Chapter 25

Max pushed Lauren outside and found a quiet place for them to talk. It was a pretty beautiful place, called the peace garden. It had a few benches and beautiful trees and flowers. Max sat on the bench and put the brakes on the wheelchair. They sat in silence, just the sound of the birds and an ambulance siren in the distance. Max sighed and took a breath. He continued staring forward as he spoke.

"You're not allowed to know who donated the kidney babe. Whoever this person is, wanted to remain anonymous. That nurse shouldn't have told you what she did, it was a breach of confidently." Lauren didn't say anything, so he continued talking "Trust me babe, your Mum and Me want to thank this person as much as you to, we owe them everything. They've given life to you. But unfortunately they don't want to be known. Dr Howard said he will pass on his thanks, but that is all that he can do." He took Laurens hand in his and felt the gentle squeeze as she interlinked their fingers. "I know it's not what you wanted to here but I'm sorry Lauren, it's something that we're going to have to accept."

She nodded weakly , inhaling and closing her eyes. "It's hard you know? Not knowing who's body part you have inside you and ye, it's my blood that is filtering through it, but that kidneys was someone else's. I wanted to know why they'd do that ? Do I know them ? Are they a bad person and needed to do something to redeem themselves ? what's their life like? I guess that's just something I'll never know now and it upsets me, but I think I'm ok with that." She finally looked at her dad. "But what I'm not ok with is the fact I'll never be able to thank them"

"I know baby girl… life ain't fair all the time, you of all people know that. The best way you can thank this person now, is by living your life to the full."

Lauren laughed and smirked "you might regret saying that"

Max Laughed too "I think I can deal with what you throw at us Lauren, we love you and all we want is for you to be happy. I know you want to know it, is but he doesn't want to be known..."

Lauren blinked rapidly at her Father, was she really hearing him correctly "He? She gasped

"Or she" Max said, quickly trying to erase his mistake.

"No, no ! You just said he..." she shook her head and pulled her hand from her Fathers "What do you know?"

"baby girl I known as much as you..." Lauren looked at him, his eyes telling her a whole different story to his words.

"You always said no secrets... yet your keeping one from me. Your not telling me something. And I know you know"

"Don't do this Lauren please..." he smiled weakly, hoping to appeal to her mire sensitive side, but she was way too riled up.

"No Way! You tell me and you tell me now!" she shouted "tell me now, or I swear, i'll get out of this wheelchair and go to Dr Howard and find out myself" she glared at him and he didn't move. She threw the blankets off her and stood up.

"Ok! OK!" Max relented, "Just get back in the wheelchair ok?" Lauren sat back down and raised her eyebrow, her threat having worked. "I want to know as much as you Lauren, I spoke to Dr Howard when you were sleeping last night, he told me all he could, but I wasn't allowed to tell you, not yet. Your donor was still in the hospital... babe what are you doing?" he scolded as Lauren pushed herself from the wheelchair again.

"I'm going to find him..." she gasped and frowned "Was it Luke?"

"What?" Max's mouth opened and closed

"Answer me !" she yelled

"No Lauren... it wasn't Luke. I know because Luke died before your surgery yesterday" he told her softly before she could question it. Her legs gave way under her and she slumped back into the chair only just managing to reach it. She closed her eyes, a strange feeling of relief almost going through her and she felt slightly bad for that. "you can't go and find your donor, he left the hospital this morning. Dr Howard said he was okay and I swear baby girl that is all I know..."

"Can we go back in now?" she asked, seemingly ignoring everything her father had just said, the two had reverted back to silence, but it was comfortable. Lauren knew how hard it had been for her Dad to tell her what he had, but she was glad he had done, she guessed it was just something she'd have to live with.

So Max did know more than he was letting on... does he still know more, and we know that Luke isn't Laurens donor so that's some of your theories out the window muwahah ! Keep reading and reviewing ! Back tomorrow xxx