Chapter 11
Her hands shook as she took the cup of coffee from Hank's hands gratefully. Steam rose from the cup. Curling and twisting in the air. But she couldn't feel the warmth. She couldn't feel anything. Couldn't come up with a witty word or two to take everyone's mind off the nightmare that was slowly unfolding. A nightmare none of them had any ability to stop. Hank sighed as he slumped down beside her. Gwen crossed her arms across her middle and resumed pacing the hospital halls. Chad trailing off behind her. "You okay, Tink?" Hank's quiet question cut through the fog in her brain, and she lifted sad hazel eyes to his face. His concerned brown eyes. She didn't know what caused it. And he was just as bewildered as she was. She smiled grimly at the wetness that collected in the corners of his eyes as he said, "You know, don't you? You know what's wrong with her. It's something bad, isn't it? I mean.it has to be. I've never seen you cry."
She reached across the small space separating them and grabbed his hand. Squeezing it gently. Reassuringly. "Call me Tink again, and I'll do more than just SQUEEZE your ass," she threatened. With just a hint of her usual playfulness back in her eyes. Her voice. "We have an understanding?" Hank grinned at her and nodded his head. Abby leaned back in the ugly plastic chair. Attempting to get comfortable. If only that were a possibility.. "Tell me about Nick Taylor," she said softly. Her voice barely above a whisper. After all.Pilar was seated just two seats down from her with Martin by her side. She didn't want them to think she was a big gossip.
Hank raked a hand through his brown hair in a nervous gesture before blurting, "He's in love with her." "What? Who?" Abby asked cluelessly. "Sheridan," Hank muttered. "Or at least he used to be.I'm not sure about now." "I.I don't understand," Abby stammered. "The years we all thought Sheridan was dead," he paused. Searching her eyes for comprehension. "Well.he was the one that took care of her." "I thought she was in a coma for three years." "She was." Hank answered. "Wow," Abby said. Embarrassed at the sudden jealousy that coursed through her veins. And regret. Sheridan wasn't the kind of woman a man just got over. "I might as well enter a nunnery now," she shook her head. Puzzling Hank to no end.
"I'm going to have fantasies about that cute little.and those eyes," she sighed. Ignoring the rolling of Hank's brown eyes. "Anyway," she shook her head again to clear it off the all-too vivid pictures flashing through her half-baked mind. "I guess I can see why Luis would be.annoyed." "Annoyed?" Hank said incredulously. "Bit of an understatement, don't you think?" An unbidden image came of Luis's fists clenching Nick's lab coat.Hank talking sense into him before Dr. Dave called security. "Okay.point taken." "Taylor's lucky Luis didn't tear his head off," Chad interjected. Hank pulled his wife down into his lap, and Abby felt a funny little pull at her heart when Gwen lay her head on his shoulder. "What the hell is taking them so long?" she said to no one in particular. Jumping up from her seat and stalking over to the nurses' desk.
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She didn't want to leave her daughter. Not even for a few minutes. Something in Katie's eyes made her heart clench painfully in her chest, and the sympathetic hand on her shoulder as she told her the doctor and Luis were waiting for her outside.she felt her throat constrict. She could barely breathe as she whispered a goodbye to her sweet Ali. Her blue eyes still red from her earlier tears. Her face still pale. She paused at the door. Taking one last look. "Mommy'll be right back, Baby. It's a promise. Love you." "Love you," Ali smiled back at her. Somehow sensing Sheridan's reluctance to let her out of her sight, she whispered, "I'll be okay, Mommy." "That's right, Mommy," Katie reassured her. "She'll be fine." "Thank you," Sheridan mouthed. Ducking out the door before the sudden tears she felt stinging her eyes were freed and falling down her cheeks. She didn't want to scare Ali. God knew she was scared enough for the both of them. "Luis," she cried. Grasping onto his solid, comforting form and holding on for dear life. Luis wrapped a supporting arm around her waist and pulled her close. But she could feel the tension in the rigidness of his posture. "Luis?" she asked. Looking up and gasping when she noticed for the first time.Nick.
"Jen.Sheridan," Nick hastily corrected himself. A softness in his gray eyes that made her heart lurch. But she pushed down the awkward feeling. Remembering the man standing just a couple feet in front of her had done so much for her in the past. Cared so much. He was an important reason why she was even standing beside Luis again in this hospital in the first place. And the gratitude she felt.it just wouldn't go away. It wasn't something she could ignore, she realized as she stepped forward with a single word, "Nick," and leaned in to hug him. Nick's gray eyes connected with Luis's amber ones, and he hurriedly dropped his arms to his sides. Smiling at her. Allowing himself just a moment to drink her beauty in. Tears clung to her lashes, and he fought the urge to wipe them away as he stared into her blue eyes. Her very confused blue eyes. "Nick," she said softly. Taking a step back. "I don't understand. What are you doing back in the United States? Why are you in Harmony?" Her eyes took in the white lab coat. The doctor's scrubs. She reached an unsteady hand out to the identification card pinned to his lapel and slowly turned it over. "You're working here now?" "Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald," Dr. Matthews interrupted. Clearing his throat. "Dr. Taylor is the doctor I called to consult on Ali's case." Sheridan cradled her head in her hands as a growing dread swept through her. Oh no.Nick. Consulting on Ali's case. Nick. Josh. Josh. "Don't.no." "Sheridan?"
"Jenny," Nick rushed to steady her as she wobbled on her feet. The slip unconscious. But the possessiveness in Luis's touch.the thinly veiled anger in his eyes.he backed away. "Mr. and Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald," Dr. Matthews said solemnly. "Perhaps we should go someplace more private. Someplace you can." "No," Sheridan said tersely. "Just tell me." she bit out as Luis gripped her elbow firmly. "Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.please. Stay calm." Luis had had enough. "How can she stay calm when you're being so damn evasive? Tell us what's making our little girl sick," he demanded. Tightening his grip on his wife. Nick closed his eyes. Unable, for the moment, to say anything as he remembered the beautiful little girl with smiling blue eyes as she had been those three, four years ago. And the memory shook him as he imagined her life, her vitality fading as Josh's had right before their very eyes. "Sheridan.Luis," he said. Opening his eyes and trying to maintain a professional face. "Ali's blood tests.we need to do more testing, but." "But what?" Luis snapped impatiently while Sheridan seemed to withdraw into herself . Images of an angel--pure and white, delicate--crashing to earth and shattering into a million tiny pieces assaulted her then. Each jagged sliver bearing no resemblance to its former beauty. Images of an angel with long, flowing golden hair, shimmering gold-kissed wings. Crimson stains spreading, seeping through the pristine robes that clad her tiny body until there was no more whiteness. Ali.Josh.Nick. "No," she shook her head violently at the pictures that tainted her mind. "No!" she cried out. Surging forward and pounding her fists against Nick's chest. "Not Ali! Not my baby! Damn you!" the anguished cry tore from her throat as her legs faltered beneath her. "What the hell's going on here?" Luis questioned wildly as he caught her in his arms and clutched her against his chest. Dr. Matthews could only look away in sadness, and his whispered words rang in Luis's ears. ".we're sorry. Your daughter has cancer."
Chapter 12
It took several long minutes before his heart resumed its rhythm. But the world was still tilting on its axis. Everything was spinning out of control, and he had to fight to make every breath even. To hold on to that thin thread of calm that was somehow holding him up. Keeping him steady even if his wife was not. Sheridan huddled in a chair down the hall. Tears unending streaming down her cheeks. Sobs making her entire body shudder. His mother was doing her best to calm her. Gwen, Abby, Chad, but the news.
Oh god. His baby had cancer. His baby was so very sick, and he hadn't even known it. Hadn't seen it coming. Until. "It's not too late, Luis," Nick's voice somehow broke through the fog. How did he. "Don't think that. We're going to do everything we can to make sure Ali gets well. To make sure she beats this thing." He looked into the other man's eyes then. And he saw sympathy. Understanding. ".we need to discuss her.Luis. Luis?" "Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald?" Dr. Matthews spoke. "How am we going to tell her?" Nick's mouth set in a grim line, and the older doctor was silent. "How do you tell a child."
"Sheridan.here. Take this," Gwen pleaded. Holding out a small cup of water. "Drink it, Mija," Pilar encouraged. "Maybe it will make you feel better." Sheridan raised red-rimmed, puffy eyes to the woman she considered a mother and tonelessly refused. "Sheridan," Abby spoke gently. "Don't do this. Don't let yourself fall apart like this." Anger glittered in Sheridan's blue eyes as she glared at her friend. "Don't fall apart? Don't fall apart?!?! What exactly would you have me do, Abby? My little girl has cancer. This isn't like scraped knees or a bee-sting. Cancer, Abby. If you."
"Don't even pull that if I were a mother crap," Abby raised her voice. "Mother or not this is hurting me, too, Sheridan. It's hurting all of us that love that little girl in there because we feel so helpless. But you know what? You HAVE to pull yourself together," Abby hissed. Fingers digging into Sheridan's shoulders. "She's going to look straight to you. And you're going to scare her to death. I know it hurts, but you have to make this as.you have to help Ali through this, and being a complete basket- case won't do the trick. Now stop your damn crying." Sheridan's chin jutted out stubbornly as she rose on unsteady feet and shoved Abby's hands out of the way. "Man is she pissed at you," Chad whistled in a low voice. Martin lay a friendly hand on Abby's shoulder and said, "You told her what she needed to hear." "Then why do I feel like the world's biggest bitch?" Abby muttered under her breath.
Sheridan paused outside Ali's room. Using her shirt sleeves to wipe away as much evidence of her tears as she could. Forcing a smile on her face. The door opened quietly, and she was granted a few seconds of studying her young daughter unnoticed. Ali had always been so beautiful. From the very beginning when the nurse placed her tiny, wiggling little body in her arms. That day she fell in love, truly in love, for the second time in her life. Every smile, every giggle, every tear endeared the sweet little life to her more each day until she was afraid her heart would burst with the overwhelming feelings. She listened to Ali's tinkling laughter with a smile on her lips. Katie was telling Ali a story about her little boy. And how he wanted to grow up to marry Ariel. ".he wants to be a merman. What about you, Sweetheart? Who do you want to marry when you grow up?"
The innocent question made Sheridan's throat constrict, but she plastered the smile back on her face and made her presence known. "Don't keep Katie and me in suspense, AliCat," she said teased. "Who's going to be the lucky guy? Do I know him?" Ali's blue eyes twinkled, and her cheeks reddened adorably as she hid her face beneath a golden veil. Giggling wildly. "Mommy!" Sheridan fingered the silky locks lovingly. "I was just complimenting Miss Ali on her gorgeous hair," Katie smiled. Tweaking Ali's foot. "Well, Pumpkin.I got to go check up on another patient. See you later," Katie winked as she walked toward the door. "Katie's nice, Mommy," Ali whispered. Giggling softly as they exchanged Eskimo kisses. "Yeah, she is," Sheridan agreed with a gentle smile. "Daddy!" Ali squealed happily when Luis entered the room. Accompanied by Nick. "Dr. Nick," she smiled sweetly. "So you DO remember me?" Nick grinned. Taking a seat in front of her. "My you've grown up to be such a beautiful young woman." "Thank you," Ali said.
