Fran makes it pretty and Lissa, Judyblue, Michele and Vampiregirl93 give me advice.

***From this point forward, I'll start notating the days since the transplant; since day zero. At the top of each chapter in bold will still be the days since ExB met. This will help give us a timeline on Jake's progress.

***You can go to bethematch dot org to learn how to become a bone marrow donor. Many people never find their match and its a simple process to add yourself to the registry.

Day 86

EPOV

Day Zero

Today is the beginning.

Day fucking zero.

The day we start to put Jake back together again.

I've had to sit here and watch my whole family suffer for nine long days, and it's not like I'm not suffering too, but their pain is paramount to mine.

I watch as Jake retches daily and can barely hold his eyes open. His skin is covered in patches of red and his lips are cracked and dry. He looks so small and frail lying in that bed that I want to cocoon him in my arms and keep all the doctors away, but I can't. I have to let them near him and watch as they administer things that serve only to make him sicker.

My fucking heart beats out of my chest to see his condition deteriorate daily.

I watch as my wife crumbles before my eyes. She pretends to be okay when really she's anything but. I have to fight to make her leave his side while she wars within herself over how to prioritize between our sons.

My fucking soul is tortured right beside her.

I watch my other son rage because he can't see Jake and I rage because I have to keep breaking his heart. The days of waking me up ready to go to Esme's are behind us. Now he just wants to see his brother.

My fucking mind is raging, too.

Dr. Cheney and the transplant team enter the room and start setting up. Compared to what he's already been through, this part is easy. New medicines will start, but they'll help his little body fight.

As her team sets everything up, Dr. Cheney comes to speak to Bella and me. "Do you have any questions about what we'll be doing today?"

I stay quiet and let Bella lead this show, placing my hand on her back in support. "How long will the procedure take?" she asks.

"The transplant will be over in less than an hour. One of the drugs used this past week was to prevent his body from rejecting the new cells. After the transplant is complete, we'll start him on a new regimen that will prevent his new immune system from attacking the cells already present in his body," Dr. Cheney informs us.

Bella nods, taking in all of this information. "So no side effects like from the chemo?"

Dr. Cheney starts shaking her head and touches Bella's arm. "No, Bella. Nothing from this point forward that we administer will intentionally hurt him, but we do have to worry about infections and watch for signs of GVHD, even though he'll be receiving medications to help prevent it."

Bella takes a deep breath and looks to me. "Do you have any questions?"

I caress her back and turn to Dr. Cheney. "How much longer can we expect the chemo side effects to torture our son?"

Dr. Cheney sighs and clutches Jake's chart closer to her chest. "I'm so sorry Edward, Bella, but they can last weeks longer. They can also start to get less in just a few days. Right now, it's a watch and see situation. We'll take blood samples daily from here forward and steadily monitor his counts. He'll also receive many transfusions in the next couple of weeks."

I give her a slight nod to let her know that although it isn't the answer I wanted, she did answer my question. "How long before our other son can visit?"

She tilts her head to the side and sorrow passes through her eyes for one moment before clearing. "Again, that will be a wait and see. When we start to see some improvement, then he should be able to visit." At Bella's sigh of relief, she holds up her finger. "But, we'll need to take every precaution possible before his visit. We'll talk more about that when the time comes."

Bella sucks her lips between her teeth and shakes her head up and down. "Okay, we can work with that." She glances at me and I nod. "We're ready then."

"Let's do this," I second her agreement.

Fucking finally.

The beginning of Jake's cure.

Day 2

As I'm leaving the hospital for the night, a lone reporter stops me before I can make it to my car. "Mr. Masen, I'm Garrett Taylor. The Seattle Times is doing an update piece on your son and I'd like to know if you're willing to contribute?" he asks.

Would I?

I slow my steps and stop to consider this request. I'd rather have the correct information out than a bunch of bullshit reporting when it comes to my son.

"What would you like to know?" I ask crossing my arms over my chest.

He takes out a small tape recorder and hits a button. "It's our understanding that your son, Jake, received his transplant a couple days ago. Is that correct?" Garrett asks first.

"He did," I answer simply.

