"I'm Candace," I said gently. "Emma's friend."
Tears lined her eyes as she pulled me into a tight hug, planting a mask-covered kiss to each of my cheeks. "Il mio angelo fortunato."
The doors swung open and she grabbed my hand, dragging me along at breakneck speed.
"Sebastian?" She rounded the corner fast, just like Damien had.
He stood, wrapping his arms around her.
"He's still asleep," he said softly. "They sedated him again. Mom, you shouldn't even be here—you're still sick."
She ignored him, hand finding her mouth, as she pulled fromDamien's arms—attention fixed on Sebastian. "Figlio mio," she whispered, taking his hand in hers. Then softer, "Figlio mio," as she settled into her chair.
Damien turned to me. "Thank you again."
"Anytime," I said, turning toward the door.
"Have a seat, dear."
Rosie's muffled voice stopped me in my tracks.
She didn't look up from Sebastian, her hand still wrapped around his. But the words were unmistakably meant for me.
I hesitated, locking eyes with Damien. This was their moment. Their family. I was just the friend who'd happened to get caught in the crossfire.
He answered with a small smile, so I pulled up a chair beside her and sat, watching for any other small movement.
She turned to me, eyes teary. "Thank you for staying with him."
"Of course." I smiled at her, trying to inject some light into the room. "I'm glad I could help."
"You're such a good friend. Jumping to Emma's aid like this." She sighed. "There aren't a lot of people who would do that."
"She's my sister, not just a friend," I said quickly, then paused to explain. "We've been inseparable for almost thirty years."
Her gaze warmed. "I like you even more now."
We shared a moment.
"You know that girl's going to be my daughter-in-law, right?"
Damien's head snapped up from his phone, where he'd been updating Emma no doubt. "Really, Mom?"
She shrugged. "It's true."
"You've seriously got to cut it out though," he laughed. "Emma nearly had a stroke the first time you—"
"Are you going to propose?" I cut in, voice too loud for the room.
Damien shook his head, laughing quietly. "No. My mom's just overzealous."
"Hush," she admonished, before turning her attention back to Sebastian.
The room settled, attention returning to the bed.
Eventually—a movement—a tiny twitch like before.
Damien rushed to the bed.
