Wow thanks for all the awesome long reviews! I really loved reading them :) I'm glad you all liked the Make-A-Wish inclusion, I've had more to do with the Starlight Foundation, which follows a similar concept, but both are amazing, amazing organisations.
To Lil-Evans – you know, that would be so great of you to do that up at the hospital. It takes a special person to do something like that and I know for a fact it most definitely brightens a sick kid's day!
To Jess – you've fallen asleep on me again but your input into this chapter was invaluable! Now wake up, or I'll set a blonde clubbing Leprechaun lesbian onto you tehehehehe
And Em – we might not have known each other for that long but I feel like I've been friends with you FOREVER! This chapter's for you girl! Aunt Gladys FTW!
Oh and also GET WELL SOON ZAC! Hope Vanessa is looking after you properly hehe!
Hope you enjoy this chapter...it's kinda cheesy but hopefully it's good cheese!
Charli xox
Chapter 24
Gabriella spent the next few days walking on the clouds. She was so excited about Christmas and her Wish that she felt like nothing could get her down right now. She and her mother were up at the hospital for the morning – she had just gotten her blood counts checked and they were now heading over to visit Mackenzie.
On their way to Mackenzie's room, they passed the transplant floor and picked up the intercom outside Savannah's room. Savannah had her back to the window and didn't see them at first, but Kathryn spotted them and waved happily.
"Hey, stop ignoring me and roll over, girl!" Gabriella laughed into the intercom and watched as Savannah sat up in surprise and turned around to face the window.
"Hey!" she grinned. "What are you doing up here?"
"I was in Outpatients for counts and we thought we'd duck over and say hi to everyone," Gabriella explained. "You're looking SO good!!"
It was true – the last time Gabriella had seen Savannah she had been undergoing heavy duty chemo and radiation treatments in the lead up to her transplant, and Gabriella didn't think she had ever seen anyone so sick in her entire life. Seeing Savannah looking as though she was walking the fine line between life and death had haunted Gabriella – so much so that she had spent that night crying herself to sleep, scared for both Savannah and herself. Would it ever get to that point for her? Would they ever have to take her to the brink of death in order to save her life? She often had so many unanswered 'what if's' swirling through her mind that it hurt.
But today – seeing Savannah with colour in her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes - was a firm reassurance that things could indeed get better, and recovery is possible. Her own mother reminded her daily that she was living proof of that herself – it hadn't even been two months ago that she was fighting for her own life.
As she finished her chat with Savannah and they waved goodbye, Gabriella and Maria continued up the hallway to Mackenzie's room, the former frowning when she observed the number.
"Why is Kenz in the high dependency room?" she wondered aloud. Maria's heart skipped a beat, selfishly afraid of upsetting her daughter right before Christmas. She breathed a sigh of relief, however, when Gabriella shrugged. "Eh...they must be giving her some privacy with her family because it's Christmas," she decided before knocking softly and opening the door.
Mackenzie and Lillian looked up when the door opened, as Gabriella's heart dropped to her feet. As much as Savannah had looked a thousand times better than Gabriella's last visit with her, Mackenzie looked a thousand times worse. Dark circles underlined her sunken eyes, a stark contrast to her milky white skin. An oxygen mask covered her mouth and nose, attached to just one of the many machines, pumps and monitors surrounding the bed. Mackenzie picked up on the vibe of uncertainty radiating from her friend, and pulled the oxygen mask from her face, coughing a little.
"Hey, I don't bite," she joked raspily. "Get your butt over here girl!"
Maria and Lillian hugged one another, whilst Gabriella moved tentatively to Mackenzie's side. "Baby, I'm just going out into the corridor with Maria to stretch my legs for a bit, alright? You and Gabi can catch up properly," Lillian told Mackenzie.
"Ok Momma," Mackenzie replied, weakly lifting her hand and blowing her mother a kiss as she left with Maria. "Geez Gabs, do I really look that bad?" she laughed a little, then force making her cough.
"NO, no...I just...what's with all the...stuff?" Gabriella gestured towards the medical equipment that seemed to take up most of the space in the small room.
"Eh...you know how they are – you get a little wheezy and it's panic stations. Don't worry 'bout me Gabs – I'm fine."
"Promise?"
Beneath the sheets, Mackenzie crossed her fingers tightly. "Yeah...'course..."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
It was Christmas Eve and Gabriella was in a panic. Her doctor had banned her from the crowded malls – the risk of infection was just too high – the week before Christmas, and she had pinned all her hopes on a last minute reprieve to buy her gifts, but here it was - one day before Christmas, and Dr Zamitt had just informed her that she was still confined the house.
