How Deep is Your Love

Chapter Twenty-Two: Welcome to the Family

“Buenos Días senor Casillas,” Aliona greeted as she stepped into the private hospital room where José Luis had been since he had arrived in the hospital a week before.

The hospital directors had changed their minds about asking her to do more office work and had begged her to come back as a surgeon after her replacement started to mess things up and the success of José Luis’ surgery.

“Mañana Aliona,” José Luis said making the blonde flash him a smile as she checked on his chart, he was doing well considering how much he had been through.

It was at that moment that Carmen walked into the room holding a container filled with food for her husband; Aliona didn't blame her for bringing him some decent food to eat, hospital food was horrible.

Carmen paused when she saw Aliona, she never knew how to express how grateful she was for what the blonde had done for her husband; even Unai had warmed up to Aliona after she had saved José Luis’s life.

“I brought you some paella,” Carmen said to her husband making him smile at the thought of some lunch while Aliona moved to check him over; she knew that things were awkward between her and Carmen and she wasn’t going to rush things between them.

José Luis shot his wife a look as if trying to tell her something, he knew that his wife was stubborn but it was clear that Aliona was here to stay since Iker was completely in love with the blonde.

“So how is my unborn grandchild?” José Luis asked making Aliona smile at him, he was thrilled with the idea of having a grandchild and he already loved the twins; they visited him in the evenings with Iker when Aliona finished her day shift at the hospital.

Carmen looked at Aliona intrigued with news of her first grandchild; she loved to hear about the unborn child from her son since she had no idea how to approach Aliona for information about the baby.

“Everything is going well… we should learn the gender at the next scan since I’m sixteen weeks pregnant now,” Aliona said making José Luis grin while his wife stared in awe; she couldn't believe how fast this was all passing by.

***

Iker smiled at his girlfriend as Liam and Lola talked excitedly with José Luis about their day at pre-school; they had made him cards to say get well soon.

“How are you feeling?” Iker asked as he kissed Aliona, he knew that she was being kept busy at the hospital and he was grateful for everything that she had done for his father; he didn't know what he would have done without her.

“I’m fine it’s been a pretty quiet day today,” Aliona said with a shrug as she pecked his lips, she had been busy with paper work most of the morning and looking after a couple of her patients in the afternoon; Carmen looked at her confused as she re-entered the room.

“Aliona, why do your interns refer to you as drill-sergeant?” Carmen asked making the blonde grin while Iker and his father looked at her confused; they had never heard Aliona being called that before.

They watched as Aliona chuckled for a moment before she moved to explain the strange nickname that she had at the hospital.

“Because I’m like a drill-sergeant when I’m in the operating theatre,” Aliona said with a shrug as she looked at her boyfriend who chuckled amused.

Carmen stared at the blonde surprised, she didn't seem like the type to be barking orders but she guessed that if she needed something doing when they were in trauma surgery then it was something that had to be done.

“So what are you doing for dinner tonight?” José Luis asked as he looked at his eldest son and his girlfriend, the twins were distracted by the sweets that Iker’s father had given them while Carmen sat quietly by her husband’s side.

“I’m taking Aliona and the twins out to a restaurant for dinner,” Iker said shrugging making his mother look at them, she knew that her son had his own life but she wished that she was included sometimes especially with José Luis in hospital.

“You are welcome to join us Carmen,” Aliona said feeling horrible that Iker’s mother would have to go home alone while José Luis was in hospital; the older woman looked at her surprised while Iker grinned at his girlfriend, she wasn’t the time to exclude someone.

“I don’t wish to intrude,” Carmen said making Aliona shake her head telling her that she wasn’t, the older woman smiled at her gratefully nodding her head while José Luis pouted as he realised he’d be eating more hospital food.

***

Carmen looked at Aliona as the blonde finished getting ready to go out to dinner; she was wearing a cream high neck printed top and black skinny jean paired with flax black patent flatform shoes.

“Aliona, I wanted to thank you for inviting me,” Carmen said making the blonde look at her confused, she tilted her head wondering why the older woman seemed to think that she was going to be cut out of her son’s life.

“It didn't feel right to exclude you from dinner,” Aliona said with a shrug, she watched as Carmen shifted nervously since it was clear that she had more to say; though the blond wouldn’t push her for anything.

Aliona ran a hand through her hair, she knew that there was going to have to be some sort of change between them; she was expecting Iker’s child and it deserved to know both sets of grandparents.

“I want to welcome you to the family Aliona… you’ve done so much for us,” Carmen said gently as Aliona stare at her, she opened her mouth to protest but the older woman stopped her and continued to talk; she wanted this out in the air as soon as possible.

“You saved my husband’s life, I’ve never seen Iker this happy in all my years… you have done so much for us and have asked for nothing in return,” Carmen said making Aliona offer her a small smile; she knew that the older woman was probably right but she hadn’t really done anything.

“You’re the woman that I’ve always wanted my son to marry and I thought that it would be Sara… but now I can see that it is not,” Carmen said softly, she couldn't believe that the reporter had hurt her son in such away and was now attempting to ruin things for Iker and Aliona.

The Spaniard had thought that Sara had been a lovely young woman, who cared for her son and wanted to settle down and start a family; however it was clear now that Sara didn't want that, she’d broken Iker’s heart without a second thought.

“I wish to apologise for my earlier actions, I am sorry for miss judging you,” Carmen said making Aliona smile at her and shake her head, the blonde moved closer to the older woman and offered her a hug which Carmen accepted.

“There is nothing to forgive… I know that you want what is best for Iker,” Aliona said making Carmen smile at the blonde; it was clear that this was the fresh start in their relationship that they both needed.