Page 15 of They Found Us
Chapter Seven
Katie
Watching my husband play with our eldest son makes my heart burst with love. Lying in my bed, cradling our sleeping youngest—who we still haven’t officially named yet, and I’m not sure how to bring it up, given theAlexrevelation—makes me appreciate so many things. It’s scary to think that I almost died a few days ago. I almost lost this bundle of joy in my arms. I almost left Mark without a mother and Leo without a wife. It’s strange how being a parent makes you feel so differently about life. Before children, my fear of dying was for myself. Now when I think about dying, my worst fear is leaving my children without a mother. Feeling their pain of losing a parent. A pain I hope they never have to face until they are much, much older.
It’s been a few days now since we found out that Leo’s brother Alex is in fact alive and well. Leo hasn’t wanted to discuss it, so I haven’t pushed. At first I was shocked, but now that I’ve thought about it, it’s not that shocking. We have done exactly the same thing. Considering the world that Leo and Alex have come from, it’s not that much of a surprise. I’m actually excited about what the future will hold.
“Leo, we really need to decide on a name.”
“Not yet.”
“Yes, yet. He’s three days old now. We need to talk about this.
“You think of something, then.”
“No, Leo. This not how we name one of the most precious things in the world. We both decided on Alex, and that’s what I think we should stick with.”
Leo leaves Mark playing happily with a jigsaw and comes to stand beside me.
Leo stumbles over his words. “I-I can’t….”
“Look, I know you’ve just had the shock of your life, but you’re thinking about this all wrong. It’s a wonderful thing that your brother is alive.”
Leo’s face grows angry, his expression hurt. He puts his hands at my sides on the bed and leans in. He speaks quietly, but his voice is laced with annoyance. “A good thing? My brother has lied to me for all these years. He caused me horrendous pain. Made me blame myself. Is that a good thing?”
“He has only done what we have. Other than Marco and your mother, the rest of our friends and family think we are dead.”
My breath catches when I think of the pain I have caused my parents.
When we first left, Leo asked if I wanted them to know. But the risk of them knowing was too high. It would put them in danger. My mother has a big mouth and would have definitely told someone. If they had seemed at all suspicious in their grief, the Martelé would have come after them, tortured them until they told them the truth. I couldn’t bear that. I had to protect them.
“You mademedo this, Leo. I had no choice in the matter. You left me with no option but to put my parents through the worst pain imaginable.”
Leo stands, his face softening. Taking my hand in his. he speaks more calmly, but matter-of-factly.
“I’m sorry. If there had been any other way, we would have done it differently. But we had no choice. There was no other option.”
Squeezing his hand back, I answer, “Exactly. So don’t you think Alex had no other option either? Do you think thathemade this decision lightly?”
Leo’s eyes leave mine, and I can see him processing my words.
“You need to speak to him.”
Leo sighs. “I need to take care of you.”
“And you are. But sorting this out will stop me from worrying. Please?”
There’s a little tap at the door, followed by the nurse entering. “You have visitors. Is it okay for them to come in?”
Vanna’s head pops over the nurse’s shoulder.
I look at Leo pleadingly.
He nods. “Yeah, sure. Send them in.”
Vanna rushes over to my side. But Alex stays in the doorway.
“Can I have a word?” Alex gestures for Leo to follow him from the room.
