When Roseanne woke up in the hospital, the bright lights made it impossible to tell what time it was. Later that night? The next day? For all she knew, it could have been the next year.
It didn't matter. She was alive. She was safe. And with any luck, so were the people she cared about.
"Roseanne." Lisa's voice soared above the beeping machines and the voices out in the hallway. "How are you feeling? Are you all right?"
As she blinked the room into focus, Roseanne found Lisa beside her. In her fitted T-shirt, with her hair mussed, she looked like she had come from the local mechanic's shop.
But it didn't matter what Lisa looked like. All that matters is that she's here.
Roseanne lowered her hand from her head and took Lisa's. "I'm fine, I think. God..." She closed her eyes again. "I can't believe I fainted in your arms again."
"That's what you're worried about?" Lisa smiled. "Besides, if you hadn't passed out in my arms the first time, I never would have taken this job."
Roseanne could barely manage to return her smile. "What happened to Hana?"
The mood sobered. "The police came shortly after you passed out. She's in their custody. Don't worry. She won't bother you again."
"That poor woman..."
Roseanne didn't know what compelled her to feel that way. Hana deserved everything that was coming to her, including jail time. Still, Roseanne pitied her.
"By the way," she said. "What was that about you being in love with me? You didn't say that just to trick Hana, right?"
"I thought that would be the first thing you'd ask me when you came to." Lisa reached a free hand down to cradle Roseanne's cheek. The unexpectedly tender gesture almost made her pass out all over again. "I love you. It's the truth. I just wish I'd said it before all of that happened."
Roseanne placed her hand on Lisa's. "I..."
The door slid open. Her mother burst through, making a beeline for Roseanne and grabbing her other hand. "Baby! You're okay!" She bent over and covered Roseanne's forehead and face with motherly kisses. "I was so worried about you! I'm so sorry. I'm sorry about everything! I can't believe I let all of this happen. I should have been honest with all of you from the beginning. About Hana, about—"
"Mom," Roseanne interrupted. "It's okay. I get it. Actually, I understand a lot more now."
Vivianne's grip on her daughter's hand weakened. "You do?"
"You've done what you thought was best all these years. It's in your nature to worry about your girls. And I get it. I'm your baby. I was a surprise that you took as a sign you could have one more try at this whole 'raising a kid' thing. You've only wanted what you thought was best for us. Like you told Hana, you wanted us to be happy. And I get why you'd want to keep something you assumed to be in your past behind you. But..."
Her mother visibly steeled herself.
"You should have told us. You should have told me, especially when Hana started showing interest in me. I would have never agreed to meet her if I'd known the truth. I'll always trust you over some stranger. You're my mom. You're the only one I've got."
"Oh sweetie," her mother said. "You're not my only daughter, but you're my only Roseanne. Nothing could ever replace you."
She leaned down and hugged Roseanne tightly. Roseanne allowed her mother to hold her for a few seconds before pulling away.
