Bittersweet

~~ Thankful ~~

~~ Jenna ~~

** Four Months Later **

I watched my little Angel run up the pathway to greet me.

"Mommy," she yelled, happy as ever to see me. Her deep brown curls rebounded, framing her beautiful round face. "Are you taking me to see Daddy today?" she asked, pronouncing every word as if she'd just had an elocution lesson.

Dropping my bag to the floor, I bent down and scooped her up. I couldn't believe my little girl was three years old. She had been my constant ray of sunshine these past months. "Not today, Angel; but tomorrow I promise."

Tony had been in hospital for the past four months. He had missed our wedding anniversary, daughter's third birthday, and today was my birthday. Only my daughter and friends had remembered. It didn't bother me.  I'd already received the greatest gift, he'd survived.   So in the grand scheme of life-turning twenty-seven wasn't a big deal.

Following the car accident. Tony had spent the first six weeks in a coma and by some miracle and against all the doctor's expectations he had pulled through. In fact, his recovery had amazed his doctors in such a short amount of time. He started physiotherapy with the utmost vitality, and I never doubted his tenacity and willpower when he stated he would be up on his feet in no time.

It was clear nobody would tell my husband it would take months to get back on his feet.

Feeling blessed was an understatement, and I thanked the Lord. Although perhaps a tad hypocritical, as I didn't believe in the 'Almighty.' But still I thanked whatever higher power for bringing him back to me... to us.

I kissed the top of Ava's head. A sweet smell of vanilla extract greeted me. Baking?

"Hey you."

I looked up to see my best friend, Janelle approaching. She wrapped her arms around me and Ava and hugged us tightly. Ava giggled.

"Auntie J. Nooo!" she squealed, trying to push my friend away.

Janelle feigned indignance, standing back holding her hand to her chest. "Well, excuse me, little lady. I just wanted to hug your Mommy, but you got in the way."

Ava pouted.

Janelle reached out and plucked her small lips between her fingers. "Missy, stick that lip away before I sit on it."

Ava giggled again. Janelle gave me the once over, her eyes troubled by my appearance, not that she would let on and say. Like a sister, she'd been my sanity.  She brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "You good? You look a little tired, hon?"

Sighing; it had been a long day already, and it had barely passed noon. Having dropped Ava off with Janelle early. I headed to the hospital, only to find they had rearranged Tony's physio appointment. Whilst waiting for him to finish up, I had received a phone call from his father, Marco Valentino, who had taken control of our finances since Tony was incapacitated.