURSE! HELP IN HERE!"

A swarm of doctors and nurses rushed into the room yelling a bunch of medical terms. "Oh no. BP's dropping! Code Blue! Patient's COD-ing! Get the paddles!"

I swear even though it was Trent's heart that was in danger of stopping, mine felt like it stopped beating for a while. I felt lost in a haze as I watched everyone running around trying to save Trent.

"Get her out of here!"

A nurse escorted me out of the room.

"NO! I can't leave! I love him! He can't die!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.

A few seconds later, the faint beep-beep-beep of the heart monitor came back on. I was relieved as the nurses and doctors left and gestured for me to enter the room again.

"Doctor? Is he-?" I asked timidly.

"He's stable for now. Stay with him. I don't know how much time he has left."

I quickly took my place back at Trent's bedside and grabbed his hand.

"Trent, I love you so much. Please don't die. Fight to stay."

Trent opened his eyes and looked at me.

"You love me?"

"Yes, Trent, I love you."

Trent smiled weakly and said, "I love you too, Sicily."

His heart monitor was beeping very slowly now. He reached his hand up and touched my cheek.

"Don't forget me, Sicily."

Those were the last words Trent Agosti said to me. His hand went limp and fell to the bed as his heart monitor went BEEEEEEP.

"NO!"

I don't know how long I sat in that uncomfortable chair looking at Trent, now lifeless. The doctors had come in and put the covers over his head. I couldn't stop crying. How the berry was I going to raise a child all by myself? I could barely keep my own life together, let alone be responsible for someone else's.

"OW!!!"

Suddenly, a sharp pain cut through my abdomen. I screamed loudly and cried some more, this time from pain and sadness. A nurse rushed in to assist me. She put me on a gurney and started pushing me towards the delivery room.

"You're in labor, are you here by yourself? Would you like me to call the father?"

I started crying again, amidst my yelling for the pain in my stomach. I could barely put two words together. I was breathing heavily, and in between sobs, I said, "The father just died! AAAAAAAAH!!! I was in his room with him when it happened! OOH! It hurts!"

The nurse apologized profusely. "Oh, my I am so sorry for being so insensitive. I am sorry for your loss. Just continue your breathing patterns. We will be in the delivery room soon."

When I left the hospital, I was not happy, even though I was holding little Augustine in my arms. I missed Trent terribly. Augustine had orange skin just like his father's. I was glad at least that a little bit of Trent could live on in Augustine.