Page 138 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

“He’ll be here on Sunday. I’m not sure if Taylor will still be here. I’m thinking they will try to keep her as long as they can, all things considered. A social worker is going to come in any way. It’s mandatory when something like this happens to anyone during childbirth.”

“Good. I’m glad. Maybe Taylor will listen, but I’m not sure,” Cora said.

“I’ll be here if you need anything. The same as Luca. We aren’t going anywhere.”

“He didn’t have to pay for the burial. I told him that.”

“He’s a great guy. He does what he feels is right.”

“Taylor, she doesn’t understand. She wanted Luca to name the baby, but I got it. That’s too much to ask. I named him after my father. Thomas Mitchell Owens. I’m going to have him cremated and his ashes scattered by my father. I thought it’d be fitting, as it would have been his first great-grandchild.”

“I think that’s a lovely gesture.”

And would bring closure for at least Cora.

The minute she was in her office, her phone rang. If she thought it was Luca, she was wrong.

It was her mother.

“I heard,” her mother said.

“I figured you had.”

“How are you doing? How is Luca? Not that I need to ask because I can only imagine.”

“It was a long night. I came in a few hours late. I wasn’t going to leave his side last night.”

“Of course you wouldn’t,” her mother said. “Do you want me to come to the island? Do you need me to be there for you?”

Her eyes filled again.

There were days she was reminded again and again how lucky she was to have such support in her family.

“I’ll let you know. I’ve got today and tomorrow left of work. It will keep me busy.”

“Don’t overdo it, Gabriela. Even if you didn’t have somewhat of a connection to what happened, it’s still emotionally draining when it’s your patient.”

“I know. I don’t know how Dad and Garrett do this. I really don’t.”

“You’re strong in your own right. You work to your strengths. You love children. Your personality can relate to them. You get them to befriend and trust you with your humor just like your brother does his patients with his compassion.”

“Thanks, Mom. I needed to hear that.”

“You didn’t tell me how Luca was doing.”

Gabriela sighed and sat in the chair, her body wanting to relax, but it couldn’t. Not yet. Her day was just starting.

“About as well as can be. I didn’t want him alone last night and he told me pretty firmly he wanted to be.” There was silence on the other end. “Mom? Did you hear me?”

“I heard you. I’m processing the best response.”

“Just tell me what you feel. You always do.”

“That you’re hurt. I know you are. You feel rejected.”

“I do. That’s it exactly. I didn’t think it’d cut this deep, but it’s like it’s still bleeding when I think of it. Like I can hear his words and his tone telling me I don’t matter when I know that isn’t what he meant.”

“That’s not what he meant at all. I’m positive of it.”