"Ali?" Nick began. "Do you know why you're here? Why **I'm** here?" Ali chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully. "Because I haven't felt so good," she finally answered. Luis's dark eyes kept careful watch of his wife's face. "I didn't mean to be bad," Ali said suddenly. Looking first to Sheridan, then to him with beseeching blue eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't tell about the blood. I was scared," she whispered. "You're not mad, are you?" she asked in a tiny voice. "We're not mad at you, Baby," Sheridan answered. "Promise?" she pleaded. "Promise," Luis vowed when she slipped one small hand in his. "We're not mad, AliCat. Mommy and I just wish you'd told us sooner that you were sick."
Ali hung her head. Her blond hair falling forward. "Ali," Nick said softly. Reaching a hand forward to tip her chin up. "Nobody's mad at you. Okay?" Ali nodded her head. "I'm going to be your doctor." Ali's golden brows knit in confusion. "Like you were Josh's doctor?" She peeked at her mommy from beneath her lashes. "Mommy," her little voice comforted. "Don't be sad. Josh doesn't hurt anymore. Remember?" "Daddy," she cried. "Daddy, I don't understand." "AliCat, I.," Luis stumbled. "Ali," Nick spoke again. "Josh was very sick. You remember why?" "He had cancer," Ali answered solemnly. Blue eyes wide and innocent. "Do you understand what cancer is?" Ali's chin started to quiver as realization started to dawn on her why Nick was her doctor, why he was talking about Josh, and Luis clutched her little hand tighter at the first sign of tears in her eyes. Tears of fear. "Mommy?" she reached for Sheridan. "Mommy, I don't want Dr. Nick to be my doctor." Nick closed his eyes. "I don't want to be sick. I don't want to be sick like Josh, Mommy. Mommy," Ali wailed in Sheridan's arms. "I'm sorry I didn't tell. I'm sorry." When Nick opened his gray eyes again.they filled with tears.
Chapter 13
"Are you sure you're going to be okay with Ethan, Cristian?" Ivy asked for what had to be the thousandth time in the last half-hour. She straightened Cristian's heavy winter coat and made sure the bright red scarf around his neck left no skin vulnerable to the blustery wind's chill. Cristian's big brown eyes glistened at her, but he bravely kept the tears at bay. "Your mommy will feel so much better knowing you're taking care of Ethan," she teased. A twinkle in her blue-green eyes. "She won't have to worry so much." A tiny smile flitted across Cristian's face. Until he remembered WHY he was having to stay with Ethan today. And the tears just wouldn't be stopped as his little face crumpled, and he buried his face in the crook of Ivy's neck. "But I want to be with Ali," he sobbed. "She'll be afraid." Ivy sighed. Heavy-hearted at the child's fears. "Listen, Cristian," Ethan interjected softly. "Ali's going to be fine. She has your mommy and daddy with her, and a whole bunch of other people. Ali'll understand if you aren't at the hospital. She will," Ethan insisted as Cristian's big brown eyes met his blue ones. "If you want," Ethan offered. Looking to his mother to make sure it was okay. "We can go visit Ali this afternoon. We'll even take her a present." "A present?" Ivy smiled. "That sounds wonderful! I know your sister will just LOVE anything you pick out. Then it's all settled then?" "Okay," Cristian mumbled. "Bye, Darling," Ivy breathed. Kissing the child's cool cheek. "Oh! You're so cold! Ethan," she said. Rising to her feet and kissing her own son's cool cheek. "Get this young man inside now and have Beth whip him up the BEST hot chocolate money can buy," she winked. "See you later," she waved.
Beth looked up when the bells at the front tinkled. Announcing her new arrivals. The smile on her face faltered as she watched Cristian's downtrodden little figure trudge to the nearest available table. Poor kid. He was so worried about his big sister, and it showed. Every bit of it showed. She shifted sympathetic brown eyes to Ethan's face when his voice broke through her thoughts. "Two hot chocolates." Two days had passed, and Ali was, probably at this very moment, checking into the Harmony Hospital for her first chemotherapy treatment. The news that the daughter of the man in line to become Harmony's newest police chief and the town's own claim to royalty had cancer had spread like wildfire. Sending shockwaves in its wake. It was just inconceivable. That something so horrible should strike a family that had already been through so much in a time that should have been one of its happiest. Luis was at the pinnacle of his career. He and Sheridan had been deliriously happy. Life had been perfect. Until two days ago. She still couldn't come to terms with it. "Beth?" Ethan waved a hand in front of her face. "Beth? Did you hear me?" "I'm sorry, Ethan. I'll bring it to you, okay?" Ethan nodded gratefully, and she watched him walk over to join Cristian. "Julie," she spoke to the young girl beside her. "Do you think you could manage this place today? There's something very important I have to do." "Sure, Beth. It's so sad about the Lopez-Fitzgeralds' little girl, isn't it? She's such a pretty little thing. Sweet as can be. Always smiling. It just isn't fair. Isn't that her little brother over there?" Beth distantly heard Julie question as she removed her apron and picked up the steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
"Hi, Cristian," Beth said brightly. Setting one of the mugs of hot chocolate in front of him. "Mind if I sit here?" she asked. Indicating the empty seat across from him and beside Ethan. "No," Cristian muttered. Beth looked to Ethan in surprise. Cristian was usually so much more talkative. If Ali were smiling all the time, Cristian's smile was a permanent fixture. Had been since birth. "Cristian?" Beth reached across the table and tugged at his sleeve playfully. "Aren't you going to drink your hot chocolate? I made it extra special for you." Cristian raised the mug to his lips politely. Never one to slight ANYBODY'S feelings. "It's good," he mumbled. "Why don't you take your jacket off and stay awhile," Beth laughed. The kid was carrying an extra twenty pounds of clothing on his back. Come to think of it.he'd almost waddled into the Book Café when he first came in. "That's not necessary," Ethan told her. "As soon as we finish up here, we're going on a very important mission." At her inquisitive look, Ethan answered, "We're going to get a present to take to Ali when we visit this afternoon." "Oh," Beth smiled. "Ali will LOVE that." Cristian smiled at her. The first smile she'd seen yet. "Mind if I come? You're two guys shopping for a girl. Somehow I think you need a little help," she teased. "What do you think Cristian?" Cristian shrugged his tiny shoulders. "Good. I'll just get my jacket, and we'll be on our way," she smiled. Giving Ethan a friendly pat on the arm as she rose from her seat. "She's right, you know," Ethan told his little charge. "We desperately need a woman's opinion."
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Sara scowled as the Hotchkiss estate came into view. "Sara," Gwen sighed. "I thought you said you WANTED to stay with Grandma. You could have stayed with Aunt Grace, but you said no," she reminded the petulant little girl in the back seat. Emily happily hummed under her breath. Aunt Grace, Grandma, it didn't matter. She was just glad Mommy wasn't making them go to the hospital with her like she was Jake. Well.maybe she wasn't MAKING Jake go. She glanced at her older brother. He didn't look like he wanted to go. But he didn't look like he didn't want to go either. "Aunt Grace makes us eat Tomato Soup Cake. It's disg." Sara paused as her young four- year-old mind couldn't remember the word she'd heard her big brother use a million, kagillion times before. "It's YUCKY!" "Grandma doesn't cook," Emily piped up cheerfully. "And Grandpa's FFFFFFUUUUUUUNNNNNNN," she smiled. Giggling at her twin sister. Sara was ALWAYS grumpy about something. Just like Grandma said. "Thank goodness for small blessings," Gwen grimaced at the thought of her mother's horrid culinary skills. Killing the car's engine. "Sara.wipe that awful expression off your face," she said. "Only if you promise we don't have to spend the night," Sara challenged stubbornly. "You don't have to spend the night," Gwen sighed. Opening her door and getting out. "Your dad and I will come pick you up as soon as we leave the hospital." "Okay," Sara huffed as her mom unbuckled Emily and lifted her out of the car. "Bye, Jake," Emily waved as she clutched her doll in one hand, and a fistful of her mother's skirt in the other. Sara unbuckled her own seatbelt and scooted across the seat. Ribbing her big brother in the ribs on the way out. "Bye, Fartface," she snickered evilly. "Sara Bennett!" The mischievous smile on Sara's face instantly disappeared. But not from her mom's vicious (it WAS vicious, she'd tell the whole world if only she could get on Old Bra's show) yank on the arm. Jake didn't say it back! Ali must be REALLY, REALLY sick.
"Jake," Gwen's brown eyes sought out those of her son in the reflection of the rear-view mirror. "You're awfully quiet back there. Anything you want to tell me about?" she quizzed as she maneuvered the car down the streets of Harmony. "Jake.I know you're worried about Ali. You don't have to pretend, okay? There's nothing wrong with being worried. We ALL are," she assured him. Noticing the suspicious sheen of his brown eyes. Jake rubbed his eyes with his fists when he thought she wasn't looking. He curved his face into the seat as he felt the car slowing down. And he threw his arms over his head when the prickly fingers of the wintery wind on his skin told him his mom had opened the back door. Gwen blinked back her own tears as she pried her son's arms from his head. "Jake," she said softly. "It's okay," she whispered. Cupping his face between both of her hands. "It's okay to be scared, and it's even okay for a tough guy like you to cry. Sometimes," she teased as she brushed the tears clinging to his dark lashes away with the pads of her thumbs. "Girls cry," Jake muttered. Averting his embarrassed gaze from his mother's understanding eyes. "And sissies. I'm NOT a sissy." "No, you're not," Gwen told him seriously. "Do you think your dad is a sissy? Do you think Luis is a sissy?" she questioned him. Jake shook his head vigorously. "I thought not," she said. "Even Uncle Sam cried when he found out Ali was sick. Ali's very special to all of us, and we don't want anything bad to happen to her. So finding out she was so sick made us ALL sad. Don't be embarrassed because you care, Jake. Never be embarrassed by that," she told him somberly. Brushing his unruly brown hair back from his forehead to place a kiss there. Smiling tenderly at him when he didn't scowl and wipe it away. "Ready to go see Ali now?" Jake started to nod his head, but stopped when he realized there was something he had to do first. "No. Not yet. Could we do something first?"
