Chapter 14 - The SetbackLucy’s latest bloodwork had changed.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
Dr. Patel wanted her admitted for observation the next morning.
Alexander went into control mode immediately.
Bag.
Schedule.
Calls.
Private room.
Specialist.
Sarah watched him become the man he had been months earlier.
Efficient.
Cold.
Terrified.
Lucy noticed too.
“Dad.”
He kept packing.
“Yes?”
“Look at me.”
Alexander stopped.
Sarah almost smiled.
Lucy had learned that phrase from her.
Alexander knelt.
“I’m looking.”
“Am I bad?”
His face broke.
“No.”
“No, sweetheart.”
“Then why are you acting like everything is bad?”
Alexander looked at Sarah.
She remained silent.
This was his answer to give.
He took Lucy’s hand.
“Because I’m scared.”
Lucy nodded.
“Okay.”
Alexander blinked.
“That’s it?”
“That’s what Sarah says.”
Sarah looked away to hide tears.
The hospital stay lasted three days.
Henry remained home with Eleanor.
He hated it.
Sarah split time between the hospital and him.
On the second night, Lucy woke at two.
Alexander was asleep in a chair.
Sarah sat by the window.
Lucy whispered.
“Sarah.”
Sarah came closer.
“What?”
“Does Dad love you?”
Sarah froze.
“That is a very complicated two-in-the-morning question.”
Lucy smiled faintly.
“Do you love him?”
Sarah sat.
“I care about your dad.”
“That means yes.”
Sarah laughed quietly.
“You and Henry need to stop doing that.”
Lucy looked toward Alexander.
“He smiles more.”
Sarah’s eyes softened.
“So do you.”
“Because you’re here.”
Sarah held her hand.
Lucy continued.
“Don’t leave if I get worse.”
Sarah’s breath stopped.
“Lucy.”
“Promise.”
Sarah closed her eyes.
This was the promise she had avoided from the beginning.
Not because she did not want to give it.
Because life had taught her promises could be broken by things nobody controlled.
She leaned closer.
“I can promise something different.”
Lucy waited.
“I promise I won’t leave because I’m scared.”
Lucy thought about it.
“Okay.”
“That one I can keep.”
Lucy nodded.
Within minutes, she slept.
Alexander’s voice came quietly.
“Thank you.”
Sarah turned.
He was awake.
“How long?”
“Enough.”
Sarah smiled faintly.
Alexander looked exhausted.
“I don’t know how you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Answer without lying.”
Sarah looked at Lucy.
“I learned the hard way.”
Alexander stood.
He walked toward her.
“I’m scared.”
“I know.”
“What if the numbers keep changing?”
Sarah took his hand.
“Then we handle what’s real.”
“Not what fear invents.”
He nodded.
The next morning, Dr. Patel brought better news.
The change appeared temporary.
Lucy could go home.
Alexander nearly collapsed with relief.
He did not.
But Sarah saw his knees weaken.
Back at the house, Henry ran toward Lucy.
He stopped just before hugging her too hard.
Lucy opened her arms.
“I’m not glass.”
Henry hugged her.
Eleanor cried.
Then denied it.
Dinner that night became unexpectedly loud.
Sarah ordered pizza.
Alexander did not object.
Henry told a terrible joke.
Lucy laughed.
Then Alexander did something nobody expected.
He raised his glass.
“To bad dancing.”
Sarah stared.
Henry cheered.
Lucy raised her juice.
“To Sarah.”
Sarah’s eyes filled.
Eleanor lifted her glass.
“To Emily.”
The room became quiet.
Then Alexander smiled.
“To all of it.”
They drank.
Later, Sarah walked outside.
Alexander followed.
She leaned against the terrace railing.
“I thought I could handle it.”
“The hospital?”
“Yes.”
“But for a few hours, I was sixteen again.”
Alexander stood beside her.
“Wanting someone to be okay so badly that it hurts.”
“I almost ran.”
“But you didn’t.”
Sarah looked at him.
“No.”
He took her hand.
“That matters.”
She squeezed his fingers.
Then Alexander said quietly.
“I love you.”
Sarah stopped breathing.
He looked equally surprised.
“I didn’t plan to say that.”
“I can tell.”
“I had something better prepared.”
Sarah laughed through tears.
Alexander smiled nervously.
“I love you.”
She looked at him.
The fear was still there.
Her sister.
Lucy.
Henry.
Emily.
Everything love could cost.
But there was something else now.
Everything it could give.
“I love you too.”
Alexander closed his eyes briefly.
Then kissed her.
Inside, Henry stood behind the curtain.
Lucy stood beside him.
Eleanor appeared behind both.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
Henry pointed.
Eleanor looked outside.
Then smiled.
Mrs. Doyle walked by.
“I already knew.”
Eleanor frowned.
“How?”
May you like
Mrs. Doyle kept walking.
“I know everything.”
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