Chapter 10.1

Michael was sitting in his office going over some paperwork as his phone rang. Looking at the caller id he was surprised to see it was Jo. It had been just two days since they spoke. As he took the phone his heart was racing in anticipation of hearing her voice.

"Uncle Michael," Ethan's soft voice came over the phone crying.

"Ethan. What's the matter?"

"Mama, she... she doesn't want to wake up," he sobbed.

"Where is Susan?" he said as he left his office, informing Parker to cancel any appointments.

"She went to the market with Morgan. Uncle Jonathan is not here too," he mumbled into the phone.

"I am on my way son, just keep trying to wake her up for me, can you do that buddy?"

"Okay..."

He told his driver to head to her house as fast as he could. Reaching her estate he jumped out of the car before it even came to a halt.

"Ethan!"

"Uncle Mike!" Ethan came rushing down towards him. "She woke up," he said worriedly.

Michael picked Ethan up quickly hugging him as they headed up to find his mom. Walking into the room they both found her lying down in bed.

"What are you doing here Michael?"

Just the sound of his full name on her lips shattered his heart into pieces.

"Ethan called me, what happened?" he said gently placing Ethan down and sitting down beside her placing a hand on her forehead.

"I am just tired that's all. I just passed out for a few minutes, no need to worry."

"Have you eaten anything?" he asked looking straight into her eyes.

She turned her face away from his intense gaze.

Tilting her head to face him, he asked her again rephrasing his question, "When was the last time you ate querida?"

A small tear trickle down her face as she mumbled, "The day before yesterday."

Running his hands through his hair in a frustrated manner he stood up leaving the room. She could see he was beyond angry with her. A few minutes he came back with a bowl of soup and handed over the bowl to her as he walked over to the window to look outside.

He turned around to see if she was eating, but found her staring down at the bowl with a worried expression.

"Is it not good, I will get my driver to get you something in town," he said pulling out his phone.

"No it's good," she said as she slowly took a spoonful of her soup.

"Mama. Are you sick?" Ethan said as he settled down beside her.

"No baby I am fine, don't worry," she said pulling him into a hug.

Just then they heard the door closing indicating someone had arrived.

Michael went down to inspect and found Susan, Morgan and Jonathan carrying groceries into the kitchen. He greeted them and told them he would be staying over for a while after informing them of the previous events.

"Ethan why don't you go find out what Aunt Susan got for you?"

"Okay!" Said Ethan with a bubbly smile on his face as he left the room.

Closing the door he went and stood by the window staring outside. It was painstakingly quiet as they both remained quiet. She decided to break the silence.

"Michael," she whispered.

He remained silent ignoring her.

"Michael," she said slowly getting up from the bed.

Still nothing.

"Mickey," she sighed finally reaching him.