Her mother had offered to go to the shops for her and get something for Troy, but Gabriella was adamant that she needed to look for herself. She needed the perfect gift. Not that she didn't trust her mother's taste – she did – but it was hers and Troy's first Christmas together, and she wanted it to be special.
Letting out a sigh, Gabriella's eyes wandered around her bedroom for any glimmer of inspiration. She felt so selfish being miserable about not being allowed to go Christmas shopping when Mackenzie and so many of her other friends were still in hospital and couldn't go out at all, but she couldn't help it – Troy had been there for her unconditionally over the past few months, and she had really wanted to find some way to thank him.
"Been there for me..." Gabriella said to herself, a smile beginning to form on her face as her eyes fell on her iPod and laptop.
"Perfect."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Downstairs, Maria was on the phone to Lucille.
"Is Gabi excited about tomorrow?" Lucille asked.
"Beyond belief," Maria laughed. "She's just bummed that she hasn't been allowed out into the malls to go Christmas shopping. We just couldn't take the risk of her picking up an infection with her immune system so compromised. She really wanted to give Troy something special and she doesn't know what to do now."
"Oh, tell her not to worry – Troy would love anything Gabi gave him. Sometimes I think she could give him a tissue she had used and he would frame it," she laughed, Maria joining in as she heard Troy protesting in the background.
"Oh, listen, is there anything you want me to bring tomorrow besides the desserts I've done?" Maria asked.
"Oh no, don't be silly that's plenty!" Lucille replied. "I've got everything under control, all you and Gabi have to do is come and have a good time."
Maria smiled to herself at the other woman's kindness. "Are you sure you want us crashing your Christmas day?" she asked, still feeling slightly guilty.
"Maria! I won't have you and Gabriella sit around the house by yourselves at Christmas when there are two empty seats at our crazy table. Besides, you two are practically family now anyway! We're all looking forward to having you here."
"Well, we're looking forward to coming...one sec Luc, Gabi's trying to play charades...yes you can use my scanner, you don't need to ask honey," Maria chuckled as Gabriella dashed back upstairs. "Just quietly," she told Lucille, "I think my Gabi has come up with a present for your son..."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Christmas morning dawned bright and sunny, with a crisp winter chill hanging in the air. Gabriella woke up early, a smile spreading across her face as she thought about the day ahead. Creeping out into the hallway as she wrapped her bathrobe around herself, Gabriella paused for a moment. Hearing movement downstairs, she headed for the kitchen, where she found her mother busily whisking pancake batter.
She entered the kitchen without a sound, and wrapped her arms around Maria from behind.
"Merry Christmas, Mom," she breathed.
Maria turned around and hugged her daughter tightly. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart," she smiled. "Ok, so decision time – meds come first either way but after that...pancakes or presents first?" Maria was already plastic wrapping the bowl of pancake mix, knowing what her daughter's reply would be.
Gabriella pretended to look thoughtful for a moment before grinning, gulping down her daily medication, grabbing her mother's hand and pulling her to the living room.
"Ok, me first!" she said excitedly, pulling a large flat present from under the tree and handing it to Maria, kissing her on the cheek. "Merry Christmas!"
"Thank you honey," Maria smiled, falling silent as she unwrapped the gift. "Oh, Gabi..." murmured, holding the framed verse in her hands. Gabriella had come across the verse months ago, and – by some stroke of luck – found an empty frame in the box of things she still hadn't sorted out from their last move.
"Do you like it?" Gabriella asked tentatively.
"Like it? Gabi..." Maria wiped the tears that were spilling down her cheeks. "Come here," she sobbed, pulling her close. "I love you so much, honey."
"I love you too, Mom," Gabriella replied, feeling a little teary herself.
The silver frame sat on the table as mother and daughter embraced, the words of the verse as apt as ever.
THE CHOSEN MOTHERS
By Erma Bombeck
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. But did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth: son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie: daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie: twins, patron saint Gerard." Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer."
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."
"Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has its own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you."
"No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."
The angel gasps -"Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side."
"And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel, her pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
"Merry Christmas!" Lucille Bolton exclaimed as she opened the front door to greet Maria and Gabriella with hugs and kisses on the cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Mom," Gabriella giggled as Lucille squeezed her tightly.
"You look beautiful, honey," Lucille told her sincerely. Gabriella looked down at her new purple dress, smoothing it nervously before checking her white headscarf was secure.
"Beautiful?" a second member of the Bolton family appeared in the doorway. "She looks absolutely gorgeous," Troy announced, taking Gabriella by the hands and pulling her to him. "Merry Christmas, Bella," he whispered in her ear.
"Merry Christmas," she said back, her voice muffled in the crook of his neck.
As they made their way inside, Troy stifled a laugh as his girlfriend was accosted before they even reached the lounge room.
