Chapter 8 - A Boy Named Leo
Three days later, I was finally allowed out of bed, seated in a plush wheelchair pushed by Luca himself.
The halls of St. Bridget’s Pediatric Wing were bright, decorated with cheerful murals of cartoon animals and starry night skies. But the most remarkable change was the plaque beside the ward entrance. In polished bronze lettering, it read: The Nora Ferraro Pediatric Cancer Institute.
I stared at the plaque, then looked up at Luca with wide eyes. ""You didn't have to do this.""
""It's the only thing that belongs with your name,"" he said softly, resting his large hands on my shoulders. ""You gave that boy life, Nora. The least I could do was give you the foundation to protect a thousand more.""
We stopped outside Room 412. Through the glass observation window, I could see a tiny boy with large, curious hazel eyes, wearing oversized dinosaur pajamas. An IV drip was steadily pumping my processed stem cells into his small body. His cheeks, which had been gray and gaunt during my previous visits, already had a faint blush of healthy pink.
A nurse noticed us and smiled warmly, stepping outside to greet us.
""Mrs. Ferraro! The transplant took beautifully,"" she beamed. ""His blood counts are already stabilizing. The rejection markers are completely flat. It’s an absolute miracle.""
Leo looked toward the glass and saw me. His face lit up with a brilliant, toothy grin. He waved his small, bandaged hand enthusiastically.
Tears filled my eyes as I raised my hand and waved back.
""Can I go inside?"" I asked, looking up at Luca.
""Bennett said five minutes,"" Luca murmured, his voice husky with emotion. ""Mask and gloves only.""
I slipped on the sterile gown and mask, stepping into the room. Leo sat up in bed, hugging a stuffed bear tightly against his chest.
""Hi, Nora,"" the little boy chirped in a tiny, raspy voice. ""The doctor said you gave me your magic superhero blood.""
I laughed through my tears, kneeling beside his bed so I was at eye level with him. ""You're the superhero, Leo. You've been fighting so hard.""
""Are you going to be my mommy now?"" he asked innocently, his big eyes searching mine. ""The social worker said when I get out of the hospital, I won't have to go back to the shelter. She said a nice family bought me a huge room with a puppy.""
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. I turned my head toward the window.
Luca was standing on the other side of the glass. He had taken off his dark sunglasses, his gaze steady, intense, and filled with a warmth I had never seen before. He nodded slowly, giving me a rare, gentle smile.
I looked back at Leo, reaching out to gently squeeze his tiny, warm hand.
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""Yes, Leo,"" I whispered, tears spilling freely over my mask. ""You have a home now. You have a huge room, a big backyard, and a dad who will move mountains to keep you safe.""
Leo beamed, leaning forward to press his forehead against my sterile gown. ""I like you, Nora. You smell like sunshine.""
