Never Judge

As Cedric entered the hospital with his family he let out a sigh. He didn't know if the members of the media realized who he actually was. It didn't matter anyway, his priority at the moment was to visit his mom.

He planned on stepping in front of the press later on when things became stable.

"Where is mom?" Cedric asked as he spotted Nicole approaching them. She looked exhausted but she tried to force out a smile still.

"Auntie is in the VIP ward." Nicole said with a nod.

Ayanna, Ray, and Emilio walked ahead while Cedric was held back by Nicole.

"We aren't positive about auntie's chances." Nicole confessed with a frown.

"I thought she has regained consciousness already?" Cedric asked Nicole. If his mother was conscious then didn't that mean she was getting better?

"She did." Nicole said slowly. "Ced, I don't want to give you guys false hope."

"Nicole, if there is anything you can do to make my mom better, do it." Cedric said in a stern tone. "I trust that you and Miguel will both do your best."

Nicole gave him a weak smile and nodded.

"Hey, you guys, come on!" Ayanna called out. She was in a better mood now knowing that her mother was conscious. Cedric had told her as they walked up to the entrance that he spoke to Adrianna and she confirmed that his mother was now doing better.

"Yes, yes. Nicole just wanted to speak to me." Cedric said as he and Nicole walked over to them.

In the VIP ward Cedric spotted his wife sitting by his mother's bed. He walked up to her and quickly pulled her into his arms.

"Cedric." Adrianna cried out as she buried her head in his chest.

"It's okay Adri, I'm here for you now." Cedric said as he stroked her hair.

"Cedric, Mia." Adrianna said as she cried.

"I know dear." Cedric said. "I've arranged for her funeral and her burial. She'll be placed to rest as a member of the Reyes Family. She deserved this at least."

"Thank you." Adrianna said as she hugged him tightly.

Cedric watched as his father walked over to his mother who weakly lay on the hospital bed.

"Darling." Emilio Reyes said as he held his wife's hand. "How are you feeling?" He asked her.

"Weak." Priscilla managed to say as she smiled at her husband.

"I thought you would never wake up." Emilio said as he planted a kiss on her forehead. "Miguel was giving me constant updates on your status. I'm so glad you managed to pull through."

"I dreamt of you, of us." Cedric's mother said with a smile. "It was back when we were kids, we were in one of the ponds in the Reyes Mansion compound. I fell in and you jumped in after me." Priscilla said with a smile.

Cedric noticed his father smiling back as his mother recalled a memory from their childhood.

"I remember that day." Emilio said as he looked at his wife. "I thought I was some hero, jumping in to save you, when in fact the pond didn't even rise to our waist." Emilio said with a laugh.

"How is she?" Cedric asked Miguel as his friend approached with a frown.

"She's honestly doing better. We were surprised that she even woke up." Miguel confessed. "I'm still worried about her Cedric. Your mother isn't in the best condition."

"Shouldn't we be celebrating this instead Miguel?" Cedric asked his friend. He was curious as to why Miguel was acting as if he had so little faith in his own skills.

"I can't help but worry Cedric." Miguel said, shaking his head. "Her condition just a few minutes ago was so different. It's like she's a whole new person now."

"It's okay, have faith in your skills Miguel." Cedric said as he placed a hand on Miguel's shoulder.

"Miguel we know you always do your best." Adrianna said with a smile. Cedric was glad that his wife spoke up, since it was her cousin's death that weighed heavily on Miguel's conscience. In truth, Miguel had already saved so many lives since Jam's death, several in a worse state than Jam.

"Sometimes Miguel, if it's a person's time to go, it is." Cedric said with a sigh. He was not happy about Jam dying, who would be, but he knew that some lives could not be saved.

Miguel simply nodded and gave them a weak smile.

"How are you holding up?" Cedric asked his wife.

"Much better now that you are here." Adrianna said as she looked up at Cedric.

Cedric smiled and leaned down, capturing her lips in his. All he wanted right now was to show her that he was there, that he would always protect her and those closest to them.

"Let me keep mom company for a while, then we can go to the Reyes Mansion so that you can rest." Cedric said as their lips parted.

"Okay. I'll play with Yoyo." Adrianna said with a smile as she walked over to Ayanna who was carrying their son.

Cedric pulled a chair and sat on the other side of his mother's bed. He reached out and held her hand.

"Mom, I was so worried." Cedric told her.

"Son, it's my job to worry about you, not the other way around." Priscilla said in a weak voice.

"You should have seen him darling, he was livid!" Emilio teased his wife. "Our son truly loves you."

"Mom, why did you do that? Why would you risk your life?" Cedric asked his mother.

"Does he know?" Priscilla asked her husband, Emilio simply nodded in response.

"Cedric, I don't have long to live." Priscilla said as a tear fell from her eye. Cedric felt like someone was squeezing his heart as his mother said this. "Cedric, if I go, I want to go for a good reason, and protecting my family is a good enough reason to me."

"Mom." Cedric said, he was at a loss for words, he didn't know how to respond.

"Cedric, don't worry about me, I'm fine." Priscilla said with a smile. "Find that bastard that wanted to kill my grandson." Despite her harsh words Priscilla's face remained calm.

"We will get him soon mom." Cedric said with a nod.