Chapter 42: A Family’s Strength

The room was quiet after Lani's words. Elias could see the determination in her eyes, the silent promise that she wouldn't back down.

Lily snuggled closer to him, her small arms wrapped around his torso as if she were afraid he'd disappear if she let go. "Daddy, you have to get better, okay?"

Elias smiled weakly, brushing a hand over her hair. "I will, princess."

Luca stood by the door, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but there was something sharp in his gaze. "How long do you have?"

Elias hesitated. He had wanted to keep that information to himself, but seeing his son looking at him with such seriousness, he sighed. "A few months… maybe less."

Lani inhaled sharply. "Elias—"

"I'm going to fight," he reassured them quickly. "I want to live. For you. For all of you."

Lily immediately brightened. "Yay! That means we can start looking for a new heart, right, Mommy?"

Lani's chest ached at her daughter's innocent hope. She nodded. "Yes, baby. We'll do everything we can."

Luca finally spoke again. "Are you on the donor list?"

Elias nodded. "Yeah, but waiting for a match… it's not that simple."

Luca clenched his jaw. "Then we'll find a way."

Elias felt warmth spread in his chest. His son—who had kept his distance, who had always been the quiet one—was standing there, fully on his side.

"Alright," Lani said, standing. "I need to talk to the doctor. We'll figure out what to do next."

Elias sighed. "Lani—"

"No." She cut him off firmly. "I love you, Elias. I'm not losing you."

Elias's breath caught. He had felt it—seen it in her eyes—but hearing those words out loud? It shook something deep inside him.

Lily grinned. "Mommy loves Daddy!"

Elias chuckled, shaking his head. "You're too observant for your own good, princess."

Luca rolled his eyes. "Took you guys long enough."

Lani gave them all a mock glare. "Alright, you three, behave while I talk to the doctor."

She leaned down and kissed Elias's forehead before stepping out of the room.

Lily and Luca stayed behind with Elias, their presence filling the space with a quiet warmth.

For the first time in a long time, Elias felt like he truly had a reason to fight.

Elias leaned back against the hospital bed, feeling the warmth of his children beside him. Lily was still curled up against him, her small fingers gripping his shirt tightly as if she were afraid he'd disappear. Luca sat in the chair next to the bed, quiet as always, but his gaze never left Elias.

Elias reached out and ruffled Luca's hair. "You're thinking too hard, kid."

Luca scowled, swatting his hand away. "I'm just trying to figure out how we can fix you."

Elias chuckled softly. "You sound just like your mom."

Lily perked up. "Because Mommy is really smart!"

Elias smiled, but he could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He had always faced his struggles alone, but now—having them here, feeling their love—it was overwhelming in the best and worst way.

A knock on the door made them all turn. Olivia stepped inside, her expression a mix of relief and frustration. "So, you really weren't going to tell me?"

Elias sighed. "Olivia—"

"No." She crossed her arms, stepping closer. "You were just going to disappear and handle this on your own?"

Luca muttered, "That's what I said."

Olivia glanced at the boy and nodded approvingly. "Smart kid." She turned back to Elias. "I already talked to the doctors. Lani is working on something, and I made some calls too. We're going to find a heart, Elias."

Elias hesitated. "I don't want you all putting your lives on hold for me."

Lily gasped, sitting up. "Daddy, that's a bad thing to say!"

Elias blinked at her, startled by the intensity in her little face.

"You're our family!" Lily continued. "Mommy says family sticks together, no matter what!"

Luca nodded in agreement. "We're not giving up on you."

Elias swallowed hard. These two kids, the ones he hadn't even known were his until recently, had so much love for him already.

Olivia sighed, her expression softening. "You're not alone anymore, Elias. Get used to it."

Lani returned a moment later, looking exhausted but determined. "I talked to the doctor. There's a possibility of speeding up the process, but we need to do some tests and prepare in case we find a donor match."

Elias studied her. "You're really doing all this?"

Lani stepped closer and took his hand. "You're the father of my children. You're the man I—" She paused, her eyes glistening. "You're important to us, Elias. You're important to me."

Elias exhaled, overwhelmed. He had never imagined being loved like this.

Lily grinned and took his other hand. "Daddy is going to get better, right, Mommy?"

Lani nodded. "Yes, baby. He is."

Luca, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke. "You better fight, Dad." His voice was quiet but firm. "Because I don't want to lose another parent."

Elias's heart clenched. He had never been there when they lost their father—when they lost him. He had missed so much.

But now? Now, he was going to fight like hell to stay.

He gave Luca a nod. "I will."

Lily cheered. "Yay! We're a team!"

Elias squeezed both of their hands, then looked at Lani. She nodded at him, her eyes filled with quiet strength.

They were in this together.

And for the first time, Elias truly believed he had a future worth fighting for.

To be continued…