33. Being Strong

Dad was moved into a recovery room three days later. I stayed and would not leave him alone for one week straight. Nate would come and go with my stuff and my meals.

Dad's near-death ordeal was a memory, that I still couldn't erase from my mind. I would still cry myself in the hospital bathroom, just so he would see me stay strong for him. While in actual I was hanging by a thread. If Nate hadn't stayed with me every night at the hospital and accompany me, I would lose my mind watching dad sleeping every night, and making sure that he would wake up the next morning.

After his office hours, Nate would go back to his place then stayed with me in the hospital, and hold me to sleep in his arms. Bridgette would come by and bring me lunch and accompany me, keeping me sane, whenever Nate was too busy with his work.

I had just got back from the toilet when I heard laughter coming from my dad. Then I saw Bridgette, and it just warmed my heart.

"Ah, there she is, Marissa honey...Nate couldn't make it, he's closing on the biggest contract of this year. So, I'm bringing your lunch, and some fruits for your dad." She was blushing when she mentioned her last sentence making me smile wide. They had grown closer together in these past few days.

"Thank you, Bridgette, please join us. I see that you had cater to dad first." I saw that she had cut and plated dad's fruit mix. Her blush just went to a deeper shade of red, and dad was laughing at her.

"Ah Marissa, do not torment her. There...it's okay Bridgette you can still feed me if you'd like."

"Oh my god! Both of you! I'm trying to be nice here." She was pouting, but then laughed together with us.

"Raymond please, finish your fruits. While I set up Marissa's lunch." She fluffed dad's pillow and helped him sit straight, then moved to the couch and spread my meals on the coffee table.

I was looking at dad, as he plastered his widest grin at me. He was enjoying himself, he was enjoying her company. So I gave him my sweetest smile, as Bridgette was oblivious to my little glances with dad.

She was saying goodbye to us an hour later, telling us that she had to get back to the office and close up shop for Nate. I said goodbye to her first, then excuse myself to get some coffee before she left. While I was deliberately, giving her and dad some privacy.

I came back half an hour later. As they were still enjoying their time together.

"Alright then Raymond, you go get yourself healthier now. Marissa, you too...you should take care of yourself too. He's getting better, maybe I'll see you tomorrow and help out with your things before you get discharge yeah? I'll see my schedule at the office first." She hugged me and kissed my cheek.

"Right, and where's my kiss now?" Dad was flirting with her already.

"My god dad... ewww... I thought I've given you guys enough time already." I laughed at both of them. Bridgette was slapping dad's arm playfully but gave him a peck in his cheek making me smiled at him.

"So? You like her?" He asked me playfully after she had left the room.

"Yeah, I actually do like her dad. But you don't have to rush everything because of me. I'm good dad, just take your time okay? Tomorrow, we're coming back home. I'm going to take care of you, dad. You're going to be just fine." But with that last words, I lost it. All the time that I've cried without him knowing, all the time I've made myself look strong for him, the wall that I carefully built, all came falling down. And I cried, sobbing as he pulled me into his embrace.

"Oh Marissa, baby...that's it. You're taking time off from taking care of me. You're too tired, you need to sleep in a bed. I'm not that helpless. I'll ask Albert to cover for you, get an additional maid, and a nurse if I needed to. But you really need to rest. God... I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe you should stay at Nate's for awhile. You would still be taking care of me if you stayed in the house. Just for a couple of days?" He stroked my hair lovingly.

"Oh dad, I can't believe you're letting me playhouse with Nate. Wait...Or are you looking for more privacy with Bridgette? Ewww... dad!!" But he just chuckled at me.

"Marissa, don't ask questions that you wouldn't want me to explain to you in great detail." He was telling me while laughing and patted my arm.

"Oh, my godddd!!" Then we both laughed and forget about my worries.

Nate arrived just after dad had his dinner. He talked with dad for while, then Nate was told to take me back to his place that night. Dad was telling him to let me sleep in a real bed.

"Don't worry, I will take care of her Raymond. I'm taking a day off tomorrow to take you home and settled everything and yes, I'm taking Marissa back with me afterward." He smiled at me. Then we both said our goodbyes for the night.

"So, what's with the tears baby?" He asked me as we got in the car.

"I don't know, maybe it's dad or maybe I'm just too tired. It just seems that life is too short. I just don't want to lose him just yet." I shrugged at him.

We arrived at his place an hour later, after we had a quick dinner. "Baby, wake up. We're here..." He kissed my temple and tried to wake me up. But I was too tired.

Then he carried me back to his place and laid me down in his bed. He stripped me off put me in his t-shirt and pulled me in his chest as I snuggled in closer to his warmth and had the best sleep I've had in days.

"I love you, Nate, always...." I trailed my words as I drifted off to sleep.

"Me too little one...always. Now sleep baby, get some rest."