When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 255: Daydreaming

He smiled, his features softening with the warmth of the gesture. "Yesterday, when I was discharged, I saw Zinnia walking back here, so I figured you might still be here. I didn’t want you all to leave without having something to eat," he explained.

A small, involuntary tug in her chest. That was all Zinnia’s heart did. His thoughtfulness brought back memories of the James she used to know—the one who always knew exactly what she needed before she could even articulate it.

"That’s really considerate of you," Elena said softly. "Thank you."

James smiled slightly and looked toward Ricardo’s bed. "How is he?"

Elena sighed, her countenance somber as she turned toward her husband. "No change yet. He is stable says the doctor; we are only waiting for him to wake up."

James nodded, his forehead furrowing into a frown. "I’m sorry. This must be quite tough for you both. There is anything at all I could do to support you, don’t hesitate to say."

In response, Elena reached out to touch his arm with gratitude in her eyes. "Your support means a lot, James. Just knowing you care is already helping."

James’s attention was redirected to Zinnia, who had settled back into her seat beside her father. She looked tired, pale from the stress of the last few days. He hesitated for a moment before moving closer.

"Zinnia," he whispered softly, "you look like you haven’t slept. Did you even eat anything last night?"

Zinnia looked up at him, shocked by the concern in his voice. She shrugged and ducked her head so she wouldn’t have to look at him. "I wasn’t really hungry."

James let out a sigh, placing a small box of pastries on the bedside table. "Well, you have to eat something now. Here." He picked up a croissant from the box and handed it to her. "It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Zinnia hesitated, then took the croissant from his hand, her fingers brushing his briefly. "Thank you," she said softly.

As Zinnia took a small bite, James pulled up a chair and sat down beside the bed on the other side. He turned to Ricardo and was serious with him. "I know he’s strong," he said to himself. "He’ll get through this."

Elena nodded, her voice firm. "We believe that too. It’s just hard, not knowing when it will happen."

They sat in silence for a moment, the hum of the hospital quietly filling the room. Zinnia found herself looking at James; she was paying attention to how his brow furrowed ever so slightly as he regarded her father, and the quiet determination in his posture. It was comforting in ways she hadn’t expected to have him there.

After a moment of silence, Zinnia said, "James, why are you coming here? Bringing us breakfast... You don’t owe us anything."

James looked at her. "I know I don’t," he said, his eyes steady. "But that doesn’t mean I can’t care. You’ve always been there for the people you love, Zinnia. Let someone be there for you for once."

His words made Zinnia’s chest constrict and forced her to look away, but she kept her eyes on her father. "Thanks," she whispered again, not raising her voice this time either.

James spent a little longer with Elena. They talked; he glanced sometimes at Zinnia, now silent but definitely relaxed. Eventually, he rose and promised to return soon.

As the door shut behind him, Zinnia felt a peculiar combination of appreciation, confusion, and warmth from James—something she hadn’t experienced in such a long time since he went missing. Turning toward her mom, she received only a warm, knowing smile from Elena.

Elena sat back in her chair, the corners of her mouth lifting into a soft, knowing smile. Her gaze lingered on the door where James had just left, his thoughtfulness still fresh in her mind. She turned to Zinnia, who was finishing the croissant James had handed her moments earlier.

"He’s a good man, Zinnia," Elena murmured softly, her tone warm and reflective. "Just a pity I only have one daughter."

Zinnia froze mid-bite, her eyes widening as her mother’s words sank in. She placed the croissant down on the napkin and looked at Elena, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Mom, what was that?" she asked, half-exasperated, half-embarrassed.

Elena chuckled, clearly amused by her daughter’s reaction. "What? I’m just saying what’s true. Samuel and James—they’re both handsome, good men. And, honestly, if you had a twin, I’d gladly pair her with James. That way, I wouldn’t have to choose."

Zinnia let out a groan, rolling her eyes as she sank deeper into her chair. "Mom, stop. This is ridiculous."

But Elena was on a roll now, her chuckles growing into full laughter as she clasped her hands together, pretending to envision her idea. "Oh, imagine it, Zinnia. A double wedding! You and Samuel on one side, your twin and James on the other. It would be perfect. Matching gowns, coordinated flowers, the media would go crazy. A family legacy in the making!"

"Mom!" Zinnia exclaimed, covering her face with her hands. "Stop daydreaming. You’re being so dramatic right now!"

Elena leaned forward, grinning. "I’m serious. You can’t deny they’re both good catches. And think about it—James bringing us breakfast this morning, checking on your father. That’s the kind of man any mother would dream of for her daughter."

Zinnia peeked at her mother from between her fingers, her voice muffled. "Samuel does thoughtful things too, Mom. Just... in his own way."

Elena tilted her head, her smile softening. "I know he does, sweetheart. I’m not saying otherwise. But you have to admit, it’s not every day a man like James goes out of his way to show he cares, especially when he’s dealing with his own issues."

Zinnia let her hands fall to her lap, sighing. "James is just being kind, that’s all. He doesn’t owe us anything."

Elena nodded, her expression turning serious for a moment. "Kindness like that is rare, Zinnia. Don’t brush it off so easily. He genuinely cares about you, even if it’s just as a friend. That’s something to appreciate."

Zinnia frowned, her thoughts a tangle of confusion and unease. "I don’t even know what to think anymore, Mom. Between Dad, Samuel, James... everything feels so complicated."