A Passionate Enemy:A Former Flame.

Mourning.

Seven weeks had passed,Manuel was in mourning and Julian was depressed over the loss of their Mom and wife. Aliya was staying with them and trying her best to make it easier for them to move on from what happened. Manuel's family was deeply upset by what happened still trying to understand it themselves.
     Maria and Rosalinda were at Manuel's offering comfort to him and the kids,they sat outside with him and he was quiet looking at the night sky as tears ran down his face. Aliya was in the kitchen and watched them.
"I just can't believe what happened." Maria said.
"How could something like that happen to Josie?" Rosalinda said crying. "Enrique and Isabella are still so young. Julian is only ten."
    Manuel held his head crying, he looked at them saying,"I can't believe I lost the love of my life. My children's mother. My wife." he cried and his sisters hugged him crying.

Maria wiped away his tears and said, "Manuel, this might not be the best time to say this but..."
"But what?" Manuel asked.
"Aliya is here. Maybe you should think about giving her the role of a mother to the kids."
"Maria!" Rosalinda said.
"I know. She's the last person I want raising them but they need a mother. Julian, Enrique and Isabella need a mother. You know kids can't grow up without a Mom,Rosa."
Rosalinda agreed and told Manuel, "Maria is right. Make Aliya their mother."
   Manuel thought knowing that they were right,his kids needed a mother and Aliya was the only one who could be that to them.
     Aliya was with the twins trying to get them to have their milk and Manuel came saying,"Aliya. I need a word."
Aliya went to him and he said,"You've been so great these past months."
"I just want to make things easier for you."
"And I appreciate it." he said. "But I think you should stay here. Permanently."
"What do you mean?"
Manuel took her hands. "Aliya,I need you to be my kids' mother."
"Manuel." she said surprised. "Are you sure?"
"They need a Mom. They need you."
"Okay,Manuel. If that's what you want."
"Thank you." he hugged her.
No,Manuel. Thank you! Aliya thought smiling.

In a hospital,doctors were in a room checking on a patient. They asked her if she was in pain and she shook her head. They checked her moving her arms and legs, she moaned in pain and the doctors left letting her rest.
    She looked at the ceiling and thought,Where am I? I don't know what happened. She looked at the door and at the ceiling. Josie was still alive.