Hi everyone. This is my first fan fiction and my writing is not very strong and you might find this story boring. Please give me a chance. Look forward for comments.

She had barely eaten or slept since the news. She sat at the end of the bar of her parents kitchen, holding on to a photo.

Lady: Calleigh, honey you need to eat.

Man: Lori…

L. Kenwall. Duke they said they would call once the results were in.

Not wanting to hear her parents argue.

Calleigh got up and walked out of the house and sat on the bench in the back of her parents home.

It was a 6month ago while giving her son a bath that she notice a bruise the size of a half dollar on the right side of his lower back. Thinking it was dirt she tried to clean it off. When it wouldn't wipe off. She asked her son.

C: Ethan, honey doesn't this hurt you when I touch you here.

He shakes his head and turned to look at Calleigh with a smile.

Et: No, mama.

Thinking to herself it was probably nothing. Boys are boys and they do like to play rough.

C: Okay, little man lets get you out and dried and into your pjs and off to bed.

We have a big day tomorrow.

He smiled at her…

Et. I love you, mama

C. I love you too, bubby.

Et. You work tonight.

C. No, baby not tonight nor tomorrow

Ethan smile and gave Calleigh a hug

Et. Yay.. Can you read me a story.

C. of course baby.. But first lets get dressed and teeth brushed.

Next morning

Walking into the kitchen. Calleigh poured herself a cup of coffee and sat with her mom. She took a sip of her coffee.

C. Daddy, left for work already.

L. Yes, he had to be in court early today. So have you heard from the renovation company.

Calleigh took another sip of her coffee and licked her lips.

C. No.. not lately. My gosh, mom. You already want us out of your house.

L. No, sweetheart. I just don't want them taking advantage of you.

C. Don't worry the last time they called they were ahead of schedule. We should be out of your hair soon. Giving her mom a smile. She takes another sip. What time is it anyways?

L. fifteen after seven. Why?

C. Ethan. He never sleeps this late. I was so sure that he was down here with you or Daddy, when he didn't come into my room this morning.

L. Well, maybe he's with Mia.

C. No, I gave her the day off since I'm off for the next couple of days. I'm going to go check on him.

C. Ethan, honey. Its time to get up, baby. She walks into his room and calls out for him. Ethan, honey its time to get up. She pulls down the covers and sits on his bed and rubs his back. Honey it time to get up.

Not wanting to get out of the bed.

E. No, I tired.

giving him a tickle. letting out a giggle. Ethan sits up

C. Morning, buddy. Hey, lets get you out of these, ok. We have lots to do.

E. Otay.

Calleigh got up from his bed and started to undress him. When pulling off his shirt she notice his back and ran her fingers down his back and notice the bruise had gotten bigger and few smaller ones around his left shoulder. In panic she calls out for mom. Not knowing if her mom heard, Calleigh ran to the doorway.

C. MOM! get up here.

Lori put down her coffee and runs upstairs to Ethan's room.

L. What's wrong? Why are you yelling?

C. look at his back. He only had one bruise last night when I was giving him a bath. I didn't worry about it cause he said it didn't hurt. I just thought he had gotten it from school.

L. Okay, lets not worry or panic. Lori sat down on the bed and picked Ethan up and sat him on her lap. You need to stay calm. You're going to scare him. I'll call Doctor Johnson and see if we can get an appointment. Lets see what's going on. He's going to be okay. Don't worry. Lori turn to Ethan and smiles. You ready for some breakfast, monkey.

Finishing the examination. He turns to Calleigh.

Doc. J. It could be a virus, but I would like to draw some blood and run some test.

C. Okay. Do I need to worry? Has she takes Ethan off the examining table and starts dressing him. What kind of test? What does this mean?

Doc. J. Lets not worry or rush into any conclusion.

Calleigh nods agrees and is sent to the lab.

Once the nurse finished drawing Ethan's blood.

