Chapter 11

Portia had been vomiting and bleeding from her nose all night. Her father had done nothing but worry, and that made her nerves more nervous, so she was more irritable.

Rose had quickly gone with Luke to buy everything she needed for the girl, and Luke and Luna had been left in charge of her. The night seemed to go on forever.

-Okay, stay here. It's okay. I'll go downstairs and come back, okay? -James asked. Portia nodded.

He gave Luna a quick, serious look that showed he was overly concerned. He quickly left the room and Portia stared at the ceiling.

- Will it be like last time? - she asked.

- I don't know. What was it like last time? -She asked, looking at the clock. Five o'clock in the morning.

-There were a lot of doctors, and my arm hurt. My body hurt too, and I couldn't walk. -she sighed. Luna felt sorry.

-Really? Well, I don't think so this time. -She said trying to calm the little girl down. She smiled.

-Will you stay with me?

-Of course, I'll be here as long as you need.

- I don't want to go to the hospital. -She exclaimed with a serious grimace.

-Everything will be fine. You'll see. -she smiled. - Your dad and I will be here for you. Rose too, Luke too."

- But Dad always leaves.

-Don't worry, he won't leave this time.

She had to ignore how much that comment hurt.

James came into the room with a cold cloth.

Luna noticed his red eyes. He had cried.

Maybe he didn't want to be seen crying. And he had to escape with the excuse of a cold cloth in order to do so, since Rose had brought one before she left, a few minutes ago.

-Are you feeling all right? -he asked.

-Yes, Dad. Are we going to the hospital?

-Not for now.

-Stay with me.

James sighed.

-I'll stay with you, honey. It won't be like last time, I promise.

-I don't want to go.

-Where don't you want to go? To the hospital?

-I don't want to go with mommy, daddy. -she said heavily.

James's eyes widened quickly and he became excited.

-Portia... don't say that. Everything will be all right, I'm with you. I'll always be with you, you know? Nothing bad is going to happen to you. Come on, go to sleep. -Desperately he took the blankets on the bed to cover her daughter. The girl refused.

-I heard you talking to him- she said, looking seriously at her father.

-Honey, that was a long time ago. I think I've cleared things up for you, haven't I?

Luna just watched. Yes, she had plenty of questions.

-Um, okay.

Rose came in the door with a glass and a pill in her hand.

-Linda, here's your medicine. Will you take it for me?

-Yes.

She took the pill in her hand. She popped it gently into her mouth and then took a sip of water. He grimaced in annoyance and then smiled.

James sighed.

-Better?

-Yes. I want to sleep. -she said and quickly covered herself. Then, she rolled over and closed her eyes.

James laughed.

They left the room. Rose would stay until Portia fell asleep. Luke had stayed downstairs.

-Thank you for being here. - James said.

-You're welcome, that's what you pay me for, right? -she said, looking at him. He grimaced. - I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.

-It's okay.

-James... I want to ask you some questions... I...

-I know... about Portia?

-Yes, I...

-Don't worry, I know I had to tell you. I know I did. - He said and led Luna to her room.

It was huge, even for a master. The bed was barely visible behind a wall where a television hung. In front of it, a gray sofa rested on top of the white carpet. Luna sat down, somewhat uncomfortably.

- Yes?

- Well, she's no ordinary child. She...she doesn't have that many defenses. Her... her heart doesn't work very well. - Luna watched worriedly. - She sometimes can't be like a normal child. She has some pretty serious problems, and well...it can cause her death in the worst case scenario. If we don't do what we need to do. -he said as she rubbed her eyes.

Luna knew he wanted to cry.

-But this is... How long ago was it detected?

-Since she was two years old. I didn't know how to react.

-I understand. It must be difficult. -She said looking at him. He looked at her.

-It is. Quite. You never know when she might go.

-But she's here now, and I promise I'll help you take care of her as much as I can.

-You don't have idea about how much i need your help.

He laughed softly.

-I know, I've been able to tell.

He looked at her menacingly.

Then he smiled.

-Are you saying I can't be a responsible father?

-I never said that.

-Well, you've made your point.

-I'm sorry, I didn't...

-I was just kidding. - He laughed. - I know I need help. Quite a bit, since... Sarah left. - He uttered that name almost in a whisper.

He sighed heavily and took her head in his hands.

Luna knew in that instant, that James still hadn't gotten over Sarah's death, and that perhaps, it would take him a long time to do so.