I was asked to cross-post this one, so here goes!

Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction story for C.L. Stone's Ghost Bird series. I do not own the series or its characters. Those belong to C.L.


Chapter One

Dr. Roberts' face was graver than I'd ever seen it. No light teasing or kind smiles passed through his lips. He alternated between glancing up at me with sad eyes and skimming over the paperwork on the clipboard in his hands. I sat on the examination table, unable to quell my fidgeting fingers. It didn't take a genius to figure out the doctor was about to deliver bad news. I was already wishing I hadn't turned down all the offers to accompany me to this appointment.

North had practically begged to take me-well, as close as North ever gets to begging for anything. Luke had tried to tempt me by promising to slip me candy whenever the doctor wasn't watching. Sean had pretty much whined, aghast at the possibility that his Mrs. Green wouldn't allow him to attend her check up. Kota had quietly offered to come with, rubbing his nose against mine as he asked. The only one who hadn't spoken to me about it was Owen, but that was only because Owen's eyes did all the talking. He'd have been more than happy to see the doctor with me.

But I'd turned them all down, sure they were worried over nothing. Sure, I'd been more tired than normal lately. Fatigue and stress went hand in hand. I just needed to calm down and relax more. And...well, yes. I'd been getting headaches kind of often. But that was what happened when you didn't eat enough, right? So all I'd get told would be to calm down and make sure I eat.

Never mind the sore throat I'd had for a while now. None of those things could be connected.

Judging by Dr. Roberts' expression now, I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

Finally, he sighed, pressing the clipboard to his chest and focusing on me. "Sang, I hate to have to tell you this."

I watched him, waiting for the rest, but he said nothing. "Tell me what?" He remained silent. "I'd rather you just tell me. It can't be worse than what I'm imagining."

He winced. "Don't be so sure about that." Placing the clipboard down on the counter behind him, the doctor leveled his gaze on me. "You're sick, Sang. I found a tumor-"

That was all I heard. Dr. Roberts kept talking, but I was stuck at that word. Tumor. I had a tumor. I wasn't licenced in medicine or anything, but I knew what that meant.

Cancer.

Yeah, I should have let one of them come with me. Or all of them. All of them would have been preferable. Now I have to…

I blinked at the doctor, who had clued into the fact that I was paying him zero attention. "I need to go," I gasped, standing unsteadily.

He rushed to grab my arm, helping me stay on my feet. "Are you sure you're alright to drive right now?"

Pulling in a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and stood tall even while I was falling apart on the inside. "I have to be. They need to know, and I need to tell them."

After studying me for a moment, he nodded. "Be careful. And just have Blackbourne call me once he knows. I'll explain it all then however you all need."

"Thank you," I said, meeting the man's compassionate gaze. He knew the moment the guys found out they'd be demanding answers. Asking questions. Aiming to get me healed. And I was lucky enough to have Dr. Roberts as my doctor, ready and willing to accomodate us, to help.

He gave my arm a light squeeze before ushering me out the door. From there, I somehow made it downstairs and to my car. No clue how it happened, but I was there. Sitting behind the wheel, I drew in some deep breaths, trying to steady my racing heart. I had to be strong. Falling apart right now would be bad. I needed to get them all together and break the news. Curling up in a ball in the hospital parking lot was not even a little helpful in accomplishing that.

Before I could dwell on how intense the urge was to start bawling right there, I snatched my phone from where I'd dropped it in the cupholder and dialed.

"Miss Sorenson," Owen's deep voice filled my ear. "Your appointment is over?"

"Yeah," I said, and then cursed the way my voice broke. Forcing my tone firmer, I repeated, "Yeah."

Of course Owen hadn't overlooked my first attempt. "Are you okay?"

No. I wasn't. But telling him over the phone - or any of them before the others - was not the way this should go. So I dodged. "I'm about to head home. Can we have a family meeting?"

Silence from his end for a moment. I could almost hear the thoughts bouncing around in his head, trying to puzzle out what I was hiding. Then he asked, "When?"

I knew we were a busy family, but… "As soon as possible. This is important."

He didn't question me, likely taking note of the desperation I tried so hard to keep out of my voice. "I'll tell them all to drop what they're doing. Are you going to be alright getting here? I can have someone stop and pick you up. Or I could drive over. Whatever you'd prefer."

My lips twitched. Always so concerned. I let myself have that little moment, refusing to acknowledge that he actually had a reason to be concerned, even though he didn't know what it was exactly. "I can drive just fine. I'll see you soon."

A pause, and then his voice was warm. "See you soon. I love you."

I would never get tired of hearing him-or any of the guys, for that matter-saying that. "Love you, too." I ended the call with a heart full of love. Things were about to get difficult, but I'd let that exchange with Owen keep me sane until I got home.

That frame of mind lasted all of two minutes. At the first red light, I sat there stopped in the car while my mind raced ahead at full speed. It was all vague worry, considering all I knew was that I had a tumor. I didn't know where it was, exactly. I didn't know how we'd treat it. I didn't know what any part of the outlook could be like. I'd shut down in that office, and now my brain was working overtime filling in the gaps.

By the time I made it home, I was inches away from hyperventilating. I turned off the car, trying to get a handle on it so I could go in there and talk to the guys. I didn't want to worry them more than they were already going to be due to my illness.

After a few minutes of me trying to control my breathing, and finally gaining ground, a knock sounded on my window, startling me. Glancing over, I saw North on the other side, concern clouding his features. When he saw he had my attention, he pulled open the door. "You okay, Sang Baby? I've been waiting for you so we can walk in together."

Forcing my breath to even out, I nodded. "Are the others here already?"