"And can you tell us what his condition is now?" he asks next.

"Jake's been through a lot in the past week and a half, but for now he's still holding strong," I answer.

"What about your other son, Seth. This must be hard on him, too," he observes.

If he only knew.

Without the actual physical pain, this has been almost as hard on Seth. He doesn't understand and I'm at a loss to find the right words to make it better for him.

I clear my throat before I speak. "It has been hard on Seth, but we're doing everything we can to make it easier. We have a huge support system with our families and we make sure he knows he's loved." I have to stop and swallow down the lump in my throat. "His biggest question is when he can see his brother, and right now, I don't have that answer."

Garrett stops his recorder. "Are you sure you're okay with this, Mr. Masen? I know this must be a very tough situation for all of you."

"It is," I tell him. "I'd rather you print the truth than some half-ass story that has no sympathy for the pain my family is suffering."

"So you're okay to continue then?" he asks. At my nod, he hits the button again. "Can you give us a timeline on Jake's recovery?"

I take a deep breath and blow it out in a huff. "We're looking at a year long term. Short term, hopefully in the next fifteen or so days we'll start to see engraftment."

"Engraftment?" he repeats, looking for me to explain.

"That's when we'll see signs that the new cells have started to make more healthy cells," I explain.

"Is there anything specific you'd like to get out to the public?" he asks, closing out the interview.

I think it over and decide this is another chance to help other people like Jake by getting the message out. "Yes, I'd like to ask everyone to get tested. The process is simple and you could save a life by being a match. Many people never find one." I then remember the most important thing. "My wife and I would also like to beg for privacy during this situation. We hope people can respect that and allow us to deal with this as a family. We'll gladly inform you as Jake progresses."

Garrett turns the recorder off and holds out his hand. "Thank you, Mr. Masen. We'll honor your request and I'll leave my card so you may contact me personally in the future. No one from The Times will bother you again."

I shake his hand and retrieve the card he offers. "Thank you, Garrett. I'll be in touch in a few weeks."

Day 5

For the first time since the transplant, I was finally able to talk Bella into going home. She put up a small fuss, but also wanted to see Seth for herself. She's spent more time with Jake and the guilt burns her from the inside, but the choices she faces are impossible.

So I sit here, holding my son's tiny hand in mine while he sleeps. He's peaceful right now, but I know in a little while he'll wake to another round of dry heaves and ChapStick.

I jerk my head up at Jake's sudden movement on the bed; he's sitting upright, hand clutching his stomach. Grabbing the basin, I make sure it's positioned where he needs it. After several minutes of rubbing his back while he gags up nothing, he finally calms enough for me to wipe his face.

"Are you okay, buddy?" I ask as I brush the cloth over his forehead.

He gives me a small nod. "Yeah, Daddy, I all right."

It breaks my heart to hear his small voice after such an awful experience. "Do you want me to get your toothbrush?"

Again, he gives me a small nod.

After retrieving a clean basin and a cup of water, I return to his side carrying his toothbrush with paste on it already. "Be careful and don't swallow any water or you'll probably get sick again," I advise.

He brushes his teeth just enough to get the nasty taste from his mouth and rinses just once. "That better, dude?" I ask, taking the items back from him.

"Yeah, Daddy, my mouth tastes better. Can I have some ChapStick now?" he asks, puppy eyes in full effect when there's no need whatsoever.

"Of course you can. What flavor you want this time?"

"Chocolate," he states firmly.

I pull out his bedside drawer ad start digging around only to find that his chocolate one is empty. "Aw, buddy," I say opening the top and showing him there's none in the tube. "You're all out of chocolate. What other flavor do you want?"

His little eyes fill with tears and the big fat drops spill over his cheeks. "Chocolate is my favorite," he cries and I'm broken, bleeding on the floor.

I crawl up on the bed beside my broken-hearted son and hold him close. "I'm sorry, dude. I promise to get you more."

He starts shaking his head frantically between tears. "No, Mama said they not sell chocolate no more right now. I want more chocolate."

"Shh, it's okay. Daddy has you. I'll get you some chocolate," I soothe as I rock him back and forth until he goes limp in my arms.

