Chapter 51

“Momma, when can we go home?” Senna asks as she stirs beside me.

“Soon, baby, I want to go home as soon as possible,” I respond.

“Did Uncle Daniel tell you that he is your brother and that we got lost from him a long time ago. Did he tell you that he has been searching for us and that Tristan and Uncle Lachy aren’t allowed to be mean to us or Uncle Danny will come and kick their sorry behinds?” Senna chirps excitedly.

“Yes, baby, Uncle Danny told me everything, and I am sure that from now on it will be great having another uncle that you can play with,” I reply happily.

“Ok, time for Momma to have some rest,” Tristan responds as Lachy and Daniel fight over who is going to pick up Senna. Tito then enters and swoops her into his arms while the other two bicker.

I watch as Tito races out the door with a chuckling Senna, and I laugh loudly as Daniel and Lachy race after them. I hear their thundering footsteps down the hall as the nurse yells at them not to run.

“Well, that is one way to clear a room. How are you after what you have just heard?” Tristan asks as he sits beside me on the bed.

“I am shocked and not sure what to feel, honestly. I mean, Dad adopted and raised Daniel, and Tito saved me and raised me. We essentially switched lives, and now we are together, and Tito is the one who has to try and save a relationship that I am sure Daniel doesn’t want to acknowledge. I feel guilty that everyone has been involved in my crap, but mostly I am happy that Senna is back home, and we can move on.”

“I guess there is a lot to take in. Give it some time and take the relationship slowly, I am sure it will all sort itself out. I am sure Tito is happy and sad all at the same time, and I am sure that things will be full on when we get out of here, but I want you to know that things will be better and things will get better as time goes on.”

“Maybe, but I can’t help but feel sorry for everything that has happened.”

“Just rest, we will see what tomorrow looks like.”

“Do you think that between the three of them, they will remember that they have a child to look after and they will be responsible?”

“Yes, because mom and dad will be there as well, and let's not forget Dana, she will hover over Senna like anything. Actually, I think they all will. I know that once I get you home, you will not be leaving the house without three security guards that will be visible and another ten that won’t be, then there will also be me and Tito that will follow you like gum stuck to your shoe,” Tristan says with a laugh.

“Thanks for the imagery that was quite powerful, seeing you as a piece of gum stuck to my shoe,” I respond with a light laugh of my own.

“Everything will be fine, just get some rest, the sooner we can get out of this place, the better.”

“I agree with that, I hate hospitals, if you can just talk to the doctor and get me discharged now, I promise to follow all instructions that you ask,” I say with Scout's honour.

“Were you a scout?”

“Maybe, maybe not, but I promise to behave. Please let me get out of here.”

“You rest, and I will go and ask the doctor.”

As I closed my eyes and felt the warmth from Tristan’s hand, I knew that things had just gotten sticky again, but maybe this time it would be sticky in a good way for once.

“You'd better ask the doctor,” I mumble through my sleepy voice.

“Promise”

I hear the door click and feel the emptiness within the room.

Maybe we can all have a happy ending.  As the darkness takes me under, I feel relaxed and safe for the first time since this whole nightmare happened.

As I dream, I watch Senna growing through the years, along with Tristan by my side for each and every moment that we share together. The happiness and complete life make my dream feel incredibly real.

As my eyes slowly open, I flinch from the bright sunlight streaming through the windows.

“Argh”

‘I will close the blinds”

I hear Tristan get up and close the blinds as the room turns dark. I slowly open my eyes again and sigh in relief as the light is no longer there.

“Morning, baby.”

“Hi”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Mm, I had this dream that Senna was all grown up and doing well for herself and that we were celebrating one of her milestones.”

“That’s great. I look forward to it.”

“So, what did the doctor say? Can I go home today? I don’t want to stay here anymore. Plus, Senna is at home, and I have just gotten her back, so I want to spend more time with her. Please can I go, please, pretty please.”

“Doctor said that possibly by the end of the week, if all your results are good. You have just had major surgery, and you need to stay until everything is all good.”

“No, I want to go home now, Tristan.”

“MOMMY!”

The sound of Senna’s voice momentarily makes me drop the anger that I feel as I am once again being kept against my will. Why is it so hard to understand that I don’t want to be kept in the hospital?

“Hey, baby.” Senna runs full out across the room, only slowing as she starts to climb up on the bed.

“Careful with Mom,” Daniel calls as he walks closer to the bed.

“Hey, Sis”

“Daniel”

“I hear that you want to go home. It doesn’t seem smart on your part. You just had surgery, and have just woken up, maybe you should follow the professional advice.”

“Maybe you should shut up.”