CHAPTER 11
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Wanda's P.O.V.
A sob caught in my throat. Ian let me go, obviously perplexed.
I ran to Jamie and wrapped him up in my arms. He'd gotten so thin. My eyes filled with tears.
"Wanda, I can't breathe." Jamie said, his voice raspy but laced with humor. I loosened my grip but still held him.
"Jamie, baby, it's so good to see you. I missed you! Why don't you ever call?" I asked rhetorically, walking to over my parents and hugging them hard.
"I missed you too, Mom and Dad. Why don't YOU ever call, either?" I asked. I think I was smiling- it might've been a grimace. Their smiles were sad, too.
"Where's Mel?" Jamie asked. "I want to see her too!"
"She's there." I replied, nodding over to where she was wrapped in Jared's arms. My parents raised their eyebrows and Jamie grinned. "MEEEELLLL!" He yelled. She cursed and startled awake. But when she saw Jamie, her expression darkened, and she too ran up and hugged him. Her eyes were teary when she pulled away.
Suddenly I felt Ian's hand on my shoulder, and Jared returned to Mel's side.
"Hi, I'm Ian." He extended his hand and greeted my parents and Jamie. "And I'm Jared." He added, mimicking Ian's gesture.
"The four of us delivered a baby last night." Ian started. "And this their room. I'd imagine the new mom wouldn't want strangers in her room when she wakes up." Ian grinned. "Girls, take them outside, and Jared and I will watch Lily, ok?" He kissed me and closed the door behind us.
"Sit down, Jamie." Mom said sternly.
"But Mom! I can stand. I'm ok for now!" Jamie countered.
"Jamie. Now." My mother ordered. Jamie reluctantly took a seat.
"Girls." Dad started. "Can we talk somewhere in private?"
Jamie scoffed. "Dad. I know what I have, I know the outcomes. I know it all. You don't have to hide- it's my situation too." He took Dad's hand and squeezed gently.
"So. Jamie has Hodgkin's lymphoma." Dad exhaled. "Stage 4." He whispered. Mel and I grabbed each others' hands. Lymphoma. Stage 4.
Jamie could die today.
"But why didn't you stay in Cali? The hospitals there are some of the best." Mel spoke.
"Because no one was willing to treat him. They said Jamie was a lost cause. But I called New York and they were willing to try. So...here we are." Dad slapped the sides of his thighs with his hands.
"Oh, god." Mel and I said simultaneously. "Oh, god."
"So what, extensive chemo?" Mel asked.
"That's what they're planning. Some surgery, too, but mostly chemo." Mom replied.
"Well, at least we're all together. As a family. And we can go through this together." I said, smiling hopefully and pulling the five of us into a hug.
"We're checking Jamie into today, and we'll be at a hotel, ok?" My mom stated.
"Nonsense, Mom! You'll stay with us. Wanda and I live in the same building." Melanie replied. "We can share rooms."
"Oh, girls, that's ok. I don't want to cause you any trouble. At all." Mom said.
"I won't have it!" Mel yelled. "You're staying with us."
"Fine, then. But if you want to have sex and we are there, don't blame me!" Mom laughed. We all did too. It felt good to laugh.
Mom and Dad took Jamie to get checked in, and Mel and I walked back into Lily's room to find Jared, who was just a bit taller than Ian, staring at the bundle in Ian's arms. Ian was quietly yelling at him.
"Jesus-fuck, Jared! Whatever you do, anything you do, don't fucking wake Lily up! If she's crying, it's because she's hungry, and there's formula here." Ian was bottle-feeding the baby.
"I'm sorry. I'm better with surgery than I am with babies." They chuckled.
"Ok, dumbass. Take the baby. Get some practice. Feed her and then don't forget to burp her!" He placed the baby in Jared's arms, who looked like a giant holding this little pink bundle.
Ian turned to me, and Mel walked over to Jared. His expression turned from teach-Jared-how-to-feed-a-baby to oh-god-are-you-ok as his eyes softened. He closed the distance between us and hugged me, toying with my hair and kissing my head. I was crying again, and he shushed me quietly.
"Stage 4 Lymphoma. Stage 4." I whimpered. "He could die today, Ian."
"He won't. He'll be ok. There's no way in hell these doctors can't solve his problem. You have to have some faith, Wanda. I know it's so hard but baby you have to try."
"I will. I promise." He kissed my lips softly and then we walked out of the room, leaving Mel and Jared fussing over the baby.
Ian's P.O.V.
I told Dr. Cohen that I would work the ICU for a week(which no one wants to do) if she could give Wanda and Mel a few days off to take it easy. I hate working the ICU, but I'd do it for Wanda.
Mel too.
But more for Wanda.
She was so fragile. So hurt. I was sitting at home with her, on our bed, cuddling her.
"I'm scared, Ian. It's been a week. Jamie's already underwent a huge dose of chemo. I'm just..uneasy."
I pulled her closer. "I know. But it's only been a week, baby. These things take time." I kissed her forehead and massaged her head, and she slowly fell asleep in my arms.
This is sad, I'm sorry. It's the weekend so expect another chapter or two soon!
