Page 45 of The Doctor's Promise
“Are you in love with Rafael?”
She nodded, meeting his gaze steadily. “Very much so.” She gave him a half-smile. “If your next sentence is something like ‘then you should know the truth about him,’ I warn you, I’ll take it with a grain of salt.”
Drew laughed. “There is something you should know about Rafa: he made my sister very happy. He’s a terrific father and a good man.”
Noemi smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“As for the other thing, you’ll have to forgive my presumption. To be honest with you, since Tomi’s death, I’ve been struggling. I should have been here more, should have spent more time with her. I regret that.”
“Then spend more time with Bepi now. I’m sure he’d love to know his uncle.”
Drew smiled at her gratefully. “I will, thank you.”
Noemi went to the hospital afterwards and told Lazlo she wanted to come back to work. “It’s time, Laz, time to get back on the horse.”
“I’m glad, Noe. We could do with your help around here. Finn resigned.”
Noemi was shocked. “Oh, no…”
Lazlo nodded, his expression unhappy. “He’s not dealing with Jack’s death well.”
“It wasn’t his fault.”
Lazlo smiled at her kindly. “I remember saying something similar to you many, many times. Finn, like you, will believe that when he believes that.”
“I guess.” Noemi shook her head. “Ever wonder if it’s worth it? This career? For the loss?”
They looked at each other and then smiled. “Yes,” they said in unison.
“Although, I should tell you, Laz… I’m going to need some time off in about seven and a half months.” Noemi was nervous now, but Lazlo laughed.
“Oh, sweetheart, congratulations! I take it you’re not telling anyone yet?”
“Not yet. Obviously, Laz, if you do see Leo… we haven’t told her yet so…”
“Gotcha.” He got up and hugged her. “I hope you and Rafael are very happy.”
“Thank you, Laz.”
Noemi went backto Rafa’s mansion, feeling more settled than she had for a while. One thing at a time, she thought now. She dumped her purse on the bed, but it fell off and the Polaroid photograph that had been left on her windshield fell out. She picked it up, studying it. She hadn’t told Rafa about it or the one sent to her phone, distracted by other things but now she felt foolish. It was weird, right?
She put it back in her purse and resolved to talk to Rafa about it when he got home. She drove to collect Bepi from kindergarten, singing and chatting with him as they went home. She served him milk and cookies as they sat in the kitchen.
“Nommy?”
“Yes, bubba?”
He looked at her with wide green eyes, so like his father’s. “Do you remember my mommy?”
Noemi felt her heart ache. “I do, sweetie, very well. Your mommy was so lovely. She was funny and kind and she loved you more than anything.”
“More than Pa?”
Noemi smiled. “It’s a different kind of love. You’ll understand when you grow up. But she loved you both with all her heart.”
Bepi was silent for a long moment, drinking his milk. Then he put his glass down. “I can’t remember her much anymore,” he said, his little face ashamed, and Noemi hugged him, pulling him onto her lap. “It’s not nice to not remember Mommy.”
“Darling, you were very, very young when Mommy died. It’s not your fault; this is what happens. In a strange way, it happens so that you can feel less sad. I promise, Pa and me, we won’t let you forget her. Not ever. Okay?”
