Hello and happy Tuesday! Thank you are all the reviews, follows, favorites, love and support for this story. It's going to be to be a fun journey!
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I walk out of the building and instantly spot my mother's car parked in a parking spot right in front. I see her reading a book of some sort, her nose scrunched, eyebrows knitted together and I know that look. It's not a good look in my book as it's the look my mother get when she's trying to figure out something she doesn't understand. I remember seeing that look when I was first brought into the hospital and it hasn't left since.
Flashback: An hour passes as the couple paces around their daughter's room, waiting for her to return back from surgery. The doctor said it wouldn't take too long but as the minutes ticked away, Annabeth couldn't help but feel useless and a nagging sensation in the pit of her stomach that something must be wrong.
Within minutes of her thoughts, her daughter was wheeled back into the room as immediately, the couple ran to their daughter, one positioned on each side of her bed. "She should wake up within the next hour or so", the nurse whispered, fixing the girls pillows and blankets.
"Thank you", Chuck mumbled to the nurse as she left the room.
The minutes passed by slowly as Annabeth kept glancing at her watch. The doctor entered the room a few minutes later with an unreadable expression of his face as the couple braced themselves for the worst. "Mr. and Mrs. Crawford, I'm so sorry to say your daughter has cancer. She has Wilms Tumor which is rare but not uncommon. It has taken up a good portion of her kidney on her left side so we need to talk about options. I know this is a lot to take in, but the sooner you decide the sooner we could start treatment. Kimberly will be here for the next week so I do hope we can talk during that time. But for now, just enjoy time with your daughter and try to make her as comfortable as possible", Dr. Stevens said as the couple stared wide eyed at him.
Dr. Stevens stayed with the couple for a few minutes, wanting to make sure they understood what he just said. "Did-did you just say our dau – daughter have cancer?" Annabeth stuttered out.
"Yes ma'am, I did", Dr. Stevens nodded.
"Oh God", Annabeth cried out, falling to her knees.
"Sshhh...honey, it's going to be alright. Dr. Stevens will do everything he possibly can to save Kimberly, but we have to stay strong for her, okay. Come on, stand up, please", Chuck cooed, rubbing his wife's back.
Annabeth slowly pulled herself back up and mumbled and apology to the doctor for acting out. "Mrs.
Crawford, you don't need to apologize, trust me. I know this is a difficult time for you so please, take us much time as you need to process what's happening. I'll be here if you have any questions", Dr. Stevens replied sympathetically.
"Thank you Dr. Stevens", Chuck nodded gratefully.
Dr. Stevens nodded in return and then turned around to leave, giving the couple some space. The doctor made his way to the door, about to exit when Annabeth asked, "Do you have any information about this Wilms Tumor?"
"I do. I'll have a nurse bring it down to you", Dr. Stevens replies gently.
Annabeth just nods and focuses back on her daughter as Dr. Stevens leaves the room.
Ten minutes and as promised, a nurse drops off a binder with all the information they had on the tumor and checks the little girl's vitals. Annabeth quickly mummers a soft thank you and starts flipping through the binder, reading everything from the beginning. A determined glare, nose scrunched and eyebrows furrowed together was how the four year old girl found her mother when she woke up.
End flashback
I walked over to the car and notice that my mother is too caught up in what she's reading to notice me approaching the car. I wait a few seconds, standing by the passenger side door before lightly knocking on the window, causing my mother to jump at the sound, hands flying to her chest as she sees me standing there.
Quickly unlocking the door, Annabeth throws all her stuff back in her bag and gives her daughter a smile once she's inside the car. "So, how was it?" she asks.
"It actually wasn't as bad as thought to was going to be. And it was nice because Dr. Tipman ran the meeting today", I reply with a small smile.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that sweetie. And, I'm happy that you gave in and finally went. Before we head home, I need to stop by the grocery store to pick up a few things, is that ok?" Annabeth wondered.
"Yeah, that's fine", I agree as we take off, both of us sporting a small smile.
OoOoOoOo
Throughout the week, things went back to normal. I read, relaxed in my room, did some homework, courtesy of my tutor and stared out my window, dreaming of the outside world. The next week, I surprised my parents by sharing that I was going to go to another meeting as my mother practically screamed and jumped with joy. They were both ecstatic that I was going to hang out with kids my own age, but the real reason I was going was so I could see what snarky comments Viviana had to say this week. And of course, to see Kelly and Jacob.
When I arrived, Kelly and Jacob were already seated and saving me a seat between the two of them. A few minutes later, Dr. Tipman enters the room as the meeting was about to start. I was a little saddened to not see Viviana as we stated to go around the room and share our names but as we were getting down to the last person, the door swung open and she entered, flushed face and catching her breath. "Sorry I'm late", she breathed out, walking to the empty chair to the far right of me.
