Chapter Four: The Family Reunion

Few days have passed.

"Please fasten your seatbelts...We will land at  Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 10 minutes..." Serena heard the Captain's announcement from the plane's numerous speakers.

Serena felt Liam's warm hand on her own hand. She smiled at her fiance'. 

She can say that she's the luckiest woman in the world because a wonderful, amazing, and almost perfect man just like Liam is inlove with her. Liam decided to accompany her to give her emotional support, and to finally meet her family face-to-face. 

"You're still worried about your sister, am I right?" Liam gently asks her.

"Well, I can't help it. My Dad ang my sister is the only family I have." Serena replied, while letting out a big sigh.

"But Via is on the road to recovery, just like what your father said." Liam tries to reassure her.

"Yes, she is. Little by little. And I hope she can forget that good-for-nothing boyfriend of hers..." Serena's stated, while looking irritated.

Her father told her that Via hasn't been the same eversince her sister and her boyfriend started to call it quits. That man is the main reason why her sister is so depressed.

"I'm looking forward on meeting your family, darling..." Liam tries to change the topic to lighten up her mood.

Serena smiled at him.

"Hey, it's not too late for you to back out...I'm sure my father will eat you alive." she warned Liam. 

"I will face any hurdles just to be with you, Serena..." Liam smilingly responded.

"Well, you don't have to worry a thing. My family will definitely love you." Serena said, in a confident manner.

Liam smiled at her in return, as he planted a soft kiss on her hand.

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Walnut Creek County.

After Liam successfully checked in a local hotel at Walnut Creek County, they immediately went straight to the hospital where Via is currently confined.

As soon as they arrived at the hospital, Serena had a serious talk with her sister's doctor. The doctor reassures her that Via is already in a stable condition, and as long as she has regular sessions with a psychiatrist and drink her medications regularly, she will be able to go back living a healthy and normal life. 

Serena and Liam are currently making their way towards Via's assigned hospital room. Serena was clearly nervous.

"Just relax, Serena." Liam tries to comfort her.

When they finally reached Via's room, Serena suddenly bursts into tears when she saw Via, who looked genuinely surprised to see her. 

"Serena!" she said in utter surprise.

"Oh, Via..." Serena said, as she ran towards her sister and gave her a tight, bear hug.

"Serena! What are you doing here? Why didn't you say you were going home?" Via asked, while still looking surprised.

"I wanted to see if you're alright after I heard about what happened." Serena replied. 

Via turned her attention to their father.

"Dad, you shouldn't have told her. Look, she's looking so worried and she might passed out at anytime!" she started sulking.

"Your sister has to know what happened to you, Via."  their father tried to reason out.

Serena then went to her father and gave him. a loving hug.

"I missed you, Dad." 

"By the way, who's this gorgeous man standing at the corner?" Via suddenly asked, while curiously looking at Liam. 

"I apologized for not introducing myself rightaway. My name is Liam Beckett, and I am Serena's fiance'." Liam politely introduces himself. 

Their father and Via looked at each other.

“F-Fiance'?!” they both said in utter shock.

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Half an hour later. 

Serena and Via were left alone in the room while their father and Liam are at the Hospital's Cafeteria.

"You dropped a bombshell to us, Serena. Tell me all the details. When did he propose? And how did he pop the question?" Via bombarded her with questions. 

Serena casually told her sister about the proposal that happened back in Liam's apartment in Sydney, Australia.

Serena showed her the engagement ring, much to her sister's amazement. 

"It's so beautiful... When are you planning to get married?" Via inquired again.

"Well, we don't have exact plans yet, but we're still busy at work. Okay, enough about me, and let's talk about you, Via. What really happened to you?" Serena gently asked her younger sister. 

"I know I did a stupid thing, but I was already desperate at that time! I can't bear to lose him! My life is worthless without him!" Via is getting emotional again. 

"Yes, you were stupid, but I'm glad you're safe now, sweetheart. By the way, did your ex-boyfriend knows about this already?" 

Via winced when she heard the word "ex."

"Yes, he knows about it. Daddy called him, and he was sorry about what happened. We will have a serious talk once he gets back from his business trip in Singapore." relayed Serena. 

"I see."

"I'm a little sleepy, Serena. I think the medicine is taking its effect now. I'm just going to take a nap, but please don't leave me, okay?" Via softly pleaded.

"I promise, I will stay by your side until you wake up." Serena reassures her sister.

A few moments later, Via was already sleeping like a baby. Serena noticed that her younger sister lost so much weight.

She decided that she will have a serious talk with her sister's ex-boyfriend, to give her a piece of her mind. 

=============================

The next day, Via is finally discharged from the hospital. 

"I'm happy and I can finally go home. I'm getting tired of the hospital food and this bed...This place is just---ugh!" Via smilingly stated. 

"By the way, is your ex-boyfriend coming? And does he know that you will be discharged from the hospital today?" Serena curiously inquired.

"Ouch. You don't have to be harsh to my boyfriend, you know..." Via helplessly shook her head.

Serena rolled her eyes heavenward. 

"Whatever. So, is he coming? Did you try to call him?"

Via took a deep breath before she spoke again.

"Yeah. She said that he has a flight today back home." she finally answered.