" Nial!! Nial!! ", he screamed at the top of his lungs. His loud voice scared little Theo so much that he couldn't help but cry even more loudly.

One baby and one adult, both were a mess. 

Leo called emergency number first. Then he called both his parents and Nial's parents and told them to come home as soon as possible.

Each second passing by felt like a lifetime. Leo's dear husband laid on the floor unresponsive. Leo was scared beyond measurement. His pupils stayed in a daze and stared blankly at his own omega. The loud cries of baby Theo remained unheard.

Only when Theo reached out and grabbed Leo's fallen cardigan, Leo gained back his senses. He immediately picked his son up and patted him. He calmed Theo down and also calmed himself. Theo's heartbeat against his chest reminded him that he can't break down. He needs to be strong. Nial needs him.

Soon the ambulance and paramedics arrived. They skillfully prepared Nial for the transport. As soon as the ambulance left, Leo's parents arrived too. Leo handed over Theo to them. He gave his parents a few instructions and left in his car for the hospital.

Leo drove fast and followed the ambulance in his car. As soon as they arrived, Leo filled all the forms and Nial was transferred to operation theatre.

Thirty minutes later, Nial's parents reached the hospital. Leo told them the whole story. Nial's parents were much more aggrieved than Leo's. Their own son was laying in the operation theatre. Even though they felt enraged. They clearly understood, it was no one's fault. It was an accident. 

The three of them waited outside for three whole hours when the doctors came out.  The doctor informed them, "Nial got twelve stitches and was safe now. But he had slipped into comatose."

As soon as they heard the news, all three of them felt a sense of relieve. Three pair of eyes were filled with tears. But out of these three people, who loved Nial the most, Leo was crying the most.

The tears that had been welling up in his eyes since 4 hrs, finally found a release.

He sobbed like a child and sat on the floor as his knees felt weak. Good heavens, no one knows, no one understands, what he went through in those four hours. It was the most brutal torture. It was the most scariest nightmare. It was the most hideous memory and it was the most terrifying reality. Never in his life he thought of such a day. A day where he was about to lose Nial. 

He always believed that Nial and Leo will grow old together. It was natural to him. A forever of happiness. But today that forever became a notion. The reality shook his ground and the tragedy hit him hard.

It was like that all along. Nothing was guaranteed. Only he believed it was. Only he took it for granted. 

Leo cried and cried because his most precious person was about to be snatched. And he could do nothing but watch. He felt helpless and pathetic. He felt powerless. He felt lonely in those four hours and he missed Nial the most in those four hours. 

Nial was his power.

Nial was his help.

Nial was his company.

Nial was his husband.

And Nial, was his world...

Leo felt his world shattering in those four hours.

" Who is with Nial Macoy." The nurse passed by and asked.

Before Nial's parents could react, Leo stood up and said, " Me. I am Nial Macoy's husband. Leonardo Macoy."

The nurse asked Leo to buy some medicines and pay the service cost at the counter. She also gave him instructions to provide Nial's gender report at the counter.

Leo got busy with the tasks. He completed the payments and then went back to the waiting room. He sent his in law's home. He told them Theo needs more people right now. He can be with Nial and they can go and take care of Theo.

Greedy for their grandson's love, both the parents left. Later, Leo's parents arrived at the hospital and brought him some food and necessities. 

Finally, they were allowed to meet Nial for an hour.

When they saw Nial, he was on a ventilator. His head was wrapped in gauge. His body laid motionless. Only his chest kept raising from time to time.

Leo looked at the scene in front of him in a daze. Soon, his cheeks were wet with tears. 

Leo's mom saw it all. She was a female omega. And she knew Leo's emotions more than anyone else.

She stood up and hugged Leo tight in her arms.

" Leo, it's okay to cry. Let it out. " She patted his back. " You know, they all say, Alphas don't cry. I am telling you, everyone can cry. Everyone who is sad, aggrieved, hurt or in pain must cry. These tears, they drain away those emotions. So, let them wash it all away. Cry, my son. Cry to your heart's content."

" Mom...mom.." Leo grabbed his mother. " It's all my fault. It's all my fault. I was careless . It's all my fault."

" Son, it's no one's fault. It was an accident. " She said. " Accidents happen because of misfortune. It's god's way of making us understand the value of everything and everyone we have. We must cherish these things. We must protect these people ."