Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 59

December 7th, 2019

"Are we going to be separated?" Javi asked quietly, staring up at me with watery blue eyes.

"No, of course not," I assured him, bringing him into a gentle hug. "I'd never let that happen,"

Javi let go of me with a sniffle, holding out his little finger. "Promise?"

I hooked his pinky finger with mine, giving him a smile. "Promise,"

"Where's Neo?" he asked, tilting his head to peer towards the door.

"He had to run home for a bit, remember?" I told him.

His face morphed into understanding as he nodded.

Neo had left shortly after Officer Lee had, needing to take care of something back home. He'd said he needed to pick up one of the girls from school early for an appointment because Felix wasn't able to. I'd believed him, and I trusted him wholly.

"Hi, Mia, good afternoon," Kayla said brightly, walking into the room as I smiled at her. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm doing alright," I replied, and it was mostly true. I'd been feeling better about everything that had gone down with Alan and his brothers, though I still felt a little bad. I think I'd ruined any chance I'd had at maintaining a friendship with any of them. Javi was pretty miserable too, and though he'd never tell me, he missed them terribly.

"Well, you're looking pretty good," Kayla commented. "I hope you're happy to be getting out of here tomorrow,"

"I'm so ready," I answered with a soft laugh.

"Good. And Neo is here, per usual," she said as he walked in, flashing him a look.

Neo held his hands up in defence. "It's Saturday, I'm not ditching this time," he explained with a chuckle, planting a kiss on my forehead. "Hey, baby,"

I smiled. "Ciao,"

"Neo!" Javi cried excitedly, climbing off the bed and throwing his arms around Neo's waist tightly.

"Hey, Squirt," Neo said gently, hugging him back before turning back to me. "Have you eaten yet? Wanna go get lunch?

I rolled my eyes. "You're always eating," I teased.

He stuck his tongue out back at me. "Well I'm always hungry," he answered with a grin.

"Okay, sure, I'm up for lunch," I slid off the bed, feeling proud of the fact that I felt stable on my own feet again. I was wearing actual clothes - I had been since yesterday morning. As promised, Cato had brought me some things, though he'd been wise to have them sent up with a nurse. If I ever saw him again, I'd have to thank him. I was still wearing his sweatshirt too, which he'd let me keep. It was warm and it was loose, so it didn't bother my ribs too much.

"Mia, there's something you should know," Kayla interrupted, looking at me worriedly. "You have visitors,"

I wasn't sure how to react. I knew exactly who she was talking about, though I wasn't sure how to feel about it. But I needed to face them. I at least owed it to them to let them know what my plans were. "I want to see them," I announced softly.

Neo frowned. "Mia, that's a bad idea," he warned.

"I want to explain everything to them," I replied with a shrug.

Kayla nodded in understanding. "They're in the lobby waiting for you,"

I took a deep breath, clutching Neo's hand as we left down the hall, Javi following close behind. "Do you think they're mad?" I asked nervously.