Chapter 160

Chapter 160
ARIA

The morning light hit my face as I stood waiting outside the isolation room. My heart was racing. After a month of treatment, William was finally coming out. I kept checking my watch - just two more minutes.

The door opened. There he was. My son, skinnier but his eyes were bright, looking around the hallway. The nurses did their final checks before letting him go.

I ran to him and hugged him tight, but not too tight. He felt so small and breakable.

"Baby, you were so brave! Mom is so proud of you!" I said, my voice shaking.

I kept thinking about William during all those horrible treatments - his little face trying to be strong during the worst days, never crying even when it hurt so bad. Four years old and braver than me.

Then William surprised me. He leaned over and kissed my cheek - he never does that first. "Mommy, you worked so hard these weeks," he said quietly.

I started crying. My four-year-old was trying to make me feel better. God, I didn't deserve this amazing kid.

We moved to a quiet corner for our video call with Richard and Elaine. Their faces appeared on screen, immediately tearing up when they saw William.

"Our precious boy!" Elaine exclaimed, her voice breaking. "You're standing so tall!"

Richard couldn't speak for several seconds, just nodded with wet eyes. When he found his voice, he said, "William, we want you happy and healthy forever. No more hospitals, okay?"

"When are you coming back?" I asked, noting the unfamiliar hotel room behind them.

"Don't worry about us," Mom waved dismissively. "Focus on getting yourself and William healthy again. We want to see you both plump and rosy-cheeked when we return!"

After ending the call, I caught William watching me closely.

"Are grandpa and grandma okay?" he asked quietly.

"Of course, sweetie. They're just busy with work," I answered, wondering how this child always sensed things adults tried to hide.

I spent thirty minutes reviewing William's discharge paperwork, confirming his follow-up appointments, and collecting his medications. The nurses gave detailed home care instructions, which I recorded in my phone.

"Remember, he needs to avoid crowds for a while," the doctor emphasized. "His immune system is rebuilding, but not at full strength yet."

I checked my messages - Jessica confirmed our car waited in the parking garage. Finally going home.

"Ready for your grand exit, William?" I asked, taking his small hand.

He nodded eagerly. "Can we get ice cream on the way?"

"Absolutely," I laughed. The sound surprised me - genuine laughter had become so rare these past months.

---

The elevator doors opened at level B1. Hospital antiseptic smells gave way to concrete and motor oil. William gripped my hand tighter as we stepped out.

He stopped suddenly, head tilting. "Mom, did you see that?" he whispered, pointing toward a shadow moving between cars.

"See what, sweetie?" I asked, instantly scanning our surroundings.

William frowned. "Someone moved over there. Really fast."

"Probably just security," I reassured him, though my own nerves tightened.

"Mom, where's Aurora and Ethan?" William asked, eyes darting around. "And Aunt Olivia?"

I kept my voice casual. "Aurora and Ethan were exhausted from playing yesterday... Olivia had an emergency meeting..." I paused before adding, "As for Blake, he doesn't know you're being discharged."

William looked unconvinced but nodded.

As we walked deeper into the parking garage, William spotted something unusual. Colorful shapes moved in the shadows ahead.

"Mom..." he started, but stopped as a section of the garage suddenly transformed.

Balloons - dozens of them - filled a corner, creating a mini party complete with streamers and a banner reading "Welcome Home, William!"

When William reached for what he thought was our car door, balloons burst out, flooding the space around us.

"William, happy discharge day!" Aurora and Ethan jumped from behind the car, faces beaming.

I watched William's surprise turn to joy, his eyes widening.

Blake stepped forward holding an enormous bouquet of balloons and flowers. William stood frozen, mouth open, those clever eyes quickly realizing we'd all tricked him.

"Surprise, champ," Blake said, ruffling William's hair. Our son looked so much smaller than before treatment, but that spark in his eyes burned brighter than ever.

Aurora bounced around him. "We got you EVERYTHING! Balloons and cake and presents and MORE balloons!"