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Chad scanned the sea of faces in the terminal for one. One in a million in more ways than one, he thought with a slight smile as he caught sight of her. Dark hair pulled back into a casual ponytail and dark sunglasses covering her eyes. "Yo, Theresa! Over here!" he called. Waving frantically to garner her attention. He knew the instant she saw him. She dropped her bags by her side, and in a matter of seconds, she was in his arms. Clutching him desperately as she buried her face in his chest, and her tears soaked through the material of his shirt. "Oh Chad," she sobbed. "I came as soon as I could. I couldn't just leave at a moment's notice. I had to make sure everything was taken care of. Make arrangements," she explained. The guilt thick in her voice. He pulled back and gently removed the shades from her eyes to find them red-rimmed and puffy. He sighed as he realized she'd probably been beating herself up about it the entire flight. "Sheridan and Luis understand. Ali understands. What counts is you're here now." She attempted a smile at his soothing words but failed miserably. He tucked her under his strong arm as he steered her through the throngs of people to retrieve her bags and make their way outside. She replaced the glasses on her nose and followed him as he led her to his car. "Get in the car and warm up while I put these in the back," he suggested. Kissing her cheek. She sank into the comfort of the passenger seat and secured her safety belt after turning the key in the car's ignition and starting it up. She heaved a shaky sigh as she pulled the wadded newspaper clipping from her purse and read over the words once more. The opening of the car door opposite her startled her, making her jump, and she hastily stuffed the paper back into her purse. A determined if weak smile on her lips as she grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips. "I'm here now."
Chapter 14
"It's a STUPID present. She's going to hate it. I know she is," Jake muttered under his breath as the elevator slowly climbed. Gwen gave her son a gentle smile and affectionate ruffle of the hair. "She's going to LOVE it." "How do you know?" Jake grumbled. "Because I just do." Jake quirked a dark brown at her skeptically. "Are you doubting me? Moms just know these things, okay?" Jake rolled his brown eyes at her. "Besides.I'm a girl. Trust me. She's going to flash you one of those pretty smiles of hers as soon as she opens it." A slow grin started to spread over Jake's face at the thought of Ali's smile. It was.magic. Ali's smile was magic. Gwen forced herself to wear a straight face when Jake glanced up at her out of the corner of his eye to make sure she hadn't been witness to that telling little grin. "What?" he asked. Putting on his best poker face. "She's just Ali," he shrugged his shoulders as the elevator dinged, and the doors opened slowly. "Yeah," Gwen agreed. Brown eyes sparkling. "Just another girl, huh?" "Um.yeah," Jake half-shook, half-nodded his mop of brown curls. "Are you coming or not, Mom?" he groaned. "We have to hurry, I.have to go to the bathroom," he said. Covering his eagerness to see Ali quickly.
"Where do you think you're going so fast, Little Bennett?" Abby teased as she caught Jake about the shoulders just before he could scamper inside Ali's hospital room. Jake scowled at the nickname. "Aww," Abby pinched his cheeks-because she KNEW he HATED when she did that. "Did you like the old one better? Really.if Demon Seed weren't already taken." "Lemme go," Jake grumbled. "Jake. Little Buddy," his dad's voice came from out of nowhere. "Relax. Ali's not going anywhere. Dr. Taylor's just checking her out before he lets any visitors in, and you know Cristian has first dibs." Jake gave Cristian a black look and trudged over to the row of ugly plastic chairs, slumping next to Chad. "Hey Dude," Chad grinned. His eyes traveling to Jake's clasped hands. "What's that you got in your hand? Must be for a pretty special someone." Theresa's dark eyes sparkled at the blush that colored Jake's cheeks pink as he twiddled the object around and around. "Hi Jake," she greeted. Changing the subject to lessen his embarrassment. "I don't see your sisters. Where are Sara and Emily?" "Grandma's BABY-sitting," Jake said. Emphasizing the 'BABY' part. Theresa giggled in surprise. Rebecca? Babysitting? So many things had changed in the time she'd been gone. Unbelievable aside.she couldn't help but feel sad that she had missed so much. She thought back to the piece of paper in her purse and closed her eyes. It was going to change her life. But she was becoming more and more convinced it was what was right. Even if it DID complicate her life.
Ethan looked away in embarrassment when he met Theresa's dark eyes. "Ethan," Cristian whispered. Tucking the huge pink bunny with its floppy ears beneath his arm and framing Ethan's face with both his little hands. "When are they going to let me see AliCat?" "Soon," Beth answered for him. Ethan shot a grateful smile her way as rubbed Cristian's back reassuringly. "Why Cristian!" Ivy exclaimed. Giving the worried child a brilliant smile. "You have exquisite taste! Ali's going to LOVE your present. What's her name?" Cristian pulled the bunny out from under his arm and looked at it's face for a moment of serious contemplation. "Ali gets to name her. Look Aunt Ivy," he directed. Presenting the bunny's tummy to her. "The bunny has ALL our names on it. When Ali hugs it, it's going to make her feel better because she knows we love her." Tears sprang to Ivy's blue-green eyes as her fingers traced the brightly colored threads, including her own name. "What a wonderful, thoughtful little brother you are," she smiled shakily. Nearly crushing him and Ethan in her embrace. Ivy's eyes grew wide as another pair of arms encircled them, and Abby lay her head on her shoulder. Her hazel eyes a bit shiny, but filled with mirth nonetheless as she announced, "I LOVE YOU GUYS!" Cristian giggled at the crazy display and Ethan's obvious discomfort. Ivy carefully removed Abby's arms and patted her shoulder. "Well.I." "What, Aunt Ivy? Don't you love me?" "Of course, Dear." "What's not to love about good ole Tink?" Hank joined in on the fun. Giving Abby a sneaky pinch on the.you know where. "Hands off the ass, Bennett," Abby growled. Ethan tried to cover Cristian's ears, but it was too late. "Not in front of the children, Mija," Pilar scolded. "Puh-leaze," Kay muttered under her breath in passing. "As if that word's a new one on Jake," she finished. Smirking at her little cousin's guilty little grin. "Um.but Mama," Abby mock-pouted. "I was provoked.wait a minute. Oh my God! Mija?!?! Did you guys hear that? I'm part of the family!!! Oh Mama! I love you!" she squealed. Nearly giving Pilar a massive coronary with her zealous hug. "You too, Dad. Or should I call you Papa like Luis? I saw THAT," she hissed when Miguel drew circles around his temple and mouthed 'CRAZY.' Martin just chuckled. "Papa will do."
A throat cleared quietly, and the whole gang fell silent. Focusing every last bit of their attention on the man in the white coat. "I realize now it was ridiculous of me not to expect so many of you," he said. Mentally counting heads as his gray eyes surveyed the waiting room. "Are you going to let us see Ali now?" Jake's voice broke through. "Jake!" Gwen chided. "He's the doctor, not to mention a grown-up." "No need to apologize," Nick smiled. Making the corners of gray eyes crinkle, and Abby nearly swooned right then and there. "Abby," Kay discreetly whispered in the tawny-haired dynamo's ear. "Wipe that little bit of drool off. Right there," she winked. Biting her lip to keep from laughing. This was serious. They were here to visit Ali. Her little niece who had cancer, Kay thought. Sobering immediately. "Look," Nick began again. "I know you're all anxious to see Ali, and you're all going to have your turn. But I don't want too many of you in there at once, and please don't stay long. Ali's had a very tough day, and she's not feeling very well. Not to mention tired. Make it quick. Make it count. Okay. Any questions?" No one said a word, and Nick pointed to Cristian. "She wants to see you first. Are you ready to see your sister?" Cristian nodded his dark head and trustingly took Nick's offered hand. Clutching the bunny in the other. "Now, don't be frightened when you see her. She's a little pale, and." Jake heaved a heavy sigh and plopped back down beside Chad as the door closed behind Cristian and Dr. Nick. What kind of name was THAT? He wanted to go first. He had to SEE Ali to make sure she was really okay.
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"Ali!" Cristian cried as he raced to his sister's bedside. Throwing his arms around her neck. "Oh Ali," he whispered. Wiping his tears away with his tiny fingers. "I was SO scared." "Cristian.be careful," his mommy whispered in his ear. "It's okay, Mommy," Ali reassured her. Her smile wide as Cristian presented the bunny to her proudly. "I brought you a present," he grinned. His brown eyes twinkling at her. "See?" he pointed to the names on bunny's tummy. "That's our names," he said in his childish voice. "You can hug her whenever you get scared or miss us. It'll be like we're hugging you back and saying you we love you." Sheridan wiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks, and Luis's voice was gruff as he spoke. "Wow, AliCat. That's a lot of names there." "I love you, AliCat," Cristian whispered. Leaning down to kiss his sister on the lips like he'd done so many times as a baby. "Do you like my present?" "I LOVE it," Ali smiled at him. "Good," Cristian said to himself. "I knew you'd like it. Nite nite, Ali," he murmured with a final goodbye kiss to her cheek.
As soon as Cristian walked through the door, another person always entered. Ali smiled and thanked Beth when she told her she was looking forward to seeing her at the Book Café soon, and that she could have all the blueberry muffins and hot chocolate she wanted. FREE! Ethan teased her with whispers of "Princess Ali," and jokes that they should spring another kitten on Luis soon. Then Ali remembered Miss Priss and asked if the kittens had made their grand entrance into the world yet. They had NOT, according to Pilar and Martin who promised to take extra-special care of Cristian for her that night since she couldn't be there to promise her little brother there were NO monsters under his bed if he got scared. Ivy promised they'd go riding the next time she visited the Mansion AND have a REAL tea party. Of course, the invitation was extended to Luis and Cristian. Even Jake. But.Ivy pointed out.they wouldn't know how to appreciate the finer points of a good cup of tea and a little old-fashioned (but very tame) gossip. Ali giggled at the thought of Jake wearing a big, floppy hat like the ones her mommy and her used to use in their tea parties. Chad and Daddy had to turn around while Mommy helped her put on the new pj's Aunt Theresa had made. Especially for her. Kay and Miguel thrilled her with the news that Joshua was a candidate for the implants. The details confused her a little bit (a LOT), but she couldn't wait for Joshua to hear her voice. Abby and Hank made her giggle 'til her tummy hurt, and Mommy got scared and wanted to call Dr. Nick, but something Gwen said made her not do it. Everybody came to see her, telling her how much they loved her and giving her presents, and Ali LOVED it all. Even if she did feel a little bad, and they all looked a little afraid. But one thing was missing. One person. "Uncle Hank?" she asked in a soft, weary voice. "Where's Jake?" Hank just grinned and whispered something to her mommy and daddy, and before she knew it.she was all alone in the hospital room. Until he came in."Hi Jake," she beamed as he walked toward her slowly.
