Page 12 of I Survived and will rise again

What the hell is she doing here?

She looks fucking exhausted. Her curly hair is frizzy and messy, indicating she might have been up all night. Her eyes are bloodshot from what I guess is lack of sleep, and her face is ashen.

“How is she?” Sadie asks in a hoarse voice once she’s closer.

“Gabby and the baby are doing fine,” I reply, “but Sadie, what the hell are you doing here? You look like you've been run over by a truck. You have a baby to think about.” I gently place my hands on her shoulders and gaze down at her belly to emphasize the gravity of the situation.

“I know, but I wanted to be here for you and Gabby."

I pull her into a hug, sensing the exhaustion in every fiber of her being. I rest my chin on her head. “I appreciate your concern, but you need to take care of yourself and the little munchkin growing inside you,” I say, hoping my words will resonate with her. She nods, her head still nestled against my chest.

Just then, I catch Donnie making his way over to us. “Hey, man,” he greets me with a friendly nod.

“Please take her home,” I say, my gaze shifting toward the tiny, stubborn Puerto Rican in my arms. “Sadie needs to get her ass in bed and eat some rice and beans.” I chuckle, gently pushing her toward Donnie, who wraps his arms around her protectively.

“He's always so bossy,” Sadie murmurs playfully, her words eliciting a smile from me and a snort from Donnie.

With a warning tone, I affirm, “You bet your ass I am,” as Donnie places a gentle kiss on her head.

Sadie stands there, turning away from Donnie’s chest, and looks at me with her big, pleading eyes. “Are you seriously going to turn me away? I drove all the way here,” she says, her lips pursed with a hint of a pout.

“You mean,Idrove us here,” Donnie says with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Sadie rolls her eyes. “Yeah, whatever. But still, Javi, don't be so mean. I'm pregnant,” she murmurs, her voice infused with desperation, but playful.

“Yeah, exactly. Which is why you need to go home and rest.” Despite my efforts to remain resolute, I can sense my resolve weakening even as I speak.

I meet Donnie's gaze, my eyes narrowing. “Are you going to help me or what?” I say, challenging him.

Donnie shakes his head, a cocky grin playing on his lips. “This is a matter between siblings,” he replies, his tone light and teasing. “I know better than to get involved.”

“Fine.” I reluctantly give in to her caramel eyes that resemble the color of root beer.

Sadie's face lights up with a huge, triumphant smile.

“It's the eyes.” Donnie smirks. “Gets me every time.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes at Donnie's comment. “Yeah, no shit,” I mutter under my breath. Even though I’m annoyed as hell, I can’t resist my little sister.

“Come on,” I say, trying to sound pissed off but failing. Sadie follows me eagerly into Gabby's room, her face lighting up at the sight of her niece.

As we step into the dimly lit room, my eyes are immediately drawn to Gabby's figure lying in the bed. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminates her pale skin, and I can see the faint outlines of her delicate features. Her eyes sparkle with recognition as she notices my presence, and a small smile tugs at the corners of her lips.

As we step further into the room, my eyes immediately gravitate toward my little angel in the small clear box, tubes coming out of her tiny body.

“Hey, baby,” I say softly, moving closer to Gabby and sitting on the bed beside her.

“Hey,” she responds in a gravelly voice.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, concern filling my voice.

She nods slightly. “Tired.”

As I reach out to hold her hand, I notice her hair falling in her face, so I gently tuck it behind her ear, wanting to make her as comfortable as possible. “You’ve got visitors.”

Gabby looks over my shoulder and greets Sadie and Donnie with a broad smile. “Hey, guys,” Gabby says warmly.

“Hey, Gabby. It’s nice to see you again,” Donnie replies.

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