"Would you mind going for a brief walk with me ?" Lucas asked Andriana.
Andriana glanced back at her sister and Karlye's mother. They both gestured for her to go ahead.
"I will be alright go ahead "encouraged her sister.
Lucas offered his arm and she took it following him out of her sister's hospital room.
Karlye had stepped out to receive a call. So Rosie stayed back with Karlye's mother.
"How are you holding up dear " she glanced back at Rosie.
Rosie sighed, "well I can't say it's been easy, I woke up to find three years had passed me by and my sister had been through alot "
"She is a strong one, but it was all for you so it was mostly you who contributed to that strength " she replied.
Rosie smiled, "Everyone keeps telling me that but I can't help but feel sad. She hasn't told me all about it but I know my sister has been through a lot and it breaks my heart that even with mom and dad gone she was still getting hurt "
Karlye's mother tapped her shoulders.
"She said you used to protect her from them that was brave of you even at such a young age ".
"I had to ,she was my sister and I loved her no matter what mom or dad said, I saw her as the most important person in the whole world to me ". said Rosie.
"That was why she waited and kept fighting just so she could be here when you woke up. And Rosie she wasn't alone, every step she took someone was there to help ".
The door opened and Karlye walked in noticing his father and Andriana were gone.
"Your father took her out for a walk " said his mother.
"But mother I don't trust fa.." his mother got up from the bed.
"Karlye why don't you take us out for some nice lunch " she suggested taking his hand.
"Lunch " he muttered like he wanted to refuse.
His mother looked back at Rosie, "Rosie would you love to join us for a lunch date ?".
Rosie blinked then slowly nodded with a smile.
Karlye sighed finally giving in. He couldn't refuse if it was Rosie.
...
Andriana walked slowly next to the tall man. He had not said anything since they left the hospital, they where half way through the healing garden of the hospital.
"How is everything going with your business ?" he suddenly asked.
"Oh, everything is going well father. I am done recruiting the staff, the opening day is near " she said.
"Can I attend too, my son said that me and his mother are not invited. He claimed our presence might be too much for you and your other guests " his light blue eyes glanced down at her.
"It would be my pleasure to have you both. Leave Karlye to me " she let out.
He smiled, "I need to apologise to you about something "
She looked up at him realising he was already staring down at her.
"About what ?".
They had stopped walking now.
"I was against your relationship with my son at first. I guess I judged you before I even met you, I am really sorry " he said.
She smiled, "It's alright I understand ...I..."
"No I shouldn't have done that, I based on your background to draw my own conclusion. I just thought he would be better off with someone of his ...social class " he mumbled.
"Father, now that you have got to know everything about me, what do you think of me now ?" she asked.
He sighed.
"At first all I felt was pity, you had such a terrible childhood and things had been hard even after that, but then I realised how hard you had fought to not let that define you. If it were someone else they would have taken advantage of my son ...although I doubt it would have happened with his personality " they both chuckled.
"I know the reason you decided to go back to your place wasn't entirely because of your sister but because you wanted to show his parents that you didn't want his status or money but loved him as a person. You kept denying his help that he had to go behind your back to help ".
She was surprised he had figured that out.
He took her hands.
"You both are going to be parents and that is a challenge in itself...But I know you're going to do your best for this child just like you have done for your sister. You're going to make a wonderful mother, Andriana ".
She moved, tiptoeing she hugged him. He chuckled returning the hug.
"Thank you for saying that father " she cried.
"And I realised you're the only one who can put my son in his place" he whispered.
She giggled still in his embrace.
Rosie, Karlye and his mother had returned from their lunch date , Rosie stopped noticing her sister and Lucas up ahead.
"I guess father finally got the hug he wanted " she pointed back at them.
Karlye and his mother spotted them. His mother smiled but her son didn't seem impressed by the sight.
"When is the wedding, son. Your father seems to like her too"
Karlye walked off towards the two, separated them and took her hand leading her away.
His father stayed back chuckling. Rosie and Karlye's mother joined him.
"His really possessive of her " Rosie giggled.
"Am worried about our grandchild, with Karlye's attitude he might be jealous of his own child " said Lucas
Karlye's mother agreed.
Rosie blinked looking back at the two.
"Grandchild ....you mean my sister is pregnant ?" She asked.
They looked at each other realising Rosie had not known about her sister's pregnancy.
But why had Andriana not told her yet, they wondered.