Jake shuffled forward. Hands hidden behind his back. FINALLY! They all left. He just couldn't do it with EVERYBODY watching. It was too embarrassing. Too, too embarrassing. "Hi Ali," he mumbled. Stopping beside her bedside. He looked at the IV still in her arm. "Does that.nevermind," he muttered awkwardly. He grinned at the huge pink bunny in her arms. Normally, he'd seize upon the opportunity to tease her about it, but as he read all the names there, he realized it was pretty cool. He just hoped she liked his present. Yeah, he thought. Suddenly remembering the brightly wrapped package in his hands. "Um.I got you a present," he announced. Thrusting the package into her hands. "Thank you," Ali murmured. And Jake grinned to himself when her blue eyes twinkled back at him. Yeah, he thought as she smiled at him again. It WAS magic. Uh oh! What if Dylan knew? That thought made him red with even more embarrassment. His palms were sweaty as he handed the second part of his present to her. Ali breathed in the scent of the yellow rose. "It's so pretty." Jake shot her a pleased smile. "I picked it 'cause it was pretty. And it reminded me of your hair. Pretty. And yellow," he babbled. "Open your other present. I hope you like it. Mom helped me pick it out. And she said you'd like it 'cause you and her are both girls." Ali's blue eyes sparkled as she lifted the tiny heart-shaped silver necklace from the box. "I didn't pick no heart 'cause I love you or anything. You're a girl," he said as if that said it all. "But as far as girls go.you're pretty cool, Ali," he admitted bashfully. "See right here?" he said. Flipping the necklace around. "See what it says?" he asked. Pointing the engraving. "You're my best friend, Ali. Even though I'm mean to you sometimes and like to tease you a lot, you're my best friend in the whole world, and I just wanted you to know that. Mom put a picture of us when we were babies in there, and the other side's empty 'cause that's where the grown-up picture's going go, and.Ali? Do you like the present or not?" Ali's answer. "Eee---YUCK! Did you have to kiss me again?" Jake grumbled. But if the sparkle in his brown eyes was any indication.he liked her answer pretty well.
Chapter 15
Nick sighed as he read Ali's latest charts. The treatments weren't failing, but they're weren't exactly providing the punch he'd hoped for. Nevertheless, he was still optimistic. If he had learned nothing else the last few weeks, he had learned that the little girl resting in the hospital room down the hall was not as delicate as she looked. AliCat seemed fragile on the outside, but her disposition was that of a fighter. The kid had an iron will, he thought with a slight smile. "Katie?" he said. Raising his intense gray gaze to the young woman who'd just returned to the nurses' station. "Ali? Is she." Katie's eyes were filled with sympathy as she spoke. "This last one's made her sicker than usual. But Ali's a sweetheart, Dr. Taylor. She's not complained a bit, but you can just tell.Sheridan's in there worrying herself sick. That little doll puts on a brave face just so she won't worry her mommy anymore than she already does," Katie told him.
"Hi, Dr. Taylor." Nick groaned inwardly as recognition washed over him. How long had he been employed at this hospital? A month maybe. A little more. And Nurse Ellie Jacobs had flirted with him relentlessly the ENTIRE time. "Hello, Ellie," he said. Giving her a polite smile. Ellie positively beamed as she batted her fake eyelashes at him. Katie tried to hide her smile from him in the background, but he saw it, pleading with desperate gray eyes for her to bail him out of this particular situation. He'd already made it clear in not-so-many words that he wasn't interested in any relationships at the moment or the near future. "Still living at 'Grace's Bed and Breakfast'?" Katie piped up. Thinking she was offering him an out. Of some sort. But Ellie's interest was piqued. Even more so than usual. "Oh, Dr. Taylor," she practically salivated all over him, much to his chagrin and Katie's amusement, "I know the PERFECT place for you."
Abby rolled her eyes as she passed the trio by. Ellie Jacobs was a shameless hussy. Throwing herself at Dr. Taylor like that. Why the nerve! She'd much rather have the man falling at HER feet than vice versa. "Knock, knock," she called. Peeking her tawny head through Ali's hospital room door. "Can I come in?" "Abby," Ali corrected with a tiny smile. "It's 'may I'." "Oh pooh," Abby waved her off as she eased the door shut behind her. "Feeling okay today?" she asked. Brushing strands of golden hair from Ali's forehead. "A little sick to your tummy?" Ali's blue eyes darted to her mommy's figure on the other side of the bed, then she slowly nodded her head. "But it's not THAT bad," she stressed. "Good," Abby smiled. Pulling up a chair and seating herself beside Sheridan. "Anything good on tv?" she made small talk as she flipped quickly through all the channels. Ali's tired blue eyes lit up briefly when Abby's channel-surfing turned up a concert special on the newest boy band. "Wow," Abby muttered sarcastically. "Another one. Will my own private hell NEVER end? I HATE boy bands. No offense, Miss AliCat," she hastily apologized. Earning a giggle before Ali snuggled close to her bunny and gave the television her full attention.
"I knew that'd distract her," Abby whispered with a self-satisfied grin. "Whoa, Mom," she whistled. "You're not looking too hot yourself. You okay?" "I'm fine, Abby," Sheridan shook her head at her friend. "Just a little tired. That's all." "Why don't you take yourself a little break? Get some fresh air? I'll keep Ali company. Won't I?" she winked at the tiny girl lying on the bed beside them. "S'okay, Mommy," Ali half-yawned. "Abby'll take care of me." "See?" Abby smiled encouragingly when Sheridan looked to be on the verge of refusing outright. "Aww, Mom." she whined. "You not trust me?" Sheridan smiled a half-smile at her before leaning over to kiss Ali's forehead. "Mommy won't be long, Sweetie. Promise. Love you." "Love you, too, Mommy," Ali sighed sleepily. "Take your time," Abby told her as she walked toward the door. "We'll be okay."
Katie pretended not to notice the way Dr. Taylor's gray eyes followed Sheridan's every move, but it was hard not to when he was so blatant. As he was the moment she emerged from Ali's room, looking tired and worried but still so composed and beautiful she made half the nursing staff green with envy. Ellie's brown eyes narrowed with jealousy, but Dr. Taylor didn't notice. "Katie," he shot her a brief glance. "Check up on Ali again. Make sure she's comfortable." "Sure thing." she trailed off softly. He was already gone. Hurrying to catch up with Sheridan. "What's so special about HER anyway?" Ellie huffed. "That man forgets about everything and anyone around him the minute he sees HER," she spat in annoyance. "One hunk isn't enough for her. She has to have them all." "Ellie," Katie scolded. "You know it isn't like that between them." "Katie," Ellie turned flashing brown eyes at the younger, prettier nurse frowning at her. "Haven't you heard the rumors?" "Don't you know better than to believe everything you hear?" Ellie scowled blackly at Katie's small frame as she walked away. "Bitch," she muttered under her breath.
Sheridan hugged her arms around her waist for warmth as the cold wintery wind sent a chill through her bones. If she didn't know better, she'd think it were going to snow. Ali LOVED snow. Hopefully, she'd be feeling better, and the chemotherapy would work its magic soon, and they'd have a white Christmas. At home. All of them together. It seemed like they practically LIVED at the hospital these days. But if that's what it took to make her baby better, she wouldn't complain. "Please.please make her well." "Jenny," a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. "Nick," she gave him an awkward smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." "It's okay," she told him. Even after all this time, he still slipped and called her Jenny sometimes. "Nick," her voice grew tight with sudden panic. "Is Ali."
"Ali's fine," he assured her as he shrugged his jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders. "She's doing great." She breathed a sigh of relief. "But there IS something I want to talk to you about. She's responding to the treatment," he told her truthfully. Just not as well as he'd liked, he neglected to add. "But Sheridan," he said carefully. Her given name passing his lips with difficulty. "I want us to be prepared for ALL possibilities. I want to test you and Luis and Cristian.and other close family members.as possible bone marrow donors." Sheridan bit back the gasp that threatened to escape her frozen lips. "IF," he stressed. "IF it comes to that. Don't worry," he grasped her shoulders firmly. "We're a long way from that point, and we may not even get there at all. Okay?" She took a long, steadying breath and nodded her head. "Good," he smiled. "Can I go get tested now?" she asked quietly. He squeezed her shoulders and dropped his hands. "Of course. I think that's a great idea. Katie's keeping an eye on Ali for us, but I'm sure someone's available," he told her as he led her back inside.
Ellie plastered an insincere smile on her face when Nick approached her with his request, but she heaved an impatient sigh when Nick left her alone with Sheridan. Sheridan ignored the nervous flutter in her stomach and followed the edgy-acting woman to an exam room. Somehow, she got the feeling Ellie didn't like her very much. And she just didn't trust people who had it in for her that were equipped with needles. Doubly unpleasant. Oh well, she thought as she gave the woman a pleasant if nervous smile. This is for Ali. This is all for Ali, she thought as she felt the angry jab of the needle and unexpected tears welled up in her eyes. She could swear that Ellie was smirking at her in satisfaction when she had to blink away the tears. She did NOTHING to make sure the procedure was as comfortable for her as possible. If anything, she made sure it was wholly uncomfortable. The ache was still present as she made her way back to Ali's hospital room.
"Well." Abby teased. "You sure took long enough." "Did she." "Been sleeping like a baby the entire time," Abby reassured her as they watched the gentle rise and fall of Ali's chest. "By the way.Pilar called. Nothing serious," she rushed to make clear. "Congratulations are in order. The Pain in the Ass herself is a brand-new mommy. Cristian sounded so excited. But the mutt didn't. It was barking up a storm. Sheridan.the poor thing needs therapy." An amused smile graced Sheridan's lips. The mutt. Poor pup was STILL nameless. They needed to work on that. Soon. "That's about it. They sent their love, and Pilar's bringing Cristian down first thing tomorrow during visiting hours. I promised Cristian you'd call him to tell him goodnight later."
"Thank you, Abby. For everything," Sheridan smiled. Hugging the smaller woman. "Now get out of here. I know you have other things to do." "I do need to check my messages," Abby said thoughtfully. "At this point, I'm willing to take anybody. I LOVE the apartment, but rent's a bitch." "Bye, Abby," Sheridan laughed. "Ciao," Abby grinned as she flitted out the door. And nearly run smack-dab into one very tall, very handsome Dr. Nick Taylor. Be still my heart, she thought with a wicked gleam in her hazel eyes as they roamed up and down his length. "Sorry. My fault," she blabbered like a fool. "I meant to do that.I mean.what I meant to say.it was an accident. I'm not in the habit of mowing down sexy doctors daily," she said. Clamping her hand over her mouth almost instantly the moment she realized exactly what she had said. Nick chuckled at the comical widening of her hazel eyes. "No harm done." "Sorry. Permanent sufferer of foot in mouth disease," she choked out before making herself scarce. He was still shaking his head at her long after she'd disappeared. "That is one strange woman." One strange woman indeed.