Nur. You deserve a lollypop for being such a good boy. She smiled at Calleigh.

C. How long do we have to wait?

Nur. We'll call you when we get the results, so go have some lunch and don't worry. Its probably nothing.

Et. Yuck.. Pulling an onion out of his bowl of spaghetti.

C. Oh, Sweetie lets not play with our food. Ok. Wiping Ethan's hands.

Et. I don't like onion.

C. I know, honey. But lets not stick our fingers in our food.

L. Maybe I should call your father let him know what's going on.

C. No, You yourself told me not to worry. That everything is going to be okay.

You told me… before Calleigh could finish her phone rang. Calleigh looked at her mom and then at the phone's caller id she held in her hand.

Phone rang second time, then a third time

L. Are you going to answer it.

C. YES.. She snap out . Hello… This is her. Okay.. We're on our way.

She looked at her mom. That was Dr. Johnson's nurse. Dr. Johnson wants us back in his office.

Sitting in the examining room waiting for Dr. Johnson. Ethan asleep in Calleigh's arms.

C. You know I hate this.

L What's that, baby.

C. Waiting. Waiting for the doctor to come in and tell us.. Shaking her head. No.. no there's… Lori taking her hand. A knock at the door. Wiping Calleigh tear off her cheek.

Doc. J. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, Ms. Duquesne

She smile and looks at her mom.

C. No, no problem. Your nurse stated you have Ethan's result

Doctor Johnson came around and sat in his chair.

Doc. J. There seems to be a problem with Ethan white blood cell count.

There off.

C/L. what do you mean.. off.

Doc. J. Just be on the safe side. I want to send you up to hematology/oncology for more testing. Calleigh takes a breath and turns to face her mom and shakes her head. Unable to speak.

L. Wait, Dr. Johnson. Wait a hematology an oncology, but that's cancer.

Are you telling us that my grandson has cancer.

Doc. J. I don't want to jump into any conclusion. I want to make sure we ran the test right that there were no mistakes.

Calleigh sat there in silence. In shock in what she just heard. The doctor hands the paper work to Lori and where to go upstairs. They sat there for a while when Calleigh finally spoke.

C. Mom, I think we should call dad, Jeff, or Amber to cancel dinner. We're going to be here for a while. Just don't go into details. Calleigh holds a sleepy Ethan in her arms and gets up and starts to walk out the doctors office.

They walk into another office.

C. Mom why don't you take Ethan and go sit in that corner . I'll go check us in. taking Ethan from Calleigh.

L. Come on honey lets go sit over here.

Et. Nana, I wanna go home. I tired. Mama said we can go to the zoo.

L. I know, baby. May be tomorrow. How about I read you a book. While we wait for mama.

C. Hi, we.. my son has an appointment. Dr. Johnson sent us up.

Nur. Hello. What's the patients name and did the doctor send you with any of the patients paper work.

C. Yes, um. My son's name is Ethan Duquesne. Calleigh hands her the paper work.

Nur. Oh, yes. I just need a few more information from you before we call you back. Calleigh turns to see her mom reading to Ethan.

L. 'Fox sat in his room. He was bored. I know. He said. I need a friend. Fox picked up his net and went to see his mom. I'm going to catch a friend. Fox said.' "You can't catch friends." Mom explained.

Nur. Ma'am. Okay I think we have it all. Go ahead and have a seat. It'll just be a minute.

Et. He silly nana.

L. Why do you say that, monkey.

Et. Because you can't you catch a friend. Taking the seat next to her mom and her son Calleigh lets out a breath and runs her hand through her hair.

L. You okay. Biting her lip Calleigh nods.

C. Mom, we've been at the doctors office for most of the day. Ethan tired. I'm tired. She turns to her mom. I promise him that we would go to the zoo. Lori embrace her daughter. I just want to know what's wrong with my son.

L. I know, honey. I called daddy and let him know what was going on.

Calleigh breaks the embrace.

