For the next couple of hours, only the sounds of laughter could be heard
escaping the four curtains around Antonio's hospital bed. Dr. Russell soon
came walking through the curtain with a smile on her face.
"Okay, Lopez-Fitzgerald's" She laughed. "It's time to leave Antonio and let him get some R & R!"
"But, Dr. Russell." Paloma pleaded.
"No, "buts" Paloma." She shook her head at the young girl. She couldn't believe that the youngest of the siblings was home, but it was great seeing her friend Pilar in such a wonderful mood. "I know that you just got back, but Antonio really does need to rest right now. We'll be moving him upstairs in a room, later this afternoon. You can all come back around then."
"Dr. Russell," Antonio turned towards the direction of the doctor's voice. "I'm fine. Can't I just go home with my family?"
"I am sorry, Antonio." She sighed. "But, we'll need you to stay here for just another day or so. I want to be sure that the new medication I've prescribed for you is doing its job."
He slumped up against the hospital bed in defeat. He hated being ruled by this illness. It wasn't in Antonio's nature to allow anything to tell him how to live his life.
Miguel could see that his brother was disappointed in what Dr. Russell had to say.
"Hey, don't worry about it Antonio." Miguel piped. "The time will fly by in no time, and we'll all come back this afternoon to visit again. But, Dr. Russell is right, you need some time to rest."
"And some of us need a shower." Luis chimed as he playfully hit his little brother's stomach.
"Oh, Luis." Theresa waved her hand at him.
"Okay, mijos," Pilar entered the conversation. "Let's let Antonio get his rest. I am exhausted too, you know?"
"Mama," Antonio's face fell. "I'm so sorry I kept you up."
"Antonio," Pilar took her son's hand in hers. "That's not what I meant. You don't have anything to be sorry for."
"Okay, guys." Dr. Russell interrupted. "It really is time, now."
"Well," Paloma smiled as she hopped off Antonio's bed. "We'll be going then, but we promise to return, well-rested, and hopefully for those of us who need it, freshly showered!"
The whole room erupted with laughter as Miguel ran to the other side of the bed to chase his sister. Theresa couldn't help but laugh at the sight, it had been too long since she'd heard her sister joke like that. Ever since they were younger, Paloma had to use her silly side to get attention in her seven-person family. Apparently, she had not lost her quick wit.
"That's enough, mijos." Pilar laughed as she watched Paloma dive out of the way of Miguel's reach.
"Alright, guys." Luis spoke in a very serious tone. "Let's go before Dr. Russell kicks us out."
They all said their last goodbyes to Antonio, which took another ten minutes, and as each one said goodbye the stepped out of the curtain till it was just Paloma and Antonio.
"Who knew the two MIA-siblings would come back, huh?" Paloma joked.
"Paloma, I'm really glad you're back." Antonio smiled.
"And I'm just so happy to see that you are here too." She wrapped her arms around Antonio's neck and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Now, you get your rest."
"Yes, ma'am."
She stepped out from behind the curtain and followed her family out the ER doors. Theresa slowed her pace to let Paloma catch up to her, and when they were walking side by side, she wrapped an arm over her sister's shoulders and smiled.
"I can't tell you how much I've missed you." Theresa sighed.
"Me either, Rese." Paloma was hoping that this would be the start of a brand new relationship with her sister. "Me either."
*****************************
"So, where do you want me to start?" Theresa asked as she and Paloma drove to their mother's house.
"How did you know that I was about to ask you about what was going on in your life?" Paloma turned her head at her sister's question.
"Mana," Theresa giggled. "I could always read your mind. Besides, you've been gone for so long, so I figured you'd want to do a little catching up."
"Of course I would." Paloma shifted in her seat to face her sister. "Listen, Theresa. I've overhead some of the conversations that Mama has with Tia Anita over the phone. Mama always dances around the subject when I ask about you and your, let's say, situation of life. So, girl, SPILL!"
"So, I'll ask again." Theresa glanced at her sister whose eyes were wider that saucers. "Where do you want me to start?"
"From the VERY beginning!" Paloma stressed.
"Well, it all started when I was at the Harmony Carnival a few years back," Theresa began.
The sisters remained in the car as they pulled into their mother's driveway. They stayed parked in the car as Theresa flailed her arms around in gestures to better tell the story to her amused sister. Thirty minutes later, Theresa finally concluded.
"So, that's where I am today!" She exhausted herself telling her life's story to Paloma. She hurried past most of the parts where it was almost too difficult to explain without crying.
Paloma sat back in her seat and allowed the information to sink in. She stared off into the snow from her window as the two sat in silence for a couple minutes. As soon as she felt she was ready to talk, she turned back to Theresa and looked into her eyes.
"I knew that it was 'complicated'", Paloma shook her head. "But, I didn't think it was THAT complicated. Theresa, I don't know what to say, honestly! Some of the things you've done, you know I don't agree with, but you ARE my sister and I can see how much this troubles you."
