Jayla Santiago's POV.

"Family of Matéo Eduardo Santiago?" A nurse calls out.

I immediately snap to attention and so does everyone in the room.

She looks down at her clipboard.

"Dr Matthews will see you now" she says.

We all look to my mom, who stands up, signalling me and Leo to follow.

We do as we're told, following my mom to the doctor's office.

My heart starts to pound in my chest as we get closer and I continue saying silent prayers in my head.

We reach the office and my mom grabs my hand, squeezing it gently.

I look at her.

She has a blank expression on her face, but I know that she is scared.

"Come in" Doctor Matthews says.

My mum opens the door.

My brother and I file in after her and my mother and I sit on the chairs, while my brother sits, too anxious to sit with us.

I glance at him and I see a bead of sweat on his brow, betraying his usually calm, cool and collected demeanour.

I look back at the doctor, as he starts to talk.

"Mrs Santiago. Jayla. Leonardo" he greets, shaking her hand and giving my brother and I courteous nods, which we politely return.

He gets straight into it.

"Well first of all, I'm happy to let you know that the surgery had no complications. It went smoothly and Don Santiago is in recovery as we speak. After we are done here, you may go and see him" Doctor Matthew tells us with a big smile on his face.

All of the air knocks out of my lungs immediately, my whole body ready to give way.

"God is good" my mom says with a smile.

I look at her as she remains completely calm, a smile on her face.

Oh, right!

A don has to be contained.

I look at my brother, who's face is flushed with emotions.

He wipes his face and when he looks at the doctor again, his eyes are glossy with happy tears.

My heart pounds as he speaks about the finishing touches of the procedure, that involve my dad staying at the hospital for a couple more days, so they can check on him a little more.

A question, rises to the surface, and I ask it before I can stop myself.

"How's Luis?" I ask quickly, my heart thundering in my chest.

The doctor nods at me, his eyes giving off a knowing sparkle.

"Ah yes. He asked to speak with you specifically, as soon as possible"

My heart flips.

Luis.

"Tell your family the good news and then you can visit Matéo" he says.

As soon as he says this, we stand up, thank him and shoot out of the office to get back to the waiting room.

As soon as we get there, all eyes turn to my mother.

She smiles, but as she tries to say it, her voice cracks and she bursts into tears, nodding happily.

A wave of relief soars over the room and my uncle, Alfonzo stands up to wrap his arms around his big sister.

So does Jerome, Elijah, Belle, James and the rest of the gang.

They then hug me and once we pull away, I make my way straight to Luis as my family continues to look after my mother before they see my dad.

I decide to let them, slipping away to take a look at my dad before everyone else can.

I look through the window of his door and I see him sleeping.

My heart swells!

I can see the colour back in his face and although I know it will take some time for him to regain a bit of weight, I know he'll be fine.

I leave him to sleep, knowing he'll be out cold.

I walk to Luis' room, my heart pounding in my chest.

My hands start to sweat and I clench them, to keep them steady.

I take a deep breath and then I knock twice.

No turning back now.

                             ***

Luis Jones' POV.

"Pops, you're awake!"

I grin as I open my eyes, the first thing in my field of vision, being Kofi.

He looks down at me, a big smile on his face.

I sit up, pain searing through my side, but I don't care.

I pick up my son and grab him into a bone crushing hug.

"Dadddd!" He giggles, winded.

I kiss him all over his little face.

"Kofi, you're my son! Of course I missed you!" I say, releasing him with a big smile.

"I was only with Grandma and pops for a couple days dad!" He says and I laugh.

"You right. I'm being emotional for nothing". I chuckle.

Just as I say this, I hear someone clearing their throat.

My head snaps up and I see Leonardo Santiago standing in the doorway.

I look at Kofi.

"Go play with the kids okay?" I tell him.

He nods and skips out as I turn my attention back to Leonardo.

I feel shocked to say the least, but I'm happy to see him.

"It's been a while" I say with a sincere smile.

He smiles back and approaches me, giving me a gentle but tight hug.

I feel an emotional lump rise in my throat.

I hug him back.

My brother.

My mind flashes back to when we were kids.

Me, him and Ruben were inseparable from the first day our families met.

Always together for everything!

They pull away.

"We gotta talk bro" Leo says, sitting down.

I nod.

"We do" I agree.

"First of all, thank you for all of this man... you saved my dad and we owe you one" Leo says earnestly.

His eyes brim with tears and my chest tightens.

I've only seen him cry once in my life and it was when his daughter, Mila was born.

"I did it for Jayla" I say truthfully.

He regards me for a second.

"I know." He admits.

And then he sits on my bed.

"I also know you still love her. And she loves you too" he says to me.

I shake my head.

"She's in love with the idea of me" I state, my heart drooping some more.

Leo chuckles a little and tilts his head to the side as if to point.

I immediately look and see that Jayla is curled up fast asleep in one of the hospital chairs.

I wince immediately thinking of the pain she'll get when she awakes.

"Leo, get her up, she'll get stiff" I say instinctively.

He laughs.

"She knows. And she refused to move until she saw you wake up. As soon as she'd checked in on dad, she came to see you. Does that sound like a girl who is just 'in love with the idea' of you?" He asks.

I shake my head no, eyes still on her.

I look at Leo again.

"Can't you give her another chance?" He asks.

I smile at him sadly.

"You're not the one I need to e hearing this from" I say to him simply.

He nods understandingly.

"I know. I just wanted you know." He says with a small shrug.

He gives me another hug.

"Think about it, okay?" He pleads.

I nod and as he leaves, I turn my face back to Jayla, my heart stinging.

I need to hear it from you.

I love you.

If you want me, you need to love me back.

———————————————
Hey all!

What did you think of this one?

Tell me in the comments.

And stay safe okay?

~ Xo.