Going Home

Chapter 9

Tommy was a tough kid. He rarely complained of not feeling well and felt terribly that Mike and Mallory couldn't spend as much time with the other kids. He was totally selfless, but felt he was selfish.

The other kids were amazing. The younger kids didn't understand what was happening, but they understood that their parents had to devote most of their time to Tommy. There was no jealousy or anger.

Melanie had sold her partnership. They banked the money to pay for Tommy's medical expenses. It still made Mike feel badly. He felt that he was failing his wife and kids by not being able to cover everything, but Mallory always reminded him, Tommy was worth it all.

Tommy began feeling better and moved back into his bedroom, with the promise that he would wake his parents up if he needed anything. It gave Mike and Mallory some much needed time to rest and talk.

"Okay, Tommy's oncologist called and wanted to meet with us about his latest tests." Mallory said as she lotioned her hands and legs. Mike was already sitting in bed, trying to concentrate on a book. She climbed in next to him and cuddled into his side.

"Good or bad? Did she say? When?" Mike asked.

"She didn't say but I looked at his bloodwork. His counts are improved but I don't want to give a firm answer because it isn't my specialty. She wants to meet tomorrow morning at ten. I'm able to take off, so I will be there." Mallory told him.

"Before his chemo?" Mike asked.

"Yeah. That occurred to me too. Maybe he won't have to take it." Mallory remarked.

"Because he went into remission? Is that possible? Its been five weeks." Mike questioned, but Mallory turned to him and put a hand on his chest.

"Mike don't get your hopes up. It might be a good sign, or I might not have known what I was looking at. In any case, they will have to do scans and everything too. Not just bloodwork. I shouldn't have mentioned seeing the results, but she emailed them to me. Al looked at them too and he thought they looked 'encouragingly optimistic.'" Mallory told him.

"I just want this over with. I am so tired." Mike admitted.

"I know, babe. You have been his constant caretaker and Tommy loves you for it. So do I for that matter. If this is that he is in remission, maybe we should take a mini vacation with the kids somewhere. I know you don't want to spend the money, and Tommy will still be very weak, but if he's gone into remission, we have something to celebrate." Mallory told him. She carefully straddled him and kissed the tip of his nose.

"Or maybe a big party. You know how Tommy loves barbeques and it is starting to get warmer. We could fix all his favorite foods. It would be easier for the older girls to get off too. And all the people that have helped us can be there." Mike suggested. Most of the Nathan James crew had jumped in to help with the kids, meals, grocery shopping, mowing the yard and even house cleaning so Mike and Mallory could concentrate on Tommy and not burden the girls.

"That's a thought, but let's see what tomorrow holds before we buy a brisket or make a reservation. I do know, Tommy is always up for a celebration." Mallory commented.

"He is and I agree. You ready to sleep? I'm exhausted." Mike asked. Mallory gave him an ornery smile but didn't make a move to get off his lap.

"This is the first time that we've had the room to ourselves in a month. Tommy is feeling good so maybe we won't get interrupted. Do you think I sat on you like this for not reason?" Mallory teased as she began kissing along Mike's jawline.

"To get my attention?" Mike suggested. He was beginning to thoroughly enjoy Mallory being so close and the kisses.

"Maybe, but not totally." Mallory said as the kisses continued. Mike gave in and wrapped his arms around Mallory before working her off and picking her up to lay her down on her back.

The next morning, they got the younger kids to school, the older girls to their jobs and headed for Tommy's oncologist appointment. He was still feeling good and had ate a decent breakfast. The wait at the doctor's office felt like an eternity to Mike and he was doing his best to not get his hopes up, concentrating on Tommy's happy chatter.

Finally, they were called into Dr. Meyer's office. Mike and Mallory sat on the couch with Tommy in between them. Mike felt like he could be sick and even Mallory looked nervous, but Tommy was collected. Dr. Meyer sat down in an armchair next to them and gave them an encouraging smile.

"We do need to do some scans today instead of chemo. The blood counts are telling me Tommy might be in remission, not to mention that the nurse tells me that he is feeling better. I want to check the lumps and see if they are dissipating too. Now, let's not get our hopes up. Remission can only be a port in the storm, but it is a good sign. Tommy, can you and your parents follow me to an exam room? I'll need you in a hospital gown and we can wait in the hall." Dr. Meyer asked. They all stood up and allowed Tommy to change into a hospital gown before going into the room.

It took a half hour for Dr. Meyer to check the lumps that had been there initially and then to check for new. There were no new ones, and the old ones were either gone completely or a lot smaller. Mallory had to go into work, but Mike stayed with Tommy in as many of the scans and exams as he could.

They wouldn't get the results immediately and Dr. Meyer would call Mallory when they did. It could be later in the afternoon or even the next day. Mike took the opportunity to take Tommy to his favorite pizza restaurant. They had to eat in a secluded corner so that Tommy wasn't exposed to any germs and it was a table that Mike had watched being sanitized, but it was a treat for Tommy and nice for Mike to be able to spend time with Tommy. He was hoping that Tommy was in remission so he could spend more time with his other kids. He missed them a lot.

After lunch, Tommy asked to go home. Despite not having chemo, he was still tired and soon fell asleep on the couch. Mike did some cleaning and started dinner before the younger kids got home from school. Once they got home, Tommy woke up and the boys played a video game while Faith helped Mike with supper.

Faith was a lot like Mallory, but she also had the same sweet personality that Emma had. Of all the kids, she had been the most neglected during Tommy's illness, but she was happy with anything Mike and Mallory did. Even a trip to the grocery store or helping with dinner.

"Dad, if Tommy is feeling better, do you think next Saturday night we can do something? I got this at school. It's a daddy/daughter thing they are doing. Kind of like a date night, I guess. They have dinner and a dance and everything." Faith asked hopefully as she showed Mike a flyer from the school.

"I don't see why we couldn't. Its two weeks from now. Maybe Mom can take you out Saturday and get you a new dress too. Will I have to wear a tie?" Mike asked and Faith gave him a massive smile.

"I would like you too, but you don't have to. I know that money has been tight since Tommy got sick and I have plenty of dresses." Faith answered. Mike pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead.

"A new dress won't hurt much, and Mom knows all the best places." Mike insisted. He desperately wanted to make the dance special for Faith. She was so tenderhearted and often-forgotten about. Mike and Mallory were blessed with each of their kids, and loved them all equally, but Faith was often pushed to the back burner because she had such a good nature.

"Thanks, Daddy. I really hope that Tommy gets to feeling better. Not because of the dance and dinner. I just want him better, ` so you and Mom aren't so stressed out. I miss when we did fun stuff." Faith told him.

"I hope so too. And I am sorry that we haven't been able to spend so much time together. Mom and I miss it too. We appreciate you kids being so understanding and we love you all." Mike said before giving her another kiss on the forehead just before Mallory bounced in with a massive smile on her face.

"Dr. Meyer just called. We are in remission, but more than that, she can't detect anymore cancer in Tommy's system. It is going to have to be monitored and he'll have to have some regain some strength, but she is very happy." Mallory announced and everyone began whooping and hollering.