Theresa sighed. She told Paloma pretty much everything. She told her what she had done and how she tried to manipulate her situation with Ethan to her advantage. She knew that Paloma wouldn't take some of the information well, but she was glad to hear that her sister was still on her side.
"I love you, sita." Paloma smiled. "You are my sister for life, like Luis always say's 'blood is thicker than water.' I would never side with anyone over you, but I do have to admit that I'm a little shocked that you hadn't said anything about this to me in the past."
"Mana, it's like this. I didn't want to get you worried, that's all." Theresa reached out for her sister's hand. "I'm so sorry I disappointed you."
"Don't be, Sita." Paloma sighed. "It's all in the past, and I pray that from this day forward you'll live a life that is pleasing to both you and God."
"Thank you, Mana." Theresa wrapped her sister in a hug. "So, we're okay?"
"Definitely!"
The two sisters were interrupted by an annoyed-looking Miguel and Luis, who were peering through the windshield at their sisters. Luis lifted a finger and with a raised brow he signaled them to exit the vehicle. The sister laughed, collected their things, and walked out into the cold with their brothers following behind them. The two men gave each other a "look" and simultaneously grinned as they reached out and shoved their sister's into the snow.
"That was SO uncalled for!" Theresa jumped up with snow still on her new suede jacket.
"You are BOTH going DOWN!" Paloma screamed as she and Theresa chased their brothers around the front yard of the Lopez-Fitzgerald yard.
Paloma peered through the window at the sight of her children in the snow. It brought joy to her heart and tears to her eyes to finally have all her children safe at home. She knew that it would be a tough transition for Paloma, just as it had been for Antonio, but she prayed to God that her family would one day be as close at it had been before either of them had left. Pilar knew, from looking out the window that blessed winter day, that in time everything would work out for the best.
***********************************************************************
{ *a/n* Hope you all liked! BTW, Here's what's to come ---- SPOILERS for future chapters:}
- Antonio comes home
- Paloma sorts out her feelings about her relationship with her family while Theresa shows her the family albums.
- Miguel begins to "deal" with his situation with Kay and Charity
- Luis ponders his future w/ Sheridan
- An old friend of Theresa's comes back to Harmony
- And Paloma meets up with a young man who she's had a past with
***This fic is really starting to grow on me.I have a feeling this may be very long, SO please bear with me! If you have any suggestions, comments, reviews, please post! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews so far!***
"Okay, Lopez-Fitzgerald's" She laughed. "It's time to leave Antonio and let him get some R & R!"
"But, Dr. Russell." Paloma pleaded.
"No, "buts" Paloma." She shook her head at the young girl. She couldn't believe that the youngest of the siblings was home, but it was great seeing her friend Pilar in such a wonderful mood. "I know that you just got back, but Antonio really does need to rest right now. We'll be moving him upstairs in a room, later this afternoon. You can all come back around then."
"Dr. Russell," Antonio turned towards the direction of the doctor's voice. "I'm fine. Can't I just go home with my family?"
"I am sorry, Antonio." She sighed. "But, we'll need you to stay here for just another day or so. I want to be sure that the new medication I've prescribed for you is doing its job."
He slumped up against the hospital bed in defeat. He hated being ruled by this illness. It wasn't in Antonio's nature to allow anything to tell him how to live his life.
Miguel could see that his brother was disappointed in what Dr. Russell had to say.
"Hey, don't worry about it Antonio." Miguel piped. "The time will fly by in no time, and we'll all come back this afternoon to visit again. But, Dr. Russell is right, you need some time to rest."
"And some of us need a shower." Luis chimed as he playfully hit his little brother's stomach.
"Oh, Luis." Theresa waved her hand at him.
"Okay, mijos," Pilar entered the conversation. "Let's let Antonio get his rest. I am exhausted too, you know?"
"Mama," Antonio's face fell. "I'm so sorry I kept you up."
"Antonio," Pilar took her son's hand in hers. "That's not what I meant. You don't have anything to be sorry for."
"Okay, guys." Dr. Russell interrupted. "It really is time, now."
"Well," Paloma smiled as she hopped off Antonio's bed. "We'll be going then, but we promise to return, well-rested, and hopefully for those of us who need it, freshly showered!"
The whole room erupted with laughter as Miguel ran to the other side of the bed to chase his sister. Theresa couldn't help but laugh at the sight, it had been too long since she'd heard her sister joke like that. Ever since they were younger, Paloma had to use her silly side to get attention in her seven-person family. Apparently, she had not lost her quick wit.
"That's enough, mijos." Pilar laughed as she watched Paloma dive out of the way of Miguel's reach.
"Alright, guys." Luis spoke in a very serious tone. "Let's go before Dr. Russell kicks us out."