"And healthy snacks," Ethan added seriously. That kid never forgot the practical things.

William stood speechless, looking at each face - me, Aurora, Ethan, Olivia, Elizabeth, even Rebecca had come. The happiness in his expression made me tear up again.

"Kid, remember at your birthday when I promised to host your next celebration?" Blake crouched to William's level. "Couldn't wait another year."

William found his voice. "You did all this... for me?"

"We wanted to surprise you in your hospital room," Blake explained, "but doctors reminded us hospitals have other sick patients. So we... redecorated this corner of the garage instead."

William's smile grew. "It's awesome."

Olivia stepped forward carrying what must have been a hundred helium balloons. "William sweetheart, your godmother stayed up all night blowing these for you!" She kissed his forehead.

"You used a helium tank, Aunt Olivia," William pointed out matter-of-factly. "I can tell because they're floating."

Everyone laughed. Even recovering, my son missed absolutely nothing.

Aurora and Ethan presented their gift - a basket of William's favorite healthy snacks, carefully arranged.

"So you get strong again!" Aurora declared, poking his arm. "You got too skinny!"

Elizabeth brought forward a small velvet box. "This is a Morgan family protective amulet," she told William. "Been in our family for generations."

Olivia handed him the latest tablet model. "For all those science programs you watch," she said. "Already loaded with educational apps."

I moved around collecting gifts, tucking them safely into bags. "We'll open everything properly at home," I said, briefly meeting Blake's eyes.

I watched William carefully. He smiled and thanked everyone, but something in his expression told me he'd suspected the surprise. My brilliant little boy, pretending to be shocked so everyone else would feel good.

"Thank you all for taking care of me this past month," William said with a maturity that shocked me. "I love all my presents. You didn't need to do this."

Rebecca stepped forward, still looking pale from her bone marrow donation.

"William, if you ever need more bone marrow, I'll--" She stopped abruptly, horror crossing her face. "I mean... not that you'll need more! The doctors said everything worked perfectly and--"

An awkward silence fell until William laughed. "It's okay, Aunt Rebecca. I understand."

Everyone relaxed, tension breaking.

I squeezed Rebecca's shoulder. "Thank you for your kindness, Rebecca. But I believe this was the last time we'll need your help."

"Speaking of help," Olivia mentioned, "Rebecca's ancestral recognition ceremony is coming up soon. We'll all attend to support her, right?"

Everyone nodded as Rebecca beamed.

BLAKE

As people started moving toward their cars, I pulled William aside. I took the USB drive from my pocket - the one he'd given me before treatment.

"Little man, this is yours again," I said, placing it in his palm. "And going forward, I hope you'll help Morgan Global Enterprises step into the future."

William examined the drive. "But Uncle Blake, the research team won't listen to me. I'm just a kid."

"I already showed your algorithm to the research department," I assured him. "They're more eager than I am to meet you. They've been asking when I'll introduce you."

William nodded slowly. "Okay then. After I reorganize the data, I'll come to Morgan Tower."

I cleared my throat. "Now, about that other promise before surgery..."

His expression shifted as understanding dawned.

"Remember what you asked me before the surgery," I reminded him.

His eyes gleamed mischievously. "I should wait until Mom officially gets back together with you. When she decides to reconcile with you, I'll call you Dad."

I raised an eyebrow. "Well, I've been thinking... I'm ready to hear it whenever you are."

"Aurora needs me!" he suddenly exclaimed, pointing toward his sister who wasn't actually calling him. He darted away before I could respond.

I walked over to where Aria stood organizing bags.

"So," I said, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind. "About us getting back together officially..."

She stiffened before relaxing against me. "Blake, William just got discharged. He needs regular check-ups for weeks. This isn't the time to make big decisions..."

I turned her to face me. "You and William are exactly alike."

"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to sound innocent.

"Both masters of evasion," I said, rubbing my temples. "One clever dodge after another. Mother and son - perfect match!"