Her hands shook as she took the cup of coffee from Hank's hands gratefully. Steam rose from the cup. Curling and twisting in the air. But she couldn't feel the warmth. She couldn't feel anything. Couldn't come up with a witty word or two to take everyone's mind off the nightmare that was slowly unfolding. A nightmare none of them had any ability to stop. Hank sighed as he slumped down beside her. Gwen crossed her arms across her middle and resumed pacing the hospital halls. Chad trailing off behind her. "You okay, Tink?" Hank's quiet question cut through the fog in her brain, and she lifted sad hazel eyes to his face. His concerned brown eyes. She didn't know what caused it. And he was just as bewildered as she was. She smiled grimly at the wetness that collected in the corners of his eyes as he said, "You know, don't you? You know what's wrong with her. It's something bad, isn't it? I mean.it has to be. I've never seen you cry."
She reached across the small space separating them and grabbed his hand. Squeezing it gently. Reassuringly. "Call me Tink again, and I'll do more than just SQUEEZE your ass," she threatened. With just a hint of her usual playfulness back in her eyes. Her voice. "We have an understanding?" Hank grinned at her and nodded his head. Abby leaned back in the ugly plastic chair. Attempting to get comfortable. If only that were a possibility.. "Tell me about Nick Taylor," she said softly. Her voice barely above a whisper. After all.Pilar was seated just two seats down from her with Martin by her side. She didn't want them to think she was a big gossip.
Hank raked a hand through his brown hair in a nervous gesture before blurting, "He's in love with her." "What? Who?" Abby asked cluelessly. "Sheridan," Hank muttered. "Or at least he used to be.I'm not sure about now." "I.I don't understand," Abby stammered. "The years we all thought Sheridan was dead," he paused. Searching her eyes for comprehension. "Well.he was the one that took care of her." "I thought she was in a coma for three years." "She was." Hank answered. "Wow," Abby said. Embarrassed at the sudden jealousy that coursed through her veins. And regret. Sheridan wasn't the kind of woman a man just got over. "I might as well enter a nunnery now," she shook her head. Puzzling Hank to no end.
"I'm going to have fantasies about that cute little.and those eyes," she sighed. Ignoring the rolling of Hank's brown eyes. "Anyway," she shook her head again to clear it off the all-too vivid pictures flashing through her half-baked mind. "I guess I can see why Luis would be.annoyed." "Annoyed?" Hank said incredulously. "Bit of an understatement, don't you think?" An unbidden image came of Luis's fists clenching Nick's lab coat.Hank talking sense into him before Dr. Dave called security. "Okay.point taken." "Taylor's lucky Luis didn't tear his head off," Chad interjected. Hank pulled his wife down into his lap, and Abby felt a funny little pull at her heart when Gwen lay her head on his shoulder. "What the hell is taking them so long?" she said to no one in particular. Jumping up from her seat and stalking over to the nurses' desk.
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She didn't want to leave her daughter. Not even for a few minutes. Something in Katie's eyes made her heart clench painfully in her chest, and the sympathetic hand on her shoulder as she told her the doctor and Luis were waiting for her outside.she felt her throat constrict. She could barely breathe as she whispered a goodbye to her sweet Ali. Her blue eyes still red from her earlier tears. Her face still pale. She paused at the door. Taking one last look. "Mommy'll be right back, Baby. It's a promise. Love you." "Love you," Ali smiled back at her. Somehow sensing Sheridan's reluctance to let her out of her sight, she whispered, "I'll be okay, Mommy." "That's right, Mommy," Katie reassured her. "She'll be fine." "Thank you," Sheridan mouthed. Ducking out the door before the sudden tears she felt stinging her eyes were freed and falling down her cheeks. She didn't want to scare Ali. God knew she was scared enough for the both of them. "Luis," she cried. Grasping onto his solid, comforting form and holding on for dear life. Luis wrapped a supporting arm around her waist and pulled her close. But she could feel the tension in the rigidness of his posture. "Luis?" she asked. Looking up and gasping when she noticed for the first time.Nick.
"Jen.Sheridan," Nick hastily corrected himself. A softness in his gray eyes that made her heart lurch. But she pushed down the awkward feeling. Remembering the man standing just a couple feet in front of her had done so much for her in the past. Cared so much. He was an important reason why she was even standing beside Luis again in this hospital in the first place. And the gratitude she felt.it just wouldn't go away. It wasn't something she could ignore, she realized as she stepped forward with a single word, "Nick," and leaned in to hug him. Nick's gray eyes connected with Luis's amber ones, and he hurriedly dropped his arms to his sides. Smiling at her. Allowing himself just a moment to drink her beauty in. Tears clung to her lashes, and he fought the urge to wipe them away as he stared into her blue eyes. Her very confused blue eyes. "Nick," she said softly. Taking a step back. "I don't understand. What are you doing back in the United States? Why are you in Harmony?" Her eyes took in the white lab coat. The doctor's scrubs. She reached an unsteady hand out to the identification card pinned to his lapel and slowly turned it over. "You're working here now?" "Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald," Dr. Matthews interrupted. Clearing his throat. "Dr. Taylor is the doctor I called to consult on Ali's case." Sheridan cradled her head in her hands as a growing dread swept through her. Oh no.Nick. Consulting on Ali's case. Nick. Josh. Josh. "Don't.no." "Sheridan?"
"Jenny," Nick rushed to steady her as she wobbled on her feet. The slip unconscious. But the possessiveness in Luis's touch.the thinly veiled anger in his eyes.he backed away. "Mr. and Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald," Dr. Matthews said solemnly. "Perhaps we should go someplace more private. Someplace you can." "No," Sheridan said tersely. "Just tell me." she bit out as Luis gripped her elbow firmly. "Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.please. Stay calm." Luis had had enough. "How can she stay calm when you're being so damn evasive? Tell us what's making our little girl sick," he demanded. Tightening his grip on his wife. Nick closed his eyes. Unable, for the moment, to say anything as he remembered the beautiful little girl with smiling blue eyes as she had been those three, four years ago. And the memory shook him as he imagined her life, her vitality fading as Josh's had right before their very eyes. "Sheridan.Luis," he said. Opening his eyes and trying to maintain a professional face. "Ali's blood tests.we need to do more testing, but." "But what?" Luis snapped impatiently while Sheridan seemed to withdraw into herself . Images of an angel--pure and white, delicate--crashing to earth and shattering into a million tiny pieces assaulted her then. Each jagged sliver bearing no resemblance to its former beauty. Images of an angel with long, flowing golden hair, shimmering gold-kissed wings. Crimson stains spreading, seeping through the pristine robes that clad her tiny body until there was no more whiteness. Ali.Josh.Nick. "No," she shook her head violently at the pictures that tainted her mind. "No!" she cried out. Surging forward and pounding her fists against Nick's chest. "Not Ali! Not my baby! Damn you!" the anguished cry tore from her throat as her legs faltered beneath her. "What the hell's going on here?" Luis questioned wildly as he caught her in his arms and clutched her against his chest. Dr. Matthews could only look away in sadness, and his whispered words rang in Luis's ears. ".we're sorry. Your daughter has cancer."
Chapter 12
It took several long minutes before his heart resumed its rhythm. But the world was still tilting on its axis. Everything was spinning out of control, and he had to fight to make every breath even. To hold on to that thin thread of calm that was somehow holding him up. Keeping him steady even if his wife was not. Sheridan huddled in a chair down the hall. Tears unending streaming down her cheeks. Sobs making her entire body shudder. His mother was doing her best to calm her. Gwen, Abby, Chad, but the news.
Oh god. His baby had cancer. His baby was so very sick, and he hadn't even known it. Hadn't seen it coming. Until. "It's not too late, Luis," Nick's voice somehow broke through the fog. How did he. "Don't think that. We're going to do everything we can to make sure Ali gets well. To make sure she beats this thing." He looked into the other man's eyes then. And he saw sympathy. Understanding. ".we need to discuss her.Luis. Luis?" "Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald?" Dr. Matthews spoke. "How am we going to tell her?" Nick's mouth set in a grim line, and the older doctor was silent. "How do you tell a child."
"Sheridan.here. Take this," Gwen pleaded. Holding out a small cup of water. "Drink it, Mija," Pilar encouraged. "Maybe it will make you feel better." Sheridan raised red-rimmed, puffy eyes to the woman she considered a mother and tonelessly refused. "Sheridan," Abby spoke gently. "Don't do this. Don't let yourself fall apart like this." Anger glittered in Sheridan's blue eyes as she glared at her friend. "Don't fall apart? Don't fall apart?!?! What exactly would you have me do, Abby? My little girl has cancer. This isn't like scraped knees or a bee-sting. Cancer, Abby. If you."
"Don't even pull that if I were a mother crap," Abby raised her voice. "Mother or not this is hurting me, too, Sheridan. It's hurting all of us that love that little girl in there because we feel so helpless. But you know what? You HAVE to pull yourself together," Abby hissed. Fingers digging into Sheridan's shoulders. "She's going to look straight to you. And you're going to scare her to death. I know it hurts, but you have to make this as.you have to help Ali through this, and being a complete basket- case won't do the trick. Now stop your damn crying." Sheridan's chin jutted out stubbornly as she rose on unsteady feet and shoved Abby's hands out of the way. "Man is she pissed at you," Chad whistled in a low voice. Martin lay a friendly hand on Abby's shoulder and said, "You told her what she needed to hear." "Then why do I feel like the world's biggest bitch?" Abby muttered under her breath.
Sheridan paused outside Ali's room. Using her shirt sleeves to wipe away as much evidence of her tears as she could. Forcing a smile on her face. The door opened quietly, and she was granted a few seconds of studying her young daughter unnoticed. Ali had always been so beautiful. From the very beginning when the nurse placed her tiny, wiggling little body in her arms. That day she fell in love, truly in love, for the second time in her life. Every smile, every giggle, every tear endeared the sweet little life to her more each day until she was afraid her heart would burst with the overwhelming feelings. She listened to Ali's tinkling laughter with a smile on her lips. Katie was telling Ali a story about her little boy. And how he wanted to grow up to marry Ariel. ".he wants to be a merman. What about you, Sweetheart? Who do you want to marry when you grow up?"
The innocent question made Sheridan's throat constrict, but she plastered the smile back on her face and made her presence known. "Don't keep Katie and me in suspense, AliCat," she said teased. "Who's going to be the lucky guy? Do I know him?" Ali's blue eyes twinkled, and her cheeks reddened adorably as she hid her face beneath a golden veil. Giggling wildly. "Mommy!" Sheridan fingered the silky locks lovingly. "I was just complimenting Miss Ali on her gorgeous hair," Katie smiled. Tweaking Ali's foot. "Well, Pumpkin.I got to go check up on another patient. See you later," Katie winked as she walked toward the door. "Katie's nice, Mommy," Ali whispered. Giggling softly as they exchanged Eskimo kisses. "Yeah, she is," Sheridan agreed with a gentle smile. "Daddy!" Ali squealed happily when Luis entered the room. Accompanied by Nick. "Dr. Nick," she smiled sweetly. "So you DO remember me?" Nick grinned. Taking a seat in front of her. "My you've grown up to be such a beautiful young woman." "Thank you," Ali said.
