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Later, I woke to discover my mom in the room.Mom.My heart leapt into my throat.
“You’re awake? Oh my God, Nadia.” She sat on the bed, and we hugged each other. She rubbed over my back, and the tension in my body eased with every pass of her hand. I sighed in relief and closed my eyes. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
She cupped my face and wiped the tears from my eyes as her own flowed down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, honey.”
I swallowed hard. And she held me for a while.
“Do you know what’s going on?” I whispered when we finally let go.
She adjusted my blankets then sat on the bed and rubbed my head. “They’re checking you out, and then we’re flying to New York City. I’ve picked up your prescription and will help you if you need it. But when you return home, you should rest.”
“Did Paul say anything to you?”
She sighed and patted my hand. “Only that he had a meeting and needed to leave, but he arranged for us to fly back privately. I’m sure you’ll see him soon.”
I didn’t say a word, but I couldn’t help but worry. Paul wouldn’t have left if things were good between us. If I’d spoken up, maybe our child would’ve had a chance to live and be loved.But not me. I’m not enough for him to stay.
“How’s Dad?”
“He’s being waited on hand and foot, but he’s worried about you. I called him to tell him I’ll make sure you’re fine.” She hid her face. “The chemotherapy treatments are going okay. He’s a fighter. I’m sorry we asked Paul not to tell you; we wanted to wait until after it was finished so you wouldn’t drop everything. It was Dad’s and my decision.”
“I love you both, but I’m your family. You come first. If you’re a Wisconsinite that’s small town, so am I when it comes down to it. You’re both more important to me than anything else.”
We hugged again.Paul gave me to Mom, who loves me, and I’m grateful for that.
“Can I please talk to Daddy?”
“Let me check.” She took out her phone and called the nurse. “It’s Agata. Can we talk to Darek? His daughter wants to hear his voice, please. Two minutes. Okay.” She covered the mouthpiece. “They run a tight ship.”
I nodded and took her phone.
“You run off and join the circus?” Dad joked, and my heart contracted.
I chuckled. “Not without the ringmaster.”
“I miss my girls. How are you feeling?”
“I’ll be okay, Daddy. I want to hear about you, though.” I couldn’t bring myself to say cancer.
“I’m still here, kiddo. I’m battling because I have you both to live for.”
My heart ached. I was angry they’d kept it from me and wanted to say so much more, but in the end all I wanted was to tell Dad how much he means to me.
“I…I love you, so much, Daddy.”
“I love you, and I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. I just want you to know you mean the world to me.”
“You and Agata are my world. And that’s why I won’t stop fighting. You keep fighting too, princess. I’m sorry for your loss. I wish I could take your pain away. The boss says I can’t talk anymore.” He coughed.
“I love you.” I got out again before the call ended.
The flight back to NYC took less than an hour. And Ben was right there, driving Mom and me to a new place, still on the Upper West Side. It was even more spectacular than The Hudson.
“Oh, this one was the best.” Ben seemed to recognize it.
Mom walked around with me in awe. It was a duplex with floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of New York City. A piano was in the sunken living room, and custom furniture of dark browns and blacks was arranged near the fireplace. The patio had its own seating, pool, and jacuzzi.
