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“Oh, wait. Do you like ice cream? I forgot to ask! What’s your favorite ice cream?” Bianca puts her hand in mine, asking me as she stares into my eyes.
“I love ice cream. How could I be impartial and choose just one? Anything works for me.” I smirk, causing the little girl to giggle.
“Okay! We’ll go get ice cream when you feel better.”
“Sounds like a plan, sweetheart,” I say, feeling so much lighter by having her presence around me. Kids somehow make impossible situations better.
“Alright. Let’s leave Bethany alone for now and we’ll see her when she comes home,” Ion says to Bianca, holding his hand out for his little girl.
“Thank you both so much for everything, especially for extending your home out to me,” I speak up, needing them to know how much it means to me. I was basically a stranger to them and what they’ve done for me will never be forgotten.
“It’s nothing. We’re just glad to help.” Mariana smiles, holding back tears. I can see it through the way she’s holding her pregnant belly and the way her eyes are watering. I guess the hormones must be pretty strong for her right now. “We’ll see you later. Rest up and try to relax in the meantime. Okay?”
“You got it.” I smirk, watching as the group of them walk out into the hallway and disappear from my sights.
I swallow, realizing my mouth is dry and grab the salmon colored plastic cup on the tray next to my bed. I reach over for it and a crippling pain shoots through me. “Crap,” I grumble out, while Leon comes charging up to me and grabs the cup for me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asks, obviously displeased with me.
“I was thirsty.”
“Yeah, well the next time I’m not here to help, you press the call button on your bed. The nurses are here to help, not to let you do everything yourself, Bethany.”
He means well, and understands I’m not trying to be difficult. I just don’t see a reason to bug the nurses if I feel like I can do it myself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bother them if they have more important patients to be helping. I’m okay, really.”
Leon scoffs, calling me out on my bullshit. “You are one of those important patients, dear. You were under anesthesia for hours and just woke up from a long, invasive surgery. A week from now I’d say you can start moving around and doing small things for yourself, but not today. Do you understand?”
I nod as he hands me the cup and puts the straw to my lips. I suck in ice cold water, feeling refreshed almost instantly.
“Hi Bethany,” my mother’s unmistakable voice says in a low tone, showing how nervous she is. Hell, it might even match mine.
Leon shifts to the right and sits down in the chair beside my bed, allowing me to see her. She’s smaller than I remember, and her blonde hair has strands of gray running through it. Stress lines go across her forehead and now crow’s feet come from the side of her eyes, telling me she’s had a rough few years.
Next to her is my father who looks exactly the same as he did when I last saw him. He still seems to be the nerdy type, wearing a sweater vest over a plaid shirt.
“Hi Mom. Hi Dad,” I mutter, feeling seriously uncomfortable at the awkwardness of all this.
I can’t help but think how much they must hate me for cutting them out of my life like they didn’t matter. I would hate me. I’d hate me so much that I wouldn’t have even showed up today.
“I spent a lot of time talking with your parents. They’re two lovely individuals. Shows me where you got those great manners of yours from,” Leon is all smiles, giving me the idea they had a great time chatting while I was under.
“I’m . . . so sorry for not speaking to either of you for s-so long.” I rasp out, choking through the words. Years of emotion comes flooding to the surface, causing me to regret my past mistakes even more.
“None of that is your fault. We know the truth, Bethany. We know how Noah influenced you to do things out of character.” Mom says, coming over to sit beside me on the bed. She takes her hand in mine and rubs it slowly, in a soothing motion.
“He doesn’t get all the credit. I was the one who chose to act that way and follow everything he said.” Noah doesn’t get all the blame here. I will take blame where I see fit. In my eyes, I could’ve chosen to stop doing what he said. I was just too afraid too. I felt as if it were wrong to defy him, like it wasn’t my place.
“Honey, we don’t feel that way at all. In the beginning we saw the road you were going down and said nothing. We were afraid if we did, you’d cast us out of your life forever. Your mother and I had one day hoped you’d reach out to us, and I’m so glad you did. More than that, we’re so glad you’re away from Noah and have found someone that truly treasures you.” My dad speaks up, looking over to Leon. He’s barely known him a few days and already he’s gotten my father’s stamp of approval.
Leon is something else, I’ll tell you that. This man has stood by me when he had no reason to. We’ve gone from a one-night stand, to being separated for weeks and connecting over that time to . . . what exactly? Having one of the most serious relationships I’ve ever been in? Damn. This is a chick flick waiting to happen.
There’s only one part about our relationship that slowly eats at me. Even though he’s told me in the past he doesn’t mind paying for things, it still bothers me. I feel pretty much useless, like I’m sitting around spending his money like a gold digger, which I’m most certainly not.
“I’m so sorry it took me this long to see what was right in front of my face.” I apologize to my parents, hoping they understand just how sorry I am.
“It’s alright, honey. No need to hash up the past. Right now, we should all just be focused on your recovery and getting you better,” Mom tells the group of us, getting a nod from Leon.
“I have to go discuss a few business things with Ion. Will you be alright with your parents for a few hours?”
I nod, “Yeah. I think it’ll be nice to catch up.”
“Okay, don’t go too crazy. Get some sleep if you feel tired, okay?” he says, standing up from his chair.
“You got it,” I reply as he presses a kiss to my forehead and looks over to my parents.
“It was great meeting the two of you. I should be back in a few hours and we can all chat more then.” Leon shakes both of their hands, exits the room, and I watch as he goes down the hallway and disappears.
