Thank you for the reviews. sorry to make you cry! xx
Nikki and Lorraine sat in a consultants office holding hands. Lorraine had her eyes fixed on their fingers entwined together while Nikki looked at her face. She looked so frail and weak. The past months had been so tough for both of them. Lorraine had been so sick from the chemo and lost a lot of weight, Nikki had watched her deteriorate and it had broken her heart. She'd never let it show in front of Lorraine though. Always staying so strong for her. Taking care of her and making her feel safe. They were closer than ever.
"I love you." Nikki whispered making Lorraine look up and into her eyes.
"I know. I'm so lucky." Lorraine squeezed her hand. "I couldn't have done this without you, you know?"
"You wouldn't have had to. Ever." Nikki shook her head. It was true. There is no way she'd not have been there for Lorraine. Even if they'd not been together, she'd have made sure she still looked after her. She was her soul mate. Even if it took them both too long to realise it.
"So sorry to keep you waiting Ms Donnegan." The consultant rushed through the door looking flustered.
"No worries." Lorraine lied. She was worrying and having to wait even a few minutes felt like a lifetime.
The consultant sat down behind his desk and looked at Lorraine's file in front of him. Both Nikki and Lorraine ran their eyes all over his chubby face looking for some kind of sign if it was good or bad news. He sat silently flicking through the file and then pressed his fingertips together and rested his chin on them. Lorraine stared at the hairs sprouting through his nose. Maybe if he got rid of them, his breathing wouldn't be so fucking annoying. Why isn't he saying anything? Can't he tell that she was going through hell?
"So...?" Nikki exhaled frustratingly. As if hearing Lorraine's thoughts.
"So..." He looked up at Lorraine. Snorting through his nose again. Making her wince.
"This isn't the fucking X Factor. Enough of the dramatic pauses!" Nikki shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Lorraine squeezed her hand gratefully.
"Sorry. We're just eager to find out. Understandably." Lorraine smiled apologetically when she saw the hurt expression on the consultants face. He didn't mean to be annoying.
"Yes. Quite." He mumbled. "Well... We got your test results back and you responded well to the Chemotherapy. You're all clear." He nodded. No smile. No relief. Just so matter of fact.
"All... Clear? Are you sure?" Lorraine gulped. She hadn't expected to hear those two little words. Because she'd felt so ill, she'd assumed it hadn't worked.
"Oh my God!" Nikki pulled Lorraine up and hugged her tightly. "Well done babe. I knew you could do it!"
"I can't believe it Nik. I really can't!" Lorraine clung onto Nikki as tears of joy, relief and surprise ran down both their cheeks.
"We'll prescribe you tamoxifen for the next five years and will still want to see you regularly for the first year but yes... You are all clear." The consultant couldn't help but give in to the small smile that appeared on his face as he watched Nikki and Lorraine celebrate.
"Thank you so much!" Nikki shook his hand and then looked to the ground like a naughty schoolgirl "sorry for swearing at you"
"Thank you." Lorraine whispered. Still trying to let it sink in. All clear. Healthy. Normal. Wow.
As soon as they got home, Lorraine plugged her laptop in.
"Lorraine?" Nikki sighed.
"Oh come on... You heard him. I'm all better." Lorraine smiled sweetly at Nikki. The smile she knew could wrap her around her little finger. Nikki hadn't allowed Lorraine to log on or do anything to do with her businesses while she was sick. She didn't want her getting stressed and affecting her recovery. Plus Lorraine paid others way over the odds to run things and it was about time they did.
"Ok... But not too long. I want you all to myself." Nikki winked.
"I just need to try and find a local building available for my new venture." The spark was back in Lorraine's voice. Her face lighting up. She was looking forwards. Now she knew that there was a forwards.
"You really going ahead with the hospital? I thought that was just all the medication talking!" Nikki giggled.
"No... I've realised that is a little ambitious. Even for me." She smiled cheekily.
"So?" Nikki raised her eyebrows. "Gonna tell me or?"
"It's a surprise." Lorraine tapped her nose. Nikki sat next to Lorraine and snuggled into her. Enjoying having the old Lorraine back. Months of sleepless nights worrying about her finally caught up. She closed her eyes and fell asleep. Lorraine smiled down at her. She closed her laptop and wrapped her arms around her, resting her head on hers. She closed her eyes and joined her in a carefree sleep. As excited as she was about her new venture, it could wait. Right now she wanted to be close to Nikki. The most important thing in her life. Moments like this were priceless. She'd been so close to losing them that she wanted to cherish every single one from now on.