Chapter 26
ELENA
I stepped quietly into the hospital room, my eyes immediately drawn to my mother's frail form propped up by pillows, a soft knit blanket tucked around her legs. The scent of antiseptic clung to the air, but it didn't mask the warmth in Mom's smile.
It'd been less than a week since everything had gone down, and now here we were, in a specialized hospital in Ironstone, two days after my mother's first treatment.
"How are you feeling today?" I perched on the edge of her bed, taking her hand in mine.
"I feel fine, actually. Maybe this one will do the trick." My mother gave me a wink, and my chest tightened. I didn't want to get my hopes too high for this new experimental treatment, but it did show promise when the doctors had spoken to us before starting it.
"The Donatis want to meet you actually, they've apparently been asking about you, about us. They'd like to meet you shortly, actually, if you're up for it."
Mom's eyes widened slightly. "Today? More than just Anthony's two kids?"
"Only if you're ready," I assured her, trying to hide my own nervousness. "It'll be them and Grayson's partner and son," I shared.
Ivy moved from the window to stand beside me for support.
"It's been one hell of a week, getting you here and you starting this treatment. Moving everything properly," Ivy said as she glanced out the window overlooking the city.
It had been a hectic time indeed. The Donatis had secured us a temporary apartment closer to the hospital, and Jackson wouldn't let me argue about not wanting to break my lease at the other apartment.
He'd muscled his way onward, moving us to the new place within a day with the help of a few men who I had to assume also worked for the family.
Grayson had visited us while we were unpacking in the new place, sharing how Meredith had been discharged, and once mom had her first treatment, he thought it'd be best for us all to meet properly, together.
"So, that guy who's been around, Jackson, you guys are…?" Mom let the insinuation hang as I rolled my eyes.
"I don't know yet. Still figuring it out," I said truthfully, and this time my mother rolled her eyes.
"Elena, take it from me, life is too short. If you feel strongly for him, keep him. Find a way to make it work. I see how he looks. He brings you here every day, without complaint, doesn't he?" She arched a knowing brow, and I nodded.
"He drives me to work too. They're keeping me on staff despite everything. Or maybe because of…" I murmured before shaking my head. "They couldn't fix my old car, so they got me a new one. But he still wants to be the one driving me around."
"He's been staying with us too, well, with Lena, in her room, in her bed," Ivy said with emphasis.
"Well, sounds like it is something," my mother said as she patted my hand, a wicked smile lighting up her face.
Even in a hospital bed, she wouldn't let it dim her spark.
I wouldn't tell them that Jackson stayed with me to help keep the nightmares of Alfeo away. I didn't want to tell mom about that. Maybe one day, but we'd all agreed not to share it for now, not any of it. If she survived, then we'd decide how to share everything.
A movement at the doorway caught my attention. As if summoned by his name, Jackson stood there, his broad shoulders filling the space.
"Why do I feel like I was the topic of conversation?" he said, smiling as he folded his arms and leaned on the doorframe.
"Because it's about time my girl got a boyfriend, so I'm happy," mom said, and I sighed.
Thankfully, Jackson's smile only grew as he shook his head. "Well, it's not like I actually asked her the question formally. It just evolved into what it is."
I glanced at him, my heart skipping a beat as his words registered. Was he actually?
"So it's official, then?" Ivy's eyebrows shot up expectantly.
"This isn't high-school, but if you need me to say it, then yes, if Elena is happy with that."
"Oh, she is," Ivy blurted as my mother nodded in agreement, causing me to laugh.
"Yes, it is," I said, my smile softening as I met his gaze.
Sincerity and affection met me in them, and I relaxed, grateful we'd finally decided to label whatever this was we were doing.
I'd not wanted to ask amongst the chaos of my life lately, but I had been wondering.
Especially with him staying over and our adult fun…
He fished his phone from his pocket, checking it, his smile fading.
"They're here," he said quietly, meeting my gaze once more. "Whenever you're ready to meet them."
"Oh, how do I look? Ivy, do you have some makeup to make me look more presentable? I wish I had something better than this hospital gown." Mom looked to Ivy, who chuckled and nodded as she reached for her purse.
"Don't worry, I got you."
I couldn't help but smile as Ivy applied some mascara and blush to make my mother feel more comfortable.
Once mom had checked her reflection in Ivy's compact mirror, she nodded. "This will have to do, can't get much better looking, not in here."
