Page 42 of Alexander's Heart

‘Thank you, your Alexander and Doc have been very kind to me and are such good men. I’m grateful for all their help.’

‘H-How are you?’ Lily asks, her voice laced with trepidation.

‘Would you like to come sit with me, I promise, I won’t hurt you.’

Lily looks back at me and I nod, then over to Doc, who gives his approval with an encouraging smile.

‘Okay, thank you, my feet could do with a break.’

I place my hand firmly on the small of Lily’s back and guide her over to the chair keeping my body shielding her until she’s situated and then stand by her side.

‘This isn’t easy for me and I don’t know where to start.’ Janelle says quietly.

‘I-I don’t know either, this is... surreal.’ Lily whispers.

Janelle takes a deep breath and starts, ‘When I started working with Doc, I knew something was wrong with me, and that something bad had happened but I have no memory of what happened from a couple of weeks after I started taking that medicine my doctor prescribed for me.’

Lily lets out a long breath. ‘Okay, so you don’t remember being verbally mean and then hurting me and increasingly becoming violent?’

Janelle shakes her head, ‘No, Doc filled me in on what went on, and I have to say that I was shocked and appalled and couldn’t believe I could do something like that.’

‘You weren’t my mom; you weren’t you anymore and it was horrible. I needed you more than ever and you didn’t want anything to do with me.’ Lily looks down and wipes a stray tear, and I squeeze her shoulder reminding her that I’m here and she is safe.

‘I’m so sorry, Elizabeth. I wish I could take it back but I know I can’t. I’d like for us to try moving forward if you’ll allow me. I’d really like to prove to you that I’m doing okay, Doc and the Psychologists have been fantastic at helping me recover and heal and I’d like the opportunity to prove to you that I’m... well, me again.’

Lily offers a small smile, ‘I’d like to try, I can see that you’re more like the woman I knew before the accident, but it’s going to take some time to build trust, I hope you understand.’

Janelle nods, ‘I do, I understand. We can go at whatever pace you’re comfortable with.’

Lily looks up at her Mom with watery eyes, ‘It’s really you, isn’t it?’

Both Lily and Janelle let out a sob and seeing them opposite each other I can clearly see the similarities in their mannerisms.

LILY

I can’t believe I’m sitting across from my mom; she looks like how I remember when I was young, a little older of course but her face is relaxed, eyes clear and welcoming, she looks so calm.

My mind is blown, from the last encounter with her to now you would never think this was the same person. When Alexander and Doc told me all what happened with Mom being drugged and about the quick progress Mom was making, much quicker than Doc ever thought possible, I couldn’t believe it. But I see it now, like Doc suspected her behavior was purely drug induced, and that makes me angry, sad, and wanting to hug my mom.

I move to stand and Alexander helps me up, “Mom, can I give you a hug?”

Her head snaps up and I see her shock, I’m shocked myself but I feel her goodness and need to feel my mom’s arms around me. She looks to Doc and Alexander who nod their approval before she stands and holds out her arms to me. I step into her embrace and start crying instantly, when her arms gingerly come around me, it feels good, foreign, scary, and overwhelming all at the same time. I never thought I’d ever see my mother again let alone feel her arms wrapped around me, one of the babies kicks out and Mom gasps and steps back and looks down at my swollen belly.

“My babies having a baby. I didn’t know.”

How did she not know? You can clearly see that I’m pregnant. I look to my side and Alexander shakes his head, “We didn’t tell Janelle. It wasn’t fair on you or her if you never saw each other again.”

I nod and smile because Alexander and the team have always got my back and apparently my mom’s wellbeing also.

“When are you due? It must be close.”

I giggle and the men chuckle too, “I’m twenty-two weeks pregnant, due October 18th.”

Watching my mom’s expression change when what I actually said clicks, is such a beautiful site, she looks down at my belly then back up to look me in the eyes.

“Twins?”

I smile warmly at her and see the pure unfiltered joy lighting her face. I step forward and hold her this time and it feels more real, my mom is really... my mom. I start sobbing, I can’t help it.

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