"Gabri-ellaaaaa!"
"Merry Christmas, Aunt Gladys," she smiled kindly, trying not to wince as Troy's great-aunt's whiskers scratched her cheek.
"You're looking pretty as ever, deary – when I heard about your sickness, my dear goodness...I couldn't believe what I was being told, I couldn't believe it was true! Something like that couldn't happen to such a kind, sweet, loving girl. It's just terrible, what you must be going through – oh, I couldn't imagine. I pray for you every single day and all my bingo friends, they're praying for you too! Such a beautiful girl, my goodness, I..."
"Uh, Aunt Gladys...I think Gabriella might have to...take her medication now..." Troy interrupted, gently taking Gabriella's hand and leading her towards the kitchen.
"Oh, of course dear. I'll come with you. I'm about due for my bladder medication."
"Err..." Troy suddenly pulled Gabriella away from the kitchen, towards the stairs. "Gabriella has to take her medication in...My room..."
Giggling breathlessly, Gabriella collapsed onto Troy's bed. "Troy, you're so bad!" she gasped.
"Gabiii," he whined. "She's just...smelly and...old..."
"Troy Bolton!" Gabriella slapped him on the arm. "You're terrible – she's...sweet."
"If garlic-breath does it for you..."
"Troy!" she laughed. "Stop it! But thanks for rescuing me..."
"HA!" Troy grinned triumphantly. "Anyway, now I've got you by yourself...I kinda...well...Merry Christmas," he said, handing her a neatly wrapped present and card.
"Thank you," Gabriella said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. She sat back down on the end of his bed and took the card out of the envelope.
Dear Gabriella,
There are so many things I want to say...where do I start? Well, first up – Merry Christmas! Our first Christmas together...I'm pretty sure I'm the luckiest guy in the world right now, to be spending Christmas with you. And I guess you could say that in more than one way...being with you for Christmas means the world to me, but even more so because of what you have had to endure to be here today.
Every morning when I wake up the first thing I feel is thanks that I have another day with you. I used to think that nothing in the world could scare me. But then I met you. And now I know that the thought of losing you is the one thing that scares me most. These past few months watching you suffer have been so hard – not a day goes by when I don't wish that it was me instead...when I don't try and bargain with 'the powers that be' to let us swap places so that I can take all the pain away from you. But then I watch you accepting everything that is happening with so much grace, and I realise that if anyone has the strength to cope it's you. So many people would have given up a long time ago if they were in your shoes, but for you...giving up is not an option. And I have no doubt that you will continue to show this cancer who's boss.
I always knew that you were special, Gabi, but this journey has shown the world just how strong, smart, and amazing you really are. It has bought us closer together than I ever dreamed possible and if I was 100 percent sure before I'm 110 percent sure now that the bond we share...it's unbreakable. You continue to amaze and inspire me and I don't think I'll ever get tired of learning new things about you. I'm so proud of you...This is for keeps and I love you more and more with ever second that goes by. I feel so honoured to be able to call you my girlfriend.
Merry Christmas, Bella.
All my love,
Troy xx
Gabriella was in tears. No matter what some of the guys at school thought, Troy Bolton had a sensitive side that only a small selection of his closest family and friends were privy to, and it made Gabriella love him all the more. Placing the card down beside her, Gabriella reached her arms out to Troy and buried herself in his chest.
"I love you so, so, SO much," she told him.
Troy kissed the side of her head and pushed the unopened gift towards her. "Open it," he prompted.
Gabriella sniffed a little, blinking back her tears as she peeled the wrapping paper from her present. "Oh my gosh, Troy...you shouldn't have..."
"I wanted to," Troy replied, kissing the side of her head again.
"They're beautiful..." Gabriella breathed, holding a bracelet and matching earrings up to the light. The bracelet was sterling silver set with shimmering purple Swarovski crystals. The words hope, faith and love adorned three separate silver charms in the middle of the bracelet, while a silver awareness ribbon hung from the clasp. The earrings were made of the same crystals as the bracelet and sparkled as they caught the light.
"It's a cancer awareness bracelet, and the earrings match," Troy explained. "There were so many to choose from but this one caught my eye the moment I saw it. The little card in the pouch explains more but each piece of jewellery is hand made by a cancer survivor, and part of the money from the sale is donated to cancer research, so..."
"Troy, they're perfect...you're perfect..." Gabriella gushed, kissing him.
"Thanks," Troy blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "There's one more thing," he pointed out.
Gabriella had been so busy admiring the bracelet and earrings she hadn't noticed the other small package in the wrapping paper. She opened it and out slid a silver pendant.
"I noticed this in the same shop, just as I was leaving. I read the engraving on it and...I couldn't leave it there," Troy told her.