"You look perfect, Miss Peters," Jackson said, and my mom waved him off bashfully.
"We're ready," I said, my own heart fluttering. I'd not yet seen Meredith, not since she would've learned the truth of who I was.
"Okay." Jackson pulled out his phone and fired off a text, stepping into the room to free up the doorway.
Within minutes, the room filled with Donatis. Grayson entered first, his familiar face breaking into a gentle smile.
"Nice to see you again, Anna," he said, then gestured to the elegant woman beside him, "And as promised, my sister is here.
" He then wrapped an arm around the shoulders of the woman stepping up behind him, a baby in her arms. The nurse who'd taken my blood, I realized.
"Along with my wife, Sofia, and my son."
Mom smiled warmly at them all. "Thank you for coming. It means more than you know."
Meredith stepped forward. "It's so good to finally meet you properly, Anna. And to talk to you, Elena, now that I know you're my sister." Her gaze shifted to meet mine, a small smile on her lips that made my chest tight.
"I'm sorry," Mom said, her voice wavering. "For everything. For not reaching out to you all these years. I should have?—"
"Please," Meredith interrupted gently, taking Mom's hand. "We understand. The circumstances were... unique. We're just grateful to be here now."
Marcello cooed suddenly, a bright little sound that made Mom's face transform with delight. The fatigue and worry that had aged her seemed to fall away for a moment.
Sofia noticed, smiling as she stepped closer. "Would you like to hold him?"
"May I?" Mom asked, her eyes bright with emotion.
"Of course," Sofia said, carefully transferring Marcello into Mom's waiting arms.
"What's his name?" Mom asked, her face softening as she cradled the baby against her chest.
"Marcello," Sofia answered, her voice gentle, proud. "Marcello Caine."
Marcello's tiny hand wrapped around Mom's finger, and I saw tears gather in her eyes. The family I'd not known I'd had now gathered around my mother with genuine concern, asking about her first treatment.
I swallowed hard, fighting the dangerous swell of hope rising in my chest. One treatment wasn't enough to celebrate yet, but watching my mother hold that baby, seeing color in her cheeks—I couldn't help it. I wanted her to live. I needed her to live.
Grayson stepped forward as Sofia and my mother got to talking, and Ivy moved to the far side of the bed, giving us all space to chat and get to know one another.
Meredith caught my eye and nodded toward the hallway.
I hesitated, reluctant to leave my mother even for a moment, but she seemed more than relaxed and at ease with that baby boy in her arms. I followed Meredith out into the corridor.
The quiet hum of machines and distant footsteps filled the silence between us.
"How are you holding up?" Meredith asked. There was genuine concern in her eyes as she touched my arm.
"I honestly have no idea. All of this… it's been a rollercoaster."
"You're telling me." Meredith gave a small scoff. "Nearly bleeding out then getting saved by a blood transfusion from a sister I didn't know I had. Not to mention finding out you were kidnapped with Jackson and your friend."
"Yeah, I guess it's been crazy for all of us," I said quietly.
"That's one word for it. But thank you. For the transfusion. I don't know what would've happened if?—"
I shook my head, uncomfortable with her gratitude. "Don't thank me. I'm just glad it helped." My gaze dropped to where her hand rested unconsciously on her stomach. "I'm sorry about the baby."
Meredith exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing over her abdomen.
"Complications happen sometimes. I miscarried, and some tissue got caught.
I started bleeding badly when my body didn't pass it all.
Your blood held me over until more blood got delivered.
I don't know if you knew that." Those green eyes held mine as I swallowed down my emotions.
"No, I didn't, no one told me," I said softly.
"Well, you saved my life without even knowing it. You just tried to help." Her smile was genuine as she took my hand. "When Roman told us who you were, why you were here, we had to help. I also know that you know the truth. About our father." She pursed her lips, her gaze dropping.
"I'm sorry. My mom hid who he was from me. She was just protecting me, but?—"
"She was right to do that. As much as I wished I could have grown up knowing you, I wouldn't wish our father on anyway, not with how he was." Meredith shook her head before forcing a smile. "Besides, the past is the past."
I had so much I wanted to ask, to know exactly what had happened. How he'd hurt her, how Grayson and Leo had dealt with him. But I knew I couldn't go asking that, not yet. They'd tell me if we actually got closer.
My lips curved into a small smile. "Right. Well... better late than never."