The taxi we hired drove very swiftly towards our destination.   The morning traffic was not much so we arrived at the entrance of the hospital without any delay, Mathias paid the driver and I had a cause to bless him, as I was actually in a trance and did not even think of taking out change and giving it to the driver.   My whole equilibrium had shattered after hearing Tio's news and I could hardly think about anything. We entered the reception area and we were directed towards the ward on the second floor. There was still no sign of Don, and I began to hope that he should not be there as I wanted to finish the task related to him later. I did us to be in an awkward situation as Mathias was also here with me. The nurse who met us outside Tio’s ward confirmed Don’s departure a while ago. He left a message asking me to contact him at home as soon as possible as his mother was not keeping well and he had to rush back home. I know, I was being selfish but right now my state of mind couldn’t think properly.  “And how would you like to see your son Mrs. Garcia?” The nurse enquired. “Please if that would be possible.” I pleaded. “Is he Mr. Garcia?” The nurse looked at Mathias enquiringly. “Well yes and no he is Mr. Garcia and Tio's uncle.“ I felt her color rising rapidly,as I encountered the women's puzzled expression. I began to wonder what explanation Don had given for his presence and I was immensely grateful when Mathias replied for me. “my brother is away on business at the moment, he will perhaps arrive later today, and now may we see my nephew as Mrs. Garcia is very anxious to see her son.” “But of course, please come this way.” The nurse said smiling at Mathias. I found myself praising the effectiveness of the arrogance and command the two brothers possessed with full measure, all my difficulties had been removed immediately. The ward was a long one but clean and airy with very polished floors and the curtains were colorful, it felt as if we were walking inside a flower garden. “Tio’s bed was halfway down the ward on the left and I and Mathias had to run through many pairs of interested eyes before reaching Tio. In normal circumstances, I would have been overcome by Pity for the pale and sick children who lay on the hospital beds but today all my attention was given to the motionless figure of my son lying with closed eyes on the white sheet spread on the bed. He looked so weak and I felt like I haven't seen him for ages. “Is he all right?” I turned my anxious eyes to the nurse in charge, only to be reassured by her next words. “Mrs. Garcia doesn't worry he's doing very well but he's still tired from the operation and the anesthesia. There are some chairs at the end of the ward if Mr. Garcia would like to fetch them then you could sit here quietly until he wakes up,” she said kindly. “I must leave you now but if you should want me I'll be in my office.” “Yes sister, thank you very much.” I smiled gratefully at the nurse and then sat stiffly in the chair that Mathias placed for me beside Tio’s bed. “As you say, there can be no doubt about his paternity,” Mathias murmured as he looked at Tio with interest. “He is the true image of my brother and me.” I shot him a look for a stopping second. “Did you doubt it Mathias?” and then after a moment I said. “He's very pale, I wish I had never left him, I am an irresponsible mother. Do you think he is really going to get well soon?” “Calm down Carmen you heard the nurse he's doing well, don't fuss. And you are a great mother so don't think too much.” Mattias said very calmly as he held my hand. “We waited quietly beside Tio’s sleeping figure for some time. There were soft charters from the other patients in the ward. But we ignored them as I had my full focus on Tio. After a while, he began to move uncomfortably on the pillow. “Tio! I grasped his restless hand firmly, “Tio , it's mom are you feeling better darling? “Mom ….” wearily he lifted his closed lids and for a movement, the large Brown eyes which looked like Marc's stared blankly into my own. “Mom, where am I? What happened?” As Tio struggled into a sitting position both I and Mathias pushed him firmly back onto the pillows. “You are okay Tio but you must keep still as you are in the hospital and you just had surgery." I told him more calmly than I felt. “Then why are you crying mom?” Tio said observing me carefully. " I am just so pleased to see you Tio. "I explained and wiped the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand. “We've been so worried about you, you fainted on the football ground, don't you remember? I was so worried about you !” “The pain! Oh yes, I do remember, it was awful, I fell on the ground.” Tio told me showing the pain he had felt when he had fallen. "I guess I was too careless while playing and got myself into trouble." “ Where is uncle Don? He asked suddenly who is this?” He fixed his gaze on Mathias. “You must be related to my father,” he said after a moment his curious gaze fixed on Mattias. “You look quite like me, don't you?” He added frankly. “Yes that is true Tio, I am your father's brother.” Mathias said smiling at his nephew. He couldn't take his eyes off him as he looked just like his brother and any doubts he had was clearly out of the picture when he looked at little Tio. “Why haven't you ever come to see us before? Don't you like us?” Tio asked him innocently. “Why haven't you ever come to see us before? Don't you like us?” felt the color draining for my cheeks.” I don't think this is the time for any explanation Tio. You are not quite well and you must put all your energy into getting better. "I squeeze my hand reassuringly. “I can promise you some surprises when you're feeling better, so hurry up and get well soon! In any case, it was my fault and not your uncle that you haven't met before. I've told you there will be plenty of time for explanation later,” I said with a speed, as Tio was