When he's settled back in, I grab my phone and head straight to eBay.

Ten tubes of chocolate ChapStick coming right up.

Day 10

Bella and I are sitting in Jake's room watching him sleep. It's all he seems to do these days, but I'll gladly take more sleeping, less retching any day. His lips are looking more normal and some of the patches on his skin are fading.

Now it's just a waiting game.

Just as I'm about to suggest going out and getting some dinner, something on the TV catches my attention. I grab the remote and turn up the volume.

"As reported earlier this week by The Seattle Times, three-year-old Jacob Masen―last name previously Swan―is currently in the process of receiving a bone marrow transplant at Seattle General Hospital. The Masens were previously featured in The Seattle Times when we learned he and his brother, Seth Masen were switched at birth. Bella Swan became aware of the switch when she discovered her son Jacob was sick and her blood type did not match.

We've also discovered that Edward Masen and Bella Swan have since shared a home in Seattle and just recently have gotten married, each legally adopting their own biological children."

As soon as the bitch goes into our personal stuff, I hit the power button and toss the remote back on the end table, looking straight at Bella to make sure she's okay.

"Wow, that was … unexpected," she says, looking shell-shocked.

"See, this is why I stopped and spoke with Garrett. I wanted the facts out there about Jake, not all this get-into-our-personal-business-shit," I huff out.

She comes over and props herself on my knee. "Hey, baby, it's okay. It is public knowledge that we're married. It's no big deal as long as we aren't hounded by the press," she soothes while brushing my hair off my forehead.

"I know, baby." I sigh and peck her pouty lips. "Why do you always make so much sense?"

She gives me a cheeky wink. "Because you just got lucky like that."

And I know I fucking did.

Too fucking lucky.

Day 15

Dr. Cheney was in this morning and informed us that Jake has developed a slight infection. Words like "just a small one" and "changed his antibiotics" were thrown around and she seemed hopeful that it would clear up rather quickly.

"Hopefully within a week or so, we'll start to see some signs of engraftment," she'd said.

"His counts are improving," she'd said.

So all sounded good except this damn infection.

It took the wind right out of our sails.

The longer it takes Jake to start recovering, the more we have to torture our boys. Seth's still angry that he can't see his brother and I've tried to come up with a way to make it better for him. Maybe it'll pay off soon.

Jay's ringtone blares from my pocket. "What's up, bro? How's my favorite niece doing?"

"She's amazing and getting bigger every day. In fact, that's what I was calling for, besides an update on Jake. We're looking at making the trip out next weekend. That good for you?" he asks into the line.

I stand and motion to Bella as I walk out into the hall. "Hell yeah, man. I can't wait to meet her. And you know we'd love to have you here."

"Yeah, I thought that Vic could be a big help with Seth. It has to be hard on those two, being apart like this," he says with a sigh.

I run my hand through my hair and lean against the wall. "Like you wouldn't believe. Seth's just angry at this point. He's fucking mad as hell that he can't see Jake and I'm at a loss as to how to handle it."

"Shit, man. That must be hard. How much longer until he can see him?" he asks.

"At least a week. Dr. Cheney said as soon as she sees signs of engraftment, she'll permit a visit from Seth and it can't come soon enough," I answer.

"I hope it's soon then," he says.

"Me too," I agree. "So, do you guys want to stay at the house when you come? I think it'd be better for Leah. Seth can share his room with your boys while you and Vic take the guest room."

"You sure?" he asks. "We're coming for you so whatever makes things easier is what we want."

I let out a deep breath. "Yes, I'm sure. Maybe having Jared and Joseph around will help."

"I sure hope so. We can stay for a little while if you need us. You know that, right?"

"Thanks, man," I say sincerely, knowing that having my brother and his family here is definitely going to help.

"So what's the update?" he asks. "I mean I read an article on Facebook the other day, but figured I better get it firsthand."

I almost choke on my saliva. "What?"

"Facebook," he says slowly like I'm a dumbass.

"I know what the fuck it is, but what do you mean an article?"

"You know how people share stuff? Well, I guess a post from Seattle is circulating from a news station or some shit. Had a lot of likes and shares, though," he observes as if it's all cool.

