After an hour passed, the doctor came back in. “We would like to keep you here overnight, Ms. Linhart, just to make sure everything is under control. Our staff is going to move you to a room now,” he said, then answered a few questions for Bryson.
Misty was silent as they moved her through the hospital. When she and Bryson were alone again, she looked over at him with worry and shame. “I don’t have insurance. I can’t pay for this.”
How could she stay the night here? As it was, the cost of the ambulance ride and the ER would probably take her a couple of years to pay off. But to stay overnight would be impossible. She’d never clear up the debt.
Working part time for a retail store didn’t give the best salary, and it certainly didn’t offer her insurance. Trying not to panic any further, she took a calming breath.
“It’s covered, Misty. Don’t worry about it,” Bryson told her as he took a seat next to her bed and handed her a cup filled with ice water. She didn’t comprehend it at this point, but he knew that she was now part of a family who would never let her down. They would make sure only the best care was provided for her.
That was information for later, for when she was assured of her place in the Anderson family. Once she got to know them, she would understand that she would never be on her own again, at least as long as she didn’t want to be.
“Please, I just want to go. I feel so stupid. It’s my fault. I forgot to eat…or drink.” Her admission earned her a semi-stern look. “I was so nervous…”
“I can guarantee you that your brother will love you. All the Andersons will love you. There is nothing for you to worry about,” Bryson said.
But no matter what he said, she couldn’t believe him. Heck, she was only coming to visit them, and she’d passed out. Was there nothing she could do right the first time around?
“He’s correct, you know,” they heard a male voice say.
Both of them turned to find Damien and Sierra in her doorway. How did they know she was there? What were they doing standing so close to her? She didn’t want them to see her like this. It couldn’t be the way she met her brother! What a nightmare…
“Yes, Bryson is right. We already love you. Now we just want to get to know you,” Sierra said. Hand in hand, the two of them stepped into the room.
Misty was speechless. The newcomers walked over to her bed with a vase full of flowers and kind smiles on their faces.
“We should have come to you in California. I don’t know what we were thinking. I’m so sorry, Mi…” He stopped and corrected himself. “Magnolia.” He took the chair next to Bryson and sat down, then extended his hand, letting it be her choice to accept it or not.
Unsure what to do, she looked to Bryson, who gave her an encouraging smile. She turned back to Damien, who, to her shock, had tears in his eyes, and something more, something that looked like…hope.
“I’ve wanted to find you since the moment I knew you were alive, Misty. I was just a small boy when my mother told me the story about you, and I never thought I would know you, never thought I’d be able to find you. I am so thankful the day has finally come, though. I’m sorry — so truly sorry — for what you’ve been through. I feel fulfilled now because I finally have my sister.”
She slowly accepted his hand, and he squeezed gently. He wasn’t a monster. He wasn’t unhappy to see her. It looked as if he really cared about her — a stranger. Yes, they were related by blood, but he didn’t know her. Why would he care what happened to her? It was beyond her.
As if he could read her mind, he continued, “I know I’m a stranger to you, but I hope to change that. I hope that we can get to know each other, be a real family.”
Misty looked into his kind green eyes and let herself cry. She’d fought it, but she couldn’t any longer, and she shed a mixture of happy and sad tears, happy because this man she’d been so afraid to meet was far from a monster, and sad because she’d gone her whole life without knowing him.
No one could be such a great actor. And what would be the purpose? She had nothing to offer him. This had to be real. It had to be.
Sierra joined her husband’s side. “I am so excited to have a sister. I want to learn everything about you.” She beamed at Misty with eyes just as kind as her husband’s. “I wrote you the letter because my husband started and stopped about a thousand times. We didn’t want to frighten you away, but really wanted you to know that we couldn’t be happier that you have been found. You’re family.”
“Thank you,” Misty was finally able to say. It probably sounded lame, but no other words would come out. She was too choked with emotion.
“We don’t expect you to do much talking,” Damien said. “We were waiting for you to get off the flight, and when the ambulance showed up, I nearly had a heart attack and joined you in the back. We came right over, and I have a doctor here who’s a friend, and he let me know where you were. I just couldn’t rest until I knew you’d be okay. If you’re up to it, then we’ll just sit with you for a while.” His words tumbled out as if from nervousness.
“I’d like that,” Misty replied, her trembling body finally relaxing. Why had she been so anxious? There was nothing to be afraid of. Yes, they might not end up being the best of friends, but maybe they would grow close. Maybe she’d really found a family who would love her. And who would want all the love she was so willing to give away.
“Good. You are so beautiful, just beautiful,” Sierra said. “Your eyes are the exact same as Damien’s. It’s amazing.” She sported a wide grin on her face as she looked from Damien to Misty and back again.
Damien grinned too. “My eyes have always been my favorite feature. Now, I know why. I must have somehow known that they were a connection to you,” he told Misty, making her practically glow.
“I’ve always liked the color of my eyes, too,” she said, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. She didn’t normally like anything about herself — and on the rare occasion that she did, she never admitted it.
“It must be some sibling telepathy or something,” Damien said, making Misty smile again.
“Thank you for inviting me here, for wanting to meet,” Misty said. “It was a very nice plane ride.”