She sighed heavily. “Stop making sense.”
“I always make sense.”
“He saved two turtles crossing the road,” I interjected, “and used it as an argument on his own behalf.”
“Aww…” Amelia grinned. “…you like turtles too?”
Drew made a face at me then high-fived her as we made our way across the hall to sign in.
I’d been in this office too many times to count.
Hated the antiseptic smell.
I even hated the artwork that littered the walls because it reminded me of all the sleepless nights in the hospital room, staring at Amelia’s various projects, wondering if she would ever be able to show the world her immense talent, or if these walls would be the only ones who would appreciated just how talented and beautiful she was.
“Amelia.” The receptionist smiled. “Bronte.” Her eyes flickered to Drew in curiosity. “You can come back now. Dr. Zoe’s ready for you.”
I gave Amelia a confident smile and walked into the doctor’s office. I knew the office well. Zoe was a year younger than me and an incredible doctor. Her college degrees hung behind her desk on the wall in all her glory, and her smile was welcoming as always.
I’d always loved her smile. We’d never been close, but that didn’t mean she treated us like anything less than family. Her brown eyes mirrored her smile, and her Hawaiian heritage gave her a gorgeous glow that I wished I could bottle up and use on a daily basis.
“I see we have a special guest today.” Zoe grinned at Amelia. “Did you win a contest or something?”
“Nope.” Amelia grinned. “He likes my mom.”
Drew shot her a glare and then sighed. “From the mouths of babes. They grow fast, don’t they?”
Zoe blinked and then exploded in laughter. “That’s hilarious, but really…”
She looked at me.
“I would be insulted if I wasn’t also in the same boat labeled Disbelief.” I just shrugged. “I may get a restraining order later.”
“Please, you like to keep me around. I pour wine quite heavily.” He held up his hands to Zoe. “But, I mean, not the entire bottle and — responsibly because…” He winked. “…I’m an adult now. Amelia even let me give her a pep talk on the way.”
“Yeah, football star.” Amelia grinned.
“Oh, you played football?” Zoe asked.
“Not a day in my life.” Drew laughed and then shrugged at us. “What? It was a good story!”
Amelia covered her face in her hands. “Mom, he’s insane.”
“He’s right here,” Drew added and then shared a smile with me before giving me a confident nod.
He somehow knew that was what I needed.
I needed his nod to tell me to ask the question we’d come here to ask.
Was her cancer back?
Was she still in remission?
Was she going to be okay?
I started tapping my foot against the floor, almost unable to open my mouth as every zap of energy deflated from my body and shoved itself toward Amelia. She needed it more than I.
And I would die before she felt pain, sorrow, despair.
Let her have my strength.
I would be okay.
I always was.
Right?
“So…” Drew leaned his elbows onto his knees. “…I’m a fan of the Band-Aid method. What about you, Amelia?” He reached for her hand.
I watched in awe as she clung to it, took a deep breath, reached for mine, and then stared back at the doctor. “I’m ready.”
Zoe grinned. “It looks like you’re still in remission—”
Drew let out a curse of relief. I sagged against the chair, feeling I’d aged ten years, and tears welled in Amelia’s eyes.
“—but I would like to see you again later this year, say in about six months? Once we have a third positive that you’re in remission, we’ll move your appointments to a year. Now, I have something to ask you, and I need your permission to ask it in front of your mom. Drew, could you please—”
“He stays,” Amelia interrupted politely, shocking me into a stupor.
Drew seemed to grow taller in that moment as he shared a look with me that asked, “Are you sure this is okay?”
I smiled back at him.
“Are you sure?” Zoe asked. “Because, while your results came back fine, I’m a bit worried about some of the symptoms you expressed, feeling nauseated, loss of appetitive…”
“What are you asking?” Amelia said slowly.
Zoe gave her a professional smile. “Have you been sexually active perchance? I don’t want to insinuate that you’re pregnant or anything but—”
I could tell Drew was ready to scream “No!” at about the same time I let out a horrified gasp and prayed my baby wasn’t doing anything with Ryan.
There was a heavy awkwardness in the room. Drew suddenly looked ready to break the desk with his bare hands. Zoe had a frozen smile on her face. The only person who looked halfway normal was Amelia, mainly because we were all subject to an exaggerated eye roll before she answered.
After a huge shrug, Amelia shot Zoe a confident smile. “No, I’m not. I have super high expectations. You see, one of the biggest rockstars in the world is staying at our guest house. I met Zane last year. My brother’s going to be even more famous. I’m holding out for Dylan or Cole Sprouse.”
I exhaled in relief and Drew stopped white-knuckling his chair. “Good kids, good kids.” He nodded his approval. “I mean, I’m locking you in your room, but they aren’t the worst choices…” And then he spat. “Ryan…”
“Oh, how is Ryan? I didn’t know you guys were still dating!” Zoe grinned, clearly unaware of our repulsion of Ryan.
“You—” Drew coughed. “—know him?”
“He’s my nephew.” She beamed.
“How…” Drew’s eyes widened. “…special for you. Good kid, real smart too.”
Could his words come out any faster?
I held my laugh in while Amelia shot me a sidelong knowing look. It was almost painful watching Drew try to keep in his horror.
“He really is.” Zoe laughed. “I think he’s finally passing math.”
Drew gave a told-you-so side-eye to Amelia, causing her to snort out a laugh before she recovered
