Zac arrived at the hospital. As soon as he head heard, he had booked himself a flight. The guys were just going to have to do the next interview without him. For now, however, he was being ushered into Hope’s room.
“Hope?”
“Daddy!” Hope wept, reaching her arms out to him.
Zac leaned over the bed to hug her as best he could.
“Oh, honey, I came as soon as I heard,” he said. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“They took too long finding us, Daddy,” Hope cried. “He just... just bled to death and all I could do was watch...”
Zac took her hand and kissed it.
“I’m sorry, honey, I really am,” he said sincerely. “It’s a terrible thing, watching the person you love just... just die like that... watching as they slowly but surely... and feeling helpless to do anything about it.”
Hope wiped away some of her tears with her free hand.
“Like... like with my mother?”
“Cassie’s was a lot more drawn out and a lot less dramatic, though.”
Hope sniffed.
“You never liked Raph...”
Zac shrugged.
“No. But I never would have wished this upon you,” Zac replied seriously. “Never.”
Hope started crying again, and Zac did his best to comfort her. After a time the tears started to dry up.
“So... I understand I have a grandson?”
Hope sniffled.
“They’re... they’re checking him over now... just to make sure...”
“He was a little premature, wasn’t he?”
“They think the stress...”
“Ahh,” Zac paused and offered a hopeful smile. “Does he have a name?”
Hope nodded and when she felt she could trust her voice, she replied:
“Raphael Zachary Ira Hanson.”
Zac looked startled.
“Ira for short.”
Zac kissed her forehead.
“Oh, Hope. I’m honoured.”
Hope put her arms around him again.
“I love you Daddy.”
“I love you too, Hope.”