Three

Portia's crying came to the fore. She didn't want Luna to leave. Entering her room, Luna quickly ran to hug her. Without realizing it, she had missed her so much.

Portia had become a very important little person to her. Too important.

She loved her so much and had become so used to being with her on a daily basis that it was no longer normal to wake up and be alone in her cold apartment, without any noise, everything practically gray and white with the dull illumination of the sun.

James, on the other hand, had been mostly quiet. Cold, sitting in the uncomfortable chair by the door, while he had every bit of grumpiness, and seemed impatient for Luna to leave the place, so he could be with his daughter quietly.

Portia was crying and Luna was looking at her sadly. Well, she didn't want to leave, but she had been there a long time, and she didn't want James to act that stupid just because of her presence. Luna hugged Portia tightly.

- I'll be back tomorrow. I promise. - She said as she tried not to sob. Portia made her emotional. Who wouldn't? Iris tried not to cry too. It seemed like a very sentimental scene to her.

- Really? - Portia asked - Just come back, don't go away forever - She said sadly as she lowered her head.

Luna sighed.

- I'll come see you tomorrow, I promise, okay? I have to go now, do you want me to bring you something tomorrow? - she asked with a smile. The girl smiled.

- Chocolate.

- Okay, I'll bring you chocolate. Anything else?

Portia nodded.

- A princess book," she said excitedly.

- Okay, I'll get you that. See you sweetie, I love you - she said and kissed her forehead. She kissed Iris goodbye and as James passed by, she just ignored him.

It pained her to do so, as she still had respect for him, unlike James. She didn't want to act like a jerk to him but he was acting like one.

She left the hospital as fast as she could, walked a block until she reached a coffee shop and as she entered, she breathed in the delicious smell of coffee. He loved coffee. He sat down at one of the tables and waited for someone to take his order. A coffee and a slice of chocolate cake.

_____________

- Luna is going home? - Portia asked. Luna had left 20 minutes ago.

- Luna is going home. - James replied, as politely as he could.

- Ours? - I ask innocently.

- No, Portia. Luna is not going to our house. Now try to eat something. - he asked softly, yet desperately.

- I don't want to eat.

James looked at her and scolded her with his eyes.

- Portia, you must eat, you can't be on an empty stomach. Come on, try something. - He said domineeringly. The girl looked at him for a few seconds, picked up the silverware and threw it on the floor.

- Portia, behave yourself. - he ordered angrily.

- I don't want to. - she replied.

- Well, I don't care if you don't want to, you're too little to boss yourself around, don't disobey me.

Portia fell silent at James's command. Iris stood up from her seat and walked over to her niece's side, lifted up the cutlery and looked at her sweetly.

- Honey, why don't you eat something? I know you want Luna to be here, but she had to leave because she had things to do, she promised to come back tomorrow, and you have to be healthy and strong to see her, so you should eat. Are you going to eat something for Luna? - she asked smiling. Portia looked at her neutrally for a few seconds, and then smiled.

She took the silverware, and Iris brought the tray close to her legs. James snorted.

- James, honey...- Iris began to say, approaching him. He looked at her - Why don't you go home and rest? You've been here for hours.

- No, I have to stay with Portia.

- I'll take care of her. Go home and rest. Tomorrow you'll come if you want. First thing in the morning. - She said smiling.

James thought about it for a moment. Yes, he had been in the hospital since yesterday and had slept in a chair. Yes, he would like to rest and Portia was not in bad hands with her sister. Although he was worried about being away from her as anything could happen, he should rest. It wasn't his most viable option to leave his pregnant sister in a hospital, but it would only be a few hours.

- Okay, Portia...- he started to say, getting her attention - I'll go home, I'll come tomorrow and I'll be here when you wake up. - He smiled. His daughter nodded. He walked over and placed a kiss on her forehead. He said goodbye to his sister and went straight home.