Gabriella turned the heart shaped pendant over and over in her hands, absorbing the words there. She recognised them as being from a poem Mackenzie had showed her once, called 'What Cancer Cannot Do.'
What Cancer Cannot Do
It cannot steal eternal life
Invade the Soul
Shatter hope.
Cancer cannot
Destroy peace
Suppress memories
Silence courage
Conquer the spirit
Kill friendship
Corrode faith
Cripple love.
"You have no idea..." Gabriella whispered as Troy took the necklace from her and clasped it around her neck, the pendant settling right near the silver 'T' she was already wearing. "...how much this means to me..."
"I'm glad you like it," Troy replied.
Gabriella shook her head, unable to put into words just how meaningful his gift was. "You...I...god I love you."
"I love you too," Troy said gently, leaning forward and kissing her.
"I...I have something for you too...the first bit is just something Mom picked out for me to give you...it's just a token gift really, she felt bad because I couldn't get out to the shops and she knew how much I wanted to go out and get you something...it's not much but...well, I hope you like it anyway. And your main present, well...it's just hand-made really, it's kinda lame actually, it looks like nothing compared to this," she gestured to her new jewellery. "I feel really bad; I wanted to get you something really special and meaningful to sho..." Gabriella was cut off by his lips on hers. "Sorry," she sighed when he pulled back with a smirk. "I'm rambling."
"Mmm, yeah," he laughed. "It's ok, I love you anyway," he winked and Gabriella rolled her eyes. Troy tore the paper off the first present. "Hey, this is awesome!" he exclaimed, inspecting the black leather wallet.
"Yeah, well...your old one has totally had it," Gabriella pointed out, gesturing towards the tatty wallet sitting on his desk.
"True," Troy laughed. "Thanks Gabi."
"I put a picture of us inside," she informed him. "It's one of my favourites."
Troy opened the wallet and smiled. "Mine too," he agreed as he saw the picture of them together at Junior Prom. He put the wallet down and turned his attention back towards the remainder of the gift – a flat wrapped package that looked somewhat like a CD. Tearing the paper off, Troy saw that it was. Troy noticed there was a post-it on the case.
'Play me...in your laptop' it read.
Troy looked curiously at Gabriella, who just shrugged and nodded her head towards his computer. Raising an eyebrow, he booted his computer and slipped the disc inside. Almost immediately Media Player opened and a melody began to play as a picture of Troy and Gabriella appeared on the screen.
Lately I've been thinking
About the things that we've been through
And I don't know if I'd be here,
If not for you...
As the song continued, picture after picture of Troy and Gabriella drifted across the screen, the string of images occasionally interrupted by a screen of text, describing a memory.
Even when I'm not giving enough
And I'm taking too much
You're still there for me
Even when I got nothing at all
And I'm ready to fall
You're still there for me...
...Even when I can't be there for ...
You're always there for me...
The song came to an end and the last image faded, replaced by a scrolling text. Gabriella studied Troy's face intently as he read her heartfelt words.
There isn't a word in the English Language that could possible express everything that I want you to know right now, Troy. Thank you just doesn't seem enough to let you know how grateful I am for everything you have done for me in the past year, especially the last few months.
You've brought me laughter, joy, happiness...shown me friendship, compassion...love. You've stuck by me through thick and thin, your belief in me has never wavered, and for that...I love you.
No matter how hard it may seem some days, I WILL get through this...I'll get through it for you.
When I find the right word to describe my appreciation for the day you came into my life, I'll get back to you...but for now, just know that you're my reason for living and I love you more than you'll ever know.
You're my strength, my hope, my joy.
Merry Christmas, Troy.
Love,
Gabi xox
As the screen finally faded to black, Troy remained seated at his desk, his back to Gabriella.
"Troy?" Gabriella said tentatively. No response. "Troy?" she repeated. When he still didn't respond, Gabriella noticed his shoulders shaking a little and moved to stand behind him, placing her hand on his shoulder.
Without a word, Troy turned on the chair and pulled her into his lap. Gently, her hand rose to his face and wiped the tears that were still there. He leaned down slightly and rubbed his nose against hers, both of them closing her eyes as they savoured the moment.
"Gabriella Montez, you are the most incredible person I have met in my entire life," Troy told her, the silence evaporating.
Gabriella just smiled and rested her forehead against his.
"Merry Christmas, Troy."
"Merry Christmas, Gabi."
Cheese much? Oh well lol. Hope you enjoyed it :) By the way, links to Gabriella's necklace and Bracelet/earrings set are in my profile.
Next up: New Years in hospital. Fun times with friends.
Please keep up the wonderful reviews! Love you guys!
Charli xox
