Classic Novel
Picture Perfect.
"Bone Marrow transplant?" Cassandra repeated, her tone indicating her surprise and a look of pure relief on her face. "So does that mean that Ashley's..." "Yes." Dr. Bailey nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It seems like your grandson doesn't have to suffer anymore."
Cassandra's hands came up to cover her mouth as she tried to suppress a sob. Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes and threatened to fall down her cheeks. "That's great news!" Benjamin was quick to hug his wife and comfort her.
Owen too, felt a wave of relief wash over him, the thought of the day Ashley's transplant from his half sibling would fail had haunted him for quite a while. And now, it was gone.
His gaze turned to his side where Leonica was sitting and he was surprised to see tears running down her cheeks.
"Hey," He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer, her tears damping the material of his shirt. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm happy." She managed to say. "So freaking happy."
Owen chuckled and pressed a kiss on the top of her head, not saying anything else and allowing the happiness and relief to envelop them all.
Doctor Bailey had the decency of giving them a few minutes to enjoy the good news before he asked. "So, would you like to go through with the surgery, Ms. Romero?"
"Of course!" Leonica replied without missing a beat.
"Great. Then if you don't mind, the procedure can start next week since you still need a bit of time to fully recover. We'll prepare everything and get you the necessary documents. But for now, all you have to do is rest and relax." Leonica nodded. "Okay."
Dr. Bailey left after saying that, leaving Leonica alone with her parents, Owen and Ashley who was passed out on the couch, using Owen's coat as a blanket.
"This is such great news." Cassandra was still crying tears of joy as she said. "I can't believe you'll be able to help Ashley. Oh my God, thank you."
"It's okay, Mom." Leonica reassured her.
"Yeah," Benjamin agreed. "She's doing this because she love Ashley and that is enough."
Cassandra nodded her head and turned her attention back to her daughter. "Thank you so much, Sweetheart."
"I'd do anything for him." Leonica stated.
"Alright, let's head back now." Benjamin said as he walked towards the chair and picked his grandson who had been living with them for a year. "We'll come and visit tomorrow." "Okay. Drive safely."
"I will."
Owen and Leonica watched them as they left, and when they were finally alone, Leonica spoke up.
"I didn't know that Ashley had started calling you Dad."
Owen looked at her and chuckled. "Yeah. It just happened."
"When?"
"I'm not really sure." He answered. "But I'm not complaining. I'm more than happy to be a dad to Ashley."
Leonica smiled. "I'm glad."
Once again, someone knocked gently on the door and after receiving permission to enter, Doctor Kareem walked in carrying a file.
"Doctor Bailey told me to bring the consent form to you." He handed it to Leonica along with a pen. "It'd need his mother and father's signature."
Leonica gladly drafted her signature in the mother section, but when she glanced at the father section, she wondered if she should tell them that Gabriel was no longer in their life, because he indeed wasn't. After an entire year of sleep, she didn't even know what had happened to him.
Suddenly, the clipboard was taken from her hand along with the pen and Owen smiled down at her. "I'll fill in the form."
He then proceeded to scribble his signature on the document.
"Thank you, Mr. Lee." Doctor Kareem thanked Owen before his eyes landed on Leonica. "Get some rest, Ms. Romero. We'll see you in a few days." "I will."
Doctor Kareem nodded and excused himself, leaving the two to themselves once again.
"I'm tired." Leonica muttered which she found ironic after she had slept for an entire year. Perhaps her body wasn't used to the entertaining it did after it's first day of waking up. "Then rest." Owen tucked her in and sat beside her.
"Wouldn't you get bored?" She asked.
"Nah. This wouldn't be the first time I've watched you sleep." He assured her. "And I'll still be here when you wake up."
Leonica's lips curved into a small smile, a feeling of warmth washing over her.
"Okay." She closed her eyes, a content sigh leaving her lips.
Her eyelids grew heavy and after a few seconds, she drifted into a deep slumber.
A whole week went by and Leonica had gotten the best of care from her family and friends.
Even when she was discharged from the hospital, they were all waiting for her with a feast, a welcome home party, a celebration that was well deserved.
"Congratulations Leon!" Leonardo exclaimed as he released the confetti as she walked in.
"Thank you, Leo." She giggled and accepted the bouquet of flowers and the card her friend was handing her.
"Welcome home, Leonica!"
"Thanks Arvan," She smiled at him before turning her attention to Daisy. "How are you darling?"
She flashed a toothy grin. "I'm fine, also, welcome back."
"Leon!" Megan called out as she approached her, pulling her into a quick hug. "Welcome back."
"Thanks, Meggie."
"Welcome home, mommy!" Ashley said as he offered a single flower bouquet. She chuckled, but accepted it nonetheless. "Thank you sweetheart."
"Welcome home Leonica and
congratulations on a healthy and
p
speedy recovery." Benjamin and Cassandra were the ones who greeted her this time around. The latter greeted her with a hug while the former with a pat on her shoulder.
"Thank you Dad, Mom." She greeted them back.
After all the congratulations and welcoming greetings were carried out, the small party began. Nearly halfway in, Leonica realized Owen was missing. "Mom, have you seen Owen?" She asked.
Her mother was about to shake her head when she spotted said man walking in.
"There he is." She announced, pointing towards the entrance
"Nowhere, just had a little chat with your father."Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
"My father?" Leonica parroted as he took her by the hand and led her towards the balcony away from the small party. "What are we doing here?" She asked.
"Leonica," Owen reached into his
pocket and pulled out a small velvet
box. "I was supposed to do this right
last year, but that didn't happen. So how about I redo it, right now, here."
He went on one knee and opened the smallbox, revealing the engagement ring he had bought one year ago after noticing that the one he had given her again the family house, was gone.
Leonica looked at the shining ring and her gaze melted. "Owen..."
"Will you marry me, luce mia?" He asked, looking up at her and smiling.
"Is that even a question?" She giggled.
"Then say yes."
"Yes."
"Good." Taking her hand, Owen gently slipped the ring into her finger and stood up, pulling her into a loving kiss.
"I love you, Luce mia." He muttered as soon as they broke apart, a smile on his lips.
"I love you too." Leonica answered honestly with a smile on her lip as she knew in a week's time, her life would be picture perfect.