“Daddy is a wise man, that’s for sure.” My heart is so full.
“Where are you on starting your new foundation?” Tracy asks as she and Kevin join us at the table, followed by Juliana and Isa.
“We are moving along very well. We set the name. We’ve already incorporated and filed for non-profit status. I’m working with a few business colleagues to establish our board of directors, representing different areas that will contribute to our mission. I’m excited to see where this new venture will take us. Daisy will be in charge of our vision and direction, but we’ve set it up to allow her to work from home when she wants. Or she can delegate and not work at all if she chooses. I’ll support her decision either way.” Rod links our fingers together to emphasize his point.
“I’m not making any decisions until after I bring the twins home from the hospital. Rod and I will share responsibilities for the company. Even with a full-time nanny helping, caring for two newborns at once will be a challenge.”
What I don’t say aloud, but hangs heavily in the air regardless, is we still don’t know how the transplant will go. The preparation leading up to it could kill Juliana, though they take every precaution to protect her. The toxic cocktail is designed to eradicate her immune system so her body will accept the new cells as its own. That means she’ll walk a very fine line between life and death over those two weeks.
“These next six weeks will be the shortest and longest of your life.” Kevin wraps his arm around Juliana’s shoulders. “But we’ll get through them together, whatever you two ladies need.”
“Thanks, Kevin. I appreciate your support more than you know. I’ve already arranged everything so Isa’s cared for in case something unexpected happens. The worst part will be the time in isolation. I won’t be able to hold my baby girl. That’s just pure torture. But once this is done, our lives will be very different.” Juliana tries to steer everyone back to the bright side, regardless of how difficult that is.
Her gaze drifts to a far-off place, and I wonder what she’s imagining. Stability for Isa, no doubt. But what does she want? If she were to make her final wishes known, what personal request would she make for herself? She’s never mentioned anything to me, even in passing.
Maybe I should find out. Just in case.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Rod
The day I’ve dreaded for months has finally arrived. Ready or not, here it comes. Today, I will drive my sister to the hospital and leave her there for the next two to three months while her body determines if it’ll accept the new cells and rejuvenate her immune system. Will she walk out again, completely cured? Will we close this chapter of our lives and start on a clean page at the end of this?
Before I met Daisy, I would’ve expected my usual luck to rear its ugly head and ruin my life again. But she brought more than a breath of fresh air into my stale world. She brought light and love beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. With her by my side, I dare to hope for the best and plan for a beautiful future.
When I rap on her bedroom door, Daisy opens it with a sad smile on her face. She feels it too.
“Are you ladies ready to go?” I’m not ready for this at all. But I’ll fake it for my sister’s sake.
“We don’t have much choice but to say yes.” Juliana joins Daisy in the doorway, her small suitcase in hand.
I take it from her and lead the way down to the vehicle. I recently bought a full-size SUV to transport my entire family at once. After helping Isa and Landen into their seats, I slide behind the wheel and set out for the hospital. The somber mood permeates the atmosphere, and none of us can seem to shake it. We’re all going in to spend the last few minutes we can before she goes into total isolation for her own protection.
Two weeks of this hell, then the twins arrive and bring live-saving cord blood with them. Then we wait to see if Juliana’s body accepts the transplant without incident.
When we step through the doors of the hospital, Juliana stops in her tracks. It’s the first sign of hesitation I’ve seen from her. She knows better than any of us what lies ahead. She only falters for a moment, then steels her spine and continues walking forward. After going through the steps for registration, they send us to the cancer treatment floor. When we reach the nurse’s station, we’re at the end of our journey while Juliana’s is only beginning.
“Rod, don’t be mad. This was my idea, my wish. You don’t have to like it, but I do expect you to respect it.” Juliana pierces me with her determined gaze.
“What will I not like?”
She inclines her head, indicating to look behind me. When I turn, I’m face to face with Chris Stone. Though he’s older, he hasn’t changed so much I wouldn’t recognize him.
“Hello, son.” He clears his throat nervously.
“I’m not your son. You’re here at Juliana’s request, not mine. I’ll support her, but I’ll also defend her to the death. Do not hurt her again.” I keep my voice low to spare the others, but the seriousness of my message is received, nonetheless.
“You have my word. I know that’s not worth much to you, but I’ll prove myself to both of you again. I swear it.”
I nod and step to the side so Juliana can talk to him before they take her into the room.
“My God, you are beautiful, Juliana. You’re the spitting image of your mother.”
She politely smiles while I grit my teeth. He’s pushing nothing but the wrong buttons so far.
“Thanks, I take that
