Anya gave a nod. “If you are sleepy, you can go to bed. I will read your book.”
Jessica hugged her again. “Auntie loves you.”
That day, Jessica asked Anya to sit in the yard. They put some flower seeds that Jonas brought from a hospital. Kevin made tea while Jonas helped dig dirt.
“If this bloom grows, we will give it a name okay?” Jessica said while petting the dirt.
Anya nodded. “I want to name it Auntie’s flower.”
Kevin laughed. “That’s a nice name.”
Jessica looked at Jonas. “Do you want to call it too”
Jonas grinned. "The bloom of wish. Cause it still grows even when it’s raining."
Jessica gave a weak smile then looked back at the dirt she had felt. Her shaking hands were still trying to help the small life that was set in.
Kevin entered carrying Anya, who wore a soft yellow dress and a pink knitted jacket. Her face was bright, and her tiny hands clutched the ragged bunny doll she always slept with.“Auntie…” The small voice broke the silence.Jessica covered her mouth. Her tears nearly spilled.“Sweetheart…” her voice trembled. “Come give Auntie a hug.”Kevin gently set Anya down on the bed. The little girl didn’t hesitate for a second—she wrapped her arms around Jessica as if no time had ever passed. Her warm hands pressed against Jessica’s cheeks, followed by a soft giggle.“Auntie’s sick?” she asked innocently.Jessica nodded. “Yes, sweetheart. But Auntie feels so much better now that you’re here.”Anya touched the IV tube and pointed. “What’s that?”“A friend that’s helping Auntie get better.”&ldq
“Auntie Jessica, that’s you,” Kevin said gently, mimicking Anya’s voice.Jessica wiped the corner of her damp eye. “She still calls me Auntie?”Kevin nodded. “She doesn’t know everything yet. But she really loves you.”Jonas stood and gave a slight nod to Kevin and Randy, signaling them to step out for a moment. He wanted Jessica to get rest without too much stimulation.Once they left, Jessica closed her eyes again. But before she drifted off, she whispered, “Jonas.”“Yes?”“If I can’t take care of Anya anymore… will you promise to look after her?”Jonas took a deep breath. “Don’t talk like that. But yes. I promise. And you need to promise me something too—to keep fighting.”Jessica didn’t reply, but her fingers squeezed Jonas’s hand a little tighter.Outside the room, Kevin and Randy stood side by side near the window.“If she recovers… we have to change everything,” Kevin said.“Even how we live,” Randy added. “Because we can’t keep hoping she’ll survive without real support.”Soon
Kevin lowered his head, wringing his fingers. “If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have walked out that night. I wouldn’t have left her to face everything alone.”“She’s forgiven you, sweetheart,” Randy said gently. “But sometimes... it’s harder to forgive ourselves.”Kevin gave a small nod. “But I want to learn. If she wakes up… I promise I’ll be a better father and co-parent to Anya.”Jonas stepped out of the room and walked over to them. He didn’t say much—just sat beside Kevin and Randy. The three men fell into a long, thoughtful silence, each lost in their own thoughts.“She moved a little. Not awake yet. The meds are still working,” Jonas said quietly.Randy stood up. “I’d like to see her for a moment.”Jonas nodded, and Randy entered the room gently. He sat in the chair on the right side of the bed, silentl
Anya smiled again, a little brighter this time. As if she truly believed the promise would be kept, and that everything would be okay.After a few quiet, gentle minutes, Jonas stroked Anya’s shoulder. “Auntie Jessica needs to rest now.”Anya looked at Jessica. “Okay. Sleep well. I’ll keep the picture safe so it won’t get crumpled.”Jessica gave her a faint smile. “You’re such a good girl…”Anya kissed Jessica’s forehead, then took Jonas’s hand again. Before leaving, she turned once more. “Don’t forget your promise, Auntie.”When the door closed, Jonas let out a long sigh and returned to sit at Jessica’s bedside. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small letter Jessica had written to him.He slowly unfolded the paper. Her slightly slanted handwriting filled the small page:Jonas, If you're reading this, it means you're still here. Thank you… for everything. I know you’re tired. But you stayed. If one day I can’t wake up, please tell Anya I kept my promise. That I went h
Time felt to go slow in the hospital hall that afternoon. In the treatment room, the quiet beep of the heart monitor filled the air, with a drip of IV and soft hiss of oxygen from the mask on Jessica's face.Jonas was still here, not wanting to go even with the nurses giving him a rest. His eyes were worn out but his heart wouldn't let him go from the lady he had quietly cared for with love that never wanted anything back.Jessica opened her eyes once more, weakly. “Anya,” she whispered.Jonas leaned in. “Anya’s fine, dear. She’s at home with your dad and Kevin”Jessica blinked slowly. “She cried, didn’t she?”Jonas shook his head. “A bit. But she’s tough. Just like you.”Jessica tried to grin, but her face was too tired. “If I’m not tough enough will you look after her?&rdquo
Anya gave a nod. “If you are sleepy, you can go to bed. I will read your book.”Jessica hugged her again. “Auntie loves you.”That day, Jessica asked Anya to sit in the yard. They put some flower seeds that Jonas brought from a hospital. Kevin made tea while Jonas helped dig dirt.“If this bloom grows, we will give it a name okay?” Jessica said while petting the dirt.Anya nodded. “I want to name it Auntie’s flower.”Kevin laughed. “That’s a nice name.”Jessica looked at Jonas. “Do you want to call it too”Jonas grinned. "The bloom of wish. Cause it still grows even when it’s raining."Jessica gave a weak smile then looked back at the dirt she had felt. Her shaking hands were still trying to help the small life that was set in.