The meeting went by smoothly as soon enough the meeting was over and everyone grabbed their things and started to leave. I was about to join Kelly and Jacob at the snack table when I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Sorry we didn't get a chance to talk today. Maybe next week bits", Viviana grinned, patting my shoulder and running out of the room.
OoOoOoOo
So, the next week I go and surpassingly Viviana and I do have some time to talk. "So bits, what are we reading today?" she asks with a smile as we sit in two chairs off to the side.
"Um, we're reading 'The Best of Me' and bits?" I question with a raised eyebrow.
"Hm, 'The Best of Me' sounds a little too deep for me. And bits? It's the name I gave you, you know, since I don't actually know you name. And because I know you're wondering what bits stand for, it's; "Believer In Truelove Stories", Viviana smirked.
"Well, that's very clever. Thank-", I start before getting cut off by a beeping noise.
Viviana hears it too and slowly reaches into her purse, pulling out her phone and groans. "I'm sorry but I have to go. That's my ride", she sighs, giving me an awkward smile.
"It's ok. Maybe next week?" I wonder.
"Next week sounds perfect. Later bits", she finishes, getting up and out of her chair, giving me a wave and then running out of the room.
I can help but chuckle as I too get up and decide to leave. I wave goodbye to a few people and then make my way outside to see my mother parked in almost the same spot as last week with the same expression on her face. I walk slowly to the car, trying to see the cover of the book she has in her hand and as I get closer, I notice it's a financial service catalog and my heart sinks. I hate that I put such a financial burden on my family. Everyone says it's not my fault, though technically and deep down I know the truth.
My mother I assume, notices my shadow as she swiftly throws the book in her bag, unlocks the door and waves happily as me. I put on a fake smile and wave back as this will be a conversation for another day.
OoOoOoOo
A week goes by and Viviana and I start to talk more and more. She is slowly becoming more open minded with my concept on love stories as I tell her they are not all about love; they are about following your heart. And I learn that she's a realist who sees the world just how it is. Beaten up but beautiful at the same time. "So bits, what story do you have today?" Viviana smiles.
"The Choice", I answered grinning. "And I'm Kim, not that I don't like the nickname. I just thought you would like to know my real name".
Viviana looks the book and then at me as her smile grow. "Kim? Hm, nice name", she replies simply.
"Um, thanks. I like your name too. Kimberly Crawford, its nice to meet you", I respond dumbly, putting out my hand.
Viviana shakes her head at me and lets a small chuckle as he take my hand and says, "Thanks and it's nice to meet you. Finally? Actually?"
"Er, I don't know", I laugh. "Finally?"
And so, we talk about the book and random things as I really enjoy talking to Viviana. She's real, sassy and we can a have a normal conversation that doesn't revolve around our illness.
OoOoOoOo
Viviana and I have been talking for a month and have slowly become friends as she's one of the coolest girls I have ever met. One day after our meeting, Viviana suggests we go hang out at the park down the street so we can talk some more. I agree but then have to tell her to wait one second as I run out of the room and outside. I'm slightly winded and my mother can tell as she gives me a waning look. I apologize and then explain why I'm out here. She seems hesitant at first but them gives in and says that she'll wait for me here, in the parking lot.
I give her a quick hug through the rolled down window opening and then turn around to see Viviana standing right in front of the building. I give her a thumbs up as she starts to make her way to me. The five minute walk was nice and refreshing as the fresh air intoxicates me. We start talking about our personal lives and sit down on two swings as she asks, "If you could choose one love story to happen in your life, what would it be?"
I stare out to the street and really think about it. It's a tough question to answer because all the stories I've read have their own special and unique love so I can't just chose one. I was about to answer when her phone beeps. She looks at the screen, ignores it and nods at me to reply. "Honestly, I just want a love that's real. I want to be able to write my own love story that-", I say but get cut off again.
"Sorry", she mumbles, her facial expression quickly changing from happy to annoyed.
"It's ok, really. Do you-", I wonder as her phone goes off again.
She stares at the screen for a second before it stats ringing in her hand. She gives me a guilty smile, mumbles another apology and answers as, "Viviana Elise Brewer. Where the fuck are you?" is heard shouted from the other end.
"it's ok, go", I tell her, smiling.
She nods and gets up from the swing yelling, "You're such ass!" back at the person, quickly walking away.
And there you go folks! Hope you liked and please R&R to let me know what you think!
I know we didn't quite reach the goal last time, but please, let's try and reach 40+ before the next chapter that's already half done!
Thanks and until next time,
Missy xx
