The Gentle Giant

Danielle's POV

I laid in the hospital bed defeated. I couldn’t believe that she was born so early. Andrej was the only one in the room now and no words I said could express how sorry I was. He sat with his head in his hands. It was rare that I have ever seen a guy cry, yet here I was witnessing it. He didn’t hold back as the sobs escaped his throat. Tears slid down my cheeks. I was crying for him, crying for my daughter and crying for myself.

“She’s gonna make it Andrej, she has to. I won’t let her give up fighting.” He sat on the bed next to me. The medicine was still affecting me and I felt hazy.

“Honey, I know she will. I just feel so helpless right now. There isn’t anything I can do to make things better for her.” he said, wiping his face with a towel.

The nurse came in and started checking my vitals. “Danielle, would you like to go see her? Andrej can take you down the hall.”

He helped me into a wheelchair and we started the long walk down the hall. We passed open doors where mothers were holding their children and dads walked with brand new babies in their arms. Rooms full of smiles, family and friends. He stopped the wheelchair abruptly. “Dani, I love you, more than anyone in the world. We will get our chance to be that happy family. I promise you that.” I nodded and he kissed my forehead.

As he wheeled me into the NICU, I held my breath. We passed a few bassinets before we came to hers. She was so tiny. Words can’t even describe how I felt the moment I seen her. He put his hands on my shoulders as I placed my hand against the outside of the bassinet. “I love you lil mama, you have to get stronger so you can come home with me and Daddy.”

He wrapped me in a hug while crouching beside me. “Our beautiful tiny girl. How can someone so small take all of your heart?”

The doctor approached us quietly. “Ms. Briere, how are you feeling?” I just shrugged.

“So far your daughter is doing well. She is on very little oxygen and seems to be adjusted to being out of the womb. I explained to Andrej earlier that this is going to be a long few weeks. It’s kind of like a roller coaster, you will have highs and lows. We gave her two doses of medicine to mature her lungs since she was born. She is having a little trouble right now remembering to breathe, but that’s something we see in most preemies. Right now we will take it one day at a time with her. Complications will arise as they normally do. You have the best doctors in Philadelphia looking after her right now. Did you pick out her name yet? I’m sure the nurses are waiting anxiously. These babies become very dear to their hearts.“

Andrej looked at me and smiled. “That’s all you sweetheart. What do you want to name her?” The doctor handed me her birth certificate. I filled it in and handed it to Andrej.

His smile told me he liked her name. I knew he would. I picked it out the minute we were told we were having a girl. I didn’t expect to have to name her so soon, but I knew Andreja Danielle Meszaros was born to be a fighter.

We spent an hour with our daughter, just sitting next to her and talking. I think she might just be the best hockey analyst in the world at two if I keep letting her father do all of the talking. We finally said good bye and he took me back to the room.

It was late, almost nine o’clock and he looked exhausted. I made him leave and he promised he would back first thing tomorrow. I had him hand me my cell phone and was surprised to see I had 21 new text messages. Mike sent me four, each read a different saying on hope and faith. Maxime sent me a long one telling me he would be in town as soon as he had a day off and that he was thinking of me. Most of Andrej’s teammates had sent me a message. It made me smile. We had one big crazy family. I laid back into the bed when he left and let the medicine take its effect.

Andrej’s POV

I called Mike the minute I left the hospital. “Can you meet up with me? I need to hit the bar.”

He sounded a little apprehensive. “Do you really think that is the best idea tonight?” he asked quietly.

“Come on, just one or two. I have to get back to Rainy and Danny’s anyway." We met up at an Irish bar not far from his condo. Jeff was with him. I showed them the pictures and let them know how they both were doing. We only stayed for about an hour. I had one beer but it felt nice just to laugh and hang out with them for a little. I knew once I got to Danny’s the mood would be quiet and solemn.

We said goodbye around ten-thirty and I drove across the bridge. I walked into Danny’s and was surprised. The boys were still awake and flew into my arms. “How is Aunt Danielle? How is the baby? When can we see her.” They lost me in the multitude of questions.

I explained to them everything I knew and Danny sent them up to bed. Maman gave me a hug. “I pray Andrej, she will be ok.” She said quietly as she patted my hand.

My own mother was already asleep upstairs in Danny and Raina’s room. My dad was asleep in the den. Michal and Danny were sitting in the kitchen, bottle of whiskey sitting on the table with two shot glasses. Raina was upstairs with the twins. I joined the guys at the table and Danny slid me a shot glass. He rarely drinks and he already looked half-gone. He poured three in silence and we threw them back.

“So did you guys give my niece a name?” he asked.

“Andreja Danielle” I answered quietly.

“Ok then, to Andreja growing stronger every day and getting bigger.” We toasted and threw another shot back. As much as I wanted to stay there, get wasted and forget everything, I also knew I wanted to get up early and get back for the two who made this world worthwhile for me.

I shot Claude a text message and walked across the street knowing he had extra bedrooms. I climbed into the guest bed and fell asleep quickly.

The next morning, I awoke to Claude handing me a coffee. “Rise and shine, visiting hours start in an hour. We have practice, I’ll stop by after that.” I jumped in the shower, and walked across the street, grabbed Danny and Maman and left for the hospital.

We got there right after nine and went straight to Danielle’s room. She looked better today, at least well rested. Maman hugged her and held for while she cried. It broke my heart. After a little while, we took Maman down to see Andreja. They pushed her over towards the window and Danny physically had to hold her up. She cried and spoke French quickly, which I assumed was a prayer. I stuck my hand against the glass and smiled. I had to stay positive for Andreja and Danielle. Danny took Maman home after that so he could go to practice.

Mike came in after their practice was over and let me know they wanted me at morning skate the next day. “It will do you good to get back into the lineup, give you something to concentrate on.” Danielle nodded her head and agreed.

“We will figure out some sort of schedule for visiting her and stuff once I get released. “ she said sounding confident this would work.

I shrugged my shoulders. At this point, nothing mattered but our daughter. I didn’t care what was going on with the outside world. I just wanted to be with them two and make sure my family was ok. Nothing was more important than that.

Notes

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