Chapter 45: Strength in Bonds

Elias sat in his hospital bed long after Leo left, staring at the ceiling. His body felt heavy, exhausted from the days of being confined to this place, but his mind was sharper than ever.

Leo's words echoed in his head. You're not gonna leave them, right?

It was a question filled with doubt—because Elias had been the kind of man to leave before. But this time was different. He wasn't just fighting for himself anymore. He was fighting for Lily, for Luca, for Lani.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. He expected a nurse, but instead, Olivia stepped inside, carrying a bag of takeout.

"I figured you'd be sick of hospital food," she said, holding it up.

Elias smirked. "You just wanted an excuse to eat here, didn't you?"

"Maybe," she said, grinning as she sat in the chair Leo had occupied earlier. She pulled out a container and handed it to him. "Lani said you're doing better today."

Elias opened the container, the smell of real food making his stomach growl. "I guess. Still feels like hell, though."

Olivia watched him for a moment before leaning back. "So… you and Lani."

Elias paused, glancing up at her. "What about us?"

Olivia smirked. "You tell me."

He sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know, Liv. Everything is… complicated."

Olivia took a bite of her food before speaking. "You do realize she's been a wreck, right? She tries to act like she's fine, but we both know she's not. She loves you."

Elias clenched his jaw. He knew that. He felt it every time she looked at him with worry, every time she tried to be strong in front of the kids.

"And you love her," Olivia added.

Elias exhaled. "I do." The confession felt like a weight off his chest. "But what if I don't make it? What if all of this just ends up hurting them?"

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Do you think Lani is the type to love half-heartedly? She's in this, Elias. You don't get to push her away just because you're scared."

Elias rubbed his temples. "I'm not trying to push her away."

"Then stop acting like you are," Olivia said bluntly. "She's been there for you through all of this, and she's not going anywhere. So stop being an idiot and let her in."

Elias sighed, looking down at his food. He knew Olivia was right.

Before he could respond, his phone buzzed. A message from Lani popped up.

Lani: Lily keeps asking when she can see you again. I think she's planning an escape mission to the hospital.

Elias chuckled. He could picture Lily scheming with Luca, trying to figure out how to sneak past their mother.

Olivia peered over his shoulder at the message. "See? They need you, Elias."

Elias nodded, determination settling in his chest. "Yeah. And I need them too."

He wasn't going anywhere.

Elias put down his phone, staring at Lani's message with a small smile. The idea of Lily plotting an "escape mission" just to see him was both heartwarming and a reminder of how much he meant to those kids.

Olivia nudged him. "You should let them come. It's been days since they last saw you, and I swear, Lily's been sulking nonstop."

Elias exhaled. "I don't want them to see me like this."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Like what? Alive? Recovering?" She crossed her arms. "Look, I get it. You feel weak, but to them, you're still you. And right now, you need to show them that you're still fighting."

Elias leaned back against the pillows, running a hand through his hair. She was right. Again.

Before he could respond, his hospital room door burst open, and a tiny figure rushed in.

"DADDY!"

Lily threw herself at him, climbing onto the bed and wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Elias barely had time to react before Luca walked in behind her, a more reserved but relieved look on his face.

"What the—" Elias turned to Olivia, who smirked.

"Don't look at me. I didn't help them break in," she said, holding up her hands.

Lani entered a second later, looking slightly exasperated. "I told them to wait until I asked if you were okay with visitors, but…" She motioned to the small girl clinging to him. "Well, that happened."

Elias chuckled, placing a hand on Lily's back. "Guess I didn't have a choice, huh?"

Lily pulled back just enough to look at him, her big eyes filled with tears. "You didn't come home."

His heart clenched at her words. He stroked her hair, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. "I had to get better first, princess."

"You are getting better, right?" Luca asked from the side, his voice quieter but just as concerned.

Elias nodded. "Yeah, I am."

Lily sniffled, wiping her tears on his hospital gown before looking up at him. "You scared me," she whispered.

Elias swallowed, holding her tighter. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

Luca shifted on his feet. "Are you coming home soon?"

Elias glanced at Lani, who gave him a small nod. "Soon," he promised. "But you have to be patient, okay?"

Luca nodded, though he didn't look entirely convinced.

Lani stepped forward. "Alright, I think we've overwhelmed him enough for today."

Lily pouted. "But I don't wanna leave yet."

Elias chuckled. "Tell you what—next time you come, we'll have a little movie night here, okay?"

Lily's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really," Elias confirmed.

Lily squealed and hugged him again before hopping off the bed. Luca just gave him a small nod, his way of saying goodbye.

As Lani guided them toward the door, she paused and turned back to Elias. "You okay?"

Elias met her gaze, a warmth settling in his chest. "Yeah. I think I am."

As the door closed behind them, Olivia smirked. "Told you they needed to see you."

Elias rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at his lips.

Maybe—just maybe—he was finally starting to believe he wasn't alone anymore.

To be continued…