Reyona's eyes glistened with tears as she looked at the innocent girl lying facedown in bed.
The transfusion was still being administered, and the doctor was currently checking the surgery site.
He made certain notations on the medical charts attached to the clipboard. Then he handed it back to the nurse with some instructions.
Then he went out and nodded at them before saying,
"I asked the nurse to get you because she has been asking for you. I need you to know that she is still very weak, so I hope you can keep the visit to a minimum."
"Okay, okay," Reyona said immediately. "How is she though?"
"Oh, she is responding fine to treatment. Now that she has the needed blood, her vitals are better too. We just need to keep our eyes on her and ensure the wound heals properly. She should be up and about soon."
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Reyona said.
"Thanks, doctor," Maxwell said as well before the doctor left with the nurse.
Maxwell wheeled Reyona in.
They had just finished sharing a simple breakfast when a nurse came to inform them that the doctor said they could visit now.
In her haste, Reyona had almost jumped to the ground to go see her, but Maxwell had kept her in bed while insisting that he would rather carry her, or she could use a wheelchair.
Reyona grudgingly opted for the wheelchair and Maxwell asked for it after pressing the call button.
When they got to Allysyn's new room, to Reyona's disappointment, a nurse said they had to wait a bit before they could go in.
When she saw the anxious look on Reyona's face though, she offered to let them stay right outside the door and look in through the double-paned, wide, glass window.
As she finally entered the room and her eyes met with Allysyn's drowsy eyes, unbidden tears fell on her face as she sobbed.
"Reyona" Allysyn said groggily as she raised her hand towards her.
Reyona quickly grabbed the girl's hand, not minding the pain it caused her injured hand.
The girl stared at Reyona's bandaged hands for a moment before she said "Your hand. Is it paining you?"
"No, not at all, baby" Reyona said, even as more tears gushed out of her eyes.
Allysyn looked at her face, and it seemed to take her a while before she focused. When she did, she simply said, "You are lying."
Reyona let out a watery laugh that got a small smile out of Allysyn.
"I know when people are lying," Allysyn said slowly. "They don't know that I know, but I know."
Reyona nodded as she said, "You are right. It hurt just a little."
"Sorry." Allysyn said, then "You came."
"Yes, baby, we came to check on you. We would have come earlier, but you are not allowed to receive visitors yet."
Allysyn only looked at her as she slightly shook her head and said "Not now. You, you came. She lied when she said, "You are only interested in Max's money, and you would not come for me." You came. She lied. You came and she hurt you."
Reyona couldn't hold back her tears as she leaned closer to the girl and said "You didn't have to see that. You shouldn't have to risk yourself like that. I am so sorry, Allysyn. I am really sorry that you got hurt because of me."
Allysyn shook her head once as she said "She shouldn't hit you. I know what bun in the oven means. You are pregnant."
Reyona's tears were like unstoppable rivulets at this point as she nodded and said, "Yes, I am. Yes, I am. Wanna feel it?" She asked as she collected the handkerchief that Maxwell passed to her.
"Yes," Allysyn said as she shifted closer towards her. "Hi, Max," she said as she looked up at Maxwell.
"Hi, kiddo," Maxwell responded in a gruff tone.
Allysyn's attention was back to Reyona as the latter placed her hand on her pronounced bump.
"Wow," Allysyn said at length.
"Yes, wow," Reyona said with a laugh that instigated her tears again. "I think that covers it."
Allysyn smiled and pulled her hand back before she asked, "Will you send us away when you give birth to the baby?"
"What? No, no, not at all. You and Junior will always have a place with us. Always, right, Max?"
"Yes, kiddo. You got us for life." Maxwell responded as he bent to her level so she could see his face without having to strain her neck.
She looked at him for a while, as if trying to gauge the truth of his words.
Finally, she said "Kidnapping and tying people is a crime. She is a criminal. Will she go to jail?"
Maxwell and Reyona looked at each other, and they knew nothing but the truth would be satisfactory for this incredibly intelligent and sensitive kid.
Reyona did the honours.
"You are right. She will need to. The… Uhm…the police have to do their job and one of those is to…"
"... put criminals in jail." Allysyn completed simply.
Reyona supposed there was no point in glossing it over anymore. So she said, "Yes, she will be going away to a place where she can't hurt you anymore."
She was silent for a while before she said "Junior will cry when he knows. Can you not tell him?"
Oh god.
Reyona firmed her lips, which wanted to tremble and said "Okay, but what about you? How do you feel about it?"
Allysyn looked at her with earnest eyes and said "I don't know. I don't feel anything. I just don't want her to hurt anyone again."
"That is okay. It is okay for you to feel the way you feel. You can figure it out as time goes on. We can figure it out together. Okay?" Reyona asked as her eyes filled with tears again.
"'Kay" Allysyn answered with a nod.
Reyona sniffled and looked away to stop her insistent waterworks.
To fill the sudden silence, Maxwell said, "We are so happy that you are getting better, Allysyn. Everyone is looking forward to seeing you. Celia, Andrew and Mira will come by later too. Even Toria is here. The doctor thinks we shouldn't tire you out with long visits though. What about we check on you later?"
"Okay," Allysyn said. Then "When can I go home?"
Home. That word sounded like music to Reyona.
"Very soon." She said. "As soon as the doctor gives the go-ahead."
Allysyn nodded as her eyes closed drowsily and opened again.
"Can I talk to Junior? I am not allowed to lie on my back or sit, but I can talk to him like this if you hold the phone for me. Just for a little time. Then I will sleep."
Reyona knew they should just leave immediately so she could get her needed rest, but what was a few more minutes, right?
Junior had been asking for her too.
She raised her hand to collect the phone from Maxwell.