The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 40

"Gaby, look it! We're finally home!" Tony declared as they rushed into the apartment.

A step behind them Regina carried Gabriella inside.

"Gaby, do you want to play a game?" Carlos asked.

"Okay, can I pick?"

"Sure, come on."

Carlos tugged on her arm as Regina carefully set her on her feet.

"Carlos, be careful," Regina admonished. "Gaby, don't run."

Gabriella giggled barely hearing her mother's warning. Regina sighed sinking into a chair. She opened her bag and took out the various medications prescribed by the doctor. All had been explained to her at the pharmacy though she hardly remembered it all. The most important part was making sure Gabriella took it as prescribed.

Absentmindedly Regina arranged the bottles picking one up to read the dosing instructions only to put it down and pick up another. She wondered if she should buy a weekly pill container to separate and organize the pills as needed. It could help Gabriella remember to take them correctly and maybe make it like a game to keep her interested.

"Mommy?"

Regina jerked to attention to see Gabriella was standing beside her. Standing on her toes the little one peeked at the pill bottles with a furrowed brow. She didn't understand most of what happened the past two days but she understood the pills were for her and she hated taking medicine.

"Mommy, do I have to take all of those?" Gabriella asked.

"Yes, you need to take them every day."

"But I don't want to."

Regina sighed. She picked up the little one and settled her in her lap. Smoothing Gabriella's hair she said, "Baby, I know you don't want to but these pills will help you." "How?"

"Well, you see, your heart is working too hard and that's why you get out of breath. These pills are going to help your heart so it doesn't work so hard." "Does that mean I'll be able to run and play like Tony and Carlos?"

"We'll have to wait and see how well the pills work first but yes...hopefully you will be able to run around all you want just like your brothers."

Gabriella thought about what her mother said staring at the pill bottles. There seemed to be so many but if her mother said they would help maybe taking them wouldn't be so bad. She hated always falling behind her brothers when they played and she knew they didn't like holding back either. There were times it was clear they wanted to join the other kids but stayed close to her instead. It would be nice to be able to play with the other kids.

"Okay, mommy."

Regina kissed her temple holding her close. She hated that her baby had to deal with such issues. This was the first time she had some hope that Gabriella might be able to live a normal life. "Mommy, can I color?"

"Sure, but I thought you were playing a game with your brothers."

"No, they always win and they made fun of me."

"Fun of you? Why?"

"Because I told them daddy came to see me in the hospital."

Regina sighed. She should have expected that to happen. While Savannah had plenty of patience for Gabriella's whims Carlos and Tony were another story. When Gabriella created her imaginary friend called Daddy Carlos and Tony didn't even make it a day before they were making fun of their sister's play.

Regina couldn't really blame them. Their little sister playing with an imaginary father was certainly odd. More importantly it reminded them of what they didn't have and what they refused to admit they desperately wanted. She couldn't deny that one thing all her kids lacked was a strong male figure in their life. Perhaps if her own father wasn't...if he at least attempted to be a part of the kids' lives the absence of a father wouldn't be so noticeable.

"Okay, let's get your crayons and paper out," Regina stood carrying Gabriella to the living room.

From under the coffee table she pulled out a tote with Gabriella's art supplies. Setting them out on the table she watched as the little one hunkered down beside the table and immediately began to draw. As much as Savannah immersed herself in science Gabriella took drawing with just as much seriousness. Regina watched her a moment before returning to the kitchen.

Puttering around she quietly made afternoon snacks for the kids while she waited for Renata to arrive with Savannah. Just as she was finishing there was a knock on the door before Savannah entered with her aunt. Seeing Gabriella at the coffee table she immediately dropped her backpack and hurried to her little sister.

"Gaby!" Savannah greeted as she dropped to her knees and hugged her.

Renata watched the sisters a moment before heading to the kitchen. It was best to let them be since Gabriella was obviously feeling better. Regina looked far more stressed than the girls.

"Hi Savannah!" Gabriella giggled liking the attention. "Look what I drew."

"Oh, what is it?" Savannah looked at the drawing of what looked like a couple of people in a boat.

"That's me and that's daddy!"

"Daddy?" Savannah asked.

"Ah-huh, daddy came and visited me when I was in the hospital. He said everything would be all right and he would come home soon,"

Savannah frowned. She was used to Gabriella's whims of fantasy though this was the first time she had been so persistent. Savannah couldn't recall another time Gabriella had actually drawn a figure representing their father.

"Mommy, doesn't believe me. Tony and Carlos laughed when I told them," Gabriella said, "but I really saw him. He held my hand and patted my head. You believe me, don't you Savannah?" "Well..."

"I did see him, really I did."

"Okay," Savannah grinned. "I believe you."

Gabriella smiled and turned her attention back to her drawing. Savannah reached for her backpack and pulled it closer to her. She quietly took out her homework and opened her books. This was almost a daily occurrence for the sisters. While Savannah did her homework Gabriella would draw and color.

Regina brought them a tray of snacks and set it on the coffee table. Moments later Carlos and Tony emerged sitting on the opposite side of the coffee table and turning on the television. Once all were settled in their usual places Regina retreated to the kitchen where Renata was pouring coffee. Sitting at the table Renata picked up one of the different pill bottles and read the label.

"So, Gaby has to take all of these?"

Regina nodded.

"I talked to mom last night."

"I figured you would."

"She says dad wants to talk to you," Renata said.

"Yeah right," Regina smirked. "More like mom wants him to talk to me. She'll make us sit at the kitchen table and tell us to talk. He'll just stare at the wall as if I'm not there and no matter what I say he won't respond until I'm tired of it and give up." "Regina..."

"It's the same every time. You know that."

"Mom promises this time will be different," Renata said. "She's had enough of all of this." "Right."

"Regina..." Renata wanted to say more but the grim look on her sister's face made her stop.

For years Regina had wanted to somehow rebuild her relationship with their father so Renata thought the news would give her sister comfort. Yet there was no sign of hope in her sister's gaze. Could it be Regina had truly given up on him? "In any case, you should really talk to mom," Renata said. "She's worried."

"What did you tell her?"

"That Gabriella was in the hospital. And you would call her once you had answers from the doctor."

Regina sighed picking up her phone. She had put this conversation off long enough. At first she had wanted to wait until she had answers but now she had no excuse and her mother deserved to know exactly why she would no longer be coming home. Scrolling through her contact list she selected her mother's name.