Chapter 12:
Caleb's POV:
Hanna and me flew out to Hawaii with the kids for our small beach wedding. Hanna and I have decided and want to confirm that this will be the last time we ever get married. Most women want their dads to walk them down the aisle at their wedding, but Hanna has already had that, twice. She has got Molly walking first, then April and she is walking down the aisle with Jacob holding her arm. The kids are now lined up in front of us as me and Hanna stand face to face.
Priest: We are gathered here today on this beautiful and exotic beach to witness the happiness and love of Hanna and Caleb. They have decided to renew their vows for a second time and have both vowed that it will be the last. Hanna, please repeat after me. I Hanna Rivers, take you Caleb Rivers.
Hanna: I Hanna Rivers, take you, Caleb Rivers.
Priest: To be my lawful wedded husband, again.
Hanna: You be my lawful wedded husband, again.
Hanna finishes saying her vows and then I say mine. After the actual ceremony, we go to a little restaurant that was reserved for just us which is based beside a beautiful lake.
Caleb: To new beginnings.
I raise my glass and the rest of my amazing family copy.
Molly: Momma, I need to go to the bathroom.
Waitress: Do you want me to take her?
Hanna: Are you sure?
Waitress: Of course.
Hanna: Thank you.
Molly comes back to the table and then we eat. After, we have a cake that the staff made for us. It's a chocolate cake with melted chocolate in the middle.
April: This is delicious.
Caleb: We can see that Molly has enjoyed it because it's all over her mouth.
Molly: What?
Hanna wipes Molly's mouth. Soon we take a stroll on the beach.
Hanna's POV:
We get some profession al pictures taken and then go back to where we are staying. My dad comes and gets the kids the next day so me and Caleb can have a bit of alone time.
Caleb: I love you.
Hanna: I love you to.
We are lying on the bed when my phone pings. Emily is calling me, but I ignore it, because right now, I want to spend quality time with my husband.
Caleb: I can't believe how beautiful the day was. How beautiful the kids were. How beautiful you were.
Hanna: I must say that you were very handsome.
Caleb and me decide that it is only right to make out to our favorite song. We go back to Rosewood 5 days after that. When we get back to the house, we are greeted by Emily.
Emily: Hanna! Did you loose your phone or something because I have been trying to contact you all weekend!
Hanna: Did something happen to the kids?
Emily: No. Everyone else knows, but it's Ali.
Hanna: What's wrong?
Emily: She collapsed the day after your wedding and it turns out that she has terminal breast cancer.
Those last three words make my whole world come crashing down. I can't loose one of my best friends. Not now, not ever.
Hanna: Em, I'm so sorry. Did they catch it early?
Emily: Not really. Can we talk in side. I'd rather not speak in public, not yet at least.
Hanna: Of course.
We go inside and Caleb takes the cases upstairs. Emily and I sit on the couch and she continues telling me about Ali.
Emily: Where was I?
Hanna: I asked did the doctors find it early?
Emily's POV:
Emily: No, they didn't find it early. It turns out she's had the cancer for 3 months already. She's going to start Chemo Therapy in 2 weeks and then radiation and more chemo.
Hanna: Where is she now?
Emily: At the hospital. They want to keep her in for observation.
Hanna: Have the others been to visit?
Emily: Yeah.
Hanna: Well, I'll come and visit her tomorrow.
Emily: Ok. I'm going to have to go. I've left Lucy and James at home and they are getting worried.
Hanna: Aww. That's kids for you.
Emily: Thank you for listening.
Hanna: It's not a problem. You were there to listen to me when we lost Dylan.
Emily: Thanks for being an amazing friend.
Hanna: No need to thank me. It's going to be ok you know.
Emily: You think so?
Hanna: I know so.
I hug one of my best friends and then go home to my kids. I get home and Lucy is in her room. James is sitting on the couch watching T.V.
Emily: Lucy, can I come in?
Lucy: Mom, is Allison mom gonna die?
I sit on the edge of Lucy's bed.
Emily: Luce. Do you know what terminal means?
Lucy: No.
Emily: Well. If I said that Allison mom has terminal cancer, what do you think that means?
Hanna's POV:
The next day, I go to see Allison in the hospital. When I get to her room, she's asleep. She looks so pale, yet she still has those streaks of utter beauty. I sit down in the chair and take hold of her hand.
Hanna: Dear oh dear Ali. It's going to be ok, you know. You have all of your family to support you. We love you.
I shed a few tears and continue to sit with Ali until I hear someone come in the room. I look at who it is and it's only Emily.
Emily: Oh, I didn't realize you were here.
Hanna: I was just going.
Emily: You can't stay?
Hanna: I would love to, but I need to pick the kids up from my dads.
Emily: Ok. Say hi for me.
Hanna: I will.
I give my friend a hug and then go to pick up my kids. I get to my dads and they are all playing in the front garden. When they see me standing by my car, they all come running towards me. I hug them tightly and give them each a kiss. I go inside to find my dad in the back garden. The kids continue to play out the front and I go through to the back.
Hanna: Hey dad. What you up to?
Tom: Just painting the shed, then I might pain the fence. How was Miami?
Hanna: Hawaii. We went to Hawaii.
Tom: Right. So how was it?
Hanna: Amazing. The kids looked beautiful. Jacob and Caleb were so handsome.
Tom: Your kids take after you, you know.
Hanna: I think they all look more like Caleb to be honest.
Tom: Can you pass me the cloth over by the door please?
I get the clothe for my dad and he wipes some pain off of the window of the shed.
Hanna: How have the kids been?
Caleb's POV:
Hanna texts me where she is and I drive to Tom's. When I get there, the kids hug me.
Caleb: Where is your grandfather and your mom?
April: In the back yard.
Caleb: Ok.
I go through to the back and fins Hanna and Tom sitting on the garden bench having a cup of a tea.
Caleb: Hey.
Tom: Caleb, I was wondering when you'd be joining us.
Tom stands up and I shake his hand. I take Tom's place on the bench whilst he continues to paint.
Caleb: You ok after going to see Allison?
Hanna: I'm fine. I just can't believe that this is the way she is going to die.
Caleb: Not necessarily.
Hanna: I don't follow.
Caleb: She could die of something else.
Hanna: You're right.
We stay at Tom's for a further half hour and then we go to the park near our house.
Molly: Momma!
Hanna runs over to our youngest child who fell off the slide steps. I go over and see what's wrong.
Molly: Momma, I hurt my knee and my elbow.
Hanna: It's just a graze sweetie. I think I have a few Band-Aids in my bag. Caleb, could you get them for me?
I go and get the frozen Band-Aids and then I put them where the grazes are.
Hanna: So, did you miss us kids?
