Chapter 14

It's several weeks later. Theresa is home from the hospital and has resumed her chemo therapy. Her illness has become increasingly more painful and harder to control with the morphine that Ethan is giving in generous doses. The kids are still very frightened but hanging in there. Theresa lays in bed gripping Ethan's hand as tight as she can grimacing at the pain her body is gripped with. Ethan wipes her forehead with a cold cloth and looks at her with concern.
Ethan: I just gave you a huge dose of morphine isn't it helping yet?
Theresa shakes her head.
Theresa: No. Oh, God I'm going to be sick again.
Ethan quickly but gently turns her on her side so she can vomit in the towel he has by her head. He then wipes her mouth off and kisses her softly.
Ethan: I'm so sorry babe. I'd give anything to take your pain away. You know I'd trade places with you in a minute. You know that don't you?
Theresa looks at him with tears in her eyes.
Theresa: I wouldn't want you to go through this. I wouldn't want anyone to go through this. Oh God Ethan it's getting worse. Can...can you call Eve and see what else you can give me?
Ethan nods and looks for the cordless phone.
Ethan: Damn I must have left it down stairs. Will you be okay if I go down stairs to call?
Theresa nods as she grimaces some more.
Theresa: Just hurry.
Ethan gives her a soft kiss and rushes out. Just as Ethan Jr. and Maria wander in and somberly climb up on the bed and crawl up next to Theresa.
Theresa tries to smile for there benefit.
Theresa: Hey you guys. Are you having fun playing with your cousins and friends in the basement?
Ethan Jr shrugs and takes his mom's hand the way he's seen his Dad do in recent days. He squeezes it tightly.
Ethan Jr: We'd rather be up here with you.
Maria nods and takes the wet cloth Ethan left on the bed and starts wiping her Mom's head and face.
Maria: Yeah. You take care of us when we're sick. Now it's our turn to take care of you.
Theresa smiles with tears in her eyes.
Theresa: I must be the luckiest Mommy in the whole wide world to have such great kids. But you know you don't have to. You can go play, it's okay.
Both kids nod.
Maria: We don't feel like playing.
Ethan Jr: We want to just be with you.
Maria: Yep. We don't want to leave you alone.
Theresa smiles lovingly at her kids and sighs. She silently prays that God will not take her from them.
Downstairs Ethan paces like a caged tiger waiting for Eve to pick up the phone. Kay comes out of the kitchen where she's been cleaning.
Kay: Ethan what's going on?
Ethan: Theresa is suffering more then ever I have to get something stronger for her!
Luis looks up from where he and Chad are fixing the TV.
Luis: She's on morphine isn't she?
Ethan: Yeah well it's not working.
Whitney sighs sadly from where she's been dusting.
Whitney: This is such a nightmare.
Chad nods in agreement. Just then Eve picks up.
Eve: Hello?
Ethan: Eve, it's Ethan. Listen, Theresa is suffering more then ever. She is in the worst agony I've ever seen. I gave her the highest dosage of morphine I could about a half hour ago but it's not doing anything. Can I give her more? Can you prescribe something stronger?
Eve sighs
Eve: Unfortunately you can't give her a higher dosage of morphine. A higher dosage would likely kill her. And unfortunately there is nothing I can prescribe that is any more affective. I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do.
Ethan: But she's suffering! You're a doctor! It's your job to stop people from suffering! How can you not be able to give her something stronger!
Eve: Ethan, I'm sorry. For all the advances medicine has made it has some terrible short comings. And this unfortunately is one of them. I can't give her anything stronger and more morphine will kill her.
Ethan: So what are you saying that I'm just supposed to sit back and let her lay there in agony!
Eve: I'm sorry Ethan...I really wish there was more I could do.
Ethan: Yeah well so do I thanks for nothing!
Ethan flings the phone across the room and it smashes against the wall.
Ethan: Damn it!
Kay hurries over to Ethan.
Kay: Ethan! Hey, calm down, okay? That's not going to help anyone.
Ethan: Yeah, well it's not like I know anything that will help! Theresa is suffering and there is nothing I can do! A higher dosage of morphine will kill her and there isn't anything stronger Eve can give her!
Kay sighs sadly.
