Arizona
Poor Amelia has had to change the sick bucket so many times that I've decided it'd just be easier for me to sit next to the toilet. She doesn't leave me here, though. She brings me a fresh glass of cool water every time I vomit, trying to keep me hydrated.

"Hey," she hands me another glass of water. "You wanna try getting back into bed?" I nod my head. Still missing my prosthetic, she helps me hop across the hall and back onto my comfortable mattress.

"You changed the sheets?" I ask, surprised.

"Yeah, nothing better than fresh sheets, right?" She says, showing me the most gorgeous smile. I smile in return. She's so sweet.

"Thank you," I say, gratefully.

"You look better today," she says kindly. "You know, apart from all the throwing up." I can't help but laugh a little at this. I need a little lightheartedness right now.

"You don't think I look good throwing up?" I ask, playfully.

"I think you always look good..."

Amelia
Woah, Amy... Where the fuck did that come from? I'm saved by the doorbell harshly ringing through the house.

"I'll get it!" I say probably a little too loudly and a little too quickly. I pretty much gallop down the stairs and open the door. Standing in front of me is Callie and Sofia.

"Hi," Callie says, quietly. "Can... Can we see her? Please?" She asks, earnestly. I look at Callie and my thoughts stumble as I wonder what to say or do. Then I look at the little girl who's clutching a homemade card and a bunch of garden-picked flowers.

"Uh... sure. Come in," I say, steadily opening the door. "Hey, what've you got there?" I ask Sofia with a smile as I crouch down to her level. She happily shows me the card she's drawn.

"It's a card to help my mom smile," she says so innocently. "This is her in bed, and I've drawn these flowers in a vase next to her bed." She pauses for a moment before she continues to explain, pointing to another part of the card. "This person is you looking after her. I also wrote a thank you message for you in here." What a sweet child! I can't help but beam at her.

"Your drawings are beautiful," I say, truthfully. They are very advanced for a 7-year-old. "Your mom's going to love the card. Come on." Without hesitation, Sofia takes my hand and almost drags me up the stairs, card and flowers still clutched in one hand. Callie seems to awkwardly stand in the hallway. I motion for her to come up, too. She follows but stops when we get to the bedroom door.

"I'll wait here," she says quietly. "Just for now."

I give her a sympathetic smile and nod. I open the door and reveal Arizona sitting up in bed, making her way through one of the bananas I'd brought up yesterday.

"Hi, Mommy!" Sofia says excitedly, letting go of my hand and walking carefully to Arizona's bed. Arizona's face could light up the darkest of rooms in this moment right now. She is smiling from ear to ear, and the spark that was missing from her eyes is returning. She immediately looks healthier and stronger.

"Hi, Little Miss!" She stays in bed but manages to scoop the little girl up into her arms. She lets the little girl snuggle into her shoulder and kisses her forehead. "I missed you so much, my darling girl!"

"I missed you, too, mommy!" She gasps as she remembers something. "I made you this card!" she exclaims. "And, I got you these!" She says shoving the flowers in Arizona's face.

"I'll get a vase for these," I say, smiling and taking the flowers from Sofia. Arizona smiles as she looks at the pictures.

Arizona
"Look at these amazing pictures... I can't believe an 7-year-old has drawn these..." I praise Sofia. She's such a thoughtful little girl. I open up the card and can't help but beam with pride; not only at the fact she's been working on her letter formation but also at the sweet messages. The one on the right-hand side reads:

Dearest Mommy,
I hope you get better really soon because I miss playing and reading with you. I can't wait to give you a big hug and I hope it makes you feel really really REALLY better. I love you so so so so so much.
Love, Sofia x x x

It makes my heart ache. I can't wait to spend some good quality time with her when I'm better. I give her an extra tight hug.

"I love you so much, little one," I say, quietly. Tears sting my eyes, but I fight them off. I don't want her to see me upset.

"I wrote one for Amelia, too," she says, pointing out a message on the left-hand side.

Dear Amelia,
Thank you for taking care of my mom. She's very special to me.
When Mommy is better, you can come to the park with us to play.
Love, Sofia x x x

She is such a sweetheart. The thought of the three of us at the park together fills me with warmth and happiness. Why? I have no idea. But, it's such a nice vision that I've decided it's the first thing I want us to do when I'm able to move about.

Amelia
When I come back into the room, I bring Callie with me. We've been downstairs, making small talk over coffee. As we enter, we see that Arizona and Sofia are busy making animal shadows with their hands against the wall. Sofia is hysterically laughing at the voice Arizona is giving to the shadow swan. It's such a beautiful sight. I turn and smile at Callie who just seems to look sad still.

"Sofia, guess what?!" I say with enthusiasm.

"What?" She asks with a smile.

"Your mom has..." I pretend to look around to see who's listening, as though I'm about to reveal a huge secret. "A treat drawer in the kitchen," I whisper. "I think we should go and see what's in it!"

Sofia giggles and takes my hand again. I lead her out, giving Arizona and Callie a chance to talk privately.

Arizona
Callie is standing nervously in my room, shuffling her feet about and staring at the floor. She's probably worried I'm about to start yelling again.

"Arizona, I..." she begins to talk, but trails off. She doesn't want to say anything that's going to upset me.

"Callie, I'm sorry," I apologise. She finally looks up at me, surprised. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that in the hospital. I... I wasn't well."

"I know," she says, finally stepping closer. She sits at the edge of the bed and looks at me for a few moments before continuing. "It just... It hurt a lot. I know we didn't work; not here, not in New York, not anywhere. I know I put you through hell and used up all of your grace. But, to feel like you actually hated me? It broke me, Arizona." She says, tearing up. She blinks before looking me dead in the eye, and saying: "I don't think I'm ever going to stop loving you."

The words make me feel like I want to throw up again. Of course I love her too, but only in a 'mother-of-my-child' kind of way. I have no romantic feelings for her anymore. I know I never will. But, she's holding on to some glimmer of hope that we'll get back together and everything will be fine and dandy. I feel sorry for her.

"Callie..." I sigh before I proceed. "This doesn't work. We don't work. We've been here so many times, and it's not worth going through it again. Not for us and not for our confused little daughter."

She nods in half-agreement, before standing up and walking towards the door. She can't look at me, but she stops before she exits.

"I'm really glad you're getting better," she says sincerely. "You know where I am if you need anything."

"Thank you, Callie," I say, and she leaves.

It's not long before Sofia comes bounding back into the room with Amelia who's helping her carry a vase full of the flowers she'd picked.

"Mom, I'm going now," she says in a matter-of-fact manner. "But, mama says I can come and visit you whenever I like, okay?" I can't help but smile at the way she's speaking. I love it when she talks like a grown-up.

"Okay, Little Goose," I wrap her up in the tightest hug I can muster and cover her little face in kisses. "I'll see you soon," I smile.

"Bye, mommy!" And she skips out of the room towards Callie. I wave at my ex-wife and offer her a little smile. She smiles back and leaves with our daughter.

Amelia throws herself on the bed next to me, limbs everywhere.

"Are you okay?" I ask concerned. She turns her head to look at me.

"She is just the cutest little girl in the world," she starts. "But, my God, she has a lot of energy!" I smile at Amelia and show her the card.

"Have you seen this?" She takes the card from my hand and reads both messages. She's smiling blissfully at my daughter's cuteness. She wears the same smile as she talks to me.

"The park, huh?"

"Will you come with us? When I'm better?" I ask hopefully.

"Of course I will!"