It's been about a month since I returned to America. Emil is still in the hospital, and he's slowly making progress. I quietly walk down the hallway, bouquet in hand, careful not to wake any of the other patients. I knock on Emil's door, and I hear his squeaky voice from the other side. "Come in!"
"Hey, Emil," I whisper as open the door. "How are you?"
"I'm doing great!" He smiles. "I have a roommate!"
"Do you?" I giggle.
"Yes," he nods. "He's doing a special check up right now. He should be back soon!"
"Alright. Want me to wait with you?"
He tightly grasps my hand in response. "Yea! I want you to meet him!" I laugh at his enthusiasm, and his gaze moves to the flowers. "Are those for me?"
"Who else would they be for?" I tease.
"I don't know," he takes them, and lifts them to his nose. "They're beautiful."
We sat and talked for about twenty minutes before a quiet knock sounded from the door. "That must be my roommate!" Emil squeals, pushing his covers off and throwing his feet over the edge of the bed.
"No, no, no!" I push his chest back down before he had a chance to get up. "You need to stay in bed. I'll answer the door." He pops his bottom lip out and tightly hugs the bouquet to his chest. I walk over to the door, and quietly turn the handle. When the door is opened, a boy in a wheelchair sat there, smiling up at me.
"Hello, miss," he greets. "Am I at the wrong room? I swear this is it, but I've never seen you before."
"I'm Emil's older sister," I smile. "You're in the right place."
"Great!" He pushes the wheels of his wheelchair passed me as I make way for him. As he rolls his way into the room, I can't help but stare at the many bandages surrounding his body.
"Hey, Ivan!" Emil claps his hands with joy. "How did your appointment go?"
Ivan stops in front of Emil's bed, and place his hand on Emil's forehead. "That doesn't matter," he says with a smile. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing just fine!" Emil snuggles into his hand. They both laugh, and I walk over to the chair beside Emil's bed.
"How long have you been here, Ivan?"
"I just got transferred here, actually," he taps his chin. "I came from a hospital down south. They couldn't pay for my treatment anymore." He begins to stand up and get on his bed, but immediately fails. I jump up in surprise and rush over to him.
"Are you ok?!" I panic, grasping him under his arms.
"Yea, I'm fine!" He smiles, and with my help, gets into his bed. "Thank you, (Name). Now I know why Emil is such a great person."
"Why?" I tilt my head in confusion.
"Because he has a wonderful family looking after him," Ivan smiles, staring at me with the one eye which wasn't covered.
"Don't you?"
He slowly shakes his head, and twiddles his thumbs. "My father lives far away from here. We were too poor to keep ourselves alive, so he doesn't have enough money to come and visit me."
I place my hand gently on his bandaged cheek. "I'm so sorry, Ivan."
"It's ok."
"How about this," I smile. "We can be your new family. We'll never replace your father, but we can give you all the love and support you need. You're even welcome to stay with us once you've recovered." His violet eye fills with tears as he listens to my words. "Also, Emil seems to have taken a liking to you, which is quite rare since he is so shy."
"T-Thank you," he sobs, placing his hand on mine. "I would like that very much." I lightly ruffle his blonde locks, and I look to Emil. My baby brother holds out his bouquet to Ivan, and the Russian boy stares at it curiously. "What?"
"I want you to have it," Emil smiles, reaching out farther to give the bouquet to Ivan.
Ivan's tears don't stop as he takes the bouquet, and immediately smells the sunflowers. "I didn't know you could get sunflowers in the north," he smiles sadly. "They said it's too cold here."
"Do you like sunflowers?"
"Yes," he nods softly. "They remind me of my mother."
"I'm so happy you have something to remember her by," I grin. "Emil, Lukas, and I only have our grandmother. Our parents went on a trip, and just, never came back," I look at Emil, who slowly nods his head.
"I miss mommy..." Emil's arms went to his eyes, and began rubbing them to prevent the tears.
"I do to," I walk over and hug him. "But, if mommy is in heaven, that means she can watch over us. Same with daddy."
"Really?" Emil looks up at me.
"Yes," I stand in the middle of their beds, and tightly grasp their hands, and begin a prayer. "Watch over us, beloved parents of ours. Please help these two to heal as soon as possible."
"Amen," Emil bows his head.
"A-Amen," Ivan follows suit.
"There, now you're guaranteed to get better!" I smile, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Emil nods with the same smile, and Ivan looks at his hands, not making a sound.