" Omg Jiminy what are you doing here? " Ayra screamed on seeing him standing at the gate looking incredibly handsome in loose model slacks , loafers on feet and colorful shirt he finished off his look with shades that highlighted his green eyes.
" Hi ayra I'm here for Alice, we're heading to the hospital " .
" Wow didn't know you owned a car " She exclaimed moving her eyes in a teasing manner and you look really good today " .
" Thank you ayra, isn't her class over "?
" She will be out in a moment oh and here she is " She declared sighting Alice walking out like a queen, she had the opportunity to see Alice's mouth curve into a generous smile and was more shocked to see her run into Jiminy's outsretched arms on sighting him.
" Jimmmmmmmmm what are you doing here? We spoke earlier today " She slurred breathing into his scents while closing her eyes against the fatigue she felt on running .
" I missed you and you sounded off just before we got off the call so I wanted to make sure you're good " He replied kissing her checks and forehead.
" Awwww you shouldn't have I don't want you stressing for me but I'm glad you are here though " She added merrily.
Ayra coughed loudly " Uhm Alice you know people are watching right "?
" I don't care " She muttered still locked in jiminy's arms and staring intently at him as though no one else existed, they were about to move in for another kiss when ayra groaned loudly " You guys enough of the PDA i thought someone mentioned going to the hospital? "
Jiminy laughed heartily while Alice finally spared her sister a quick glance " Go away ari where's your boyfriend anyways? " .
" Went surfing with his dad " She replied with a smile none of them could understand " Tsk since he's not here you guys shouldn't be too sweet diabetes is real " She declared loudly erupting giggles from them .
" Alright honeybun let's go before ayra reads us the riot act " Jiminy said taking her gently towards the passengers seat " You fine right? do you want anything before we get to the hospital? "
Alice locked eyes briefly with troy who had been starring at the trio before focusing back on her beloved and made a show of massaging his scalp and replied demurly
" No darling I want nothing, you are here with me how can I be any less fine? "
" Here Nana sent flowers for the both of you" He echoed when he got inside.
" Awww they are so cute " Ayra murmured from the back seat while Alice merely fingered the petals in smiles, she had been so happy these past few days that she was scared that things would change for the worse drastically. Maybe the universe was compensating her for what was in the future she thought warily not that she would mention it to her family, no it would just make them worry unnecessarily she decided smiling again when she felt Jiminy slip his free hands to hers and pressed softly.
They got to Alice's hospital room to more flowers " My room is giving future burial arrangement" Alice joked but she was the only one smiling , realizing the implication of her words she apologized " Omg guys I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it " .
" Everything is not a joke Alice " Jiminy scolded lightly pinching her checks.
" I'm sorry please don't be mad at me " She pleaded " I promise never to joke with my health ever " .
" Mom who brought the flowers? " Ayra questioned and handed Alice a cup of water.
" Uhm it's- they're from Martin , but I can return them to him if you wish " She added when they both kept silent.
" Who's Martin ? " Jiminy asked wondering at their abrupt tense silence.
" My mom's boyfriend " Ayra replied dryly.
" No mom it's totally fine , they are too beautiful to throw away " Alice said finally
" Oh thank you honey " Catherine enthused hugging her lightly for Catherine it meant her children were finally forgiving her for that terrible episode and might even accept him one day.
A brief knock resounded that moment and the doctor came in, they all smiled in greeting. Alice especially liked her Mexican doctor she had been the one handling her case and was always honest with her reports, her doctor wasn't the one to downplay anything she noticed she always said it as it is no matter how hopeless it sounded.
" So any progress "? Jiminy spoke up immediately the doctor finished checking her vitals. Alice didn't know but after he found out she was suffering from luekemia he had surfed the net on the sickness and researched on it to understand it better .
" No progress yet but she's stable because of her consistent medication and she will keep experiencing fatigue every now and then so I advice abstinence from every and any physical activity " .
" Anything else doctor? " This time the question was from ayra who had her arms crossed in a defensive manner.
" No . I must commend you guys for taking good care of her, uhm we will just have to wait and see how much of a fight is left in Alice " .
" My sister has always been a fighter and would get through this " Ayra said trying to hide her teary eyes but the tone of her voice gave her out " Right Alice? "
" Pft don't cry ayra I will fight this cross my heart , thank you doctor " .
" I will leave you guys now " Nodding at Catherine she disappeared.
" Alright you have to rest now " Jiminy declared tucking her in properly.
Alice didn't argue she could see from their countenance that they were all distraught that there wasn't any progress yet. Lying down she sighed softly wondering if her loved ones would always go through this pain after every examination, she knew deep in her heart that the chances of her surviving was incredibly slim and didn't know what the future held for her but she was super grateful for the present. Smiling genuinely she stared from her mom's gently face to her beautiful sister ayra who she loved more than life itself and then at Jiminy who had had taught her how to love anew and seeing how they all flanked beside her bed , sighing sadly again she simply closed her eyes with a smile still on her lips knowing she was loved.
* Thank you so much for reading my novel and I hope you enjoyed it.