♡Lily's World/omb-Oscar Diaz♡

♡Capitulo treinta y cinco - Norma/Oscar talk♡

OSCAR AND MINI'S BEDROOM – LATE MORNING

NORMA'S POV

I check Oscar's vitals carefully—his blood pressure is a bit low again. He's lost another five pounds, and he's wheezing more than usual. But there's no swelling around the tumor site. Still, the numbers don't lie.

"You've lost more weight, mijo," I murmur, trying to keep my voice light. "And that wheezing isn't nothing."

Oscar reaches for my hand, rubbing slow circles into my palm. "Mom, I'm okay. I promise. Weak, yeah, especially after a shower. The headaches are the worst, but my girls make the naps worth it. Lily bug sits on my lap and melts right into me."

I press a kiss to his temple, pretending my heart isn't breaking. "Flaca and I are planning to take Mini out for a spa day. She hasn't left the house in weeks. She told me Cesar's friends visited yesterday."

Oscar chuckles softly. "Mario came by. Ruby invited me to his graduation. Jamal asked me and Mario for advice on sex—can you believe that? Told Ruby I'm going even if I'm in a wheelchair."

He shows me an old picture frame—him, Tony, and me when we were all so much younger. "He brought this over. Said we were the Three Musketeers."

I smile, but the lump in my throat tightens. "You still are."

Oscar reaches behind him and pulls out a thick envelope. "I gave this to Dad too. It has all the account info—life insurance, savings for Mini and the girls. There's also paperwork for a house in Brentwood with a guest house. Just waiting on the owner's okay."

I hold it, stunned. Tears blur my vision. "You've thought of everything... even us."

"I don't want Mini by herself," he says quietly. "You and Pop shouldn't be alone either."

Just then, Lily rushes in from school, still in her uniform. Her backpack bounces as she holds out a folded paper. "Dad, I made this at school. Our teacher said to draw our hero. I said you were mine."

Oscar opens it slowly. A drawing of their family, bright sun, her hand in his. The words:

"My Daddy is tired but he still smiles for me."

I videotape them gently as Lily climbs into his lap.

"How you doing, Lily bug?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Okay. I help Daddy when his tummy hurts. I get him popsicles. Sometimes I have one too."

Oscar kisses the top of her head. "Daddy loves you from the moon and back, mija."

She rests her head on his shoulder, trying to be brave.

Oscar whispers, "It's okay to be sad. It's hard for us too. But I'll always be with you, even if you can't see me. I'll be in your heart."

He rocks her as she cries softly.

Later, I help him lay her down and tuck her teddy bear beside her. In the hallway, Mini meets us—bags under her eyes, worry etched deep into her face.