Thursday, January 4th, 2018

Alyshea's POV

"Channing, you know who caused the accident? Cam was thinking of the usual troublemakers - Giovanna, Bryce, etc."

"It was Wendy."

"The girl you dated after Cocoa? Why would she almost kill my child?"

"I overheard her conversation with one of Bryce's friends. Wendy wanted Cocoa to feel miserable and depressed after Cocoa and I broke up. When Wendy saw that it didn't happen, she was mad. Wendy was obsessed with trying to make Cocoa miserable. Wendy also blames Cocoa for our breakup. The boiling point was when Wendy heard about Cam and Cocoa's engagement. I recorded the conversation and took it to the police."

"What is wrong with people?! My child is in the hospital, fighting for her life because someone was jealous?!"

"Yes, ma'am."

'Well, thank you for telling me. I hope the police get Wendy in time before she tries to run away."

"I hope so too."

Uh-oh, I see Cam and my kids coming this way. And, they do not look pleased.

"Cam, Lalita, and, Leilani don't do anything to get yourselves thrown out of the hospital. Channing came to tell me who was the cause of the accident."

"How do we know it wasn't him?" Cam says in the vilest tone I have ever heard out of him.

"The three of you need to sit. Would I be sitting here calm if Channing caused the accident? No, I most certainly would not. I would wring his neck, right here in the cafeteria. Now, hush up and listen. It was Wendy who did this to Cocoa."

"I overheard her talking to one of Bryce's friends. She is the one that had that driver hit Cocoa. Wendy was always jealous of Cocoa, even when we dated. When she heard you and Cocoa was engaged. That was her boiling point."

"That conniving heifer! I better not ever catch her because she won't like it," Leilani says. Out of my kids, Lei is the one who has the fighting spirit in her. I had to go to her school several times because she got into fights with girls in her class.

"I gave the police your home number to give you updates. I better get going."

"Thank you, Channing. I appreciate it."

Channing left the table. Unbelievable! "I'm tired. Cam, are you staying tonight?"

"Yes, I am."

"Okay. Please, keep me posted. I am going home to my bed. It's calling me."

"We'll go get Michail and Shea."

"I'll wait for you right here." Leilani and Lalita walked back to the waiting room. Cam stayed with me.

"I'm beginning to think we should move to Florida too. Maryland is nothing but heartache lately. I just don't want you both to think we are following you. Cocoa is going to pull through this. I have no doubt she will."

"We could never think that. And, the more people we know, the better."

"I'll talk to Val and the girls tomorrow before we attend the vigil."

Cam and I sat there until we saw Michail, Shea, Leilani, and Lalita.

"Mom, Alise, and Leigh are catching a flight in the morning. Alise said they will arrive at noon."

"Okay. We'll pick them up first, then go to the hospital. Let's get you and Shea home. Talk to you later, Cam."

******************

Friday, January 5th, 2018

While we were eating breakfast, I brought up the topic of moving.

"While everyone is at the table, I have a question for each of you to answer. Personally, I no longer feel comfortable living in my home state. Would any of you be opposed to moving to Miami? Of course, it would be after the school year ends for Guilia, Leilani, and Lalita."

"Moving to Miami would be cool. And, we would get to see Aunt Monica and the family more often. Yes, I would miss my friends. But, being with my family is more important," Leilani says first.

"Mom, I agree with Lei. I can start researching the universities in Florida," Lalita then replied.

"I think we should move too. Guilia, honey, how do you feel?" Val asked her. Thank goodness he agrees.

"I just got my dad back and a mom who loves me. I want to go too."

"I love you all. Why don't we go down around the same time as Cam and Cocoa? Like I told Cam yesterday, she is going to make it through this. I am not going to lose my child. Who is going with me to the vigil tonight?"

"We all are, mom."

"Okay. We better make our way to the airport. Michail, here are my keys. I'll ride with Lei or Lalita."

"Thanks, mom. Shea, go to the bathroom and meet me by the door."

"Okay, daddy."

**********

After picking up Leigh and Alise from the airport, we made our way to the hospital.

Val and I went to check on Cam and Cocoa. I knocked on the door first, then we entered.

Cam was watching television.

"Hi, Cam. Have you eaten anything yet?"

"My dad brought me something for breakfast. Nothing has changed since the last update. Cocoa is still listed as being in critical condition. I'll go to the waiting room for a little bit."

"Thanks, Cam."

After Cam left the room, I took my seat in the chair next to Cocoa's bed. I brought the pictures that Shea Shea drew.