They all said their last goodbyes to Antonio, which took another ten minutes, and as each one said goodbye the stepped out of the curtain till it was just Paloma and Antonio.
"Who knew the two MIA-siblings would come back, huh?" Paloma joked.
"Paloma, I'm really glad you're back." Antonio smiled.
"And I'm just so happy to see that you are here too." She wrapped her arms around Antonio's neck and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Now, you get your rest."
"Yes, ma'am."
She stepped out from behind the curtain and followed her family out the ER doors. Theresa slowed her pace to let Paloma catch up to her, and when they were walking side by side, she wrapped an arm over her sister's shoulders and smiled.
"I can't tell you how much I've missed you." Theresa sighed.
"Me either, Rese." Paloma was hoping that this would be the start of a brand new relationship with her sister. "Me either."
*****************************
"So, where do you want me to start?" Theresa asked as she and Paloma drove to their mother's house.
"How did you know that I was about to ask you about what was going on in your life?" Paloma turned her head at her sister's question.
"Mana," Theresa giggled. "I could always read your mind. Besides, you've been gone for so long, so I figured you'd want to do a little catching up."
"Of course I would." Paloma shifted in her seat to face her sister. "Listen, Theresa. I've overhead some of the conversations that Mama has with Tia Anita over the phone. Mama always dances around the subject when I ask about you and your, let's say, situation of life. So, girl, SPILL!"
"So, I'll ask again." Theresa glanced at her sister whose eyes were wider that saucers. "Where do you want me to start?"
"From the VERY beginning!" Paloma stressed.
"Well, it all started when I was at the Harmony Carnival a few years back," Theresa began.
The sisters remained in the car as they pulled into their mother's driveway. They stayed parked in the car as Theresa flailed her arms around in gestures to better tell the story to her amused sister. Thirty minutes later, Theresa finally concluded.
"So, that's where I am today!" She exhausted herself telling her life's story to Paloma. She hurried past most of the parts where it was almost too difficult to explain without crying.
Paloma sat back in her seat and allowed the information to sink in. She stared off into the snow from her window as the two sat in silence for a couple minutes. As soon as she felt she was ready to talk, she turned back to Theresa and looked into her eyes.
"I knew that it was 'complicated'", Paloma shook her head. "But, I didn't think it was THAT complicated. Theresa, I don't know what to say, honestly! Some of the things you've done, you know I don't agree with, but you ARE my sister and I can see how much this troubles you."
Theresa sighed. She told Paloma pretty much everything. She told her what she had done and how she tried to manipulate her situation with Ethan to her advantage. She knew that Paloma wouldn't take some of the information well, but she was glad to hear that her sister was still on her side.
"I love you, sita." Paloma smiled. "You are my sister for life, like Luis always say's 'blood is thicker than water.' I would never side with anyone over you, but I do have to admit that I'm a little shocked that you hadn't said anything about this to me in the past."
"Mana, it's like this. I didn't want to get you worried, that's all." Theresa reached out for her sister's hand. "I'm so sorry I disappointed you."
"Don't be, Sita." Paloma sighed. "It's all in the past, and I pray that from this day forward you'll live a life that is pleasing to both you and God."
"Thank you, Mana." Theresa wrapped her sister in a hug. "So, we're okay?"
"Definitely!"
The two sisters were interrupted by an annoyed-looking Miguel and Luis, who were peering through the windshield at their sisters. Luis lifted a finger and with a raised brow he signaled them to exit the vehicle. The sister laughed, collected their things, and walked out into the cold with their brothers following behind them. The two men gave each other a "look" and simultaneously grinned as they reached out and shoved their sister's into the snow.
"That was SO uncalled for!" Theresa jumped up with snow still on her new suede jacket.
"You are BOTH going DOWN!" Paloma screamed as she and Theresa chased their brothers around the front yard of the Lopez-Fitzgerald yard.
Paloma peered through the window at the sight of her children in the snow. It brought joy to her heart and tears to her eyes to finally have all her children safe at home. She knew that it would be a tough transition for Paloma, just as it had been for Antonio, but she prayed to God that her family would one day be as close at it had been before either of them had left. Pilar knew, from looking out the window that blessed winter day, that in time everything would work out for the best.
***********************************************************************
{ *a/n* Hope you all liked! BTW, Here's what's to come ---- SPOILERS for future chapters:}
- Antonio comes home
- Paloma sorts out her feelings about her relationship with her family while Theresa shows her the family albums.
- Miguel begins to "deal" with his situation with Kay and Charity
- Luis ponders his future w/ Sheridan
- An old friend of Theresa's comes back to Harmony
- And Paloma meets up with a young man who she's had a past with
***This fic is really starting to grow on me.I have a feeling this may be very long, SO please bear with me! If you have any suggestions, comments, reviews, please post! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews so far!***