Kay: Oh no.
Chad walks over to Ethan.
Chad: I'm sorry Man, that's rough.
Ethan: Rough?! What's rough is watching my wife fade away before my very eyes in complete agony! What's rough is knowing my kids may have to grow up without a mother! What's rough is knowing Theresa would move heaven and earth for me and now when she needs my help the most I can't even make her pain subside!
Ethan knocks over a lamp and kicks an end table over.
Luis: Hey, hey, Ethan. Look just take a deep breath okay? I've been there you know?
Ethan: Yeah, and you know what, that's not a comfort! I look at you and all I can think about is Theresa dying! And believe me that's the last thing I want to think about! Theresa is suffering Luis, and all the support and comfort in the world doesn't fix that! So unless you have something that will stop her suffering, shut up!
Luis stairs at Ethan absorbing what he's just said.
Kay: Hey, Ethan, come on now. Lashing out isn't going to help, you know? Look, okay, Eve can't stop her pain. But listen maybe we can at least relieve it a little.
Whitney: Yeah, how about a hot bubble bath. When I had my kids we did a water birth and that really helped the pain.
Kay: Oh that's a great idea. And it would be so relaxing and soothing.
Whitney: And Theresa never turns down the chance for a bubble bath.
Kay: Exactly.
Whitney: Come on Ethan let's go get Theresa in a nice hot bubble bath.
Kay: Yeah. If nothing else it might help take her mind off of it.
Ethan sighs and nods
Ethan: I guess it wouldn't hurt to try.
He let's them lead him upstairs. Chad looks over at Luis.
Chad: Hey, man, you know he's just upset. He didn't mean it.
Luis half laughs
Luis: Maybe maybe not. You know, he's right. I mean, we can care for the kids, clean the house, cook the food, talk to them, hug them. But, but all that isn't really helping. I mean, it's taking care of things. But it isn't stopping Theresa from hurting. I remember what this disease is like. And when it comes down to it, unless you can stop or diminish the pain, all you really provide is fluff. Sure all the work is appreciated but it doesn't help the big problem you know?
Chad: Yeah, man, but it's not like there is anything we can do about that. So, so we got to do the fluff cause it's better then nothing.
Luis: True.
A thought then occurs to Luis.
Luis: Unless...
Chad: Unless what?
Luis thinks for another second then makes a decision.
Luis: I need to run a quick arren I'll be back soon.
Luis grabs his coat and races out the door.
Chad shrugs and goes back to working on the TV.
At the hospital Eve sighs and flops back in her seat with tears in her eyes.
Eve: God I wish we could just find a cure for this so no one would ever have to go through this again!
Just then her phone rings.
Eve: Hello?
Julian: Hello, my love.
Eve half smiles
Eve: Hi.
Julian: Uh oh, I recognize that "hi" and I don't care for it much. Now what's wrong?
Eve laughs
Eve: You really do know me well don't you?
Julian: Yes, I do. So, don't say nothing. What's going on?
Eve: Theresa is suffering more then ever and she can't be given any more medicine then she's already on.
Julian sighs sadly.
Julian: How awful. Is the chemo not working?
Eve: Well, yes and no. I have seen a reduction in some areas but the liver is getting more over taken with cancer by the day.
Julian: Well, you know, if you can get rid of the cancer in every area but the liver then there is a way to send her into remission rather quickly.
Eve sighs
Eve: Yeah, I know. But that's only if the liver is the only organ involved and at this point that's not the case. Besides Theresa has a rare blood type. So, finding a donor would hardly be a sure thing.
Julian: True, true. Well, shall I take you out to dinner tonight to help get your mind off of things?
Eve: Oh that would be wonderful. But I have to work late tonight.
Julian: Very well. I will just wait up for you and have cook bring us a late night treat in our room. How does that sound?
Eve smiles
Eve: Wonderful. I should go now.
Julian: Very well. I love you.
Eve: I love you too. Bye.
Julian: Bye.
Julian hangs up and looks at a picture on his desk of him, Eve, and Whitney. He looks at Whitney and Eve closely and smiles lovingly at them with a tear in his eye.
Julian: Ahh my sweet girls. I vowed to always do my best to make you happy, but there are things even I am powerless to fix.

