Five Years Later

Liora felt a light touch like a feather tap her nose; she lifted her hands to swat it away, but it returned.

As she opened her eyes slowly, she saw them, their mischievous little faces grinning at her.

Liora wrapped her hands around them quickly as she said, “I got you!”

The kids shouted in excitement as Liora rolled over with them in her hands. She started to tickle them, making them laugh louder.

“Mom! Stop!” Amelia giggled, trying to wiggle away from her mother.

“No, I won’t,” Liora pouted as she continued.

The door to her room burst open as they heard, “You guys know some of us really need to sleep, right?”

Liora looked up to see Lily standing by the door, with her boyfriend, Ian, right behind her.

“That’s why you have your room too, you know.” Liora responded as she turned them, finally leaving the kids.

“Uncle Ian!” The twins shouted, climbing down the bed and rushing over to him.

Ian bent and caught them in his hands, rolling them around in the air as he grinned.

“How are my favorite agents doing?” Ian asked.

“Fine,” Adrian said as he finally put them down.

“Wasn’t your shift supposed to end by noon?” Liora asked as she got out of bed, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

The soft sound of birds chirping outside the window and the soft glow of the sky just before the sun came out were so serene that Liora wished the moment could last longer.

“Hmm, hmm, thank God for good coworkers. Not everyone can be a renowned doctor like you.” Lily yawned.

“Hello Liora,” Ian beamed with the kids still in his hands.

“Hi Ian, on days like this I’m happy you’re dating Lily; at least you can get those two little mummy-hungry minions from me.” Liora grinned at him.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.” Ian laughed.

“Do you want to see my new video game?” Adrian asked.

“I beat Adrian yesterday.” Amelia beamed proudly.

"No, you did not.” Adrian shouted in defense.

“There they go again.” Lily muttered, watching them.

“Okay, why don’t you show me?” Ian suggested.

“Yeah! Let’s go!” The twins chorused in excitement.

Liora looked at them, her hands akimbo as she raised her brow in question.

“Hmm, right after we have our bath, brush our teeth, and dress up.” The twins chorused.

“Now that’s my good babies; now off you go. Your nanny should be here now.” Liora smiled.

“Okay!” They shouted, running out of the room.

“See you around,” Ian said, kissing Lily softly on the lips before closing the door behind them.

"Thanks, babe.” Lily replied as he left before dropping into Liora’s bed.

"Ewww," Liora purred, rolling her eyes.

“It’s not my fault you’re married to your job. It’s no wonder you got your medical degree so fast. Who even attends medical school pregnant?” Lily mumbled, laying down to stretch.

“Me,” Liora smiled, adding, “Not to forget that I had already started taking courses three years before.”

“Hmm, hmm,” Lily mumbled, now distracted.

“What’s wrong?” Liora asked as she pulled off her clothes.

“It was complete chaos on my shift last night. Everyone was talking about what’s happening in New York.” Lily stated, sitting up.

Liora’s face became instantly blank as she wrapped a towel around herself.

Lily dropped her bag, sat up, and raised her hands in the air as she said, “I know, I know you don’t like to speak about New York, but you never can tell; what’s happening could be close to you.”

Liora shook her head as she pulled her phone to play her morning pep talk video before walking over to the bathroom.

“Liora, a lot of hospitals are being acquired by the Ashford group. They apparently make offers to struggling hospitals, and so far they have taken about four hospitals.” Lily chatted away as she rummaged through her bag.

Liora’s shoulders had gone rigid, her hand on the bathroom door handle going numb at the mention of the one name she wanted to forget.

“Aren’t you going to your room?” Liora asked before forcing herself to walk into the bathroom.

Unbothered by her tone, Lily continued, “The nurses are bothered; some of their friends might lose their jobs if the Ashford family takes over the hospital they work in. You know the headquarters are in New York.”

Liora turned on the shower to drown out Lily’s voice. She closed her eyes, and that night flashed before her eyes again.

“Liora?” Lily called out.

“What?” Liora shouted.

“You’ve got a package delivered, and by the way, your phone keeps ringing.” Lily said, walking out of the room.

When Liora stepped out of the shower, she saw the package, a small brown box sitting on her bedside table.

There was no name, no return address, and she was skeptical, but she opened it. Inside was a picture with a time stamp at the bottom.

Liora’s face went blank, turning as white as a ghost. It was her mother, the same person she thought was dead.

Written on the note were the words - Return to New York and I’ll show you how to find her.

Just then, the piercing sound of her phone ringing cut through the silence. Liora glanced at it and saw Fiona’s name displayed on it.

“Hello,” Liora’s soft voice said.

“Liora?” Fiona said.

Liora’s brow squeezed, still trying to calm her pounding heart.

“What’s wrong?” Liora asked.

“It’s the hospital; I need your help. The Ashford group… Luke is trying to convince the board that…” Fiona explained, trailing off.

Liora could hear the urgency in her voice. Her heart pounded from shock, pain, and anger all at the same time.

There was no way in h*ll she was going to let Travis get away with this.

At that moment, Lily walked in, holding a cup of tea, and as soon as she laid eyes on Liora, water dripping from her hair, she knew.