But it seems like God wants to test me more. "Ulrick you have to fight for your life... for me and our little princess. She needs the care and love of her father." I speak like an order but go weak in the end landing to a whimper.

There was a knock at the door and the doctor walked in. He examined his pulse, checked his blood pressure and gave me the good news of his recovery. It was the news for which I have been on a wait for a long time. My joy knew no bounds. I was crying and laughing at the same time.

I took a bath in the washroom adjoining his room and came out wiping my face with a towel when I observed the flicking of his fingers. A small laugh detonated jewelling my face as I reached him with a longing.

"Ulrick" my voice comes out in a soft sob filled with happy tears. My hands reach for his long frail fingers. He opens his eyes slowly and a warm smile ignites on his charming features. Holding my hand he states in a feeble voice "Doll, I am alright. Relax." And stretches his arms to gather me in a hug. I cry drying my tears on his shirt in happiness and hold him tightly. He snivels. "Don't hold me so firm baby, I am still healing." He rubs his wound covered with a plaster in a forced laugh to lighten my anxiousness and peck my lips.

"I am sorry, give me a moment." I kiss his cheek and run to call the doctor.

Chapter 40

Ana's pov

My parent's in law were in the hospital within thirty minutes of learning about Ulrick's recovery. Gabriella aunty hugged me tightly with tears of happiness after seeing Ulrick back to consciousness. "This is all because of your prayers."

Alex uncle was holding sleeping Ulia in his arms and ran his hand on Ulrick's hair like he was a little boy. It was the first time I was seeing him openly express his love for his son. "I agree with Gabriella. We hid this from you. Actually his revival is a miracle. The doctor told me the day he was operated itself that the chances of his survival were meager because of immense blood loss. His recovery is completely the result of your prayers."

The last three days were the most torturous days of my life. Looking back at the past was horrible. Yet I could not stop my thoughts. Unpleasant postulations were fueling my mind since the time Ulrick got admitted in the hospital. Though I endeavoured to stay positive, the bugging memories of dad's stay in the hospital always haunted my thoughts. Nevertheless together we evolved over our struggles and became victorious in the end. My past gave me strength to face my future. It brought in me the courage to overcome my fears about re-establishing my family with Ulrick. Together we are a power who could challenge any calamity.

Half an hour later Ulia got up. She was fully active after having a sound sleep and was bouncing with happiness in Alex's hands. Ulia finds her dad awake almost after three days. She was pushing her little hands to Ulrick leaning out her little body from Alex's arms. Though it was painful for him to carry her, the longing to hold his little creation in his arms precluded the suffering. "Have you become a naughty baby giving a hard time to grand daddy my little princess?" He asks settling his tiny mite to his chest and cooing to her in a soft tone.

Ulia circles her little arms around the neck of Ulrick and sucks on her tiny fist. She looked so small on his huge frame like small creeper on a giant tree. Ulia missed Ulrick very much. The scene running before me was painful. At the same time it brought me pleasure that our daughter could go back to her daddy. Our family was complete now enriched with joy. I captured their sweet moment in my phone so that it could stay with us forever that we could share it with our grand kids too.

*****

The room of Ulrick was filled with fragrance of many flowers and 'get well soon' cards. There were flocks of people holding the hospital entrance since the time they learnt about the disaster. Some were praying for Ulrick's early recovery while others cried recalling the incidents of how he helped them in the past. I never knew my husband had so many sympathizers and friends. People from different parts of Australia and overseas congregated the hospital which included his employees and his business colleagues. I became nostalgic learning there were so many well wishers for him across the globe. Their boundless prayers have blessed him a reliving.

The wellbeing of our daughter was my concern but after experiencing the catastrophe at the petrol pump I understood nobody can protect her better than Ulrick. I am proud that I am the wife of such a pietist and felt the guilt that once upon a time I thought of leaving him for the sake of Ulia.

My brother and my mother had also come to visit my husband. Mom just got out from the hospital after a stay of almost three years. My brother is taking care of her since the time she is out of comatose. She became a bit hysterical after learning about the bullet shot. Ulrick is another son to her. My brother consoled her and spoke to the doctors about his health status. He boosted our morale briefing us about his quick response to medicine.

"I am glad you chose to reunite with Ulrick. Otherwise he would have had my head for his next breakfast." Vance cackles and all of us laughed heartily. After a very long time laughter was heard in our family.

Is Ulrick's story coming to a happy end or more challenges awaited?