"What the fuck ever. I don't like people commenting on our life as if they know jack shit, but it is what it is, I guess." I shrug my shoulders in the empty hallway.

"Aw, fuck 'em, man," he says and I can picture him waving his hand. "None of those people mean shit. It wasn't a bad article, just more about you two getting married than what's going on with Jake."

"Yeah, probably the same shit they played here. Oh well. Fuck it," I decide. "So anyway, Jake's doing okay, better than last week. He has a minor infection, but she says it shouldn't be an issue."

"Infection sounds like it could be serious, bro," he comments.

I sigh, trying to push that shit out of my mind. "I'm going to go with what the doctor said. It's all I've got right now and she isn't concerned so far."

"Okay, keep me informed if anything changes and tell little man that his Unca Jay will be there next weekend. I'll text you our flight times and get a rental so you won't have to worry about driving us," he tells me.

"Sounds good, man. Can't wait," I say. "Tell Vic and the kids we love them."

"Will do, bro. See you soon."

Day 20

When I enter Jake's room, he's sitting up in bed and actually smiles when he sees me. I've noticed a lot of improvement over the past couple of days. "Hey, dude, how are you feeling?" I ask as I approach with a wide smile on my face.

"I feel better," Jake answers with a small nod.

I scoot up next to him on the bed. "I have something for you."

He lifts his brows and his hands at the same time. "Where it at?"

I chuckle and pull my phone from my pocket. Bella quietly joins us on Jake's other side while I pull up what I want Jake to see. Hitting play, I hand the phone over for Jake to hold.

Seth's voice fill the quiet anticipation of the room. "Hey, brother. I know you don't feel good, but I miss you. Daddy said I can make videos for you and I did."

"Look, Mama, Seth sent me a video," Jake says, showing Bella the phone while Seth's voice still plays in the background.

"He sent you a bunch of videos, sweetie," Bella informs him. "There's more to watch after this one and if you feel up to it, you can make one for him, too."

"I can?" Jake asks excitedly.

"You sure can, dude," I answer.

He starts nodding enthusiastically and focuses back on Seth's face. My eyes find Bella's over Jake's head and the relief is evident between us both.

Our boy is getting better every day.

Day 23

Dr. Cheney enters the room all smiles today. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Masen. Good news." She beams as she approaches us.

Bella and I both perk up and stand to greet her. "Morning," Bella says. "News?"

"Good news?" I repeat.

She's already nodding. "His counts are exactly what we've been waiting for. Although he has had this count at times, he's finally maintained it."

"And does that mean what I think it means?" Bella asks.

"Yes," She smiles. "His absolute neutrophil count has been 500 or more for three days." She stops and takes a deep breath. "This means he's showing signs of engraftment."

With that news, the smile that breaks out on my wife's face is enough to lighten the heavy fog we've been under. She turns and jumps into my arms crying tears of joy.

It isn't until she steps away and wipes my cheek that I realize, I was crying right along with her.

Day 25

Fucking finally!

My two boys can see each other again.

We're in the car on the way to the hospital and Seth is talking a mile a minute, his excitement is bubbling over. He can't wait to see his brother again.

Jake's finally started to improve physically from the chemo. He still has the occasional bout of nausea, but he's eating on his own again. His chocolate ChapStick has soothed his lips and the rash has finally faded from his skin. He's spending more hours awake each day and even going to the bathroom on his own now.

Walking into the hospital with Seth holding my hand is the most exhilarating feeling after so much suffering. He's still jabbering away as we make our way up to Jake's room. I took special care to make him take a shower and rub disinfectant on his hands and arms.

Right as we get to the door of Jake's room, I hear Bella's voice. "Who are you?" she asks someone I can't see yet.

As soon as I've stepped into the doorway, Seth breaks free and runs straight to the bed, climbing up in the chair beside Jake.

The woman, whose back is to me, follows his movement with her head.

Wondering who the fuck is interfering with my sons' reunion, I step past her and to Bella's side. Placing a supportive hand on my wife's hip, I turn to face the interloper.

Every muscle in my body tenses.

*ducks*

See you Monday!