"Ali?" Nick began. "Do you know why you're here? Why **I'm** here?" Ali chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully. "Because I haven't felt so good," she finally answered. Luis's dark eyes kept careful watch of his wife's face. "I didn't mean to be bad," Ali said suddenly. Looking first to Sheridan, then to him with beseeching blue eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't tell about the blood. I was scared," she whispered. "You're not mad, are you?" she asked in a tiny voice. "We're not mad at you, Baby," Sheridan answered. "Promise?" she pleaded. "Promise," Luis vowed when she slipped one small hand in his. "We're not mad, AliCat. Mommy and I just wish you'd told us sooner that you were sick."
Ali hung her head. Her blond hair falling forward. "Ali," Nick said softly. Reaching a hand forward to tip her chin up. "Nobody's mad at you. Okay?" Ali nodded her head. "I'm going to be your doctor." Ali's golden brows knit in confusion. "Like you were Josh's doctor?" She peeked at her mommy from beneath her lashes. "Mommy," her little voice comforted. "Don't be sad. Josh doesn't hurt anymore. Remember?" "Daddy," she cried. "Daddy, I don't understand." "AliCat, I.," Luis stumbled. "Ali," Nick spoke again. "Josh was very sick. You remember why?" "He had cancer," Ali answered solemnly. Blue eyes wide and innocent. "Do you understand what cancer is?" Ali's chin started to quiver as realization started to dawn on her why Nick was her doctor, why he was talking about Josh, and Luis clutched her little hand tighter at the first sign of tears in her eyes. Tears of fear. "Mommy?" she reached for Sheridan. "Mommy, I don't want Dr. Nick to be my doctor." Nick closed his eyes. "I don't want to be sick. I don't want to be sick like Josh, Mommy. Mommy," Ali wailed in Sheridan's arms. "I'm sorry I didn't tell. I'm sorry." When Nick opened his gray eyes again.they filled with tears.
Chapter 13
"Are you sure you're going to be okay with Ethan, Cristian?" Ivy asked for what had to be the thousandth time in the last half-hour. She straightened Cristian's heavy winter coat and made sure the bright red scarf around his neck left no skin vulnerable to the blustery wind's chill. Cristian's big brown eyes glistened at her, but he bravely kept the tears at bay. "Your mommy will feel so much better knowing you're taking care of Ethan," she teased. A twinkle in her blue-green eyes. "She won't have to worry so much." A tiny smile flitted across Cristian's face. Until he remembered WHY he was having to stay with Ethan today. And the tears just wouldn't be stopped as his little face crumpled, and he buried his face in the crook of Ivy's neck. "But I want to be with Ali," he sobbed. "She'll be afraid." Ivy sighed. Heavy-hearted at the child's fears. "Listen, Cristian," Ethan interjected softly. "Ali's going to be fine. She has your mommy and daddy with her, and a whole bunch of other people. Ali'll understand if you aren't at the hospital. She will," Ethan insisted as Cristian's big brown eyes met his blue ones. "If you want," Ethan offered. Looking to his mother to make sure it was okay. "We can go visit Ali this afternoon. We'll even take her a present." "A present?" Ivy smiled. "That sounds wonderful! I know your sister will just LOVE anything you pick out. Then it's all settled then?" "Okay," Cristian mumbled. "Bye, Darling," Ivy breathed. Kissing the child's cool cheek. "Oh! You're so cold! Ethan," she said. Rising to her feet and kissing her own son's cool cheek. "Get this young man inside now and have Beth whip him up the BEST hot chocolate money can buy," she winked. "See you later," she waved.
Beth looked up when the bells at the front tinkled. Announcing her new arrivals. The smile on her face faltered as she watched Cristian's downtrodden little figure trudge to the nearest available table. Poor kid. He was so worried about his big sister, and it showed. Every bit of it showed. She shifted sympathetic brown eyes to Ethan's face when his voice broke through her thoughts. "Two hot chocolates." Two days had passed, and Ali was, probably at this very moment, checking into the Harmony Hospital for her first chemotherapy treatment. The news that the daughter of the man in line to become Harmony's newest police chief and the town's own claim to royalty had cancer had spread like wildfire. Sending shockwaves in its wake. It was just inconceivable. That something so horrible should strike a family that had already been through so much in a time that should have been one of its happiest. Luis was at the pinnacle of his career. He and Sheridan had been deliriously happy. Life had been perfect. Until two days ago. She still couldn't come to terms with it. "Beth?" Ethan waved a hand in front of her face. "Beth? Did you hear me?" "I'm sorry, Ethan. I'll bring it to you, okay?" Ethan nodded gratefully, and she watched him walk over to join Cristian. "Julie," she spoke to the young girl beside her. "Do you think you could manage this place today? There's something very important I have to do." "Sure, Beth. It's so sad about the Lopez-Fitzgeralds' little girl, isn't it? She's such a pretty little thing. Sweet as can be. Always smiling. It just isn't fair. Isn't that her little brother over there?" Beth distantly heard Julie question as she removed her apron and picked up the steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
"Hi, Cristian," Beth said brightly. Setting one of the mugs of hot chocolate in front of him. "Mind if I sit here?" she asked. Indicating the empty seat across from him and beside Ethan. "No," Cristian muttered. Beth looked to Ethan in surprise. Cristian was usually so much more talkative. If Ali were smiling all the time, Cristian's smile was a permanent fixture. Had been since birth. "Cristian?" Beth reached across the table and tugged at his sleeve playfully. "Aren't you going to drink your hot chocolate? I made it extra special for you." Cristian raised the mug to his lips politely. Never one to slight ANYBODY'S feelings. "It's good," he mumbled. "Why don't you take your jacket off and stay awhile," Beth laughed. The kid was carrying an extra twenty pounds of clothing on his back. Come to think of it.he'd almost waddled into the Book Café when he first came in. "That's not necessary," Ethan told her. "As soon as we finish up here, we're going on a very important mission." At her inquisitive look, Ethan answered, "We're going to get a present to take to Ali when we visit this afternoon." "Oh," Beth smiled. "Ali will LOVE that." Cristian smiled at her. The first smile she'd seen yet. "Mind if I come? You're two guys shopping for a girl. Somehow I think you need a little help," she teased. "What do you think Cristian?" Cristian shrugged his tiny shoulders. "Good. I'll just get my jacket, and we'll be on our way," she smiled. Giving Ethan a friendly pat on the arm as she rose from her seat. "She's right, you know," Ethan told his little charge. "We desperately need a woman's opinion."
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Sara scowled as the Hotchkiss estate came into view. "Sara," Gwen sighed. "I thought you said you WANTED to stay with Grandma. You could have stayed with Aunt Grace, but you said no," she reminded the petulant little girl in the back seat. Emily happily hummed under her breath. Aunt Grace, Grandma, it didn't matter. She was just glad Mommy wasn't making them go to the hospital with her like she was Jake. Well.maybe she wasn't MAKING Jake go. She glanced at her older brother. He didn't look like he wanted to go. But he didn't look like he didn't want to go either. "Aunt Grace makes us eat Tomato Soup Cake. It's disg." Sara paused as her young four- year-old mind couldn't remember the word she'd heard her big brother use a million, kagillion times before. "It's YUCKY!" "Grandma doesn't cook," Emily piped up cheerfully. "And Grandpa's FFFFFFUUUUUUUNNNNNNN," she smiled. Giggling at her twin sister. Sara was ALWAYS grumpy about something. Just like Grandma said. "Thank goodness for small blessings," Gwen grimaced at the thought of her mother's horrid culinary skills. Killing the car's engine. "Sara.wipe that awful expression off your face," she said. "Only if you promise we don't have to spend the night," Sara challenged stubbornly. "You don't have to spend the night," Gwen sighed. Opening her door and getting out. "Your dad and I will come pick you up as soon as we leave the hospital." "Okay," Sara huffed as her mom unbuckled Emily and lifted her out of the car. "Bye, Jake," Emily waved as she clutched her doll in one hand, and a fistful of her mother's skirt in the other. Sara unbuckled her own seatbelt and scooted across the seat. Ribbing her big brother in the ribs on the way out. "Bye, Fartface," she snickered evilly. "Sara Bennett!" The mischievous smile on Sara's face instantly disappeared. But not from her mom's vicious (it WAS vicious, she'd tell the whole world if only she could get on Old Bra's show) yank on the arm. Jake didn't say it back! Ali must be REALLY, REALLY sick.
"Jake," Gwen's brown eyes sought out those of her son in the reflection of the rear-view mirror. "You're awfully quiet back there. Anything you want to tell me about?" she quizzed as she maneuvered the car down the streets of Harmony. "Jake.I know you're worried about Ali. You don't have to pretend, okay? There's nothing wrong with being worried. We ALL are," she assured him. Noticing the suspicious sheen of his brown eyes. Jake rubbed his eyes with his fists when he thought she wasn't looking. He curved his face into the seat as he felt the car slowing down. And he threw his arms over his head when the prickly fingers of the wintery wind on his skin told him his mom had opened the back door. Gwen blinked back her own tears as she pried her son's arms from his head. "Jake," she said softly. "It's okay," she whispered. Cupping his face between both of her hands. "It's okay to be scared, and it's even okay for a tough guy like you to cry. Sometimes," she teased as she brushed the tears clinging to his dark lashes away with the pads of her thumbs. "Girls cry," Jake muttered. Averting his embarrassed gaze from his mother's understanding eyes. "And sissies. I'm NOT a sissy." "No, you're not," Gwen told him seriously. "Do you think your dad is a sissy? Do you think Luis is a sissy?" she questioned him. Jake shook his head vigorously. "I thought not," she said. "Even Uncle Sam cried when he found out Ali was sick. Ali's very special to all of us, and we don't want anything bad to happen to her. So finding out she was so sick made us ALL sad. Don't be embarrassed because you care, Jake. Never be embarrassed by that," she told him somberly. Brushing his unruly brown hair back from his forehead to place a kiss there. Smiling tenderly at him when he didn't scowl and wipe it away. "Ready to go see Ali now?" Jake started to nod his head, but stopped when he realized there was something he had to do first. "No. Not yet. Could we do something first?"
