"Alright Ms. Andrews, we have an idea of what is going on but we will need to due some further test to confirm."

Looking down, my hand is engulfed by my mother. Her smile is tight at an attempt to reassure. I turn to my father who is standing behind my mother. His body is rigid as he attempts to stay strong. My eyes drift back to the doctor giving him a small nod. He gives me a small smile and one single nod. 

"Excuse me Doctor. May we ask what you believe it could be?" My mother's voice wavering slightly. 

"There are many things that could cause weight loss, and the nose bleeds could be brought on by stress. I don't want to cause any more panic until we know more."

The doctor's gaze drifts from my parents to me. Standing up from his chair, he reaches out for my hand. I slowly take it giving my parents a smile as he leads me out of the room. 

Sophia shoots up from her bed hearing the wails of her niece. She rubs her hand across her forehead feeling the sweat that has formulated. Dreams of her first brush with her disease have become more frequent. She is not sure why however her body is always covered in a film of sweat when she awakens. 

Throwing the blanket off, she gets up walking out of the room. Her hair probably a bird's nest and her attire a disarray but she didn't care. Her feet lead her to the kitchen where she finds her sister bouncing the baby in her arm and trying to make a bottle. It has been a few days since they have arrived home and to say Destiny was a handful was an understatement. She cried at the drop of a hat and seemed to never be fully satisfied. 

"Need help?"

Jessica turned at her sister's voice and Sophia felt her heart drop. Her sister's eyes were blood shot and tears have stained her cheeks from an earlier cry. Sophia didn't hesitate walking over to take the formula as Destiny continued to scream her little lungs out. Glancing at the clock, she sees that is near 3 in the morning. She continues making the bottle as her sister attempts to soothe her. After the bottle is made, she turns swiftly removing the babe from her sleep deprived sister. 

Jessica watches as her baby sister expertly gets her baby in place before swaying and feeding her. Her palms go up to her eyes pressing hard on her eyes. She isn't sure if she can do this. Destiny never fully sleeps. By the time she gets her settled, she picks up the mess, cleans a few bottles and takes a quick shower Destiny is back up again. She feels as if sleep is a luxury if she is able to get an hour. A sob escapes her feeling as if she is somehow failing. 

"Hey" 

Sophia reaches out to her sister as she attempts to stay strong. It is not easy and the toll it is taking on Jessica is evident. She rubs her arm as her sister leans back against the counter with her eyes still covered. Sophia's hand continues to rub her arm trying to sooth her. 

"I don't know if I can do this Sophia.."

Her voice sounding so defeated. Sophia feels herself crumble for her sister. She straightens her back before pulling Jessica's hands away from her face. The tears still running but she looks to her. 

"You can and will do this Jessica." Jessica's lips wobble as she listens to her words. Sophia's voice holding conviction. "You raised me Jessica and now- you see this beautiful baby girl."

Jessica's eyes going down to her daughter who is silently taking her bottle. Her little eyes looking to her making the tired mother feel a burst of pride. 

"You chose to keep her even though you were alone. You are strong Jessica. This is just a moment in a life time of moments. You. Can. Do. This."

Jessica closes her eyes lifting her head to the ceiling feeling a strength from her sister's words. She stands up straight and looks back to her sister who is still swaying feeding her daughter. She wipes away the tears nodding her head. 

"For now, rest. I can take her for a bit. You can't do this on fumes."

"Sophia, you have work-"

"Jessica, I'm not asking." Sophia walked out of the kitchen grabbing a burp cloth tossing it on her shoulder. She makes it to the kitchen's entrance before turning back to her elder sister. "Rest Jess, trust me."

She doesn't wait any further as she walks back up towards her room. Jessica stands in the kitchen for a moment before looking up towards the ceiling. 

"You should be so proud of her."

With that, she listens to her sister and walks back to her room collapsing on the bed. Her exhaustion getting to her and she instantly falls asleep. Her dreams filled with a certain little bundle that has taken her heart. 

Sophia made it back to her room before walking over to her hanging chair and sitting down. She reaches over to plug in the fairy lights aligning it and begins gently pushing forward and backward. Her eyes going to the beautiful girl whose eyes are looking to the lights. 

"Pretty little girl, you should be nicer to your mom. She loves you sooooo much."

The little baby doesn't answer as her arms begin to move reaching for the lights. Sophia smiles down at her as she continues to feed her. Her voice beginning to hum a song. 

She begins to sing the familiar song as Destiny finishes her bottle. She sets it aside before bringing the baby to her shoulder gently patting her back. She continues to sing rotating little Destiny to swaddle her seeing the infant's eyes barely staying open. She stands up walking over to her window looking out at the stars. 

And you're gonna make it

And you're gonna make it

And the night can only last for so long

She turns back to her bed gently getting back on it with the sleeping bundle tucked to her side. She makes sure she is safe before checking her phone making sure her alarm is still on. Her eyes closing on their own accord. She holds her beautiful niece allowing her demons to lie dormant for a brief moment. 

