Babysitter For Rain
CHAPTER 77

When Ana and Marius went back inside, Rain had indeed opened both of his eyes. But, the little girl was still lying weak. With her insignificant strength, she raised both her hands as soon as she saw Ana enter the room.

"Mommy ...," he whispered weakly. Her voice was getting inaudible due to the ventilator mask covering her mouth and nose.

Ana immediately approached Rain and hugged her slowly, while she continued to worry that her embrace would touch something from the tools surrounding Rain.

"His hand should not be lifted first, yes," whispered Ana slowly as she held Rain's hand connected to the infusion. His finger continued to rub the back of Rain's hand.

There weren't many words that Ana and Marius spoke in there, nor did Rain. Noel only said Rain would only wake up for a while, after which he would go back to sleep due to the influence of drugs. But, that was enough for Ana.

"Mommy ... Rain .. want .. go home."

That was the last sentence Rain said before he went back to sleep.

Ana wiped the tears that had come down from the end of her eyes and wet the pillow that was holding her head.

"We're home .. We're going home, Rain ..."

This time it was Ana's turn to wipe away her tears.

As soon as Ana and Marius come out, Naomi and Lucas immediately greet them. Ana laughed happily telling Rain what they were talking about inside, though her tears did not stop flowing. She was crying happily.

"Noel said, Rain will be fine, Nao," Ana said. "He asked to go home."

Naomi immediately hugged Ana and calmed her down. He's happy too.

"I have to tell Valerie. Where is she?" asked Ana.

"He was ... " When Naomi turned around, the Valerie she had seen standing at the end of the room was now nowhere to be seen. "Where is he?"

Ana also did not find anyone in the waiting room.

"Did he come home?" murmured Ana.

"Don't worry about him."

Marius' hand landed on top of his head then stroked him, as he said that.

"He heard it. That's why he chose to leave" he continued.

Ana was silent at Marius' words.

"Maybe she felt ashamed and guilty?" he thought.

For three days, Rain was still in the PICU room even though he was already fully conscious. Noel said Rain still needs intensive observation for other complications that may occur. Therefore, Ana and Marius took turns to be inside accompanying Rain.

But, on the third day after Rain regained consciousness, Valerie came back and wanted to meet Ana and Marius as well. Lucas replaces Marius and Ana accompanies Rain inside.

"I'm handing you back this letter" Valerie said, handing Ana a piece of paper. Just by looking at it, Ana knew, it was Adam's letter that Ana gave to Valerie back then.

"No more DNA testing. Rain is Adam's daughter" she said.

"His blood type is AB. Dylan's blood type is ... O ... It's obviously impossible for Rain to be his daughter."

"I was a bad mother ..," Valerie said. She covered her tears with both of her faces. Ana's heart could not bear to see it. He tried to calm Valerie down by rubbing her back.

"I'm the stupid one. Blinded by my selfishness, I was tempted by Nora's seduction. He came to offer help so I could be with Dylan as long as I took Rain with me. He even gave me the best lawyer" Valerie said again after she lowered both her hands.

"Sorry, it might not be enough. All this mess .. I'll fix it."

Valerie looked at her two hands that were on her lap. As he said his wish, he clenched it hard.

"After this, I will not appear in your life nor will Rain. I won't bother him anymore. He's happy with you guys. And I ... will only hurt her."

Valerie now looked at Ana's eyes deeply.

"Lucas told me. I'm not defending myself. But, I did not know Nora would use that method to make Rain come with me. Nevertheless, the mistake remains mine. If I wasn't that stupid .. maybe all of this ... "

Ana reached out her hand to grab Valerie's hand. He grips.

Valerie was surprised to hear that. So did Marius.

"Rain told me. After you came to see him, he saw you, then he remembered, "he said again.

"He knows it's me?" asked Valerie as if in disbelief.

"Rain is a smart kid. He always remembers everything he sees, hears, or feels. Even though you covered her with big glasses, scarves, fake hair, and so on, she remembers your voice" Ana explained.

"What I want to say is ..."

Ana tightened her grip gently.

"... Rain never hated you. Because he's not a hater. Even though he lived surrounded by people who did not like him, he never hated them. Give him time to get to know you, Valerie. I'm sure, she'll definitely like you a lot" Ana said.

Valerie's face now implied a regretful smile.

"No wonder. He's very clingy with you. You know him very well. From your story, I know from whom she got that trait" Valerie said, smilingly looking at Marius.

"But .. I was too embarrassed to meet him. From the time she was born, I was never her mother. And I should never have demanded that she be my son just because it was in her veins that flowed my blood" Valerie said. His head bowed deeply describing everything he felt as he said that.

Then, Valerie slowly got out of her seat and let go of Ana's hand. She smiled looking at Ana.

"Thank you ... Thank you for giving love to him that I can't give."

Valerie didn't say anything else after that. He leaves Ana and Marius.

"Valerie ...," said Ana chasing after Valerie who was already almost away.

"Until now, Rain will always remember that she has a mother named Valerie."

Valerie simply smiled without turning her body. As he was about to return to his feet, Marius called out to him.

"Val ..."

The man had been silent, and was now calling out to him. Valerie turned to face Marius who had already walked up to her. He also wanted to know what Marius was going to tell him.

Marius then gave her a memory card.

"This is the legacy of Adam. It contains footage of Dylan's conversations, videos, and photographs with his victims. Adam probably wants Dylan to feel his punishment. But then, his health continued to decline. Now ... I give it to you," said Marius.

Slowly, Valerie took it. He seemed hesitant about what he should do with it.

"When Dylan hit Rain, I managed to stop him, and handed him over to the police. I'll make sure he's languishing in there long enough. But it's gonna be a long time with that ..."

Marius emphasized his last word by pointing at the memory card Valerie was holding.

"You decide what you're going to do with that memory card."

Valerie smiled looking at Marius. It was as if he understood Marius's intentions. Then, he turned around and left Marius.

Ana was still standing looking at the passageway that was taking Valerie away. She did not move even though Valerie was no longer visible. Even when Marius took her away, Ana stood there.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" asked Ana.

"He's a stubborn man. Strong will. That's why he can survive in the world he loves. Give him time to look at everything. One day when he's ready, he'll definitely come back" Marius said.

Ana just wishes there was another chance for Valerie and Rain. At least after they both learned how to open their hearts to others.

"Valerie is not a bad mother. She just ... doesn't know how to love Rain. If he had been given that chance again, I'm sure he would have been even better" said Ana Lirih.

Marius looked at Ana with an affectionate look from deep in his heart even though Ana only continued to look at the passageway. That's how Ana was for as long as she knew about the girl. He thinks more about other people's feelings than his own.

At one point, it might not be good for Ana to worry about her. But at another point, the man could not stop admiring her.

Marius now held Ana's hand. With Ana, he stood there, accompanying her until she was ready to leave.