Once Elijah was in fresh attire, Ms. Sandra insisted on a thorough health check for them both, redoing some tests they had completed just months earlier.
The doctor assured them of their excellent health.
Still not completely satisfied, Ms. Sandra requested additional nutritional supplements to be prescribed.
Following the examination, Elijah suggested to Ms. Sandra, “Mom, why don’t you go ahead home? Elizabeth and I need to stop by to see Gracie.”
Ms. Sandra harbored little warmth for the Oliver family and held similar sentiments toward the elder from the small town. She had never once visited Elizabeth’s grandmother, Gracie, since the couple’s wedding.
After a brief moment of reflection, Ms. Sandra replied, “I will come with you.”
She promptly used her phone and instructed the driver, “Please bring two boxes of the fish oil I picked up today.”
Elizabeth moved closer and quietly expressed her gratitude. “Thank you, Ms. Sandra.”
Elijah’s curiosity piqued.
Yet, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself, sensing that any comment might disrupt the current harmony.
In the hospital room, Gracie had just enjoyed a massage and was reclining on her bed, visibly rejuvenated.
The arrival of Elizabeth and Elijah caught her off guard, but she quickly welcomed them with a smile.
Just as she was about to speak, she spotted Ms. Sandra next to them and inquired with a hint of surprise, “And who do we have here?”
Ms. Sandra stepped closer to the bed, grasped Gracie’s hand gently, and introduced herself, saying, “Gracie, I’m Elijah’s mother. I’ve been caught up with family issues and regret not coming by earlier.” As she offered this explanation, Ms. Sandra felt a twinge of embarrassment, recognizing the frailty of her justification.
For two years, she had been too “busy” to visit.
Ms. Sandra took the fish oil from Elijah and set it on the bedside table, saying, “Gracie, I recommend this fish oil. Even my mother-in-law finds it beneficial for health.”
Gracie clasped Ms. Sandra’s hand with a warm smile. “It’s kind of you to consider my health.”
Beside these, Elijah arranged his presents, prompting Oliver to quickly explain to the caregiver the correct usage of each item.
Gracie’s laughter filled the room. “Knowing that Elizabeth and Elijah are content, I feel at peace even if I meet my end tomorrow.”
“Ms. Sandra, please, take a seat,” Elizabeth said. She fetched a chair for Ms. Sandra and then seated herself near the bed, fussing with the blanket. “Oh, Grandma, you’ve always held the belief that words hold mysterious power in fulfilling themselves, yet now you talk like that.”
Gracie’s laughter resumed, her eyes twinkling with joy. “What do I have to fear at my age? If you two are happy, then so am I.”
Elijah joined in, smiling. “Gracie, you shouldn’t settle for just that. Elizabeth and I hope to start a family soon. You’re going to be a great-grandmother. You’ve given Elizabeth such a wonderful gift with her musical skills; we hope you’ll share those lullabies with our child.”
“You mean you’re really planning to have a baby? This isn’t just to make an old woman happy, right?” Gracie asked, a sparkle of excitement in her voice.
Ms. Sandra said gently, “Indeed, they’re considering starting a family. I took them for a pre-pregnancy checkup today. It’s something young folks might neglect, so I’m keeping an eye on it.”
Gracie tightened her grip on Ms. Sandra’s hand, a trace of remorse coloring her expression. “I’m truly grateful for all your efforts. With my health declining and Elizabeth’s father being increasingly ridiculous, we’re not much help.”
“You should be relaxing at this stage in your life, not burdened with these responsibilities,” Ms. Sandra replied, her years with the James family giving her a skilled grace in handling delicate matters.
Ms. Sandra then turned her concern to Elizabeth, inquiring, “How has your grandmother been holding up with her extended hospital stay?”
Elizabeth gazed at her grandmother, who appeared weak on the bed, and let out a soft sigh before replying, “Grandma’s condition is stable, but all we can do is manage it conservatively. Surgery poses too great a risk, and unfortunately, we haven’t found a doctor who can offer a more definitive treatment. Even Melany’s contact couldn’t provide a solution.”
While discussing, a thought struck her about Nate’s relative, who was a specialist in this field.
For Gracie’s well-being, she considered reaching out to Nate, pondering if reconciling with him might lead to a potential cure.
Determined, she thought to herself that mending ties with Nate would be worth it if it could improve Gracie’s health.
