Lou was relieved when everyone had made their excuses to leave. She was thankful to have a moment to gather her thoughts. She had explained to her family that she would tell Georgie later that night, knowing she would suspect something was up if she left it any longer. As for Katie she would be too young to understand so Lou was going to try her best not to let anything affect her, until her results were back and she knew where she stood. For now though, Katie would be able to remain happy and carefree as a little girl should. The thought of the impact a diagnosis could have on someone so young was terrifying Lou to her core. She could feel the tears surfacing once more.
"You okay Lou?" Asked Caleb, knowing she wasn't but hoping to coax her into opening up.
"I'm just thinking about how all this could affect Katie, she won't know what any of this means. I can't bear the thought of her or Georgie seeing me go through gruelling treatment in hospital, being sick and exhausted – seeing me at my weakest. If it is in fact the big C." Lou admitted honestly.
"All I know is, the only big C you have… stands for Courage" Caleb said sincerely, while approaching Lou and taking her hand in his, "You have more courage than anyone I have ever met and I know a lot of brave guys, trust me I know true grit when I see it."
In that moment Lou could feel her heart swell. She knew that Caleb saw her in a way that no one else ever had before, it was both refreshing and intoxicating. Without meaning to, Lou had opened herself up to discover the real man behind the big toothy grin and twinkling eyes, he was more than just a cowboy or occasional ranch hand. He was someone with a big heart that wasn't afraid to share it. He might appear happy-go-lucky but she had seen how deep he really was. From all the times they had talked through the years and a lot more recently; he was continually surprising her with his insight and always listening quietly without judgement. The many times that she found herself completely wound up and would order him around in her typical control-freak manner, he accepted it gracefully with understanding. It was hard to ignore the fact that their differences created a perfect balance together.
Without any more fore-thought from Lou, she spontaneously moved forward and kissed Caleb. Catching him off-guard - he hesitated only for a moment before smiling and relaxing into the kiss.
"Eww…Gross!" Came the instant interruption from Georgie, who had been taking Katie back through from her room.
Lou immediately tried to straighten herself up as if she hadn't being doing anything, even though Georgie had already seen. Her cheeks burning brightly didn't help her mount a defence either. She looked to Caleb for some help, for what she should say to her daughter in response to what she had witnessed. Lou quickly realised Caleb would be of no use to her this time for support. He was trying his hardest not to laugh, clearly amused at being caught. Lou had to admit, for once, that after everything she'd been through this wasn't the same cause for concern that it would have been before. She could picture her old-self causing such a drama; shouting, screaming, doors slamming and not to mention the immeasurable embarrassment. Things felt different now, she really did have bigger concerns and this wasn't one of them.
Surprising herself, she laughed. It felt good to let go and laugh, allowing the pressure to lift. Caleb joined her, letting out the laugh he was holding back rather unsuccessfully. It felt normal to her and normal had never felt so good. Lou walked over to lift Katie into her arms smiling but stopped abruptly in front of her child. Realising she wasn't able to lift her up which made Lou incredibly upset and panicked but she managed to hold in it for both her daughter's sakes. Now wasn't the right situation to tell Georgie the truth. She knelt beside Katie as if she'd meant to do that all along and hugged her youngest child tightly from her pain free side, she'd missed her little girl too much. Holding her breath hoping no-one picked up on her near mishap.
Georgie was thankfully oblivious. She was pouring some milk into glasses while glowering with teenage disgust to herself, her expression and silence spoke volumes. Georgie downed her drink as quickly as she could, leaving Katie's milk at the table for her to sit and have hers.
"I'm going out to the barn." Georgie shouted back as she made her way out the front door.
"She couldn't get out of here fast enough" Mused Lou out loud.
"Can't imagine why…" Caleb said jokingly.
"Caleb – it's not funny" Lou fumed, without any real contempt.
"Ah c'mon Lou, you laughed as well. It is a little funny." Caleb teased, continuing to laugh, "I mean you just got caught making out by your teenage daughter, isn't that meant to be the other way around?"
Lou rolled her eyes and threw a cloth placemat from the table at him, trying her hardest not to give in and laugh along with him. She asked Katie to sit up at the table as she headed to the coffeepot, she really needed caffeine after that. Katie started to giggle as Caleb was hit cleanly in his face with the material missile. The air was then filled with delighted shrieks as Katie ran away from Caleb who chased her from the kitchen to the living room and back again, pretending he was going to 'get her' for laughing at him with the placemat in his hand. Lou felt awash with happiness at what could be seen as any normal family moment. It was something she had longed for and it somehow happened over night. She was amazed to think something so wonderful could stem from something so awful. For the first time in months, Lou was feeling hope – hope for her future.