CHAPTER 45

ROSALIE

I sat at the dining table to eat my breakfast. Alone. I sighed before chewing the bacon carefully, taking my time.

All my friends were in school, even Emmett. I was so bored. Good thing Mom is coming over later to accompany me to the hospital. We will be scheduling my bone marrow aspiration. I was happy, relieved, excited that I have a chance to be well again, to be normal. But at the back of my mind was fear. Fear that it might not push through or end well.

But I was a fighter, and I didn't get this far to just refuse medication when my chance comes up. So I agreed to do the operation, with hopes that after that, I'll be able to live my normal life again. I'll be able to go to school and eat whatever I want, and get tired. That's what life is. With Leukemia, I need to be careful, and that's what sucks. I don't want to be careful.

After I showered and dressed for the day, I waited for my Mom at the lobby. I did not have to wait long. She was always on time.

Good luck. Came my friends' text messages.

I smiled at their thoughtfulness, my weariness faded away.

Emmett's message was quite more striking, and inspiring. It was what pushed me through.

The only reason you have this life is because God knows you're strong enough to live it.

It was just a sentence, but it meant the world to me.

I got on the car and we drove off to St. Luke's Medical Center. It was the best Medical Center in the Philippines, what with the first class equipments and the attention they pay to the patients, of course, that was where Mom would take me.

"Only the best for you." She smiled as we got off the car. She gently put a hand on my elbow, subtly trying to escort me, I guess she's afraid I might fall off the pavement, and I brushed it off lightly.

"Mom, honestly! I can walk without tripping." I teased, leading the way inside the hospital.

"Good Morning. We have an appointment with Dr. Kleine." She informed the head nurse at the station.

The nurse smiled at her and gave the directions to the Oncologist's office. We walked off to there, Mom held my hand the entire time.

"Everything will turn out fine." She said, more to herself than to me.

I squeezed her hand in mine, smiling as we entered the Oncologist's office.

"Good morning." Mom greeted nervously as the doctor motioned for us to sit.

We sat face to face across his desk.

"Don't be nervous." The doctor chuckled at me. "I won't bite."

"I'm not nervous." I tried to sound confident.

He lightly shook his head, still chuckling. "Then stop biting your fingernails."

I hurriedly dropped my hand off my face, ashamed that he was right. I was nervous.

"I called you here to inform you that a donor is available. We have a huge chance of succeeding with the operation, but as we all know, the cost will not be as easy to pay." He peered at us through his glasses, loosening his tie.

"We have no problem with money." Mom informed him. "Name your price, and we'll do the operation procedure as soon as possible."

"We have no problem, then. Let me just ask you Miss Rosalie Hale. Are you ready for the operation?"

I looked around the room, trying to find some things to calm me down. Failing, I answered, "I always have been."

"Good." He smiled, then pulled a folder out of his drawer.

"We cannot mention our donor's name, but he or she is perfectly healthy, and your statistics match." He studied the papers before speaking again. "When should we do the operation? You could choose the date, but I suggest we do it as soon as possible. Your body is in perfect condition, it is less likely that something will go wrong."

"When is the soonest possible?" Mom was ecstatic. "Is she ready for this?"

"Next week is the most possible. And yes, based on the tests we conducted last week, we have 90 percent of survival and success. The remaining ten percent is up to her."

"What do you mean?" I was confused. "It's up to me?"

"Yes. You see, during the entire procedure, you'll be unconscious. It's like you're half dead, a foot on the grave. We have 90% assurance that you will live to survive the operation. The other 10%, though, all depends on your will to make it through. Your body will correspond to the operation based on your determination to live. But you are a strong girl, so I'm pretty sure you'll never give up, will you?"

I sighed. The answer was obvious. Just thinking about my Mom, my friends… I can't disappoint them. I have to go back, for Emmett. "I'm a fighter."

The doctor gave me a high five when I said that. We finished our appointment, agreeing to do the operation next week, on Saturday so that my friends could give me support.

Mom hugged me tight as we said our goodbyes on the doorstep. I invited her to stay for dinner but she's busy with work, so she had to go back home immediately.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" She reminded before kissing my forehead and getting on the car again. I waved as the car started to wheeze.

"Hey Rose! How's your day?" Alice tapped me on the shoulder. She was chipper.

"Hey." I smiled. "Tiring, but my operation's next week. You'd come with me, Alice, will you?"

"Oh my God!" Alice exclaimed, jumping with glee. "Of course I would! Oh my God, Rose, I'm so happy for you! Have you met the donor?"

"No, it's confidential. I'll meet him or her after! I'm sure that person needs financial help."

Alice dragged me to the lobby, her mood was even happier now. "Come on Rose, let's tell them! Emmett will be thrilled."

I felt butterflies in my stomach at the mention of his name. The boys were playing when we entered. Emmett immediately rose to my side.

"Hey."

"Hi." I greeted, linking my arm to his. "How's school?"

"Boring. I missed you loads." He smiled, making me admire his dimpled cheek. "You?"

"Tiring." I gave him the same answer I gave Alice. "But really nice."

"Rosalie has some good news to share!" Alice announced enthusiastically. "Come on Rose!"

Everybody turned to stare at me, excited and anxious for what I might say. I cleared my throat first.

"Well, I… I'm undergoing my operation next week, on Saturday." I smiled as I thought of being well and healthy again. "I hope you guys could pray for me if you can't come to the hospital. I'm sure we can't accommodate you all, anyway."

Small ramblings and laughter ensued as I ended my little talk.

My friends made their way to me one by one, I felt tears stinging at the back of my eyes. Emmett wrapped me in a comforting hug.

"I'm so glad…I'm so happy for you Rose. I love you…" He whispered, caressing my hair.

"Thank you." I said, gently kissing his cheek.

Jessica tapped my shoulder, then hugged me. "Good luck Rose. I'll keep you in my prayers."

I mumbled a "Thank you" as she started heading upstairs, seeing Bella and Edward approaching.

"Oh, Rose, I'm so happy for you!" Bella hugged me as I saw Edward and Emmett bumping their knuckles together.

"Thank you, thank you!" I said, not knowing what else to say. "I'll stay strong for all of you!"

Not long after, Alice and Jasper joined us. Alice also hugged me almost too tight, and this time I could no longer hold the tears anymore.

"Don't cry Rosalie. We'll be there. We'll support you. Right Jazzy?" She looked at Jasper for his answer. Jasper smiled at her.

"Of course baby." He kissed her lip before putting an arm around her shoulder. "Stay strong, Rosalie. We're just here for you."

"Thank you Jasper." I wiped a tear as it slid down my cheek. "You guys don't know how strong you're making me."

We then exchanged a group hug and called it a night.

Not once in my life did I question God for making me sick. Want to know why? Because one, yes I am sick, but I have great friends and a great Mom, and they help me make it through. Two, I have a very supportive boyfriend who shaved his head for me, just to make me feel better about myself. And lastly, if not because of this illness, I probably wouldn't realize how lucky I am for having these people in my life. I guess God had a purpose, and that purpose was to make me see how much He loves me. And He succeeded.

**
Sorry about that! It's because I feel like I'm not giving enough spotlight for Emmett and Rose, so yeah..just for a lil change! i know it doesn't mater, it's Alice and Jasper's fic anyway, but still, I feel compelled. Haha please review, okay?


And to my friends!! Hoho! I need friends, to change my boring life, I know, I'm pathetic.

PORK ADOBO to you, Alice-oxox! NOw I got it right! haha

Music: Who Am I? by Counting Crows.