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Chad scanned the sea of faces in the terminal for one. One in a million in more ways than one, he thought with a slight smile as he caught sight of her. Dark hair pulled back into a casual ponytail and dark sunglasses covering her eyes. "Yo, Theresa! Over here!" he called. Waving frantically to garner her attention. He knew the instant she saw him. She dropped her bags by her side, and in a matter of seconds, she was in his arms. Clutching him desperately as she buried her face in his chest, and her tears soaked through the material of his shirt. "Oh Chad," she sobbed. "I came as soon as I could. I couldn't just leave at a moment's notice. I had to make sure everything was taken care of. Make arrangements," she explained. The guilt thick in her voice. He pulled back and gently removed the shades from her eyes to find them red-rimmed and puffy. He sighed as he realized she'd probably been beating herself up about it the entire flight. "Sheridan and Luis understand. Ali understands. What counts is you're here now." She attempted a smile at his soothing words but failed miserably. He tucked her under his strong arm as he steered her through the throngs of people to retrieve her bags and make their way outside. She replaced the glasses on her nose and followed him as he led her to his car. "Get in the car and warm up while I put these in the back," he suggested. Kissing her cheek. She sank into the comfort of the passenger seat and secured her safety belt after turning the key in the car's ignition and starting it up. She heaved a shaky sigh as she pulled the wadded newspaper clipping from her purse and read over the words once more. The opening of the car door opposite her startled her, making her jump, and she hastily stuffed the paper back into her purse. A determined if weak smile on her lips as she grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips. "I'm here now."
Chapter 14
"It's a STUPID present. She's going to hate it. I know she is," Jake muttered under his breath as the elevator slowly climbed. Gwen gave her son a gentle smile and affectionate ruffle of the hair. "She's going to LOVE it." "How do you know?" Jake grumbled. "Because I just do." Jake quirked a dark brown at her skeptically. "Are you doubting me? Moms just know these things, okay?" Jake rolled his brown eyes at her. "Besides.I'm a girl. Trust me. She's going to flash you one of those pretty smiles of hers as soon as she opens it." A slow grin started to spread over Jake's face at the thought of Ali's smile. It was.magic. Ali's smile was magic. Gwen forced herself to wear a straight face when Jake glanced up at her out of the corner of his eye to make sure she hadn't been witness to that telling little grin. "What?" he asked. Putting on his best poker face. "She's just Ali," he shrugged his shoulders as the elevator dinged, and the doors opened slowly. "Yeah," Gwen agreed. Brown eyes sparkling. "Just another girl, huh?" "Um.yeah," Jake half-shook, half-nodded his mop of brown curls. "Are you coming or not, Mom?" he groaned. "We have to hurry, I.have to go to the bathroom," he said. Covering his eagerness to see Ali quickly.
"Where do you think you're going so fast, Little Bennett?" Abby teased as she caught Jake about the shoulders just before he could scamper inside Ali's hospital room. Jake scowled at the nickname. "Aww," Abby pinched his cheeks-because she KNEW he HATED when she did that. "Did you like the old one better? Really.if Demon Seed weren't already taken." "Lemme go," Jake grumbled. "Jake. Little Buddy," his dad's voice came from out of nowhere. "Relax. Ali's not going anywhere. Dr. Taylor's just checking her out before he lets any visitors in, and you know Cristian has first dibs." Jake gave Cristian a black look and trudged over to the row of ugly plastic chairs, slumping next to Chad. "Hey Dude," Chad grinned. His eyes traveling to Jake's clasped hands. "What's that you got in your hand? Must be for a pretty special someone." Theresa's dark eyes sparkled at the blush that colored Jake's cheeks pink as he twiddled the object around and around. "Hi Jake," she greeted. Changing the subject to lessen his embarrassment. "I don't see your sisters. Where are Sara and Emily?" "Grandma's BABY-sitting," Jake said. Emphasizing the 'BABY' part. Theresa giggled in surprise. Rebecca? Babysitting? So many things had changed in the time she'd been gone. Unbelievable aside.she couldn't help but feel sad that she had missed so much. She thought back to the piece of paper in her purse and closed her eyes. It was going to change her life. But she was becoming more and more convinced it was what was right. Even if it DID complicate her life.
Ethan looked away in embarrassment when he met Theresa's dark eyes. "Ethan," Cristian whispered. Tucking the huge pink bunny with its floppy ears beneath his arm and framing Ethan's face with both his little hands. "When are they going to let me see AliCat?" "Soon," Beth answered for him. Ethan shot a grateful smile her way as rubbed Cristian's back reassuringly. "Why Cristian!" Ivy exclaimed. Giving the worried child a brilliant smile. "You have exquisite taste! Ali's going to LOVE your present. What's her name?" Cristian pulled the bunny out from under his arm and looked at it's face for a moment of serious contemplation. "Ali gets to name her. Look Aunt Ivy," he directed. Presenting the bunny's tummy to her. "The bunny has ALL our names on it. When Ali hugs it, it's going to make her feel better because she knows we love her." Tears sprang to Ivy's blue-green eyes as her fingers traced the brightly colored threads, including her own name. "What a wonderful, thoughtful little brother you are," she smiled shakily. Nearly crushing him and Ethan in her embrace. Ivy's eyes grew wide as another pair of arms encircled them, and Abby lay her head on her shoulder. Her hazel eyes a bit shiny, but filled with mirth nonetheless as she announced, "I LOVE YOU GUYS!" Cristian giggled at the crazy display and Ethan's obvious discomfort. Ivy carefully removed Abby's arms and patted her shoulder. "Well.I." "What, Aunt Ivy? Don't you love me?" "Of course, Dear." "What's not to love about good ole Tink?" Hank joined in on the fun. Giving Abby a sneaky pinch on the.you know where. "Hands off the ass, Bennett," Abby growled. Ethan tried to cover Cristian's ears, but it was too late. "Not in front of the children, Mija," Pilar scolded. "Puh-leaze," Kay muttered under her breath in passing. "As if that word's a new one on Jake," she finished. Smirking at her little cousin's guilty little grin. "Um.but Mama," Abby mock-pouted. "I was provoked.wait a minute. Oh my God! Mija?!?! Did you guys hear that? I'm part of the family!!! Oh Mama! I love you!" she squealed. Nearly giving Pilar a massive coronary with her zealous hug. "You too, Dad. Or should I call you Papa like Luis? I saw THAT," she hissed when Miguel drew circles around his temple and mouthed 'CRAZY.' Martin just chuckled. "Papa will do."
A throat cleared quietly, and the whole gang fell silent. Focusing every last bit of their attention on the man in the white coat. "I realize now it was ridiculous of me not to expect so many of you," he said. Mentally counting heads as his gray eyes surveyed the waiting room. "Are you going to let us see Ali now?" Jake's voice broke through. "Jake!" Gwen chided. "He's the doctor, not to mention a grown-up." "No need to apologize," Nick smiled. Making the corners of gray eyes crinkle, and Abby nearly swooned right then and there. "Abby," Kay discreetly whispered in the tawny-haired dynamo's ear. "Wipe that little bit of drool off. Right there," she winked. Biting her lip to keep from laughing. This was serious. They were here to visit Ali. Her little niece who had cancer, Kay thought. Sobering immediately. "Look," Nick began again. "I know you're all anxious to see Ali, and you're all going to have your turn. But I don't want too many of you in there at once, and please don't stay long. Ali's had a very tough day, and she's not feeling very well. Not to mention tired. Make it quick. Make it count. Okay. Any questions?" No one said a word, and Nick pointed to Cristian. "She wants to see you first. Are you ready to see your sister?" Cristian nodded his dark head and trustingly took Nick's offered hand. Clutching the bunny in the other. "Now, don't be frightened when you see her. She's a little pale, and." Jake heaved a heavy sigh and plopped back down beside Chad as the door closed behind Cristian and Dr. Nick. What kind of name was THAT? He wanted to go first. He had to SEE Ali to make sure she was really okay.
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"Ali!" Cristian cried as he raced to his sister's bedside. Throwing his arms around her neck. "Oh Ali," he whispered. Wiping his tears away with his tiny fingers. "I was SO scared." "Cristian.be careful," his mommy whispered in his ear. "It's okay, Mommy," Ali reassured her. Her smile wide as Cristian presented the bunny to her proudly. "I brought you a present," he grinned. His brown eyes twinkling at her. "See?" he pointed to the names on bunny's tummy. "That's our names," he said in his childish voice. "You can hug her whenever you get scared or miss us. It'll be like we're hugging you back and saying you we love you." Sheridan wiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks, and Luis's voice was gruff as he spoke. "Wow, AliCat. That's a lot of names there." "I love you, AliCat," Cristian whispered. Leaning down to kiss his sister on the lips like he'd done so many times as a baby. "Do you like my present?" "I LOVE it," Ali smiled at him. "Good," Cristian said to himself. "I knew you'd like it. Nite nite, Ali," he murmured with a final goodbye kiss to her cheek.
As soon as Cristian walked through the door, another person always entered. Ali smiled and thanked Beth when she told her she was looking forward to seeing her at the Book Café soon, and that she could have all the blueberry muffins and hot chocolate she wanted. FREE! Ethan teased her with whispers of "Princess Ali," and jokes that they should spring another kitten on Luis soon. Then Ali remembered Miss Priss and asked if the kittens had made their grand entrance into the world yet. They had NOT, according to Pilar and Martin who promised to take extra-special care of Cristian for her that night since she couldn't be there to promise her little brother there were NO monsters under his bed if he got scared. Ivy promised they'd go riding the next time she visited the Mansion AND have a REAL tea party. Of course, the invitation was extended to Luis and Cristian. Even Jake. But.Ivy pointed out.they wouldn't know how to appreciate the finer points of a good cup of tea and a little old-fashioned (but very tame) gossip. Ali giggled at the thought of Jake wearing a big, floppy hat like the ones her mommy and her used to use in their tea parties. Chad and Daddy had to turn around while Mommy helped her put on the new pj's Aunt Theresa had made. Especially for her. Kay and Miguel thrilled her with the news that Joshua was a candidate for the implants. The details confused her a little bit (a LOT), but she couldn't wait for Joshua to hear her voice. Abby and Hank made her giggle 'til her tummy hurt, and Mommy got scared and wanted to call Dr. Nick, but something Gwen said made her not do it. Everybody came to see her, telling her how much they loved her and giving her presents, and Ali LOVED it all. Even if she did feel a little bad, and they all looked a little afraid. But one thing was missing. One person. "Uncle Hank?" she asked in a soft, weary voice. "Where's Jake?" Hank just grinned and whispered something to her mommy and daddy, and before she knew it.she was all alone in the hospital room. Until he came in."Hi Jake," she beamed as he walked toward her slowly.