Luis arrives at the police station carrying a back pack and quickly makes his way to his desk and snatches some keys. He looks around and when no one is looking dashes for the evidence room. He goes in quickly making sure no one is watching. Then after searching for something he finally finds it and stuffs several bags into his back pack. Then cautiously leaves before anyone sees him. Out side he runs into Hank.
Hank: Hey man what are you doing here? I thought you had the day off?
Luis: Oh, I do. I just had to take care of something here real quick. I'm going back to Theresa's now.
Hank notices that Luis looks rather nervous and that his back pack is balging.
Hank: You seem kind of nervous, is everything okay?
Luis: What? Oh, oh yeah, Look, I need to go okay?
Hank: Hey man, look, we've been best friends our whole lives. If something's up you can tell me. Now what gives.
Luis takes a deep breath and looks closely at Hank.
Luis: Let's just say I'm doing what I have to do to ease my sisters pain. Now, I have to go.
Luis hurries off Hank watches him go.
Hank: You're up to something Luis. And if it's what I think it is I really hope you know what your doing.
Hank shakes his head and goes on in to visit with Sam.

Back at Ethan and Theresa's Kay, Whitney, and Ethan are gently bathing Theresa in her bubble bath.
Ethan: Are you feeling any better babe?
Theresa tries to smile.
Theresa: I really appreciate the effort.
Kay: Are you hungry or thirsty?
Theresa shakes her head.
Theresa: My stomach hasn't settled down from yesterday's chemo yet.
Theresa looks over at Whitney.
Theresa: Tell me about the baby Whitney. That will help keep my mind off how I feel.
Whitney smiles realizing more and more just what a blessing this baby really is.
Whitney: Well, Chad and I decided that since we've been surprised with all four of our other kids, and this probably will be the last one, that we're going to go ahead and find out what it is. And of course CJ and Russ can't stop talking about having another brother. But then you have Melanie who can't stop talking about a sister.
Kay: What do you and Chad want?
Whitney: Actually we are both really hoping it's a girl. I mean, first and for most we want the baby to be healthy, but after that we'd love another girl.
Ethan: I know what you mean. I mean, God knows I love Ethan Jr and Sammy but man there is just something about having a daughter. People say men always want sons but I'm not so sure about that.
Whitney: Chad says the same thing. That he loves having a little girl and it would be great to have a second daughter.
Theresa: Have you heard the baby's heart beat yet?
Whitney: Yep. You know, it's funny. No matter how many kids you have, the sound of hearing your child's heartbeat for the first time...
Whitney shakes her head.
Whitney: It's just indescribable. Chad and I were crying like babies just like when we heard CJ's for the first time.
Ethan: I know with each of mine I had the same reaction.
Theresa laughs despite the pain and imitates Ethan hearing his children's hearts beating.
Theresa: Why is the heart beating so fast! Eve the heart's beating to fast!
Whitney laughs
Whitney: Yeah I remember hearing about that. Then Mom would say that's how fast a fetuses heart beats. And he'd be fine.
Kay: But he never remembers does he?
Ethan blushes bright red.
Ethan: Hey I'm a protective father okay.
They all laugh.
Theresa: So any ideas on names yet?
Whitney: We're kicking around some ideas but nothing solid yet.
Theresa nods. And sighs.
Theresa: You know what? I really want out of this tub.
They nod and gently help her out and back into bed where they all help dry and dress her. Theresa smiles at them.
Theresa: In case I haven't mentioned it. I'm so grateful and thankful to all of you for all your care.
Ethan: My pleasure my love.
He kisses her. Whitney squeezes her hand supportively.
Whitney: Hey that's what friends are for you know.
Kay pats Theresa's shoulder.
Kay: I'm just glad there is something we can do to help.

Charity is doing house work when she suddenly has a vision. She sees Theresa laying in bed looking rather doped up and Luis and Ethan are at her sides holding her hands and looking nervously at Sam who is at the foot of the bed with a very serious look in his face. She smells something sweet and sees a bag of what looks like cigarettes on the bed. Then the vision ends.
Charity: What on earth was that?

Kay and Whitney come downstairs.