The next time she opened her eyes it was due to her alarm. She quickly shut it off and looked down to find Destiny was still asleep surprising her. She kissed her little head before rotating her to the center of her bed. Making a little bit of a pillow fort, she walks to her bathroom checking one last time to make sure the baby was still secure before turning on the shower. She left her door open to the bedroom just in case. Taking a quick shower, she comes out. Hearing soft whimpers, she knows Destiny is beginning to wake up. She makes quick work to get her clothes on before gathering the waking baby in her arms. She walks down the stairs as Destiny begins to voice louder. 

"Shh little miss... Let's not wake mommy."

She walks over to the formula and makes a bottle with one hand finding it to be a bit of a challenge. She begins feeding Destiny while grabbing an apple for herself. Her body continuing the swaying motion as Destiny settles happily with a bottle. Looking towards the kitchen entrance, she is not ready to wake Jessica knowing how hard this has been. She grabs her phone quickly dialing a number. 

"Good Morning Tesoro"

"Good Morning Luca." A smile accompanied by a blush appearing on her face. "I need a favor."

"Okay?" His voice holding the question. 

"May I bring Destiny with me today? You don't have any scheduled meetings and I can even stay down in Jess' office if need be."

"There's no need for that. Bring her in."

"Thank you Luca" Her voice holding the warmth and thankfulness for him. 

"Not needed Tesoro."

She hangs up a moment later and begins to walk around gathering a bag for her along with the playpen that has an area to lay her down in. After getting it all, she makes a note for her sister before bundling up Destiny. She goes to begin loading everything in the car but a knock at the door stops her. She opens the door to find a man in a suit with a gentle smile.

"Hello, my name is Daniel. You must be Sophia?"

"I'm sorry to be rude but who are you?" Her hands tightening on her niece. The man catches the movement and steps back slightly. 

"My apologies ma'am. I am Mr. Sanford's driver. He has sent me to gather you and your niece along with anything you may need."

He hands her a car that has Luca's information on it. Cursing in her head she sighs nodding her head. She steps back gesturing to the bag and the packed play pen. The man nods stepping forward to gather them before taking them to his car. She follows and is surprise to find the car equipped with a car seat. She raises a brow to the man and he chuckles looking down at it. 

"Mr. Sanford had me buy it on the way here. I had the store install it in the car."

"Thank you Daniel."

She gets in securely tucking Destiny into the seat. The little girl remaining quiet looking at everything around her. She then buckles herself in giving a nod to Daniel. He gives one in return before pulling out of the spot. Sophia's eyes drifting down to Destiny to keep an eye on her. She seemed to be happy though and wasn't causing an mischief... at least yet. 

"She is a gentle soul"

Sophia snorts looking into the rearview mirror where Daniel glances back at her. "She has been giving her mother a run for her money."

A chuckle escapes the older man as he smiles. The crinkles around his eyes showing his sincerity. "They may be restless however no greater joy."

"Do you have children Daniel?"

"Yes and no ma'am. I had a son." She remains silent not wanting to question further. "He would have been a few years older than you."

"I'm sorry sir"

"Not needed dear. He died protecting his brothers overseas. My boy is a hero and gave his life so others could live."

"He seems like a good man."

The older man doesn't comment further but smiles glancing down at his lap momentarily. Sophia gives him a tight smile knowing that couldn't have been easy. Loosing her parents were hard but loosing a child... she couldn't comprehend what it must have been like. 

Shortly after they pull up to the office. He parks the car getting out to help her. They walk into the entrance where Sam instantly spots the additional newcomer and makes haste to get to them. He retrieves the playpen from Daniel as they begin to speak for a moment before Sophia turns thanking Daniel. He bows slightly exiting as Sam helps take the playpen upstairs with her. She continues carrying Destiny who coos capturing the attention of others passing by. Most of the woman aweing at her. She makes it to her upstairs office and points to where Sam can place the pen. She thanks him watching as he expertly sets it up with no problems. 

"Sophia?"

"Be right in Mr. Sanford."

She turns back to Sam thanking him one last time before walking into the office with Destiny in her arms. He is already sitting looking at papers on his desk. His eyes lifting to meet hers as she smiles gently. He stands with a tired smile before coming to kiss her cheek. 

"Morning Tesoro," hearing a coo his eyes drift down. "Morning Destiny"

She flaps her arms in return. Sophia smiles down at her before looking back at her- well whatever he is. That has been a question on her mind for some time but she hasn't had the nerve to question him. Right now, she just knows he wants her and she wants him. 

"I spoke to Ms. Wood and she should be up in a moment's time to review what is going on in the finance department. I told her that we would not be traveling between both offices today."

"Thank you" She says softly looking at him. His icy blue eyes meet her and she feels her heart rate speed up. He slowly leans forward mindful of the baby before gently kissing her lips. Sophia doesn't hesitate to return the gesture. 

"Mmmm... this would end differently if she wasn't here." He says pointing to Destiny. Sophia blushes biting her lip. He places his finger under her chin making her gaze lock with his. 

"Don't test me Tesoro"