The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 38

Gabriella frowned but eventually nodded. Regina stroked her hair with a sigh, "Okay. Auntie Natalie will stay with you tonight and I'll come and pick you up right after I drop Savannah off at school. Okay?"

"Okay," Gabriella agreed not wanting her mother to worry. "Mommy, could you sing me the rainbow song?"

Regina chuckled. A few weeks ago Gabriella had been digging in Savannah's old movie collection and stumbled on a copy of the Muppet Movie. She had been obsessed with it ever since. Regina breathed deep stroking Gabriella's hair as she slowly marshaled her calm to sing without her voice breaking.

Why are there so many

Songs about rainbows

And what's on the other side

Rainbows are visions

They're only illusions

And rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told and some chose to Believe it

But I know they're wrong wait and see Someday we'll find it

The Rainbow Connection

The lovers, the dreamers and me...

Gabriella smiled. She loved to hear her mother's voice. With a yawn she dozed off now with a peaceful expression. Regina let the last notes hang in the air as Gabriella drifted off.

Natalie hugged her shoulders, "She'll be okay, Regina. Come on, the breakroom's upstairs."

Regina nodded slowly letting Natalie lead her to the door. It didn't feel right leaving her baby alone but she and the kids couldn't stay in the small hospital room all night either. She wished she could split herself into two. "I'll be with her all night," Natalie promised leading her to the elevator.

They took it to the second floor and she led Regina to the staff area where Bernice was entertaining the kids. Savannah noticed them first but all three immediately left their seats and rushed towards her. "Mom!"

"Mom, is Gaby..."

"She's okay. She woke up for a little while but she's asleep now," Regina assured them.

"Are we taking her home?" Savannah glanced at the doctor.

"Tomorrow. She'll stay here tonight."

"I'll be with her," Natalie told them. "You want to help me pick out some games and puzzles we can play?"

The trio hesitated before nodding. Natalie herded them out to the second floor waiting and play area. Regina watched then go with a pensive look.

"Auntie Nat are you really going to stay with Gaby?" Carlos asked.

"Yep. I got the late shift so I'll be here all night."

"Auntie Nat?" Bernice repeated slowly approaching Regina as the kids disappeared down the hall.

"My cousin actually," Regina answered nervously. She hoped Natalie wouldn't get into trouble.

Bernice merely nodded understanding their connection now, "So the tests I'd like to run..."

"How much?" Regina asked, cutting her off.

Bernice hesitated, "I know money is a concern. The hospital has funds to help pay for things like this. So it won't cost you."

"Are you sure?" Regina asked remaining doubtful.

"I am."

"And you won't get into trouble for using them for us?"

"That's what the funds are for. They'll pay for the tests and Gabriella's stay."

Regina let out a slow breath. Would it really? The children's usual pediatrician never mentioned anything about funds like those before. Perhaps they were only for emergencies? Slowly she nodded clinging to this hope. Bernice reached out to give her shoulder a squeeze. Regina couldn't help but feel relieved by her mere presence. Comfort and understanding almost seemed to radiate off her allowing Regina to feel a bit of hope. Her baby was in good hands.

Bernice escorted her to the play area where the kids were picking out appropriate toys for their sister. Leaving them there she headed downstairs to order the tests she wanted. She didn't want to do anything too invasive considering Gabriella's age and small size but that shouldn't be necessary. Bernice already knew she had to focus on the heart. From what she had gleamed from the kids there wasn't any heart disease in their family, but that only accounted for the mother's side. They naturally knew nothing of the father's family.

Passing Gabriella's room she paused noticing the door had been left open. That was odd as she was certain Natalie would have closed it completely to ensure the little one could rest without interruption. Peering inside she was shocked to see Marcus sitting on the edge of the bed holding the little girl's hand.

She hadn't expected to see him knowing the Mixer was today, but when he had shown up looking like a prizefighter she had almost fallen over. He insisted it was fine and had gone to his office to work. In truth she had forgotten he was there at all.

"... Marcus?" Bernice stepped into the room and quietly closed the door. "Marcus."

"How is she?" he asked not looking away from the little girl.

"Stable. What are you..."

"I...heard there was an emergency. A little girl...so I came to check," Marcus answered hoping it sounded convincing. He didn't want to admit to listening at doorways.

"She came in with acute respiratory distress."

"She couldn't breathe, in other words," Marcus grimaced.

"Her usual doctor diagnosed her with asthma...but I think it's her heart that's causing the issue," Bernice said. She knew she was toeing the line of patient confidentiality but if what she suspected was true then he had the right to know...even if he didn't. "I'm going to order some tests that should confirm that and narrow the possibilities. The family is...struggling, so I was going to put in a request to use the hospital's emergency funds." "Do it," Marcus readily agreed. He leaned forward gently smoothing Gabriella's hair. "I'll approve whatever you request."

Bernice nodded. She had intended to call Miles directly but perhaps this was better. Marcus was the administrator after all. It would be less suspicious for him to approve it instead of going over his head. "She's so little," Marcus said after a moment.

"Yes she is. But she'll grow up fast. Sometimes it feels like they grow up in a blink of an eye."

Marcus gave Gabriella's hand a final squeeze before he stood. He headed for the door pausing long enough to say, "Have that request up to my office before the end of the day. I'll approve it immediately." "Of course."

Bernice watched him go noticing the almost defeated stoop in his shoulders. She couldn't help but wonder what had really driven him down to check on the little one. Perhaps latent parental instincts? Bernice shook her head. It wasn't good to dwell on those thoughts. Instead she turned to Gabriella and smiled, "You have a lot of people waiting for you to get better, little one. Let's not disappoint them all right?"