angel baby (heavy editing)

14.5

Later, Lia exited the doctor's office. She felt exhausted and was certain there was no spirit left in her. Lena, who was seated with Derek who brought Chris to the hospital immediately stood up siting her. Derek followed in tow.
"Lia, is everything alright? What did the doctor say?"
Lia closed her eyes for a few seconds. She pinched herself hoping everything was a dream and she would wake up soon. It wasn't a dream.
Oh God.
"Lia?"
"Kathy has a tumor growing in her brain and she'll need surgery as soon as possible"
"Oh my god, Lia"
Lia walked away from her and took a seat. She felt really dizzy.
"When's the surgery?" Lena asked her quietly when she took a seat beside her.
"I don't know Lena. I can't afford the bills so there's no going forward at this point"
"Doesn't Kathy have insurance? The bills should be decreased by at least half", Derek decided to comment which pissed Lia off.
Insurance, he says.
"Mr Derek, I appreciate you for bringing Chris to the hospital but I don't understand why you're still here. This is a family matter", the statement came out harsher than Lia intended but it was already out in the open.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll take my leave now. Speedy recovery for your daughter", he walked away and Lia almost felt guilty but guilt would take her nowhere.
"He was only trying to help", Lena had to defend him in some way. Derek was a good man.
"I know. But not everyone is privileged like him or you. I don't know what to do, Lena"
Lena grabbed one of her hand.
"We'll figure it out together, I promise. But right now, you need to rest. You look exhausted. Why don't you rest a bit?"
"No, no I can't leave Kathy"
"I know but you'll be of no help if you're at the brink of exhaustion. You need to rest"
"I can't leave Kathy or Chris. Oh my God, Chris"
Lia broke free of her grasp and stood up.
"Lia, you need to rest"
"Do you have kids, Lena?"
Lia watched the look of hurt on Lena's face. She was pushing someone who would make her really happy away but she was under so much stress, one she never thought possible.
"No I don't" Lena finally replied.
"Then you have no idea what I'm feeling. I'm sorry, I need to go be with my daughter"
Lia walked away and Lena could only watch.

Jessica guided her son into their mansion house, her husband in tow.
"Mom, I'm fine. I broke my arm not my legs. I'm fine"
"Oliver"
"I can walk by myself, let me go", he tried to break free from her grasp but she wouldn't budge.
"Let me at least guide you to your room"
"No you're smothering me. Leave me alone"
He finally broke free and walked away briskly.
"Oliver, honey" she tried to follow but Daniel stopped him.
"Let him go. It's been a long day for him and-"
"But-"
"You, you need to rest. Come on, we'll check up on him in the morning"
She let her husband led them to their room.
It had truly been a long day and the exhaustion was starting to kick in.

Lia sat on Kathy's bed staring into space. She absentmindedly stroked Chris' hair as he slept his head on the bed near her. When she arrived in the room earlier, they were both asleep so a conversation hadn't occured.
Wild thoughts raced through her as she sat there. What was she going to do?
She felt a staring which snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Kathy with her eyes opened. The room remained silent for a few seconds more.
"How are you feeling?"Lia finally asked.
Kathy simply shrugged.
"Kathy"
"I'm going to be needing surgery, won't I?"
Lia slowly nodded.
"But we can't afford it"
Lia didn't reply, couldn't reply.
"Well, earth has been fun thus far"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Lia slightly rose her voice. "We could have avoided this Kathy, months ago"
"I didn't think it was a big deal"
"Still you should have said something, the thought of the pain you had to go through", her voice broke at the last word.
"I'm so sorry Kathy, I'm so sorry"
The tears started to drop. Oh God, not in front of her.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't give you the best, you and Chris"
"No, no, you gave me the best. You're the best mom, the best person I have ever known. You took me in four years ago without knowing a single thing about me. And when I did tell you, you hugged me and comforted me. You didn't toss me out like my other family did. You're the best, Lia, the very best"
The tears all but flowed. Kathy was only 15, she didn't deserve this.
With efforts to not wake Chris up, Lia hugged her. She kissed her forehead afterwards.
"I promise you, I'm going to find the money. Nothing is going to happen to you, I promise"
A cellphone began to ring at that moment. Lia checked hers and confirmed it wasn't hers.
"I think it's Chris'", Kathy commented.
Lia stood up and checked for Chris' phone in his pocket and truly it was his phone ringing. Lia was sightly surprised that Chris slept through all the commotion but then he had always been a deep sleeper.
She took it phone and pressed the receive button.
"Hello"
"Hello, is this Chris' phone?" The voice from the other line asked.
"Yes, I'm his mother, who's this?"
"Oh, hi Mrs Cameron I'm Evelyn, Chris' advanced fine arts teacher. Earlier today, there was an exhibition and Chris' painting was put up for auction"
Lia mentally hit herself feeling guilty. Chris mentioned it. She should have been there.
"And I am pleased to announce that his painting was sold to the highest bidder"
"What?"
"Yes miss Simpson. You should be really proud of your son. He's one in a billion"
She was.
"Could you send me an account details where I can send the money too?"
Lia was feeling a load of emotions. She managed a yes and hung up. She immediately sent the account details.
"What was that about?" Kathy slurred her speech. She was struggling to stay awake.
"I'm not sure. Get some sleep, darling. I'll be right here"
Kathy nodded and closed her eyes.
Shaking Chris slightly, she tried to wake him up.
"Chris, honey, wake up. Chris"
Groggily, Chris opened his eyes and sat up. He rubbed his eyes and faced her.
"How are you, my love?"
He yawned then managed a nod.
She caressed his cheek.
"You must be starving"
He nodded again
"Come, let Kathy sleep. We'll come back later"
Lia took his hand in hers and they walked out.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't present at your presentation today. Your teacher Evelyn called, she said your painting was given to the highest bidder"
"Can I get an hamburger?" Chris asked her.
In the past, she would have been surprised that he completely was off topic but she knew now that he was really hungry and wouldn't comment on anything until his hunger is quenched.
"I don't think they'll have it here at the hospital but we'll ask"
Chris' phone beeped in her hand. She checked the notification and the numbers on the screen almost made her drop the phone.
She looked for a chair and sat on it to calm her racing heart.
What was happening? She checked the screen again to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
Chris joined her on the seat beside her.
Lia has never been big on religion or the metaphysical but at that moment, she thanked God.

(A/N: I apologise for the lateness of this chapter. Enjoy!!!!)