Ian's POV
The journals Red gave me had been rubbing me raw, filling me with a bittersweet feeling. Yet with each entry, I found myself healing further, realizing the love I once held for her paled in comparison to the love I feel for Hailey. She is my world, the ground beneath my feet, and the very air I breathe. Yesterday I found out a dark secret of hers without meaning to, but it explained so much about who she was now. It was almost full circle the way she found Red and helped her without even fully knowing what Red had gone through at that time.
We both cried last night when we found out Red had attempted suicide. She thought I had deserted her, and she felt so alone in her dark home. We held each other, deciding we would visit her and Johnny in the hospital today. Johnny was still in the NICU, being monitored while Liv was recovering from surgery. They had removed the tumor in her breast, and soon she would start chemotherapy.
"Ready?" I asked her, seeing her pull her unruly hair into a bun at the top of her hair. Some shorter curls hung loosely at the nape of her neck. She called those her baby curls.
"Ready." She nodded.
We made it to the hospital, getting lost once on the way to her room. Eventually, we made it, finding we weren't the only ones there. Lucas, Lisa, Davis, Carter, along with a few others I had yet to meet, including a little girl, were all in her room.
"Welcome to the party," Red joked as she saw us enter.
"Quite the crowd," I remarked, giving a chin up to Davis and Carter. "Nice to see you guys again."
A blonde with blue eyes and a face so serious that she seemed mad checked me out- not in a sexual way, but in a way that told me she was seeing if she could take me on in a fight. The braids she wore reminded me of the ones Davis had, which is when my brain finally made the connection. This must be his infamous daughter.
"Hi, I'm Hailey. Who might you be?" Hailey crouched down in front of the little girl, who had the most precious brown ringlets. Her wide eyes looked cautiously at the woman I loved the most.
"She's our daughter," Lisa announced, seeing the little girl was being too shy. "We are adopting her."
"That's amazing! Congratulations to the three of you." Hailey smiled, standing up once more, seeing the little girl wouldn't open up to her. "Now you have a little sister." Hailey nudged the blonde with her elbow.
"It's a good thing she's so cute."
"Izzy," Davis cautioned her, to which she rolled her eyes.
"That was nice. A little more crowded than we thought, but still nice. I had no idea Lisa and Davis were adopting a sweet little girl. I am so happy for them," Hailey said as I drove us back home after our visit. We didn't get to talk to Red about what we really wanted to, but that was fine as we knew it was in the past. Perhaps it's something that doesn't need to be brought up.
"I agree. I am glad to see them all doing so well."
"So, what should we do now?" She smiled at me from the passenger seat, always wondering what I had planned. I can't wait to ask her to marry me, but it won't be for another couple of months. I want the autumn foliage around when I do it.
"How about we- " My suggestion was cut short as Hailey's phone rang through my car, having it connected to my sound system. Mami read on my radio screen, causing us both some hesitation as Hailey leaned forward to press the receive button.
"Hola, Mami," she answered, sitting back in the seat while bringing her knees to her chest.
"Hailey, you need to come to New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Your dad had a heart attack."
"We're on our way," I answered, making an illegal U-turn and heading back the way we came. Hailey was grappling with the news, unable to answer her mother as she struggled to make her brain comprehend. "We'll see you soon." I hung up, speeding as quickly as I could back to the now-too-familiar hospital. Hailey sat silently, staring out the windshield in shock. "He's going to be okay." I reached for her hand, squeezing it reassuringly but getting nothing in response.
"Papi, you scared us all," Hailey scolded him, lightly slapping his arm. "You need to take care of yourself. You're not allowed to die on me yet."
"I know, Nena. I am sorry."
Surgery had gone well, and having caught it early enough, Mr. Medina seemed okay. His doctors said he needs a change in lifestyle and to add a cardiologist to his list of doctors to see. Hailey had been a complete mess in the waiting room, along with her sisters. Even Nadia was on the verge of tears, a lingering feeling pulling at her heart. They had each seen him already and were only allowed to go in by twos to not overwhelm him. Hailey decided she wanted to go last, so she could collect herself further before entering his room.
"Good to see you still kicking, sir." I gave a small smile from the corner of the room.
"Good to still be alive. Thank you for taking care of my daughter. I am sure she was a lot to handle while she was waiting."
"She's never a lot to handle for me, sir. She's perfect."
"Laying it on thick," Hailey teased me, but before she could continue, her stomach growled so loudly that she laughed. "Sorry. I think now that I know you're okay, my hunger came back with a vengeance."
"I'll go get you something to eat from the cafeteria. Stay here with your dad."
"Thank you, Mi Vida." I kissed her forehead before heading out.
The cafeteria wasn't busy, allowing me to get some small things for Hailey to snack on until we could get home and have an actual meal. I got her a parfait, a Jello cup, and a side salad. All healthy enough to not make her father jealous of what she was eating. As I approached the room once more, I could hear them talking. My hand was on the doorknob when I stopped, hearing Mr. Medina's question.
"Do you want to marry him?"
"I mean, not right now, but yes, I do. If he were to ask me, I would say yes," she answered, elating my heart to the point it felt it would burst.
I was unsure of what she would say when I asked her to marry me, but hearing her say she would say yes brought me all the courage I needed. Hearing her express that she would say yes to marrying me if I asked was an indescribable moment of pure bliss. It was as if the weight of the world had lifted from my shoulder, replaced by an overwhelming sense of love and anticipation for our future.
My mind began to paint vivid pictures of our future together. I envisioned us standing hand in hand, exchanging vows under a canopy of blooming flowers, surrounded by our loved ones. I could almost hear the joyous laughter and feel the warmth of Hailey's smile as we embarked on this incredible journey as husband and wife.
My heart swelled with gratitude for the love we shared. The thought of spending the rest of my life with her, through the highs and lows, brought an overwhelming sense of contentment. I made a silent promise to myself to cherish and protect this love we had found. I would strive every day to be the partner she deserved, to support her dreams, and to create a future that surpassed even our wildest dreams.
As I opened the door, announcing my presence, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips, unable to contain the joy that filled my heart. Little did she know, I had overheard her conversation, and I couldn't wait to ask her to be mine forever.
"What'd you bring me?" She smiled. God, I love this woman.