about to open his mouth to pursue the subject. “Alright Tio now stop talking and just try to regain your strength back please Tio, listen to your mom for once.” “Mom, do you think you can bully the nurses, instead of me and get me something to eat? I am feeling very hungry.” Tio murmured with a grin on his face. “I might be able to manage that.” I smiled with relief as I walked outside the ward to the sister's office. Tio must be given something as I don't think he had anything after the surgery. But I had to consult with the sister first. The sister reassured me that breakfast had not yet been served and would be sent to the ward in about ten minutes and I returned to Tio’s bed to hear Mathias describing vividly about the Vineyard and Marc's estate. “Mom, uncle Mathias says if I visit him in Milan he will teach me to swim. Isn't that great?” Excitement had brought a flash of color to Tio’s and added sparkle into his eyes but his next word caused my color to drain rapidly, leaving me shaken. “He says his brother owes the whole estate and has a big swimming pool. Do I have another uncle's mom?” “I told you I will explain everything to you later my,” I said most sharply than I'd intended. “Please don't get Mathias too excited, it can't be good for him. Breakfast will be here any minute, but in the future, I will have to bring some sandwiches and things into the ward, I don't expect the nurses will be able to give you anything to eat between official meal times. “Okay, mom thank you, as I missed your cooking,” Tio murmured in a happy tone. "After I am discharged I want to have fried chicken and the yummy meatballs you make." “I'm sorry I snapped at you, sweetheart. It's only just an impulsive reaction I guess, if you promise not to get excited, your uncle can talk about the estate as much as he wants right Mathias?” I looked at him and hoped he could read my eyes. Mathias assured with his signature smile. “I am very much afraid there won't be time at the moment, for you are coming to tell us that we must leave now isn't it so sister? Mathias rose curtly to his feet as a nurse approached. “ I'm afraid so Mrs. Garcia, we are flexible about visiting hours in the children's words but we don't normally admit parents so early in the day, and also Tio needs to sleep. I think you should leave him for the rest of the morning and come to visit him again, any time after lunch.” “Okay, sister I will do that it was very kind of you to admit us so early.” I tried to keep my voice steady knowing that any distress on my part would upset Tio in his present condition. I bent to kiss him gently squeezing his arm as he lay on the white bed cover. “I'll be back this afternoon darling be good won’t you?” “Okay mom but you will be back to see me, won’t you?” “Of course, your mom and uncle will come back Tio,” the sister interposed firmly, “ you will be so busy this morning with the doctors and being pestered for temperature and blood pressure that you won't have time to miss her. Mrs. Garcia Tio will be fine. I promise you.” She smiled reassuringly. “You can both come back this afternoon if you like.” “Yes thank you sister we will do that. Please let me know if there's any change, you have my phone number?” “Yes and don't worry. This little guy is going to be fine. He will be playing football again in no time.” “Goodbye, Tio I'll see you later then,” I said lovingly, very reluctant to leave him. “Bye mom don't forget to come after lunch, uncle Mathias will you come too ?” “Yes, I'll see you later Tio. “ I hurried from the world aware of the certain sense of relief that Tio is going to recover soon.. When I was considering the question of disclosing Tio's paternity all my worries had been concerned with Marc's reaction. I had never previously considered how Tio would react. That he might eventually choose to live in luxury with his father. I had been prepared to accept that possibility but he might come to hate me for depriving him of a family for so many years. It was just a thought, that disturbed me at the back of my mind. I was distracted from my musings and followed Mathias, whose firm hand was propelling me towards a taxi which has just dropped off a young pregnant woman at the outpatient Department. I got inside the taxi and gave the driver, the direction, and I tried to persuade Mathias to stay with me, instead of at a hotel. “It will be much better if I take a room at the hotel,” Mathias insisted. “Your reputation, you understand, and also if Marc would come it would be a problem.” “Why should he? Did you leave a message asking him to come ?’ “I don’t know. But I think he will wish to come,” Mathias said with a faint shrug. “Well, Even so, I hardly think he'll want to stay with me. “ “No,” Mathias agreed quietly,” but you will want privacy both of you. There will undoubtedly be matters to be discussed between you two.” “Oh undoubtedly we have,” I said bitterly “And believe me I don't blame you for wanting to be as far away as possible, from the entire situation “ “That is not the reason and you know it! If my presence would help in any way I would be there but in the circumstances, it will only make matters worse. I know Marc and believe me you will be better alone Carmen.” “If you say so,” I said. “You will come back to the hospital this afternoon with me, won't you? Tio would expect you.” “Yes, Carmen don't worry too much.” He patted my arm reassuringly. “Marc will no doubt be very angry at first but when he meets Tio he will forget it. When I have dropped you at home I'll go into the town and buy myself some things. "He added. “ a toothbrush and some clothes perhaps.” “I'm sorry Mathias, I never thought about your lack of luggage. Do you have sufficient money? Please take my card and buy whatever you need.” “No Carmen, please do not bother.” He dismissed my worries with a casual gesture. “ I have the credit cards I can manage. There will be no problems.”