C. What? Mom, I asked you not to. I only asked you to cancel dinner.

L. Baby, you know your dad. A little voice interrupt.

Et. Nana, finish the story. When he looked up seeing his papa walking into the waiting room. Jumping off Lori's lap.

E. Papa.

K. Hey, monkey. Kenwall picking him up and giving him a kiss on his cheek

C. Daddy. Ethan come here sweetie.

K. How long have y'all been waiting.

L. Duke, we just got here about 15 minutes ago. Not too long.

Nur. Duquesne, Ethan Duquesne

Looking up at her parents and taking a breath. Calleigh takes Ethan from her father.

L. do you want me to come back with you.

C. Yes, please. Taking hold of her moms hand. Daddy I'm sorry.

K. It's fine, honey. Everything will be okay, lampchop

Calleigh gave her dad a weak smile.

After two hours of testing. They were sent home. And were told that they would call when the results were in. Leaving the hospital. They walk into the house no words between each other. Calleigh was the first to speak.

C. I'm going to go lay him down in my room and take a shower. He's exhausted.

L. Calleigh, honey we need to talk.

C. Tomorrow, mom. Tomorrow. I'm just too tired

.

Early next morning the phone rang telling them they needed to get back to Dr. Campus office.

Calleigh had brought her parents for support. Calleigh and her mother walks into the office. Kenwall decides stay behind and take Ethan to the playground outside of the hospital.

Dr. C. Good morning I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I'm Dr. Kelly Campus.

C. Morning, I'm Calleigh Duquesne and this my mother Lori Duquesne.

Dr. C. Hello. Lets get to Ethan result. Ethan's blood work is abnormal. His white blood court is very low, his hemoglobin is at a 7.5 and his..

Calleigh interrupts.

C. I'm sorry, Doctor. I'm sorry to interrupted. Could you please just tell me what's wrong with my son. Lori puts her hands on Calleigh's shoulders.

L. Honey, let her finish.

The doctor walked in front of Calleigh and sat in the empty chair.

Doc. C. Ms. Duquesne there's no easy way in saying this, your son has leukemia. Trying to catch her breath Calleigh couldn't speak.

L. What do you mean leukemia. My grandson has been running around like nothings wrong. He's been poke at , x-rayed …

C. Mom. St- stop. What's our next step?

L. Wait. I want to know .. How?

Doc. C. Yes, ma'am. Ethan's bone marrow isn't developing new cells. New healthy cells. These healthy cells help fight infection and diseases. So when these abnormal cells crowd and floods the bone marrow making it hard to do its job.

C. What kind does..

Doc. C. proton

C. What kind of cancer does he have.

Doc. C. In Ethan case AML.

L. AML?

Doc. C. Acute Myelocytic Leukemia.

C. Her hand went to her mouth. What do we do? What's next?

L. What are our opinions.

Doc. C. Our next step is a morrow biopsy. An aspiration will be done.

C. What? What is that?

Doc. C. What it is. A remover of bone marrow. We will go in remove marrow from his pelvic bone. It's done under local anesthesia. Next a special needle is inserted into the bone. A tube is attached to it, which will create a suction.

L. Wait you said local anesthesia. Which means he's going to be a wake

Doc. C. Yes, ma'am. A parent will be allowed in the room to keep him calm.

C. Will he feel anything.

Doc. C. He may feel a sting and slight burning sensation when the numbing medicine is applied. He may feel pressure as the needle is inserted into the bone and a sharp and sometimes a painful sucking sensation as the marrow is being removed. This may last a few minutes.

L. once this procedure is done what's next.

Doc. C. Once the we have remove all the cancer he'll start chemo for about two to three month then we'll start him on radiation. Once he is strong enough we can have the transplant.

C. Transplant

Doc. C. Yes. In some cases a bone marrow or cord blood transplant may be offer for the best chance for him to be a long term remission. Calleigh sat there in silence. She could hear her mother' s voice echoing. while the doctor explaining and Lori throwing question left and right.

