“Yes. I slept much more comfortably after getting my mattress changed.”
Arissa grinned. “I wasn't used to soft mattresses either back then. I wanted to come here with you this morning, but I overslept, and the kids didn't wake me up either!”
Mary did not mind it.
“You've been working so hard these days, so you should get more rest. Don't push yourself. Everything's just as fine if it's Benjamin and the others bringing me here. They've taken care of everything,” she reassured after hearing Arissa's explanation.
The younger woman nodded in response.
“Can we come in now, Ms. York?” asked Tim.
He wanted to speak to Mary.
“Come on in, but be careful.”
The woman walked over and let the three children in. “Are Oliver and the others at Mr. Bailey's office?”
“Yeah. Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse are there. Mr. Whitley is with them too,” Zachary reported.
Arissa nodded. She did not have to worry as long as the other kids were there.
Then, she poured Mary a glass of water and placed a straw inside the glass so that the latter could drink it with ease.
“Does your hand hurt, Great-grandaunt?” Tim asked worriedly, frowning as he leaned against the side of the bed.
“Not at all,” Mary replied with a smile.
Tim gazed at her. In the end, he still lowered his head to blow on her hand.
The elderly woman chuckled in response to his heartwarming gesture.
“Have some water, Grandaunt.”
Arissa held the glass in before Mary's lips, and the latter lowered her head to drink water from it.
“I've had enough, Issa. Take a seat!”
“Okay.” Arissa put the glass down and sat at the edge of the bed while pulling the covers up to Mary's chest.
“By the way, Issa, now that I'm staying here, you don't have to spend all day tending to me. Just do whatever that you need to do, okay? The doctors and nurses here are really caring, so don't worry about me,” Mary remarked before glancing at Tim.
“Tim and the other kids need to go to school too. Don't let them come over too often. It isn't good for children to be at hospitals.”
Arissa nodded. “I'll only be here today since I have to go to work tomorrow, and the kids will be going to school too. So after today, we'll only be able to drop by and see you during our free time,” she explained as her lips curved.
Mary beamed at her. “It's okay even if you don't drop by. I can take care of myself.”
“You might say that, but I'd be worried if I don't come over. I'll drop by with the kids after work. When we're not around, you can watch some TV if you ever get bored. There's one in every room.”
“Okay, I understand,” the elderly woman replied.
“Listen to whatever the doctor says, okay, Great-grandaunt? You have to let Mr. Bailey know if you ever feel sick. He'll be sure to treat you!” Gavin chimed in.
“Okay, I will.”
Suddenly, Arissa let out a gasp as she remembered something. The soup!
“I almost forgot! Benjamin got Edwin to make you some soup, Grandaunt. Have some. It's also almost time for you to have your meal.”
While speaking, she grabbed the container containing the soup, placed it on top of the bedside table, and served Mary a bowl.
“Oh, but you really didn't have to!”
Mary was beyond touched.
Arissa grinned at her. “What are you being so courteous for? We're a family, aren't we?”
“I'm so lucky, indeed.”
The elderly woman had never expected herself to be cared for like this.
“Here. Be careful! It's hot.”
Arissa fed Mary a spoonful of soup.
“This is good for your body. You'll be coming here often for treatment, so it's important that you keep yourself well-nourished. Be sure to drink some before every meal.”
“Okay.” Mary nodded.
“It smells so good!” Zachary took a big whiff.
Gavin nodded with a smile. The soup did smell amazing.
Tim secretly gulped.
“Are you boys hungry?”
Arissa gazed at them in amusement.
Mary could not help but chuckle too.
“They can drink this too, right? Give them some. I can't finish everything on my own.”
She wanted to share the soup with them.
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