Nikki stood watching their interaction with a satisfied grin on her face. She finally had her sister back in her life, and although it looked to be a long road to recovery, based on what Dr. Smith had told her, she was just happy Trish was still here in the land of the living. They had so much lost time to make up for. She had so much that she had to make up for. She also knew that both she and Trish had a lot of making up to do with Amy. This time, however, she was prepared to fight for the family she’d always wanted.
“I’m going to culinary school this fall, and I’ve already decided to stay here. So you just need to get better so we can work on our relationship,” Amy was saying, scratching her arm nervously.
Trish nodded her head with a smile on her lips. Amy returned her smile, and Trish reached up to run her hand over her cheek. Amy reached up and placed her hand over Trish’s, keeping it in place against her cheek.
Nikki smiled happily before her mind strayed. It amazed her how much accidents had the capability to repair broken families. Although she wasn’t happy that the accident happened in the first place, it did far more than she had been willing to do to mend her relationship with Trish over the years.
Perhaps the accident had been a blessing in disguise.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
“Remember, only two people can visit with her at any time, and please make the visits shorter. It’s almost time for her to get some rest,” Dr. Smith advised the room full of persons who had come to visit Trish. Nikki nodded her head in agreement with what the doctor had just said. She’d left Amy in the room holding her mother’s arm almost as if she were afraid to let go—as if she would disappear if she did.
Nikki re-entered the room with the first two visitors. She noticed that Amy was staring lovingly down at her mother whose eyes were also on her. They darted toward the door when it opened, and she smiled widely at the visitors.
“Paul,” she said, beckoning to him.
“Hey, Trish,” he greeted her with a broad grin. “It’s good to see that you’re still as tough as nails,” he joked. Nikki chuckled softly.
“It’s good to see your jokes are still as corny as I remember.” Trish laughed, but it quickly turned into coughing that jolted her body with its force. Amy quickly reached for the cup of water and placed it at her mother’s lips, urging her to take a drink.
When she finally calmed down, she turned back to Paul, who gave her an apologetic smile. “I’ll hold the jokes until you’re much better,” he expressed.
Trish gave him an apologetic smile before her face dissolved into seriousness. “Thank you,” she said, directing his gaze toward Amy. “Thank you for not giving up.” She looked toward Amy lovingly.
“It was nothing. I’m just glad I could help.” He played it off.
“Still, thank you,” Trish repeated.
“There’s someone else here to see you,” Paul said, stepping aside so that she could see clearly who had been standing behind him.
Trish’s eyes widened in surprise. “Reed,” she said, a coy smile gracing her lips.
Paul looked over at Nikki, who inclined her head with a knowing grin. He excused himself and exited the room.
“Hi, Trish,” Reed responded, smiling at her. “I’m happy to see that you’re doing much better,” he said, drawing closer to the bed.
“I’m glad you came,” she responded, then averted her gaze to look at her hands.
Amy rose from the chair and walked over to where Nikki stood, watching their interaction.
“I’ve missed you. I mean, we’ve all missed you at the society,” Reed said, staring at her while she continued to stare at her hands.
“Am I missing something?” Amy whispered to Nikki before looking back over at her mother and Reed. Nikki looked over at Amy before staring back at the two people across the room seemingly lost in their own little bubble.
“What do you think?” Nikki asked her.
Amy stared at them for a long while before turning back to Nikki. “I think they like each other,” she assessed.
Nikki smiled over at her niece. “I think so too.”
After Reed left, a few more of Trish’s close friends and colleagues came to visit, including Kaylyn and Ryan.
In the end, only Nikki and Amy remained in the room with Trish, but a short while after, the doctor popped in to tell them that it was time for Trish to get some sleep. The two reluctantly left the room but promised to return first thing in the morning.
“Miss Murphy, may I have a word with you,” the doctor requested when she was about to board the elevator.
“Sure thing,” she agreed, before turning to Amy, who was already in the elevator with Paul. “I’ll meet you guys downstairs,” she said. They nodded before the doors closed, blocking them.
