Fernando caught Donna right before she could fall on the floor. As he looked carefully at her face he couldn't not recognize her.
Even if he hadn't really known her personally, in many ways he felt like he did.
Not only the hotel was fillied up with her photos but both Ruby and Sophie had told them plenty of stories of this woman. His daughter. But how could that possibly be true? He was told she was dead. Nothing was making sense.
He quickly took his phone and dialed Sophie's number -Sophie... it's me.... yes, I need you to come upstairs, immediately-
-What is it Sophie?- asked Sam immediately getting up when he saw Sophie hunging up the phone and getting into the house
-I don't know, but I think something is wrong with mom- she said and in less than a second Sam was already upstairs and gasped at the sight of his wife passed out in Fernando's arms
-Sophie?!- asked Ruby quickly following her granddaughter and son in law -What is going on?!-
-Mom!? Mom!- she asked as Sam gave Jake to Sophie and took her in his arms
-C'mon baby... please wake up- he choked as he kissed all over her face -Sophie, please go get some water-
-What... What is going on?- repeated Ruby looking at Fernando and then back at her daughter -You... You saw...-
-How is it possible?- murmured Fernando not able to take his eyes off Donna -I.. -
-What the hell have you told her to upset her so much that she passed out?!- snapped Sam looking at Ruby -She was fine before seeing you. Listen, I respect you, Ruby, but my wife has been through absolute hell and I won't allow you to...-
-She didn't say anything wrong, baby- croaked Donna who had just woken up to her worried husband.
-Mom, are you okay?- asked Sophie, giving her a glass of water -I'm so sorry... we should have told you before and...-
-It's okay... everything is okay- she breathed sitting up and placing a kiss on her husband's lips -I'm okay, Sam... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to work anyone up...- she stooped what she was saying when her eyes met Fernando's so familiar yet so unknown ones
-Do I know you?- she asked confused
Ruby was the first one to talk -You don't... but you probably should-
-I think we should all sit down and talk- added Fernando, after taking a deep breath.
Donna looked at both of them and then at her husband, who helped her get up -Are you sure you're okay, Donna?-
-I am- she nodded as they walked downstairs hand in hand, followed by the older couple. Sam knew they had to talk about it but that wasn't the right moment. -Sophie, can you...-
-I'll take care of this cutie- she nodded kissing her little brother's head -We'll go see where Sky and Donny are-
-Thank you, sweetheart- sighed Donna as they sat at the table and she turned her attention to Ruby and Fernando
-Donna, this is... Fernando- started Ruby but before she could go on, her daughter interrupted her
-Your accent... spanish, right?-
-Mexico- he answered softly and squeezed Ruby's hand, giving her the strength to go on.
-We... We fell in love many years ago in Mexico- she took a deep breath -f... fifty years ago-
Donna just stayed silent for a couple minutes, not saying anything, just holding tightly into Sam's hand -What... what are you... trying to tell me?- she breathed a couple seconds later, even if she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.
She looked at the man with tears in her eyes -S...so... you... you are...-
-I am- he choked quickly getting up when he saw Donna slowly going towards him and, for a second, they just stared into each other's eyes, trying to recognize each other in the other one's eyes.
-I'm.... I'm Donna- she whispered with a tearful voice, shakily extending her hand to shake Fernando's one but, instead of shaking her hand, he took her in his arms and neither of them was able to stop the tears from coming anymore.
-I... I didn't know...- he murmured -I swear if I would have known I...-
Donna looked up at him with a small smile on her face -I know-
Ruby looked at her daughter and the man she had loved her whole life and couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if she did things differently. She took a deep breath and walked over towards them and was glad when Donna didn't move away when she put her hand on her shoulder -Donna, you were right before. We can't change the past and I'll never forgive myself for that but we can try and start again. I know it's late...-
Donna just shook her head and gave her a weak smile -I would like that-
Ruby smiled at her as Fernando wrapped his arm around her and Sam did the same with Donna Well, I think that now we can get this party started!-