Chad: Got the TV fixed.
Whitney goes over and her and Chad hug.
Chad: How is Theresa did the bath help?
Whitney and Kay shake their heads sadly.
Kay: I think that and talk about your baby distracted her but I don't think it eased the pain all that much.
Chad shakes his head.
Chad: Well, at least you were able to distract her.
He smiles at Whitney and puts his hand on her stomach.
Chad: See, our kids already helping out.
Whitney smiles and laughs
Whitney: Yeah, I guess so.
Kay looks around
Kay: Hey where is Luis?
Chad: Oh he had something he had to do, but he said he'd be right back.
Kay nods.
Whitney: Well, I think I'm going to go round the kids up and we'll head home.
Chad: Sounds good. I'll give you a hand.
Whitney and Chad head out just as Luis walks in.
Kay: Hey there you are!
She gives him a big hug.
Kay: Where'd you disappear too?
Luis: Oh, I just had to take care of something at the station. I'm going to go check on Theresa okay? I got her something, I think she'll like.
Kay smiles
Kay: I'm sure just seeing her loving big brother will be something she'll like.
Luis smiles
Luis: Well, I think this gift my surpass my visit. Excuse me.
He dashes upstairs before she can ask anymore questions. Luis knocks on the door.
Ethan: Come in?
Luis enters and sees his sister laying on her side holding onto Ethan as he holds her to his chest.
Ethan: Hey Luis.
Luis: Hey guys. Any better?
Ethan shakes his head and sighs as he rubs Theresa's back. Luis nods.
Luis: Well, I have something that just might change that.
He quickly sits on the bed and opens his back pack.
Ethan: What do you mean?
Luis: I mean, I have something that can relieve her pain.
Theresa turns her head to look at her brother with tears in her eyes.
Theresa: You'd better not be teasing you or I may be forced to kill you.
Luis looks at her seriously.
Luis: Theresa I would never tease about something like this. I have in my bag something that I know will relieve your pain.
Ethan: But that's not possible. Eve said there was nothing she knew of that would relieve it.
Luis: No. Actually, there is nothing more she's allowed to tell you about. You see this is pretty alternative.
Ethan and Theresa exchange a look and then look back at Luis as he reaches into one of the many small bags and pulls something out.
Luis: Ethan you good a match on you?
Ethan: I think there is one in the night stand why?
Luis: Because Theresa will need it to be able to smoke this.
Luis grins as he holds up what appears to be a cigarette but the smell gives it away. Theresa and Ethan gasp.
Theresa: Luis that's...
Ethan: marijuana!
Luis: Ssshhh! Keep your voice down! Look, I got this from the evidence room at work, and if anyone finds out I could lose my badge and very easily go to jail. Now do you want to help Theresa or not?
Ethan: I'll get the match.
Ethan gently lays Theresa back down and gets the matches as Luis gets up by Theresa's head with the marijuana.
Theresa: Luis, are you sure about this?
Luis: Marijuana has been proven to reduce if not eliminate pain caused by cancer. In fact there are many people trying to make it legal for that very reason.
Theresa: But I don't want you getting in trouble because of me.
Luis looks into Theresa's pain filled eyes.
Luis: Theresa, that's not important. You're my kid sister and I'll do whatever it takes to help you. I love you and you should know I'll move heaven and earth for you. No matter the cost.
Ethan: And I'll defend Luis if anything happens so don't worry. And Luis, I'm sorry about before.
Luis: Hey man, don't sweat it. I've been there.
Ethan nods
Ethan: Thanks for doing this, Luis. We really appreciate it.
Luis smiles
Luis: Anything for family man. Now let's get this stuff in her so she can stop grimacing.
Ethan: Okay, let's do it.
Ethan holds Theresa in a sitting position and put the marijuana in her mouth then light it. Theresa begins smoking it and soon a smile spreads across her face and she lets out a peaceful sigh of relief and continues to puff away obviously feeling very little if any pain.
Ethan and Luis look at each other.
Luis: I'd say this was a successful idea.
Ethan looks at Theresa who has a goofy grin on her face and is now giggling.
Ethan: I'd say so.
They high five each other and watch in relief as Theresa falls asleep with a smile on her face.