Grabbing my hand, he helped me out of the car. "Everyone except Victor. He'll be here soon, though." He tucked me into his side, arm around my shoulders and holding me close. "A meeting?"

My mouth tipped up at the corners in a weak smile. "I'll talk to you all at once. Be patient."

A huffed sigh was North's only response as he opened the door for me. Walking in ahead of him, it was two seconds later that a large set of arms enfolded me in a warm embrace. "Aggele mou." A kiss landed on the top of my head. "Are you okay?"

The answer was still no, even in the middle of one of the best hugs on earth, so I just wrapped my arms around him, breathing in his pleasant Silas scent. For a moment, I had the illusion of calm.

And then that moment was invaded by Gabriel. "Trouble! What happened at that doctor's appointment that has us all dropping everything for a family meeting?" As he spoke, Gabriel tugged me out of Silas' arms-Silas letting him, since there was no way Gabriel would have succeeded otherwise-encasing my hand in his own as he led me toward the living room.

"I want to tell you all at once, Meanie," I said, nerves gnawing away at my stomach.

He swung our connected hands between us. "I guessed. So let's get this meeting started! Tell us about that appointment."

"Yeah," Sean agreed as we sat on one of the couches. "Let's hear about that appointment. I want all the details."

Nathan rolled his eyes from the couch across from ours. "We can't start until Victor gets here."

Victor was really all we were waiting for? Glancing around, I saw the room had, in fact, filled. North and Silas had made their way in here behind Gabriel and me. THey now sat on the couch next to Nathan, North with his arms crossed over his chest.

Shifting my gaze up, I spotted Luke standing a few feet behind North pulling a cookie out of his pocket. Kind of surprising it survived in there, but then again this was Luke. Of course he took care of his cookie. Lifting it to his lips, he paused when he caught me watching him. A wink and a smile were sent my way, and then he shoved the entire treat in his mouth. Stifling a giggle, I looked away, finding Kota standing next to Owen behind the third sofa in the large room.

"Come on, you can start telling, right?" Sean urged from my left side.

"Sean," Owen warned while Kota moved away from him, sitting in the single armchair in the room.

Sean leaned closer, his voice a whisper. "Come on, Pookie. You can whisper me some details."

Shaking my head, I kissed his cheek. "Sorry, but no."

"Thank fuck," North said. "About time you showed. The doc's been whining since Sang showed. Now we can start."

A hand landed on my shoulder, and I looked up to see Victor leaning over me from behind the couch. "Hey, Princess. Sorry I'm late." Dropping a light kiss on my lips, he smiled at me and then moved to take an empty seat next to where Owen had placed himself. All of the guys were sitting, and now their eyes focused on me.

Since I was leading this meeting, and since I had actual news, I figured it'd be better for me to stand where Owen usually stood in these situations. Once I got the center of the floor, though, I regretted that decision. I had their undivided attention, and while I needed it, this was not going to be fun. I wished the news I had to share was better. Happy. Not...life-threatening.

Oh god.

Life-threatening.

I had a tumor. I was sick. I could die.

My breathing sped up, causing a couple of the guys to voice concern, but it was Owen's voice that got through to me. "Sang?" When I didn't respond, he gently demanded, "Miss Sorenson."

I snapped my eyes to his, instantly calming a smidge. It took a few more moments for my breath to slow, Owen's gaze patient on mine all the while. Then he asked, "What is wrong?"

I was conflicted. They needed to know, but I didn't want to say the words. I didn't want this to be real.

"Sang." His voice was soft. "Tell us so we can fix it. Whatever it is, we'll make it better."

He was trying to put me more at ease, but his words had the opposite effect. Pointer finger itching to rise to my lower lip, I shook my head. "No. That's not… No."

Owen's eyes narrowed the slightest bit. "We will always take care of you, Miss Sorenson. You can count on us. Are you scared?"

Oh, he had no idea. Tears pooling in my vision, I nodded. As much as I didn't want to worry them more than needed, it would be foolish to deny it. The truth was obvious.

"Fuck, baby," North growled, leaning forward in his seat. I sensed he was barely holding himself back from walking over and sweeping me into his arms. Part of me wished he would, so he could be protective and I could hide against his chest, delaying what I was about to say. "What is wrong? We will fix it, I promise. Just tell us."

The faint pleading note in his vow pulled at my heart. Based on all their expressions, they were prepared to get started on fixing whatever issue I had the moment I let them in on what was up. Except there was nothing they could do.

But I wouldn't be able to explain that to them without telling them what was wrong.

Taking a deep breath, I stood straighter, hoping that'd help me gather some strength. It didn't work, but at least I had that illusion now. "Dr. Roberts…" My voice broke, and I cursed myself. So much for my attempt at strength-even if it'd been fake.

Sean jumped to his feet. "What did he do? Did he make you uncomfortable? Give you a shot? Tell some terrible jokes? Bad talk me? Did he try to convince you he is the better doctor? Because it's all bull, Pookie, don't you listen!"

Blinking at him, I processed what he'd just said. It was ridiculous, and at any other time, I would have laughed. Hugged him and assured that I liked him better than Dr. Roberts any day. But now was not the time for jokes. I decided to do this quick-like ripping off a bandaid. "Dr. Roberts did some tests, you know, since I've been tired and had that sore throat?"

They all nodded, Sean's expression going cautious. I think he was catching on that this was more serious than he'd been guessing. "He, um, he found… He told me, um…"

"You can say it, Princess," Victor said, love infusing his tone. "We're here for you no matter what." Rumbled agreements rang throughout the room.

And then it was quiet again, all eyes on me.

Another deep breath in.

"Dr. Roberts found a tumor. I have cancer."


Thank you so much for reading! I'll post more soon!