Sunlight filtered through the window blinds, casting golden streaks on the white walls. Aside from that, the room felt stark and cold, unlike the world outside, blooming with the colors of spring.
Ellie sat by the window, watching 2 birds chirping joyfully as they flew around a lone rose in the hospital's garden. She wondered if the Magnolia tree in their backyard had started blooming too, It had been a long time since she'd last been home.
Her mom used to pick the flowers to put in vases around the house, filling every room with their floral fragrance. Sometimes, they'd lay a blanket under the tree. A picnic for two, making flower crowns as they ate sandwiches and laughed. Or they'd do crafts. Her mom crocheting and Ellie knitting, and not long after dozing off in the shade as the sun set.
They probably wouldn't be able to do that again.
"Ellie,"
Her mom's weak voice broke through her thoughts. Ellie's heart tightened.
She turned to the bed. Her mom was trying to sit up, her pale face etched in pain.
"Mom, let me help," Ellie said, rushing to her side. She adjusted the bed, propping her mom up with pillows, trying to make her comfortable. Her heart ached with how fragile she looked. Her mom. The strongest person she knew had become so thin.
"There's something I need to tell you... something important." Her mom started, a faint smile tugging her lips. "I called your father. He should be on his way here."
Father?
The words felt strange. Her mom had never spoken about him. Not once. There wasn't even a picture in the house. She had always thought he was dead. To not upset her mother, she didn't ask about him, though she had always been curious.
He is probably not a good man.
"I have a father?" She didn't realize her voice was shaking. "I don't understand. Why has he never come to visit us?"
"It's not what you're thinking, Ellie. He didn't abandon us. I left him"
She left him. Why did she do that? What did he do? Questions raced through her head, "Why did you leave?"
"We had some misunderstandings, and I was young,… I didn't give him a chance to explain. I left England."
Her mother held her hands, her grip weak yet warm.
England, so her dad was British.
"He loves you, Ellie. He was looking forward to your birth. He actually picked your name."
Eleanor. It means bright, shining one.
Her mother had told her the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of England and France, multiple times when she was younger. The first time was when she was sick and didn't want to use her meds.
"You have her name," her mom said, gently tucking her in after the story ended. "You also have her strength."
That was when she got her first flower crown. Her mother had plucked the blossoms from their backyard, weaving them in a circle. "Every queen should have a crown". She wore it everywhere, even to school, until the flowers wilted.
"Your dad liked to read history books, and he named you after his favorite historical figure." Her mother continued her voice barely above a whisper.
"He tried to find us. He really did. A friend told me he was knocking on all my former neighbors' doors, promising cash rewards for any information." She sighed, "It's my fault he couldn't find us. I made sure of it. America is a big place, so it was easy to disappear. But he didn't stop looking."
Ellie stared at her mother. She couldn't come up with words.
He tried? For years?
Her whole life, she had assumed he didn't want them. Didn't want her.
"I should have told you sooner. I'm sorry. It was selfish and unfair of me, to both of you," Her mother said, tears streaming down her cheeks
"I want you to meet him."
"What if I don't want to?"
"Oh, Ellie," Her mother's grip tightened, trying to reassure her.
"He's an amazing man. Give him a chance."
"But he hurt you, Mom," Ellie choked out. "You had to hide from him for years."
Her mother shook her head repeatedly. "He didn't, I thought he was cheating on me, it turns out I misunderstood him."Her voice was soft and pleading.
"He really is the victim here. You both are. I was so stubborn. Too stubborn for my own good."
Ellie looked down at their joined hands. She had never seen her mother like this, a sobbing mess. Her mother started coughing uncontrollably.
"Mom, Mom," Ellie called, panic filling her. She pressed the emergency button, her fingers trembling
A nurse on duty entered the room swiftly. Her mom soon stopped coughing, though her chest still rose and fell unevenly.
Taking in the sight of her mother's tear-streaked face, her expression hardened.
"Ms. Powell, you should avoid getting emotionally agitated."The nurse advised gently, setting up a new IV bag, "The stress isn't good for you."
She turned to Ellie, handing her a lollipop from her pocket, her gaze softening. "And you, young lady, should be getting more sleep. A teenager shouldn't be carrying around eye bags like you."
"Yes, Mrs. Peter," She replied, unwrapping the candy and popping it in my mouth. The sharp tang of orange filled her mouth. Her favorite flavor
"You girls, always make me worry, you just never listen."
Her mother gave a weak chuckle. "We'll be on our best behavior from now on, right, Ellie?"
"Yes, ma'am." Some of the tension from our earlier conversation was gone, thanks to Mrs. Peter. She must have noticed something was wrong, but didn't mention it, sparing us the awkwardness. She turned to check the monitor, taking notes.
Ellie liked it when Mrs peter was on duty. The other nurses were also nice, but Mrs peter was like a grandmother to her, always looking out for her and her mother. Though she seemed a little harsh and could get really naggy, it was all out of care.
"Your vitals are stable, but I'll let Dr. Kim know about the cough." Then, glancing at Ellie, she added, "Drop by the cafeteria for dinner, it's meatballs and pasta, vending machine snacks aren't food."
Mrs. Peters lingered for a while longer, giving Ellie's mother a final check-over before heading out. "Try to rest," she said over her shoulder. "Both of you."
Silence settled in the room with her departure. Only the steady beeping of the monitor and the rhythmic tapping of Ellie's foot against the floor could be heard.
"I'm sorry, baby."
"Me too, Mom." Ellie gave her mother a hug. "What's he like?"
"Who?"
"My father"
"Oh yeah, Alex," She looked up to Ellie, smiling widely, her voice an octave lower," His full name is Alexander James Clinton. He's very kind, a little shy and awkward, but an absolute sweetheart."
"Do you still love him?"
Her mother didn't immediately answer," I never stopped." She murmured. "There were many times I was tempted to call him, but my pride won't let me. I regret it. You should have had a complete family. I owe you too much."
"Mom, you are the best mom I could have asked for."
Her mom soon fell asleep, breathing evenly.
Maybe her dad wasn't that bad. Her mother still loved him. At least for her sake, Ellie would try her best. She didn't realize she was also looking forward to the meeting, excited about the possibilities.