"What were the results?" Zac approached the doctor, hoping for encouraging news.
The head doctor approached everyone, and with seriousness but a hopeful tone, he said, "The operation was a success, and we have managed to remove most of the tumor. However, we still face a crucial follow-up period to ensure there are no complications."
Devon blinked a couple of times and said, "That's good, right?"
"The prognosis is encouraging, but we will need to carefully monitor her recovery in the coming weeks." The doctor, after sharing these words, retired to rest. So many hours of surgery were something few could endure, so now all he needed was to close his eyes for a few minutes before falling asleep anywhere else.
"That was good; there's very encouraging hope." Frederick smiled upon hearing those hopeful words. Things would now be continuous and involve a rigorous recovery process.
For Devon, who had come to terms with the idea that her mother might recover, it was the best news she could get. She had been truly devastated before this, but now, knowing that there was a possibility of recovery, was all she needed to breathe more easily.
Dash approached her and whispered, "It was the golden frog; it brought us luck."
"Surely it was the frog, idiot..." Devon smiled at Dash, seeing him so optimistic in the worst moments.
After receiving the news, Elena left with Dash's siblings, and Frederick offered to stay for any updates throughout the rest of the night so that Zac and Devon could rest properly. Initially, Zac refused; he owed a lot to Dash's family, so he didn't want to be more of a burden to them. Still, seeing the insistence, he couldn't help but thank them and rest for at least a few hours.
All he had been doing was being in the hospital, taking care of his wife, and waiting for everything to be in order before the operation. Now that he knew the results, the breath of hope was so great that he could close his eyes for a good while.
Alone in the hospital, Dash and Frederick looked into the distance at a girl playing with a teddy bear.
"Are you calmer now, son?" Frederick looked at his son, who had been silent since everyone left, and asked.
Dash nodded. He wouldn't be angry with his father forever, so he said, "Although everything is encouraging, it's still important to know if Mrs. Lee will fully recover."
"That's right, but at least she won't die." Frederick said as he checked the time on his watch. There were many things he wanted to talk to his son about, but he preferred to take it slow, as Elena had advised.
Being alone with his father, Dash, who thought of something, said, "Father, is there a possibility that we can buy a house near the Sakura Bushido martial arts school?"
"For something specific?"
"Well, I met a great Karate master in Japan who could teach very well to all the students representing the Dojo in more important tournaments. It would be good to have him as a mentor at Sakura Bushido."
Since he was a minor, even at almost sixteen, it was obvious that he needed his father's administration, who would use all his money for both investments and to move the money more correctly. Now that he wants to be on good terms, Dash must make sure that his father helps him with some trivial things at least.
"We can do that, but do you know if it's worth it?"
"Absolutely worth it. Do you remember Daniel LaRusso? It turns out that Sensei once fought to the death with him; now he has overcome the past, so it would be interesting to bring him."
Frederick smiled slightly; although Dash didn't notice, it was obvious that he wasn't a saint either. But he liked the idea, so he mentioned that he would take care of it.
"By the way, how do you plan to participate in the nationals with your martial arts school?"
"In a few years, I'll propose a tournament that involves schools from all over the country. Maybe that will work to qualify as a dojo if we achieve a good position."
"You must win; a good position doesn't precisely guarantee a pass." Frederick reminded him with a smile.
Dash nodded and said, "You're right."
He may have his differences, but Frederick is still his father, and that wouldn't change for anything in the world. That's why Dash didn't want to continue with his tantrum; he wanted to be the one to step forward to change since his father had apologized.