L. Who can donate.

Doc. C. A family member or unrelated donor or a cord blood unit. I do have to warn you with these transplant it has a higher risk of serious side effect.

L. What do you mean side effect? Calleigh finally speaks up.

C. Meaning Ethan's body can reject it and..

L. No, don't you dare. Do you hear me Calleigh Ann. Calleigh stares out the window and sees her father and son. Now tell me again who again is a suitable match?

Doc. C. A healthy adult, a family member, or a sibling. We'll start by putting his name in Database. At the same time I'm going to need all family members to be tested. In general a sibling has had the best results. Does Ethan have a brother or a sister.

Calleigh shakes her head. And turns back to the doctor.

C. No, he has a few cousins. What's our next step?

Doc. C. We'll do bone marrow aspiration and have my nurse get you started with the paperwork to get him the database. I'm going to call them upstairs let them know you're on your way. Lori and Calleigh leave the room and see Duke on the playground of the hospital.

Calleigh takes Ethan from her dad and heads back inside while Lori informs Kenwall what was going on. Calleigh's upstairs and waits. A nurse comes in to start an iv and gives Ethan anesthetic. Ethan not wanting to give his arm to nurse.

Nur. Oh, come on little man I know you're a good boy. Turning to Calleigh. Ma'am, I going to need your help. it broke Calleigh heart as she sat there holding Ethan' s arm while the nurse stuck his arm with a needle.

Ethan crying out and fight them off

Et. Mama, peas. Make them stop. They hurting me, Mama.

C. Running her hand through his hair and kissing the back of his head. I know baby I'm right here baby I'm right here I'm not going any where. It's going to be okay, sweetie. She did very thing she could do to not break down. They're going to make you better. Hey, how about a book. She started recite one of her favorite books.

C. A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang…

the nurse walks in

Nur. Okay. You can lay him here on the bed. They will be wheeling him upstairs. Then we'll get you changed as well.

Calleigh got up and started to walk to the bed and lay Ethan down. She ran her hand threw his dark blonde hair and kisses his head and continues ..

C. I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living Calleigh breaks down my baby you'll be. I love you, little man. Calleigh walks out with the nurse to change.

An hour and half pass. Dr. Campus comes out to inform Calleigh's parents to let them know the procedure went well. He's in the recovery room and will be release in about another hour.

K. Can I, I mean can we go.. go see him.

Doc. C. Of course. Yes, you may. your daughter is with him.

A couple of hour past. They were release from the hospital.

L. He acts like nothing was done to him. Running around Calleigh catches him and spins him around.

C. Alright little man time to get in car. She picks him up and puts him in his car seat.

Et. No, mommy I want to go to the zoo. You promise, peas? no more doctors. Calleigh buckling him in and looks at her dad. Kenwall shakes his head.

C. I know you don't. I don't want to see any more either. How about we get something to eat first.

Et. Then we can go.

Kenwall turns to face him. K. it's a little late monkey. How about we go to Pizza World and you can play all the games you want.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx

Sitting outside of her parents home. Lori comes out of the house to brings Calleigh her lunch.

L. Calleigh, honey you really need to eat something. You need your strength.

C. I know mom. I just wish they would call. I need to know the results.

Kenwall walks outside to inform Calleigh the lab was on the phone. Calleigh jumps up and runs into the house. Her parents follows right behind her.

C. Hello, yes this is Calleigh Duquesne. She listen to the other person on the other side of the line. She grasp a hold of the table and closes her eyes. Lori takes a hold Kenwall hand and hoping it was good news

C. Yes, I understand. Thank you for calling. She put the phone back on the receiver. She turned to face her parents. Tearing falling down her cheek. She shakes her head..

C. He… he. He's not a match. They both run to comfort her. He's not a match.

Mama, Eric's not a match. Calleigh falls to the floor. My baby, my baby is going to die. Oh, my god Ethan. NO…