"Cocoa, we know who did this to you. It was that girl name Wendy. The bad news is they can't find her. The coward is on the loose, and who knows where she could be. Once you get better, all of us, including me, Val, Guilia, Lei, and Lalita, are moving to Miami. I'm sick and tired of people hurting my family."

"What is Wendy's last name?" Val asked.

"I have no idea. Maybe Cam or Tosca might know."

"I'll be right back." Val then left the room.

"Guess who is here to see you, Cocoa? Michail, Shea Shea, Leigh, and Alise. Shea Shea even drew some pictures for you. I need you to wake up so you can see them. Your Aunt Mo and Uncle Elias came up from Miami. Rey and Nic came too. Nonno Luc, Emiliano, Nonna Ada, and Donatella are here too."

I heard someone enter Cocoa's room. It was Val.

"Dominic, Cam, and I will be right back. Cam knows Wendy's last name."

"Valentino Toscano, what are the three of you going to do?" He will do anything to protect his family, but this time it better be legal.

"You'll have to trust me on this one. We won't be gone long." After kissing my cheeks, he left the room.

What in the world is this man about to do?

*********

Val's POV

After leaving Cocoa's room, I went back to the waiting room.

"Cam and Dominic, let's go. We'll be back shortly, everyone."

"Emiliano and I are coming too, Val," my father said.

"Thanks, dad. It will mean a lot to Alyshea when I tell her."

"Uncle Val, Cocoa's Uncle Elias wants to contribute to the reward too. He's going to ride with me."

"Thanks, Elias. Let's go, gentlemen."

****************

Alyshea's POV

I am nervous about the vigil. I don't know why, though. It really is cold outside, but we need this. Everyone is bundled up and ready.

Everyone parked in the spots the university held for us.

Michail, Alise, Leigh, and Shea rode with Lalita. I let her drive my Denali. Leilani and Guilia rode with me and Val. Elias drove him, Mo, Nic, and Rey. Dominic drove him, Eliana, and Tosca.

After parking, we followed Tosca to where the vigil was held. As we got closer, I couldn't help but shed a few tears because it looked like almost every student was in attendance.

I saw the president of the University, so we walked over to him first.

"Thank you so much, President Thompson. It means so much to me and my family."

"You're welcome, Ms. Baker. When the students approached me about it, I had no problem saying yes. Cocoa is one of our brightest students. I was outraged when I heard what happened. We have cooperated with the police and gave them everything they need to apprehend the student who did this."

"We appreciate it very much." We walked over to a platform that was set up for us with a microphone.

After taking a few breaths, I began to speak.

"I want to thank each student here for your support and for attending this vigil. It means so much to me, Cam, and our family. I consider each of you here a part of my family. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. We are recording the vigil so we can show Cocoa when she wakes up. She will see how much you all supported her. Thank you so much for this."

"Thank you for supporting my Aunt Cocoa," Shea Shea said. I am surprised because, for the most part, she is shy. The students began to applaud and cheer.

"We also have an announcement to make. We, meaning the family, is offering a reward of $60,000 for the capture of Wendy Adams. Any information you may have or know, please don't hesitate to come forward to the police," Val then says next. So that is what he wanted me to trust.

Tosca spoke next. "Cocoa and I have been best friends forever. She is my sister, and I love her very much. I implore you to help find Wendy. Not just for me, but for Mrs. Alyshea, my brother, and our family. Thank you all for coming together tonight. I am proud to be a part of such an amazing university. Love you guys."

The students applauded for Tosca. I gave her a big hug. She is right - they have been inseparable since kindergarten. Tosca is my fourth daughter.

I invited Heather up on the platform.

"Mrs. Alyshea, Cocoa, and I have only known each other since starting university but, she is one of my best friends, and I love her like a sister. We had to hold this vigil for her because she is a part of our family here at Copper Grove. The cheer team designed several giant cards. Every student here signed the cards for Cocoa."

Heather waved several of the cheer team members, and sure enough, they were carrying four giant cards. I looked at each card and cried. I gave everyone at the vigil an air kiss.

"Thank you so much for the cards. I can't wait to show Cocoa the cards when she wakes up." I gave Heather and the cheer team a big hug as the students cheered.

"Grandma, I'm cold," Shea Shea says.

I'm cold too. "Thank you all again for the cards and the vigil. My family appreciates the support. Bundle up and stay warm."

Shea Shea grabbed my hand, and everyone walked off the stage back to the vehicles.

I gave the guys a huge hug. "Thank you, guys, for putting up the reward."

"You're welcome, Alyshea. Cocoa has always been like a second daughter to me since the day she and Tosca first met. We just had to," Dominic says.

"Let's get home to get warm. We can talk some more." After everyone took their seats, we pulled out of the parking lot and made our way home.

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