Jake shuffled forward. Hands hidden behind his back. FINALLY! They all left. He just couldn't do it with EVERYBODY watching. It was too embarrassing. Too, too embarrassing. "Hi Ali," he mumbled. Stopping beside her bedside. He looked at the IV still in her arm. "Does that.nevermind," he muttered awkwardly. He grinned at the huge pink bunny in her arms. Normally, he'd seize upon the opportunity to tease her about it, but as he read all the names there, he realized it was pretty cool. He just hoped she liked his present. Yeah, he thought. Suddenly remembering the brightly wrapped package in his hands. "Um.I got you a present," he announced. Thrusting the package into her hands. "Thank you," Ali murmured. And Jake grinned to himself when her blue eyes twinkled back at him. Yeah, he thought as she smiled at him again. It WAS magic. Uh oh! What if Dylan knew? That thought made him red with even more embarrassment. His palms were sweaty as he handed the second part of his present to her. Ali breathed in the scent of the yellow rose. "It's so pretty." Jake shot her a pleased smile. "I picked it 'cause it was pretty. And it reminded me of your hair. Pretty. And yellow," he babbled. "Open your other present. I hope you like it. Mom helped me pick it out. And she said you'd like it 'cause you and her are both girls." Ali's blue eyes sparkled as she lifted the tiny heart-shaped silver necklace from the box. "I didn't pick no heart 'cause I love you or anything. You're a girl," he said as if that said it all. "But as far as girls go.you're pretty cool, Ali," he admitted bashfully. "See right here?" he said. Flipping the necklace around. "See what it says?" he asked. Pointing the engraving. "You're my best friend, Ali. Even though I'm mean to you sometimes and like to tease you a lot, you're my best friend in the whole world, and I just wanted you to know that. Mom put a picture of us when we were babies in there, and the other side's empty 'cause that's where the grown-up picture's going go, and.Ali? Do you like the present or not?" Ali's answer. "Eee---YUCK! Did you have to kiss me again?" Jake grumbled. But if the sparkle in his brown eyes was any indication.he liked her answer pretty well.
Chapter 15
Nick sighed as he read Ali's latest charts. The treatments weren't failing, but they're weren't exactly providing the punch he'd hoped for. Nevertheless, he was still optimistic. If he had learned nothing else the last few weeks, he had learned that the little girl resting in the hospital room down the hall was not as delicate as she looked. AliCat seemed fragile on the outside, but her disposition was that of a fighter. The kid had an iron will, he thought with a slight smile. "Katie?" he said. Raising his intense gray gaze to the young woman who'd just returned to the nurses' station. "Ali? Is she." Katie's eyes were filled with sympathy as she spoke. "This last one's made her sicker than usual. But Ali's a sweetheart, Dr. Taylor. She's not complained a bit, but you can just tell.Sheridan's in there worrying herself sick. That little doll puts on a brave face just so she won't worry her mommy anymore than she already does," Katie told him.
"Hi, Dr. Taylor." Nick groaned inwardly as recognition washed over him. How long had he been employed at this hospital? A month maybe. A little more. And Nurse Ellie Jacobs had flirted with him relentlessly the ENTIRE time. "Hello, Ellie," he said. Giving her a polite smile. Ellie positively beamed as she batted her fake eyelashes at him. Katie tried to hide her smile from him in the background, but he saw it, pleading with desperate gray eyes for her to bail him out of this particular situation. He'd already made it clear in not-so-many words that he wasn't interested in any relationships at the moment or the near future. "Still living at 'Grace's Bed and Breakfast'?" Katie piped up. Thinking she was offering him an out. Of some sort. But Ellie's interest was piqued. Even more so than usual. "Oh, Dr. Taylor," she practically salivated all over him, much to his chagrin and Katie's amusement, "I know the PERFECT place for you."
Abby rolled her eyes as she passed the trio by. Ellie Jacobs was a shameless hussy. Throwing herself at Dr. Taylor like that. Why the nerve! She'd much rather have the man falling at HER feet than vice versa. "Knock, knock," she called. Peeking her tawny head through Ali's hospital room door. "Can I come in?" "Abby," Ali corrected with a tiny smile. "It's 'may I'." "Oh pooh," Abby waved her off as she eased the door shut behind her. "Feeling okay today?" she asked. Brushing strands of golden hair from Ali's forehead. "A little sick to your tummy?" Ali's blue eyes darted to her mommy's figure on the other side of the bed, then she slowly nodded her head. "But it's not THAT bad," she stressed. "Good," Abby smiled. Pulling up a chair and seating herself beside Sheridan. "Anything good on tv?" she made small talk as she flipped quickly through all the channels. Ali's tired blue eyes lit up briefly when Abby's channel-surfing turned up a concert special on the newest boy band. "Wow," Abby muttered sarcastically. "Another one. Will my own private hell NEVER end? I HATE boy bands. No offense, Miss AliCat," she hastily apologized. Earning a giggle before Ali snuggled close to her bunny and gave the television her full attention.
"I knew that'd distract her," Abby whispered with a self-satisfied grin. "Whoa, Mom," she whistled. "You're not looking too hot yourself. You okay?" "I'm fine, Abby," Sheridan shook her head at her friend. "Just a little tired. That's all." "Why don't you take yourself a little break? Get some fresh air? I'll keep Ali company. Won't I?" she winked at the tiny girl lying on the bed beside them. "S'okay, Mommy," Ali half-yawned. "Abby'll take care of me." "See?" Abby smiled encouragingly when Sheridan looked to be on the verge of refusing outright. "Aww, Mom." she whined. "You not trust me?" Sheridan smiled a half-smile at her before leaning over to kiss Ali's forehead. "Mommy won't be long, Sweetie. Promise. Love you." "Love you, too, Mommy," Ali sighed sleepily. "Take your time," Abby told her as she walked toward the door. "We'll be okay."
Katie pretended not to notice the way Dr. Taylor's gray eyes followed Sheridan's every move, but it was hard not to when he was so blatant. As he was the moment she emerged from Ali's room, looking tired and worried but still so composed and beautiful she made half the nursing staff green with envy. Ellie's brown eyes narrowed with jealousy, but Dr. Taylor didn't notice. "Katie," he shot her a brief glance. "Check up on Ali again. Make sure she's comfortable." "Sure thing." she trailed off softly. He was already gone. Hurrying to catch up with Sheridan. "What's so special about HER anyway?" Ellie huffed. "That man forgets about everything and anyone around him the minute he sees HER," she spat in annoyance. "One hunk isn't enough for her. She has to have them all." "Ellie," Katie scolded. "You know it isn't like that between them." "Katie," Ellie turned flashing brown eyes at the younger, prettier nurse frowning at her. "Haven't you heard the rumors?" "Don't you know better than to believe everything you hear?" Ellie scowled blackly at Katie's small frame as she walked away. "Bitch," she muttered under her breath.
Sheridan hugged her arms around her waist for warmth as the cold wintery wind sent a chill through her bones. If she didn't know better, she'd think it were going to snow. Ali LOVED snow. Hopefully, she'd be feeling better, and the chemotherapy would work its magic soon, and they'd have a white Christmas. At home. All of them together. It seemed like they practically LIVED at the hospital these days. But if that's what it took to make her baby better, she wouldn't complain. "Please.please make her well." "Jenny," a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. "Nick," she gave him an awkward smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." "It's okay," she told him. Even after all this time, he still slipped and called her Jenny sometimes. "Nick," her voice grew tight with sudden panic. "Is Ali."
"Ali's fine," he assured her as he shrugged his jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders. "She's doing great." She breathed a sigh of relief. "But there IS something I want to talk to you about. She's responding to the treatment," he told her truthfully. Just not as well as he'd liked, he neglected to add. "But Sheridan," he said carefully. Her given name passing his lips with difficulty. "I want us to be prepared for ALL possibilities. I want to test you and Luis and Cristian.and other close family members.as possible bone marrow donors." Sheridan bit back the gasp that threatened to escape her frozen lips. "IF," he stressed. "IF it comes to that. Don't worry," he grasped her shoulders firmly. "We're a long way from that point, and we may not even get there at all. Okay?" She took a long, steadying breath and nodded her head. "Good," he smiled. "Can I go get tested now?" she asked quietly. He squeezed her shoulders and dropped his hands. "Of course. I think that's a great idea. Katie's keeping an eye on Ali for us, but I'm sure someone's available," he told her as he led her back inside.
Ellie plastered an insincere smile on her face when Nick approached her with his request, but she heaved an impatient sigh when Nick left her alone with Sheridan. Sheridan ignored the nervous flutter in her stomach and followed the edgy-acting woman to an exam room. Somehow, she got the feeling Ellie didn't like her very much. And she just didn't trust people who had it in for her that were equipped with needles. Doubly unpleasant. Oh well, she thought as she gave the woman a pleasant if nervous smile. This is for Ali. This is all for Ali, she thought as she felt the angry jab of the needle and unexpected tears welled up in her eyes. She could swear that Ellie was smirking at her in satisfaction when she had to blink away the tears. She did NOTHING to make sure the procedure was as comfortable for her as possible. If anything, she made sure it was wholly uncomfortable. The ache was still present as she made her way back to Ali's hospital room.
"Well." Abby teased. "You sure took long enough." "Did she." "Been sleeping like a baby the entire time," Abby reassured her as they watched the gentle rise and fall of Ali's chest. "By the way.Pilar called. Nothing serious," she rushed to make clear. "Congratulations are in order. The Pain in the Ass herself is a brand-new mommy. Cristian sounded so excited. But the mutt didn't. It was barking up a storm. Sheridan.the poor thing needs therapy." An amused smile graced Sheridan's lips. The mutt. Poor pup was STILL nameless. They needed to work on that. Soon. "That's about it. They sent their love, and Pilar's bringing Cristian down first thing tomorrow during visiting hours. I promised Cristian you'd call him to tell him goodnight later."
"Thank you, Abby. For everything," Sheridan smiled. Hugging the smaller woman. "Now get out of here. I know you have other things to do." "I do need to check my messages," Abby said thoughtfully. "At this point, I'm willing to take anybody. I LOVE the apartment, but rent's a bitch." "Bye, Abby," Sheridan laughed. "Ciao," Abby grinned as she flitted out the door. And nearly run smack-dab into one very tall, very handsome Dr. Nick Taylor. Be still my heart, she thought with a wicked gleam in her hazel eyes as they roamed up and down his length. "Sorry. My fault," she blabbered like a fool. "I meant to do that.I mean.what I meant to say.it was an accident. I'm not in the habit of mowing down sexy doctors daily," she said. Clamping her hand over her mouth almost instantly the moment she realized exactly what she had said. Nick chuckled at the comical widening of her hazel eyes. "No harm done." "Sorry. Permanent sufferer of foot in mouth disease," she choked out before making herself scarce. He was still shaking his head at her long after she'd disappeared. "That is one strange woman." One strange woman indeed.