Philly's just 160 kilometers from New York—a two-hour drive.
So Missy was the first to roll in.
Medical Center. Patient Room.
"OMG!"
Missy gasped the second she saw the woman in the hospital bed who looked exactly like her mom. Even knowing it wasn't her, her heart still jumped into her throat.
"This is Missy," Adam said, stepping in. "Missy, meet your mom's cousin, Beatrice Forbes, and her daughter, Emilia Forbes."
"Hey, Missy!"
Beatrice, still in bed, lit up at the sight of her. That family bond hit her hard, and she couldn't help but call out warmly.
"Hey, Aunt Beatrice!"
Missy, ever the pro at warming up a room, went straight in for a hug, then grabbed Emilia's hand with a grin. "Hey, Emilia!"
"Hey, Missy!"
Emilia beamed back—she was already vibing with her new cousin.
"You're gorgeous," Beatrice said, brushing Missy's cheek as tears welled up. "Way prettier than your mom was at your age."
"Emilia's the real stunner," Missy shot back with a laugh.
These relatives who'd never met before clicked instantly—no awkwardness, just laughter and chatter, thanks to the life-and-death vibes and Missy's killer people skills.
Soon after, Mary Cooper—Sheldon's mom—and Sheldon's grandma flew into New York and hit up the medical center. Cousins split as teens, reuniting in middle age? You bet there were some big feels.
Old squabbles from way back? Forgotten with a smile.
Missy, sharp as ever, dragged Emilia out to give Mary and Grandma some space.
Adam stuck around to field questions from the family.
Family Waiting Area.
"Missy, you and Adam tight?" Emilia asked, curious.
"Adam?"
Missy blinked at her little cousin. "You're already on a first-name basis?"
"Nah, not really," Emilia said, blushing under Missy's stare. "He told Mom to call him Adam, so I just followed along."
"Steer clear of him," Missy warned, fixing Emilia's hair. "He's bad news—especially for a pretty girl like you."
"What, like he's some creep?" Emilia's eyes widened. "A player? He doesn't seem like it. His vibe's clean—not like the boys at school with their pervy stares."
"It's all an act," Missy said, dead serious. "That's what makes him dangerous. He's leagues above those schoolboys—way better at hiding it. Trust me, keep your distance."
"Is it that bad?" Emilia half-believed her, half-didn't.
"You don't buy it?"
Missy grinned and launched into Adam's player chronicles—90% true, 10% spiced up. Predictably, every girl who'd gotten close to him ended up in shambles, take after take.
Missy's storytelling had Emilia hooked, chills running down her spine.
"No way he's that guy," Emilia muttered.
"Can't judge a book by its cover," Missy smirked. "The hotter the guy, the better they lie. Don't fall for their BS. I'll teach you how to spot it—see through men's crap—when we've got time."
"Cool," Emilia nodded.
They dropped the topic and swapped life stories instead.
"Missy, Emilia, you can head back now," Adam called, strolling over. He caught Emilia giving him a weird side-eye and glanced down at himself. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Emilia mumbled, avoiding his gaze, head down as she sidestepped him toward the room.
"Missy!"
Adam wasn't dumb—he knew he'd been slandered. He shot a look at Missy, who was grinning like a cat.
"What's wrong?" she giggled.
"What'd you tell her to freak her out like that?" Adam groaned.
"The truth," Missy said, all smug. "Told her you're a giant perv and to stay away."
"…"
Adam's mouth twitched. "She's still in high school! You're making me sound way worse than I am!"
"Oh, so you did think about it, just held back 'cause she's not legal yet?" Missy's eyes narrowed. "Wait, this sounds familiar… oh yeah, Peggy! Same deal back then! So, spill—what's the deal with you and Peggy?"
"...You're getting cheekier by the day," Adam said, flustered. "Peggy was a fluke—I never meant to—"
"Keep spinning your tales," Missy scoffed. "You and Sheldon both have that HD memory thing. Teenage Peggy was a knockout—you don't need me to paint the picture. Back then, you were the school's legendary player. If you and Peggy never hooked up, I might've given you some trust. But now? You buying your own story?"
"I do!" Adam said, all earnest. "I swear, I had zero thoughts about Peggy back then. Believe me!"
Juno could vouch! If he'd had those thoughts, she'd have roasted him alive.
"See, there it is," Missy shook her head. "Your game's leveled up—lying to yourself first. Last time, you couldn't pull that off with a straight face. Now you're so good, you've convinced yourself." She huffed, indignant. "I still can't believe Peggy fell for a guy like you… what's that look?"
"You're still hung up on Peggy ditching you," Adam said, eyeing her oddly.
"Pfft! Men!"
Missy snapped back to cool, rolling her eyes. "Everything's gotta be about that with you!"
They'd reached the room by now, standing outside and peering through the glass. Emilia sat on the bed, her hand clasped by Beatrice.
Inside the Room.
"…Study hard, boost your grades. Next year, you'll be taking two advanced courses a semester if you want a shot at a good college…" Beatrice was laying it out for Emilia.
"Mom, this is kinda scary," Emilia said. Even as sweet as she was, she knew something was up.
"Listen to your Aunt Mary from now on," Beatrice said, fighting back tears. "Marry a good guy—one who respects his mom. But if he still lives with her, dump him fast."
"Mom, what are you talking about? I'm not marrying anyone now!" Emilia's voice shook.
"You will someday," Beatrice forced a smile. "When that day comes, sip some champagne, then stick to water all night. Nothing's uglier than a sloppy drunk bride."
"Mom, I don't want—" Emilia's tears fell, choking her up. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Honey, I'm really sick," Beatrice said, taking a deep breath. "The doctors say I won't get better."
With Mary here, everything that needed saying was said. Mary's support put her at ease, but before heading into surgery, Beatrice wanted to be straight—just in case she didn't come out.
"No…" Emilia let out a broken sob.
"Look at me, Emilia—listen, this is important!" Beatrice pressed. "One day, you'll have a kid, and you'll feel this heavy responsibility for that little thing. You'll obsess over what to feed them, what school they'll go to—violin or piano lessons?
You'll wonder if you're doing it right. That's normal.
But here's a secret: none of that matters as much as whether your kid's happy.
So if I'm gone, you'll be sad—but only for a little while.
Promise me you won't stay sad too long.
Promise?"
"I promise," Emilia nodded, tears streaming.
"Good."
Beatrice pulled her crying daughter into a hug, kissed her forehead, and glanced at her cousin Mary with a hopeful look.
Mary—Sheldon's mom—covered her mouth, nodding firmly at Beatrice.
Sheldon's grandma sighed softly, resting a hand on Mary's shoulder for support.
"See that?" Missy said outside, nudging Adam.
"Yeah," Adam sighed, nodding. "I get it—keep my distance."
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