Disclaimer: Mine? Only in my wildest dreams do I own Matt or any of the others. The only one I do own is Charlie.

Author: Catgurl83

Title: Shocking News

Feedback: Thanks to everyone who has sent feedback! I really appreciate it. Keep it coming. :-)

Rating: G

Author's notes: Okay, I am getting bored of repeating myself every chapter and I am sure you are too so this is the last time I'm going to say that the site I used for medical info for this story is listed in A \ N for chapter 2. If I use a new site, however, I will list it.

I have changed a couple of things medically because they worked better is the story. It wasn't anything really huge though.

I apologize if any of the characters are out of character. I am trying to write more of a few characters that I previously haven't done much with.

Huge thanks to my beta! You have been such a big help with Shocking News!

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Kevin's POV

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The silence in this room is deafening. On the surface, everything seems so calm and quiet. But if you go beneath the surface, the tension is almost unbearable. It is choking off the air supply making it hard to breath, hard to think.

Part of the problem is that no one knows what to do, how to behave. We don't even know what to think or feel.

Should we be happy? Maybe relieved is a better word. Or should we be concerned, agitated, and frightened? It would help if we knew what the outcome was going to be.

I glance down at my watch. It won't even be starting for another half-hour. We'll know when it starts because Annie and Eric will come back. They wanted to stay with Ruthie but the doctors absolutely refused.

I look over at Sarah and Matt. They are clutching each other's hands so tightly that both are chalky white. I can't even imagine how they must be feeling. Their seven-month-old baby is having surgery and they can't be with her.

I can't help but imagine Lucy and I in that situation. Would we have allowed the surgery? I'd like to think that we would have but I don't know. I don't know if Lucy would have been able to do it.

Lucy and I have been discussing having a baby. We haven't made a definite decision yet though. Lucy wants a baby but she wants to wait until she is done with school. On the other hand, she is frightened that if she waited until school is finished having a baby will interfere with her career.

I see the way she is with the twins and Charlie. She would be a great mother. And the more time she spends with Charlie, the more I see her wavering and wanting a baby of her own. I think she will decide she wants to try for a baby relatively soon.

I look across the room where Lucy is sitting on the floor building something out of Lego's with the twins. I think it is supposed to be some sort of building but I'm not sure. It is kind of lopsided.

Everyone debated whether or not to bring the boys for several days. We knew that being here for several hours probably wouldn't be too good for them. But staying at home worrying wouldn't have been any better. Annie and Eric finally decided to bring them this morning.

I look at the clock again. Barely five minutes have passed. This is going to be a long day.

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Lucy's POV

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I carefully put a blue Lego on top of towering stack before me. The stack sways a bit but eventually stops and continues to stand precariously.

This was originally supposed to be a house that we were building. It has turned into a game of how high we can build it before it comes crashing down.

The boys are taking turns putting Lego's on the tower now. Somehow, it is still standing. The twins are a bit disappointed.

I enjoy spending time with my brother but there are times when I am so confused by their actions. They are nothing like Matt, Mary, Simon, Ruthie, and I were like as children. They are fascinated with cowboy movies, noise, mud, and taking things apart. They hate cartoons, baths, bedtime, and anything they think is girly or feminine. They cringe at public displays of affection. Sitting in church is very difficult for them. We've tried taking toys and coloring books along but they don't hold Sam and David's attention for long.

I have to wonder if my children will be like that when I have them. I love my brothers but I certainly hope not. My mom tells me some of the stuff that they do. She told me about them painting the house with mud. She told me about them scrambling eggs into the carpet. I don't know if I could handle those kinds of things.

I wonder if I have time to be a good parent. Right now I am a full time student and after that, I'll have a demanding career. Kevin also has a demanding and dangerous career. I can't help but think that it would be selfish of us to have a child right now. And yet when I'm playing with the boys or holding Charlie and listening to her coo, I want a baby so badly that I ache. I'm going to have to make a decision but it is so difficult.

Sam puts a red Lego onto the stack and it finally topples over. Both boys jump up while cheering. You would think that something incredibly amazing had happened. To them, it has. Children delight in even the simplest things.

I can't help but smile as I watch the boys celebrate. I look up and see that Kevin too is smiling. Is this what being a parent is like?

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Sarah's POV

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I watch the twins cheering through a haze. I seem to be watching and hearing everything from somewhere far off. It is like I am not in the room.

Something is clawing at me from the inside in fear, frustration, and worry. My baby is somewhere in this hospital having surgery. Minor surgery, but still surgery. And there is nothing I can do.

Charlie was screaming in terror when the nurse carried her away from me. I wanted to go to her and wrench her back into my arms and hold her forever but I couldn't. I watched the nurse carry Charlie down the hall and then out of sight and then I sunk down into a chair as my legs collapsed.

Is this how all parents feel when their child, their baby, goes in for surgery? God, I hope I never have to do this again. That was the worst thing I've ever had to do.

I just hope it was worth it. I hope that Charlie's marrow is accepted by Ruthie's body. Then, barring an infection or other unforeseen complication, Ruthie should be fine. At least for now. There is a chance that her cancer could recur but we won't go there.

I glance at the clock that is hung on wall. The doctor or nurse should be coming for us at any time. Matt and I get to go sit with Charlie for awhile.

I can't wait for the doctor to come. I won't know that Charlie is okay until I see her. Even if they tell me she is okay, I won't believe them until I can see it with my own eyes. They could miss something or they could just be wrong. I have to check her out myself.

I feel Matt's hand on my shoulder and I look up. A nurse has just stepped into the room. She steps over to us and smiles.

"She is in a recovery room. Would you like to go see her?"

I am on my feet before she can even finish the question. Why does she even need to ask? Of course, I want to see Charlie.

I look around the room before exiting. Relief has filled all of the faces within that waiting room. One hurdle has been crossed. Ruthie is one step closer to life.

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Ruthie's POV

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It is almost time. Charlie's surgery should be almost done. After her surgery, they'll come here and start the procedure. It will be much easier for me than it was for her. All I have to do is lie here while the marrow drips into me. The doctor says that I will probably sleep most of the time.

I just hope that Charlie is okay. They said that she probably would be. But there is always a small chance that something could happen. I don't know if I could handle it if I caused something to happen to Charlie.

My parents are sitting next to my bed. They are going to have to leave when my doctor comes. That is going to be extremely hard for them. They are both so worried and scared. I can see it on their faces even though they are trying to hide it from me. They are trying to look hopeful and happy but they aren't really succeeding.

I look up when my door opens. My doctor is standing there, smiling. "We have the marrow."

"Charlie?" I whisper.

His smile broadens. "She is fine. Her parents are with her. She'll probably wake up soon."

I smile a bit as I turn to my parents. "No matter. what happens."

"You are going to be fine," Mom breaks in as she takes Daddy's hand.

"But if I'm not," I insist. "Tell Matt and Sarah thank you for me and Charlie too, when she is older. And make sure everyone know that I love them." By the time I finish tears are streaming down my face. These might be my last words to my parents.

My mother swallows and then speaks through her tears. "I will but you are going to be okay. I love you," I know that she wants to hug me or something but she can't. I basically have no immune system. They killed it so that they could replace it with Charlie's marrow. My parents and my doctor are all wearing gowns, masks, and gloves because of that.

"I love you." My dad whispers and then they are gone. More hospital staff files into the room.

This is it, I can't help but think. I'll either live or die. Life or death, which will win?

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Author's note: Next chapter will be the bone marrow transplant! There will probably be more POVs