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"That’s okay. I don’t want to scare them. I’m in no rush," I say, tickling Soraya’s little belly. She gives me a small smile, seeming more comfortable with me than her brother. "Sit down, Madison. You shouldn’t hold her for so long."
They place the babies on the floor, and my sister settles into a chair.
"I heard the physical therapist’s report was very promising. He said you’re working hard, and at this rate, you might be discharged sooner than Dr. Athanasios initially predicted," Eleanor says.
"Yes, and the speech therapist gave me some exercises and said I’d likely be discharged next week."
"And your legs? Do they still hurt when you walk?"
I sigh. "Yes. I’m walking like a baby—only a very lazy one."
"Baaabyyy!" Silas says, clapping his hands.
I break into a huge smile. "That’s right, my love. Mommy’s a baby!"
He gives a small smile but then turns his back to me and walks over to Madison.
I tell myself it’s silly to feel jealous, but I’m human. I love my sister above all else, but seeing my children more comfortable with her than with me makes my heart ache.
"Baby!" Soraya repeats, but unlike her brother, she takes a few steps toward the bed and stretches her little hand out to me.
I take her hand, wishing I had the strength to get off the bed and kneel to talk to her. But on a good day, my legs barely work properly, and the chance that emotion will make me falter is too high. I don’t want to scare her by falling in front of her.
"Dr. Athanasios said he’d be coming to check on you soon," Madison says.
"I wouldn’t know. He barely talks to me."
She looks at me as if she knows a secret I don’t, but she says nothing about it. "Changing the subject, Zeus told me he let you know that the investigators would be coming to take your statement later today. How do you feel about that?"
I glance at my children, worried they might hear us, but both are engrossed with their toys. "I don’t want to have to relive that night. Especially since, in a way, everything’s already been resolved," I reply, remembering my brother-in-law told me the men had been arrested and are awaiting trial. "But I understand it’s necessary to ensure they have no chance of escaping justice."
"Yes," she agrees. "Your testimony will be crucial. You know there will be a lawyer by your side the entire time today, right? If you feel uncomfortable with any question, you just need to ask for guidance."
"Zeus explained. Your husband is a good man, Madison."
She beams, her whole face lighting up. "He’s the best."
I shake my head, smiling too. "I thought it was more likely for a cow to fly than for you to ever fall in love."
"‘Cowww!’" Silas repeats, proving that despite his toys, he’s paying attention to everything.
"Yes, cow, my love."
"I’m completely in love, and I’m not afraid of trusting him. Zeus has proven his loyalty to me in so many ways."
Someone knocks on the door, and a moment later, I find myself face-to-face with the man responsible for me being with my children today.
Athanasios
CHAPTER TEN
"Dr. Athanasios,I didn’t know you’d be coming now," Brooklyn says quickly, her voice sounding almost anxious. "I mean, Madison told me you’d be coming, but not right this minute. I wanted to thank you for allowing my children to visit."
She says all this in a fraction of a second, and if my instincts are correct, it has less to do with her still needing a speech therapist and more to do with the fact that my presence unsettles her.
I like that. Her nervousness tells me she isn’t indifferent to me.
I’m not here randomly. As Brooklyn pointed out, I authorized the twins’ visit because I believe she’s now strong enough to handle more intense emotions, but I also want to observe her interaction with her children.