"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."
