Chapter 26

ANNA

We all spin around to see Dr. Oliver. “Dr. Oliver?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Hello, Anna. We have the biopsy results,” he says, his tone professional.

“We’d prefer if those who aren’t immediate family could step out. This is a sensitive matter,” he adds.

I nod in understanding, and the others start to gather their belongings. This includes Becca and Jack, which makes my heart sink a little.

“Could you guys stay, please?” I ask, my voice shaking slightly.

James and I have each other, but we could use some extra support. And another set of ears.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Becca replies, taking Jack’s hand.

Becca pulls Jack into a hug and whispers something in his ear. I can’t make out what she’s saying from where I’m sitting, but it sounds like, ~“She’s not worth it.”~

~

I’m not sure what that means, so I decide to let it go for now. I’m just ready to hear what’s going on with my daughter.

“Alright,” Dr. Oliver sighs.

Liz and Jim exit the room, promising to bring back coffee and some food. We’ll probably need it.

“Thanks, guys.”

Once they’re gone, Dr. Oliver starts to speak.

“You might want to sit down,” he suggests. I settle Olivia on my lap, and Jack and Becca take their seats.

Becca and Jack sit next to each other, their hands intertwined. I hold onto James’s hand while Jack rubs my back. His touch is comforting, and that’s exactly what I need right now.

James is watching the doctors, bracing himself for the news.

~News that, deep down, we already know.~

~

“Yesterday, I mentioned that I suspected it was cancer. I did say it was just a hunch, but it was a hunch I wanted to investigate.”

We all nod in understanding.

“It turns out I was right. I’m so sorry, Anna, James—Olivia has lung cancer.”

A tear slips down my cheek, but I can’t seem to move.

“Oh, God, no,” Becca sobs.

Jack stops rubbing my back and pulls Becca into his arms. I glance to my right. James is leaning back, his face wet with tears and his hands tangled in his hair.

He doesn’t bother to wipe the tears away, and they just keep coming.

~Cancer. It’s real. It’s cancer.~

~

I hold Olivia close and try to hug James—a hug we both desperately need. “We knew this was a possibility,” I whisper in his ear.

He nods in response. “But hearing it out loud...it’s different.”

“I know, honey, but we have to be strong. Strong for Olivia. We need her to get through this.”

~She has to get through this. She has to, and she will.~

~

He takes Olivia from me and holds her tight. She looks so small in his arms. But at the same time, she fits there perfectly.

“Daddy loves you, baby girl,” he says, his voice choked with tears as he buries his face in her neck.

“Ssssh, Daddy. I’ll help. I love you too!” she says, as if her words can change everything.

Olivia climbs off James’s lap and walks over to my parents, who are both crying.

“Gigi?” she asks in a small voice.

“I’m okay, Olivia. Just a little sad,” she replies, trying to smile. But as soon as she looks at Liv, the tears start flowing again.

Liv reaches up so Becca can pick her up.

“Come here,” Liv says, wrapping her arms around Becca’s neck.

“I love you, Gigi.”

“I love you too, baby girl.”

“Okay. So, what now?” I ask, trying to pull myself together.

Dr. Oliver steps to the side, revealing another doctor who had been standing quietly in the background.

“This is Dr. Jasmine Jones. She’s an expert in pediatric oncology.”

I nod in acknowledgment.

“Hello, I’m so sorry for what your family is going through,” she begins, her voice gentle.

~Wow, she’s really kind. She doesn’t seem like a typical doctor.~

~

Jasmine is wearing a white doctor’s coat, but she still looks stunning. She has curly strawberry-blond hair and striking blue eyes.

She seems a bit thin to me, but I’m on the curvy side, so maybe I’m just biased. She’s beautiful.

“I didn’t notice you earlier. Sorry,” I tell her.

“It’s okay. This is a big diagnosis,” she says. She gives me a comforting smile and looks around at all of us.

“Jack?” she says, sounding surprised.

Jack is still hugging Olivia and Becca.

“Hello, Jasmine,” he replies politely. He doesn’t meet her gaze. I’ve never seen Jack like this before.

I’ve seen him shocked, crying, relieved, and happy. But this is something different, almost as if it’s hurting him in every possible way.

“What are you doing here?” she asks.

“I’m family,” he says, his voice firm but shaky. He doesn’t seem to want to explain any further.

Jasmine just frowns. She shakes her head as she turns back to me.

“So I took a look at the results. Olivia’s cancer is treatable, but it’s going to be a tough battle,” she says, and I feel a wave of relief wash over me.

~It’s treatable.~

“She’ll need chemo, and radiation on top of that. Once the cancer has shrunk, we should be able to remove it.”

“You mean surgery?” I ask for clarification.

“Yes. I won’t sugarcoat it, it’s going to be rough. And if we wait any longer, it will be too late.”

“When can we start?”

“Get it done as soon as you can,” she states, her tone firm.

“Alright, what’s the first thing we need to do?” James inquires.

“Olivia will require a series of injections and IV medications. We’ll need to insert a port-a-cath. It’ll provide us with a constant access point and also ensure her mobility isn’t restricted throughout the process.”

“So, a surgery?” Jack questions, trying to regain his composure.

“You’re familiar with a port-a-cath, Jack. And yes, it involves surgery,” she responds, her voice icy.

I can feel my anger starting to simmer.

~Clearly, there’s some history between them. But I won’t let this day spiral into another drama. I just can’t.~

I rise and position myself between the two of them, who are now locked in a fierce stare-down.

“Are you two going to have issues with each other?” I demand, my gaze shifting between a glaring Jack and a taken-aback Jasmine.

“Because I won’t hesitate to find another doctor who can maintain professionalism with my family. We’ve been through hell in the past forty-eight hours. If you can’t keep it together, I’ll find a doctor back in our hometown.”

“Hometown?”

“Yes, we’re from Seattle,” I inform her.

“Well, I won’t have any issues if he doesn’t.”

Jack rises and attempts to sidestep me.

“What’s the matter?” I question.

“Nothing, sweetheart. But having those two in the same room is a bit too much for me. I don’t want to stir up trouble—like you said, we’ve had enough drama. I’ll return in a bit, okay?”

I give him a puzzled look. I want more—I need to understand why he’s reacting this way. He vowed to stand by me, and he has, up until now…

“Jasmine is my ex-wife,” he murmurs in my ear, the pain evident in his eyes.

Suddenly, it all clicks.

~Ex-wife? “Can’t stand those two in the same room.” Did she cheat on him? With Oliver?~

“Alright. Will you be okay?” I ask him, pulling him into a comforting embrace.

“Do you want Mom to accompany you?” He looks at me, slightly taken aback, and I realize that I just referred to Becca as “Mom.” The words slipped out before I could even process them.

He shakes his head. “I’ll be alright,” he assures me. “I love you, Anna.” He exits the room.

“I love you too, Daddy,” I call out to him as he departs.

I know he won’t be alright. I can see it in his eyes—he’s on the verge of being consumed by his emotions if he’s left alone. I should know—I’m exactly the same.

“Mom, could you please go with him?” I request aloud. Becca looks up, startled.

“I understand, sweetheart,” she acknowledges with a nod. “I’ll catch up with him before he takes off running again. He needs to be here, not out there,” she adds, managing a smile.

“He’ll return soon,” I assure her.

“Just let him wallow for a bit,” James suggests. “Be there for him, and don’t let him retreat into his shell. Every time Anna does that, I lose her.”

“I know, I’ll find him. He’s probably outside somewhere.”

I let out a sigh. “So much for a drama-free day,” I mutter, causing James and Olivia to chuckle.